The joint initiative seeks to bridge the gap between corporate organisations and graduates, inspire companies to take on more people that have a disability, and expel myths and fears surrounding disability.
"We want to change the welfare mentality around disability and prepare these graduates for the working world. We would like to market organisations to these graduates as this event may be their first exposure to the corporate world," says Dionne Kerr, Siyakha Consulting's executive director.
She explains that students with disabilities are often marginalised when organisations visit universities as the career opportunities presented are not focussed on their needs. For example, some material may be visually presented which visually impaired students cannot see. There is also not always an interpreter for people with hearing disabilities. The students are therefore not informed about the opportunities that exist for them in the workplace.
"Research has shown that many of the graduates coming out of the University of KwaZulu-Natal become quite despondent with regards to job searches after completing their studies, and often return to their homes in outlying areas without contactable numbers or addresses. Their knowledge thus remains dormant and trapped within their disability. The most affected groups include black women, whilst the province with the highest prevalence of disability is KwaZulu-Natal," says Kerr.
Research also shows that employees with disabilities are more productive and loyal than their able-bodied co-workers. The benefits for companies to employee people with disabilities are considerable, including an improved employment equity score and therefore an improved BEE, and a SARS tax rebate of up to R50 000 for any company which offers a learnership to a graduate with a disability.
The initiative aims to make sure that all parties are aware of the above so that it can assist with transformation in South Africa. "We aim to motivate graduates with disabilities to persist with their applications for employment, and we hope to ultimately change the statistics that exist with regards to the employment of people with disabilities," says Kerr.
"We are also striving to change the mindset of individuals around disability, so that they can see it as a form of diversity in South Africa. Diversity is something that should be embraced by corporate organisations as well as people with disabilities, who often view themselves in a poor light," she adds.
The event will take place in the Principal's Dining Hall, Student Union's Building, from 13h00 to 14h30. The venue is easily accessible to people with disabilities.
For more information or take part in this event, please contact Dhash Madhoe, Disability and Diversity Consultant at Siyakha Consulting at 031 566 2988 or email az.oc.ahkayis@hsahd.
