The first of its kind
Ghana is a country where there are many preconceptions about disability, and typically employers simply don’t realise they can offer jobs to people who are disabled.
Earlier this year Sightsavers, in partnership with Standard Chartered (one of our corporate supporters) held a careers fair for people with disabilities. Around 70 people were given the opportunity to showcase their skills and be interviewed by some of the 27 companies present, including Vodaphone and Barclays Bank.
Inspirational presentations were given by disabled people who are currently in employment, such as Mawuse Yakor, who is partially sighted due to albinism. Mawuse is a qualified accountant, and works as an audit officer.
The colour of our skin should not be an indictment on our professional abilities
“Some people do not want to associate with you, and even discourage others from doing so,” she says, as many people view albinos negatively, and are often afraid of this condition that affects skin and sight. “The colour of our skin should not, and must not, be an indictment on our professional abilities.”
Company representatives, including members of HR, who already employ people with disabilities also made comments during the presentations, which helped to allay the fears of some employers.
Adapting the workplace
Mawuse’s employer has had to make some small adjustments, such as changing the brightness of her computer screen. There are also some very low cost accessible technology devices employers can install to make the workplace more suitable for people with disabilities. At the fair Godfrey Adoye demonstrated his screen reader technology, navigating through spreadsheets and emails. When he lost his sight three years ago he felt useless, and even contemplated suicide. However since his training in how to use accessibility software he is in full employment, and says he is better than sighted people at using technology!
His colleague Alima Abdul Karimu from the Ghana Blind Union demonstrates the technology she has for her mobile phone, and sends a text to a member of the audience. It reads: “Today is a good day.”
Committed to diversity
The event is a fantastic example of how partner companies like Standard Chartered, with their wealth of contacts and experience, can help further the rights and development of people with disabilities in the countries where they work. Four people were hired on the spot by the international bank, who next year hope to carry out careers fairs in around 60 of the countries it works in across Africa and Asia (and partner with Sightsavers in the countries in which we work). They also hope to hold another bigger and better fair in Ghana!
Sightsavers in Ghana produced a ten minute film about the event:
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