The socio-economic gap between persons with and without disabilities is increasing because persons with disabilities experience low levels of education, higher rates of unemployment and economic inactivity, and a lack of social protection in comparison to their peers without disabilities.
Namibia, like most countries, needs every skilled worker to contribute towards the prosperity of the country. Persons with disabilities have an important role to play to make a positive contribution in the country. It is generally known that a person with a disability develops into a well-adjusted, productive worker in an atmosphere of acceptance, co-operation and goodwill. It is often seen that workers with disabilities are more productive than their co-workers, and that they are less absent from work and show great loyalty towards their company. Namibia has ratified various international conventions affirming a commitment to accept persons with disabilities, focusing on their abilities and not their disabilities; providing equal education and employment opportunities to them; and treating them with the respect due to every human being. Disabilities are never contagious, and people with disabilities are not meant to be disrespected by anyone as it is not their own choice. If they were given the choice, they would have chosen to be respected with a healthy life but unfortunately, people around them do not understand this. We must respect people around us to ensure that they are not demotivated with their life, and are respected equally as people with a healthy life without disabilities.
As a person with physical disability can attest, persons with disabilities in Namibia persistently face stigma, discrimination and barriers to accessing basic social services and economic opportunities. Today, they face greater barriers brought about by the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. For one, persons with disabilities may experience negative attitudes at family and community levels, including name-calling, negative beliefs and misconceptions surrounding the causes of disabilities. These negative attitudes manifest in rejection, neglect, loss of respect, denial of identity or self-worth, and often result in low self-esteem, depression and isolation. This, along with structural limitations and challenges, also reinforces barriers for persons with disabilities in accessing basic services such as education, health and public transport, amongst other things. Unemployment rates among persons with disabilities are almost double those of the general population, owing to attitudinal, mobility-related, technological and physical barriers. In addition, many will experience a frequent denial of job opportunities, employers’ negatives attitudes, inappropriate job placements, lower expectations at work, and a lack of reasonable accommodation. These challenges compound the vulnerability of persons with disabilities, and especially during Covid-19.
It is important that government officials, policymakers and decision-makers are aware of the importance of disability as a development issue, and enhance data collection on disability. A concerted effort to raise awareness surrounding disability issues would serve to shift negative perceptions and stigma against persons with disabilities among families and communities. Furthermore, investments in inclusive employment and livelihood interventions are critical to address unemployment challenges amongst persons with disabilities. These could include entrepreneurship training and business advisory services, as well as the promotion of locally-produced assistive devices and accessible workplaces. Disability-focused organisations in Namibia should be empowered to support this process and provide services to persons with disabilities.
Furthermore, many individuals with disabilities remain outside the economic mainstream. Disability and poverty still go hand in hand. Businesses are realising the advantages of recruiting from a diverse and inclusive talent pool. Namibian companies which are advancing disability inclusion are also achieving significant gains in profitability, value creation and shareholder returns. However, some companies are still not recognising the importance and potential business benefits of employing persons with disabilities. Organisations must ensure that persons with disabilities are represented in their workplace and in their talent pipeline. Beyond employing, employers should implement practices that encourage and help progress persons with disabilities.
Companies must offer mentoring and coaching initiatives, as well as skilling/reskilling programmes to ensure that persons with disabilities continue to grow and succeed. Persons with disabilities should occupy roles at all levels, including top leadership positions. At the same time, CEOs and investors need to understand the strong qualitative and quantitative business case for robust disability inclusion programmes. By making companies aware of the potential gains, sharing success stories and demonstrating how to build a more inclusive talent pipeline, we can quickly get more persons with disabilities into the workforce. Speak to the life experiences of those with disabilities. Yet, disability inclusion isn’t just about making life better for your customers and employees; it’s a smart business move too.
Additionally, by putting disability on the business agenda, brands have a real opportunity to increase appeal to a wider customer base and build a strong employer brand that helps attract and retain the very best talent. Brands that embrace disabled people can inspire so many in the next generation to realise their dreams; to realise that nothing is impossible. It is no longer good enough for companies to say disability doesn’t fit with our brand, or it’s a good idea to explore in a couple of years. If disability inclusion is not on your board’s agenda, then neither is diversity.
In summary, persons with disabilities should not relax and think we now have a law, everything you need will fall into place. No, we must continue to work, to advocate for implementation. Persons with disabilities are more likely to experience adverse socio-economic outcomes and face higher rates of multidimensional poverty than the general population. In addition, achieving inclusive economic growth will be challenging without the inclusion of persons with disabilities.