Inclusive Futures
Promoting disability inclusion so everyone has the same access to work
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16
development organisations working in collaboration
Partners
The Inclusive Futures formal employment programme is funded through UK Aid.
Creating a world where everyone has the same opportunities
Why we are doing this
- There are 1 billion people with disabilities in the world.1
- 800 million of those live in low and middle income countries.2
If the global Sustainable Development Goals are to be achieved, and their objective to “leave no one behind” is to be realised, it means everyone, regardless of disability, must be included in development policy making and programme implementation.
What is Inclusive Futures?
Inclusive Futures is a six-year disability-inclusive initiative, funded by UK aid. Its vision is to create a world where everyone has the same opportunities to go to school, access quality health care, and claim their right to work through informal and formal employment.
Working across seven countries, this initiative brings together 16 development organisations, people with disabilities, the organisations that represent them, and public and private sectors to deliver long-term improvements working with and for people with disabilities.
Find out more about Inclusive Futures.
About this project
As part of Inclusive Futures, we are using our experience in youth employment to increase disability inclusion among the hospitality sector workforce.
What we are doing
Through our youth employment programme, we are offering young people with disabilities access to training and experience within a hotel.
The students will learn life and communication skills, followed by practical experience and specialist training with a leading hotel company.
By working with private-sector employers we are aiming to change attitudes and standards around disability inclusion and work towards an environment where everyone has the same access to work.
Who we are helping
Our youth employment programme supports young people from a wide range of backgrounds to gain the skills to start a career.
As part of the Inclusive Futures programme, we are particularly looking to:
- support people with disabilities
- encourage increased disability inclusion among the hospitality industry
Where we work
Our Inclusive Futures employment programmes are operating in:
Kenya and Nigeria
“We have chosen to partner with Sustainable Hospitality Alliance through the Inclusion Works programme in order to build on the great work that they are already doing through their youth employment programme to increase employment opportunities for youth across the world to support youth with disabilities.”
Alicia Cummins, Programme Director – Inclusion Works, Sightsavers
Consortium partners
This initiative is a collaboration between 16 development organisations, people with disabilities, and the organisations that represent them.
Action on Disability and Development (ADD International) | BBC Media Action | Benetech | BRAC Development Initiatives | Humanity & Inclusion | Inclusion International | The Institute of Development Studies | International Disability Alliance | Leonard Cheshire | Light for the World | Sense International | Sightsavers | Social Development Direct | Standard Chartered | Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
Training gets underway in Kenya
“The training has enabled me to stop doing casual work of just washing people’s clothes and idling by sitting at the door of my house. This training has been very helpful to me and has helped me see myself and the potential I have and that in all things I can make it in life.”
“I have learnt to live with people well and my communication skills have improved and on how to deal with strangers. I can approach anybody without a problem as my self-esteem has improved immensely because of the life-skills sessions. My neighbours have noticed a positive change from my behaviour and respect me more.”
“The training has done so many things for me and in particular. It has made me appreciate and understand others more. The importance of being treated without special treatment and understanding we are all equal even with the different types of disabilities.”
Help us to change the lives of more young people
Please get in touch if you are interested in supporting or participating in our youth employment programme which operates in several countries around the world.
References
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Expand for detailed references
- World Health Organisation (2018), Disability and health, available from www.who.int
- ibid
