DWDE Disability Employment Summit

DWDE (Disability Workshop Development Enterprise) is hosting a Disability Employment Summit on the 16th April at the Museum Africa, Newtown, Gauteng and at the Royal Hotel, Durban on the 19th April. The overall theme is "Full inclusion of people with disabilities in the open labour market".
Two breakaway sessions will discuss and explore the theme in more detail, "Successful employment of people with disabilities in the open labour market" and "The concept of reasonable accommodation". Expected outcomes of the Summit is the successful recruitment and retention of persons with disabilities and to also walk away with the necessary tools to apply the principles of reasonable accommodation.
Programme :
08:30 - 09:00
Early morning refreshments and networking opportunity

09:00 - 09:15
Opening and Welcome from
Sebenzile Matsebula (Executive Director - Motswako)

09:15 - 09:30
Programme Director
Dr Gule, (Chairperson - South African Employers for Disability)

09:30 - 10:00
Employment of people with Disabilities in an open labour market
Mr AK Dube (CEO - The Secretariat of the African Decade)
Very brief summary of the presentations

10:00 - 10:05
Outline of breakaway sessions
programme director

10:05 - 12:05
Successful employment of people with disabilities
Ms Sebenzile Matsebula (Executive Director - Motswako)
Brief summary of workshop 1

11:O5 -11:20
Tea break

10:05 - 12:05
The concept of reasonable accommodation
Mr Thulani Tshabalala (CEO - South African Disability Development)
Brief summary of workshop 2

12:05 - 13:05
Reporting back

13:05 - 13:30
Programme director wrapping up and closing

13:30 - 14:30
Lunch, networking opportunity and engaging with candidates
(Programme subject to change)

The summit will equip employer's with practical business skills and ideas that will assist them to successfully employ and retain people with disabilities.
The objectives of the Summit :
• Know, understand and manage the context of disability
• Know, understand and apply relevant legislation
• Manage talent with regards to the recruitment and retention of people with disabilities
• Have the tools to apply the principles of reasonable accommodation
• Craft the necessary human resource policies and procedures
The summit will have the participation of private and public employers, government departments and municipalities, representatives from university's disability unit, disability organisations, students and candidates with disabilities.

This is a platform for persons with disabilities, employers and researchers in disability to network and establish relationships for the benefit of all involved. The disability summit will also create an opportunity for young people to find employment. DWDE hopes to create awareness about the employability of people with disabilities. The conference package costs R2 995.00 which includes the full day summit, teas/coffees, lunch and a goodie bag.

Additional information:
Unemployment is an ongoing issue in South Africa and tying in with the disability sector it is a cause for great concern. South Africa is falling behind with regards to the legislation of persons with disabilities and their access to employment. Statistics show that 6-10% of the South African population have a disability and only 0.8% of the total workforce is people with disabilities.

DWDE was established in March 2007 and its aim is to contribute towards poverty alleviation amongst those with disabilities. Currently there are 43 protective workshops in the Western Cape that fall under the umbrella of DWDE. The organisation continues to find ways to improve the quality of life of the most vulnerable sector of South Africans with disabilities.

For more information email az.oc.edwd@ofni and for booking details check www.dwde.co.za. Email az.oc.mmocpusdaeh@ecidnac to set up media interviews.

Date: 16 April 2013 to 19 April 2013
Time: 08:30 - 14:30
Venue: various, Newtown and Durban
Cost: R2995.00