From Ursula Dingle, secretary.
ON behalf of the Jersey Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, I would like to respond to your recent article featuring the Jersey Employers Network on Disability.We congratulate JEND on their first ten years and the excellent work which has been done to encourage employers and help them in integrating people with disabilities into their workforce.
While work experience and training is very important, the ultimate aim must be to achieve permanent employment and this requires a far greater commitment on the part of the employer. Without permanent jobs, it is very difficult to achieve independent living.
JASBAH is also celebrating an anniversary this year, ’40 Years of Caring’, having been formed in 1968 when the birth of babies with neural tube deformities was at its peak. Sadly, babies are still being born with these problems, although not in those high numbers. Today, our youngest member is six years old, and the babies born in the Sixties and Seventies are in their 40s.
JASBAH membership includes a number of teenagers as well as young adults, some of whom are wheelchair users. Most of the adults are in either full- or part-time employment, but sadly, some are suffering from repeated rejection after achieving many interviews, in spite of having several years’ previous work experience and a good CV.
We know that not all older buildings are suitable for wheelchair use, but new offices and business premises should be accessible and have appropriate toilet facilities. Equally, not all of our members use wheelchairs so their needs are different – maybe a car parking space close to the workplace is all that is needed, for example, or simply tolerance of extra time needed to get around.
We appeal to all employers to consider the needs of people who are disadvantaged by a medical or physical problem, not only young school leavers but those older people coming back into the workforce, maybe after a period of illness or childcare. We are pleased to see that the States of Jersey are increasing their commitment by ‘doubling the number of people with disabilities carrying out States work’, but it would be helpful to know what numbers are involved.
We hope that next time they receive an application from a disabled person, they will respond accordingly. People with disabilities are keen to work, to be part of the community and to support themselves as far as possible – it makes economic sense to help them become independent and so reduce their dependence on state benefits while contributing to the local economy.
Bon Air Cottage, Rue du Val Bachelier, St Ouen.
