Disability and work

Skills, Knowledge and Employability

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Work of decent quality is the most effective means of escaping the vicious circle of marginalization, poverty and social exclusion. People with disabilities are frequently trapped in this vicious circle, and positive action is needed to assist them in breaking out of it. Barriers which disabled people face in getting jobs and taking their place in society can and should be overcome through a variety of policy measures, regulations, programmes, and services. The ILO’s Disability Programme promotes equality of opportunity and treatment for persons with disabilities in vocational rehabilitation, training and employment, as reflected in Convention No. 159 concerning Vocational Rehabilitation of Employment of Disabled Persons, 1983, and the ILO Code of Practice on Managing Disability in the Workplace adopted in 2001. It works to increase knowledge on the training and employment of people with disabilities, by carrying out applied research relating to policy and practice, compiling and disseminating information, publishing guidelines and manuals, and sponsoring other research and reports.

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  • Helping women and men with disabilities fulfil their potential
    02 December 2009 - December 3 marks International Day for Persons with Disabilities. This year, the theme focuses on the empowerment of persons with disabilities and their communities. Emanuela Pozzan, ILO Subregional Coordinator on Disability for East Asia, looks at a Vietnamese woman whose work in this area has received international recognition.
  • Marlee Matlin urges that people with disabilities be “counted in” economic recovery efforts
    12 November 2009 - Expressing concern that people with disabilities may face rising exclusion from the world of work due to the global economic crisis, Academy Award winning actress, television star and activist Marlee Matlin urged that they be “counted in” efforts to stimulate and support economic recovery.

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