Resources on disability and work

  1. Marlee Matlin, ILO advocate for better inclusion of persons with disabilities

    03 December 2018

    “The inclusion of workers with disabilities across all industries and at all levels of a company is not only a matter of human rights but also a matter of business success,” says award-winning actress, Marlee Matlin, who’s part of the ILO’s work on the inclusion of people with disabilities in the world of work.

  2. Social protection is a human right but how many benefit?

    29 November 2017

    The ILO’s World Social Protection Report 2017-19 provides recent data on social protection systems around the world, and monitors progress towards achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. It shows that more efforts are needed to extend coverage in many countries, but achieving universal social protection is possible.

  3. How can business promote diversity and inclusion through workplace adjustments?

    04 August 2017

    Mark Bell, Professor of Laws at Trinity College Dublin, explains how reasonable adjustments at the workplace enable employees to bring their full professional potential to work and thereby promote diversity and inclusion as well as contribute to business success.

  4. Promoting Decent Work opportunities for disabled people in Fiji

    03 December 2016

    This video describes some of the work the ILO Office for Pacific Island Countries is doing in collaboration with the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) to assist disabled persons in Fiji. This initiative is part of the Pacific Enable Project

  5. Bringing business together to promote disability in the workplace

    28 October 2015

    Recruiting people with disabilities into the workplace and retaining those who become disabled while employed is good for business and good for employees. The ILO Global Business and Disability Network supports companies to promote good practices and create more inclusive workplaces. (Closed Captions available)

  6. The Ability Factor: Employing people with disabilities makes good business sense

    14 March 2014

    People with disabilities are the world's largest minority group (1 billion people — 15% of the world's population; of which 785 million are of working age). They face many barriers to employment, including physical, information and attitudinal barriers. Stereotypes and misconceptions prevent them from accessing jobs because these often focus on their disability instead of ability, when in fact they can and do work. This short video aims to raise awareness about the benefits of employing people with disabilities.

  7. Breaking the barriers: Promoting skills development and inclusive work places for people with disabilities

    29 November 2013

    One out of every seven people in the world - or some 1 billion people - has a disability. Approximately 785 of them are estimated to be of working age, but most do not work. In this video, Barbara Murray, ILO Senior Disability Specialist, talks about the barriers to employment and training faced by people with disabilities, the ILO's approach to promoting skills development and inclusive work places and the way forward.

  8. Promoting inclusive societies and workplaces: Voices of ILO constituents

    27 November 2013

    The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed each year on 3 December to encourage better understanding of issues facing people with disabilities, and mobilize support for their quest for rights and full inclusion in society. This video features the voices of ILO constituents on what is needed to break down the barriers to promote societies and workplaces that are inclusive of disabled persons.

  9. Video: Decent Work for People with Disabilities - Count Us In!

    23 September 2013

    Women and men with disabilities can and want to be productive members of society. This four minute video raises awareness about the barriers as well as the actions needed to help people with disabilities obtain decent work and a better life.

  10. Video: Institutional barriers for people with disabilities still an obstacle, says ILO

    03 December 2012

    Around 85 million people with disabilities live in China and despite progress made over the past 30 years, there are many challenges to ensure their equality and dignity. ILO Beijing Director Ann Herbert appeared on CCTV's 'Dialogue' saying that infrastructure and institutional barriers must be improved in China. She also noted that cultural barriers must be broken down to create an inclusive society.