Resources on disability and work

Serbia: Employment of People with Disabilities

03 December 2009

Until recently, people with disabilities in Serbia faced many barriers to decent work opportunities. When the Balkan country passed a disability law in 2009, the International Labour Organization created a pilot project to sensitize 100 companies about the employment of people with disabilities. The ILO was able to respond quickly, thanks to its “Regular Budget Supplementary Account” (RBSA) - a fund based on voluntary contributions from Member States. It was created in 2008, and has been a critical resource in response to the economic crisis and the need to enhance the ILO’s capacity to promote decent work.

Actress Marlee Matlin Headlines Panel Discussion on People with Disabilities in Times of Economic Crisis

13 November 2009

Marlee Matlin, the youngest winner of an Academy Award for Best Actress and an advocate for persons with disabilities, was the special guest headlining a panel discussion on the impact of the global economic crisis on women and men with disabilities. During her visit to Geneva, Marlee Matlin also visited a classroom of deaf children who shared with her their hopes for the future and places to visit in Geneva. (Closed Captions available)

Marlee Matlin on Disabilities and Decent Work

05 November 2009

In this public service announcement Academy Award winning actress Marlee Matlin says: "There is absolutely no limitation to what I can do as a person with a disability. Obviously I can't hear, but if I am good at something, then I'll do it. If I don't know how to do something, then I'll try it. And if I do it well, I'll continue it. And if I can't, well then I'll find something else to do!"

Chaltu: Never Too Old to Change Her Life

25 November 2008

The world’s population is ageing, and living longer costs money. Because women live longer than men, they form the majority of older persons. As women age, supporting themselves gets more difficult. But even the most difficult situations can be changed, if there’s an opportunity. A seventy-year old woman at a small village market in Ethiopia is proof that it can be done.

Promoting employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in Poland

02 December 2007

Like in other European countries, inactivity rates of Polish workers with disabilities tend to be much higher than that of other workers. While their share of the working age population in Poland is 10 per cent, their share in employment is only 3.8 per cent, says a new ILO report on the situation of disabled people in Poland.

Actress Marlee Matlin, "Leading Lady" for People With Disabilities

02 December 2007

Actress Marlee Matlin is best known for playing characters that don't let disabilities get in the way. It's a role she's been playing most of her life. (Closed Captions available)