Pakistan launches job portal for disabled people

From The News International in Karachi, Pakistan:

Pakistan’s first job portal for disabled persons will be launched Dec. 2 at a colourful event being organised to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is observed worldwide on December 3.

Organised by the Special Talent Exchange Programme (STEP), the event will have Minister for Social Welfare & Special Education Samina Khalid Ghurki as the chief guest. Over 350 participants - 250 of them disabled - are expected to attend the ceremony, which will be held at the auditorium of Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).

Tuesday’s (Dec. 2) event will feature a theatre performance by disabled persons, presentation by a role model on ‘Disability is a Social Issue’, and launching of a video documentary and Pakistan’s first job portal for disabled persons.

The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities aims to promote understanding of disability issues, and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to ncrease awareness of the gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

The theme of the Day is based on the goal of full and equal enjoyment of human rights and participation in society by persons with disabilities, established by the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1982.

“Eighty percent of the persons with disabilities - more than 400 million people - live in poor countries, explaining the strong link between disability and poverty. Dignity and justice for all of us is the theme of this year’s International Day for Persons with Disabilities, as well as for the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” said Atif Sheikh, the president of STEP.

STEP is a cross-disability organisation, working for the empowerment of disabled persons through capacity building and advocacy. It is engaged in leadership, ICT and independent living training of disabled persons.

“In the past one decade of STEP’s endeavours, more than 1,000 disabled
persons have been motivated and living a better life,” Atif informed.