In an attempt at mainstreaming persons with disability and providing them a platform to achieve economic independence, a job fair was organised by Rotary International District 3230 and the Spastic Society of Tamil Nadu (SPASTN) here on Saturday.
As many as 145 persons attended the fair of whom 70 were issued job orders. The participants included persons with mental retardation, multiple disability count, cerebral palsy and visual and hearing impairments.
“We sought the details of the job-seeking candidates from various NGOs, matched their skills and qualifications with the requirements of the employers to facilitate faster and better recruitment process,” said Madhumathi Achuthan, Director, SPASTN.
Around 50 companies that included retail shops, leather technology firms, automation companies, housekeeping firms and call centres located in Chennai, participated in the event, she said.
“We had to counsel the candidates to value the experience of working and being economically independent, and not dismiss jobs by calling them ‘menial',” Ms. Achuthan added. SPASTN undertakes a three-month follow-up process after job fairs, in the companies to address the grievances of the employees with disability and make sure they are not exploited, she said. Urging more companies and the community to support the cause of “empowering the differently abled” by providing more employability and acceptance, G. Olivannan, Rotary District Governor, said it was extremely important to sensitise society to disability and its needs.
