Education cuts rob disabled students of the chance of a lifetime

RECENTLY, the OECD revealed that only one in three people with disabilities was in employment.

This figure, which has remained unchanged for the past decade, means Ireland has not made any progress in the area of employment of people with disabilities since the increase in the mid-’90s when the growing economy was worker-starved and employers “discovered” the workforce potential of such people.

I urge employers to understand that this potential is still there. People with disabilities can contribute and they want to do so. With the right job and the appropriate training and supports, the employment rate could be doubled even in this difficult time.