National Job Shadow Day Will Help Eliminate Barriers For Disabled People

Fine Gael Clare Senator and Seanad Spokesperson on Disability, Martin Conway, has said that National Job Shadow Day 2013 will help to eliminate barriers to employment for people with disabilities by promoting inclusion. Senator Conway is taking part in the initiative by welcoming a job seeker to Leinster House, who will shadow him for the day.

Senator Conway said: "National Job Shadow Day is an extremely positive awareness raising initiative, which brings employers and job seekers with disabilities together to express their support and commitment to equal employment opportunities for people with a disability. The day involves a job seeker with a disability 'shadowing' a person in their workplace as he or she goes through their normal working day.

"I am delighted this year to be in a position to participate and welcome one such job seeker to Leinster House to shadow me for the day, in order to, hopefully, ignite a passion for politics and public service. I wish to congratulate the Irish Association of Supported Employment (IASE), who organise this very worthwhile and beneficial initiative and I am honoured to have been asked to participate.

"This initiative presents an opportunity, every year, to support inclusiveness and to advocate for the increased participation by people with a disability in the workplace. It will, I believe be of great assistance to people with disabilities in eliminating barriers to employment and development opportunities.

"As a person with a disability, I understand how daunting and difficult it can be to enter the workplace and show that you are just as capable as any other individual to carry out your role. I have received a very positive response in Leinster House, and with just a few extra facilities, I am fulfilling my role as a Senator just like anyone else. I hope I can get this message across today as I am being shadowed around Leinster House."

(CD/H)