EAST LONDON- The Disability Economic Empowerment Trust (DEET) in partnership with Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism(DEDEAT) hosted a successful Disability Inclusion Workshop on 18th March 2025 in East London, Garden Court conference venue. The workshop themed ‘Transforming Workplaces for Disability Inclusion & Economic Empowerment‘, the workshop aimed to promote disability inclusion in the workplace and explore ways to create economic opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Chief Executive Officer(CEO) at Disability Economic Empowerment Trust, Thabiso Phetuka emphasized that, “We are committed to breaking the barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from participating in the economy”.
This workshop is a crucial step towards creating a more inclusive society where everyone has access to equal opportunities. Furthermore, the workshop aimed to educate participants on the importance of aligning workplace policies with the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
In addition Director for Human Resource Management and Development at DEDEAT, Mbalentle Mlokothi had this to say, “In addition to promoting inclusive employment practices, we must also ensure that our workplaces are physically accessible to everyone”. This includes providing reasonable accommodations and accessible infrastructure.
Furthermore workshop featured panel discussions with CEOs, HR leaders and policy experts, who shared best practices for inclusive employment and empowerment. To add success stories of individuals with disabilities thriving in the workforce through DEET’s programs were also highlighted.
“We have seen significant progress in promoting disability inclusion in the workplace, but there is still much work to be done,” added Phetuka.
They call on all stakeholders to join them in this effort to create a more inclusive and equitable society.
In addition to the workshop, DEET also announced plans to provide training for frontline staff in sign language. This initiative aims to promote communication accessibility and inclusivity in the workplace. This call to action highlights the importance of creating inclusive workplaces and economic opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Nontando Mbonwa & Ziphelele Nompula
20 March 2025
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