Association For Persons With Disabilities - Free State, South Africa

Placement

The staff at this project provides a service to job-seekers who have a disability, putting them in touch with employers who are committed to employment equity. Very often training and skills development are simply not enough, since unfortunately misconceptions still exist around the placement of Persons with Disabilities into mainstream work. These include the myth that it is expensive to do so and that such employees could never be deployed in positions of authority and responsibility.

The Placement Project of APD - Free State has disproved these notions, having successfully placed over 300 Persons with Disabilities in permanent positions and over 500 in short-term contracts. Types of jobs include bookkeeping and accounting, administration, media-related (e.g. radio and camera work), telephone related (e.g. reception, telesales), and artisans (e.g. woodwork and plumbing).

Whilst functioning as a standard employment agency, the Placement Project further offers prospective employers practical advice about the accessibility of workplaces, training for staff and trade union members in sensitization of disability issues, and assistance with workplace equity and career advancement planning.

Sensitization Training With Employers

During Sensitization Training Sessions employers are informed on how to accommodate Persons with Physical Disabilities, blind and Deaf persons in the workplace. The training is done by Persons with Disabilities.

Previous Sensitization Sessions

Sensitisation Session that took place at the Department of Home Affairs in Bethlehem.Seven staff members were present at the session.

Combined Sensitization Workshop that took place at Moqhaka Municipality in Kroonstad, with representatives of the following Government Departments: Department of Health, Department of Labour, Department of Correctional Services, Department of Social Development and Moqhaka Municipality. Fourteen staff members were present at the session.

Sensitization Session that took place at St Helena Hospital in Welkom and Fifteen (15) staff members were present at the session.

Sensitization training workshop, Price Waterhouse Coopers

JOB PREPARATION WORKSHOPS

Persons with Disabilities are prepared for the open labour market during Job Preparation Workshops. Information is given through to them on how to compile a CV, how to approach companies for employment opportunities and interview skills are practiced during a role play.

Job preparation workshop, Kroonstad

For further enquiries:Placement Manager : Ms Sandra Goosen

Click here to contact Sandra Goosen