EFD supports International Day of Disabled Persons 2006
3rd December 2006
Employers' Forum on Disability (EFD) has announced its support for the UN led International Day of Disabled Persons on Sunday 3rd December.
The theme of this year's day is e-accessibility and EFD is holding an event, IT and the Disability Discrimination Act, in Cardiff on 6th December.
Bill Fine, Principal Consultant at computer consultancy AbilityNet, who is speaking at the event said: "Working with Employers' Forum on Disability always gives AbilityNet a great opportunity to explain and demonstrate the power of alternative and adaptive technology to an influential audience.
"As the world of work - and the world outside work - become more e-dependent, it's increasingly important that the need for and value of accessible technology is universally understood and appropriately used.
"There are many examples of good practice but we still have a long way to go. Too many people still assume and live with limitations that can be overcome by freely available alternatives."
Susan Scott-Parker, chief executive at Employers' Forum on Disability said: "Access to information and communication technology by disabled people is fundamental in allowing talented disabled people to realise their potential.
"We hope observance of International Day of Disabled Persons will ensure that in the future it will be impossible to imagine any e-recruitment system that excludes millions of disabled applicants and that it will one day be impossible to buy inaccessible software."
Ends
Notes to editors
Barrier-free e-recruitment
Employers' Forum on Disability's website barrierfree-recruitment.com is an interactive demonstration of what an organisation needs to do to achieve barrier-free e-recruitment for everyone.
It has been produced by Employers' Forum on Disability and with the support of the London Development Agency.
http://www.barrierfree-recruitment.com/
AbilityNet
AbilityNet is a registered national charity (charity no. 1067673).with over 20 years experience helping people adapt and adjust their information and communications technology (ICT).
AbilityNet aims to ensure that those people who become disabled while still working, can continue their working lives.
For further information on AbilityNet's services call 01926 312847 or email enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk
UN International Day of Disabled Persons
The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons on 3rd December aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.
It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
The theme of the day is based on the goal of full and equal enjoyment of human rights and participation in society by persons with disabilities, established by the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, adopted by the General Assembly in 1982.
Media enquiries, please contact:
Liz Nightingale, Communications Manager
Employers' Forum on Disability
Email: liz.nightingale@efd.org.uk
Telephone: 020 7403 3020
About Employers' Forum on Disability
Employers' Forum on Disability is the employers' organisation focused on disability as it affects employers and service providers. With over 400 members, EFD represents organisations that employ around 20 per cent of the UK workforce.Since its establishment in 1991, EFD has worked closely with government and other stakeholders, sharing best practice to make it easier to employ disabled people and serve disabled customers.