Amman: Access to employment for persons with disabilities involves more than securing a job, requiring psychological and vocational preparation, training and skills development, as well as workplaces that provide the necessary conditions for inclusion and economic independence.
According to Jordan News Agency, some persons with disabilities face difficulties accessing employment information and training, limited suitable job opportunities and workplaces that are not adequately prepared. They may also experience psychological and social challenges related to disability, particularly those who acquire disabilities later in life.
Petra reviewed employment opportunities for persons with disabilities through the experience of a new digital platform aimed at supporting their preparation and economic empowerment, alongside perspectives on some of the challenges they face in accessing the labor market.
Sara Abu Ali, an activist in disability rights, said her work in inclusion and her experience in providing psychological support highlighted the need for a pathway combining psychological support, vocational preparation, training and access to employment. She subsequently launched the "Rasan" platform to provide these services through one digital platform.
Speaking to Petra, Abu Ali said Rasan is registered as a nonprofit company and seeks to support persons with disabilities in developing their own businesses, while also providing psychological and vocational preparation.
The platform offers three main services: specialized psychological support sessions, entrepreneurship training, and support for companies in making workplaces more inclusive and accessible. It also provides opportunities to connect persons with disabilities with companies interested in hiring them.
Abu Ali said the psychological support sessions are delivered by qualified specialists with disabilities. They focus on helping beneficiaries adjust to and accept their disabilities, particularly those who acquired disabilities later in life, as well as addressing social and family challenges and supporting relationship-building.
She described psychological stability as an initial step toward empowerment, followed by training, employment or establishing a private business.
Entrepreneurship training covers developing business ideas, preparing budgets, market analysis, marketing and brand development. Rasan also works with private companies on workplace accessibility and inclusion, including reasonable accommodations and accessibility measures, as well as training employees on interacting with persons with disabilities.
Regarding financing, Abu Ali said Rasan plans to allocate part of the revenue from services provided to private companies to support viable projects run by persons with disabilities. It is also seeking partnerships and funding sources to support such projects.
She said accessibility and independence were considered in designing the platform, allowing persons with disabilities to register and access information and services independently. The website includes features such as screen-reader compatibility, sign language, text enlargement, increased contrast, and controls for movement and visual effects.
Abu Ali said the platform aims to help persons with disabilities take initial steps toward employment by providing support, information and guidance to identify suitable pathways, whether through their own businesses or employment.
She added that she hopes to expand the platform to reach more persons with disabilities in Jordan and abroad, with beneficiaries contributing to its development.
Disability rights activist Ahmad Abu Rayan said specialized platforms and initiatives are important for providing integrated pathways that include psychological preparation, peer support, confidence-building and preparation for entering the labor market. He said the impact of such initiatives is linked to their ability to connect beneficiaries with actual employment and income-generating opportunities.
Fatima Hassan, a public speaking, presentation and media training coach, said empowerment platforms should go beyond connecting persons with employers by providing specialized practical and technical training, opportunities to gain experience and support for accessible workplaces. This would help ensure that persons with disabilities are given professional roles based on competence and equal opportunity.
Access to the labor market indicates that economic empowerment for persons with disabilities requires more than training or employment opportunities. It also depends on access to information, preparation and experience, as well as workplaces that enable them to exercise their right to work, achieve independence and participate in society.