Create opportunities for ‘differently-abled’

THE EDITOR: Senator Kangaloo was given a mandate by Mr Manning to deal with the issues presented by the “differently-abled.” As the representative of the Government in the issue one can safely assume that the position presented by the Honourable Senator represents the position of the Government. This being the case, I am saddened by the position taken by the Senator and thus the Government on the issue and disturbed to think that the government of Trinidad and Tobago would take such a myopic view of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Considerations, which are global concerns. Your response to the issue leaves one thinking as to whether or not you are aware of the Government’s responsibility relative to the less fortunate in society. The position that the “differently-abled” in society do not possess the required qualifications for the job can be considered a form of institutionalised discrimination to further promote the under representation of the “differently-abled” in the workforce based on the following facts.

All jobs have a minimum qualification criterion but many times these have been waived on the grounds that the candidate (who by the way is not “differently-abled”) have the required knowledge, skills and abilities for entry level as well as senior positions in companies. Certainly a strict qualification criterion is not always adhered to especially in State enterprises like TTEC, WASA, TSTT, so what other criteria is utilised? By not adhering to the qualification criterion are we alluding to the fact that there are other criteria that should be given equal consideration? What about the level of job to be filled, if the qualification criterion is waived for senior positions, then why shouldn’t it be waived for entry level positions where the job is of a routine nature. Moreover, since it is waived for persons who are not “differently-abled” why can’t it be waived for those who are differently-abled based on their knowledge, skills and abilities? This is the kind of institutionalised discrimination that we seek to perpetuate. Why can’t we level the playing field and give similar consideration to the “differently-abled” to provide them with an opportunity to earn a living. Why aren’t their knowledge, skills and abilities also used as a basis for providing them with opportunities as is currently being practised in your State Enterprises.

The “differently-abled” have career aspirations just like we do and need to be provided with career opportunities to fulfill these needs. As a result, the Government has a responsibility to provide specific career opportunities to support the fulfillment of their career aspirations. “Wake up and smell the coffee!” The differently-abled in our society are here to stay since no one knows what lies ahead for them in the future. Today you are not differently abled but tomorrow, through no fault of yours, you may involuntarily become a member of this group in society. This group has special needs based on their need to be self-reliant and we need to support their efforts in a very special way. How does the Government plan to assist the differently-abled in our society?

What strategies are being developed to create employment opportunities so as to reduce the under representation of the differently abled in the workforce? Senator, this is where your focus should lie and not on justifying why they should not be considered for employment opportunities. The issue is about creating special opportunities for the differently-abled in our society by identifying jobs that they can be considered for based on their knowledge, skills and abilities. I am quite sure there are jobs which do not demand much physical activity such as receptionist, telephone operator, data entry clerks, cashiers, filing clerk and other routine jobs which require competencies such as sorting, recording, checking etc, for which the differently-abled can be considered.

BD
Sangre Grande