Placing the focus on ability

IN line with a recent Government announcement of a new national identity – EmployAbility Service – for the range of employment services for people with an illness, injury or disability, Clare Supported Employment Service has formally launched its new identity, EmployAbility Clare.
The new identity was unveiled by Caroline Casey, a well-known campaigner for people with disabilities, while addressing an audience of almost 190 people at Dromoland Castle last Wednesday. Speaking on the theme, Impossible is an Opinion, Ms Casey said the new name, which puts the focus on a person’s ability to work, rather than their disability, more aptly describes what supported employment is about.
Impossible is an Opinion – The Business Advantage of Thinking Differently was organised by EmployAbility Clare in conjunction with Shannon, Ennis and Limerick Chambers, IBEC, and co-sponsored by UCB Manufacturing Ireland Limited, Shannon Development, Vitalograph, Dromoland Castle Hotel, ZAGG International and the Cregg Group.
Broadcaster Leo Enright was MC for the event. Ennis companies, Dilger Studios and Clare Adventure Group, provided gifts, which were presented to two lucky attendees.
Team leader at EmployAbility Clare, Alice O’Carroll said, “While our service centres on supporting people with an illness, injury or disability to secure employment, we’re also concerned with assisting employers. People are living longer and as the population rises, more and more people acquire disabilities. People in the older age groups hold most of the wealth in society and naturally have more purchasing power.  It makes sense for businesses to attract as broad a range of customers as possible. They can learn how best to be accessible to people with disabilities by finding out, first hand, from people with disabilities how to make their products and services attractive and accessible.”
EmployAbility Clare offers a range of supports, including workplace adaptation grants, wage subsidies and on-site employment facilitators. It is key in supporting people with an injury, illness or disability to overcome the challenges of adapting to employment and to being accepted in the workplace. It also works with employers to ensure new recruits make a meaningful contribution to the business’s bottom line.
“We strive to reassure employers and give them the confidence to see the benefits of working with us. The new identity, which focuses on the positive benefits of employing ability, rather than supporting employment, will help to address any existing misconceptions,” added Ms O’Carroll.