IGDC Research Seminar Series: Inclusive Societies, Accessible Workplaces: Disabled People in the Public and Private Sphere

Event details

Research Seminar co-hosted with the Africa Network York

Speaker 1: Charlotte Egan, WFD

Title:Persons with Disabilities’ Political and Policy Leadership in Africa

Data, research and evidence on what works for disability inclusion is lacking, particularly in the context of international development, little of which targets Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). This seminar will discuss approaches to supporting both disability-specific programming and disability mainstreaming in the context of international governance support in Africa. The seminar will specifically focus on approaches to supporting electoral systems to become accessible, political parties to become more representative and parliaments and civil society organisations to better understand the experiences of PWDs so as to design, deliver and enforce inclusive policies and laws.

Speaker 2: Arun Kumar, York Management School

Title: Employment of Persons with Disabilities in the Private Sector in India

Employment of persons with disabilities in India has been characterised by low work-force participation, lower wages, and limited opportunities for skill-development and career progression. In this seminar, I focus on the efforts by private firms and industry associations at promoting employment opportunities and outcomes for persons with disabilities. I argue that ableist constructions of disability, neoliberalism, and cultural beliefs around fate and gratitude continue to undermine the efforts at inclusion of persons with disabilities at work.