The Project is implemented in partnership with the Tanzania Union of Industrial and Commercial Workers (TUICO), Radar Development (Tanzania), Comprehensive Community-based Rehabilitation in Tanzania (CBRT) Hospital and AFL-CIO in the USA and supported by TUC Aid through a grant to DAA. The training workshop was aimed at encouraging diversity in employment and motivating companies and trade union representatives to respond to the needs of people with disabilities in accessing employment opportunities. It provided the participants with an opportunity to increase their understanding of disability rights and to help create positive images of, and attitudes towards, people with disabilities.

The majority of the participants were not conversant with disability issues or familiar with the appropriate terminology to be used in discussion and a number of suggestions were made on how to use existing laws, policies and practices to improve employment prospects for people with disabilities. There was detailed discussion on the need for adapting workplaces, providing appropriate equipment and improving communications, which led to the adoption of an action plan.

It was agreed that:

• CCBRT/Radar Development would follow up on the effectiveness of the training at workplaces;

• TUICO, Radar Development and CCBRT should continue working together in providing disability awareness training to both employers and employees at work places;

• the manuals/handouts should be translated from English into Kiswahili for the use of non-English speakers; and,

• TUICO should find ways that would enable representatives from the management team to participate in training sessions, as they are in a position to make key decisions on the allocation of resources.

Briefing document issued 6 Oct 2011.
Source: Trade Union Congress (TUC) www.tuc.org.uk