Romanians with disabilities have a much tougher time finding jobs compared to those without any impairment, placing the country below the European Union average in metrics measuring the accessibility of the labor market.

Figures uncovered by the National Authority for People with Disabilities in Romania show the stark reality concerning the employment levels of Romanians with a disability. Among Romanians between 20 and 64 without a disability, roughly 74% are employed. The percentage drops to 51% for people with some limitations, and 12% for those who are severely disabled.

A total of 87 million Europeans have some form of disability. Regardless of severity, disabled people across the EU are more likely to be at risk of poverty (28.4%), and less likely to obtain a degree (29.4%), to have an internet connection at home (64.3%), or to be in employment (50.8%), according to Eurostat figures cited by Euronews. 

To spread awareness of the problems facing disabled people in Romania, the Romanian Diversity Chamber of Commerce and the Sustainability Embassy in Romania are organizing the Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) conference. The conference's first edition will take place on May 19, between 9:30 AM and 2:00 PM, at the Marmorosch Hotel, in Bucharest’s Old Town, and will be attended by Andrew Noble, UK ambassador to Romania.

An established event internationally, the GAAD seeks to promote a world that is more accessible to individuals with disabilities. The organizers stress that businesses have a vital role when it comes to reaching that goal – but that they can also profit by tapping into an ignored talent pool of approximately one million people within the Romanian labor market.

“A large number of companies in Romania are not yet convinced that hiring people with disabilities is an opportunity. We need to bring everyone’s attention to the value of diversity, inclusion and the positive changes they can bring to their teams,” said Dragoș Tuță, founder of the Sustainability Embassy in Romania.

Kaufland, Enel, the Alături de Voi foundation, and the National Authority for Disabled People are among the supporters of the conference, which will reunite experts and advocates from Romania and abroad. Also present will be representatives from the Orange Foundation, the National Association of Deaf People in Romania, AMAIS, a non-profit focused on integration, and DotLumen, a research startup that builds glasses that aid the blind.

radu@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: Ivelinr | Dreamstime.com)