Over 3 million South Africans live with disabilities – as a result, it’s imperative for us to be aware and cognisant of what these are, specifically in the workplace. We need to learn and understand the types of disabilities in order to build more inclusive and diverse environments for everyone. We use “disability” as an umbrella term for physical impairments, learning challenges, mental illnesses, activity limitations and any participatory restrictions – learning to embrace and work with these differences is the first step to a better and united workforce.
Some of the most common disabilities which will allow you to apply as a member with a disability are cerebral palsy, loss of one or more limbs, (physical impairment), glaucoma (visual impairment), conductive hearing loss (deaf/hearing impairment) and autism (intellectual disability) – to name a few. All these contribute to the challenges that many people face in trying to find work in South Africa.