Statistics reveal that the probability of accessing a job is reduced by 50% after acquiring a disability
On the occasion of Disability Week, Eurofirms Foundation offers companies initiatives to raise awareness and generate more job opportunities for people with disabilities
Eurofirms Foundation presents its campaign “We change the Approach” in commemoration of International Day of People with Disabilities, which is celebrated this week, on December 3rd. This initiative aims to raise awareness about disability in the workplace and promote a significant and positive change in the perception of people with disabilities.
Discrimination, unfortunately, continues to be the main cause of exclusion of people with disabilities, especially in the workplace. This discrimination is rooted in unconscious prejudices and biases, since up to 95% of our actions are based on biases derived from values and beliefs that we are not even aware of. So much so that Statistics reveal that the probability of accessing employment is reduced by 50% after acquiring a disability. In Spain there are more than 1.8 million people with some type of recognized disability of working age, representing 6.2% of the workforce in the country. Of this figure, 638,600 are active and only 485,900 are employed, according to the National Statistics Institute.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
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Awareness-raising is a fundamental pillar for Eurofirms Foundation in its work to create inclusive work environments. Inclusion is the key to generating real impact and promote an environment in which all employees have opportunities to access a work environment, develop professionally, and feel part of the organization. “The figures tell us that we still have a long way to go, as 44% of people with disabilities do not currently feel included in their workplace, according to our report on inclusive environments in which we interviewed 750 employees with disability.
The “We Change the Approach” campaign highlights that, In just 9 seconds, we form a first impression of someone we just met, but if we overcome those seconds, we may discover that our prejudices were wrong. To raise awareness in society about this important message, Eurofirms Foundation invites you to discover the stories of four ambassadors who help to break down the prejudices and stereotypes surrounding people with disabilities.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
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In addition, Eurofirms Foundation proposes a challenge on social networks: it invites you to reveal something unexpected about yourself, something that no one could imagine at first glance, with the aim of challenging the prejudices that we may experience whether or not we have a disability. Under the message “If you exceed 9 seconds, you will discover that…” and with the hashtag #ChangeTheFocus.
During Disability Week, November 27 to December 3, Eurofirms Foundation also offers companies a series of initiatives to raise awareness and generate more job opportunities for people with disabilities. These initiatives include training on unconscious bias and the inclusion of neurodivergence in teams, as well as corporate volunteering that allows employees to live first-person experiences with people with disabilities.
For more information about the “We Change the Approach” campaign and planned actions, visit the Eurofirms Foundation website at We change the approach – Landings España (eurofirmsfoundation.org) or follow us on our social networks.
ABOUT EUROFIRMS FOUNDATION:
Eurofirms Foundation works in Spain, Portugal, Italy and Chile for the inclusion of disabilities in society. In 2022, they managed to integrate 1,484 people with disabilities in Spain alone, and their goal is to increase this number in 2024. The Foundation advises companies to comply with the General Disability Law and promotes integration through alternative measures. In addition, they are implementing a support program for workers with disabilities in companies.
The entity has been a finalist in the prestigious European Diversity Awards in three categories: Charity of the Year, Diversity in Tech Initiative and Outstanding Disability Network. This marks the third consecutive year in which they have been nominated as charity of the year, thanks to their social action in favor of the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace. Eurofirms Foundation is the result of the social commitment of Eurofirms Group and works transversally across all lines of the group to guarantee equal opportunities for all people, regardless of their disability.