The Field Offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)  are conducting series of forum to link persons with disabilities (PWDs) to prospective employers.

Recently, DSWD-Field Office VII conducted a forum  with various companies such as Dunkin Donuts, Ruiz Derma, Business Process Outsourcing and Force Manpower Services, JobsVille Recruitment Agency,  Support Save Solutions Inc., and ePerformax Contact Centers which expressed willingness to train and hire PWDs.

The forum aims to encourage these companies to give PWDs a chance and opportunity to work like normal persons.

Furthermore, the forum also served as venue for DSWD to orient these companies on the rights and privileges of PWDs as provided for in the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities.

These include equal opportunity for employment, apprenticeship, vocational rehabilitation, and guidance and counseling.

DSWD will also hold Sensitivity Training and Simulation Activity in these companies to prepare their staff on how to manage, handle, and deal with PWD-employees.

DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano- Soliman expressed that PWDs should be empowered  to ensure that they will become part of the country’s inclusive growth.

“With these series of forum, we hope to be able to help more PWDs find gainful employment for their economic well-being,” Sec. Soliman said.

From 2013 up to the first semester of 2014, a total 196 PWD- clients were placed for employment by DSWD.

The employers’ forum is one of the activities lined-up for this month’s celebration of the 36th National Disability Preparedness and Rehabilitation Consciousness Week with the theme, “Talino at Paninindigan ng Taong may Kapansanan: Pasaporte sa Kaunlaran”. ###