6th Africa Forum, Kampala, Uganda

Employment: The Agenda for People with Visual Impairment Beyond 2015;

J. Kamya, Uganda.

[e-mail]
Employment is a human right for everyone but a crucial factor for the socio-economic emancipation of disabled persons, including those who are visually impaired. Despite their hard-won educational attainment, persons with visual impairment continue to grapple with the strains of unemployment within a fiercely competitive and thin labour market including within the informal and non-formal employment arenas. This paper intends to generate debate so that Forum participants share information and experiences in this field. The paper will expound on the challenges of persons with visual impairment in accessing employment, as well as the interventions that have been attempted by AFUB and other actors. Successful and challenging case stories will be documented. Ultimately, the paper will come up with practical solutions for opening up employment opportunities to persons with visual impairment by suggesting the critical roles of various actors – governments, civil society, PWD organisations and the private sector.