don’t Look at My dis Ability

1. don’tLook at MydisAbility

2. Supported Employment- National Job Shadow Day • “The ultimate goal of the National Job Shadow Day is to mobilise the employment of people with disabilities, while raising awareness of Supported Employment”

3. Supported Employment – National Job Shadow Day • Job Shadowing is a nationwide initiative dedicated to giving people with disabilities a unique opportunity to “shadow” a workplace mentor as he or she goes through a normal day at work

4. Why hold a Job Shadow Day? • To raise awareness of Supported Employment amongst all stakeholders and the general public; • To raise the profile of Supported Employment and IASE; • To gain greater understanding, acceptance and support from employers, people with disabilities and public (value for money); • To assist in opening doors / removing barriers / changing attitudes and perceptions; • To promote integration; • To increase referrals and demand for the services of Supported Employment; • To generate interest and participation from employers

5. Benefits to Participants • People with disabilities can view the Job Shadow Day as an occasion to learn about potential job opportunities; • Job shadowing provides an insight into all aspects involved in a particular job; • It provides participants with a close up look at how skills already learned are utilised in the workplace; • Through exposure to a work setting, participants can learn more about job requirements, employer expectations and professionalism; • Job Shadowing will enable people with disabilities make more informed career decisions; • Job Shadowing has the potential to identify / secure jobs.

6. Benefits to Employers An opportunity:- • For public and private employers to recruit employees; • To demonstrate positive leadership in their communities; • To Promote and encourage an inclusive workplace; • To access to a pool of potential employees; • To gain greater understanding of disability; • To attract positive media attention

7. Advantages of National Approach • While regional branches will have to co-ordinate the event in their own areas, the impact of having a designated National Supported Employment Job Shadow Day should not be underestimated; • Greater impact on all stakeholders; • Generate interest which, in turn, will encourage media interest; • Capacity to put Supported Employment into the public arena - implications for future funding and development of Supported Employment; • Capacity to make Supported Employment a familiar term / concept with employers and the public in general; • Success can provide scope to hold and develop annual National Job Shadow Days or maybe week?

8. Key Stakeholders • People with disabilities • Families • Disability Service Providers • Employers & Mentors – Public & private • Chambers of Commerce • FAS, IBEC, ICTU etc • County Enterprise Boards • General Public (Taxpayers)

9. Draft Process Outline • People with disabilities • Employers • Mentors Supported Employment National Job Shadow Day

10. Organising Committee • Tony Reilly • David Walsh Midlands Branch IASE • Brenda Tallon • Sarah Togher • Dermot Cunningham • David Ryan National Executive IASE • Greg Barry • Eithne Jarrett • Helen Grant

11. Supported Employment National Job Shadow Day