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Keynote speech at Qatar forum
Friday May 01st 2009. Posted: 14:33
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Caroline says employing disabled people in business can help to reach out to a wider society
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BT Group director of people and policy Caroline Waters took centre stage at an international forum in Qatar on supporting people with disabilities - alongside Scope patron Cherie Blair.
The 4th Annual International Shafallah Forum saw Caroline deliver a keynote speech with the disability charity. She was joined by Cherie and Scope’s employment director Steve Cairns during a session on employment of disabled people, which attracted media attention around the world. The theme of the conference was Achieving Independence - in particular, supporting disabled people into employment. Extraordinary solutions Caroline told the forum that employing disabled people in business can help to reach out to a wider society. “The problems that disabled people face has often got little to do with their disability,” she said. “Many of the barriers disabled people face are external. A diverse workforce can help to access people from different backgrounds, which is a competitive advantage for the organisation. “Disabled people face hurdles on a day-to-day basis and hence can tackle any challenges and find extraordinary solutions. They have unique perspectives and can change not just what we do but how we do things. “Employing people with disabilities is not risky, disruptive or expensive - it is just plain business sense. A diverse workforce makes for better business. It is the difference that can make the difference.” BT formed a partnership with Scope nearly two years ago as part of the company’s Better World campaign. It includes support for the No Voice, No Choice initiative, which campaigns for a legal right to communication aids for people with communication impairments.
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Last updated:
12:55