Costa Rica today launched a national plan that seeks to help improve economic opportunities and provide job options for people with disabilities between the ages of 15 and 35.
The project “National Plan for Labor Insertion for Persons with Disabilities in Costa Rica 2017-2018″ is jointly implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the International Labor Organization (ILO) and will support the Policy National in Disability.
The initiative seeks to expand the labor demand of people with disabilities through awareness raising, counseling and involving more inclusive employers.
The Costa Rican authorities will work to strengthen labor intermediation services for this population through the creation of tools, promotion of institutional synergies and coordination of actions.
“At least 250 disabled people are expected to generate their own income through inclusive employment brokering services and efficient coordination mechanisms and at least 950 disabled people improve their employability profile through their access to employment services. training, “said UNDP Resident Representative Alice Shackelford.
Official data indicate that 63.7% of the total population with disabilities is unemployed and 58% of young people with disabilities between the ages of 15 and 35 are unemployed.
“It is necessary to articulate actions of private enterprise and government to open employment opportunities for people with disabilities. We have the challenge of concretizing these actions with international cooperation that opens new horizons, “said the executive director of the National Council of Persons with Disabilities, Lizbeth Barrantes.
The plan, in addition to strengthening the capacities of this population, will meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through inclusive growth and decent work, inclusive and quality education and reduction of inequalities.
The initiative is implemented with the support of the National Council of Persons with Disabilities (Conapdis), the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, Public Education, the National Institute of Learning, among others.
