Dec 2: WindReach To Host Webinar For IDPD
WindReach will host a virtual conference in recognition of the United Nation’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities [IDPD] on December 2.
A spokesperson said, “Our community will have the opportunity to hear from a varied panel of experts of which some have the lived experience, and others many years of experience working with individuals living with disabilities and special needs.
“The UN’s theme for this year’s IDPD is ‘Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world.’ WindReach has derived the theme for their Common Ground Conference from the UN’s theme which will focus on ‘Removing Social Barriers to Employment.’
“WindReach’s mission to help enrich the quality of life of people with special needs aligns with many of the UN’s Sustainability Development Goals. Our organisation aims to do our part in promoting equity and inclusion and our conference objective specifically targets the UN’s Sustainability Development Goal #8, which is to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all.
“The conference will be co-facilitated by WindReach team members Ms. Brianna Roach, Community Engagement Coordinator, and Ms. Rebecca Lawrence, Life Skills Coordinator.
“We are excited to be hosting our annual Common Ground Conference, where we will be exploring barriers to individuals with special needs and disabilities related to employment. There are amazing speakers in the lineup who are eager to share their experiences and recommendations for disability inclusion as it relates to employment.
“We hope that organisations in Bermuda will take the time to join us, to gain valuable insight on how to foster inclusive and supportive workplaces. We’re nearly in 2023 and as a society, inclusive work environments should be the norm within our communities.”
Tina Nash, Executive Director, said, “We are so pleased to, once again, hold our Annual Common Ground Conference in honour of International Day for People with Disabilities. Providing high quality training opportunities for our community is very important to us and we are so thankful to be able to hold this webinar at absolutely no cost to Attendees due to the generous sponsorship of Athene.
“Developing opportunities for supported work experience and employment for People with Special Needs and Disabilities is at the heart of what we do at WindReach. Enshrined in Bermuda’s Human Right Act [1981] is the following: ‘a disabled person shall not be considered disqualified for an employment by reason of his disability if it is possible for the employer, or prospective employer, to modify the circumstances of the employment so as to eliminate the effects of the disabled person’s disability in relation to employment.’
“Unfortunately, many people with disabilities find themselves on the periphery of Employment opportunities for a variety of reasons. This webinar aims to provide knowledge and skills to develop better disability inclusion in the workplace, for workers and employers, where all employees are valued for their strengths and have an equal opportunity to succeed. We are delighted to have local and international speakers join us this year who have exceptional experience and knowledge in this area. Come and join us.”
The spokesperson said, “Speakers will include overseas guests, Lucy Webster, freelance journalist and authorl and Jennifer Allen, senior director at Best Buddies International. Our local speakers include Sherrie-Lynn Lilley, Clinical Mental Health Counsellor; and WindReach’s Brianna Roach and Rebecca Lawrence, who are both equally qualified.
“The conference is generously sponsored by Athene and as there is no registration fee. Individuals are able to Zoom in for one or all four of the 40-minute long sessions starting at 9.30am and ending at 1.30pm. Attendees can qualify for CEUs/PD Hours from both the Bermuda Health Council [Allied Health Workers] and the Ministry of Education [Educators].”
“The link and password to the conference is:
- Zoom
- Webinar ID: 813 0270 7373
- Passcode: 089354
“The Facebook event page is here.
The full WindReach Common Ground 2022 Webinar brochure follows below [PDF here]:
