Solutions from Ukraine: sign language interpreter launches Telegram channel for job vacancies for people with disabilities

Sign language interpreter Olha Bunaziv has launched a Telegram channel to share job vacancies for people with disabilities.

The author of the idea reported this on Instagram.

What is the problem?

In Ukraine, thousands of people face difficulties in finding a job every day, not due to a lack of skills or desire to work but due to the lack of accessible conditions and social prejudices.

What is the solution?

The initiated campaign demonstrates that people with disabilities have the necessary competencies, motivation, and desire to participate in the work process. All they need is equal conditions.

How does it work?

Olha released a social media video to raise public awareness about the critical social issue of employment for people with disabilities.

The video announcing the Telegram channel showcased four stories of people with disabilities struggling to find employment:

• A representative of a low-mobility group;
• Two people with hearing impairments;
• A woman with visual impairments

The video also features Serhii Parfyonov, a florist-decorator and founder of the flower corner "KVITKARNIA U," who, according to Olha, exemplifies a successful person with a disability who has found his life's work.

"I lost my hand, but I didn't lose my functionality because I earn money with my brain," emphasizes another man in the video.

The sign language interpreter explains that work is not just a means of earning money but also a way to achieve self-realization, gain independence, provide for one's family, and contribute to society.

"Employers should not be afraid to hire people with disabilities, nor should they make assumptions about their ability to work," Bunaziv emphasized.

What can everyone do?

• Watch the video and learn more about the problem;
• Share it so that as many people as possible change their attitude;
• Join the initiative and help make this world barrier-free.

For reference:

The parliament passed a law that fundamentally changed the mechanisms for employing people with disabilities, ensuring equal conditions for all employers and new opportunities for the employees themselves.

Anatolii Perkov, who has a second disability group, launched a service designed to help people with disabilities connect. He developed this "pet project" to maintain his professional skills while searching for employment, driven by his personal needs.