Empowering disabled workers: Leveraging self-strengths for career success

The collaboration unveiled a seminar titled "Unleash your Potential and Discovering Ikigai for a Fulfilling Life," aimed squarely at enabling the disabled community to recognize their inherent strengths for a happier, more fulfilling professional life. Another event is slated for December 14, 2023, with more than 400 disabled individuals expected to participate in total.

The "People with Disabilities Skills of Tomorrow Festival," held at the TK Palace & Convention saw more than 400 disabled participants engage in transformative sessions. These sessions, curated by Vulcan Coalition, a social enterprise fostering employment diversity, and supported by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, focused on leveraging the unique capabilities of the disabled.
 

Tidarat Kanchanawat, the Country Director of The Adecco Group Thailand, spearheaded the keynote address, guiding attendees through the nuances of Ikigai - a revered Japanese philosophy of finding joy and purpose in life. The event's agenda included interactive activities and discussions centred around the theory of four personality types. These sessions aimed to challenge and alter the self-perceptions of disabled individuals, highlighting their comparable abilities against the general workforce.

"Adecco firmly believes in the untapped potential within the disabled community," said Tidarat. "Our commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment aligns with our DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policy. This event marks a pivotal step towards integrating disabled individuals into the workforce, enabling them to find not just employment but a career path that resonates with their personal and social aspirations."

A key focus of the seminar was to address the common lack of self-confidence among disabled individuals, stemming from a perceived disparity in abilities compared to their non-disabled counterparts. However, the sessions highlighted that each disability could bring unique strengths to the table, particularly in jobs where sensory acuity plays a crucial role.

Tidarat concluded, "Employment is not just a source of income for the disabled; it's a pathway to improved quality of life, self-reliance, and societal contribution. It instils a sense of pride in being an active participant in the country's progress, akin to their able-bodied peers."

Adecco's initiative is a bold step in transforming the narrative around disability and employment, setting a precedent for inclusivity and empowerment in the Thai workforce.