Making skilling programmes and employment opportunities more inclusive of youth with disabilities
In celebration of the upcoming International Day of Persons with Disabilities, YouthForesight, in partnership with UNICEF and the ILO, with participation of Special Olympics, will host the webinar, “Making skilling programmes and employment opportunities more inclusive of youth with disabilities.” This session will offer an in-depth look at the key barriers to engaging young people with disabilities in skilling programmes, support their transition to the workforce, and explore tools and strategies we can implement today to ensure every young person has access to equal opportunities.
An estimated 16% of the world’s population—approximately 1.3 billion people—live with some form of disability. While data on youth with disabilities remains limited, studies conducted in the 1990s suggest that there are between 180 and 220 million people with disabilities aged 10–24, with 80% of them living in developing countries.
Although this group represents more than 10% of youth globally, they are significantly less likely than their peers to find paid work, achieve financial independence, or participate fully in adult life and society. Compared to their peers without disabilities, young people with disabilities are up to five times more likely to be outside of the educational system and not in employment or training.
Young people with disabilities are innovators, developing creative solutions daily to overcome stigma, lack of accessible environments, and laws and policies that were not designed with their needs in mind. Engaging youth with disabilities strengthens solidarity for more inclusive solutions and fosters sustainable development within society.
OBJECTIVES
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Share current data on the barriers to inclusion of youth with disabilities in skilling programmes
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Explore key solutions for creating more inclusive programmes for youth with disabilities
WHO CAN ATTEND
This session encourages practitioners working with youth worldwide, as well as young people with and without disabilities, to attend.
DETAILS
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Date: 19 November, 2024
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Time: 8 AM EST | 8 AM New York | 2 PM Geneva
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Duration: 1 hour
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Accessibility: International Sign & CART(Real-Time Captioning) will be available during the webinar
WATCH THE RECORDING:
OUR SPEAKERS:
Urmila Sarkar - Deputy Director, Programmes, Generation Unlimited
moderator
Urmila Sarkar is a Senior Adviser for Generation Unlimited, bringing over 23 years of international expertise in youth learning, skills, and engagement. With a background as UNICEF's Regional Chief of Education for South Asia, she managed a US$100 million annual portfolio and supported 130 professionals in advancing educational access and equity. Urmila began her UN journey with the ILO, leading global initiatives in youth skills and child labour eradication. Passionate about civic engagement, she founded Canada’s “Youth Week” and played a pivotal role in the Global March Against Child Labour. Urmila holds an MA in Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School at Tufts University and a BA in International Relations from the University of Toronto.
Herve Morin – Global Lead, UNICEF UPSHIFT
panelist
Hervé is an Innovation Manager at the UNICEF Office of Innovation and the Global Lead for UPSHIFT, a flagship UNICEF program for building youth skills. With two decades in international development, he drives UPSHIFT's integration into education systems across 51 countries, leveraging digital tools to expand reach. Hervé’s expertise in human-centered design and co-creation with national partners has been instrumental in scaling the program. His academic background in Education Sciences and Psychology fuels his commitment to skills-building for young people, reinforced by his research on adolescent skills development in schools.
Güler Koca – Disability Inclusion and Gender Equality Expert, ILO
panelist
Güler Koca is a dedicated Human Rights advocate with extensive experience in disability inclusion and gender equality. Currently an expert with the International Labour Organization (ILO), Güler focuses on integrating gender and disability perspectives in forced displacement and migration settings. Her previous roles include collaborations with UNHCR, Minority Rights Group International, and the International Disability Alliance, where she championed the inclusion of minorities and underrepresented groups globally through an intersectional lens. Notably, she co-designed the first Youth Global Disability Summit in partnership with UNICEF and Global Mental Health Norway. This summit amplified youth voices on disability rights, playing a pivotal role in advancing the UN 2030 Agenda within the disability rights movement.
Clement Coulston – Senior Manager of Youth Development, Special Olympics International
panelist
Clement Coulston is a dedicated Disability Inclusion Consultant and Advocate with over 15 years of experience in promoting equitable access and inclusive environments. Skilled in project management, organizational leadership, and accessibility training, Clement has worked across various sectors, including technology, healthcare, and corporate spaces, to enhance inclusion for individuals with disabilities. Known for his expertise in universal design and policy advisory, Clement has successfully led impactful initiatives that foster diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that accessibility is woven into the core of organizational practices.
panelist
Abdulrahman is a dedicated Egyptian athlete and leader with a deep-rooted passion for sports, particularly cycling, which holds a special place in his heart. At just 21, he has not only excelled in athletics, bocce, and cycling but also served as a leader within Egypt’s athlete leadership council, championing the power of inclusivity in sports. Abdulrahman’s vision goes beyond personal achievement; he aims to foster societal change by creating welcoming, inclusive communities through sports, inspiring others to join his commitment to a more unified world.
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#DisabilityInclusion
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