ManpowerGroup 2004 Annual Report Download - page 36

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The world of work is challenging enough for most of us, but
imagine that you are one of the estimated 386-million working-
age people in the world who are disabled. Unfortunately, a
large number of people with disabilities, who are willing and
able to work, are unemployed. Sometimes, this is because
employers are unwilling to give them the opportunity.
Frequently, it is because the individuals have not had access to
adequate education or training to provide them with work-
ready skills. Sometimes, it is simply because buildings or
transportation are inaccessible to them. All of these are real
barriers that prevent millions of people from earning a living.
Manpower’s initiatives around the world help to remove these
barriers. Caminemos Juntos (Let’s walk together), launched
in 2001 in Mexico, is a prime example of how Manpower trains
the disabled to ensure they have the skills required to enter
the workforce and succeed on the job. Since its inception,
the program has successfully worked with over 40 potential
and current customers and 15 labor organizations to place
300 individuals with disabilities.
Margarita Jiminez, who is visually impaired, is one of those
individuals. She was referred to our program through one of
the Mexican Labor Ministry’s workforce development initiatives
for the unemployed. Because of her impairment, Margarita
believed that she was best suited for telephone work.
“Before the Manpower training I didn’t even know how a
switchboard was operated. But now, we’re best friends,”
joked Margarita. “Through Caminemos Juntos I learned to be
more self-reliant and work with all different kinds of people.”
Upon completing the program a year and a half ago, she was
hired as switchboard operator for Manpower’s headquarters
in Mexico City and is doing quite well.
“Acceptance is one of the biggest challenges I faced in finding
employment. It was very important for me to work for an
employer who would be accepting of my unique situation, and
my guide dog, Max,” explained Margarita. “I am very grate-
ful that Manpower offered this program, and hopefully, my
testimony and performance on the job will motivate other
employers to hire people with disabilities.”
“Acceptance is one of the biggest challenges
I faced in finding employment. It was very
important for me to work for an employer
who would be accepting of my unique situation,
and my guide dog, Max.”
REMOVING BARRIERS FOR
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
MARGARITA JIMINEZ