INSETA launches National Disability Awards
The Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA) is accelerating its support for people with disabilities in the South African insurance sector with the launch of its National Disability Awards.
The Awards aim to honour and raise the profile of workers with disabilities who are making a remarkable difference in the insurance sector, as well as individuals and organisations supporting the advancement of people with disabilities. Award winners will be announced on December 3 and nominations are now open.
Designed to coincide with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities – as recognised by the UN – the national Awards are a first for the insurance sector in the country.
Explaining the reasons behind the initiative, INSETA CEO Sharon Snell said the insurance sector had done well in terms of integrating and training people with disabilities and the Awards would be a celebration of that progress, as well as a means to encourage further efforts.
“At INSETA we acknowledge that the insurance sector has done very well in terms of transformation where people with disabilities are concerned. In fact, during the previous financial year we exceeded sector targets set by the Department of Labour for training persons with disabilities by almost 300%,” said Snell.
“That is something the sector can celebrate and build on!”
Despite these positive strides, however, a lot more still needed to be done to challenge the prejudices that persist, added Snell.
“We want these Awards to be a celebratory affair, but we also want to raise awareness of how incredibly able many so-called disabled people truly are. We need to start raising our expectations of them, as so often it is our perceptions, not their disabilities, that continue to hold them back,” she said.
This sentiment was echoed by Ari Seirlis, National Director of the QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA), who has recently been introduced to some of the INSETA projects.
“I think this is a magnificent idea, especially as INSETA are not trying to politicise the issue as many organisations do, but rather celebrate the successes of individuals and companies who are championing the interests of workers with disabilities,” said Seirlis.
“The challenge for employers is, of course, finding skilled people – but we want to emphasise that there is massive value if they are willing to invest in training for people with disabilities and explore their potential.”
To date, the Workers Academy of Insurance has been the leading provider of training in the sector, and recently held a graduation ceremony for the almost 40 disabled learners it put through training during the past year.
Said Hillary Murashiki, CEO of the Workers Academy, “We have developed a bridging programme, as well as a communications programme for our learners with disabilities to ensure they are able to learn effectively and work confidently on the insurance training programme, authorised by INSETA. After these programmes they enter mentorship programmes with insurance companies, and I am happy to report that of our recent graduates, only five currently remain unemployed.”
In total, the National Disability Awards will have four nomination categories: the Business Leader Award (for people with disabilities who have shown outstanding personal achievement in the workplace); the Young Leader Award (for people with disabilities aged 18 to 25 who have displayed great potential in their studies/workplace); the Champion Award (for employers or individuals who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to improving the lives of people with disabilities); and finally, the Company Award (for organisations that have created opportunities for people with disabilities).
Individuals and companies wishing to make nominations are to call 086 130 130 to obtain a nomination form, said Snell. Nominations close on 15 November 2009, and the winners will be announced at a ceremony to be held on International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
