Kimberley is a social development professional with a passion for sustainable development, community development, rights awareness and capacity building of the social sector. Her value for collaboration and engagement has aided in her development of skills in project management, strategic planning, multi-sectoral development, media production and communication particularly with minority groups.
Presentation: Managing Diverse Abilities
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) approximately 15% of any country’s population are expected to be persons with disabilities (PWDs), and this number is known to be higher in developing states like those in the Caribbean. At the same time, the United Nations acknowledges that discrimination and inadequate opportunities in countries across the world are the main reason why persons with disabilities find it difficult to live a full life. Employment plays a critical role in persons having the ability to manage themselves and live comfortably, but unfortunately a lack of readiness of the employer and employee, limits the opportunities provided for PWDs to learn new skills, build on existing skills, and be gainfully employed.
In instances where persons with disabilities are employed, inaccessible work environments and negative perceptions towards them result in a less than ideal working experience, oftentimes in menial jobs. Having worked in the disability sector and engaged particularly with the Deaf community, there is evidence of assumed inability, lack of intelligence because of a lack of hearing, and a general unwillingness by HR managers to support persons with disabilities in hiring, training and support for job maintenance.
Learning Outcomes
Presenter will share:
Strategies for HR professionals to better engage PWDs (particularly Deaf persons) in the hiring and on-boarding phase
Considerations for inclusive policy and procedures throughout the organisation
HR accommodations and support strategies for PWDs (particularly Deaf persons) in the workplace
Presentation: HR On A Budget
NGOs across the Caribbean engage in meaningful work that has a significant impact on the lives of thousands of persons each year. The organisations are oftentimes powered by men and women who have a great passion for the work they undertake, and even with limited resources, find ways to make great things happen. In many NGOs, passionate staff are underpaid, and overworked, oftentimes completing the work of what would be 2 or 3 persons in a more financially well-off organisation. This burn-out of staff, coupled with the limitation of resources to support compensation and operational purchases, places a strain on HR to hire and retain competent staff, provide adequately resources work environments, and maintain good employee engagement. Free or inexpensive tools and system that could be used to support HR and general operational functions are oftentimes not known and therefore not used. In addition, limited skills of staff to engage with the available tools, presents the need for training which sometimes cannot be afforded by the organisation, particularly not in a culturally appropriate context. The JAD has been able to engage with some tools to support HR management and employee engagement. While this is commendable, our specialised area of work has provided the opportunity to identify other areas that continue to be gaps
where innovation could be of benefit.
Learning Outcomes
Presenter will share:
Free/low-cost strategies used by the JAD to support HR and other operational functions
Gaps that continue to exists in accessible software/tools to support HR needs for NGOs