The global pain of exclusion
As the coronavirus pandemic intensifies, governments worldwide have placed their citizens into various forms of quarantine. For the first time, the world is faced with the feelings of isolation from society. For many this detachment is not a temporary phase, but everyday life.
Nearly 1.3 billion people live with disabilities (PWD) worldwide. Disability is a natural part of the human experience and in no way should diminish one’s right to fully participate in all aspects of community. With masses having now experienced the feelings of isolation, we cannot now escape the realities of this issue. Isolation and exclusion have very real impacts on mental and physical well-being. It can also affect quality of life.
The State of Kuwait, a regional pioneer, instituted disability awareness in its legal umbrella in 2010 and since the Public Authority for Disabled Affairs (PADA) has worked with the public, private and social sectors in delivering support to PWD; including working with the UNDP in Kuwait in formulating accessibility infrastructure and guides necessary to reach the goal of inclusion.
There are approximately 27,000 registered people with disabilities in Kuwait, yet the majority remain marginalized from the labor market. Despite this, some businesses are beginning to recognize the contribution and market value of PWD, today’s modus operandi sustains the convincing moral and societal imperative that exclusion must end.
As the pandemic has demonstrated by forcing people to work from home, remote work is a viable and oftentimes, more productive possibility for employers. Many of the remote work practices implemented since the global pandemic started - including a shift to greater use of digital technologies and communication -are the same practices that allow PWD to not only participate, but prosper in the business world.
Today we are seeing the business world at its most responsive and agile state. The coronavirus pandemic has granted us a rare opportunity to recognize and leverage the value of persons with disability in the business world. We have the chance now to build on everything that we have learned and cultivate new systems and models that would be wholly inclusive.
In the post-pandemic global economy, businesses that failed to adapt will either fail or be redesigned. For the longest time, there has been the belief that world systems could not change. Today, amidst the pandemic we have proved that they can.
In building the future, we must not repeat mistakes of the past or the present, amongst which include neglecting the advantage of inclusion and taking into consideration the specific needs of PWD; an equally important part of our communities. We all now know the global pain of exclusion.