The Tanzania Federation of Disabled People’s Organisations (SHIVYAWATA) has engaged private sector employers in discussions aimed at promoting more inclusive employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

The engagement brought together SHIVYAWATA and private sector stakeholders to discuss some of the barriers that persons with disabilities continue to face when seeking employment, as well as practical measures that employers can take to make recruitment and workplaces more inclusive.

A key message from the engagement was the importance of assessing candidates based on their skills, qualifications and professional competencies rather than making assumptions based on disability.

Removing barriers from recruitment

During the discussions, attention was given to barriers that can prevent qualified persons with disabilities from participating fairly in recruitment processes.

These may include inaccessible job advertisements, application systems that are difficult to use with assistive technologies, inaccessible interview venues and other unnecessary requirements that can exclude qualified candidates.

SHIVYAWATA emphasized the importance of designing recruitment processes that allow candidates to demonstrate their abilities on an equal basis with other applicants.

Employers were also encouraged to consider reasonable workplace accommodations where required, including accessibility adjustments that enable employees with disabilities to perform their duties effectively.

Creating opportunities based on ability

Inclusive employment is not about lowering standards.

It is about ensuring that people have a fair opportunity to demonstrate what they can contribute.

Persons with disabilities possess diverse skills, qualifications, professional experience and entrepreneurial abilities. Creating accessible recruitment and workplace environments can help ensure that these abilities are recognised and utilised.

Through continued engagement with employers, SHIVYAWATA is working to promote a shift from approaches based on sympathy towards equal opportunity, participation and professional inclusion.

Working together for an inclusive labour market

The engagement also highlighted the importance of collaboration between disability organisations, employers, government institutions and other stakeholders in creating an employment environment where persons with disabilities can participate meaningfully.

This includes strengthening awareness among employers, improving accessibility throughout recruitment processes, addressing misconceptions about disability and promoting practical workplace inclusion.

SHIVYAWATA remains committed to working with stakeholders to promote employment opportunities that recognise ability, skills and potential.

“Remove the obstacles in job advertisements and selection procedures. Start with assessing the candidate’s capability, not their disability.”

The organisation will continue engaging employers and other stakeholders to encourage practical actions that contribute to a more inclusive labour market in Tanzania.

Skills. Opportunity. Inclusion.

SHIVYAWATA, in collaboration with the Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa (KBTA), has taken an important step towards strengthening inclusive employment opportunities for persons with disabilities through the first Employers Roundtable held in Dar es Salaam.

The roundtable brought together more than 25 employers and human resources professionals to explore practical solutions for strengthening workplace inclusion and expanding employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

The discussions went beyond raising awareness. Participants explored actionable strategies to address the structural and attitudinal barriers that continue to limit access to employment for persons with disabilities. Key areas of discussion included inclusive recruitment practices, workplace accessibility and the role of employers in creating more equitable labour markets.

Creating Pathways from Skills to Employment

The roundtable forms part of broader efforts to ensure that skills development leads to meaningful economic opportunities.

Among the graduates from the first cohort of the training programme, 13 out of 20 graduates with disabilities have successfully secured employment opportunities. The progress demonstrates the importance of strengthening connections between skills development, employers and employment opportunities.

However, further collaboration is needed to expand opportunities for graduates and young persons with disabilities currently undergoing training.

SHIVYAWATA and its partners continue to encourage employers and other stakeholders to support inclusive employment through:

• Internship opportunities for remaining graduates;
• Employment and placement opportunities for young people currently in training; and
• Stronger pathways connecting skills development with sustainable employment.

Expanding Opportunities Through Entrepreneurship

Inclusive economic empowerment extends beyond formal employment.

A group of 15 young people with visual impairment has completed entrepreneurship skills training and is preparing for the next stage of their journey towards establishing sustainable livelihoods.

Partnerships are needed to support these young entrepreneurs through:

• Business mentorship and coaching;
• Start-up support and incubation; and
• Access to markets and enterprise development opportunities.

With appropriate support and opportunities, young persons with disabilities can build sustainable livelihoods and contribute fully to Tanzania's economic development.

Building Partnerships for Inclusive Employment

The roundtable also brought together different stakeholders committed to advancing disability inclusion. Representatives from CCBRT and Sightsavers Tanzania participated in the engagement, contributing their experience and technical perspectives to discussions on strengthening disability inclusion and systems change.

The engagement reinforced an important message: disability inclusion in employment requires coordinated action.

Creating inclusive labour markets requires collaboration between the private sector, government, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities, development partners and other stakeholders.

Moving from Dialogue to Action

The Employers Roundtable, which also received coverage from ITV and HabariLeo, represents part of a broader effort to move beyond dialogue and towards practical action.

As SHIVYAWATA and its partners continue this work, the focus remains on expanding opportunities, strengthening employer engagement and ensuring that young persons with disabilities are not only equipped with skills but also have meaningful opportunities to participate in the workforce and the wider economy.

Inclusion becomes meaningful when opportunities follow skills.