Benefits for the members
The potential benefits of membership are seen to be:
Promotion & representation
- Global voice of service & direct employment providers
- Input into policy advice to governments’ and international institutions
- Representation to allied organisations, policy makers, funders and the media
- Promotion of disability vocational & direct employment services
- Promoting the profile & position of Workability, representing the collective member organisations
- Lobbying for the interests of “service providers” & “direct employers” at international level
- Supportive lobbying for implementation of international conventions & recommendations at regional & local levels
Business & services development
- Information on global organisations & multi-national enterprises embracing corporate social responsibilities and associated initiatives
- Identification of global trends, opportunities and barriers to development
- Identification of new business & service opportunities
- Joint business venture projects – cross border
- Collective purchasing ability
- Capacity building in developing countries
- Twinning, mentoring and sponsoring arrangements
Networking
- Access to expertise, processes & products
- Access to existing arrangements with international governmental organisations, global companies, multi-national enterprises and associated non-governmental organisations
- Contacts & links across the world with similar organisations within & external to Workability
- Links to international governmental & non-governmental organisations, multi-national & global enterprises
Knowledge
- Information on trading & employment trends, drivers of change, barriers & opportunities in the global economy
- Information on best practices and strategic development within & external to Workability International
- Information on Governments’ policies and funding regimes to support disabled people in work & employment
- Information on international developments and initiatives concerning the provision of work and employment for disadvantaged people
- Information on international conventions, recommendations and activities in the field of work & employment of disabled people (including associated topics)
- Developing and implementing quality standards for delivering direct employment and support services to disabled people
- Research & development covering supporting disabled people access and sustain work & employment
- Information on activities, challenges and solutions applied in countries around the world.
- Awareness of the objectives, initiatives and developments initiated by international organisations representing disabled people
Activities
- Sharing of ideas, trends and new developments in direct employment & service provision
- Organisation of events - forums to discuss matters of shared interest in a safe environment
- Exchange of “best practice”, peer support, networking and social inter-actions
- Staff & management training and development, exchange and study visits
- Shared experiences & learning concerning successful & not so successful activities