Skills know no bounds: International Day for Persons with Disabilities

Children with disabilities experience lower rates of participation in primary, secondary, and tertiary education, says the UN Flagship Report on Disability and Sustainable Development Goals (2018). Later, when entering the work force as young adults, they are also less likely to be employed than persons without disabilities, hindering their opportunities to financial independence.

Some reasons why the professional potential of many persons with disabilities remains undiscovered include:

• Ableism,
• Biases about their working capacity, and
• Non-accessible workplaces, vocational education and training centres, or job services.

“The main issues are the professional integration of people with disabilities, and access to skills. Companies are often unaware of invisible disabilities, there are budgetary constraints that prevent the adaptation of workstations, or specific difficulties encountered by entrepreneurs with disabilities,” says Cloé Lemarechal, WorldSkills Champions Trust representative for Europe, and a talented fashion designer with dyslexia who recently saw some of her creations at the Paris Fashion Week.

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December, WorldSkills wants to join millions of young professionals like Cloé in reminding the world that professional excellence knows no bounds.

"It’s important to highlight the fact that physical or invisible disability is a strength that enables us to develop great skills. All we need to do is give people the chance to express themselves personally and professionally and create great projects!” she added.

Cloé, who is a Champion from the skills of Fashion Technology at WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition, also won a gold medal at 10th International Abilympics Competition.

Held every four years, Abilympics is the international skills championship for professionals with disabilities. There are no age limitations for competitors. While the last competition took place in Metz, France from 23 to 25 March 2023, the International Abilympics Federation has recently elected Finland as the next host.

Taking place alongside the Finnish nationals at the Helsinki Exhibition Centre in May 2027, Competitors from all over the world will represent their countries in their specific trade and demonstrate their abilities.

Finland’s bid was supported by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture, demonstrating Finland’s commitment to inclusion and equal opportunities for all.

In a statement to Skills Finland, Director General of the Ministry of Education and Culture Petri Lempinen said:

“In 2005, Finland organized the WorldSkills Championships, which was a major boost for vocational education and training. I believe that the Abilympics Competition will also be a positive step forward for vocational education and training.”

The 11th Abilympics Competition will be organized in cooperation with Skills Finland alongside vocational education and training providers, in particular the Ameo network of special vocational schools.

By organizing the event, Skills Finland wants to highlight the high quality of special education in Finland and its link to the world of work, as well as providing a great opportunity for cooperation between special vocational schools and other vocational schools.