Global development can be a particularly tough sector to enter for young professionals with disabilities, who may face additional challenges in gaining the international experience they need to land their first job. As building inclusive programming for people living with disabilities gains more attention across the sector, some organizations have begun to look at how they can be more inclusive inside their own walls.
“When you have a disability, you don’t normally consider volunteering internationally as an opportunity,” said Jessica Mohr, a talent analyst with United Nations Volunteers. “There simply is always a problem in coping with your special needs. You can arrange yourself at home but then on the road, it’s an issue.”
The United Nations Development Programme and UNV are hoping to change this, launching a talent program to help young professionals with disabilities break into the development sector. Volunteers will complete assignments for a minimum of 12 months that will include learning and professional development opportunities with a specific focus on the Sustainable Development Goals. The idea is to give volunteers a “special opportunity to build their capacity to get jobs after the volunteer position,” said Mohr, who is overseeing implementation of the initiative.