Chance of employment for those with disabilities

KUALA LUMPUR: Persons with disabilities are assets to the public and private sectors, says International Trade and Industry Minister II Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan.

“We are living in an age where the mind, not muscle, is the determining factor. Behind every robot and automation are humans to drive the dream.

“Inclusiveness is the keyword here. We are encouraging businesses to employ persons with disabilities,” Ong said at the launch of Microsoft Malaysia’s M-Powered, an e-portal that provides employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for persons with disabilities in Malaysia.

Currently, only 0.26% of the civil service is represented by people with disabilities.

Microsoft Corp’s South-East Asia corporate, external and legal affairs senior regional director Dr Astrid Tuminez said technology shouldn’t leave anybody behind. “Our mission is to empower every person and every organisation to achieve more and we see technology as a powerful enabler.”

Powered by Microsoft’s public Cloud services, M-Powered partners with the Government, corporations, academia, multilateral agencies and non-profit organisations to provide technical and soft skill learning opportunities and access to job listings.

The Malaysian chapter has the support of several partners, including Thriving Talents, Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre, Girls in Tech Malaysia, Dialogue in the Dark Malaysia, and Asia-Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, that have agreed to mentor and list job openings on the portal to drive employment.

For more information, visit www.m-powered.org/malaysia.