International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Testimony of Abdillah, UNFPA Comoros staff
On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Abdillah AHMAD, staff of UNFPA Comoros shares his testimony on his integration into the workplace.
Smiling and calm by nature, despite his disability, Abdillah is always diligent at work. His availability and commitment to the UNFPA mission during the period of the Covid-19 pandemic was essential for the implementation of the UNFPA Comoros program activities.
“My name is Abdillah AHMAD, 54 years old and I have four children. I have had paralysis of both legs since I was two years old from polio, and I walk with two crutches now.
I have a legal training with a Masters in Private Law, and have been working at UNFPA Comoros since November 2015, as Associate in Administration/Procurement/Human Resources.
Since my recruitment at UNFPA Comoros, the accessibility of the office has improved because the Country Director took the initiative to build a ramp to facilitate my access to the building. Also, the entire staff contributes enormously to my inclusion, while providing me with the necessary assistance such as lifting and / or moving files or materials, or helping me with tasks requiring physical effort.
From a personal point of view, I am satisfied with my life in general and I even forget my disability, except in front of an obstacle like stairs or to lift heavy objects. I am delighted with the complicity of my wife and my four children at home who bring me smile, joy and happiness. My wife and my children are used to my disability. They are proud of me.
On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, my recommendations to further improve the inclusion of people with disabilities are:
1. Effectively apply the "Workplace Inclusion Policy for People with Disabilities" which was published by UNFPA in late 2019;
2. Carry out a situational analysis to obtain disaggregated data on people with disabilities in the Comoros;
3. Establish criteria for including people with disabilities in all projects / programs funded by UNFPA;
4. Increase staff awareness on disability, among other things, by setting up a mandatory course on the employability of people with disabilities;
5. Know the number of people with disabilities who work at UNFPA (and the United Nations as a whole) and create a group for the exchange of professional and personal experiences.
Furthermore, my ambition is to become a United Nations Expert on Disability, and to work full time on this subject. "
