The Management Club in its initiative in working towards a nation friendly towards the disabled has launched a programme focusing on the abilities of the disabled. Through this programme the TMC is facilitating the employable disabled.

The Ranfer Group, has come forward and shown their commitment to offer equal opportunities for the disabled by taking in initially two visually handicapped young men and have found them to be dedicated workers. This is their first opportunity to be gainfully employed. Chairman Ranasinghe and Managing Director Travis Fernando both expressed their keenness in opening up employment opportunities for the disabled of our country and in the coming months will continue to employ more, in areas that are disabled friendly.

The Management Club said it salutes their initiative and is optimistic that their example will be followed by others business houses in our country, thereby working together towards a Disabled Friendly Sri Lanka.

The Management Club an association formed just over a year ago, comprises of over 400 professionals and has carried out several meaningful programme, under the Management & Social Accountability banner.

The TMC in its initiative towards a Disabled Friendly Nation, has planned another programme, one of many programmes already held and scheduled to be held addressing the abilities of the disabled, the acceptance of disabled into society, community and employment.

This project was born out of the need to address the crying issues faced by approximately 1.7 disabled in our country who are either disabled at birth or due to unfortunate circumstances. Skills Assessment of employable disabled will take on an islandwide programme. The Management Club will host skills assessments of employable disabled will be held divisionally and for a start we held the first such programme at the Kandyan Reach Hotel, Kurunegala recently.

The Kandyan Reach Hotel has come out in total support and commitment to such a programme and has shown its willingness to work with the TMC towards the social responsibilities of our community, and business houses. This Hotel an idyllic transit resort, a blend of the quiet cham of an eareier era. The Management of this Hotel has very generously agreed to host this programme making provisions to welcome the differently abled into these environs and together we can lend the support towards the success of this programme.

During this assessment it is the intention to be able to categorise the capabilities of these young employable persons, with a view to recommending them for employment with the businessmen of the surrounding areas or closest to their residences.

Rationale:

This will avoid them travelling long distances for employment thus also reducing travelling and related costs.

It will keep them closer to their families and increase their security and confidence.

It will give the businessmen small and large of that area to take on a social responsibility for their own communities and will have a two way effect.

TMC invites industrials and businessmen of the area to be present and participate in this exercise. The Assessment and evaluations will be made available to prospective employers and those wring to support the entrepreneurship amongst the disabled.

The TMC appeals to the community, not to forget our breathen give them equal opportunities, focus on their abilities, understand that all they ask of us is acceptance, work together towards a disabled friendly nation.