Hibiscus Hospital empowers youth with disabilities
The initiative highlights the role local businesses and institutions can play in creating opportunities for young people with disabilities and helping them become part of the workforce.
Four unemployed young people with disabilities graduated from a 12-month work-readiness programme hosted by Hibiscus Hospital on October 9.
The programme aims to help young people with physical and medical impairments overcome barriers to employment and gain the skills and confidence needed to enter the job market.
The hospital designed the initiative specifically for unemployed youth with disabilities from surrounding communities. Candidates were selected through an interview process.
Recognising that transport and accessibility challenges can prevent people with disabilities from attending training, the programme followed a remote learning model, with six months of theoretical study and six months of practical workplace preparation.
Hibiscus Hospital partnered with Johannesburg-based Sems Holdings to fund the programme and provided each student with a laptop, mobile data, a monthly stipend and mentorship.
The training also focused on personal development and building self-confidence, as many applicants faced challenges linked to social stigma and their health conditions.
The graduation marks an important step for the four young people as they prepare to seek employment and put their newly acquired skills into practice.
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