Urban Renewal Hosts Inclusion Job Fair

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS – Urban Renewal Minister Lisa Rahming says inclusion is not just a conversation, but the law, as she urges employers to open their doors to persons with disabilities and provide them with fair opportunities to join the workforce.

Minister Rahming says the goal is to turn policy into practice by encouraging employers to embrace inclusive hiring.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to make employment opportunities more accessible for persons with disabilities across The Bahamas.

Lisa Rahming – Minister, Urban Renewal and Community Relations

“We wanted to open up opportunities for others, so I put together a team and gave them the task of going out there and finding employers who are going to buy into this vision. But not only buy into it, but apply the law to the workplace. The Employment Act says all employers should hire at least one percent of persons living with disabilities, so that means every 100 employees inside the workplace, there should be one person with a disability being hired.”

Showing her support was Labour and Public Service Minister Pia Glover-Rolle, who explained why efforts like this matter.

Pia Glover-Rolle – Minister, Labour and Public Service

“Watching lives transform through meaningful employment remains one of the proudest memories from my public service, and I’m encouraged to see that vision continuing through initiatives like this disability job fair. This event reflects our administration’s commitment to creating opportunities, expanding access, and ensuring no Bahamian is left behind. As Minister of Public Service, Labour and National Insurance, I see every day the importance of connecting people with opportunity.”

Job seekers like Dasanti Oliver say the fair proves that ability goes far beyond physical limitations.

Dasanti Oliver – Job Fair Participant

“They may have a disability, but you don’t know what they could do. You don’t know what they could bring to the table. You don’t know what kind of job they could do. They might have a disability, but they also have good knowledge and a good education, so do not down anybody who wants to work.”

President of the Bahamas Alliance for the Visually Impaired Preshell Ramsey says the biggest challenge is not the work itself, but changing how people view the word “disability.”

Preshell Ramsey – Vice President, Bahamas Alliance for the Visually Impaired

“Before the PFP program came along, the biggest challenge I faced was the stigma of the word disability. Sometimes when people hear the word disability, they feel that means you have an inability to work. But what they fail to realize is that we push more because we have that stigma attached to our name. So don’t just put down a resume because you see the word disability attached to it. I’m a lady with over 12 different certificates behind my name, recognition in therapy, CPR, first aid, firefighting and prevention, STCW training, the works. Disability doesn’t stop you from doing anything. It’s your mindset.”