It is not for the first time that businesses, institutions and organisations from Lower Silesia and Opole regions will be awarded for their commitment to providing opportunities for disabled employees.
"Disabled persons make a special category of employees. Despite all their problems, we can always rely on these people. And we as employers always seek to take on workers with such characteristics," says Zbigniew Piechociński, President of the Regional Council of the Polish Organisation of the Employers of Persons with Physical Disabilities.
The aim of the competition is to identify and award those employers that epitomise ethical conduct in business. Employment support policies for persons with disabilities aim to fight prejudice and dispel stereotypes, and they provide an opportunity for disabled persons to take part in the life of society.
The budget for the years 2014–2020 is estimated to provide 500 million PLN for the initiatives to enhance inclusion and improve employment opportunities for disabled candidates.
"The money will be used to organise training courses, professional development programmes and workshops. The offer has been designed to suit a variety of entities that range from professional development centres and cooperatives to healthcare and social support centres. We will also strive to remove architectural barriers," explains the Secretary of the Lower Silesia Region, Lilia Jaroń.
There will be two stages in the nationwide Icebreakers 2014 competition: a regional and a central one. Applications to take part in the competition will be accepted by 15 August. Every business, regardless of its size and industry, can take part in the event.
The initiative has received endorsements from a number of well-known figures: while the First Lady, Anna Komorowska, has offered her Honorary Patronage, the actor Zbigniew Zamachowski is its Nationwide Ambassador. Małgorzata Węgrzyn
