Employment opportunities are not always available to people with disabilities. We spoke with С.Балжинням, who is showing through his own experience that a person with a disability can work.
Hello. Could you introduce yourself to our readers?
Hello. My name is Содномын Балжинням, and I work as an IT engineer at Render wood. I sustained a spinal cord injury in a car accident in 2016. I have now been using a wheelchair for 4 years.
You mentioned that you are an IT engineer. Where and when did you graduate?
I graduated from Ikh Zasag University in 2015 with a qualification in IT engineering.
You started this job after your injury. Had you done any other work after acquiring your disability?
I had the car accident after graduating. After receiving treatment, I first worked at Eco Construction. I then moved to Render Wood LLC, where I have now worked for more than a year.
Where do you usually find job advertisements?
I have never registered with a labor exchange or employment placement organization. I usually find job advertisements on social media. Social media has grown in recent years, and everyone uses it, so organizations post their vacancies there.
What difficulties do you think people with disabilities face when applying for work?
Accessibility and infrastructure are generally major problems. For example, steps outside the workplace, the space available in toilets, the working environment, relationships among colleagues and a lack of disability awareness can all create difficulties.
Were there difficulties when you started your current job? How long have you worked there, and what accommodations or accessibility improvements did the company make?
I have worked here for 1 year. When I started, there were steps outside and no ramp, but the company installed a ramp after hiring me. It also added grab rails in the toilet and adapted my desk for wheelchair access, giving me the conditions I need to work. My duties are computer-based and do not require me to travel around, so there are no major difficulties.
How do you travel to and from work?
My workplace is quite far from home, so I need transport regularly. However, wheelchair-accessible buses currently operate only in the city center, not on my route, so I cannot use public transport. I now drive a car with hand controls. There is no accessible parking space outside work, though, which makes getting in and out of the car a little difficult.
What is the atmosphere at work like? How well do your colleagues understand your disability?
Like any workplace, everyone gets on with their own responsibilities. They do not treat me primarily as a person with a disability. Some colleagues may lack information because I did not explain my situation or disability when I first joined. However, I do not often need much assistance at work, so things are relatively good.
What advice would you give people with disabilities who are actively looking for work?
I think people with disabilities should develop themselves and improve their communication, attitudes, knowledge and skills. If you are unsuccessful in a job interview, look carefully at why, identify the experience or skills you lacked, and attend relevant training, meetings, conferences and seminars. Taking part in interesting capacity-building projects run by disability NGOs and volunteering can also help you learn to communicate, work in teams, express yourself and develop many other skills.
What advice would you give organizations planning to employ a person with a disability?
They should carefully learn about the individual's circumstances and needs. Consider what equipment they need, what desk would be comfortable, and whether toilets and ramps can be improved. Staff should also receive accurate information about their new colleague. Otherwise, misunderstandings may lead people to view the person as a patient. I hope employers will pay more attention to this.
Thank you very much for contributing to our work and giving an interview that can inspire others. We wish you success in your career.