December 3 is the International Day Of Persons With Disabilities and one of the biggest challenges they face is their inclusion in the workplace. This means that 66% of those of working age are neither employed nor looking for work. Their unemployment tends to increase mainly due to prejudices and stereotypes, especially with regard to intellectual disabilities or those linked to mental health problems.

The Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute is committed to disability inclusion in the workplace and on the occasion of the Disability Week 2023 the institution has joined the Adecco Foundation's #EmploymentForAll programme, a cross-cutting initiative that puts people with disabilities at the centre of social dialogue through awareness-raising, dialogue and training actions.

Within the framework of the #EmploymentForAll initiative, the Adecco Foundation will carry out different awareness-raising actions, such as guidance and training workshops addressed to people with disabilities on strategic aspects in the search for employment. It has also launched the "Awkward Silences" campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the difficult situations that people with disabilities often continue to face in the workplace, due to lack of knowledge and/or lack of previous experience.

Ana Garrido, Strategic Director and Acting Managing Director of the Josep Carreras Institute, greatly appreciates the participation of IJC in the campaign: "We are convinced that our firm commitment to an inclusive environment not only enriches the diversity of our team, but also boosts responsibility, innovation and sustainable growth. This benefits all of the Institute's staff and strengthens our mission of scientific excellence".

The Josep Carreras Institute is actively working to manage the diversity of its staff. The proposed measures, included in the institutional Equality and Diversity Plan and the HRS4R action plan, propose actions to train and raise awareness about the benefits of functional diversity and inclusive policies, as well as the aim of increasing the number of people with disabilities among the Institute's staff.