CHESHIRE SERVICES UGANDA Cheshire Services Uganda (CSU) is a local organization established in 1997, working to improve the quality of life of Persons with Disabilities through influencing policy change by providing models of inclusive development as well as advocacy and lobbying for improvements in policy practice to include persons with disability through the Programme areas of Inclusive Education, Livelihoods, Human Rights promotion, Health and rehabilitation and support for Daily Living.

Our mission is to rehabilitate andempower Persons withdisabilities to lead a dignified and productive life. CSU supports promotion of rights of PWD while aiming at influencing inclusivelegislations, policies and programmes. We provide models for inclusive development as well as direct lobbying and advocacy for improvement in policy and practice to increase participation of PWD in development.

Action for youth with disabilities Uganda (AYDU) was founded by and for youth with disabilities. AYDU advocates for the rights of youth with disabilities in Uganda in the areas of higher education, reproductive health and employment. This project is in line with AYDU#s strategic objective number 3; To enhance access to employment for youth with disabilities which is in line with the project thematic area.

AYDU co-ordinates the policy advocacynetwork and which brings together DPOs and government institutions to advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities and influence policy implementation and amendments.  AYDU has conducted a studyon employment patterns of youth with disabilities in both public and private sectors in Uganda and as a result, a disability enhancement strategy for the organisation was developed and these activities have guided the development of this project.

The 1995 constitution of Uganda (as amended), Article 40 guarantees that every person in Uganda has the right to practice his or her profession and carry out any lawful occupation, trade or business. Article 35: #(1) states that persons with disabilities havearight to respect and human dignity and the State and society shall take appropriate measures to ensure that they realise their full mental and physical potential. Section 6 (1) of the Employment Act (2006) provides that it shall be the duty of all parties including the Minister, labour officers and the industrial court to seek to promote equality of opportunity with a view to eliminating any discrimination in employment. The Uganda National Employment Policy 2011, in its guiding principle No. 6.7, recognises affirmative action in favour of the vulnerable groups. Section 12, of the PWD Act 2006, prohibits discrimination against a qualified person in employment on grounds of disability and elaborates on acts that constitute discrimination. The Equal Opportunities Commission Act 2007 section 3(a, b and c) provides for a penalty for any offence committed by a person who refuses to employ another person.

The project aims to increase access to gainful employment among young People with disabilities in Tororo District by advocating for the implementation of provisions in the above policies and Legislations. The project will be anchored on the Employment Act (2006); Section 6 (1) states that it shall be the duty of all parties including the Minister, labour officers and the industrial court to seek to promote equality of opportunity with a view to eliminating any discrimination in employment; Section 6(3) declares discrimination in employment unlawful.

Goal of project is to contribute to increased access to gainful employment among Persons with disabilities in Uganda.

The specific objectives ;

1. To create awareness among employers on disability inclusive employment policies and legislation as a way of promoting employment of youth with disabilities.
2. To empower youth with disabilities on their rights to employment.
3. To support employers to develop and implement institutional disability inclusivepolicies.