As part of its commitment to support Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and its continuing advocacy to be the first and leading PWD-friendly mall in the country, SM Supermalls through its SM Cares Program on Disability Affairs recently held the first job and skills fair for PWDs themed “ICT: Enabling People (ICT Job Fair and Skills Fair for PWD)” in celebration of the National Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Month 2012 at the SM North Edsa Cyberzone area.

The job fair emphasizes the importance of PWDs having the same rights when it comes to job opportunities. It provides PWDs the venue to showcase their potentials and skills and also serves as an inspiration to all people that PWDs can be productive contributors to Philippine society and the economy. The event drew hundreds of PWD applicants coming from different places in the Metro and many were lucky enough to be called for further interviews from participating companies.

Erin Jagong of Fairview Quezon City and Charles Rodriguez of Novaliches were some of the PWDs who lined up to apply in one of the 2,000 job offerings of the participating IT companies. Erin is a mobility-impaired person while Charles was born without two-arms but can draw animations using only his legs. Charles mother, Paz has been his number one fan who always reminds him that his disability is not a hindrance in achieving his dream of becoming a professional animator.

“I want to thank SM Supermalls for this PWD job fair. Discrimination is a problem for us PWDs when it comes to applying for a job. Individuals without disabilities are always hired even if PWDs have the same skills with them. It makes me happy that for the first time, PWDs have a chance to apply for a job that is relative to their skills. I hope SM will continue to support PWDs and come out with more and bigger PWD job fairs in the future,” said Erin.

Charles’ also said, “This job fair is really a blessing for us PWDs and I thank SM for supporting this event. In the past, I have a hard time finding a job since job fairs is only limited to individuals without disabilities. Now that we have our own PWD job fair I’m hoping that I can find an online and work-at-home job in animation because it’s difficult for me to travel since I have no arms.”

According to Eric Emmanuel Tansingco, founder and owner of Take One Animation, “each one has an equal chance.” Tansingco offers free scholarships and trainings for PWDs who are interested in animation. He dedicates himself in helping PWDs develop their skills through his animation studio in Quezon City.

“Take One animation is blessed so we may bless others especially the PWDs. I thank SM Supermalls for providing the location for this PWD job fair because I firmly believe that PWDs are capable of doing something that a normal person can do and that’s what motivates me to continue helping them,” he said.

SM Supermalls serve as a stage for PWD job fairs and events of the different disability sectors in the country. Through the SM Cares Program on Disability Affairs, SM installed facilities that are accessible and barrier-free and its 15,000 locators have a chance of considering employment for PWDs.

SM also transforms its frontliners such as janitors and security guards into advocates of PWDs. It educates tenants and staff to break away the physical and mental barriers that disable customers with special needs and enable them and their families to have a friendlier and more enjoyable shopping experience.