IREDE Foundation Launches Inclusive Hiring Toolkit to Empower Nigerians with Disabilities
The IREDE Foundation, a Lagos-based non-profit, has launched a Recruitment Toolkit designed to help employers and HR professionals adopt inclusive hiring practices for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). Supported by the Lagos State Government, this initiative is part of the Foundation’s Disability Empowerment and Employability Project (DEEP).
Since 2012, The IREDE Foundation has supported children aged 0–18 living with limb loss by providing prosthetic limbs and empowering them with skills. Now, it is expanding its impact by promoting disability inclusion in workplaces.
What’s Inside the Toolkit?
The toolkit provides step-by-step guidance for employers on:
Creating inclusive job adverts
Conducting accessible recruitment processes
Making physical workspaces disability-friendly
Tracking inclusion efforts with checklists and templates
According to Deborah Yusuf, Programmes Associate at The IREDE Foundation, “The toolkit responds to the growing demand from employers who want to hire PWDs but lack the structure and knowledge to do so confidently.”
The toolkit also supports ongoing education through monthly sessions called Open Mic for Disabilities—a conversation series that breaks stereotypes and connects businesses with disability inclusion experts.
“Inclusion is not charity — it’s a responsibility. This toolkit helps employers move from good intentions to real action that gives people with disabilities the opportunities they truly deserve.”
— Deborah Yusuf, Programmes Associate, The IREDE Foundation
How Can Employers and PWDs Benefit?
For Employers:
Visit The IREDE Foundation website or reach out via their social media to request the toolkit.
Apply the guide in your recruitment process, using the checklist and templates.
Attend DEEP workshops and Open Mic events to deepen your understanding of inclusive practices.
For PWDs Seeking Jobs:
Follow IREDE Foundation’s platforms to know when disability-friendly jobs are announced.
Attending Open Mic sessions to connect with organizations committed to inclusion.
Join caregivers or support networks for referrals and skill-building opportunities.
Government’s Role
Adenike Lawal, General Manager of the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, applauded the Foundation’s practical approach and said ministries like Women Empowerment, Youth Development, and Environment are already embedding inclusion in their programs. She emphasized that, “Inclusion must go beyond policy and reflect in real opportunities, events, and employment.”
The IREDE Foundation’s toolkit is more than a document—it’s a roadmap to a more inclusive Nigeria. Public and private organizations are encouraged to adopt it, not just for compliance, but for creating workspaces where everyone thrives.
