Tips will be shared on developing inclusive and supportive working environments for people with different abilities as part of a free virtual conference this week.

WindReach will host the event on Friday — the day before the UN’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The charity said: “Our community will have the opportunity to hear from a varied panel of experts of which some have the lived experience, and others many years of experience working with individuals living with disabilities and special needs.”

A WindReach spokeswoman added: “We are excited to be hosting our annual Common Ground Conference, where we will be exploring barriers to individuals with special needs and disabilities related to employment.

“There are amazing speakers in the line-up who are eager to share their experiences and recommendations for disability inclusion as it relates to employment.

“We hope that organisations in Bermuda will take the time to join us, to gain valuable insight on how to foster inclusive and supportive workplaces.

“We’re nearly in 2023 and as a society, inclusive work environments should be the norm within our communities.”

The UN’s theme for this year’s IDPD is “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world“.

WindReach’s focus will be on “Removing Social Barriers to Employment”.

The conference will be co-facilitated by Brianna Roach, a community engagement co-ordinator at the charity, and Rebecca Lawrence, a WindReach life skills co-ordinator.

Tina Nash, the charity’s executive director, said: “We are so pleased to, once again, hold our annual Common Ground Conference in honour of International Day of People with Disabilities.

“Providing high-quality training opportunities for our community is very important to us and we are so thankful to be able to hold this webinar at absolutely no cost to attendees due to the generous sponsorship of Athene.

“Developing opportunities for supported work experience and employment for people with special needs and disabilities is at the heart of what we do at WindReach.”

Ms Nash highlighted that the Human Rights Act (1981) provided that a disabled person "shall not be considered disqualified“ for employment because of their disability if employers can modify circumstances "so as to eliminate the effects“ of the disability as it relates to the work.

She said: “Unfortunately, many people with disabilities find themselves on the periphery of employment opportunities for a variety of reasons.

“This webinar aims to provide knowledge and skills to develop better disability inclusion in the workplace, for workers and employers, where all employees are valued for their strengths and have an equal opportunity to succeed.

“We are delighted to have local and international speakers join us this year who have exceptional experience and knowledge in this area."

Speakers will include Lucy Webster, a journalist and author; Jennifer Allen, a senior director at Best Buddies International, a global volunteer organisation; Sherrie-Lynn Lilley, a clinical mental health counsellor; as well as Ms Roach and Ms Lawrence.

There is no registration fee for the conference, which will run from 9.30am to 1.30pm.

Guests can attend any number of the four 40-minute sessions.

The Zoom ID for the conference is 813 0270 7373 and the passcode is 089354.

Information can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/events/400921878788158.