On the International Youth Day 2026, themed “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” the Socio-Economic Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities – SEEPD Program of the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services called for an immediate expansion of employment opportunities for young people with disabilities.

SEEPD Project Manager Awa Jacques Chirac emphasized in a statement made public on August 12, 2026 that despite holding relevant qualifications, young individuals with disabilities continue to face severe job market exclusion.

Mainstream barriers such as persistent discrimination, physical workspace inaccessibility, and restrictive institutional practices consistently prevent qualified youth from realizing their economic potential.

While Cameroon possesses national legal frameworks designed to protect the rights of persons with disabilities, SEEPD highlighted a critical gap between policy and daily reality, urging stronger enforcement to convert statutory protections into actual jobs.

To demonstrate the untapped capability within the community, the program spotlighted 23-year-old innovator Fopa Kuete Duclaire, creator of the InReach technology, which enables real-time digital content accessibility for the deaf community. His achievement illustrates that disability does not diminish talent, provided individuals are given the platforms to succeed.

To bridge the gap between aspiration and opportunity, SEEPD appealed directly to both public and private sectors to revamp their recruitment strategies. Government agencies were urged to render public employment schemes, internships, and business support programs fully accessible to disabled candidates, while private employers were called upon to eliminate bias in their hiring processes.

Furthermore, civil society organizations, universities, and development partners were encouraged to collaborate on building robust programs centered on digital inclusion, practical skills training, and sustainable entrepreneurship.
Ultimately, SEEPD stressed that driving long-term socio-economic inclusion requires structural policy reforms alongside a broader cultural shift in how society views disability.

The statement reinforced that young people with disabilities share the exact same professional ambitions as their peers and deserve equal access to the labor market. As the SEEPD declaration concluded, “Our aspirations are indeed common. It is now time for our opportunities to be common too.”