My Purpose in Guadalajara

COLABORE, the social project I am interning with is essentially a link between the disabled and potential employers. At the core of this objective to connect the disabled to the labor force is the idea of equality. COLABORE wants the physically and mentally handicapped to be as much a part of general society as possible. In Mexico, those with various handicaps have an especially difficult time integrating into the labor force mostly due to a lack of education and extremely limited finances. As it is, few people in Mexico are well educated and even fewer with disabilities receive beyond an elementary level of schooling. Special needs programs in Mexican public schools are in short supply and where they don't exist teachers either don't have the training to assist special needs students or don't want to deal with such students. To put it into perspective only around 2% of Mexicans go to a University. It is COLABORE's mission to be an avenue for the disabled to gain the education needed to find work or if physically debilitated search out jobs manageable given their disability. One major obstacle, at least in Guadalajara, is the matter or transportation and commuting. Buses that are wheelchair accessible go unused because drivers don't want to take the time to use them or they don't want to give up the space that could be occupied by more paying customers. Both scenarios occur given the bus driver knows how to operate the lift and that the lift is even operational, which many are not due to lack of upkeep. The reason wheelchair accessible buses even exist is because operators are exempt from taxes upon purchase. Also, UP is located a 30-40 minute car ride away from where most of the people they wish to help live. If they do not have access to personal transportation it is an extremely expensive commute by taxi as most come from lower to lowest socioeconomic classes. To circumvent the barrier transportation presents COLABORE, every other week, travels to an old home in el centro historico to offer their services as it is more convenient for most. Yesterday morning I had the opportunity to sit in and observe one of these seminar and interview sessions. The session began with an informative presentation on the rights one has as a potential employee and ways to properly present oneself for a job interview. One of the first things mentioned, and I translate, is that every person has the legal right to socially useful work. The point being to let those in attendance (whose disabilities consisted of contorted hands, the hard of hearing, and the possibly learning disabled) know that they cannot be denied work because of their disability and as a citizen of Mexico they are entitled to seek job opportunities. The presentation went on to list workers rights such as fair pay, prevention from risks, social security benefits, and a Christmas bonus (required in Mexico). In addition to being educational I feel the above information has an additional personal utility in that it inspires confidence in the disabled. It reminds them that they are no different from any other employee despite a their handicap, which is often minimal. The second half of the presentation dealt with the importance of proper interview conduct such as; being on time, knowing the name of the interviewer, looking people in the eyes, having an unruffled resume, the importance of firm handshakes, and proper attire for males and females. This all may seem like common sense for those who have been taught proper personal presentation long before they can even remember. But, please keep in mind those in attendance come from extremely different backgrounds where such behavior is either not taught or ever seen. The one on one interview process was extensive and extremely personal. Questions were raised about drinking and smoking habits, whether or not the interviewee had any tattoos, past drug use, and their familial and friendly relationships. I came to find out that this is standard procedure for COLABORE and in Mexico. Employers have the legal right to ask these questions and can even submit the potential employee to a medical examination as HIV and having a tattoo are reasons to deny one a job in certain sectors. For COLABORE it helps to recognize the presence of any sort of behavioral problems or signs of depression. This is understandable since COLABORE wants to maintain good, working relationships with the companies it sends employees, but, coming from the United States the allowance of personal questions in the interview process was surprising and rather intrusive.