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Employment
Why is it important to arrange a job for a person with an occupational disability?
Occupation and employment are often the basis of a person’s social identity. Very often, people introduce themselves using their jobs or professions. The situation of working-age people with disabilities in Europe can vary significantly depending on factors such as national policies, social attitudes, and financial conditions. People with disabilities often face discrimination and stigma in the labour market, which can hinder their employment opportunities. While some barriers persist in the workplace, many individuals can overcome them, with a significant percentage using accommodations and report feeling accepted in their work environment.
Many European countries have enacted legislation and policies to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workforce. Access to support services such as vocational training, job coaching, assistive technologies, and workplace accommodations can significantly enhance the employment prospects of people with disabilities. Some countries offer financial incentives to employers to hire people with disabilities, such as wage subsidies or tax credits. Access to education and training opportunities is crucial for improving the employment outcomes of people with disabilities.
What are the benefits of employment for people in need of care?
Employment is crucial for social inclusion and independence for people with disabilities and their informal caregivers, as it allows them to live an independent life and make their own decisions. Participation in the workforce leads to:
- increased income,
- empowerment,
- improved quality of life of caregiver
- improvement of well-being for individuals with disabilities.
After a young person with a disability has found a job, the new circumstances will have positive effects on caregivers’ health, well-being, and employment opportunities. The presence of employees with disabilities in the workplace can lead to.
- increased sensitivity and awareness among all workers,
- improvements in profitability, turnover and retention,
- stronger employee loyalty and work ethics,
- improvements in the company image, customer base, customer loyalty and satisfaction, innovation and productivity.
How to arrange a job for a person with an occupational disability?
In order to successfully organise a job for someone with an occupational disability, understanding the nature of the disability and how it affects their ability to perform job tasks is important. This process should involve discussions with the individual and professionals. The focus should be on what the person can do and their existing skills, identifying the tasks the person can perform independently and the ones that may require adjustments. When looking for a job, it is also important to assess if the physical workspace has been made accessible. This might involve installing ramps, adjusting desk heights, providing ergonomic furniture, or ensuring easy access to the toilets. The person might need some tailored training to help them acquire the necessary job skills.
During meetings with potential employers, discuss establishing a support system within the workplace, like assigning a mentor, setting up regular check-ins with a supervisor, and creating an inclusive work environment. Familiarise yourself with laws and regulations that mandate reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. Finally, contact organisations specialising in employment for people with disabilities because they can provide additional resources, support, and training. The following good practices will give you an idea of how you can support a person in finding a job
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Good Practices
“Lavoro anch’io” [I Work Too] programme
The “Lavoro Anch’io” programme promoted by the Adecco Foundation for Equal Opportunities offers personalised support when searching for work, through individual counselling, training and intermediation with companies. The programme focuses on identifying the skills of people with disabilities and the needs of employers, facilitating job placements through internships, apprenticeships and employment contracts
Van zorg naar inclusie (from care to inclusion)
‘Van zorg naar inclusie’ is a social enterprise that helps people with disabilities to remain active in society. Thanks to collaborative projects, it ensures a positive transition in the healthcare sector and the labour market, thereby contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals in the fields of health and well-being, decent work and economic growth, and reduction of inequalities.
Foundation Calibris Advies
Calibris Advies is a social enterprise that connects the care and welfare sector with people who have problems finding or keeping a job, such as individuals with an occupational disability, status holders, lateral entrants, and people living on benefits. Calibris organises on-the-job training and adult education programmes and assists care organisations in recruiting and retaining personnel. It also provides training and guidance for students.
Foundation Studeren en Werken op Maat (SWOM) (Customised Studying and Working)
SWOM supports young professionals with occupational disabilities in finding suitable and fulfilling jobs. It provides tools and training, and access to a life-coach who assists with work, housing, and financial matters. In addition, SWOM helps employers create an inclusive workplace and offers advice on flexible scheduling, accessibility, training and leadership styles.
Fello aims to improve the work-life balance for informal caregivers. If an organisation chooses to use their services, employees will have access to a personal coach that helps with arrangements, questions, and moral support.
When entering into a permanent employment contract with workers who have a work capacity of 80% or less, the employer may receive a 50% reduction in the social security contribution rate
Marca entidade empregadora inclusiva [Inclusive Employer Brand]
Program that promotes the recognition and public distinction of open and inclusive management practices developed by employers concerning people with disabilities. Link 2.
“Pirmas blynas” is a pancake restaurant staffed by people with disabilities. In 2018, the restaurant was awarded the “Business Gene” award for the best socially responsible business initiative. In this video, the founder and the staff share the idea of the restaurant and how it was developed.
DUOday is a Europe-wide job shadowing initiative where companies and organisations open their doors to people with disabilities and invite them to try out new professions and job roles.
Employment with assistance is available to working-age people with disability who are categorized as having restricted or medium employability. For example, a person with a disability gets help with completing the employment application, understanding the terms of the contract, the internal policies of the business, and how their task is carried out at work. The assigned case manager also gives the company advice on how to rearrange the workspace to make room for the new employee. Link 2.
Resources
Ieder(in) article on inclusive job market
Ieder(in) has published an article highlighting the problems with the current job deal and policy recommendations on how to make it more inclusive
Working and looking for a job in the regular labour market
This is a TV-report of different individual experiences with a critical eye on workshops for people with disabilities. Created by the public German broadcasting NDR.
Inclusion of a workshop for people with disabilities in the private sector
Here you can find an example that shows how the integration of a workshop for people with disabilities can be good for the whole company. Published by a German magazine for economy named brand eins.
The non-profit Organisation “Aktion Mensch” offers a report about the recent situation on inclusion in the labour market.
Job opportunities for people with disabilities beside the regular labour market
You can find information for people with disabilities who do not find a job in the regular labour market by the non-profit organisation “Lebenshilfe” in the link on the title.
Financial support is available for employers who need to adapt equipment or the workplace to the specific needs of an employee with a disability.
Acompanhamento pós-colocação [Post-placement support]
Provides technical assistance to employers who hire individuals with disabilities and impairments, as well as to the employees themselves, aiming to sustain employment and foster career progression. This involves specialized interventions in vocational rehabilitation by IEFP’s support network centres, such as adapting job functions, integrating into the company’s socio-professional environment, developing appropriate personal and social behaviours for the worker role, and ensuring accessibility for travel to company facilities for employees with disabilities and impairments.
Practical Guide including the rights of people with disabilities in Portugal.
Study characterising the access and participation of people with disabilities in the labour market in mainland Portugal.
The Kaunas L’arche community project “Friendship Bridge” is presented. This is a social workshop aimed at increasing the employability of friends (people with intellectual disabilities) in the open labour market, developing and maintaining general and special work skills. Currently, the following areas are being developed in the social workshops: grass-cutting-outside work and pottery production. More: Link 1 | Link 2