ELPIDA Course - English

Holding a job provides a high number of benefits including creating economic self-sufficiency, social networks and a sense of self-worth. Despite adequate frameworks that protect the right of people with disabilities to work, in practice these persons are often deprived of their right to work or are limited to jobs that do not meet their needs and desires. Recent surveys show that unemployment among people with different kinds of disabilities in the EU is more than twice as high as for the general population.  See http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Disability_statistics__labour_market_access#Main_statistical_findings. Particularly for people with intellectual disabilities, the situation is even worse although there are signs of improvement.   http://www.communitycare.co.uk/2007/05/30/employment-barriers-for-people-with-learning-disabilities/.

The progress towards comprehensive inclusive employment has numerous barriers such as:

·         Negative employer attitudes;

·         Lack of skills of individuals with intellectual disabilities;

·         Lack of information about employment opportunities;

·         Lack of adequate adjustments in the workplace;

·         Inadequate incentives and programs promoting inclusive employment.