My talents. For diversity. Videos supporting employment of people with intellectual disabilities

People with intellectual disabilities everywhere often find it very hard to find a job. Most of them do not work, and those who do often do not get a fair salary. The My Talents for Diversity (MTFD) project tackles this issue. The project is led by Inclusion Europe, Plena Inclusión (Spain), EVPIT (Estonia) and Antwerp Management School (Belgium) who have produced videos to promote diversity management amongst private and public employers.

Follow Thibeau on his working day at Antwerp Management School

Thibeau is a Junior Researcher at Antwerp Management School (Belgium). He works as an inclusive researcher for the MTFD project. His job entails interviewing people in companies that employ people with intellectual disabilities. Thibeau can count on the help of two colleagues that support him with practical matters.

“Thibeau looks at inclusive work in another way than we do. The project gets better and richer, thanks to the involvement of Thibeau.” Bart Cambré (Vice-Dean Antwerp Management School)

Customised employment for Manuela

Fixed job descriptions exclude talented people from the job market. The design of job positions should be focusing on solving problems for the company, instead of fixed-job descriptions. Manuela Cambreiro has been working in a market in Tenerife for many years. Ana Peña, Job Coach, and Hugo Pérez, Supermarket Manager, created a customised job for Manuela according to her skills, the things that she enjoyed and the needs on site.

“For a long time, since I was a child, I wanted to work. I need to work to live by myself, to earn money, and to be independent.” Manuela Cambreiro

Reasonable accommodations at OACEX

OACEX is Extremadura’s first Cognitive Accessibility Office (Spain). It is committed to the full inclusion of all employees and believes that, with reasonable accommodations, people with intellectual disabilities can work with the same autonomy as any other employee.

“I am very happy. I feel like just another team member, and I can see that my work is important for people with disabilities and society.” Aroa Rico (employee at OACEX)

How having a job coach helped Laura to achieve her dream?

People with intellectual disabilities might need support when they start a new job, but this support can be provided by the organisations supporting them. Job coaches who work for these organisations are trained to provide the necessary support.

Laura Pereira Barahona has been working as an administrative assistant for nearly 5 years. Her job coach accompanied her from the start to help her understand the job, the tasks, and the culture of the company.

“My dream was to be a clerk and thanks to my work, I am achieving this.” Laura Pereira Barahona

Follow Toomas during his specialised training

Toomas Niitepõld is employee at Rimi supermarket chain in Estonia. Before starting his job, he received a training of job environment and security. His working tasks and duties were taught on site by elder colleagues.

“Toomas has adapted very well, he is very proper, hard working. We are very happy to have him.” Marika Kabal (Store Manager)

How are families important in supporting people with intellectual disability to work?

The process of entering the job market is supported by the family, providing follow-up support regarding the hopes and abilities of the person’s employment future. Families are important in the whole way of life of people with disability. So, when it comes to employment, once again, families must be there for them.

“Our son was at an occupational activity centre and there was no guaranteed future livelihood for him. Now our son is in an ordinary job with an employment contract with social security, with a future pension. He has a life plan ahead of him. We can now envisage an independent future livelihood for Pablo.” Blanca Aranguren (Pablo’s mother)