This year, Inclusion Europe wants to raise more awareness about ongoing discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities in the labour market, but also showcase good practices and initiate discussions on how we can make inclusive employment happen everywhere in Europe.
People with disabilities have a right to work just like everybody else. However, people with intellectual disabilities face significant obstacles in access to employment. To achieve an inclusive society where people with intellectual disabilities make their own choices and live independently, secure employment is essential. Having a job ensures people with disabilities have financial independence, feel valuable, and contribute their talents to society.
“Having a job is about being independent, it is about having co-workers and it makes me feel that what I do is important. I have been working for a long time and I am happy with my job. But I know not all people with intellectual disabilities have the opportunity to have a job.” Soufiane El Amrani
Videos supporting the employment of people with intellectual disabilities
Having a job means having the freedom to make your own choices and to control your life. People with intellectual disabilities are often overlooked when it comes to jobs and employment opportunities. But there are many companies in all kinds of industries that benefit from their skills and their great attitude.
Employing people with intellectual disabilities is important to them for several reasons. First of all, it grants them financial independence. The majority of people with intellectual disabilities are unemployed, making the opportunity for financial independence is life-changing.
We have made multiple videos that show ways of supporting the employment of people with intellectual disabilities; optimisation, customised employment, reasonable accommodations, job coaching, roles of families and specialised training. Check the articles below for more information.
Having a job means having freedom to make your own choices and to control your own life.
With the majority of people with intellectual disabilities being unemployed, it is important to raise awareness on the importance of offering jobs to them and changing their lives for the better.
The Importance of having a job for people with intellectual disabilities – video
As part of “My Talents. For Diversity” project, we have produced videos to promote diversity management amongst private and public employers.
The “My Talents for Diversity“ project tackles the issue of unemployment among people with intellectual disabilities by promoting diversity management amongst private and public employers. The project focuses on the employment of people with intellectual disabilities in the primary job market. Below you can find outcomes from the project.
Research about inclusive employment
Training material
- Guidelines for employers (.docx) created by Plena inclusión.
Employment and Covid-19
- Employment and Covid-19 report
Employment of people with intellectual disabilities. Before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
📄 Employment and Covid-19 report, written by Inclusion Europe and Plena inclusión under the My Talents For Diversity project, covers the state of #employment of people with intellectual #disabilities; before, during and after the #COVID19 pandemic. https://t.co/t72HmnGzPP
— Inclusion Europe (@InclusionEurope) January 19, 2021
We would like to hear from you
Do you want to show how inclusion in the labour market works?
We invite you to take part in Inclusion Europe’s campaign “Employ – everyone has a right to work”
Up for an interview?
We want to share stories of inclusive workplaces, companies and institutions. Stories of people with intellectual disabilities that has experience with working or getting a job. We want to show that offering work to people with intellectual disabilities is highly beneficial not only for the employees but for the company as well.
Please get in touch with us at comms@inclusion-europe.org if you are:
- A person with an intellectual disability
- A person with an intellectual disability who has a job
- A person with an intellectual disability that has experience with working or getting a job
- A teacher/ teaching assistant teaching in a class which includes pupils/students with intellectual disabilities
- A parent of a person with intellectual disabilities
- A company or an institution working towards inclusion
- Expert on the topic of inclusive employment
Articles about employment
