Employability for all – projects

perspective Izmir, Turkey, 19 September 2014

Karel Van Isacker

OutlineOutline

European perspective

Belgium, Flanders

◦ Inclusion in work domain

Supporting inclusion via projects (EC

funded)

But … who am I?But … who am I?

Private: ◦ 40 years young

◦ Flemish (Belgium)

◦ Lived in various countries: Belgium, UK, Democratic Republic of Congo, Greece and Bulgaria

Professional: ◦ Background in economics

◦ Passionate about working with and for people with disabilities since 2003

◦ Coordinated, managed, participated in 50+ projects

Disability and employment ratesDisability and employment rates

(Source: 2011 World report on disability)

Austria: 43.4 vs 68.1%

Germany: 46.1 vs 64.8%

Netherlands: 39.9 vs 61.9%

Norway: 61.7 vs 81.4%

Poland: 20.8 vs 63.9%

Spain: 22.1 vs 50.5%

Switzerland: 62.2 vs 76.6%

UK: 38.9 vs 68.6%

(S

ourc

e: E

U-S

ILC

(2008)

(excl

udin

g Fra

nce

and M

alta

), fe

wer

than

50

obse

rvat

ions

for

stro

ngl

y lim

ited p

eople

in B

ulg

aria

.)

Some figures of the European Some figures of the European

diversity…diversity…

(Source: administrative data

of EU MS, 2000-2006)

Some figures of the European Some figures of the European

diversity…diversity…

(Source: administrative data

of EU MS, 2000-2006)

Some figures of the European Some figures of the European

diversity…diversity…

(Source: administrative data

of EU MS, 2000-2006)

Variety of employability tools… but Variety of employability tools… but

are all inclusive?are all inclusive? (Source: administrative data of EU MS, 2000(Source: administrative data of EU MS, 2000--2006; IZA 2006; IZA

Research Report 2010)Research Report 2010)

Quota schemes both in the public and private sector:

◦ Austria (4%), the Czech Republic, France (5%), Germany (5%), Greece (5%), Hungary, Italy (7%), Lithuania, Luxemburg (5%), Malta, the Netherlands (5%), Poland, Portugal (5%), Slovakia, and Spain (2%)

Partial quota schemes in either private or public employment:

◦ Belgium, Cyprus, Ireland, and Slovenia.

No quota system:

◦ Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and the United Kingdom

Variety of employability tools… but Variety of employability tools… but

are all inclusive?are all inclusive? (Source: administrative data of EU MS, 2000(Source: administrative data of EU MS, 2000--2006.)2006.)

Sheltered employment:

◦ increasing trend in Austria, Germany, Italy,

Finland, Luxembourg and Portugal

◦ decreasing in Poland and Sweden (and United

Kingdom)

Some figures of the European Some figures of the European

diversity…diversity…

Number of people with disabilities in ordinary employment increased

Sheltered employment varies among the Member States.

Most countries characterized by increase in the employment status of people with disabilities (except Poland and the Czech Republic)

Unemployment level decreased in France, Austria, Slovakia and the UK, but increased in Belgium, Ireland, Spain, Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden.

Focus on Belgium, FlandersFocus on Belgium, Flanders

Focus on Belgium, FlandersFocus on Belgium, Flanders

Structure of the Belgian StateStructure of the Belgian State

Belgium is a federal state, made up of three communities (the Flemish-speaking Community, the French-speaking Community and the German-speaking Community) and three regions (the Flanders Region, the Brussels Capital Region and the Walloon Region).

◦ The Federal government is tasked with everything which falls within the sphere of interest of all Belgians, irrespective of language, cultural or territorial considerations, such as foreign affairs, defence, justice, finance, social security and a large part of public health and domestic affairs.

◦ The communities are tasked with people-related matters, such as language, culture and education.

◦ The regions are in turn tasked with territorial matters, such as town and country planning, environment and employment.

Complex state structure creates a situation in which

people with disabilities are not always sure who to

approach for a particular form of assistance.

Core rule…Core rule…

◦ specific facilities for PWD will only be sought if solutions cannot be found through general ones.

◦ applies to all areas of life (transport, housing, employment, etc.).

◦ on 1 April 2006: transfer of PWD authority for employment and professional training from VAPH to the normal policy areas of employment and social economy.

“general where possible, specific where necessary”

Focus on employabilityFocus on employability

One employment agency for all

◦ Regular labour market (adjustments might be needed)

◦ Sheltered workshops

◦ Not able to work

When seeking a job

◦ Network for people with disabilities towards (paid)

employment: case manager, assessment centre,

jobkanaal, support while at work, specialised

vocational training, …

Focus on employabilityFocus on employability

Support while at work

◦ Adaptation work place: surroundings, tools, clothing

◦ Allowance for travel and accommodation expenses

◦ Flemish Support Premium: financial subsidy to

compensate for potential efficiency loss

◦ Allowance for interpreters (impaired hearing)

◦ Employment in a sheltered workshop

◦ Case manager or coach to provide tailor-made job-

coaching at the start of a new job

◦ Possible support later on during the career, e.g.

career counselling, support of employer/colleagues, …

General evolution in EuropeGeneral evolution in Europe

Shift from passive measures towards (active)

labour market integration policies.

More traditional approaches (e.g. sheltered

employment, regulation, employment quota)

AND new types of measures:

◦ New vocational training and rehabilitation

programmes

◦ New labour market measures facilitating the matching

process between people with disabilities and

employers: funds for the adaptation of infrastructures

and workplaces, wage subsidies, tax incentives, etc.

Building further on this…Building further on this…

Disparities in Europe require cooperation

◦ Share good/best practices, experiences,

knowledge, skills

Important

Across borders, continents

◦ Developing projects

With all relevant stakeholders involved

Employability Pathway in EuropeEmployability Pathway in Europe (Source: European Alliance on Skills for Employability)(Source: European Alliance on Skills for Employability)

Our approachOur approach

Ear for needs people with disabilities

Cooperation across borders with NSWE countries in Europe

Partners ◦ Education (academic, VET), end-users, technology

providers from partner countries

Set up ◦ User requirements collection, developing training

material and tools, evaluate through pilots, disseminate/market it

Our social goals: ◦ Inclusion and improved quality of life

◦ Free training courses (OER) and supporting tools in various domains

◦ Beneficiaries: people with disabilities

Projects contribute to thisProjects contribute to this

Employment ICT (AT) competences

Social competences Efficient Caregiver support

Empowerment

Project detailsProject details

ICT/AT training

◦ www.vipi-project.eu

◦ www.atlec-project.eu

Social competences

◦ www.games4competence.eu

Employment

◦ www.dice-project.eu

◦ www.tourism4all.eu

Personal care giver

◦ www.mcare-project.eu

Training Tools Training Tools

& Material& Material Games

Games (online, desktop, mobile)

Mentoring

Training courses (online, offline, mobile)

Peer support

Free

OERs

Free

OERs

Ecosystem based on person led process of personal development in case of disability

Education

Vocationaltraining

EmploymentLife long learning + career

Schools

Vocationaltraining centres

Carers

Policy makers

Employers + self

employment

AT/ICT/... training / Support needed

Forthcoming events with focus on Forthcoming events with focus on

disabilitydisability Interdisciplinary Symposium “Social

Competences, Creativity And Wellbeing”

03-05.06.2015 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Topics:

◦ Creativity, innovative technologies and the social challenges of youth and people with disabilities.

◦ Developing the social competences of youth and people with disabilities, with the usage of modern learning and training technologies.

Call for papers now open (see leaflet)

Website: http://issccw.academy/

Forthcoming events with focus on Forthcoming events with focus on

disabilitydisability Interactive Technologies and Games (ITAG)

Conference 2014

16-17.10.2014 in Nottingham, UK

Topics: ◦ Gaming on the move

◦ Robotics and education

◦ Games Based Learning

◦ Game related Technologies

◦ Games, Apps and Artificial Reality for Health

◦ Accessible Game Design

◦ Web based gaming technologies

Website: http://itag.gamecity.org/

Contact detailsContact details

• PhoenixKM project team

(Karel, Bernard)

o Overall project management

o karel@phoenixkm.eu

o Project management support, research

o bernard@phoenixkm.eu

o URL: www.phoenixkm.eu

o Amersveldestraat 189

8610 Kortemark

Belgium

Extra slides…Extra slides…

Different perception of disability Different perception of disability

Disability rates in EU working population:

Different definitions of “disability” (6-30%

between the Member States)

The The EuropeanEuropean Union of Union of diversifieddiversified

figuresfigures Figures are from 2001, Eurostat

ReasonsReasons forfor thisthis diversificationdiversification

Lowest estimate, based on the extremes of currently defined disablement categories: ◦ Around 74 Million persons in Europe alone

Other estimates that take into account: ◦ People in the so-called hinterland between fully

able bodied and the classically termed disabled, should considerably raise those numbers

Disability rates vary ◦ Different disability definitions and classification

◦ E.g. defining disability within the context of incapacity to work, as they do in Poland, while it is functionality in UK

Population with disabilities will Population with disabilities will

increase in Europeincrease in Europe

Disability policy at EU level Disability policy at EU level

Disability policies are mainly Member States responsibility: administration, organisation, provision of social care, social services, healthcare, child care

Why a disability policy at EU level?

◦ People with disabilities have similar concerns throughout the EU: same rights, same obstacles, same discriminations

◦ EU policies, instruments and legislation impact in many ways on situation of people with disabilities

Main areas for EU actionMain areas for EU action

Accessibility of goods and services

Participation as equal citizens in Europe and quality community-based services

Equality and combating discrimination

Employment in the open labour market

Inclusive education and training

Social protection to combat poverty and social exclusion

Equal access to health services and related facilities

External action including EU enlargement, neighbourhood and international development programmes

Mix of tools to achieve the objectives

Legislation: e.g. explore the possibility of a “European Accessibility Act”

Mainstreaming: ensure that all relevant EU initiatives promote equal opportunities for people with disabilities

Cooperation between Member States and civil society

Funding

Awareness-raising

Data collection and monitoring

More info on ANED

(http://www.disability-europe.net/)

European Disability Strategy 2010 European Disability Strategy 2010 --

20202020 Empower people with disabilities to enjoy

their full rights

Create a barrier-free Europe for all

Comply with the international

commitments taken by concluding the

UN Convention on the Rights of

Persons with Disabilities

UN Convention on the Rights of UN Convention on the Rights of

Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)

Rights recognised cover almost all policy fields: accessibility, employment, education, health, independent living, participation in culture and sport, civil rights.

Mixed competences between EU and M(ember)S(tates) (all MS + the EU signed the UNCRPD)

The EU and MS, to the extent of their competences, have to comply with the obligations to ensure the rights recognised in the Convention

The Human Rights approach to The Human Rights approach to

disability disability –– paradigm shiftparadigm shift “Persons with disabilities include those who have long-

term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments

which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their

full and effective participation in society on an equal basis

with others”

(Article 1 UN Convention on the rights of persons with

disabilities)

"objects" of charity, medical

treatment and social protection

"subjects" with rights,

capable of claiming those

rights and making decisions

for their lives based on their

free and informed consent as

well as being active members

of society.