Supporting Employment for People with Disabilities in Extremadura
Collective Needs of the Workplace
2.1 Need for Guidance
Applicants need to develop self-knowledge and a personal itinerary to identify their occupational interests. They need to be informed about potential career paths, training levels, job market offerings, educational institutions, support services, grants, and benefits. Additionally, there is a lack of specific public services that help disabled people find jobs and a lack of support protecting their employment rights.
2.2 Need for Training
Basic F. Mandatory: Adult schools.
F. Postobligatoria: Vocational training, high school, and college.
F. Ocupacional: Practical training programs.
F. Non-formal: Courses, workshops, and academies.
F. Continuous: Computer languages, etc.
2.3 Need for Job Placement
Individuals need to learn and utilize job search techniques. Accessing jobs through short periods of practice or apprenticeships is important. This allows employers to observe performance and potentially offer contracts, streamlining the selection process and mitigating risks.
2.4 Specific Needs Arising from Disability
These needs relate to each person’s circumstances and can be categorized as follows:
- Physical or Sensory Disability: Addressing architectural barriers, adapting workplaces, and providing mobility support.
- Psychic Disability: Providing access to professionals who can facilitate the transition and adaptation to new work environments. Implementing transition plans to guide the integration process. Raising awareness among families about the importance of fostering independence and avoiding paternalistic attitudes.
2.5 Need to Educate the Business World
It is crucial to educate the business world, particularly regarding available bonuses, labor regulations, and the benefits of employing people with disabilities. Creating initiatives that challenge stereotypes and prejudices surrounding this group is essential.
Extremadura Employment Measures for People with Disabilities
Measure 4.3.1: Support for the Recruitment of People Experiencing Disability
Architectural and social barriers often hinder the employability of people with disabilities. To overcome these obstacles, economic incentives for businesses are crucial. Therefore, the employment of people with disabilities should receive a higher level of support compared to other population groups. Subsidies will be provided to companies hiring people with disabilities at a rate equal to or greater than 33%. In addition to financial support for recruitment, subsidies will be available for job adaptations, protective equipment, and the removal of architectural and communication barriers. Training programs will be adapted to accommodate diverse needs, including accessible materials, support staff, and sign language interpreters.
Measure 4.3.2: Special Employment Centres
Special Employment Centres (SECs) play a vital role in Extremadura’s society. Reforms introduced by the Employment Plan have significantly improved their integration. It is essential to establish and strengthen control mechanisms to ensure the proper functioning of SECs. Simultaneously, efforts must continue to encourage the transition to the regular labor market and increase support for the jobs generated by SECs. Without their contribution, society would be less inclusive.
Measures to be implemented include promoting public ownership or, alternatively, ownership by non-profit institutions, of SECs operating within Extremadura. A special program will be launched to enforce the labor rights of SEC workers, in collaboration with the Plan’s signatories. Occupational centers and business enclaves will be encouraged and monitored.
Measure 4.3.3: Supported Employment Programs and Personal Adjustment
Sheltered employment programs need to expand their instruments to promote equality for all, including individuals facing physical, mental, or sensory challenges. Supported employment programs and personal and social adjustment units should be expanded to reach their full potential and be utilized by businesses and sheltered employment centers. Funding and support will be provided for programs that develop the skills of people with mental, physical, or sensory disabilities. The concept of a “job coach” within SECs will be strengthened to facilitate the transition of individuals with disabilities into the regular job market. This measure involves implementing necessary regulations to ensure the effectiveness of supported employment grants within the community.
Measure 4.3.4: Awareness-Raising for the Integration of People with Disabilities
The ultimate goal is to create a labor market where positive action measures for employing people with disabilities are no longer necessary, as their participation becomes normalized. Until then, these individuals require additional support to integrate successfully. Therefore, it is crucial to increase awareness campaigns that promote the normalization of their access to the workforce.