Sheltered workshops

1

• Sheltered workshops
• Actual conditions and
• challenges in AT, DE, SW
• Eurodiaconia Social Economy
• Katharina Meichenitsch, MSc.
• Social policy officer, Diakonie Austria, June
  2012

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Sheltered workshops

• Since 1950s instrument of rehabilitation policy
• Double role temporary and permanent (over the
  years, permanent became dominant)
• Great diversity between countries (type of
  activities, status of employees, position of
  workshop in the economy, field of services for
  people with disabilities, etc.)
• In common special employment conditions to
  activate people with disabilities (and other
  target groups)
• Two research (OECD and ANED)comparability of
  sector?

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OECD 2003Transforming Disability into Ability

• Definition
• Sheltered employment is defined as employment in
  a segregated environment, be it in a special
  workshop
• or a social firm or in a protected job orsegment
  in the open labour market
• Supported employment is defined as any form of
  personal assistance given at a job (on-the-job
  coaching or training) granted tothe employer or
  the employee
• ? Integration and activation vs. inclusion

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(No Transcript)
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ANED 2007Employment of disabled people in Europe

• Academic Network of European Disability experts
• www.disability-europe.net

Country Year Number of Persons Increase / Decrease Transition rate
Austria 2010 20.000 No data lt 1
Germany 2005 256.000 10 more (2002-2005) 1-5
Sweden 2007 21.000 20 less (2000-2007) 4-5
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Diversity in AT, DE and SW
Country Legislator Operator Social status of employees
Austria Regional NPO No or little coverage
Germany Federal and regional NPO Medium coverage
Sweden Federal Public Full coverage
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UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities

• Art. 27 Work and Employment
• States Parties recognize the right of persons
  with disabilities to work, on an equal basis with
  others this includes the right to the
  opportunity to gain a living by work freely
  chosen or accepted in a labour market and work
  environment that is open, inclusive and
  accessible to persons with disabilities.
• Austrian Committee sheltered workshops are not
  complying with the CRPD
• President of Inclusion International abolish
  sheltered workshops
• Paradigm shift?

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Challenges and Trends

• Creaming
• Profitability vs employing persons with
  disabilities
• Best practice (e.g. support through networks,
  personal assistance, supported or subsidised
  employment, etc.)
• Transition phase?
• Other factors (e.g. fight discrimination, early
  childhood interventions, inclusive schooling,
  etc.)

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Discussion

• How is Diakonie acting?
• What is the situation / are the problems in your
  country?
• Do you see need for action?
• Do you know best practice?

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Thank you!