Our colleagues from Valakupiai Rehabilitation Center (VRC) have put on the public agenda the issue of large-scale access of people with disabilities to employment services, in addition to their daily work dedicated to integration of young adults with disabilities into the labour market.
For example, VRC organised a round table, which was attended by representatives of: The Ministry of Social Security and Labour (including those of the Department for the Affairs of People with Disabilities), the Employment Services Agency, non-governmental organisations working with and for disabled people. The changes of the legislation regarding the integration of people with disabilities were the main objective of the round table.
During the event, the participants talked aboutthe current situation on the Lithuanian labour market, and about the problems and challenges faced by people with disabilities who want to work. On this occasion, our colleagues pointed out: the results obtained within the LEAD project, the activities which have been organised so far, as well as the services offered to both people with disabilities and employers. At the same time, the need for a change of attitude towards people with disabilities was highlighted.
At the same time, the VRC team has continued the process of expanding the National Network of Supported Employment Services Providers, created within the LEAD project in order to facilitate the implementation of Supported Employment methodology and to ensure the exchange of information between professionals in the field.
Furthermore, our colleagues have provided relevant information to representatives of public authorities and members of civil society, with the aim of raising the level of community awareness of Supported Employment services.
Thus, our colleagues have organised several public events and meetings, which were attended by representatives of the Department for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour (entity that became a member of the Network). At the same time, the cooperation relations with the Employment Services Agency (member of the mentioned Network) was strengthened.
The project “Labour market Employment for young Adults with a Disability – LEAD” is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment.
Cristina Șerbănescu
