“Supported Employment is the only solution for integration of people with disabilities on the labour market”

Interview with Cristina Udrescu, human resources specialist at Dacris (company that offers printing services)

Your company has hired people with disabilities. Why did you make this decision?

Indeed, we hired three people with disabilities thanks to HAO. Dragoș and Edvin are beneficiaries of the LEAD project, but the third employee, namely Cristian, is not part of the project’s target group. We noticed their desire to work, so we wanted to give them a chance at a fulfilled life, we wanted to offer them a solution. Although they have different disabilities, the young adults have a proactive attitude. They are receptive and attentive to perform their duties properly.The adaptation of young men to the status of employee was fast and without any particular problems, due to these aspects, and to the involvement of Alina Sachelaru (Supported Employment specialist with HAO). From the very beginning, I advised them not to be afraid, and to help themselves by helping. Now, all three are respected and valuable members of our team.

When did you start to collaborate with our team?

In 2021, when we established Altbox. The first employee was Dragoș, who worked initially as a manual packer. He was promoted, after a while. Now, he uses very well a packaging machine. Then, we hired Edvin, who joined the team as a graphic designer, and Cristian, who works in the digital department of Dacris. I had also another disabled colleague, but he has resigned because he found a better-paid job in IT.

How were they received by your colleagues?

My colleagues received them very well! They are like any other employee of the company. We don’t make any kind of difference, but we take care to respect a few elements, so that they feel comfortable at work. I’m glad to tell you that they eat together, and they help each other at their jobs. Furthermore, I noticed that they communicate even on the company’s WhatsApp group.

How did you collaborate with our team?

Dragoș, Edvin și Cristian have received support from your team in order to prepare for the interviews, in the employment procedure, and after they started to work. Alina has kept in touch with me and the young adults, and she has been checking up periodically on the progress made by them.

I believe that Supported Employment is the only solution for integration of people with disabilities on the labour market. These people do not have strength, courage and self-confidence. They need guidance. They need to know that someone supports them. They need to not be allowed to give up. For example, our colleague, Cristian, has great experience in both production and IT, and is a valuable employee of Dacris. However, he was unable to find a suitable job for a long time, until he met Alina, who recommended him to us. HAO helped us a lot; we would not have been able to find such involved employees.

Do you recommend to other entrepreneurs to employ people with disabilities? Why?

We whole heartedly recommend to other employers, regardless of their activity field, to work with people with disabilities. Disability is one thing, the desire to work is another! People with disabilities have a special ability to evolve, they come up with solutions that we don’t think about to, and they perform very well tasks assigned to them. These people want to be respected members of society and they work in order to get there. They worth a chance!

Thank you for your kindness to have us interview you and we wish you good luck in business!

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

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here