Work integration of people with disabilities in companies through the European program PRESTO

The integration of people with disabilities in the workplace has become an important issue in recent years. People with disabilities are a large part of the population with rights to social and work inclusion, but unfortunately, this is not taken for granted. Despite the objective difficulties they may face due to the type and degree of disability, many people with motor, visual or intellectual disabilities want and are able to work. Until recently, legislation and red tape were significant barriers, as disabled people receiving state benefits risked losing them if they worked. Fortunately, this problem has been resolved and now their work does not entail the loss of any social support. However, there are still prejudices about the ability of people with disabilities to be efficient and competitive in the open market. However, this attitude is changing and familiarization and training of entrepreneurs is required, so that they can integrate people with disabilities in their work group.

The integration of people with disabilities in the workplace is the goal of the Association of Parents of Friends of Autistic People. In this context, we collaborated at the Institute of European Education in the European research project “PRESTO” (2020 – 1- IT01- KA202-C01469E8) which sought the transnational mobility of people with disabilities. Through this program, four club members had the opportunity to work in foreign countries and gain work experience. At the same time, disabled people from other countries came to Rethymnon, where they worked for some time in enterprises such as Theartemis Palace, Agreco farms and Auto Diagnosis car workshop. The aim of the program was twofold: on the one hand, to give the disabled people themselves the opportunity to gain practical experience and familiarize themselves with the working environment, and on the other hand, to allow the companies themselves to recognize the ability of these people and integrate them into their workforce.

The presentation of the results of the European programme took place at the Paleontological Museum of Rethymno on May 8, 2023.

Kalli Rodopoulou, head of the European Education Institute, said: “Through the “PRESTO” program, six European countries, namely Italy, Greece, Belgium, France, Spain and Poland, have enabled children with intellectual disabilities to be placed in businesses for internships. This program is considered particularly important for developing the professional skills of people with intellectual disabilities and for their integration into the labor market. Four children from the Autism Association of Rethymno participated in it, but other children with intellectual disabilities from the mentioned countries also participated. In addition to the professional skills developed through these programs, which concern work skills, many other skills were also developed such as communication, social, problem-solving skills, as well as skills related to their social inclusion“. As she explained, at the beginning there were difficulties “in order to raise the awareness of businesses and to convince the labor market that these people have the necessary skills and can work, contribute to a working environment. During the implementation of the program and after finding places for internships, everything went smoothly. The help from the companions, i.e. Irene and Pavlos, proved decisive. They were constantly by the children’s side, even during the internship, guiding them, explaining and encouraging them, as encouragement is a vital part of the process. Without the contribution of Irini and Pavlos, the program could not be implemented. With proper preparation, we manage to meet the challenges of the next day. Considerable preparation is required both in the labor market and in the families of people with intellectual disabilities, as well as in the children themselves. I think the efforts are mainly focused on the labor market and children.”

Irini Kladou, president of the Association of Parents and Friends of People with Autism of Rethymno, emphasized that the participation of the children in the program was a big bet for the association. The experience was excellent for the children, who worked, while she pointed out that they wanted the dream of the employment integration of the disabled to become a reality: “This program was a challenge for us, with the aim of giving the children the opportunity to work, and this was achieved through the Institute of European Education in Rethymno, which offered us the opportunity to organize a mobility in Rome. There, we worked with four adults with intellectual disabilities in two downtown hotels that were operating normally and had a full customer load. In both cases, we had the opportunity to see other people working through their respective programs, and that was a great experience. Our people treated us with kindness, flexibility and joy from day one. They were simply explained the instructions for their role and how to perform it. The children worked autonomously, with passion, kept to their schedule and never felt tired, they were always happy. Through this experience, we have dispelled any doubts that may have existed about the ability of people with intellectual disabilities to work. They have so many hidden abilities and offers to make each person, and gain autonomy. We lived a dream that we wish to come true, to come true for Greek society as well, as we have not experienced anything like this until now.” There is no clear plan, neither political nor social plan for the real work integration of PWDs, emphasizes the president of the Association of Parents of People with Autism Rethymno, Irini Kladou, pointing out that the association’s constant request is to give incentives to employers, incentives in the labor market and insurance. For children, as he explains, a flexible schedule, friendly work environments, organization of job counseling offices that will be within the social part of the special education careers are needed, so that people with mental disabilities can make this interface that they need to communicate with a tough and competitive environment.

For his part, the director of the Association of Parents of Individuals with Autism, Pavlos Melissinos, pointed out that in recent years steps of progress and improvement have been observed, mainly in terms of legislation. “We have made significant progress in terms of legislation, as the main problem was the lack of incentives for businesses to hire people with disabilities. However, with a recent law, legal recognition has been given to the fact that a person with an intellectual or mental disability – if the disability is over 50% – can normally join the labor market. This means that he can be employed normally, be registered in the OAED register, benefit from employment programs, without burdening the employer and without losing the right to a pension neither for this employee nor for his parents. This development is very important, as many parents face confusion on this matter.”

Irini Tourbala, Georgia Dabasa and Frangiskos Fragioudakis, three of four children from the club who participated in the program, spoke of the experience full of enthusiasm and desire to repeat it. Irene said: “This great experience we had with this great trip was truly unforgettable. We went to a hotel and worked as maids and in the kitchen washing up. I would really like to have this experience again. My colleagues at the hotel welcomed me with hugs and spread love, tenderness and enthusiasm.”

Working in a hotel abroad was a great experience for Georgia, who said: “I was involved in preparing breakfast, cleaning, cleaning and preparing lunch. It wasn’t hard, and I’d be happy to do it again. In the future, I would like to find a job. I usually have difficulty finding work, but I hope that will change in the future.”

Frangiskos, who has been working for the last three years at the Apostolakis “Artoza” bakery, worked in a hotel in Rome. “We worked in a hotel, cleaning the rooms and the restaurant. It was not my first experience, as I also work at Apostolakis bakery “Artoza”. I have no problem with this work and I would love to continue doing it.”