CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT
“Persons with Disabilities in Employment:
Inclusion through Jobs – Making It Real“
Zadar Croatia, 7-8 May 2015
Employment is crucial for people's social integration, physical and mental health, well-being and
C that “States Parties recognise the right of persons
self-realisation. Article 27 of the UNCRPD states
with disabilities to work, on an equal basis with others; this includes the right to have 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. States Parties shall
safeguard and promote the realisation of the right to work, including for those who acquire a
disability during the course of employment, by taking appropriate steps, including through
legislation”. Article 27 clearly recognises and stresses the right of persons with disabilities to
work, on an equal basis with others. This includes the right to gain a living by work, freely chosen
or accepted in a labour market that is open, inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities.
However, employment for persons with disabilities is not easy and has been worsened by the
economic crisis that has hit Europe in the last years. Today we acknowledge that many efforts
have been done to bring persons with disabilities to the labour market. However, the low success
rate of people with disabilities employed shows that the efforts needed to achieve wider
employment have been underestimated.
The objective of this conference is to help unlock the potential of persons with disabilities and
show how both employers and employees with disabilities can benefit from a more accessible and
diverse labour market through sharing expertise and good practises on different levels and by
different stakeholders. By looking at alternative new employment strategies/ideas, the conference
aims to find ways to remove barriers and boost the employment opportunities for persons with
disabilities in Europe.
CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES IN A NUTSHELL
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The Conference will highlight the impact of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities and the Right to Work and Employment (Art. 27).
The Conference will promote exchange between employers, employees, persons with disabilities
and social services and show innovative and best practices that have evidence-based results.
The Conference will identify the necessary steps to create a positive synergy between all
stakeholders by actively involving all participants.
Re-launch the new EASPD Declaration on Employment.
PROGRAMME
“People with Disabilities in Employment:
Inclusion through Jobs – Making It Real“
Zadar Croatia, 7-8 May 2015
C
THURSDAY, 7 MAY 2015
08h30 – 09h00: Registrations
09h00 – 11h00: Setting the scene
Languages: HR/EN/DE/FR
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Welcome by Minister of Croatia and host
The EASPD Employment Declaration
Panel debate
AWARD celebration
11h00 – 11h30: COFFEE BREAK
11h30 -13h00: People with disabilities and employment
Languages: HR/EN/DE/FR
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Spectrum of employment for disabled people and activation measures
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Impact of the crisis: new employment model(s) needed – New EU tendencies
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Support methods
o Testimony from an employee, adapting to a new work situation: my
experience from sheltered to open employment
o Future role of sheltered workshops in the EU?
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Transition from higher education to employment
o Testimony from a young adult, Job-dating
o Career guidance for students with disabilities
Short intermezzo by the Arts Theatre Group
13.00 – 14.30
LUNCH
14h30 – 16h00:
 Plenary workshop for the Croatian participants on the New Croatian (Disability)
Legislation (part1) – SEPARATE WORKSHOP FOR OSVIT MEMBERS
Language: Croatian
 Workshops: Local and regional actions aiming towards inclusive employment in
different areas
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Area 1: White collar sector
Area 2: ICT sector
Area 3: Industrial sector
Area 4: Creative industry (Arts, design & Sports)
Area 5: Agricultural & gardening sector
Area 6: Hotel & catering sector
16.00-16h30 Coffee break
16h30 – 17h30
 Plenary work shop for the Croatian participants on the News Croatian (Disability)
Legislation (part 2) –SEPARATE WORKSHOP FOR OSVIT MEMBERS
Language: Croatian
-------------- Panel discussion by key note speakers and workshop leaders on the implementation of
Art 27 of the UNCRPD and the EASPD Employment Declaration
Languages: HR/EN/DE/FR
Short intermezzo by the Arts Theatre Group
FRIDAY, 8 MAY 2015
9h00 – 10h45: Employers and the work place
 Norwegian study on Employment of Persons with Disabilities with focus on the role of
employers
 Refuting the myth: methodologies for success in the open labour market
 Universal Design & ICT/Person Centred Technology in the work place
 Awareness rising – the biggest challenge: How to reach the business world, more
specifically multi-nationals
 Social Entrepreneurship
10h45 - 11h15: Coffee break
11h15 - 12h30 – Leading by Example Testimonies from employers and employees
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Graphic Art for the employer – training manual for employers
Employment in the public sector City of Innsbruck
Employment in the social sector: clients and colleagues
Employment in the private sector more than CSR
12h30 – 14h00: Lunch
14h00 – 15h30: Conference Plenary Workshops – active discussion forums: tackling the
barriers
Outcome: (Policy) Recommendations towards authorities, business world & social
sector
15h30 - 16h00 Final conclusions performed by the Arts Theatre Group
16h30 – 18h00: Goodbye cocktail and networking
With support from the European Union Programme for Employment and Social Innovation “EaSI” (2014-2020). The information contained in this
publication does not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of the European Commission.