TRANSITION OF YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES FROM SCHOOL TO WORK Mag. Tatjana Dolinšek Racio d. o. o. Congress EUMASS 2016 Hotel Union, Ljubljana, June 10th 2016

Social maturity Problems of adolescence Physical, mental or social disability Interests not well established Responsibility Different complexity of situations Less support Why is transition difficult?

European Commission Youth unemployment during the economic crisis increased in all parts of the world, with the impact of prolonged duration of unemployment. Youth unemployment rate is more than twice as high as the adult one – 23.3 % against 9.3 % % of young people were neither in employment nor in education or training (NEETs). The level of employment of PwD: 50% compared to population average. Disability Strategy – particular attention to young people with disabilities in their transition from education to employment.

Slovenian unemployment issues Long-term unemployment: over 1 year. Trends of long-term unemployment from the start of economic crisis in 2009: more than 50% of unemployed persons. Long-term youth unemployment years: every third person. In 2014 Slovenia started a programme intended for youth unemployment under the EU scheme.

Youth with disabilities (YwD) in Slovenia They are highly engaged in tertiary education: to avoid being unemployed. When they come to the labour market, they are about years old, with no work experience. When education institution closes the door: it is hard to find information and outcome. Institutions are not connected/separate systems. Parents are not aware of possibilities. Rapid legislation changes in Slovenia: lack of information.

BACKGROUND/PROBLEM: TRANSITION FOR YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES Transition of young PwD from school to the labour market in Slovenia is not integrally and adequately organised. Lack of cooperation among education and employment and other institutions. A support system should be introduced to monitor young PwD while they are still at school and prepare them for entering the labour market.

Suggestions for system support – through different projects Projekt Trainsition, LdV, Lead partners: Caritas Vienna R&D: Queraum Vienna 3 partners from each partner country: Slovenia (national coordinator Racio, Uri Soča, ZRSŠ), Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia Good practice „Clearing“ (Austria)

Suggestions for system support – through different projects Transition of youth with special needs from school to labour market, ESF, 2011 – 2013, short title Transition Partners: Racio Social, Uri Soča, Društvo Auris Kranj Transnational partner: Caritas Vienna

RESULTS OF PROJECT TRANSITION Analysis – state-of-the-art. Prepared and tested training program for transition trainers. 15 transition trainers. 62 young PwD included in the project, at the end of the project: - 10 were employed, - 11 included in employment rehabilitation, - 26 included in secondary level and 11 on tertiary level of education, - 3 were registered as unemployed, seeking for further solutions, - 1 was not able to be employed. Better cooperation of professional and other institutions that deal with transition of young PwD. Prepared activities for continuation of the project.

Analysis – state-of-the-art WHO estimates the number of children aged 0–14 years experiencing “moderate or severe disability” 5.1% and 0.7% children experiencing severe difficulties. Data analysis – children with special needs in education system: target population in Slovenia was within : persons per year. Young PwD are not registered as PwD at Employment Service of Slovenia (fear of stigma, different terminology, etc).

Suggestions for system support – through different projects Joining point Transition, NFM, Partners: Racio social, Društvo Auris Kranj (Slovenia), Lyk-z & daughters as (Norwege)

RESULTS OF PROJECT JOINING POINT TRANSITION Two joining points were established – Celje for Savinjska region and Kranj for Gorenjska region. 113 YwD in individual counselling and 273 in educational workshops. 136 proffesional workers in workshops, lectures and counselling. 82 parents in workshops, lectures and counselling. Support network is still in the process of forming.

RESULTS OF PROJECT JOINING POINT TRANSITION Many prepared suggestions for systemic regulation of transition of YwD were forwarded to responsible state institutions in order to start a debate about problems on national level: –Project Transition of YwD from school to labour market, co-financing planed by EU funds: dissemination of the model through entire Slovenia as an extension of professional teams for employment and vocational rehabilitation, 2016 – 2021, this pilot project will offer a basis for a system solution. –Issues of transition are incorporated in strategical national documents.

o National Action Programme for persons with disabilities, o Implementation plan of the National programme of social protection for the period 2016 – 2018 o Implementation plan for Resolution on National Programme for Youth 2013 – 2022 for the period 2016 – 2017 o Implementation plan of the Operational Programme for the implementation of the cohesion policy for the programme period 2014 – 2020 Strategic documents for implementation of transition of YwD

Key conclusions important for transition of YWD Urgent preparation of YWD during the education period. Active participation of YWD in developing an individual transition plan (career plan, personal folder). Participation of parents of YWD (family). Cooperation of different institutions. Adaptive planning concerning the changes.

Opportunities for young PwD after leaving school 1. Direct Employment or 2. Registration of unemployment at the Employment Service ALM programmes and LLL career orientation programmes: Education (retraining courses, National vocational qualification, etc.), On-the- job training, Public works, etc. Employment rehabilitation: employment rehabilitation services

3. Employment In open labour market In supported employment In companies employing the disabled In employment centres In social enterprises 4. Programs of social inclusion, for persons not able to be employed Opportunities for young PwD after leaving school

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