1. NATIONAL GREEK POLICY FOR AUTISTIC PEOPLE
A study in the context of the Intellectual Output O3 (Comparative Survey) of the Erasmus+ Project TRAIL «Teenagers: The road with Autism to independent living»

2. Health, social care and security
Education
It is provided free of charge in public schools, while the form of these schools is defined by the type and the extent of the special educational needs of these students
Work and employment
They aim at autistic people’s equal participation in society, production, consumption and the prevention of their exclusion and marginalization respectively
Health, social care and security
They aim at ensuring their social protection through the establishment of financial aid and the operation of social support and reintegration institutions

3. Vocational Education and Training
Special education of compulsory nature
Appropriate buildings, coeducation programs and teaching programs at home
Intervention with specialized and appropriate educational tools and programs
Diagnosis, assessment and identification of special educational needs
Full protection of the rights to education as well as to social and professional integration
Equal and full participation in society, independent living, self-sufficiency and autonomy

4. Vocational Education and Training
KEDI (ΚΕΔΥΥ)
Regional Diagnostic and Special Needs’ Support Centers
KEDI assesses students, until they reach the 22nd year of age
The assessment is conducted by a five-member interdisciplinary committee
Α special needs teacher, a neurologist, a social worker, a psychologist and a speech therapist

5. high functioning autism middle and low functioning autism
Conventional school supported by a special needs teacher specialized in autism
middle and low functioning autism
Independent special schools (ΣΜΕΑΕ)
Schools function either independently or on the premises of hospitals and rehabilitation centers
Home teaching and distance learning can also be employed

6. Special school categories in secondary education
Lower Secondary Schools (EAE) for students who have reached their 19th year of age
Upper Secondary Schools (EAE) comprise a preliminary class and three main ones. The attendance of students can be prolonged beyond the age of 23

7. Special vocational training in secondary education
Special Vocational Lower High Schools (EEG). Upon completion of the fourth class students receive a High School certificate, while upon completion of the fifth class they obtain a B2 certificate which enables them to work as professionals from then onwards.
Special Vocational Upper High Schools (EEL). Their graduates obtain a school certificate and a degree which corresponds to Level 3 and at the same time allows them to work as full fledged professionals.
Centers of special vocational education and training (E.E.E.E.K.) offer many career prospects such as gardening, small vegetable producers, carpentry, ceramics, pottery, sewing, plumbing, natural soap making, perfume and many other handmade constructions.

8. Postsecondary education
In April 2014 special schools were founded and brought into operation both in Athens and Thessaloniki under the name of IEK
Postsecondary education

9. Curriculum for students with autism
Educational material and software for special education have been developed in 2008 as part of a broader program EPEAEK II
Curriculum for students with autism
Software for autistic people’s training (upgrading of autistic people’s training by means of new technologies)
Electronic presentations (upgrading of autistic people’s training in primary and secondary education)
Information material for students with autism (“Support of families whose members are diagnosed with autism”)
Training material on the educational and social integration of students with autism (“pilot programs concerning social integration and professional reintegration”)

10. Local actions for the social insertion of vulnerable groups
Work and employment
Ensuring of their right to autonomy, occupational integration and participation in the social, economic and political life of the country
A special three-year subsidy program for employers willing to hire unemployed people with disabilities (subsidy duration: 36 months - at the end of the subsidy period businesses are committed to keep the employees for another 12 months even without the granting of a subsidy)
Development of a preferential compulsory quota system which ensures the employment of socially vulnerable groups not only in the public but also in the private sector
Local actions for the social insertion of vulnerable groups
Avoidance of discriminatory behavior regarding employment conditions, payments, social security

11. Work and employment
Regarding the private sector, employers receive a three-year subsidy for the hiring of people with disabilities, while they are obliged to cover the expenses themselves throughout the fourth year
The nonprofit organization “Greek Company of Assisted Employment” (EL.ET.IP.R) promotes the participation of people with disabilities in the open labor market through the setting-up of personnel placement services
Limited liability social cooperatives constitute a type of social entrepreneurship , while social economy enterprises address vulnerable population groups and aim at the application of active employment policies through the provision of more economical and qualitative services by social enterprises
Teleworking constitutes a type of employment which could absorb a great number of people who are not able to come up to the expectations of any contractual employment owing to their disabilities

12. Health and Social Welfare
Provision of mental health services, in order to prevent, diagnose, treat, care, rehabilitate and reintegrate adults, children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders
PSYCHARGOS, a Monitoring Support Unit aspires to become a tool that will facilitate operators and their executives in the early organization of the integrated centers and services
In case of disorders such as autism, the disability duration is set for an indefinite period of time as far as the insured persons are concerned ( Rett Syndrome, Asperger Syndrome)
Health and Social Welfare

13. Thank you for your attention!