Govt to remove barriers to employing people with disabilities

A government report on Monday proposed measures that could increase the inclusion of persons with disabilities in working life and thus help boost employment. The aim is that as many persons with disabilities or partial work ability as possible could find a job in the open labour market. This is also a precondition for achieving a high employment rate.

It said the labour market should increase people’s awareness of persons with disabilities and the special needs related to their conditions but also of the opportunities involved.

The report published by the economic affairs and employment ministry identified structural and legislative barriers that place persons with disabilities in an unequal position in working life, said an official press release.

“The question is not only about a high employment rate but also about non-discrimination and fairness. We have a long road ahead of us in ensuring that persons with disabilities have a full right to work. The measures proposed in the report can help in removing barriers to employment and at the same time contribute to a more egalitarian working life,” said Employment Minister Tuula Haatainen.

TE services are also important for the employment of persons with disabilities. The report recommends that services should be developed in collaboration with organisations and experts by experience.

People working in the employment services need more information about the rights of persons with disabilities and about the services they require. Persons with disabilities on disability pension, who are willing to participate in working life or employment services, should be taken into account.

According to the report, the network of service providers for persons with disabilities is complex. It would be important that, for example, with the help of work capacity coordinators, measures be developed ensuring that the services provided are timely and multidisciplinary.

One of the barriers to employment could lie in the employer’s attitude or the threshold involved in recruiting a person with a disability.

The report recommends that information should be disseminated about targeted training, for example. On the other hand, one challenge to employment can be the fact that persons with disabilities do not have work experience. According to the report, this could be influenced through guidance for students, improved accessibility, dissemination of information, and new kind of cooperation between educational institutions and producers of services for persons with disabilities.