Salva Vita Foundation

Salva Vita Foundation was established in 1993 with the mission to foster the inclusion of disabled people into society and to build an inclusive and diverse society. The focus of the organization is to support disabled people into open employment and help them to live independently.

1. Services for disabled clients

Work Experience Program (WEP) helps (students with learning disabilities to prepare for work and give them the opportunity to gain real work experience during school years.
Supported Employment is a highly personalized methodology that provides tailored-to-the needs support for both the employers and those looking for a job.
Salva Vita has been organizing clubs for clients with learning disabilities and autism for over 25 years. These clubs help our clients spend their free time together and are full of experiences.
In 2019 the foundation opened its Community Space „Szeglet” where guests are waited with diverse programs, community events and creative workshops. Szeglet provides sheltered working places for some clients and operates as work experience place while welcome professionals and interested adults who wish to help people with disabilities and participate in the awareness-raising programs of the foundation

2. “Disability-smart” service package for employers

Salva Vita developed a comprehensive service package to build disability-smart companies. The individualised, special services for employers: workplace audit, recruitment services, awareness raising and equality trainings have contributed to a growing number of disabled employees at workplaces. When organizing trainings or other events, disabled clients of the foundation participate as “experts by experience” they share their own stories and answer questions coming from training participants.
Employers’ Award: Salva Vita and the Ministry of Human Resources founded the award for companies that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to employing disabled people.
Employers’ Forum: was initiated by Salva Vita Foundation and other companies. It is the first membership organization in Hungary, where responsible companies share their best practices in managing a diverse workforce and they are determined to improve the employment situation of disadvantaged people.

3. Shop With Heart program joins forces with sheltered workshops that employ a high number of disabled employees. We invite designers and artists to design new products for the workshops and we operate a web-shop to sell the products.

4. JOB for you, DREAM for me!
This program is an adaptation of the Irish Job Shadow Day and DuoDday organized in many European countries. The aim of the program is to bring people with disabilities and employers together for one day to promote equal employment opportunities.

5. High Five program
The aim of the tender is to facilitate personal encounters between youngsters and disabled people.

Salva takes part in international projects such as Erasmus projects – Upload Your Dreams (2018) as lead organiser and L.I.K.E. project – Life Investment is the Key to Employment – as participant

More information:
https://salvavita.hu/about-us/programs-and-services/

AESD Association for Education and Sustainable Development

is an educational center and its main activities are implementation of courses of formal or informal lifelong education, building an organized system of consulting, information and training with a lifelong duration. One of the activities of our association is to analyze the needs of the region and to make a network of local centers of distance learning that can be easily accessed within certain neglected areas. The SWOT analysis of the Regional Development Agency No.3 South Muntenia pointed out that there isn’t a concordance between the educational offer of the schools and the request of the labour market. Our association tries to be complementary to the educational network that already exists and to offer more flexibility for the lifelong learning of adults. The co-operation with European institutions with experience in the field of education can raise the potential of our association in addressing the needs of education in this region, and at the same time can provide the impetus for the development of a new educational culture in this region. I hope that our association can make a positive impact on social and economic development and at the same time generate new chances for people at risk of social exclusion, because some of the biggest social problems in our region are early school-leaving, growing unemployment and economic stagnation. It is appropriate that we should strive for the most modern and innovative solutions in our efforts to promote sustainable communities. Our association maintains ongoing connections with the local authorities and educational authorities to ensure that our actions comply with regional development perspectives and because we believe that best practice in education strategies must be applied at this level. One of the goals of our association is to give marginalized young adults access to lifelong learning and to current job experience in order to be able to obtain fixed employment in the long term. Special emphasis is given to the improvement of social competence, career guidance and learning on demand.

AESD actively supports the training of young people with disabilities, thus facilitating their access to the labor market. Disabled people’s attitude is key in looking for and keeping a job. Self-confidence, self-esteem and determination can change employers’ perception and put forward disabled people’s abilities rather than disability. Transition plans from learning to work can be very effective in improving the skills and experience of disabled youth. These plans are potentially at very low costs for the education system.

More information: https://www.aesd.ro/

CRPG Centro de Reabilitação Profissional de Gaia

is a vocational rehabilitation centre whose driving force is an inclusive society, valuing the contribution and the dignity of persons with functional diversity. CRPG is committed to provide reference services to promote inclusive labour contexts, mobilizing the contribution of persons with functional diversity. To do so, comprehensive individual rehabilitation plans are implemented and consultancy services for employers, hospitals, insurance companies and other entities are provided. CRPG has more than 2.400 clients per year, to whom it provides approximately 5.200 services, with a special emphasis on vocational training: initial and further training. CRPG is one of the vocational centres of national Employment and Vocational Training Institute. Vocational training pathways are implemented according to the National Qualifications Catalogue training guides (regular or adapted). For those who cannot complete the above-mentioned training guides CRPG has developed specific training guides. CRPG training pathways aim dual certification (academic and professional), which is recognized in a national basis, as well as partial qualification.

Beyond training, CRPG interventions comprise:

  • forensic expert evaluation of accidents or illnesses’ impacts on functioning;
  • rehabilitation and reintegration plans;
  • vocational reconversion, support to access/retention and return to work support;
  • career guidance and counselling;
  • needs assessment, prescription and counselling on assistive products.

Quality of life model, biopsychosocial approach and ecological interventions are the main guiding frameworks. CRPG is recognized by EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) as a level Committed to Excellence 2 Stars organization.

More information: https://www.crpg.pt/

Association AU FIL DE LA VIE

is a parental association founded more than 50 years ago,  our philosophy is “All life is indispensable and unique in the great human chain … Everyone, regardless of their origins, their intellectual, physical and mental abilities has the right to fundamental respect and dignity throughout their lives …”. Our activities respond to a social need of our territory : Educational Institute (IME Jacques Hochner), Home for disabled adults (Foyer Maison Emilie), early diagnosis Service (CAMPS), at home education Service (SESSAD), adapted leisure Activities (Au Fil des Loisirs) and Service Support through work (ESAT du Rangen). Au fil de la Vie consists of almost 110 professionals currently supporting more than 210 people : children, adolescents and adults with mental disabilities.

Our activities are defined by the strategic axes of
our association:

  • for a lasting and innovative association,
  • for a real effectiveness of the rights of people
    with disabilities and of their families,
  • for services based on needs,
  • for the integration of our actions into the
    environment of the person,
  • for a person who is an actor of his life’s path,
  • for a sustainable development.

ESAT DU RANGEN was founded in 1987 as a Service Support Through Work . Today, 56 workers with disabilities (mainly mental handicap, intellectual disability and psychical troubles) are working on production activities such as: laundry, landscaping, industrial subcontracting, housekeeping.

Most of our workers are young people under 35 years old and a large part of them share the dream to work in the mainstream labor market. Our professional team consists of 16 persons: technical educators, social educators, paramedical, commercial, support and administrative staff. The non-profit organization Au Fil de la Vie was founded over 50 years ago and is affiliated to the National Union of Associations of parents of persons with intellectual disabilities and their friends.

We develop, in addition to our daily activities, social support actions and projects aiming to promote access to citizenship, autonomy, development of self-determination and peer support for workers with disabilities.

More information:
http://www.aufildelavie.fr/esat-de-rangen/

FØNIX (FONIX)

is the largest company within the vocational rehabilitation market in Norway. Our main office is located in Sandefjord, Norway, (120 km south of Oslo) supporting 8 regional offices in the counties of Vestfold and Viken. FONIX has approx.
180 employees – mostly certified trainers and instructors / teachers.

FONIX is an NGO and organized as a limited company (AS), but act as a non-profit organization through our formal approval as supplier to the Norwegian Labor and Welfare Service (NAV).
FONIX is 100% owned by the municipality of Sandefjord, but the approval as supplier to NAV requires that owners cannot take out dividends, and that all profits will benefit the users of the enterprise. In this setting, FONIX serves an important role for the community and public authorities regarding vocational rehabilitation.

FØNIX provides “Work Preparatory Training” for people who need to establish necessary basic job skills, and “Supported Employment” for the ones in need of an extensive follow upin the open labour market.
Other main products are career guidance, and language training / integration for migrants.
FØNIX has extensive experience with internal company training on many different levels and topics.
One of our key products is basic skills training as preparation for Vocational education and training (VET) in companies.
FØNIX has been involved in The Norwegian Basic Skills Work Life program (BCWL) for many years, and the company are pre-qualified as provider of basic skills training by Skills Norway.

FØNIX is involved as an active partner in different international projects, and is always looking for new opportunities for partnerships on the following topics:

  • ocational rehabilitation and special programs
    for youths
  • Language training and integration for migrants
  • Programs on health, sick leave and social inclusion
  • Lifelong career guidance – both individual
    and in groups
  • Basic skills in working life – also in attention to VET

At any time during the year, this service includes approximately 2.000 learners / jobseekers and approximately 300 migrants / language learners.

In 2017, more than 1.400 people got a job through FONIX.
Scope of work / specific expertise:

FONIX base their service provision on each persons’ individual need for assistance, regarding their work capacity. Fønix coach each individual towards ordinary employment through qualification and job training.  “Supported Employment” which is a benchmark methodology, applied for the group of jobseekers in need of an extensive follow up in the open labor market.

The services provided for the vocationally disabled are assessment of the potential work and educational capacity of the individual and qualification of the individual through career guidance, adapted job training and/or qualification (job skills or further education).

More information: https://www.fonix.as/

PUZW – Polish Union of Supported Employment

is an umbrella organization (15 member organizations) which deals with the promotion and development of supported employment. PUZW was established in 2014. Our target is: action in the interests of people with disabilities and those at risk of social exclusion in terms of take up and maintain paid employment in the open labor market and professional development of these individuals. This goal is achieved by: promoting the supported employment according to the standards of the European Union of Supported Employment and based on the Polish experience in this field. Since 2015 we have been member of European Union of Supported Employment.

Our member organizations are active in many areas concerning employment of persons with disabilities (PwD) on the open labor market. It includes training for the job coaches and personal assistants of PwD. Some of our job coaches are PwD themselves which enhances their job opportunities.
PUZW is also a wide net of professionals in fields like psychology, education, job coaching, assistance services, social policy, sociology, NGO, private enterprises provided by PwD. We are in close touch with numerous communities of people with different disabilities all over Poland.

Our member organizations have been working on daily basis with different aspects of vocational and social integration of persons with disabilities for many years. We are authors of practical training system for job coaches, research concerning psychological outcomes of supported employment and
active participants of the most important supported employment conferences.
Deaf and hard of hearing employees discuss their way to success in the workplace

More information: http://puzw.pl/portal/

THEOTOKOS Foundation

is a non-profit, welfare organization that provides rehabilitation services for children and young adults with developmental intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders. It has been operating since 1963 and is the largest service of its kind in Greece with current numbers being approximately 360 service users and 100 staff members.

The Foundation provides services to individuals aged 2 ½ to 35 years and provides support to their families as well. The scope of work is education, therapy and training with the aim of facilitating full participation in society. Programs are person-centred and supported by interdisciplinary teams. Areas of specific expertise include special needs education, early intervention, daily living skills development, pre-vocational and vocational training, and promotion towards Supported Employment.

The values that underpin our services are respect of human rights, inclusion and empowerment in order to ensure equal participation in education, training, work, society and life. Through individual and group programs, service users are given the opportunity to learn how to communicate, to function adequately in their everyday lives, to care for themselves, and to be able to work so as to become autonomous and active adults.

Theotokos Foundation is a leader in the field of social services. Innovative practices such as the use of an electronic welfare file, the Functionality Profile based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and the implementation of quality systems (ISO 9001: 2008 and EQUASS) enable staff to provide a high standard of quality services. The Supported Employment Service (the first of its kind in Greece) has been operating since 1997 and has placed more than 200 individuals into the open labour market up until today.

More information: http://www.theotokos.gr/home

TOLERANCE TRAINING LTD.

is a training specialist company with more than 20 years of training and coaching experience and a wide range of partners from the business, public and private sectors.
The staff consists of 5 people and a number of external
collaborators are available in case of need for consultation and cooperation.

Trainings for the business sector have diverse content adapted to the partner’s demands and the audience (communication, presentation, project&time management, stress management, leadership techniques, sales&marketing techniques, etc.). The trainings are interactive, explain useful behavioural and psychological models (transaction analysis, etc.) and teach techniques (non-violent communication, communication based upon DISC profile, etc.) applicable
in the professional and private life of participants. Self knowledge is developed by profiling of the trainees (DISC, PCM, etc.), and learning by experience is supported by using situational practice, psychodrama elements, training films during the trainings. Follow-up is ensured by providing handouts and useful materials. The positive and supportive attitude
of the trainers helps the trainees to surpass their perceived limitations. The company also have a trainer and coach academy.

Tolerance have a track record of working with PwDs based upon the phylosophy and toolkit explained above (awareness raising trainings, train-the-trainer course for experts by experience, coaching PwDs, working with employers to improve labour market access of PwDs via dissemination of information, understanding and developing motivation of both employers and employees, charity programmes, etc.).

More information: http://tolerance.hu/

WECIL

are a forward thinking user led organisation dedicated to disabled people, we work together to enable choice to challenge the barriers to independent living through the delivery of high quality support and advice. We believe that this first-hand experience provides us with unrivalled experience in our field, enabling us to offer sound advice and support to our community. We listen and understand the needs of our community so that we can continue to support them with whatever they need. Our vision is to create an inclusive society where everyone has equal opportunities and is able to contribute to the community.

We provide:

  • Direct Payment Support
  • Benefits Advice
  • Disabled people’s Helpline
  • Specialist Employment
  • Social Activities for Young Disabled People
  • Peer Support
  • Training for other organisations and employers
    Including:
  • Disability Equality Training
  • Mental Health Awareness Training
  • Access Audits

More information: https://www.wecil.co.uk/