Workability Europe, Rue d’Egmont/Egmontstraat 15, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

Tel: +32 2 500 8537, Fax: +32 2 511 2408, Website: http://www.workability-europe.org/

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Editorial                                                         

News from the Secretariat    

EU News  

News from the Development Groups  

News from WEB BV  

News from the Members 

Upcoming events 

• NEW OFFICE!

After three years in the Park Atrium building of Regus by the Gare Centrale Workability Europe has now moved offices and can now be found at:

Rue d’Egmont/Egmontstraat 15, 1000 Brussels (link to map).

The new offices are located closer to the European Institutions as well as the European Disability Forum and the Social Platform.

You can reach us viatelephone under +32 (0)2 500 85 37 or via fax +32 (0)2 511 24 08.

All our email addresses remain the same.

• Workability Europe Annual Conference

Initial details for Workability Europe and Workability Internationals Annual Conference are now available. This year’s conference will take place at the Burlington Hotel in Dublin from 27 - 30 September hosted by our member the Rehab Group. The theme for the conference will be: “Social Enterprises leading Recovery in Local and Global Markets”. Across the continents, markets are changing rapidly and all organisations must adapt quickly to ensure their sustainability in a new world of many challenges.

What lessons have we learned from the past? What can we expect the future to look like? And how can we be to the forefront of shaping the future for our organisations and to the benefit of enhanced employment opportunities for people with disabilities? To answer these questions, providers of employment services for people with disabilities will look at the changes that have occurred over the last number of years, the barriers that have emerged in the past and the challenges and opportunities which exist as we look to a more challenging future. In this context, 2 themes will be focused on with emphasis as follows:

Theme1: Disability and Work: Learning the lessons of the past

Theme2: Setting a course for a sustainable future

For more information please contact:

Workability Europe - Bertie Hunt This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>

mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Workability International - Alain Rialland This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

mso-ansi-language:EN-US'>Our host, the Rehab Group, have provided a dedicated website for the conference. Further particulars can be obtained here: http://www.rehab.ie/workability2010/index.aspx

• PROGRESS Application 2011-2013

Workability Europe has successfully completed its application process for the PROGRESS programme of the European Commission.

PROGRESS is the EU's employment and social solidarity programme. It was established to support financially the implementation of the objectives of the European Union in employment, social affairs and equal opportunities, as set out in the Social Agenda. Working alongside the European Social Fund (ESF), PROGRESS started in 2007 and will run until 2013.

Under the programme Workability Europe would have up to 80% of its running costs covered by the PROGRESS fund for the next 3 years. A decision will be taken by the European Commission in October/November.

Should our application be successful all members of our network in Europe would gain benefit by having additional conferences, seminars and other training events, provided on a regional basis. Further information on the application will be presented at our Annual General Meeting in Dublin , being held on the 30^th of September 2010.

For more information contact Henner Sorg at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

• WE Communications Officer speaks at Summer University in San Sebastian

Henner Sorg, Communications Officer of Workability Europe was invited by WE member Ehlabe to present a paper to university students on the European approach for social innovation to support people with disabilities, how social innovation is being carried out at European level, with its practices and legislation. The conference was organised by the University of the Basque Country and took place on 21 June in the Miramar palace in San Sebastian/Donostia.

For more information contact Henner Sorg at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Kitzkiza Zabaleta at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

• Social Platform annual conference

This year’s conference of the Social Platform will take place on 3^rd and 4^th November in Brussels . The theme of the conference will be “Care”; members are invited to participate in by contributing to the presentation of this topic. If you wish to participate in this conference or contribute to the theme please contact Henner Sorg at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

• Annual meeting of the EDF in Madrid

This years’ Annual General Assembly of the European Disability Forum took place in Madrid rom 8-9 May and was attended by more than 2000 delegates. Workability Europe was represented by its Communications Officer Henner Sorg.

Several important decisions were taken during the General Assembly:

-          Mr Klaus Lachswitz from Germany was elected as Board member from national councils.

-          Adoption of an emergency resolution on the economic crisis in Europe and the need to adopt long term policies, in particular the Disability Pact as part of the Europe 2020 strategy.

-          EDF triennial strategy (for the next three years) was adopted unanimously, together with the EDF communication strategy.

-          The EDF Work Programme 2011 was briefly discussed, and it remained that members would send their comments by August.

A Board meeting took place before the General Assembly, mainly to prepare this annual event, with the following decisions being taken:

-          The Action Plan of the Women’s Committee would be adopted by written consultation;

-          Support for the Amnesty International petition on the Anti-discrimination Directive

-          Unanimous adoption of the candidature of Ana Pelaez, Chair of the EDF Women’s Committee to EWL Board of Administration, and Gunta Anca her Alternate, would submit the recommendation to the GA for their final approval.

-          The Board unanimously agreed to submit the proposal of the 2011 Work Programme to the General Assembly for discussion, and to submit the document to written consultation until the end of August to EDF members. The Board in November would then agree upon the final version.

-        Seminar on NGOs alternative reports to the UN -

-         It was agreed that a short description of all donors with whom EDF has signed contracts with IDA would be provided to the next Board meeting, and that the financial management of IDA would be part of the interim accounts presented at next meeting.

-          The Board agreed to support the European Award for Accessible Cities, initiated by the European Commission starting with this year; members are encouraged to take part in the selection process at the national level. A letter will be drafted in order to set the framework of collaboration between the EDF and the European Commission.

-          Next Board meeting will take place in Brussels, on 20-21 November, that would follow the Belgian Presidency Conference on the UN Convention of the rights of people with disabilities (18-19 November), to which Board members will be invited to attend.

For more information please contact Henner Sorg at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

• Cooperation with CEEweb

The secretariat of Workability Europe was approached by the organisation “CEEweb for Biodiversity”. The mission of CEEweb is the conservation of biodiversity in Central and Eastern Europe through the promotion of sustainable development.

CEEwebs activities focus on the areas of preservation, rural development and tourism and the organisation has expressed its interest in working together with Workability Europe members. Therefore, if your organisation has experience in the area of landscaping/gardening, biodiversity, recycling, ecological services, etc. it might be of interest for you to contact CEEweb. Note that the organisation is only active in Central and Eastern Europe

You can find out more about CEEweb at www.ceeweb.org and get in touch via email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

If you have any other questions please contact Henner Sorg This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

·           UNCRPD: The right to education of children with disabilities - an absolute obligation

On 8 April 2009, the highest administrative court in France (le Conseil d’Etat) condemned the French state for failing to fulfill its obligation to uphold the right to education of a child with disabilities.  In doing so, the Conseil d’Etat expressly declared that it is the State’s duty to provide the necessary means to ensure that the right to education is effectively enjoyed by children with disabilities.

The Conseil d’Etat’s decision is significant for several reasons.  First, the decision is in accordance with Article 24 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabilities (CRPD) on the right to access inclusive, quality and free education for children with disabilities.  It must be noted that France had not yet ratified the CRPD at the time when the Conseil d’Etat’s decision was issued.France ratified the CRPD and its Optional Protocol on 18 February 2010. Secondly, besides conforming to the Education Code, the decision upholds the Law on equality of laws and opportunities, participation and citizenship of persons with disabilities of 11 February 2005, which affirms the right to education of all children with disabilities and promotes, where possible, their attendance in mainstream schools over special schools. The judgment also calls on the State to implement the financial and human resources to ensure their attendance into mainstream schools.

• Bi-Annual meeting with the European Commission

The bi-annual meeting between the Social Platform and its members and the European Commission took place on 22 June at the Scotland House in Brussels. Workability Europe was represented by our European Advisor Brendan Sinnott.

The meeting was well prepared by the Social Platform, with good briefing points the Commissioners would address. The first presenter, Lazlo Andor, Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, dealt mainly with the Europe 2020 Strategy, emphasising that it was a new initiative, not a replay of the Lisbon Strategy, especially seeking to attain 75% employment and the lifting out of poverty of 20 million people. Predictably, both targets were attacked by the members, the first one being too vague, not disaggregating the figure for women, migrants, Roma and other disadvantaged groups. Participants also questioned the relevance of Europe 2020 in the context of health care and the efficacy of the Open Method of Coordination’s influence on these pressing problems. Andor replied that the challenges of poverty and social inclusion needed long-term commitment.

Mrs Vivianne Reding, Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship was very enthusiastic about the relevance of the Charter of Fundamental Rights’ influence on policy issues - especially women’s rights and the mainstreaming of these rights in all aspects of EU policy. On the UNCRPD, she said that she would seek to have the Convention ratified by every Member State. Currently 15 Member States have ratified the Convention. Mrs Reding also stated that she would like the European Institutions to apply the Convention internally.

Regarding the anti-discrimination article in the Lisbon Treaty (Art. 19), she said that concrete legislation was still being blocked by Germany with the tacit support and agreement of other Member States. Mrs Reding assured attendants that she would

• EU 2020 Strategy

On 18 June, European leaders meeting in Brussels adopted the EU2020 Agenda, the renewed 10-year strategy for jobs and growth. Workability Europe  participated actively in the lobbying efforts to ensure that the concerns of people with disabilities were addressed. Nevertheless, the Strategy was adopted without a detailed reference to disability or to quantifiable targets relating to inclusion, but the EU2020 generally contains more social elements than the previous Lisbon Strategy. The most important aspects within the EU2020 for Workability Europe are the aims to increase the overall European employment rate to 75%, reduce the number of people at risk of poverty by 2 million people and foster inclusive growth.

You can find the EU2020 Strategy here in all official EU languages.

For more information, please contact Henner Sorg at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Network Development Group (NDG)

Six new members have joined Workability Europe:

Activa

Activa was established in 1994 and delivers training and rehabilitation to disabled and socially excluded people across the country helping them to move towards education, training and jobs.

www.activa.nl

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Maecon

Maecon has been active in the market of Work & Reintegration and Consultancy & Management since 1996. 

With a team of 150 specialists and 900 temporary employees, Maecon makes use of all its resources every single day to help as many people as possible to find a regular job. This is done directly through work and reintegration as well as indirectly by formulating strong policies that will ultimately increase employment opportunities and workforce participation.

www.maecon.nl

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Kooyman Advieswerk

Established in 2009 and headed by Leo Kooyman, the company will provide specialist services and programme/project support to organisations, municipalities and NGOs who provide services and support to people with disabilities and excluded groups.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Neylons Maintenance Services Ltd.

The Company was established in 2005 as a contract cleaning company serving the then newly established private hospital, The Galway Clinic. Over the past 5 years Neylon Maintenance Services has grown to be a national provider of contract cleaning and facility services. The company has a keen interest in providing training and employment opportunities to people with disabilities.

www.neylonmaintenance.com

  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 

Viešoji įstaiga “Neįgaliųjų socialinių įmonių sąjunga” (NSIS)

The Disabled Social Enterprises Union from Lithuania NSĮS was established in the beginning of 2010 and now unites the majority of active Disabled Social Enterprises in Lithuania.

www.nsis.lt

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

YMCA Glasgow

YMCA Glasgow is an autonomous Scottish Charity established in 1824 committed to working at home and overseas in partnership with young people and other to help address personal and community needs, regardless and gender, culture, ability or faith.

www.ymcaglasgow.org

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

> For more information contact the Chair François Kuentz This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Services Development Group (SDG)

Our Services Development Group (SDG) together with VLAB facilitated a 2 day conference in Brussels to support its member VLAB in talks with Flemish union and government officials on the benefits of integrating people with disabilities into main stream employment.

> For more information contact the Co-Chairs Leif Alm This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Nigel Hopkins This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Business Development Group (BDG)

For news from the Business Development Group please see the WEB BV section below.

> For more information contact the Chair Charles Hagens This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Lars Lindblom at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The last 6-8 months WEB has concentrated its efforts on the area of IT, in order to improve our existing agreements with Microsoft and Hewlett Packard. Microsoft will shortly present a new and easier process for members to become a partner/user of the Academic Select Plus Agreement. In recent months we have seen an increase from our members who are now using the Microsoft software agreement. Members who have not contacted us to date or who have not accessed that agreement are encouraged to do so in order to derive the benefits available to our membership.

The Sarbanes-Oxley rules for international companies have changed the way of how we have to operate the back commission process, with the effect that WEB has to invoice each user separately which have a large effect on the administration. WEB BV has given Workability Europe substantial contribution 2009.

We have a number of new agreements up and running, the latest is with Atlet AB; A cost reduction program which governs the supply of inspections, technical preventive- and repair services for forklift trucks, spare parts as well as new and used forklift trucks for the members in Poland, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Lithuania, Sweden and Germany.

Workability Europe Business is currently seeking a new Executive Director to coordinate its activities. If you know a person within your organisation that would like to take up this position and is qualified to do so, please contact Bertie Hunt at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The last months we have had recurrent problems with our WEB BV website. This problem is being addressed.

If you are interested in the agreements we have negotiated please get in touch with the secretariat or Lars Lindblom to find out more. We are also very interested in any feedback you might give us and your suggestions on new business ideas and how we can improve our services.

For more information on WEB BV please contact Lars Lindblom at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

UK Cuts Bound to Affect Disability Sector

Shaw Trust -UK

Following the UK Election in May, the nation is experiencing a rather unique political climate. Although across many European states coalition governments are the norm, this is the first time in 70 years that the UK has been governed in this way.

The welfare to work and disability sectors now face a number of public policy challenges as the new parliament settles in and begins implementing its agenda of reform. As a national charity which supports disabled and disadvantaged people to prepare for work, find jobs and live more independently, Shaw Trust will largely be focussing on three key challenges: delivering more for less; implementing The Work Programme and; defining the Big Society.

Following on from the global financial crisis, one of the first items on the new government’s agenda has been to cut public spending. Many areas of government spending, including funding allocations to local authorities, face substantial budget reductions. Effectively, the challenge for the third sector is how to deliver more for less. We will continue to work with governments at all levels – national, regional and local – to ensure that programmes continue to run in the most cost effective manner, but most importantly, in a manner which delivers for the needs of our clients.

The Government has also announced that it will be reducing all current welfare to work programmes into a single package, known as The Work Programme. Although we support the overall aims of The Work Programme, a key challenge will be to ensure that people already at the margins of the employment market, especially those currently within specialist disability programmes, continue to receive the support that they need. We believe that there are some vulnerable client groups whose needs cannot be met entirely through one single outcome-funded programme. Therefore, we will continue our dialogue with the Government to ensure that, with the roll-out of the new programme, no one is left behind.

Finally, the third sector has an opportunity to join the debate over how the Government’s Big Society agenda takes shape. The third sector already has the local expertise and public trust necessary to deliver a wider range of localised services. For instance, we see a potential for greater third sector involvement in social enterprise initiatives. Overall, we believe that the Big Society agenda ought to be used as a positive force to lead a renaissance in local involvement and engagement and a new means of connecting with the community.

For more information, please contact Angelo Sommariva on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Ukrainian experts visit Austrian workshops

BBRZ and FAB -Austria

Since Dec 2007 until March 2010 BBRZ Austria (as member of BBRZ.Group like FAB) has been running a bilateral project with the Ukrainian Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs on behalf of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Security and Consumer Protection.

The main aim of this project is the development of a strategy for the implementation of innovative approaches in the Ukrainian system of vocational rehabilitation and sheltered work for people with disabilities.

In the course of the first bilateral project-workshop - from 14 to 18 June in Austria- a Ukrainian delegation, consisting of diverse experts from the social ministry and of the biggest Ukrainian centres of vocational rehabilitation, visited the BBRZ Vienna and FAB. Pro.Work (the sheltered workshop engaged in packaging, assembling, metalworking, printing mailing services, etc) and the socio-economic workshops Proba and teamwork OÖ - socio-economic workshops committed to construction and renovation, landscaping and other gardening services, carpentry, relocation services, recycling management, food service and catering, office services, advertising assistance, cleaning services, seminar and event services.

All participants agreed that the visit was very helpful to learn about the training and employment of people with disabilities.

For further information please contact the office of Dr Josef Stockinger at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Swiss Directors in Spanish Technology Visit FUNDOSA -Spain

On 1 June, about 30 Swiss directors of sheltered, rehabilitation and homes workshops were welcomed by Workability Europe member FUNDOSA for a five days visit.

At a reception at ONCE-FUNDOSA, the visitors were introduced to the organisation and its workings as well as the Spanish social system for people with a disability.

Afterwards the group visited several social firms of FUNDOSA.Visitors were particularly impressed by the companies "TECHNOSITE" and "RECICLALIA" in Madrid.

Technosite works in the field of Information and Communications Technology, while Reciclalia is in the recycling business.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

27. -28. May 2010

Topic:“The Vocational Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities – gateway for re-entering the Labour Market” 

The Course of the Conference:

May 27th (the first day) 

09:00 – 10:00The Ceremonial Opening of the Conference 

10:15 – 12:00The Introduction Lectures: 

Lunch-Break 15:00 – 17:30

The Lectures – The Situation of the vocational rehabilitation

of the people with disabilities in various countries

May 28 th (the second day) 

09:00 – 11:00    The Round Table

Topic:

 „Similiraties und Differences on the Field of

The Vocational Rehabilitation in Europe“Discussion –

Presenter: Mr. Luk Zelderloo 

Coffee-Break 

11:30 – 12:30 INFORMATIONS

12:30 – 13:00The Resolutions of the Conference  

The end of the Conference

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News from the members

Calendar of events 2009

Elections in Europe

• Dr Adam Kosa is the new President of the Disability Intergroup

Hungarian lawyer Adam Kosa, the first deaf Member of the European Parliament, is the new President of the Disability Intergroup of the European Parliament, MEPs decided in Strasbourg. So far the Intergroup has 74 members with strong membership from Greece, Hungary and the UK. Please check if a MEP is represented in the Intergroup from your country (i.e. Poland has none), as we can still encourage MEPs to join the group.

The Intergroup is an informal grouping of MEPs who are interested in promoting the disability policy in their work at the European Parliament as well as in the national contexts. The Disability Intergroup is one of the oldest Intergroups of the European Parliament, being established in 1980.

Following the campaign to recruit new members and ensure the political support of the EP Groups for the establishment of the Intergroup, it was re-established in December 2009. Currently, the work is being done to set up its management structure and adopt the work priorities.

You can find a list of the MEPs in the Intergroup (by nationality) here: http://www.disabilityintergroup.eu/

For more information contact Henner Sorg at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

• European Day of People with Disabilities

The President, General Secretary and Communications Officer of Workability Europe were joined by members Maria Egger (FAB, Austria) and Béla Udvardy (VSZOSZ, Hungary), at 3-4 December to participate in the European Day of People with Disabilities at the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels. The Conference under the motto “Creating Conditions for Independent Living” brought together stake-holders and decision makers in order to discuss how best to contribute to a better understanding of issues related to independent living, in particular economic autonomy, community services and assistive technologies.

For more information contact Henner Sorg at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

• Signing of UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The Council of the European Union, the European Community ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) on 27 November. This ratification represents a major policy shift toward enforcing human rights obligations and putting disability on top of the human rights agenda: this is the first time in the European Union history that the Community is going to accede to an international human rights treaty.

The UN CRPD binds its signatories to a revision of all existing legislation, policies and programs to ensure they are in compliance with its provisions. This affects areas such as access to education, employment, transport, infrastructures and buildings open to the public, right to vote and political participation, ensuring full legal capacity of persons with disabilities, and a shift from institutions where persons with disabilities live separated from society into community and home-based services promoting independent living.

You can find the UN Convention in several languages here: http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?navid=12&pid=150.

• EY2010 Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion

2010 will be the European Year 2010 for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. This initiative by the European Union will seek to give a voice to those who experience poverty and social exclusion.

A multiplicity of activities will take place as part of the EY2010: awareness campaigns, innovative initiatives, creative solidarity schemes, meetings, discussions and conferences.

At national levels, programmes have been developed for adapting the joint policy guidelines. The activities will be identified and implemented by a national implementing organisation appointed by the participating countries.

You can find the national programmes here: http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=808&langId=en.

• EU 2020 Strategy

The European Commission has launched its public consultation process on the EU strategy 2020 which will replace the Lisbon Strategy as the main action and development plan for the European Union. The Lisbon Strategy’s aimed to make the EU "the most dynamic and competitive knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010". The follow-up strategy of the European Commission (EU 2020 Strategy) is currently being developed and stakeholders are being asked to comment on a first proposal by 15 January. Workability Europe has already registered its interest in this strategy and will be consulted on its further developments.

You can find the consultation paper in all EU languages here: http://ec.europa.eu/eu2020/index_en.htm.

If you wish to comment on the consultation paper, please contact Henner Sorg at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

• Legal experts publish guide on "Disability and non-discrimination law in the European Union"

The European Network of Legal Experts (ANED) has published a guide entitled "Disability and non-discrimination law in the European Union".

The report is published by the European Commission on the authority of the European Network of Independent Legal Experts in the non-discrimination field. It examines the disability provisions of the Employment Equality Directive and also relevant case law of the European Court of Justice. It also explores how the Member States have transposed and interpreted specific provisions of the Directive, including examining how the personal scope of the national legislation has been defined, and how the concept of reasonable accommodation has been elaborated on.

You can find the full report here: http://www.non-discrimination.net/content/media/Disability%20non-discrimination%20law.pdf

· EDF proposes Disability Pact for 2011-2021

The 2003-2010 EU Disability Action has now come to an end and the European Disability Forum (EDF) of which Workability Europe is a member proposes a Disability Pact for the years from 2011 to 2021. The pact aims among other things to mainstream disability in all EU policies, to review EU legislation to make it consistent with the UN CRPD and to publish regular progress reviews of disability policy at national and EU level.

You can find all relevant information and documents on the proposed pact on the EDF website: http://www.edf-feph.org/Page_Generale.asp?DocID=13854&thebloc=23118

· Social Economy aims for social dialogue participation

Workability Europe is currently lobbying for permanent representation of social service providers within the Social Dialogue taking place at the European Economic and Social Committee on a regular basis. So far only trade unions, businesses, the public sector and governments are represented at the social dialogue negotiations. Together with the INSSP (Informal Network of Social Service Providers) we have been actively taking part at negotiations at the European Economic and Social Committee under the Swedish Presidency and we are now trying with our friends from the INSSP to formalise this practice.

For more information please contact Henner Sorg at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Marie Curie Association - Bulgaria

· Within 2009 Marie Curie Association, Bulgaria has started seven EU funded projects that are aiming at enhancing the social inclusion of people with disabilities and to provide them with equal access to Vocational Education and Training. One of these projects is entitled QATRAIN 4 Students. It is funded under Lifelong Learning Programme, Transfer of Innovation Measure. The project started on 1^st October 2009 and will last till 30^th September 2011. The Partner consortium involves 5 organisations from six countries. The Coordinator is The Centre for Inclusive Learning Support within The University of Worcester, the UK. The other Partners are Marie Curie Association, Bulgaria; The University of Plovdiv “Paisii Hilendarski”, Bulgaria; PROODOS A.E. Centre for Vocational Training, Greece; BCD Egitim ve Danismanlik Ltd, Turkey.

The project is built upon the two previous successful projects Quality and Accessible Training and Quality and Accessible Training 2. The Q4S will transfer their conceptual framework for accessible teaching practices and remove the unintended barriers that disabled learners face in accessing VET. Q4S will develop an online resource that will help disabled learners identify potential barriers to their developing and/or demonstrating core (functional) skills and enable them to plan learning strategies to overcome them. The resource will offer additional support in related activities such as negotiating the provision of reasonable adjustments and deciding when, and how best, to disclose their disability. The resource will be searchable in terms of “functional skills” and “disabilities”, with additional material being transferred and adapted from related projects to ensure that it fully meets the needs of its target users.

If you need additional information please contact us via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Integracja - Poland

· The project: “Quality Approaches for Assuring the Quality of Training and Service Provisions”, has ended with a last seminar on Brussels.

The project which was financed by the European Commission through CEDEFOP (the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training) aimed to assess what is required to bridge the current qualification gaps between the qualification profiles of social care staff and the demands of a sector under rapid change. For the study Integracja, Workability Europe’s member in Poland, arranged Focus Groups, disseminated and completed questionnaires prepared by Leuven University (Center for Research and Consultancy LUCAS). A final report on the findings will be published in 2010.

CEDEFOP representative Tina Bertzeletou was positive about the possibilities of an extension of the project in which, after the theoretical research conducted now, will identify concrete examples of best practice and the possibilities of their implementation throughout Europe. Workability Europe will of course try to secure participation in this follow-up project.

For more information please contact Henner Sorg at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

e-Isotis - Greece

· Workability Europe’s Greek member, e-ISOTIS (www.e-isotis.org), is involved in the GOAL-NET project that uses a series of interactive computer games to develop basic vocational skills such as planning your route to work, time keeping, CV writing, settling into the workplace and health and safety training. These are free learning materials for students with learning disabilities, sensory impairment & dyslexia in order to improve their vocational skills.

Funding for the project has been attained from the Leonardo DaVinci programme, which aims to improve the provision of work based learning. The project is made up of 5 partner organisations from the UK, Bulgaria and Greece.

The GOAL (Games Offering Accessible Learning) project has developed a combination of innovative, serious games, including 3D simulated environments and mobile applications which can be used in a “blended learning” approach with more traditional learning materials.

An employment preparation and personal development skills curriculum has been developed to increase employability, based on research conducted with a number of service user groups and using those groups to develop learning materials in a user sensitive design approach. The learning content in the curriculum is compatible with a number of accredited courses in preparation for working life and independent life skills, such as ASDAN, City & Guilds, OCR etc.

The GOAL Net materials are being released for publication on the project website. In order to satisfy the strict accessibility requirements the site requires, there may be a few days delay before the files are publically visible. Please check the site news items for more detail on exactly when you can access the software at www.goal-net.eu/games.php.

e-Isotis would be pleased to receive your comments on the games and their applications including how you feel they might sit within the national curriculum.

Contact: Nikolaos Floratos This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , +30 (0)210/269 3760

· e-Isotis is also a partner in the REACH 112 consortium. REACH 112 is an EC co-funded 3 year-project that intends to improve the accessibility of the EU emergency services through the 112 phone number for people with disabilities as well as person-to-person communication. The outcomes of the project will be of direct benefit to people with special needs. The project will implement an accessible alternative to traditional voice telephony such as live real-time text conversation, video with sign language, lip reading, voice or with any simultaneous combination of these modes.

More information can be found at http://www.reach112.eu/view/en/index.html.

Contact: Nikolaos Floratos This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , +30 (0)210/269 3760

Network Development Group (NDG)

• For more information contact the Chairs François Kuentz This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

• For more information contact the Co-Chairs Leif Alm This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Nigel Hopkins This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Business Development Group (BDG)

• For more information contact the Chair Charles Hagens This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

At the last Board meeting Lars Lindblom updated the board on on-going contacts in the Procurement and Business development.

The year of 2009 has been very active with a number of new agreements and WEB sees a growing interest from new members and potential new members of Workability Europe. For the coming year 2010 we will address the issue of governance, but we will also seek new partnerships and focusing on a smaller number of sustainable agreements. We will also try to increase the use of the WEB buy and sell website http://www.salewebbv.eu/, which was launched in 2009.

In this newsletter we highlight just a few of the new business deals that has been launched in 2009;

• New agreement is signed with Microsoft for Academic Select Plus Status for WE (non for profit) members.
• Renewed contract with HP-SLMS to be the LAR for Microsoft.
• Agreement signed with Insight as service provider of IT-Software.
• Agreement signed with American Express Travel Services.
• WebEx – Tele- and video conference.
• Corporate Express/Staples - Office Supplies.
• Apple Corp. introduced for take backs and disassembling of Laptops and PCs.

If members have questions regarding the agreements (e.g. how to get access) or have further ideas on how we could strengthen our common position by partnership, do not hesitate to get in contact with Lars Lindblom This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (http://www.webbv.eu/).

The WE website is now running on the content management system Joomla! and is accessible. In the coming weeks we aim to reorganize our website and add additional functions such as a Forum for our membership as well as selected databases accessible by our members.

Shaw Trust

A change of leadership for Shaw Trust

We write at an important time within the life and future of Shaw Trust. Our Director General Tim Papé retired at the end of October and on 2^nd November; Sally Burton joined us as Chief Executive. Tim has spent time with Sally and along with Trustees he is delighted at her appointment and is confident that she will be able to fill his shoes.

All of us in Shaw Trust have a deep sense of gratitude for what seems almost a lifetime commitment from Tim to the mission in which we are all engaged. We are of course delighted that he has agreed to pick up the honorary title of President and all of that experience and knowledge remains available to the Trust.

We acknowledge the significance of Tim’s involvement in the world of disability within and beyond Shaw Trust and offer our deepest appreciation to Tim as he now retires.

Leadership of the Trust is now the responsibility of Sally Burton and a new phase in the development of Shaw Trust begins.

For further information please contact Sandy Evans at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

VSZOSZ - Hungary

20^th Anniversary of VSZOSZ

Workability Europe’s Hungarian member VSZOSZ, the Hungarian Association of Sheltered Workshops, celebrated its 20th birthday this month on 3 December in Budapest. Amongst other dignitaries Mr. László Herczog, the Hungarian Minister of Social and Labour Affairs and Mr. Peter Kiss, Minister of Social Policy were present at the ceremony.

VSOSZ was founded in 1989 by the 22 companies employing people with changed working capacity, including disabled people. Today, VSZOSZ has members throughout Hungary which provide work and employment to over 40,000 people. VSOSZ became a member of Workability Europe in 2006 and has been an active, reliable and competent partner since.

We wish our friends from VSZOSZ all the best for the future and we are looking forward to continued fruitful cooperation.

For more information please contact Béla Udvardy at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

REMPLOY - United Kingdom

Remploy is named Rehab Provider of the Year at Personal Injury Awards 2009

Remploy, the UK’s leading provider of specialist employment services to people who experience complex barriers to work, has won a prestigious industry award.

Remploy’s vocational rehabilitation service was named Rehab Provider of the Year at the Personal Injury Awards 2009, which highlight the excellence of individuals and organisations across the personal injury claims sector.

Accepting the trophy, Karen Elsmore, Remploy Business Development Manager, said: "I am extremely proud to receive the Rehab Provider of the Year award on behalf of our team. It is a testament from the industry for the work, determination and results achieved by our team working collaboratively in not only a difficult economic employment climate, but in an extremely competitive personal injury marketplace."

Organised by Barker Brooks Media, the panel of judges for the awards was chaired by Nicholas Bevan of Bond Pearce LLP and consisted of leading industry insiders and representatives of professional bodies providing expertise in insurance, law, rehabilitation and medicine.

The awards ceremony in London was hosted by TV comedian Sean Lock, star of 8 Out of 10 Cats and QI. More than 350 personal injury professionals attended, comprising of solicitors, barristers, insurers, rehabilitation providers and claims management companies.

Guests were also given an update on mediation within the personal injury sector by Lord Clarke of Stone-cum-Ebony.

Remploy vocational rehabilitation consists of a range of innovative, independent and impartial services, designed to work with insurers, solicitors, rehabilitation providers and the life and pensions market to help individuals to return to work following accident or ill health. With over 60 years' expertise in supporting people with disabilities and health conditions in the workplace, Remploy’s services have been developed specifically to meet the needs of insurance and legal sectors. The services are delivered by 18 vocational rehabilitation consultants across the UK.

For more information on Remploy’s vocational rehabilitation service, contact:

+44 (0)845 146 0501, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.vr.remploy.co.uk.

*List of events as known at the moment. Other events may be added and will be advised. Always confirm dates and location with the Development Group Chair(s) and/or secretariat prior to attending.

*The list does not contain regional or local elections.

Letter to European Commission's President

José Manuel Barroso

Dear Commissioner Barroso,

I am writing to you on behalf of Workability Europe, the largest employer body representing providers of work and employment services to people with disabilities in Europe. It is a not for profit organisation and has 40 member organisations in more than 23 European Countries.

In the light of the economic downtown of the last months, I feel compelled to write to you in order to draw your attention to the situation of employers of people with disabilities, which Workability Europe represents.

Similarly to most other businesses in the European Union, Workability Europe's members are also struggling to cope with the impact of the global financial crisis. While many groups of people are struggling in the current climate, the situation of people with disabilities is particularly precarious. Potentially the consequences of the ongoing crisis could destroy progress made during the last years, even decades. Our social systems are important social stabilisers and in times of economic uncertainty these systems are of increased importance to society. Social Europe needs a strong social economy and an inclusive employment sector.

We believe that concerted action at European level, fostered by the Lisbon Pillars for Growth, Jobs and Inclusion, will be a powerful catalyst for economic recovery hand in hand with National Social Inclusion Programmes of Member States.

Workability Europe offers its expertise and cooperation to the European Commission in order to provide solutions and mechanisms to address the growing social marginalisation of people with disabilities.

Please find attached to this letter Workability Europe's Bucharest Declaration as well as our annual review. If your services have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yours sincerely,

Hans Vrind, President, Workability Europe

1049 Brussels Belgium 19 June 2009