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The Workability International Annual Conference 2010, incorporating the Workability Europe Conference 2010, and in conjunction with Rehab, will take place from 27th to 30th September in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin, Ireland.

We hope that Workability International members from throughout the world: America, Oceania, Asia and Europe will attend.

Full Conference Agenda available here

Introduction to the Conference

The world economy is in flux. Across the continents, markets are changing rapidly and all organisations must adapt quickly to ensure their sustainability in a new world.

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 that 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 decades, the barriers that have emerged in the past and the challenges and opportunities which exist as we look to a more prosperous future.

This conference is a significant opportunity for the members of Workability International to take stock of the current position and to explore ways that we can be involved in setting a strong course for a sustainable future.

Throughout the conference the diverse experiences and needs of members of Workability International members from across the continents will be drawn on to ensure that the vast wealth of learning and experience of our membership can be utilised. The conference will seek to address a wide variety of issues, catering to the diverse interests of members, and recognising the diverse needs of all people with disabilities.

General Information

The following information has been compiled to help members with their planning

The conference will take place from Monday, 27th September to Thursday 30th September in:

The Burlington Hotel, Upper Leeson Street, Dublin 4, Ireland

Tel: + 353 (1) 6185600, Website: http://www.burlingtonhotel.ie/

On Monday, 27th the Conference will begin at 7pm with a welcome reception. The Conference proceedings will be officially opened on the morning of Tuesday, 28th September.

Registration: The registration fee for the conference is €620 and includes welcome reception, participation at the conference, lunches during the conference, Irish evening at the hotel and formal dinner at Trinity college. The fee for Accompanying Person/Personal Assistant is €214 and includes welcome reception, Irish evening and formal dinner. Click here to Register Online.

Information about Dublin: Dublin is a vibrant modern city with a rich heritage. To find out more about what to see and do in Dublin visit: http://www.visitdublin.com/. We have also compiled a Useful Informationsheet for you about visa requirements, transport from airport, etc.

Accommodation: A rate of €90 for a single room and €100 for a double room has been agreed with the Burlington Hotel. These rates are only available for bookings made for the period between 25th and 30th September and if booked before the 10th September 2010.

You can make your reservation by completing the attached Accommodation Form and sending it direct to the hotel at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Any queries regarding accommodation at the Burlington Hotel can be directed to: Ms Agustina Nobile, Reservations Supervisor, The Burlington Hotel, Tel: +353 1 664 3114, Fax: + 353 1 618 5693,  E-mail: mailto: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Nearby hotels include The Mespil Hotel (http://www.mespilhotel.com/) and Grand Canal Hotel (http://www.dublingrandcanalhotel.com/) which are approximately a 15 minute walk to the Burlington Hotel. The Morehampton Townhouse ( http://www.morehamptontownhouse.com/) is approximately a 10 minute walk.

SOCIAL EVENTS

  • Monday 27th September – Welcome Reception, Burlington Hotel
  • Tuesday 28th September – Irish Evening ‘Celtic Rising’ Burlington Hotel
    (Dress Code: Casual)

    Celtic Rising is a celebration of the best of Irish heritage and culture – a unique, fast-paced, fresh and contemporary show – a fusion of the traditional spirit and innovation that is modern Ireland. It features some of Ireland leading musical, vocal and dance talent including world champion Irish dancers. The show will take you on a toe-tapping, foot-stomping journey through traditional Irish music, song and dance !

  • Wednesday 29th September 2010 – Dinner, Trinity College
    (Dress Code: Lounge Suite)

    We are delighted to host our Dinner in one of the most prestigious and well known colleges in the world, Trinity College (www.tcd.ie) The college was founded in 1592 and is divided into three faculties comprising 24 schools, offering degree and diploma courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It is consistently ranked as the best university in Ireland.

If you have any queries regarding the Conference, or any other matters, please contact:

Alain Rialland

General Secretary - Workability International

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

website: www.workability-international.org

Tel. & Fax No: +33 5 49 29 54 38


Ann O'Beirne

Conference Co-ordinator

Rehab Group, Roslyn Park

Sandymount, Dublin 4.

Tel: 353-1-205 7265

Fax: 353-1-205 7373

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

Additional Information

Rehab is a leading non-governmental organisation which works towards a world where every person has the opportunity to achieve their potential. We work in local communities to provide high-quality services and opportunities to people who need them. Every year, more than 50,000 people and their families benefit from the supports provided by Rehab in over 200 locations.

Over 3,600 Rehab staff provide health and social care, training and education, and rehabilitation, employment and commercial services in Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands and Poland. This year alone, in Ireland, Rehab will train 5,000 people, many of whom require additional supports, and set them on the path to further education, training and employment. Close to 500 people will be placed in jobs in 2010, and we will continue to support 200 people who use our services in part-time employment, while directly employing a further 200 people with disabilities in our commercial division.

Workability International is the world's largest body representing providers of work and employment services to people with disabilities. It is the focus and voice for providers of disability employment services throughout the world who offer:

  •   direct employment and work for people with disabilities in service and manufacturing processes; and
  •   employment services to people with disabilities to access, obtain and sustain work and employment in labour markets in conjunction with employers.

More than 3.5 million people with disabilities are engaged in work programmes - accessing employment and work - delivered by its 135 member organisations in some 42 countries.

 
Read the new August 2010 E - Bulletin!

Workability Europe e-bulletin

August 2010

Championing the right to work of Europeans with disabilities

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/

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

              TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Editorial                                                         

News from the Secretariat    

EU News  

News from the Development Groups  

News from WEB BV  

News from the Members 

Upcoming events 

EDITORIAL

 

 

Dear Members of Workability Europe

I hope this e-Bulletin finds you well and you are enjoying your summer. I take this opportunity to inform you of Workability Europe’s current and recent activities.

Our secretariat has been very busy during the last months preparing our application to the European Commission for Progress funding. This EU funding scheme is available to European NGO networks and can provide financial support of upwards to 80% of eligible operating costs. A decision on our application will be known during the last quarter of the current year.

Work is continuing to finalise our strategic plan for the years 2011-2013. Following consultation and feedback from our membership the Board of Workability Europe held two working meetings to review and contribute to the further development of the plan. This work will be presented at our Annual Conference in September.

Our 2010 Annual Conference takes place from the 27th to the 30th of September in Dublin Ireland in conjunction with Workability International and hosted by the Rehab Group. This joint conference will provide a great opportunity to all members who will benefit from contributions by experts from all parts of the globe. I would encourage all our members to register for this annual event. Full details are provided elsewhere in this Bulletin.

We are pleased to welcome six new members who have joined our network since the commencement of 2010. Activa Consulting, Kooyman Advieswerk and Maecon Group from the Netherlands, Neylon Maintenance Services Ltd. from Ireland , Disabled Social Enterprise  Union (NSIS) from Lithuania and YMCA Glasgow from Scotland

A cooperation agreement has been reached between Workability Europe and EUSE (the European Union of Supported Employment). This cooperation agreement has the approval of both organisations’ Boards and it does not entail any financial implication. Both organisations focus on cooperation in hosting events of mutual interest and of introducing members of both networks to each other who can work together at national level. EUSE has members in 16 European countries that provide services to people with disabilities.

On 1st July we moved offices to a new location in Brussels  Our offices are now located at Rue d’Egmont 15 in 1000 Brussels  See full details in this e-Bulletin. This new location will allow us to offer further services to our members. Particularly access to a hot desk, email, secretarial and conference facilities. Should you wish to avail of this new and improved facility, please contact us. We will be pleased to make the necessary arrangements.

The secretariat has also been busy participating and representing our network at conferences, seminars and consulting with relevant departments in the European Institutions. Further detailed information is available in this bulletin.

You will also find additional news from our membership about upcoming and past events and also a request for assistance for the victims of the floods in Poland

We have also been active attending the European Disability Forum’s Annual Assembly in Madrid, providing input to summer courses at the University of the Basque Country in conjunction with our member Ehlabe, attending the bi-annual meeting between The Social Platform and its members [where we play an active role] and the European Commission and engaging with the activities of the Disability Intergroup in the European Parliament.

We continue to look forward to your feedback and on this occasion feel free to contact me regarding information you want us to publish or topics of interest you wish us to follow on your behalf at European level.

On behalf of the Workability Europe Secretariat I wish you good holidays.

Sincerely,

Bertie Hunt, General Secretary

  

  

NEWS FROM THE SECRETARIAT

 

 

  • 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 30th 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 3rd and 4th 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 .

 

EU NEWS

·           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 .

NEWS FROM THE DEVELOPMENT GROUPS

 

 

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

 

NEWS FROM WEB BV

 

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 .

 

NEWS FROM THE MEMBERS

 

 

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

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

Poland hit hard by floods

EKON -Poland

Polish authorities say 12 people have been killed and tens of thousands have had to leave their homes in severe flooding caused by torrential rain. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says the flooding is the worst Poland has ever experienced, with several parts of the country underwater.

Our Polish member EKON wants to point out that several of its workshops were affected by these floods and that as a result furniture, machines and houses have been destroyed or badly damaged. If any of Workability Europe’s members is in a position to help with machines, personnel or expertise please contact Marek Lukomski at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Austrian Rehabilitation Congress 17-18 September

BBRZ - Austria

How does society deal with those people who, due to an accident or an illness or disorder, are no longer able to carry on the profession they learned?

This is the controversial topic behind the demographic developments and the ever-growing pressure in the working world, behind the increase in the psychological illnesses associated with this topic, behind the target groups and the seemingly meagre financial resources.  

The international comparisons and solutions, renowned speakers, about 300 to 400 participants and the official nomination as a TOP Event in the European Year of Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion make this event one of the highlights of this year’s conferences.

You can find out more here: http://www.humanoutlet.at/

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

Marie Curie Association - Bulgaria

VERITAS, a Project for Embedded Accessibility Designs

VERITAS logo

Project number: 247765

Project acronym: VERITAS

Project full title: Virtual and Augmented Environments and Realistic User Interactions To achieve Embedded Accessibility DesignS

Starting date: 1 January 2010

Duration: 48 Months

 

VERITAS is an Integrated Project (IP) within the 7th Framework Programme, Theme FP7-ICT-2009.7.2, Accessible and Assistive ICT

http://www.veritas-project.eu/

twitter.com/VeritasProj

Fraunhofer leads an International Consortium Winning the Grant For Research and Development Project On Introducing Simulation-Based and Virtual Reality Testing to Support Accessible Product design and Development.

Since January 1st, 2010 The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is leading the VERITAS project (Virtual and Augmented Environments and Realistic User Interactions to achieve Embedded Accessibility DesignS). The €12M accessibility research and development effort brings together 32 European companies and organisations that collaborate on the VERITAS Project.

It aims to develop, validate and assess tools for built-in accessibility support at all stages of ICT and non-ICT product development, including specification, design, development and testing. Motivated by the clear lack of systematic accessibility assessment frameworks and the need to involve real disabled users, the goal of VERITAS is to introduce simulation-based and virtual reality testing, utilizing virtual users, at all stages of assistive technologies product design and development into the automotive, smart living spaces, buildings & construction, domotics, workplace, e-health and infotainment applications areas. VERITAS aims to ensure that future products and services are being systematically designed for all people including those with disabilities and functional limitations as well as older people. Furthermore, VERITAS plans to promote its results to the appropriate standards organisations for consideration and potential adoption and also to make them available through an open framework. More information can be found at: http://veritas-project.eu.

Marie Curie Association (MCA) is involved in this project, leading the end-user requirements collection, while it will also pilot a number of accessible design aspects related to daily living in Bulgaria . “VERITAS offers the potential to consider accessibility at the very beginning of the design process, and should enable companies to take on board the needs of people with disabilities, and where possible integrate this in their standard design processes, thus reaching a design for all approach throughout their production processes” says Karel Van Isacker, MCA Project Manager.

 “Designing accessible products means a better design for all of us. In particular disabled people and the aging part of our society will benefit from our innovations in the engineering process” says Dr. Manfred Dangelmaier, the co-ordinator of VERITAS and director of the Business Area Engineering Systems at Fraunhofer IAO. “Using VERITAS results will enable designers and engineers to make most products better usable for everybody.”

If you want to contact the VERITAS team please send an e-mail at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Date

Event

Location

Contact

16/08/2010

Management Team Meeting of Workability Europe

Brussels Belgium

For more information please contact

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

23/08/2010Business Obligations Towards Disabled Persons under EU and International Anti-Discrimination LawCopenhagen Business School, CopenhagenDanemark Copenhagen Business School and the Disabled People's OrganisationsDenmark (DH)http://cbs.dk/forskning/konferencer/disabled_discrimination_2010 
15-17/09/2010AAL (Ambient Assisted Living) ForumOdense, Denmarkhttp://www.aalforum.eu/
16-17/09/2010INTERNATIONAL REHABILITATION CONGRESS 2010BBRZLinz, Austriawww.humanoutlet.at 
23/09/2010European Disability Forum/EFC – Symposium on Reasonable accommodation at the workplace in light of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD)European Economic and Social CommitteeBrussels,Belgium For more information please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
23-24/09/2010TRINNODD Project Final Dissemination ConferenceSibiu,Romania

Ucos “One child, One hope” Foundation and the partnership

Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Elena Tudorache – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

More information: www.trinnodd.eu

27/09/2010WorkabilityEurope Board MeetingDublin,IrelandFor more information please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
27/09/2010WEB BV Board MeetingDublin,IrelandFor more information please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
30/09/2010Annual General Meeting of WorkabilityEuropeDublin,IrelandFor more information please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
27-30/09/2010Workability International and WorkabilityEurope Annual ConferenceDublin, IrelandFor more information please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
27-30/09/2010CFP  - ADDW'10- Accessible Design in the Digital World 2010 conferenceSyros, Greece http://www.addw10.org/ 
27-29/09/2010ICT 2010 -  Europe's most visible forum on ICT research and innovationBrussels,Belgiumhttp://ec.europa.eu/information_society/events/ict/2010/index_en.htm 
6-8/10/20101st International Conference of ÆGIS & 2nd Pan-European Workshop/User Forum“Access for All in the desktop, web and mobile field: an end-user and developer perspective”Seville,SpainAEGIShttp://www.aegis-project.eu/ http://www.aegis-project.eu/images/docs/AEGIS_1st_Conf_2nd_Workshop_Invitation.pdf
8-10/10/2010IX International Congress AutismEurope - A Future for AutismCatania,Italywww.autismeurope2010.org
9-10/10/2010The European Conference on Rehabilitation:”The United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Rehabilitation inEurope: – Effects on Individuals and Rehabilitation Management”Copenhagen,Denmark This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
12-14/10/2010MedTech Forum 2010Brussels,BelgiumMedTech Forum 2010
13/10/2010Study day “CONSUMER SAFETY AND STANDARDIZATION”Brussels,BelgiumThe Consumer Safety CommissionANEC, standardsfor.be, CRIOC This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
14/10/2010ISO Standard DayBrussels,Belgiumhttp://www.iso.org/iso/wsd_2010.htm
22-24/10/2010FIRST EUROPEAN CONGRESS ON VISUAL IMPAIRMENTValladolid,SpainInternational Society for Low Vision Research and Rehabilitationhttp://www.eurovisionrehab.com/
22-23/10/2010Conference 2010 “Challenging Poverty – CreatingHope. Breaking the Cycle of Poverty and Mental Health Problems”.Brussels,Belgium This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
27-29/10/2010eChallenges e-2010 ConferenceCall for papersWarsaw,PolandEuropean Commission
4/11/2010Social Platform Annual ConferenceTheme: “Care”Brussels,Belgium This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
11-12/11/2010International Conference ICT FOR LANGUAGE LEARNING 3rd editionFlorence,Italywww.pixel-online.net/ICT4LL2010
18-19/11/2010Belgium Presidency conference on the implementation of the UNCRPDTBC BelgiumTBC
2-3/12/2010International Conference on Translation and Accessibility in Video Games and Virtual WorldsBarcelona,SpainInternational Conference on Translation and Accessibility in Video Games and Virtual Worlds
10/12/2010AdvancingIreland’s National Disability Strategy: Building on Comparative and International InnovationNationalUniversity ofIreland, Galway

http://www.nuigalway.ie/cdlp/projects/baseline.html 

http://www.nuigalway.ie/cdlp/projects/ 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: 

 
SpeakerBackgroundTitleHRVEnglish

Power

point

Stjepan AdanicCroatian Fund for professional rehabilitation and employment of the people with disabilitiesThe current starting points of the vocational rehabilitation of the people with disabilities in Croatiatext 

pdf

Lelia Kiš-Glavaš

Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Edukacijsko-rehabilitacijski fakultet

Profesionalna rehabilitacija osoba s invaliditetom – vrata za ponovni ulazak u svijet rada u Republici Hrvatskoj

text  
Luk ZenderlooA vision close to the EU-CommissionEU Strategy to promote employment of Persons with a Disability  pdf

Lunch-Break 15:00 – 17:30

 

The Lectures – The Situation of the vocational rehabilitation

of the people with disabilities in various countries

CountrySpeakerBackgroundTitleHRVEnglish

Power

point

BelgiumLuk ZenderlooEASPD

Employment Policies for People with Disabilities Belgium

texttext

pdf

GermanyThomas UmsonstBAG

Werkstätten im Kontext einer Beschäftigungs- und Sozialpolitik in der Europäischen Union

 text 
IrelandMichael BarrettCOPE FOUNDATION Professional Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Ireland texttextpdf
NetherlandsHans VrindWORKABILITY EUROPEDevelopments of (re)integration to work in The Netherlands text textpdf
AustriaAnton SaboBBRZProfessional Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Austriatexttextpdf
SloveniaCveto Ursicdirector general, Ministry of Labour, Family andSocial Affairs Employment of persons with disabilities; Good practices and examples in Sloveniatexttextpdf

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

   
We present our e-Bulletin for December 2009. We hope you find it informative and helpful. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact Henner Sorg under This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . And of course a good start into 2010.

Workability Europe e-bulletin

 

Championing the right to work of Europeans with disabilities

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Editorial

News from the Secretariat

Projects

News from the Development Groups

News from WEB BV

What’s new on the website?

News from the members

Calendar of events 2009

Elections in Europe

 

EDITORIAL

 

 

Dear Members of Workability Europe,

The year 2009 is coming to a close and we can all look back at it as one of the most challenging and difficult, resulting from the economic crisis. No country has escaped the impact of this crisis, which has possibly affected our sector more than others. The year 2010 will present many challenges, but I can assure you that as a European network we will continue our endeavours to monitor at EU level the effects of the crisis and make appropriate representation on behalf of our membership.

The first opportunity to highlight not alone the crisis but also the opportunities arising to decision-makers in Brussels will be a Hearing hosted in the European Parliament by MEPs and Workability Europe (date to be confirmed - likely to be early March 2010). The Secretariat currently are at an advanced stage of planning the event, which will place emphasis on employment and training opportunities for people with disabilities and the effects of the current crisis on our sector. We aim to show that people with disabilities can work in a competitive market environment and are productive, integrated members of society. We hope that you will be able to attend the event as it presents us with a unique opportunity to present our cause. The Secretariat will of course inform you as soon as possible when the date is confirmed. Please let me know if you would like us to invite particular MEPs from your country.

The event in the European Parliament will be an excellent opportunity for you to contact your respective national MEPs. Next year will be the “European Year 2010 of Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion” we should take this opportunity to convince MEPs of the need to implement the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, the need for a socially balanced EU 2020 strategy and also the need for a Disability Pact as proposed by the EDF.

During the past year, resulting from your efforts and commitment to our network, Workability Europe continued to contribute to and participate in many International projects to further the cause of people with disabilities, something we could have never achieved without your help.

On 26 November 2009, the 27 Heads of States and Governments gathered in the European Council adopted a decision for the European Community to accede to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. I can assure you that Workability Europe will work actively to ensure the implementation of the convention’s provisions. Nevertheless, I also want to encourage all of you to keep lobbying your national governments for swift action on its implementation.

I am pleased to inform you that the European Parliament has decided to re-establish the Disability Intergroup in its last session of 2009 in Strasbourg. The new Intergroup comprises 74 MEPs so far. Its new President will be Hungarian MEP Adam Kosa from the EPP group. The Intergroup aims to ensure strong dialogue between the MEPs active on the Intergroup and the respective disability NGOs based at European, National and Local level. Workability Europe through the participation of our Communications Officer Henner Sorg plays an active part in the activities of this Intergroup. We will continue to update you on developments of this group as they unfold.

You will be aware that Tim Papé has retired from his position as Director General of Shaw Trust. For many years Tim has served as a Board Director for Workability Europe and in more recent years has represented Workability Europe to Workability International and also served on its Board. I take this opportunity to thank Tim for his very valuable contributions over many years in the development of Workability Europe. We commend Tim for years of dedicated service in championing the cause of individuals who found themselves excluded through disability or marginalisation. Tim has now taken up the position of Honorary President of Shaw Trust and we wish him well in his new role and look forward to meeting him at future events.

At the same time we welcome Sally Burton as the new Chief Executive Officer of Shaw Trust. Sally has over 25 years of experience working in the public sector including the NHS and Department of Health of the UK. We look forward to working with Sally in her role as CEO.

In 2010 we hope that many of the obstacles and barriers which we confront on a regular basis will be further removed and thereby afford equal opportunities in all areas for people with disabilities.

On behalf of the Workability Europe Secretariat I wish you the Seasons’ Greetings and a Prosperous Year 2010!

Sincerely,

Bertie Hunt, General Secretary

 

  

NEWS FROM THE SECRETARIAT

 
  • 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 .

 

PROJECTS

 

 

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 1st October 2009 and will last till 30th 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

 

NEWS FROM THE DEVELOPMENT GROUPS

 

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
Services Development Group (SDG)
  • 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

 

NEWS FROM WEB BV

 

 

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/).

 

WHAT’S NEW ON THE WEBSITE?

 

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.

 

NEWS FROM THE 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 2nd 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

20th 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.

 

 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2010*

 
DateEventLocationContact Person
11 and 12 FebruaryServices Development GroupBrussels, BelgiumLeif Alm This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
26 FebruaryWEB and WE Board MeetingBrussels, BelgiumBertie Hunt This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
22 MarchCivil Society DayEuropean Economic and Social CommitteeBrussels, BelgiumHenner Sorg This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
7 AprilEGM Workability Europe Brussels, Belgium Bertie Hunt This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
7 AprilMeeting with European Parliamentarians Brussels, Belgium Bertie Hunt This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
11 MayWE Board MeetingZurich, SwitzerlandBertie Hunt This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
20 SeptemberWE Board meetingDublin, IrelandBertie Hunt This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
21 SeptemberWorkability International Annual General MeetingDublin, IrelandAlain Rialland This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
16 NovemberWE Board meetingHamburg, GermanyBertie Hunt This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

*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.

 

 

ELECTIONS 2010*

 

 

 

 

Date

Country

Elections

25 April 2010

Austria

Presidential elections

October 2010

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Presidential and parliamentary elections

October 2010

Czech Republic

Senate elections

June 2010

Czech Republic

Legislative elections

February 2010

Greece

Presidential elections

Spring 2010

Hungary

Parliamentary elections

October 2010

Latvia

Parliamentary elections

2010 (probably)

Poland

Presidential elections

12 June 2010

Slovakia

Parliamentary elections

19 September 2010

Sweden

Parliamentary elections

Mid 2010

UK

General elections

17 January 2010

Ukraine

Presidential elections

*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

   

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