Forms of state support. Good practices in Belgium IllnessWork related injuries Work related illness workers with work- related restrictions BELGIUM Nat. instit. illness & disability Insurances for work related accidents & National fund Fund for work related illness welfare law Flanders Werkwinkel / VDAB Regulatory policies: Anti-discrimination law Awareness campaigns Incentives part of employment equity and diversity policy. NO Quota obligation: only for government’s administration (4.5%) Employment must be a choice.

Compensatory policies improvement of capacities of PWD in rehabilitation and vocational training. adapting production requirements to abilities of disabled people.(Studio adaptation for manager going blind… €) adapting working conditions, wage subsidies, material, working environment. improving matching process: screening, mediation, guidance on the pathway to work, specialist vocational training, job-coaching.. payed by & implemented by VDAB & recognised organizations People disabled for work are entitled to special employment measures based on disability type & severity ( Adaptation of working environment / Interpreter for the hearing impaired / easy system of wage subsidies for employers / Career counseling / Sheltered employment. )

Evolutions & good practices The GTB- concept. In most cases those people are referred to a special counselor from a “ Specialised Pathways to work and guidance service” GTB. Public funded NGO. The GTB staff is embedded in the VDAB werkwinkels: “One-counter ” Better anti-discrimination approach as result of new definition of disability & introduction of concept of labour- disability=“Every important & longstanding problem of participation into working life due to the interaction of impairments of mental, sensory, psychological or physical nature, limitations in the performance of activities and personal or external factors.”

Employment Pathway for PWD Open labour market Employers “Ticket” to be issued by Specialised work oriented evaluation VDAB & other mainstream vocational training, counseling aso Sheltered workplaces GTB

GTB Contactphase Acquaintance WHO AM I? (re-) START of cooperation GO SCREENING WHAT CAN I DO? ORIENTATION WHAT DO I WANT? GTB TRAJECTORY DETERMINATION WHAT WILL I DO? GOB Vocational Training Better value & perspectives GOB Mediation & Jobfinding: Support in application & contractphase GOB&GTB Career counseling & Career support GOB Follow-up & After care GOB Apprenticeship/ On-the-job G T B T R A J E E C T O R Y Coun- seling & Guidance

career-transitions career-transitions Education Career transitions & threats 2 C areer decisions (FT/PT - job change Life Long Learning / care-work Unemployment RETIREMENTRETIREMENT B Evolutions in tasks job & Function profile C Evolutions in cliënts profile & environment D Evolutions in labour-market sectors& employers Schools & special schools Careerstart Career-landing 3

Most recent Evolutions & good practices 1. Career counseling for all: Equal opportunities by career selfmanagement Career-selfmanagement happens when a person has the freedom of choice, and when he is the steering factor in his own integration into the labour proces. 2. Concept of reasonable adaptations = adaptation by measures compensating the limiting impact of an unadapted environment on the PWD. 3. give the good example. In government & social profit. Job-link employs in its staff more than 20% PWD. Also in career jobclick. Positive image building!

Some questions: Do you think it is normal that 1. People with a disability have the right to work on an equal basis with others? 2. People with a disability should have the opportunity to gain a living by work freely chosen or accepted in a labour market and a work environment that is open, inclusive and accessible? 3. Your authorities should safeguard and promote the realization of the right to work, including for those who acquire a disability during the course of employment, by taking appropriate steps, including through legislation? 3x yes? Then you are in excellent company! Many states agreed that these opinions are rights. They signed article 27 of the convention of the UN So: the times they are changing! More info on the UN CONVENTION: