Workshop in Krakow, April 2014 „MY PROFESSION, MY JOB, MY FUTURE”

1. Learn about your rights…. 2. What is your your appearance? 3. My strong/weak points During our work related to the project Leonardo da Vinci - ”VISION 2020”, we have defined 3 topics of workshops for disabled in the fields of professional advice During our work related to the project Leonardo da Vinci - ”VISION 2020”, we have defined 3 topics of workshops for disabled in the fields of professional advice

1. Learn about your rights - information about rights based on Polish Labour Code, types of contracts, flexible forms of employment - financial benefits for employers from employing a disabled person TOPIC 1

2. What is your appearance? -The role of presenting yourself in achieving personal and professional success - effective autopresentation: appearance and communication (words, voice, body language ) TOPIC 2

3. My strong/weak points Coaching (job coaching, life coaching) – interpersonal competence (self-awareness, strong and weak points, awareness of own limits, how to be competitive on labour market?) Practical classes: how to write CV and letter of application In the end of workshop : Conversation with employer TOPIC 3

The results and benefits for disabled people, their families and guardians: - Improving the quality of trainers'/advisers' workshop - Extending the offer of assistance provided by advisers; -The possibility of getting help for free - Bigger activity of disabled people in local society - Creating a database of job advertisements for disabled people and a database of professions for people with eye dysfunctions. -Changing attitudes, which are a barrier for gaining education and qualifications as well as getting employed by disabled people - Promoting disabled people, who succeeded in their personal and professional life. Planned Results of workshops: -.-.

Workshop in Krakow. In April 2014 we organized the FIRST workshop titled: MY STRONG/WEAK POINTS. Workshop was prepared for people with worse chances, including disabled. The participants had the opportunity to broaden their knowledge about labour market and to analyze their skills and professional qualifications. The leading topic of the meeting was the discussion on: “MY STRONG/WEAK POINTS”.

Workshop in Krakow. The classes were in a form of training. During the training the participants fulfilled a task, which was aimed at overcoming barriers in their relationships. Each participant could act as a builder of bridges! The trainers evaluated teamwork skills and leadership skills. It is worth highlighting that the training gave an opportunity to experience emotions connected to participating in common activity and in a friendly atmosphere. After the activity, there was a discussion about barriers and difficulties experienced during its realization. The trainers proposed to compare the fears to doubts, that both an employee and employer have during an interview. Thanks to the discussion, the participants learned how to make thoughtful decisions and effectively manage own career.

What else ?. The trainers informed about the current situation on labour market and about the development trends, which can be observed in the whole country. The participants took part in the discussion about psychological factors in the process of choosing a profession. The professional advisers emphasized that it is vital to make decisions about new job based on own talents and preferences as well as personal traits and temperament

-.-. The employee – candidate Employer Will I meet employer's expectations? Will I manage on this position? How will an disabled person work? Will I be accepted by boss and coworkers? Will this disabled employee cope with this work? How am I perceived? Fear? Shame? because I have limits. Will an employee adopt in a group? During brainstorming the most likely doubts of the candidate and employer were analyzed. It is described in the table below:

At the end the participants came to the following conclusions: -during the interview – if that's possible – do not show the employer that you are disabled person (do not mention it in CV), but present skills, achievements and strong points, be self-confident, show your value, highlight internships, experience, etc. -overcome stereotypes, barriers, do not be afraid of the interview, do not be modest and silent, do not have complexes, be self-confident - it is worth remembering that employment is a package deal – you offer something to the employer and sell it for an appropriate price! Good practices -.-.

Conducting the workshops by trainers involved in this project led to improving the quality of their work. Thanks to the conclusions from the workshops, the advisers' offering will be extended. Exchanging experience and learning from each other will strengthen their competences. The trainers are motivated to further actions. -.-.