With this project we wanted to develop a European quality framework that would unify the model of sheltered employment in all the countries that make up the European Union, bringing together the positive aspects of each of the employment policies that are currently being applied, and improving those aspects that are not working well. The general objective was: - To produce a report highlighting the needs and proposals for the creation of a European quality framework for sheltered employment in Europe. The specific objectives were: -To get to know the situation of sheltered employment in the countries of the project consortium. -To share experiences and good practices among the partner countries. -To develop tools to measure the effectiveness of the different models of sheltered employment. - To raise awareness and promote the improvement of employment conditions for people with disabilities. -To describe the most appropriate sheltered employment models according to the type of disability. -To seek the involvement and collaboration of the Public Administrations and the business fabric in the quality insertion of people with disabilities. The priority of this project is the Inclusion of people with disabilities in equality.
After many years working in the field of employment guidance for people with disabilities, we have detected that the special employment centres, which is the model of protected employment in the case of Spain, carry out the largest number of hirings of people with disabilities compared to ordinary companies. For us, true inclusion is that which is carried out under equal conditions to the rest of the workers. From this arose the need to know the other models of sheltered employment in Europe, to make a comparative table in which to analyse the similarities and differences, as well as to take testimony from people with disabilities who currently develop their professional activity in sheltered employment. Always seeking to improve the working conditions of the group, we consider it important to initiate the process of creating a new model of sheltered employment under a quality framework that allows them access to employment, where their needs are respected without diminishing their labour rights (salary, leave, adaptations, etc.). Therefore, with this project we address the inclusion of people with disabilities in decent working conditions.