Best Practices in Supported Employment
Association for Promoting Inclusion (API) in Zagreb, Croatia, provides comprehensive deinstitutionalization services for people with intellectual disabilities with the goal of empowering people with intellectual disabilities to realize their rights and participate as equal citizens in society. API has created a network of community-based support services in Croatia that include community-based housing for adults, a prevention of institutionalization program, specialized foster care for children, a regional educational reference center, and supported employment. More information is available at: http://www.inkluzija.hr/. View API's short film "Living Proof: The Right To Live In The Community."
Association of Supported Employment in New Zealand (ASENZ) in Porirua City, New Zealand, has a mission "to provide a high profile forum for the promotion, establishment and development of Supported Employment Services for people with disabilities in New Zealand, through information, networking research and policy advocacy." Organizational principles include Open Employment; Wages and Benefits; Placement First; Inclusiveness; Individualized and Ongoing Support; and Choices and Career Development. With the goal of assisting supported employment providers throughout New Zealand, the organization holds regional meetings and training forums as well as national conferences. ASENZ members include people with disabilities, employers, organizations providing supported employment services, vocational service providers and professionals. More information is available at: http://www.asenz.org.nz/.
Pentru Voi Foundation in Timisoara, Romania, aims to increase the quality of life for persons with intellectual disabilities. The organization's work is based on the philosophy of inclusion as a basic human right. Currently, Pentru Voi provides community-based day and residential services, supported employment, and advocacy and self-advocacy services. More information is available at: http://www.pentruvoi.ro/index_en.htm.
View Pentru Voi's 10 minute film "I Want to Work and I Can Work!"
Read issues of Pentru Voi's newsletter - follow these links: April 2007, December 2006, August 2006, March 2006.
Project Work in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, provides supported employment services for people who have an intellectual disability or who simply require extra support and coaching to build their job skills. The organization matches each consumer with a job-coach who is qualified to provide counseling, support, and training in finding and sustaining decent employment. Project Work offers four different employment programs for consumers: a pre-employment program that focuses on general job skills; a supported employment program that assists people in further increasing skills and finding paid work; an ongoing support program for people who are already employed; and other custom-designed services. More information is available at: http://www.toronto.com/shopping/listing/000-212-525.
Salva Vita Foundation in Budapest, Hungary, supports the autonomous lifestyle of people with intellectual disabilities and helps them to acquire the necessary skills for successful integration into society. The target group is primarily people with intellectual disabilities, including people with multiple disabilities, autism and mild epilepsy. Salva Vita's programs focus on the reinforcement of social integration, from leisure time activities to the promotion of employment at open market workplaces. The Workplace Practice program provides the opportunity for students at special schools to try out work in mainstream workplaces, and the Supported Employment program supports the open labor market employment of people with intellectual disabilities. More information is available at: http://www.salvavita.hu/.