UEmploy: Citizenship, Rights and Employment:UEmploy and inclusive strategies for a changing Europe

Dr. Alan Bruce: Universal Learning Systems, Ireland

UEmploy Conference: Iasi, Romania8 November 2012

Background: UEmploy The role of the European Union in social

policy measures Traditions of national systems The Lifelong Learning Program Lisbon Agenda (2000) From policy to action

Achievements

European Research Report National Reports Consultancy Tools: people, training, interventions eLearning Linkage and Networks

Three common elements

State Employment Disability

Globalization in focus Global change: urbanization, migration,

media The total marketplace Comparative analysis Speed of communications Demographics Development and transformation Anticipating the future

Implications

The emergence of a true global economy dictates a new role in international activities to promote the well being of persons with disabilities through access to jobs, better technology and social supports...

Source: NIDRR Long Range Plan 1999-2004

Policy landscapes: workforce development

Recommendations or enhancing the existing workforce development platform focus on three future priorities:

1. Support for Universal Design principles2. Capacity and community building across stakeholders3. Expansion of Ticket-to-Work and Self-Sufficiency

program

Golden, T. et al, Rehabilitation Research, Policy and Education, NCRE, Vol. 26, Num. 1, 2012

Common challenges Diminishing fiscal resources Increasing client needs (levels of

disability, socio-economic dimensions, ageing)

Rising unemployment rates Public/private fault lines Focus on rights Impact of generalized and sustained

crisis

Professional capacity Recognizing differences Recognizing similarities International skills for an international

environment Shared learning and capacity development Looking at national systems with an objective

eye Spotting trends and patterns Developing applied research skills Comparative best practice

Common legacies Histories of institutionalization Marginalization Linkage to rights and struggle Impact on family Medicalization Charity Media imagery

European rehabilitation dimensions Emerging from the chaos – the vision of

post-1945 Histories of fragmentation The medical model and institutional care Lack of comparable models, methods or

statistics The hidden issue – legacies of genocide

and eugenics From care to inclusion – policy divergence

European vocational rehabilitation systems National divergence Historic patterns of care Charity and welfare The impact of war The role of the State Links to independent living

Outlining UEmploy Background and rationale The role of EU supported projects The partnership profile:

Romania Bulgaria Hungary Finland Ireland

Critical outcomes Employer consultancy Job analysis Advice and consultancy Using shared international perspectives Linkage with North America Engaging disabled citizens Benchmarking best practice Developing networks

UEmploy: process themes Developing shared understanding Engaging diverse national partners Developing communications Enhancing dialogue and defining

mythologies Avoiding assumptions Using advanced ICT Products and deliverables

European Report Significant drop in living standards since 1990 in

East/Central Europe. Impact of transition to market economy.

Generalized impact of crisis in all countries since 2008 Laws, where they exist, are not enforced or only partially

understood. Statistics are unreliable. Awareness is poor or uneven Categories used are unclear or often overlap Service provision is highly fragmented Evidence of inherent discrimination through the use of

quotas and other measures

European employment issues Companies and employers lack knowledge, awareness

and skills Policy and strategy is often aspirational but not

supported by tools and practice Invisibility of disability in public or employment related

discourse Medicalization External impetus for national legislative and policy

initiatives Unfolding process of awareness raising Staff training and professional development completely

neglected

European trends Need for Human Rights based approach is identified Fine in theory but issues remain about practice Impact of generalized unemployment rates From punitive systems to employ to quality

measures that produce shared benefit Strong legacy of segregation has a significant impact Persisting levels of fear, ignorance or disinterest Need for clear policy leadership role backed up by

evidence-based best practice Need to relate experience of disability to wider

socio-economic and demographic trends.

The future Dissemination Sustainability Added Value Identifying and supporting change End-user engagement: employers and

people with disabilities

Embedding creativity Organic, reflective evaluative follow-up Analysis and modification Lasting partnerships between research

units and schools Labor market transformation impact Organic link to work and community Professional passion - out of the strait-

jacket

Key issues Assessment Progression Competence Service models: brokers or advocates? Funding and resources Complex disabilities (dual diagnosis) Quality standards development Linkage to emancipatory research models Universal Design models

Directions Innovation based on questions, not

answers: avoiding mantras and clichés The poetry of open discovery and delight Constructing schools as critical spaces Connecting science and discovery through

technologies of emancipatory practice Rediscovering community in a fractured

continent

Thank you

Dr. Alan BruceULSDublin, Ireland

abruce@ulsystems.com