STATUS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

ON POLISH LABOUR MARKET

According to the latest results of the Labour Force Survey (LFS) employment of disabled people was as follows:In 2012 about 25% of persons with disabilities aged 18 to 60 were employed.

It gives 240 000 disabled workers professionally active.

STATISTICS OF EMPLOYEMENT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

SLIGHT DISABILITY

aged 15 to 18 22,2%aged 18 to 60 29,3%

Employment rates of people with disability of the population in recent years

MODERATE DISABILITY

aged 18 to 60 19,7%

Employment rates of people with disability of the population in recent years

SEVERE DISABILITY

aged 18 to 60 7,8%

Employment rates of people with disability of the population in recent years

Despite the efforts and significant costs incurred in the last few years to improve the conditions of life and social functioning it is still a significant proportion of people experience a variety of restrictions influence on their full function in society.The actions of the public authorities, as well as many private bodies are aimed to eliminate barriers and prevent them from occurring. Parallel provisions of Polish law require adjustment of public spaces for people with disabilities.

GENERAL SITUATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

The main source of the problems of people with disabilities in the labor market in Poland seems to be barriers in education and low level of education. Disabled compared to healthy people still have less access to education, especially higher education, and in a result a weaker labor market access.Almost 50% of disabled have the basic education and the number of disabled graduates in higher education does not exceed a few percent. People with disabilities are therefore less educated, but not always due to their health conditions.

RELATION BETWEEN EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT OF DISABLED

SOCIAL POLICYIt can be observed that social policy towards disabled persons departs from a protective model, and it is replaced by democratic model. In connection with this, Poland more often undertakes international co-operation within the scope of solving the disabled persons’ problems.

Polish model of working posts for disabled persons (of vocational rehabilitation) foresees three forms, in other words – following each other 3 stages of desired rehabilitation ways and employment of disabled persons:

at Occupational Therapy Workshops OTW, at Vocational Activity Institutions VAI, at Sheltered enterprises SE,

MODELS OF WORKING

EMPLOYMENT SECTORS The group of disabled

most often being hired are men living in rural areas.

They work in agriculture, food processing, and construction.

People with disabilities are more likely to find a job in private sector then public one.

Due to relatively limited possibilities of employment supporting actions and programmes are being organized for this group. Ngo’s operates vocational trainning, career counseling and job fairs. Public institutions support financial aid and help in starting own business.

NGO’s AND PUBLIC BODIES SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH

DISABILITIES

PUBLIC BODY ESTABLISHED TO ASSIST PEOPLE WITH

DISABILITIES (PFRON)

PFRON SAMPLE ACTIVITIESPersons with disabilitiescan apply for: Funds to set up a

business or an agricultural farm

Funding for a bank loan taken in order to continue a business

Employers can apply for refund of the cost of workplace equipment a person with disability.

Fundation organizes workshops of active rehabilitation , training and vocational courses.Aim of the courses is to increase physical fitness, learning self-reliance and cope with architectural and natural barriers (steep driveways, curbs, stairs, etc.)

NGO’S SECTOR (Fundation of active rehabilitation FAR)

Training and vocational courses – graphic design and driving

course

SUMMARYSituation of persons with disabilities in Poland is complex however gradually improving.

Thanks to many information campaigns and social actions attitude towards employment of disabled persons is changing for better.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION.