The transition of intellectually disabled students from school to world of workThe link between the vocational departments/workshops and Job marketEmployment of intellectually disables

In Turkey, graduates of Special Education Vocational Training Centers –mild and moderate-are supported for employment by Turkish Employment Agency which is a governmental organization. After graduation they should register to the agency to be contacted in case of a job opportunity.

The transition of intellectually disabled students from school to world of work

Besides Turkish Employment Agency, these students’ schools also help for their employment. The schools keep the students’ files and contact addresses even after graduation in case any business needs a staff from these schools. At work placement the educational and vocational background of the student is taken into consideration (in which workshops s/he studied, personal skills, where s/he got his/her internship experience…)

The transition of intellectually disabled students from school to world of work

In our school not only the administration but also with the help of some teachers a number of work placement has been done up to now. Unfortunately most of these have been with individual efforts and unable to go beyond a certain point.

The transition of intellectually disabled students from school to world of work

Besides the Turkish Employment Agency and schools, students can enhance their employment chance with entering some exams.

Students with mild intellectual disability who have good academic skills can study the 12th grade at open/distant high schools. After graduating from high school, they can enter university entrance exams, apply for higher education or enter the exam for disables to become government officer (on condition of having %40 disability report).

The transition of intellectually disabled students from school to world of work

Every year before the exam for disables to become government officer, some courses are arranged at Special Needs Education Schools by Ministery of Education. The students get academic classes during these courses. Any student with mild and moderate disability graduated from Vocational Education Schools can benefit from these courses free of charge.

HOWEVER;Since this exam includes all types of disables,

intellectually disables’ proportion who become successful is relatively low.

The transition of intellectually disabled students from school to world of work

Students with mild and moderate disabilities after working /practicing at different workshops in the 9th grade(at least 2 hours at each workshop, in total 12 hours), according to their abilities and request are evaluated by school’s Monitoring and Evaluation board to decide at which workshop to practice and be placed. Each year the students practice at different workshops to specialize in and find out the best field appealing to them.

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The link between the vocational departments/workshops and Job market

With a new module system which started in 2015 , 10th grade students get 14 hours workshopp studies a week.Upon finishing one module they get another one. From 10th to 12th grade with the Monitoring and Evluation Board’s decision, students are placed at public or private sectors for supported internship. They get 1/3 of minimum wage. Those who are placed at work attend school for cultural and vocational classes once a week and for practice at workplace 4 days a week

The link between the vocational departments/workshops and Job market

The students are monitored by the coordinator teachers from school.In case the student cannot adapt to the work a new placement is done. If the student still has adaptation problems can return back to full time school education

After finishing apprenticeship, in case of demand the student can work at the company where s/he practiced.

The link between the vocational departments/workshops and Job market

Some of the modules being applied for mild and moderate students are:

Metal WorkshopPrinting WorkshopFood&drink WorkshopFurniture WorkshopHorticulture Workshop Handcrafts workshopCeramic WorkshopOffice Services Workshop

The link between the vocational departments/workshops and Job market

According to Article 30 of Labour Law; Private sector businesses which have 50 and over employee have to employ up to %3 of the workers from disables.

By year 2015, the businesses who violate this law are to pay 2096 TL for each month they don’t employ disables. This amount is two times more than the minimum wage.But since this law doesn’t include only intellectually disables (all ranges of disabilities-including serious illnesses like cancer and heart diseases) they have little chance to find a job. Most businesses prefer physically disables to intellectually disables.

EMPLOYMENT OF INTELLECTUALLY DISABLES“SHELTERED EMPLOYMENT PROJECT”

Within the scope of “ Sheltered Employment Project” organizations and businesses working at education field such as universities, public organizations, foundations, unions, associations, NGOs and individual initiatives that aim to make projects to help intellectually disables and people with mental disorders are supported by the government.

EMPLOYMENT OF INTELLECTUALLY DISABLES

With “Sheltered Employment Project” which is carried out by Family and Social Policies Ministery’s Disabled and Old People Care Departmens and Turkish Employment Agency a number of achievements have been aimed:

Increase the number of companies/firms related to disabled employment

Integration of moderate and especially severe disables to world of work

Support disability rightsHelp socialization of disables Increase the number of disabled workersRaise public awarness about disables and disability

SHELTERED EMPLOYMENT PROJECT

Funding ;- Approved projects will be funded with the

money obtained from the fines of other companies violating the law about disabled employment. After evaluation board’s decision these projects may get up to 150.000 TL (about 50.000 Euro) grant.

- In case of shut down of the business in 5 years from the beginning or decrease the number of disabled workers than they promised, the grant is taken back with legal interest.

SHELTERED EMPLOYMENT PROJECT

Required documents from the applicants for sheltered employment:

Minimum %40 disability reportRegistering to Turkish Employment AgencyHaving completed 15 years of ageHealth reportIf any -diploma

 

APPLICATION FOR SHELTERED EMPLOYMENT

WELCOME TO DOWN CAFE!

Down Cafe, which works under the roof of Bornova Municipality was opened on December 3rd International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This is a kind of sheltered workplace project carried out by Ege University and Bornova Municipality but officially is not yet.The project needs some adjustments to be accepted as sheltered workplace and supported financially by government. 4 of our students have been working there since the opening.

Here are some examples of employment and apprenticeship

“Engelsiz Kafe” is one of the places our students have their supported internship. The cafe is run by Karşıyaka Municipality.

ENGELSİZ KAFE-WITHOUT HINDRANCE

THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION!