Inclusion in Europe: a holistic

view on the many affected

domains to support

integration and employability;

the Belgian case study

Karel Van Isacker

OutlineOutline

Some worldwide figures

European perspective

Belgium, Flanders

◦ Inclusion in various domains

◦ Initiatives

Supporting inclusion via projects (EC

funded)

But … who am I?But … who am I?

Private: ◦ 40 years young

◦ Flemish (Belgium)

◦ Lived in various countries: Belgium, UK, Democratic Republic of Congo, Greece and Bulgaria

Professional: ◦ Background in economics

◦ Passionate about working with and for people with disabilities since 2003

◦ Coordinated, managed, participated in 50+ projects

QuestionQuestion

Who has a person with disability

in his family, among his friends, or

knows someone with a disability?

Disability in Latin America & EUDisability in Latin America & EU

There are at least 50 million disabled people in Latin America & the Caribbean (LAC) – approximately 10% of the region’s population.

Source: WHO

80 million Europeans with disabilities. This is over 15% of the whole population. One in four Europeans has a family member with a disability.

Source: EDF

Different perception of disability Different perception of disability

Disability rates in EU working population:

Different definitions of “disability” (6-30%

between the Member States)

The The EuropeanEuropean Union of Union of diversifieddiversified

figuresfigures Figures are from 2001, Eurostat

ReasonsReasons forfor thisthis diversificationdiversification

Lowest estimate, based on the extremes of currently defined disablement categories: ◦ Around 74 Million persons in Europe alone

Other estimates that take into account: ◦ People in the so-called hinterland between fully

able bodied and the classically termed disabled, should considerably raise those numbers

Disability rates vary ◦ Different disability definitions and classification

◦ E.g. defining disability within the context of incapacity to work, as they do in Poland, while it is functionality in UK

Population with disabilities will Population with disabilities will

increase in Europeincrease in Europe

Disability policy at EU level Disability policy at EU level

Disability policies are mainly Member States responsibility: administration, organisation, provision of social care, social services, healthcare, child care

Why a disability policy at EU level?

◦ People with disabilities have similar concerns throughout the EU: same rights, same obstacles, same discriminations

◦ EU policies, instruments and legislation impact in many ways on situation of people with disabilities

Main areas for EU actionMain areas for EU action

Accessibility of goods and services

Participation as equal citizens in Europe and quality community-based services

Equality and combating discrimination

Employment in the open labour market

Inclusive education and training

Social protection to combat poverty and social exclusion

Equal access to health services and related facilities

External action including EU enlargement, neighbourhood and international development programmes

Mix of tools to achieve the objectives

Legislation: e.g. explore the possibility of a “European Accessibility Act”

Mainstreaming: ensure that all relevant EU initiatives promote equal opportunities for people with disabilities

Cooperation between Member States and civil society

Funding

Awareness-raising

Data collection and monitoring

More info on ANED

(http://www.disability-europe.net/)

European Disability Strategy 2010 European Disability Strategy 2010 --

20202020 Empower people with disabilities to enjoy

their full rights

Create a barrier-free Europe for all

Comply with the international

commitments taken by concluding the

UN Convention on the Rights of

Persons with Disabilities

UN Convention on the Rights of UN Convention on the Rights of

Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)

Rights recognised cover almost all policy fields: accessibility, employment, education, health, independent living, participation in culture and sport, civil rights.

Mixed competences between EU and M(ember)S(tates) (all MS + the EU signed the UNCRPD)

The EU and MS, to the extent of their competences, have to comply with the obligations to ensure the rights recognised in the Convention

The Human Rights approach to The Human Rights approach to

disability disability –– paradigm shiftparadigm shift “Persons with disabilities include those who have long-

term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments

which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their

full and effective participation in society on an equal basis

with others”

(Article 1 UN Convention on the rights of persons with

disabilities)

"objects" of charity, medical

treatment and social protection

"subjects" with rights,

capable of claiming those

rights and making decisions

for their lives based on their

free and informed consent as

well as being active members

of society.

But is there…. But is there…. EQUALEQUAL treatment?treatment?

(e)Inclusion stops where the beneficiary

cannot understand or afford (ICT Based)

solutions.

StillStill… support … support forfor peoplepeople withwith

disabilitiesdisabilities diversifieddiversified in in EuropeEurope Social benefits diversified (Gérard Abramovici: Social Protection

in Europe, Statistics in focus: Population and social conditions Theme 3 – 6/2004, p.1-8)

The have’s and the have not’s…The have’s and the have not’s…

Who pays what?

HEARING AIDS BRAILLE READERSAPPLS FOR VOICE

COMMUNICATION

SOFTWARE FOR

COMMUNICATION

ENVIRONMENTAL

CONTROL SYSTEMS

AUSTRIA medical social social social social

BELGIUM medical social social social social

DENMARK social social social social social

FINLAND medical medical medical medical medical

FRANCE medical social consumer social + consumer social + consumer

GERMANY medical social social social social

GREECE medical consumer consumer consumer consumer

HUNGARY medical consumer consumer consumer consumer

IRELAND medical + consumer medical + consumer medical + consumer medical + consumer medical + consumer

ITALY medical medical medical medical social

NETHERLANDS medical social social social social

PORTUGAL medical consumer medical + social social + consumer consumer

SLOVAKIA medical social social social consumer

SLOVENIA medical medical medical social + consumer social + consumer

SPAIN medical * consumer social + consumer social + consumer social

SWEDEN medical medical medical medical medical

UK medical social social consumer social

Focus Focus onon BelgiumBelgium, , FlandersFlanders

Focus Focus onon BelgiumBelgium, , FlandersFlanders

Structure of the Belgian StateStructure of the Belgian State

Belgium is a federal state, made up of three communities (the Flemish-speaking Community, the French-speaking Community and the German-speaking Community) and three regions (the Flanders Region, the Brussels Capital Region and the Walloon Region).

◦ The Federal government is tasked with everything which falls within the sphere of interest of all Belgians, irrespective of language, cultural or territorial considerations, such as foreign affairs, defence, justice, finance, social security and a large part of public health and domestic affairs.

◦ The communities are tasked with people-related matters, such as language, culture and education.

◦ The regions are in turn tasked with territorial matters, such as town and country planning, environment and employment.

Complex state structure creates a situation in which

people with disabilities are not always sure who to

approach for a particular form of assistance.

More independence for people with More independence for people with

a disability a disability -- The Flemish contextThe Flemish context Which provisions are there for us?

Federal level

◦ Allowances for adults (21-65 j):

Income replacement allowance (IRA) when due to

labour-related inability it is not possible to work and there are no

other forms of income (e.g. unemployment, illness or other)

Integration allowance (IA): covers extra costs related to

disability

Dec 2009: 59.891 persons –> Dec 2012: 65.346 persons

(of which half get both)

◦ Extra child benefit for children with a disability

◦ Seniors (65 plus): various benefits, BUT no

disability recognition

Flemish provisions for people

with a disability

◦ Flemish Agency for People with

Disability (VAPH)

Provides material support: aids and support

services

Intensity of support depends on kind and

degree of disability

Must be younger than 65 years to be

eligible! But once registered, support

services provided also after age of 65

However: Waiting lists or the Central

Registration of Care-related questions

(CRC) ◦ VAPH works with closed budget (not like national

health insurance institute RIZIV)

◦ Consequence: waiting lists

◦ Paradox: notwithstanding extra money for VAPH,

waiting lists keep on growing

◦ Need for policy shift, taking into account the ageing of

pwd!

No clear numbers regarding people with

a disability in Flanders/Belgium

NextNext stepssteps

“person-following financing” (PFF) - it follows the person (instead of being linked to institutions and service organisations like now) 1st level: basic support allowance (fixed amount)

through ‘Flemish Care Insurance’. No need to account for spending.

If this is not sufficient or does not meet the need, then a ‘support plan’ must be made and application be made for: 2nd level: person-following financing. Provided through VAPH. Choice between: voucher or cash budget (or combination). Spending must be accounted for.

But do we face luxury problems?But do we face luxury problems?

Let’s sum up what we

already have.

Inclusive society in FlandersInclusive society in Flanders

Following areas supported by VAPH (Flemish

Agency for Disabled Persons)

◦ Equipment: AT financing via reference list

◦ Education: special and inclusive education

◦ Employment: adjusted employment (regular

employment with support, sheltered workshop)

◦ Tourism and leisure: accessible tourism initiatives

◦ Mobility: accessible public transport

VAPH’s broad definition of disability ensures

that a broad target group may call on the

services provided by the VAPH.

Core rule…Core rule…

◦ specific facilities for PWD will only be sought if solutions cannot be found through general ones.

◦ applies to all areas of life (transport, housing, employment, etc.).

◦ on 1 April 2006: transfer of PWD authority for employment and professional training from VAPH to the normal policy areas of employment and social economy.

“general where possible, specific where necessary”

Building further on this…Building further on this…

Disparities in Europe require cooperation

◦ Share good/best practices, experiences,

knowledge, skills

Important

Across borders, continents

◦ Developing projects

With all relevant stakeholders involved

Our approachOur approach

Ear for needs people with disabilities

Cooperation accross borders with NSWE countries in Europe ◦ Also cooperation possible with Latin America (e.g.

Erasmus+ programme)

Partners ◦ Education (academic, VET), end-users, technology

providers from partner countries

Set up ◦ User requirements collection, developing training material

and tools, evaluate through pilots, disseminate/market it

Our social goals: ◦ Inclusion and improved quality of life

◦ Free training courses (OER) and supporting tools in various domains

◦ Beneficiaries: people with disabilities

Projects contribute to thisProjects contribute to this

Employment ICT (AT) competences

Social competences Efficient Caregiver support

Empowerment

Project detailsProject details

ICT/AT training

◦ www.vipi-project.eu

◦ www.atlec-project.eu

Social competences

◦ www.games4competence.eu

Employment

◦ www.dice-project.eu

◦ www.tourism4all.eu

Personal care giver

◦ www.mcare-project.eu

Training Tools Training Tools

& Material& Material Games

Games (online, desktop, mobile)

Mentoring

Training courses (online, offline, mobile)

Peer support

Free

OERs

Free

OERs

Ecosystem based on person led process of personal development in case of disability

Education

Vocationaltraining

EmploymentLife long learning + career

Schools

Vocationaltraining centres

Carers

Policy makers

Employers + self

employment

AT/ICT/... training / Support needed

Forthcoming events with focus on Forthcoming events with focus on

disabilitydisability Interdisciplinary Symposium “Social

Competences, Creativity And Wellbeing”

03-05.06.2015 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Topics:

◦ Creativity, innovative technologies and the social challenges of youth and people with disabilities.

◦ Developing the social competences of youth and people with disabilities, with the usage of modern learning and training technologies.

Call for papers now open (see leaflet)

Website: http://issccw.academy/

Forthcoming events with focus on Forthcoming events with focus on

disabilitydisability Interactive Technologies and Games (ITAG)

Conference 2014

16-17.10.2014 in Nottingham, UK

Topics: ◦ Gaming on the move

◦ Robotics and education

◦ Games Based Learning

◦ Game related Technologies

◦ Games, Apps and Artificial Reality for Health

◦ Accessible Game Design

◦ Web based gaming technologies

Website: http://itag.gamecity.org/

Contact detailsContact details

• PhoenixKM project team

(Karel, Bernard)

o Overall project management

o karel@phoenixkm.eu

o Project management support, research

o bernard@phoenixkm.eu

o URL: www.phoenixkm.eu

o Amersveldestraat 189

8610 Kortemark

Belgium

Extra slidesExtra slides

Legal basisLegal basis In defining and implementing its policies and activities, the Union

shall aim to combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.

TFEU (Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union) Article 10 and 19: the EU shall aim to combat discrimination

◦ Article 10 => mainstreaming: the EU is founded in representative democracy and decisions must be taken as closely as possible to citizens

◦ Article 19 => specific legislation: the Court of Justice

Other legal bases can be relevant, e.g.

◦ Internal market (Art 114)

◦ Transport (Art. 90-100 TFEU)

◦ State Aid (107-109 TFEU)

◦ Employment (145-150 TFEU)

◦ Social Policy (151, 153 TFEU)

◦ Education (Art. 165 TFEU)

◦ Public health (Art. 168 TFEU)

◦ Approximation of Laws (114 TFEU, high level of protection as a base)

Focus Focus onon employabilityemployability One employment agency for all

◦ Regular labour market (adjustments might be needed)

◦ Sheltered workshops

◦ Not able to work

When seeking a job

◦ Network for people with disabilities towards (payed) employment: case manager, assessment centre, jobkanaal, support while at work, specialised vocational training

Support while at work

◦ Government support:

◦ Adaptation of the work place: surroundings, tools and clothing

◦ Allowance for travel and accommodation expenses

◦ Flemish Support Premium: financial subsidy to compensate for potential efficiency loss

◦ Allowance for interpreters (for persons with impaired hearing)

◦ Employment in a sheltered workshop

◦ A case manager or coach can provide tailor-made job-coaching at the start of a new job (e.g. Support client, advise employer, coach colleagues, advise on necessary adjustments,… )

◦ Possible support later on during the career, e.g. career counseling, support of employer/colleagues, …

Exploitation of Free Educational Exploitation of Free Educational

ResourcesResources Stakeholders and gatekeepers

40

Education Disability

Employment Skills

Inclusion

THEIR

OBJECTIVES &

NEEDS

Strategies to facilitate

uptake of project outputs:

Appropriate

communication

Aim at usability in

different contexts

Flexibility and adaptability