Most Italian employers believe a lot remains to be done in order to get as many people with learning difficulties as possible into paid jobs in the open labour market. Full integration of all people in society should be one of the priorities of the government and therefore employers ask the government to take some actions to promote the employment of people with learning difficulties. Too many people do not know that people with learning difficulties are talented and indispensable employees.
Almost all employers believe that some extra measures could help to come to the full integration of people with learning difficulties.
At this moment there are two basic needs concerning the vocational training in Italy. Employers ask more vocational training which is adapted to the reality on the workplace and which is open to everybody. This way, the persons involved can adapt faster to the workplace and their tasks on the one hand, and equal opportunities for all people with disabilities is assured on the other hand.
Also more support for on-the-job training would be appreciated. Some employers would like to see a more long-term support and they would like more support for initial on-the-job training.
Many companies ask, apart from more attention to the training of people with learning difficulties, also more training for colleagues. Working with people with learning difficulties might be emotionally difficult. Some guidance might be necessary
The employers point out that there should be more organised help to place and support people with learning disabilities in different companies. To get more people with learning difficulties in open labour market employment, it is important that employers are well informed about these workers, about their possibilities and shortcomings, and about the subsidies that are available to cover for loss in productivity. Also people with learning difficulties themselves need support during their first period of work.
Awareness raising in general is an issue for most employers. They would like the authorities on different levels to start an information campaign for employers and co-workers on people with learning difficulties and for the broader society in general. The focus should be on ability rather on disability.
Employers ask more information on people with learning difficulties. They would like to know more about the difficulties these people face, about their skills, about their vocational training and about supported employment programmes. They would like to hear about the experience of other employers.
This information should not only be provided by leaflets, but also by experts who visit the companies.
Other employers believe that the current funding is sufficient, but the funding possibilities should be publicised and spread, because too many people are not aware of the possibilities of supported employment.
The HR manager of a service provider in Parma who hired a person with learning difficulties in 1990 told us that the idea behind funding should become more differentiated:
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"I think the funding should be more related to the kind of the disability of the worker. We know that there are different degrees of disability; it is obvious that companies will look for the most “able” person, to the detriment of people with more severe learning difficulties."
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A company in the health sector which employs people with learning difficulties since1985 amplifies the need to raise awareness concerning the barriers for people with learning difficulties to the entire society:
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"Not only the employer, but the whole society should be object to more awareness raising activities. This is the only way to come to a better and faster inclusion of people with learning difficulties in the open labour market and in the social society."
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