European Association of Service providers for P

This report focuses on the role of adapted work settings in the international framework provided by the UNCRPD; in particular, special attention has been given to Article 26 and 27, as they both deal with principles, measures and services offered by adapted work settings.
Adapted work settings, commonly known also as sheltered workshops, are not referred to in the UNCRPD. This requires clarifications for the thousands of people that benefit from their services and whose future looks therefore uncertain.
The analysis was carried out starting from three main subjects:
- what the Convention brought in general terms through its paradigm shift and the subsequent challenges for social services
- the analysis of the current text of Article 26 and 27 and the links to the role of sheltered workshop matters
- the history of the discussions around the inclusion of sheltered workshops in the UN CRPD.

Services like sheltered workshops may sometimes and very often fulfill more than one function for persons with disabilities, thus their compliance to the UN CRPD articles is particularly sensitive. In the framework of a holistic approach to persons with disabilities, where disability itself is not the focus of attention, but everything is about the individual and the enjoyment of his rights, it is of utter importance to keep a good balance between the multitude of skills, personal choices, possibilities of individual development and society’s response.    
The report provides a state of play of possible links existing between sheltered workshops and the UN CRPD in order to gain a view on future developments needed in the provision of work opportunities to persons with (intellectual) disabilities.

The full report is available here.

For more information on the report please contact Ms. Sabrina Ferraina at sabrina.ferraina@easpd.eu.

The European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) promotes the equalisation of opportunities for people with disabilities through effective and high quality service systems in Europe. EASPD now represents close to 8,000 service provider organisations across Europe and across disability.

The work of EASPD is based on three pillars:

IMPACT by monitoring, responding to and influencing the development of European policies

To support the pillar IMPACT, EASPD established four standing committees:

•  Standing Committee on Employment

•  Standing Committee on Education

•  Standing Committee on Enlargement

•  Policy Impact Group (impact of European policy on the disability sector)

INNOVATION by developing and participating in action research to improve service provision and inclusion of people with disabilities

EASPD strongly believes in evidence based developments and is therefore involved in many research and action projects focussing on various themes such as accessibility, availability, affordability and adaptability of services, vocational training, education and employment, policy impact assessment, sectorial changes.

INFORMATION by providing members with up-to-date news on policy changes across Europe, funding possibilities and opportunities to network with members and other related organizations

Once or twice a year, EASPD organises a project development workshop to offer members the possibility to work together on new innovative project ideas. Regular newsflashes keep members up to date about European budget lines and project programmes about changes on the European level (EU legislation that affects the sector).

As a Brussels-based NGO and as a European network representing the interests of close to 8,000 service providers throughout Europe, it is important for EASPD to have a strong network and to play its role as one of the key stakeholders in the European disability sector:

• EASPD enjoys participatory status in the Council of Europe and is an active member of the INGO groupings on Health and Social Cohesion
• EASPD has a seat in the High Level Group on Disability of the European Commission
• EASPD is involved in the work of the Disability Intergroup of the European Parliament
• EASPD is an observer in the Liaison Group with organised civil society of the European Economic and Social Committee
• EASPD has regular contacts with the disability units of both European Commission and Council of Europe
• EASPD is a full member of the Platform of Social NGO’s
• EASPD is observer in the Business and Disability network

All information about EASPD is available at:

EASPD

Oudergemlaan / Avenue d’ Auderghem 63

1000 Brussels

Belgium

Tel. (+32) 2 282 46 10

Fax (+32) 2 230 72 33

Mailto: info@easpd.be

Website: www.easpd.eu

Contact person for PASS IT ON within EASPD: Mr. Herve Gauthier: herve.gauthier@easpd.eu 

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