Community Engagement Event in Slovenia

15th March 2024
Slovenia

The multiplier event highlighted recent developments in a project, emphasizing the evolution of project materials over the past year. The event commenced with an overview of project details: objectives, partners, target groups, and projected versus achieved results. This introduction was followed by an examination of employment landscapes and labour market integration across partner countries, identifying key similarities and disparities to optimize effective strategies and address challenges.

The significance of independent living was underscored as foundational for inclusive planning, counseling, career guidance, and support services for individuals with disabilities. This concept extends beyond labor market inclusion, shaping future education and labor policies involving diverse public and private stakeholders.

Policy documents >> and focus group outcomes were presented next, elucidating insights gleaned, such as the balance between service dispersion and cooperation, vocational training, independence, individualized planning, assessment tools, interdisciplinarity, and connectivity.

A case study from Slovenia was shared, offering a tangible scenario to enhance understanding of labor market orientation, counseling, and training within national contexts.

The event culminated in a debate on the inaugural outline of the Include3 method curriculum, with participant feedback clustered around themes of employment access and rehabilitation service enhancement. Notably, the dialogue underscored the need for strengthened networks in rehabilitation services to accommodate individualized approaches.

Feedback also emphasized systemic shifts, especially since 2018, aligning with the National Mental Health Program Resolution.

Employment emerged as a critical facet of independent living, advocating for inclusivity in decision-making processes across services.

Rehabilitation was highlighted as pivotal in bridging employers and potential employees, necessitating workplace adaptations to meet diverse needs.

Remaining challenges center on adapting job structures to accommodate individuals with disabilities, particularly in flexible employment opportunities. Employment centers were noted for their adaptability in customizing work procedures to individual abilities, facilitating employment for those facing limitations.

Overall, the event brought together 20 external participants from diverse public and private sectors, facilitating comprehensive discussions on advancing inclusive labor market policies and practices.