A Fás-supported company fights the unemployment issue among people with disabilities by helping with applications, CVs and interviews writes Fiona Tyrrell
A new company which seeks to integrate people with disabilities into the open labour market has helped 45 people find jobs in the north Dublin area in the past seven months and is actively seeking work for 100 more.
Work 4 U, a Fás-supported company, set up shop in January 2005 with the aim of tackling the issue of unemployment among people with disabilities.
The scheme is one of 24 Fás-supported employment schemes in the country providing additional support to people with disabilities during the job-seeking phase and on entering into the open labour market.
Around 1,500 people were helped by Fás-supported employment programmes last year.
According to the most recent figures from the National Disability Authority (NDA), people with disabilities are 2.5 times less likely to have a job than non-disabled people.
This, according to the NDA, in turn contributes to the significantly higher rate of poverty.
Work 4 U's client group include people with physical disabilities, visual impairments, hearing difficulties, mental health issues, Asperger's syndrome and dyslexia.
The company's eight job coaches and support staff offer a service in the north Dublin city and county areas. Clients are referred through Fás or local employment services.
Work 4 U acts a bit like a recruitment agency providing support to the client to ensure they are job ready. This involves needs assessment, CV preparation, job sourcing and support to the individual when starting work, explains Tina Swales, director of work 4 U.
Once a job is secured they will help their clients prepare for the job and may even go to the workplace to assess what issues may arise in the workspace and help the employer secure adaptation grants if necessary. Follow-up care is also offered to clients.
The biggest stumbling blocks for employers is fear about how a person with disability will fit into the work environment, according to Swales.
"There is a lack of understanding and sometimes certain prejudices involved as well. Some think that their insurance will rise, which is not true, and others think that it will cost a lot of money but usually it doesn't."
In fact, research conducted by the NDA reveals that 88 per cent of employers have employees with disabilities, relatively few have made changes to the job or workplace to facilitate disabled workers, and half of employers are unaware of the grants and supports available to employ disabled workers.
Grants available from the Government include the Fás wages subsidy scheme which involves a subsidy to cover a shortfall in productivity if an employee with a disability is not able to do a proportion of the job. A lump sum of up to €30,000 is also available if an employer has more than 30 people with disabilities on its books. There is also a PRSI exemption scheme for the first two years of employing someone with a disability.
For the clients of the service, one of the biggest issues is accessibility. Lack of accessible transport is a "huge problem" and really limits the locations where clients can seek work.
Lack of education and qualifications can also prove to be a big barrier. According to the NDA, only 27 per cent of students with disabilities go beyond the Junior Certificate.
Other issues such as poor self-esteem, lack of social skills and confidence as well as the dependency culture are also a problem.
Since January, 45 people have been successfully placed in the open jobs market in areas such as childcare, cleaning, gardening, clerical, retail and catering. One client has even successfully set up their own business.
"Some people have had a lot of turn downs and for them getting a job is a major success."
Maria Flanagan (27) from Cabra started working in the Early Learning Centre in Henry Street in Dublin last summer.
She has very positive experience with the Work 4 U employment agency. Her job coach helped her find work, assisted in the completion of the job application form and gave job interview coaching.
"I have an under-active thyroid and have a little bit of a disability but it doesn't affect my work. I love working in retail and really enjoy working with children," she explains.
Tesco in Santry, north Dublin, has employed six people from Work 4 U to date and has found the experience very positive, according to personnel manager Linda Farrell.
"We find that they are very willing and able and want to do the best. They are a great asset to the store."
For people with disabilities, getting a job is a "big deal" and is more than just an economic issue, according to Swales.
"It's all about social inclusion and self-esteem. Work is a huge part of our lives. We all need to work. It's so important to our general health and wellbeing."
For further information contact Work 4 U on tel: 01 8442701. To find your local Fás-supported employment scheme, contact your local Fás employment office.