As a part of our ILMA-partnership we offer:
Launch of the Study on alternative employment models
for persons with disabilities
21 May 2025, 11am-12h15pm (CET)
Online
Live captioning and International Sign Language interpretation will be provided.
Registration link: click here
Across the European Union, persons with disabilities continue to face significant barriers in accessing and sustaining employment. In 2020, only about 51% of persons with disabilities were employed, compared to 76% of those without disabilities—a persistent 24-point gap. This employment gap not only limits the full participation of persons with disabilities in society but also represents a significant loss of talent and potential for Europe’s labour market.
In response to this challenge, the European Commission launched the Disability Employment Package in 2022. This initiative brings together practical actions to promote quality employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, including tools, guidance, and evidence-based studies.
This online event will spotlight one of the latest outputs of the Package: the Study on Alternative Employment Models for Persons with Disabilities. Conducted by Empirica and Sozialhelden, the study explores:
- Key definitions and types of alternative employment models across Europe;
- Their impact on persons with disabilities;
- How those models function in practice and how they are regulated;
- Country case studies and examples of good practices of alternative employment;
- And a set of actionable recommendations for both national and EU-level stakeholders
This webinar will feature a presentation of the study’s main findings by the European Commission and the study authors, followed by an interactive discussion with participants. It is organised by the Inclusive Labour Market Alliance (ILMA), represented by the European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD), Association for supported employment Europe (ASEE), European Disability Forum (EDF), European Platform for Rehabilitation (EPR), European Network of Social Enterprises Europe (ENSIE), and Workability International.
To participate, please register here.
Agenda
| Time | Session | Speaker |
| 11h00 | Welcome and Opening remarks | Alejandro Moledo, Deputy Director & Head of Policy, European Disability Forum (EDF) |
| 11h05 | Introduction to the Disability Employment Package and context of the Study | Katarina Ivankovic-Knezevic,Director of Social Rights and Inclusion, European Commission |
| 11h15 | Presentation of the “Study on alternative employment models for persons with disabilities” and its key findings: Introduction (scope, sample, methodology, etc.) – 3’Main challenges in defining alternative employment and employment support models – 5’Summary of the main features of the study’s countries systems of employment of persons with disabilities – 5’Impact/Outcomes of different employment models for persons with disabilities – 5’Key recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders – 7′ | Monika Chaba, Policy Officer, European Commission and report authors (Empirica and Sozialhelden) |
| 11h40 | Q&A with the audience | Moderated by Thomas Bignal, Secretary General of European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) |
| 12h10 | Closing remarks | Alicia Gomez Campos, Secretary General of European Platform for Rehabilitation (EPR) TBC |
| Total: 1h15 |
