Impact of supported employment on life quality of adults with intellectual disabilities

Tuji avtorji v svojih raziskavah že več let ugotavljajo, da prav zaposlitve v običajnem okolju ob ustrezni podpori v primerjavi z drugimi, ki so danes na voljo, statistično pomembno prispevajo k višji kakovosti življenja odraslih z motnjami v duševnem razvoju. S postopnimi spremembami zakonodaje in različnimi primeri dobrih praks jim odprto delovno okolje počasi približujemo tudi v Sloveniji. Večji del oseb z motnjami v duševnem razvoju potrebuje podporo skozi celotno življenje, tudi na področju zaposlovanja. V empiričnem delu nas je zanimalo, koliko teh posameznikov je pri nas vključenih v običajno delovno okolje, za kakšne oblike delovnega vključevanja gre, kakšen je njihov delovnik ter struktura po spolu, starosti in zaključenem programu šolanja. Od različnih izvajalcev njihovega zaposlovanja smo pridobili podatke o 120 primerih zaposlitev v običajnem okolju, od tega šest podpornih zaposlitev po ZZRZI (2004, 2011) prek invalidskega podjetja in 114 »integriranih zaposlitev«, ki se prek VDC-jev izvajajo v sklopu storitve zaposlovanja pod posebnimi pogoji. Število popisanih primerov kaže na majhen porast oseb z motnjami v duševnem razvoju, vključenih v običajno delovno okolje, glede na podatke starejših analiz. V popisane zaposlitve so vključeni tako posamezniki, ki so zaključili zahtevnejše vzgojno-izobraževalne programe, kot tisti, ki so obiskovali posebni program. Vseeno pa gre v večjem deležu za manj pogoste oblike dela, za katere posamezniki nimajo sklenjene pravno-formalne pogodbe o zaposlitvi in s tem povezanega ustreznega plačila. V multipli študiji šestih primerov smo s polstrukturiranimi intervjuji poizvedeli, kakšen pogled imajo na kakovost življenja odraslih z motnjami v duševnem razvoju, ki so vključeni v »integrirane zaposlitve«, osebe same, njihova družina in sodelavci, ki jim na delovnem mestu nudijo podporo. S kvalitativno analizo smo natančneje preverili, kakšen je vpliv različnih dejavnikov zaposlitev v običajnem okolju na kakovost življenja vključenih odraslih z motnjami v duševnem razvoju. Po informacijah vseh intervjuvancev so izbrani posamezniki s svojim življenjem in njegovo kakovostjo v splošnem zadovoljni. Več jih je izpostavilo, da je prav delo v običajnem okolju zanje izjemno pomembno, da se tam dobro počutijo in so s svojim delom zelo zadovoljni. Za lažje premoščanje raznovrstnih težav pri opravljanju svojega dela prejemajo različne oblike naravne podpore, s katero so vsi zadovoljni. Vsi intervjuvanci so poročali, da delo v običajnem okolju kakovosti življenja oseb pozitivno doprinaša tako na intrapersonalni (čustvena dobrobit, osebni razvoj in samozagovorništvo) kot interpersonalni ravni (socialna vključenost in medosebni odnosi). Na enih področjih je ta vpliv bolj opazen, na drugih manj. Edino pomanjkljivost posamezniki in njihovi starši vidijo v neustrezni formalni urejenosti t. i. »integriranih zaposlitev« in s tem povezanim plačilom za opravljeno delo.For years it has been noted by authors abroad that in a number of types of employment on offer for adults with intellectual disability, supported employment is the type which statistically contributes to quality of their lives. However, with gradual changes to legislation and examples of good practice, open working environment is becoming a reality in Slovenia as well. For most people with intellectual disability support is needed throughout their entire lives, including the field of employment. The empirical part is focussed on finding out how many individuals are integrated at a regular work environment, what was the form of work integration, what their workday is like, as well as structure of employment according to gender, age, and completed education level. With help of various employment providers, we counted 120 people employed at a regular workplace, out of which 6 individuals’ jobs were categorized as supported employment according to Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment of Disabled Persons Act (2004-2011). They worked through a sheltered company. 114 were classified under ‘integrated employment’ working through sheltered workshops under a program that grants employment under special terms. The number of individuals listed shows there was little increase in inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities into regular work environment compared to previous surveys. Among the employees listed are the individuals who finished a more demanding educational programme, as well as those who finished a training program. Mostly, however, they are subjected to less common types of employment, without a formal and legal contract, and consequently no adequate pay. The multiple case study containing 6 cases enquired about the views on life quality of people with intellectual disabilities working under integrated employment. This was achieved by conducting semi-structured interviews of those involved in this type of employment, their families and co-workers supporting them at work. Qualitative analysis was applied to pinpoint the impact of various factors of employment in a regular work environment on life quality of adults with intellectual disabilities. Judging from the information gathered from the interviews, the individuals discussed in this study are generally content with their quality of life. Quite a few of them pointed out the immense importance of working at a regular workplace which in turn contributes to their well-being and overall satisfaction with their jobs. In order to overcome any barriers, they are helped in various ways which makes everyone at work satisfied. All interviewees reported that working in a regular environment makes great contribution to quality of life on an intrapersonal (emotional wellbeing, personal development and self-advocacy), as well as interpersonal level (social inclusion and interpersonal relationships). In some areas, this impact is more recognisable than others. The only deficiency exposed by the individuals and their parents is inadequate formal structure of ‘Integrated employment’ and consequently wages for the job done. These findings can help with the new 2019 Social Inclusion of Disabled Persons Act to form guidelines for further development of employment of these people and their greater inclusion into a regular adult life