Employment of individuals with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities

Project duration

December 2004 – August 2008

Donor

European Union

Project goal

To promote inclusion of individuals with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities and their guardians into the labour market.

Project results

Project EQUAL activities focused on reaching the following main goals: to change the image of persons with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities, to educate society about mental health and mental health problems. Researches that analysed the attitudes of the society and employees towards employment of persons with psychosocial disabilities, towards their skills and work results. Different awareness raising campaigns were organizes. The project also aimed to validate “work assistant” (professional that helps people with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities to find a job not hiding their diagnosis, who takes responsibility for the client’s mental health during the work time) profession in Lithuania. Legislation analysis was conducted and recommendations provided. The project aimed to persuade government to set community-based services which ensure the rights of persons with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities, including their right to work.