Transcript WAM Programme 2008/09 - National Disability Authority

WILLING AND ABLE TO
WORK
WAM: A Work Placement Programme for
Graduates with Disabilities
•
•
•
•
•
•
1994:
1998/9:
2003/4:
2005/6:
2006/7
2009/10
461
1367
2768
3000
3,670
6,800
1. Specific Learning Disability
2. Mobility impaired
3. Blind and Visually Impaired
4. Deaf and Hearing Impaired
5. Mental Health
6. Other
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Irish Context
• Numbers of students with disabilities attending third level
continues to grow:
•
Trend is an increase of 27% yearly
• Reasonable Accommodations required in Leaving Cert
examinations;
- 2009: 7,798
- 2008: 6,486
- 2007: 5,870
• Research gap – graduates with disabilities in workplace
FACT:
Students with sensory disabilities are 4
times less likely to progress to higher
education, HEA 2008
WHY?
• No Universal Design in second level education
–
–
–
–
Absence of robust DATA
Mainstream Curriculum remains undifferentiated
No mandatory needs assessment
Specific Core skills are absent from the curriculum:
AT, communication
– No mandatory teacher training
– Absence of accessible materials and textbooks AHEAD
Research 2009, NCSE
Transition to employment: Issues for
graduates
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Preparedness for work
Employability and independent skills
Disclosure
Employer Attitudes/Assumptions
Absence of specific systematic supports
Why Mentored Work Placements?
• For Graduates with Disabilities: work experience,
assisted transition into org, social and networking skills,
cv upgrade etc.
• For Employers: disability awareness through direct
contact, upskilling of staff (mentoring training), assess
recruitment policies in relation to the employment of
people with disabilities
→A learning platform for all←
WAM Programme
• Objective: Widen access to the mainstream labour market
for graduates with disabilities through:
(i) Mentored Work Placement Programme (placements
usually 6 months duration)
(ii)Learning/Recommendations/Guidelines that arise from
the placement experience
• Goals: To create;
(i) Attitudinal change
(ii) Better understanding of the barriers in the labour
market for graduates with disabilities
(iii) Mainstream inclusive practices and policies
WAM Programme Numbers
148 Placed Graduates
• 64% in Public Sector
• 36% in Private Sector
• 47% of graduates placed required and received some form
of Reasonable Accommodation including; - Assistive
Technology - Time off for med. appointment - PEEP’s - Sign
Language Interpreters - Access audits
• 27% of completed placements have resulted in full-time
positions
Profile of WAM Mentees (148)
Disability Profile
Physical Impairment
Mental Health Issue
Specific Learning Diff.
Visual Impairment
Hearing Impairment
Aspergers
Age Profile
18-25
26-34
35+
36%
40%
24%
30%
21%
20%
14%
12%
3%
Education Profile
Degree
Post Grad
Cert
Diploma
69%
20%
6%
5%
WAM Mentoring Model…
Mentee (placed graduate) supported by mentor
Mentoring Relationship facilitated by Manager
WAM Placement (Mentee, Mentor & Manager)
supported by WAM team
Essentials:
• A Needs Assessment Tool
Reasonable
Accommodation
Core Skills for
Learning/Work
Assessment
of Need
WAM Placement Elements
-
CV Screening and Interview (By Employer)
Needs Assessment (by WAM)
Pre-Placement Training
Mentoring Relationship
Ongoing Support
Evaluation (capture learning from all
perspectives)
- Network of Employer Partners
Products & Publications
• Employer Toolkit: Tips, Tools & Guidelines
• WAM Evaluation Report and Recommendations (20052007)
• The WAM Story DVD
• Challenging Assumptions: Recruitment & Selection DVD
• Positive Action Planning Guide (for graduates)
• AHEAD and TNS mrbi Research (2008) Employing
Graduates with disabilities: A Survey of 300 Businesses in
Ireland
• Demystifying Disability in the Workplace (2009) - offers
practical advice and suggestions for managers/supervisors
on the recruitment and management of graduates with
disabilities
Introduction to AHEAD
• AHEAD (Association for Higher Education Access
and Disability)
- over 20 years working to promote full access to
and participation in higher education for students
with disabilities in Ireland
- expanded to promote access to and participation in
mainstream employment for graduates with
disabilities
AHEAD Projects
• LINK: European network of organisations which aims to
promote inclusive education practices across Europe and
influence EU policy on all issues relating to students with
disabilities in higher education.
• Get Ahead: a forum for graduates with disabilities to
discuss and share their experiences of the transition from
education to employment (includes career skills
workshops specifically tailored for graduates with
disabilities).
• WAM (Willing Able Mentoring): a work placement
programme for graduates with disabilities.
Contact Details
Ph: +353 1 2789325
Email: [email protected]
Website: AHEAD: www.ahead.ie