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WILLING AND ABLE TO WORK WAM: A Work Placement Programme for Graduates with Disabilities

WILLING AND ABLE TO WORK WAM: A Work Placement Programme for Graduates with Disabilities. 1994: 461 1998/9: 1367 2003/4: 2768 2005/6: 3000 2006/7 3,670 2009/10 6,800. 1. Specific Learning Disability 2. Mobility impaired 3. Blind and Visually Impaired. 4. Deaf and Hearing Impaired

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WILLING AND ABLE TO WORK WAM: A Work Placement Programme for Graduates with Disabilities

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  1. WILLING AND ABLE TO WORKWAM: A Work Placement Programme for Graduates with Disabilities

  2. 1994: 461 • 1998/9: 1367 • 2003/4: 2768 • 2005/6: 3000 • 2006/7 3,670 • 2009/10 6,800

  3. 1. Specific Learning Disability 2. Mobility impaired 3. Blind and Visually Impaired 4. Deaf and Hearing Impaired 5. Mental Health 6. Other

  4. 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 Irish Context

  5. FACT: Students with sensory disabilities are 4 times less likely to progress to higher education, HEA 2008 WHY?

  6. 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

  7. Transition to employment: Issues for graduates • Preparedness for work • Employability and independent skills • Disclosure • Employer Attitudes/Assumptions • Absence of specific systematic supports

  8. 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← Why Mentored Work Placements?

  9. Objective: Widen access to the mainstream labour market for graduates with disabilities through: Mentored Work Placement Programme (placements usually 6 months duration) 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

  10. WAM Programme Numbers • 64% in Public Sector • 36% in Private Sector 148 Placed Graduates • 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

  11. Profile of WAM Mentees (148) Disability Profile Physical Impairment 30% Mental Health Issue 21% Specific Learning Diff. 20% Visual Impairment 14% Hearing Impairment 12% Aspergers 3% Education Profile Degree 69% Post Grad 20% Cert 6% Diploma 5% Age Profile 18-25 36% 26-34 40% 35+ 24%

  12. Mentee (placed graduate) supported by mentor WAM Mentoring Model… Mentoring Relationship facilitated by Manager WAM Placement (Mentee, Mentor & Manager) supported by WAM team

  13. Essentials: • A Needs Assessment Tool

  14. 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

  15. Products & Publications • Employer Toolkit: Tips, Tools & Guidelines • WAM Evaluation Report and Recommendations (2005-2007) • 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

  16. 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 Introduction to AHEAD

  17. 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. AHEAD Projects

  18. Contact Details Ph: +353 1 2789325 Email: wam@ahead.ie Website: AHEAD: www.ahead.ie

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