“Can I Work Here?”: Employment Barriers for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities in Greece
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.6000/2292-2598.2021.09.04.1Keywords:
Intellectual disabilities, social inclusion, employment, human rights-based approach, GreeceAbstract
Research evidence has shown that employment is crucial and purposeful for people with intellectual disabilities, promoting positive effects associated with independent living and social inclusion. Notwithstanding, people with intellectual disabilities find it particularly difficult to accomplish successful employment. They face discrimination, and they are considered to lack work capacity. The extremely marginal position of people with intellectual disabilities in the labor market appears to prevail across national settings. Over the last 35 years, there has been an improvement in the vocational inclusion of individuals with intellectual disabilities in Greece, with the legislation embracing the human rights-based approach to disability. Nevertheless, the challenge of accomplishing full participation and equality in employment for people with intellectual disabilities still remains huge in Greece. Their participation rates in the Greek labour market are significantly lower than in the rest of the European Union. This article illustrates the employment provisions for individuals with intellectual disabilities in Greece. Additionally, it presents the current implemented models of their occupational inclusion while critically discussing the convention's pursuance on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the Greek context.
References
Barnes C, Mercer G. Exploring Disability. Cambridge: Polity; 2010.
Goodley D. Disability studies: An interdisciplinary introduction. London: Sage; 2016.
Oliver M. Social work with disabled people. Basingstoke: MacMillan; 1983. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-86058-6
Scotch RK, Schriner K. Disability as human variation: Implications for policy. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 1997; 549(1): 148- 159. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716297549001011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716297549001011
Schriner K. Disability and institutional change. J Disabil Policy Stud 2001; 12(2): 100-106. https://doi.org/10.1177/104420730101200207 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/104420730101200207
Garcia-Iriarte E, McConkey R, & Gilligan R. Eds. Disability and human rights: Global perspectives. London: Palgrave Macmillan; 2015. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5040/9781350394681
European Commission (EC). Communication from the commission to the council, the European parliament, the European economic and social committee and the committee of the regions - Equal opportunities for people with disabilities: A European action plan. European Commission 2003 [cited 2021 Feb 21]. Available from: https://eurlex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A52003DC0650
Lawson, A. The EU rights-based approach to disability: Strategies for shaping an inclusive society. International Journal of Discrimination and the Law 2005; 6(4): 269-87. https://doi.org/10.1177/135822910500600402 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/135822910500600402
United Nations (UN). United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Preamble. 2006 [cited 2021 Feb 11]. Available from https://www.un.org/disabilities/ documents/convention/convention_accessible_pdf.pdf
Liisberg MV. Article 27 [Work and employment]. In: Fina VD, Cera R, Palmisano G, editors. The United Nations Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities. Cham: Springer 2017; p. 497-508. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43790-3_31 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43790-3_31
European Commission (EC). Employment, social affairs & inclusion. European disability strategy 2010-2020. European Commission 2010 [cited 2021 Feb 21]. Available from: https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1484&langId=en&
Lawson A, Beckett AE. The social and human rights models of disability: Towards a complementarity thesis. International Journal of Human Rights 2021; 25(2): 348-79. https://doi.org/10.1080/13642987.2020.1783533 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13642987.2020.1783533
Fuchs, M. Quota systems for disabled persons: Parameters, aspects, effectivity. Policy Brief 3/2014. Vienna: European Centre; 2014.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Sickness, disability and work: Breaking the barriers. OECD; 2010. https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264088856-en DOI: https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264088856-en
Mitra S, Posarac A, & Vick B. Disability and poverty in developing countries: A multidimensional study. World Development 2013; 41: 1-18. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2012.05.024 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2012.05.024
Constitution of Greece, Article 21, paragraph 6. Government Gazette, no. 85. Athens: National Printing House; 2001 [cited 2021 Feb 15]: Available from: https://www.enomothesia.gr/syntagma/suntagma-ellados-2001.html [in Greek].
Greek Law, 3699/2008. Special education of individuals with disabilities or special educational needs. Government Gazette, no. 199. Athens: National Printing House; 2008 [cited 2021 Feb 25]: Available from: https://www.enomothesia.gr/kat-ekpaideuse/n-3699- 2008.html?q=36992008 [in Greek].
Greek Law, 4074/2012. Ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its optional protocol. Government Gazette, no. 88. Athens: National Printing House; 2012 [cited 2021 Feb 25]: Available from: https://www.e-nomothesia.gr/diethneis-sunthekes/nomos4074-2012-fek-88a-11-4-2012.html?q=40742012 [in Greek].
Magoulios G, Trichopoulou A. Employment status for people with disabilities in Greece. South-Eastern Europe Journal of Economics 2013; 1: 25-40. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2360086 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2360086
Strati E. European semester 2018/2019 country fiche on disability – Greece. Academic Network of European Disability Experts (ANED); 2019. [cited 2021 Feb 21]. Available from: https://www.disability-europe.net/downloads/939-countryreport-on-the-european-semester-greece
Dimitriadou I, Pavlidou E, Kartasidou L. Independent living and interpersonal relationships of individual with intellectual disability: The perspective of individual with intellectual disability in Greece. Proceedings of INTED 2016 Conference; 2016. p. 5965–72. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21125/inted.2016.0424
AlFozan SK, AlKahtani, MA. Barriers to Employment for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review. Journal of Critical Reviews 2021; 8(1): 1016-28. https://doi.org/10.31838/jcr.08.01.113
Mittler P. The UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities: Implementing a paradigm shift. In: Garcia-Iriarte E, Mcconkey R, Gilligan R, editors. Disability and human rights: Global perspectives. New York: Palgrave Macmillan 2016; p. 33-48.
Strindlund L, Abrandt-Dahlgren M, Ståhl C. Employers’ views on disability, employability, and labor market inclusion: A phenomenographic study. Disabil Rehabil 2019; 41(24): 2910-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2018.1481150 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2018.1481150
Zissi A, Rontos C, Papageorgiou D, Pierrakou C, Chtouris S. Greek employers’ attitudes to employing people with disabilities: Effects of the type of disability. Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research 2007; 9(1): 14-25. https://doi.org/10.1080/15017410600973234 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15017410600973234
Tsalis P, Aivazelis E, Tapali J, Fyka G, Orfanos P, Naniopoulos A. Investigating needs and barriers to the employment of people with disabilities. South-Eastern Europe Journal of Economics 2018; 16(1): 55-78.
Strati E. European semester 2017/2018 country fiche on disability – Greece. Academic Network of European Disability Experts (ANED); 2018. [cited 2021 Feb 21]. Available from: https://www.disability-europe.net/downloads/825-countryreport-el-task-1-3-eu2020-2017-2018 Employment Barriers for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities Journal of Intellectual Disability - Diagnosis and Treatment, 2021, Volume 9, No. 4 361
Strati E. Country report on the European pillar of social rights (focus topics) – Greece. Academic Network of European Disability Experts (ANED); 2018. [cited 2021 Feb 21]. Available from: https://www.disabilityeurope.net/downloads/863-country-report-on-the-europeanpillar-of-social-rights-focus-topics-greece
Greek Law, 2646/1998. Development of the national social welfare system and other provisions. Government Gazette, no. 236. Athens: National Printing House; 1998 [cited 2021 Feb 25]: Available from: https://www.e-nomothesia.gr/katygeia/n-2646-1998.html?q=26461998 [in Greek].
Drosos N, Antoniou AS. Disability and occupational integration: Sheltered and supported employment. Ios: Journal of Scientific and Educational Research 2020; 6(1): 109–23 [in Greek].
Soulis SG, Fotiadou E, Christodoulou P. Adult educator manual. Athens: National Confederation of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD); 2014. [in Greek].
Greek Law, 4019/2011. Social economy, social entrepreneurship and other provisions, 30 2011, Government Gazette, no. 216. Athens: National Printing House; 2011 [cited 2021 Feb 25]: Available from: https://www.enomothesia.gr/kat-epikheireseis/n-4019- 2011.html?q=40192011 [in Greek].
Greek Law, 4331/2015. Measures for the relief of persons with disabilities (PwDs), the simplification of the operation of the disability certification centers (KEPA), the fight against tax evasion and related insurance issues, and other provisions. Government Gazette, no. 69. Athens: National Printing House; 2015 [cited 2021 Feb 25]: Available from: https://www.e-nomothesia.gr/kat-ergasia-koinonikeasphalise/n-4331-2015.html [in Greek].
Directorate of Social and Solidarity Economy of Greece. Annual report, ministry of labour, social security and social solidarity. [Internet]. Kalo.gov.gr. 2020 [cited 2021 Feb 21]. Available from: https://kalo.gov.gr/wpcontent/uploads/2020/11/%CE%95%CE%A4%CE%97%CE %A3%CE%99%CE%91- %CE%95%CE%9A%CE%98%CE%95%CE%A3%CE%97- %CE%9A%CE%91%CE%9B%CE%9F-2019-2020-TELIKOdocx.pdf
Sdrali D, Goussia-Rizou M, Sarafi V. Exploring the work environment in Greek social enterprises: A first overview. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business 2016; 28(4): 451-67. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1504/IJESB.2016.077577
Greek Law, 4440/2016. Unified mobility system in public administration and local government, obligations of the persons appointed in the positions of articles 6 and 8 of Law 4369/2016, incompatibility and prevention of cases of conflict of interest, and other provisions. Government Gazette, no. 224. Athens: National Printing House; 2016 [cited 2021 Feb 25]: Available from: https://www.e-nomothesia.gr/katdemosia-dioikese/nomos-4440-2016-fek-224a-2-12- 2016.html [in Greek].
Greek Law, 2643/1998. Care for the employment of persons of special categories and other provisions. Government Gazette, no. 220. Athens: National Printing House; 1998 [cited 2021 Feb 25]: Available from: https://www.enomothesia.gr/kat-ergasia-koinonike-asphalise/n-2643- 1998.html [in Greek].
OAED Manpower Employment Organization. Press release for the enterprise and employer grant program; 2017. [cited 2021 Feb 22]. Available from: https://www.oaed.gr/programma-epichoregesesepicheireseon-kai-ergodoton-gia-ten-apascholese-2-000- anergon-atomon-me-anaperies-amea-apexartemenon-apoexartesiogones-ousi-1 [in Greek].
Greek Law, 4488/2017. State pension arrangements and other insurance services, protection of employees, rights of persons with disabilities, and other provisions. Government Gazette, no. 137. Athens: National Printing House; 2017 [cited 2021 Feb 25]: Available from: https://www.enomothesia.gr/kat-ergasia-koinonike-asphalise/nomos-4488- 2017-fek-137a-13-9-2017.html?q=44882017 [in Greek].
Vlachou A, Roka O, Stavroussi P. Experiences of workers with disabilities receiving supported employment services in Greece. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities 2019; XX(X): 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744629519871172 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1744629519871172
Bartram T, Cavanagh J, Meacham H, Pariona?Cabrera P. Re?calibrating HRM to improve the work experiences for workers with intellectual disability. Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources 2021; 59(1): 63-83. https://doi.org/10.1111/1744-7941.12230 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1744-7941.12230
Miethlich B, Šlahor L. Employment of persons with disabilities as a corporate social responsibility initiative: Necessity and variants of implementation. CBU International Conference Proceedings, Central Bohemia University; 2018: p. 350-55. http://doi.org/10.12955/cbup.v6.1181 DOI: https://doi.org/10.12955/cbup.v6.1181
Kyparissiadis G. A changing country: Diversity management in Greece. In: Georgiadou A, Gonzalez-Perez MA, OlivasLujan MR, editors. Diversity within diversity management (Advanced series in management, Vol. 21) Emerald Publishing Limited 2019; p. 217–38. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/S1877-636120190000021012
Stein M. Disability Human Rights. 95 California Law Review 2007; 95(264): 75–121. [cited 2021 Feb 27]: Available from: https://scholarship.law.wm.edu/facpubs/264
EIM Business and Policy Research. Active labor market programmes for people with disabilities facts and figures on use and impact. [Internet]. European Commission. 2004 [cited 2021 Feb 21]. Available from: http://ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=4327&langId=e n
Soules SG. Human rights and people with disabilities: A counterpoint. In: Giotsa AZ, editor. Human rights in a changing world: Research and applied approaches. New York: Nova Science 2018; p. 217-26.
Sabatello M. A short history of the international disability rights movement. In: Sabatello M, Schulze M, editors. Human rights & disability advocacy. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press 2014; p. 13-24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.9783/9780812208740.13
Hoffman L. An employment opportunity or a discrimination dilemma?: Sheltered workshops and the employment of the disabled. University of Pennsylvania Journal of Law and Social Change 2013; 16(2): 151-180.
Almalky HA. Employment outcomes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities: a literature review. Child Youth Serv Rev 2020; 109: 104656. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.104656 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.104656
Smith PJ. A systems analysis of the factors that lead to the employment of people with intellectual disabilities in Australia [dissertation]. Sydney Medical School: The University of Sydney; 2018.
Tøssebro J, Olsen T. Employment opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. In: Stancliffe RJ, Wehmeyer ML, Shogren KA, Abery BH, editors. Choice, preference, and disability. Cham: Springer 2020; p. 225-46. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-35683-5_12
Chezan L, Petcu S, Van Horn M. A preliminary investigation of employment data collection in post-secondary education for students with intellectual and developmental disability. J Intellect Dev Disabil 2018; 43(4): 494-505. https://doi.org/10.3109/13668250.2017.1283007 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/13668250.2017.1283007
Izzo MV. Lamb P. Developing self-determination through career development activities: Implications for vocational rehabilitation counselors. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation 2003; 19(2): 71-8. 362 Journal of Intellectual Disability - Diagnosis and Treatment, 2021, Volume 9, No. 4 Rachanioti et al.
Dimitriadou I. Independent living of individuals with intellectual disability: a combined study of the opinions of parents, educational staff, and individuals with intellectual disability in Greece. Int J Dev Disabil. 2020; 66(2): 153-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2018.1541560 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2018.1541560
Ministerial Decision, 3459/2019. Organisation and operation of 'Post-secondary Year-Apprenticeship' classes of EPAL graduates. Government Gazette, no. 3459. Athens: National Printing House; 2019 [cited 2021 Feb 25]: Available from: https://www.kodiko.gr/nomologia/download_fek?f=fek/2019/b /fek_b_3459_2019.pdf&t=4878a29b800a38051a4c37847d37 9285 [in Greek].
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
