Preparing for inclusive labour market

Since 1st October 2017 the Civil society organisation D.R.A.K. z.s. has been realizing a project named „Preparing for inclusive labour market D.R.A.K.“ that has received funding from the European Social Fund and the state budget of the Czech Republic under the terms of the Operational Programme Research, Development and Education.

Registration number: CZ.02.3.62/0.0/0.0/16_037/0004417

About the project:

Project full name: Preparing for inclusive labour market D.R.A.K.

Registration number: CZ.02.3.62/0.0/0.0/16_037/0004417

Operational Programme: Research, Development and Education

Call number: 02_16_037 Support for Pupils with Disabilities (Implementation APIV) in priority axis 3 of the OP

Priority axis number and name: 02.3 Equal access to high-quality pre-school, primary and secondary education

Realization period: 1.10.2017 – 30.9.2020

Allocation: 7 358 601,20 CZK

Annotation:

A three year project of civil society organisation D.R.A.K. z.s is a response to the low employment rate of young people with disabitlity in the Liberec region, which is connected with the low level of their education and of their preparedness for employment. The project supports pupils with SEN during their entrance to the labour market through 8 key activities. It also raises the awareness of teachers, parents and public about inclusion and supports them in working with students with SEN.

Project aims:

The project’s goal is to ensure the best possible employment in the future work, personal and social life of children and pupils with SEN. An additional goal is to prolong the education of these children beyond the complusory education through the use of vocational assessment, career counselling and leisure and group activities.

This is designed to show the broad spectrum of possibilities for the employment of pupils with SEN when they enter the labour market. The children will improve their motor skills through leisure time activities, their social skills through group activities and they will become familiar with their potential employers at field trips.

Another goal is to help with creating inclusive environment in schools and among peers. The activities are planned with an inclusive aspect and will involve both intact children and children with SEN. Their aim is to allow children with SEN to experience success and their intact peers to get to know them in other environments than school.

Quantified goals:

• Supported 100 pupils with SEN;
• 100 intact children taking part in fostering an inclusive school enviroment;
• 80 people from the public supported by educational activities in workshops;
• 9 leisure time activities developing the compentencies of pupils with SEN;
• 6 supported members of education staff;
• 3 partner schools;

Expected outcomes:

The primary expected outcome is that the pupils with SEN get their secondary education. The project helps pupils with SEN become aware of their strenghts and of their value and improve their self-confidence. The project positively motivates them to seek employment. The project fosters better school climate, with pupils with SEN being accepted by their intact peers. An additional value of this project is the creation of heterogeneous collective based on respect and solidarity, the experience of which will be formative for both intact children and children with SEN well into their adult lives.

The expected outcomes also correspond with the Austrian education system where the 9 grade focuses on vocational assessment and career counselling. Tests primarily reveal strengths and skills in different areas of education and attitude towards work and emploment. Pupils who struggle with fulfilling the requirements of basic education programme (be it because of SEN, health or economical challenges) can enter a time limited programme of organisations similar to D.R.A.K. that will help them consolidate their outlooks first and then prepare for their first job.

Project target groups:

• Pupils in 7 – 9 grades, as long as the activities aim to create inclusive environment in schools, school clubs and centres of leisure;
• Pupils with SEN in 7-9 grade;
• Teaching staff in nurse schools, elementary and secondary schools.
• Parents;
• Public.

Partner organizations:

• District Chamber of Commerce, Jablonec nad Nisou
• Elementary school, Liberec, Křížanská 80
• Elementary school, Liberec, Na Výběžku 118
• Elementary school and kindergarten for physically disabled children, Liberec, Lužická 920/7

This project has received funding from the European Social Fund and the state budget of the Czech Republic under the terms of the Operational Programme Research, Development and Education.