1 cm - Ep. 4: Best Practices (in simple language)

In the last episode, we talked about sheltered workshops.
These are special workplaces for people with disabilities.
They often work there with support.
Today we're talking about something else.
We are looking at the normal labour market.
This means that people with disabilities work together with people without disabilities.
They have the same tasks.
That's called inclusion.
Today we are showing that there are good examples.
But there is still a lot to do.

Jessica, the carer

Jessica is 32 years old.
She works as a carer.
The technical term is "aide-soignante".
She was given a terrible diagnosis over 4 years ago:
She had bone cancer.
This is also known as osteosarcoma.

She was given chemotherapy.
This is a strong treatment with medication.
But it made her very ill.
That's why the treatment was stopped.
She also had an operation.
Part of her bone was removed.
She then had to learn to walk again.
Later, the cancer came back.
Jessica and the doctors decided:
The leg had to be amputated.
In other words, the leg was removed.
Since then, Jessica has had a prosthesis.
This is an artificial leg.

Jessica says:
"I was shocked at first.
But I have a small child.
I wanted to fight.
I wanted to carry on."

Jessica didn't know whether she could continue in her job.
She wanted to work in care again.
But this was difficult.
She had to take lots of tests.
The authorities took a long time.
Some appointments were forgotten.
That was frustrating.
Jessica didn't feel like she was taken seriously.
Nevertheless, she didn't give up.

We will talk more about Jessica later in this story.

Tamara, the community worker

Tamara is 27 years old.
She works in a local authority.
Her story begins as a child.
She had a riding accident at the age of 11.
Afterwards she had severe pain in her leg, hip and back.
Nobody found the exact cause.
It was only later that she was diagnosed:
A tumour in her pelvis.
The tumour was the size of an orange.
She underwent many treatments:
Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, operations.
Since then, she has lived with a permanent disability.

Many of her career aspirations were no longer possible.
She wanted to work with animals.
Or become a policewoman.
But that was no longer possible.
She was very sad about that.

It was also difficult at school.
She was often ill.
Teachers came to her house.
But that was voluntary.
She wouldn't have made it without this help.

Tamara also really wanted to work in the normal labour market.
She went to the ADEM.
That's the Luxembourg employment agency.
But it wasn't easy there either.
She had to take tests, even though she had many medical reports.
She didn't feel she was treated well.
That was very hurtful.
Nevertheless, she carried on.

Small things that help a lot!

In the end, both women found a good job.
Jessica was able to continue working in another facility.
It is easier for her to get there.
And the work there is a little easier.
She has to take fewer steps, walk shorter distances, and she gets better equipment.
Jessica says:
"I can do almost everything like I used to.
I just don't do very heavy work.
For example, lifting people without aids.
But that's okay.
My colleagues help me.
I'm part of it."

Jessica now works 75% of the time.
Nevertheless, she now earns as much as she used to at 100%.
This is due to the points system in the collective agreement.
That's fair.

What about Tamara?

Tamara doesn't work full-time either.
She has a permanent position.
She has the official status of "Salariée handicapée".
She spoke openly about her disability during the interview.
That was not a problem.
Her workplace was adapted.
She was given a comfortable chair.
And a table that is height-adjustable.
So she can work well.
She does office work.

You can't give up!

Both women say:
You can't give up.
Sometimes everything is difficult.
Then you have to seek help.
Talking helps.
Showing your feelings is important.

Her bosses see it that way too.
The mayor of Niederanven says:
"Inclusion should be normal.
As a municipality, we want to be a good example."

Conclusion:

There are good examples.
They are called "good practices" in English.
But there should be more.
Companies and authorities need to be more open.
They need good plans.
Then inclusion will also work.

In the next episode:

The next episode is about quotas.
Quotas are fixed figures.
They say, for example:
This is how many people with disabilities have to work in a company.
Does that help?
We'll find out next time.