PASSEMPLOI

Bridges to Employment (PASSEMPLOI) 2008 - 2010

EBU is one of the partners in the project ‘Bridges to Employment' (PASSEMPLOI), co-financed by the European Union within the framework of the Leonardo Da Vinci programme. The aim of this project is to improve access to employment for the visually-impaired on a long-term basis. To achieve this, action must be taken to break down barriers between training and placement programmes and employers, and bridges must be built between the different parties in order to facilitate access to employment for the visually-impaired.

One of the main aims of the project is to create direct partnerships between;

• Different organisations working with the visually-impaired
• Training and professional placement organisations
• Businesses

What the project hopes to accomplish:

1.  To establish a charter for all parties involved in the training, employment and business sectors.

2. To develop a training module for:
     - Internal mediators (for the use of employment placement organisations, training centres, etc.).
     - External mediators (for the use of businesses, professional organisations, associations of employers).

3. Communication tools, including:
     - A guide to good practices. A communication and information leaflet aimed at training and placement organisations and the private sector.
     - A public Internet site with a database, equally accessible to both sighted and non-sighted visitors

Progress has already been made on different points, including the definition of job descriptions for two key positions which could be created in relevant structures:

1.   A mediator for the visually impaired in employment placement structures (job centres, training centres, help networks). This would include helping visually impaired candidates in all aspects of the recruitment process, including the definition of their project, selecting and replying to relevant job offers and preparing for interviews. The mediator would also help employers to understand the needs of a visually impaired candidate and to obtain the necessary assistance and advice in adapting the workplace. The mediator would also accompany both parties during a trial period to assist with the process of adaptation and mutual understanding.

2.   A mediator for the visually impaired for businesses (including companies, association, trades unions, professional federations). This would include helping companies to employ visually impaired candidates, helping visually impaired employees to progress in their careers, assisting employees whose sight diminishes during their careers to remain in employment, and liaising with other employees to facilitate the integration process.

The concluding seminar was held in September 2010.

The partners for the project are
      - The French Federation for the Blind and Visually Impaired (FAF).
      - EBU.
      - The Paul Guinot  Association, France.
      - TECFOR Italy, an association of businesses created in 1990 to develop training and counselling in companies.
      - The Italian Institute for Research, Training and Rehabilitation (I.Ri.Fo.R.), created by the Italian Blind Union in 1991.
      - The Slovakian Blind Union.
      - The Regional Advice Centre (Slovakia), a non profit making NGO to promote SME's.
 

Full details of the project (in French, Italian or Slovakian) are available here: http://pass-emploi.faf.asso.fr/