gms | German Medical Science

Background: The importance of work and vocational rehabilitation is connected with other relevant social areas, one of the most important is social protection system.

Aim: In the study, analysis from attitudes of persons with disabilities, included and not included in the program of social inclusion is presented, as well the views of profession workers.

Method: In the research, we used focus groups and SWOT analysis methodology. All questionnaires were constructed on the basis of SWOT analysis. We selected questions regarding strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

Results/findings: Positive aspects from social inclusion program are recognized: improvements in abilities, skills, self-value, social network and family situation had been detected from participants and from professional workers. But, social inclusion programs can act as a bridge from unemployability to employability, yet they do not operate in Slovenia in transitional way so far. Yet there are positive sides of the programs for participants, this could be also improved in the future, if setting connections with social protection system solutions. Preventing benefit-traps is one of the biggest concerns.

Discussion and conclusions: The main problem from 2011 appeared to come with changes in social legislation. PwD rather stay at home and get compensatory supplement, when declared not employable. If they are employed, then they will lose this benefit, with no clear option if they are unemployed. The transition path is not very clear and certain. Social protection system works better for not employable than for persons employed in employment centers. The second problem is also the change of environment if persons with disabilities change social inclusion program with employment center, stress levels of PwD increase.