Persons with disabilities do not benefit to the same extent from positive labour market developments as persons without disabilities. This fact was at the centre of an expert talk between Anita Knochner, Bavarian State Commissioner for the Needs of Persons with Disabilities, Rainer Bomba, head of Bavaria’s regional directorate of the Federal Employment Agency (BA) and Dr. Franz Prast, member of the executive board of the same directorate.

It was agreed upon, to encourage employers to hire more persons with disabilities. In this context, funding possibilities such as the integration grant shall be presented. Direct contacts between call centres of the Federal Agency, local round tables for employment and the special integration services will be established .

According to Rainer Bomba, the special integration services are important experts. In his opinion, their advice and placement efforts are indispensable.

Additional measures will be taken, to achieve the goal of placing 500 additional persons with disabilities on the open labour market within a year.

Anita Knochner welcomed the “refreshing effect” and “unusual character” of the Federal Employment Agency’s acknowledgement of a need for action as well as the proposal of solutions.

After raising the issue of chronic funding shortfall of the special integration services, the placement allowance was discussed. Participants unanimously agreed that this benefit was scheduled too low. Consequently, the Bavarian State Commissioner for the Needs of Persons with Disabilities, together with colleagues from other states, is going to request the Federal Employment Agency to adjust it.

As a result of reduced funding periods, integration firms have been faced with a precarious situation. These negative effects were apparently not known to the management of the Regional Directorate of Bavaria to their full extent.

In addition, the projects “Transition from workshops onto the open labour market” as well as “Transition Education - Work" shall continue to be supported from all sides. Further funding possibilities shall be found in the coming weeks.