The research report "The development of admissions to workshops for persons with disabilities", also called ISB study, has been published by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. The study analyses the reasons for the significant rise in admissions to German workshops for adapted work during the last few years. The research project included a written survey of all workshops for adapted work on the development of admissions from 2001 to 2006. Furthermore, case studies were conducted in different locations. The research report also depicts selected examples of best practice as alternatives to workshops for adapted work. In particular, the aim was to figure out how workshop admissions could be avoided and to further explore and facilitate ways of transition from workshops to the open labour market. As a result of the study, recommendations for action were to be developed.

The key message of the recommendations reads as follows: The integration particularly of severely disadvantaged persons into the open labour market has to become a more prominent goal of integration efforts. To achieve this, the transition from school to work as well as on the transition from workshops for adapted work to the open labour market has to be improved.

The ISB study will be publicly presented at workshop fair “Werkstätten:Messe 2009” in Nuremberg. On Friday, 20 March 2009, a panel debate will be held after the opening ceremony from 14:00 to 16:00 in room “Paris”. High-ranking representatives of the Federal Ministry for Labour and Social Affairs, the Federal Employment Agency will sit on the panel. Günter Mosen, chairman of BAG WfbM, will also participate in the discussion.

The report can be downloaded in German from the >>> Federal Ministry for Labour and Social Affair <<<