Supported employment as a driver for the social inclusion of people with disabilities in the labor market

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Based on the need for organizational institutions to act, through public policies, in the establishment of programs focused on the inclusion of People with Disabilities (PwD) in the labor market in Brazil. The Supported Employment methodology (SE) was constituted by directing and providing support, in the workplace, to PwD. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to evaluate the intra-organizational management of the inclusion of people with disabilities in the labor market in the southern region of Santa Catarina and the alignment with the precepts of Supported Employment (SE). METHODS: Using a qualitative approach, the multi-case study was carried out through interviews, based on semi-structured questions, in five companies in the southern region of SC that are required to hire PwD. RESULTS: The research points out the movement of companies in the development of policies and practices for the inclusion of PwD in the job market. However, there is still a significant gap between company practices and SE precepts. There are no formal programs and policies with wide internal dissemination, about the drivers for PwD. CONCLUSION: This study helps to address eventual difficulties of companies regarding practices in the inclusion of PwD, contributes to the definition of guidelines aimed at improving existing policies or in the development of new practices aimed at the inclusion of PwD.