Making civil service positions accessible for people with intellectual disabilities

To enable people with intellectual disabilities to apply for public vacancies, Plena Inclusión, together with the Spanish Committee of Representatives of People with Disabilities, developed a special call for employment for the Ministry of Public Functions. From 2012 to 2020, 448 people were able to find a job.

Plena inclusión España is a national Spanish NGO with regional federations that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 2011 it was mandated by the Ministry of Territorial Policy and Public Function to develop a recruitment process in the public sector for people with intellectual disabilities. Through a targeted call for employment and adapted registration, training, and examination materials, 448 people secured jobs at the national level between 2012 and 2020.

Problems Targeted

Public sector bodies do not always have the expertise in-house to make their employment processes accessible.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

Plena Inclusión España works with public administrations at the national, regional, and local level to make their recruitment accessible. It has designed a new targeted process that considers the education opportunities, support needs, and employment experiences of people with intellectual disabilities. The focus is on improving cognitive accessibility. Calls for applications and accompanying information are in an easy-to-read format. Accessible online exam preparation is offered, and the registration form includes specific guidance to complete it. Increased funding from 2018 to 2020 has allowed Plena Inclusión to also offer applicants in-person training. The first targeted public employment call was made in 2012, at which time some 2,500 people applied for 54 places. From 2011 to 2020, 448 people with intellectual disabilities have secured a job in the public sector at the national level alone.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

The project is financed through grants and subsidies. Funding has grown from €10,000 (2011) to €300,000 (2018–2020), including funding from the European Social Fund, the Spanish Ministry of Health and Social Services and Fundación Universia. The practice has been replicated in Spain’s autonomous communities, provincial councils, and municipalities. Plena Inclusión has a working group composed of employment professionals from its regional federations who share learning and progress. It offers advice to public administrations and holds events to bring public administrations together to share experiences and recognize achievements. Going forward, Plena Inclusión is planning work on making internal promotion processes within public administrations accessible.

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