The importance of educational interventions for the overcoming of obstacles in the employment of intellectually disabled persons

In spite of the legal framework intended for the promotion and protection of rights of the disabled, such persons are still facing significant difficulties in the labour market. Intellectually disabled persons are in a particularly difficult position, primarily due to the negative perceptions held by citizenry which stem from the lack of knowledge and information about their labour potentials. We conducted research in order to determine the most prevalent obstacles in the employment of intellectually disabled persons, as perceived by employed non-disabled persons. The research comprised a sample of 269 subjects of both sexes, of differing educational levels and employed in the private and public sector in the Republic of Serbia. The analysis of the attained results points to the need for certain kinds of educational interventions, whose programmes would improve the knowledge and awareness of employed persons regarding the right to work of intellectually disabled persons, promote diversity and create an inclusive working environment. The different modes of training, reinterpretation and transformation of previous experience, informing and establishing positive contacts with intellectually disabled persons, conducted by a multidisciplinary team of experts would establish a stable base for the removal of obstacles in the employment process.