Disabled need more help for work integration

THE HOUSE Finance Committee yesterday called for an upgrade of the Centre for the Professional Integration of Disabled People (KEAA) so it can live up to today’s labour market needs.

Furthermore, Parliament has asked the Centre to increase its training programmes for people with disabilities, to make it easier for them to settle into the labour market.

Committee Chairman Antigoni Papadopoulou of DIKO, who yesterday presided over discussions on KEAA’s 2008 budget, asked the centre’s delegation to come up with “imaginative ideas” to enrich the centre’s operation. She further suggested that they come into contact with similar Scandinavian centres, where there is more experience for dealing with disabled people’s professional lives.

According to KEAA spokesmen, there are currently three programmes in operation which regard self-employment, integration and support for the disabled in the labour market, while the Cabinet has recently approved a new evaluation system that is expected to help them further with their professional progress. For this programme, new Labour Minister Sotiroulla Charalambous has requested it be re-evaluated to ensure it fits in with the new government’s policies.

According to KEAA’s 2008 budget, the centre’s income will reach £180,310 and its expenses £229,395. At the end of 2006, the centre’s treasury had £503,062 in reserves.

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