Less than 1% of the persons with severe disabilities work at present. The persons with less pronounced disabilities hide them in order to be able to get a job as the employers avoid hiring such persons given that they must create special conditions for them. In a news conference at IPN, executive director of “Motivatie” Association Igor Meriacre said that social entrepreneurship can help disabled young people to find a job in protected workshops, where they can make something under the supervision of other persons.

According to Igor Meriacre, the young people with disabilities cannot find employment also because they lack knowledge and skills. Most of the young people benefit from vocational training and are helped to choose a profession, while the disabled persons do not enjoy such things.

Igor Meriacre also said that the young people with mental disabilities must be convinced that several stages of professional formation are needed. They don’t know this because they do not have experience of communication in group. The parents do not develop their sprit of initiative either.

“We started to provide services for persons with locomotor disabilities by helping them develop certain life habits. During 2-3 weeks, these persons are taught how to prepare food and to do the cleaning under the supervision of other persons with locomotor disabilities. This way they understand what independent life is,” stated Igor Meriacre.

The young people with disabilities are encouraged to start their own business at home. “We organized a seminar to identify businesses and discovered interesting ideas. There are young people who want to produce honey or repair computers and install software,” said the executive director of “Motivatie” Association.

In Moldova there are over 176,000 persons with disabilities.