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ENHANCING VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION TO MEET LABOUR MARKET DEMANDS: PERSPECTIVE OF LATVIA
Abstract
The employment of people with disabilities is a key element of social inclusion and economic independence. Due to the decline in the working-age population in Latvia and taking into account the forecasted labour shortage in the coming years, people with disabilities should be recognized as a valuable resource in the job market. Professional programmes of rehabilitation plays an important role in the inclusion of people with disabilities in the labour market according to their needs and in line with the demands of the labour market. This study examines the effect of vocational rehabilitation services on employment outcomes of people with disabilities in Latvia. The paper applies analytical study of secondary sources, content analysis of documents developed by state institutions responsible for vocational education, and in-depth interviews with representatives of state institutions. The findings of the study show, first, the need for cooperation with entrepreneurs in order to align with their interests, and, second, need to evaluate the impact of factors influencing employment outcomes such as job market situation and readiness of society accept different people. The findings support the hypothesis that vocational rehabilitation services can play an important role in employment for people with disabilities. Vocational education programs for people with disabilities promote their employment opportunities and socialization. Demand-side job development offers vocational rehabilitation as a tool to enhance and expand employer partnerships and thus prepare the workplace for people with disabilities. It is important to assess the factors to be taken into account when evaluating the effectiveness of rehabilitation measures.
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References15
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