This document summarizes the development of supported employment legislation and services in Slovenia from 2004 to 2014. It describes key elements of the legislation including defining supported employment, measures for employers like quotas, and financial benefits. It also discusses vocational rehabilitation services and outcomes, finding that employment results were around 50% in initial years but dropped to 28-35% by 2014 due to economic factors. Supported employment provides up to 30 hours per month of support services to help persons with disabilities get and maintain employment.

1. “ Improving Diversity through
Supported Employment ”

2. Development of Slovenian
supported employment
legislation 2004 – 2014
Aleksandra Tabaj, PhD
University Rehabilitation Institute
Republic of Slovenia
hosted by:
In association with:

3. Development in Employment
from 2004-2014
Slovenian Act on Employment and Rehabilitation of
Persons with Disabilities (2004)
All solutions described are nationally defined on the
level of legislation, this is of highest importance.
Follow-up evaluations of the system: Development
centre of vocational rehabilitation at Slovenian
University Rehabilitation Institute

4. Definition of Slovenian supported
employment (SE)
• SE is employment of PwD in regular work
environment, with proffessional and technical
support to PwD,employer and work
environment
• Decision of employability and work efficiency
(70-95 %) of PwDis of highest importance
• Employment contract: SE specifications
• Individual plan of needed support

5. • Support can be given up to 30 hours per
month + added services within network of
vocational rehabilitation (VR) service
providers
• Providers can be co-workers, vocational
rehabilitation providers, other proffessionals
• Two main resources: Slovenian fund for PwD
and network of VR

6. Measures for employers
• Quota system operates since 2006, it is
monitored by Slovenian foundation
• Quota obligation: for public and private sector
• Level of quota is from 2% to 6 %
• + 20 employees and up
• 70% of minimum wage 553,51 € to be paid
per month per 1 PwD if not employed
• + Substitute of quota with social companies

7. Opportunities for persons
with disabilities
1. Employment: open labour market, supported
employment, companies for employing PwD,
employment centers (social economy)
2. Employment Service of Slovenia programmes:
On-the-job training, Public works, LL Learning,
Education (retraining, courses, National vocational
qualification), etc.
3. Employment rehabilitation services for PwD for
entering labour market
4. Social inclusion programs for those not able to be
employed

8. Financial benefits for employers
Three main measures:
• Wage subsidy ( from 5-70 % of minimum
wage)
• Payment for social security
• Financial stimulation above the quota,
• Besides supported services and workplace
adaptations

10. Vocational rehabilitation
2010-2013

11. How users assess VR proces
After assessment phase At the end of VR

12. Decisions 2010-2013

13. Supported Employment
• Support services can be given 30 hours per
month.
• Support can include: expert and technical
support, awareness raising activities,
information, counselling, training,
personal assistance, follow-up support at
workplace and assessment to person with
disability or to employer; also interpreters for
deaf persons – slovenian sign language.
• Wage subsidy.

14. Supported employment

15. Employment outcomes
• Outcomes analyse showed that population
included in employment rehabilitation in 2007
resulted in employment in two years period
(2008, 2009): 51% of all cases.
• But there are big differences in regions.
• Second analyse in 2014 showed effect of
economic crises, outputs in employment were
lower : 28-35%

16. Thank you for your attention!
aleksandra.tabaj@ir-rs.si