1. WALKING
THE TALK
FENACERCI is a Portuguese national federation WALKING
of social co-operatives. It is a non governmental
organisation that represents 51 cooperatives for THE TALK
education and rehabilitation of people with special
needs. They are spread all over the country and
they provide direct or indirect support to
approximately 8000 children, youths and adults
with intellectual or multiple disability. The
organisations that can join FENACERCI as
members are social co-operatives and, as
associated members, other organisations in the
field of social solidarity. WalkingTheTalk
Mainstreaming as a process to Inclusion
Hft is a national charity delivering a range
of individual opportunities and quality
services with and for people with learning
disabilities and their families. We have a The law
very strong track record of working in Mainstreaming Policies
partnerships including transnational Good practices
partnerships. HFT is currently the lead
partner in a major European project using
Assitive Technology. HFT also runs a User
Involvement Project, the aim of the project
is to listen to and respond to service users
about their experiences, concerns and
wishes
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2. WTT Logo Design: Lara Peralta
© Symbols: Valuing People Clip Art Collection
and Photosymbols
This document has been produced with the
financial assistance of the European Community.
The views expressed here are those of
FENACERCI and HOME FARM TRUST and do
not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the
European Community.

3. In Latvia “Walking the Talk” is about helping people with
A centre called „Saule“ has a supported learning disabilities
and their families to
employment service. The service trains
be included in
people so that they can get a job. Staff at the
everyday life.
centre looks at what skills and abilities the
person has and then finds a job to match their
skills.
People from 5 countries got together and came
In Portugal up with some ideas. Theses are the countries:
Schools that teach future · Estonia
doctor’s and nurses have in · Hungary
their curriculum’s special · Latvia
contents about persons with · Portugal
disabilities needs. · United Kingdom
In the UK Each country thinks that people with learning
The UK has set up a group called Valuing People disabilities are as important as everyone else.
Support Team to help government give better
services. This group helps local people make
Valuing People happen. They work in each People with learning disabilities
region of the country. England has 9 regions. should have the same rights as
everyone else.
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4. The law
What is a law?
· Something the governm ent or the court says
everyone mus t do. Health
What is legis latio n?
· The way laws are made. What’s happe ning?
Who m akes the law? In Estonia
· In the UK, usually it is In Estonia there are rehabilitation centres. These
Parliament who m akes the centres have a doctor, a social worker, a
laws . therapist, a nurse and a
· Sometimes it can be a jud ge. counsellor all working under
· Sometimes it can be a one roof. Most rehabilititation
referendum. centres are in cities.
· A referendum is when the Rehabilitation centres should
public decide if something should be m ade be spread more evenly
law. aroundthe country.
Who thinks about new laws? In Hungar y
· The Gove rnment thinks about new idea s to Doctors and nurses get training about people
become law. with learning disabilities.
· The Gove rnment is elected by the people.
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5. · The Government asks Parliament.
In Latvia
· If Parliament agrees, the idea becomes a law.
An organisation called APEIRONS have set up a
website www.varcentrs.lv to help people with a
learning disability get a job.
Important Laws
• There are lots of laws on
In Portugal many things.
“IEFP” is an organisation that helps people with • There are lots of laws on
learning disabilities to get education, etc.
qualifications so that they can get • There are laws to say people
a normal job and The with learning disabilities need
“Constellation Programme” pays help.
for staff and buildings to teach • There are laws to say they
skills to people with learning must be treated fairly.
disabilities to help get them a job.
How can we use the law?
In UK • Sometimes people are not treated fairly. This
The UK has an “Access to Work” programme is called discrimination.
that gives money to help people get a job in the • You can fight this.
community. It might pay for a job • You can ask People First or the Disability
coach. They also have a Rights Commission or us for help.
“Workstep” programme is a
supported employment service
Remember
just for people with learning
• You are protected by Laws.
disabilities.
• You have the right to com plain.
• You can ask for help if you
need it.
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6. Mainstreaming Policies
What is mainstreaming?
· When everyone’s needs are taken into
account by the state Employment
§ When everyone can use the same
services
§ When people with learning What’s happening?
disabilities are equally included in
society
In Estonia
Companies who employ people with learning
What is a policy? disabilities get money from the government. In
· A policy is like a decision Tallinn there is a „sheltered workplace” just for
· Policies may need actions to be implemented people with learning disabilities. This workplace
· Governments have policies for different trains people so that they can get a job.
areas
· Policies can be divided in two:
o Policy objectives – In Hungary
tell us what the policy Job centres have people who
wants to achieve are trained to help people
o Policy instruments – with a learning disability get a
tell us the actions and the job. This helps lots of people.
methods needed to achieve
the objective
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7. In Latvia Who makes a policy?
In Talsi there is a normal school called Sabile
· There are two steps to make a policy:
Secondary School. Children with learning o Policy development – put ideas into
disabilities are now allowed to go to this school.
words
o Policy implementation – how to make
the policy work
In Portugal
· Three groups are important to make a policy:
Children who are 6
o Policy analysts – helps the
years old and over must
go to normal schools.
policy maker to take difficult
Children with learning decisions
disabilities and children o Policy makers – design
who do not have learning disabilities are all the policies
taught together. This is called an “inclusive o Politicians and
school” bureaucrats – to support
the policy
In UK
The UK has set up a service called Mainstreaming policies
“Connexions”. They give · When the State wants to make sure that all
advice and support to citizens participate and have access to the
young people about what services
they want to do in the · When the needs of all
future. They have an citizens are taken in to
“Office for Disability account by the state
Issues”. Their job is to get things done. They · When the services and
help the government to make things better for programmes are designed
everyone who as a disability. for all
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8. Good Practices
Mainstreaming learning disability
· When the state assess the impact that their
actions and laws will have on people with
learning disabilities.
· The final objective is to achieve disability
equality.
Education
Remember What’s happening?
· Mainstreaming is when people with learning
disabilities are equally included
· People with learning disabilities must be able In Estonia
to use the same services as everybody else Children from 7 – 17 years old must go to school.
· Policy makers make the policies Children under 7 years old
· Policies are not laws can go to pre-school.
· Policies show a will, the law makes it real Children with learning
disabilities can go to normal
school. Schools give extra
help to people with learning
disabilities.
In Hungary
Gyermekek Háza is a school in Hungary. A small
number of children with learning disabilities can
go to this school. Children with learning
disabilities and children who do not have learning
disabilities are all taught together.
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