United Nations Public Service Awards Case Studies

In the past, measures and initiatives for integrating disabled people into the working world and employment in Germany mainly focused at low-level qualifications. The objective of this network project, on the other hand, consisted in pursuing new approaches and to set long-lasting landmarks. In this project, people with disabilities were offered appropriate and attractive employment opportunities within their physical but especially their intellectual resources. These activities were integrated into a working environment which provided a high degree of independence.

The network concept and its goals derives from the recognition that people with - usually very serious – physical impairments are clearly underrepresented in science and research although, if provided with the appropriately adapted supports, they would be able to study and/or work in the profession for which they are trained. In this area, the aim was that the entire professional career should be possible from vocational training via the university course and PhD right up to the qualification as specialised scientists. Thus, an integrative design of the training and working environment is presented which could act as a model for other areas of research and science. On the other hand, this approach can also prevent a threatening loss of skilled staff for public and private employers. The aim is therefore to enable disabled employees to achieve a high qualification at their workplace and at university. Unemployed disabled scientists should be able to obtain appropriate further training and attractive specialisation, thus guaranteeing a better transition to the free job market.

The work in the network has a much further-reaching dimension than the mere strengthening of employability of disabled people or workplace design which promotes integration, since it is clear that society is in transition. In future, joint approaches and mechanisms must be found to produce highly-qualified and competitive work using the ever scarcer human resources of well-qualified staff.

Altogether, the actions described served to bring about continued functionality of the network at all levels. Through the co-operation of institutions of the public service which at the same time represent important research institutions, with companies and universities, a completely new form of co-operation between employers was tested and created in the interest of disabled scientists.

What is the initiative about? (the solution)
The focus of all integration projects for disabled people in science which the PEI has so far planned and co-ordinated at a national and a European level has been and is the work in networks. The continuity of our work in the network is reflected by the fact that more than 30 people with disabilities are now employed at the PEI by the integration projects alone. In addition, there is a number of other “normal” employment contracts for disabled people, so that the PEI is way above the minimum legal requirement with a quota of over 15% obligatory jobs (approx. 720 jobs). In Germany, currently 5% of the jobs are required to be filled by disabled people. This is compulsory by law for employers with at least 20 staff members. Beyond the term of the project, too, the support for disabled people is continued at the workplace or site of vocational training. In addition, the work in the network has had external effects, e.g. since negotiations were conducted successfully with foundations and project management organisations (e.g. German Research Foundation – DFG). The options for funding disabled specific needs are now presented on the website of the German Research Foundation as a very relevant result. In addition, in an expert workshop on the Bologna Resolutions (creation of a joint European academic area), recommendations and a position paper laying down compensations for disadvantages relating to admissions to universities, workload, and course and exam modifications were prepared and adopted for the representatives responsible for the länder (states). The results of these efforts is that university courses as from January 2008 can only be accredited if examination regulations explicitly take into account the special needs of disabled students during the course and in exams.

Who proposed the solution, who implemented it and who were the stakeholders?
As part of this project, the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut initiated a development partnership on the basis of a network to use project specific effects and results extensively on a long-term basis. The project was initiated within the European Community’s initiative “EQUAL”, and the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut co-ordinated the project. For this purpose, operative partners were first found from public administration, universities, small companies from the private sector, but also corporations quoted on the stock-exchange, and a self-help organisation, which joined the project. This co-operation was entirely on a voluntary basis. The “integration” issue was of primary importance, and all parties involved were able to contribute their individual expertise and experience. The project thus operated on the basis of different issues and partners to address job market policy problems. The focus was on certain issues, and working groups were formed appropriately to use the resources and know-how of all participants effectively. Core issues included: vocational and academic education, job market. Strategic partner could also be won for the project to discuss specific problems and develop joint activities for new approaches. These results at a national (German) level were also made available to the transnational partners, who approached the integration issue with other focuses. In exchange with other European countries like Slovenia, Poland, and the UK, a very varied complex of issues was thus initiated in a network with a great variety of partners. The partnership’s own website, a professional printed newsletter, creating and publishing a film and a cinema spot, and, finally, offering an integration award raised the awareness of major parts of the public for the problem and encouraged the public to implement steps of its own.

Describe how and when the initiative was implemented by answering these questions
a. What were the strategies used to implement the initiative? In no more than 500 words, provide a summary of the main objectives and strategies of the initiative, how they were established and by whom.
The work in networks plays in important part for the integration projects of the PEI at several levels. Networks were created through the merging and consolidation of subprojects by which the experience gained at the PEI could be adapted in other companies and offices. In doing so, a work design was funded which in particular furthers integration, e.g. by installing equipment especially suitable for the disabled at the workplace, in order to meet their special requirements. Life-long learning was also promoted at a very modern workplace. The co-operation between the public services and industry is increased by collaborating with a medium-sized company and a corporation quoted at the stock-exchange with regard to promoting disabled trainees and PhD students in the field of research. The problem fields of study and PhD graduation are approached by including universities. The German government representative for the concerns of disabled people as a further expert for professional integration of disabled people is a partner for solving special problems. For her, the innovations which derive from the project also serve as a basis for discussion for intended amendments of laws, e.g. in the field of income dependent assistance. The holistic approach of the project was made also clear by the close co-operation with the self-help organisation for advice at school and with an advisory office for disabled students, since the decision in favour of a career in science is mostly made as early as during school days. At the same time, the close co-operation also showed a different perspective of the subject area of “disablement and work and/or vocational training”. To co-ordinate and consolidate the resources and know-how of all partners appropriately in order to achieve the project goals, focuses were determined – again in networks by subject – and appropriate working groups were formed for the fields of job market, vocational training, and academic courses. Specific problems could be discussed that way and the appropriate activities could be developed with the participation of all partners. Another network was also created at a European level by setting up several transnational partnerships. Partners from the UK, Slovenia, and Poland were won for this network. Their projects, too, focused on strengthening work design which promoted integration, also at a university level. Finally, the project as a whole was also integrated into the other thematic networks “Life-long Learning” and “People and Disabilities”, controlled by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

b. What were the key development and implementation steps and the chronology? No more than 500 words
It was primarily the aims mentioned that were implemented by establishing networks. Networks were established with other authorities, companies, universities, research institutes, and grant funding organisations for further exchange of information and collaboration. The following structures and processes proved very useful and successful: - Use was made of the continued maintenance of training associations using the tandem model with private companies for the vocational training of disabled young people. The preparedness of authorities, but also universities as well as small and medium-sized companies to provide training and further education was encouraged that way. - PhD students were included into an existing Europe-oriented scientific network. - National legislation was influenced thanks to network activities and the consolidation of energies related to such activities. - Newsletters were prepared and different brochures showed how disabled scientists can be integrated into a research project. - When the tandem partnerships were introduced, advice was given as part of training schemes in other research organisations, authorities, and companies. In doing so, training programmes were put into place for the staff of personnel departments to promote employment and reintegration of disabled people and to use the resources of these people. - These activities created multiplier effects which made it possible to transfer the knowledge obtained to third parties. That way, the opportunities for integrative conceptions in the working world and employment opportunities for disabled people were improved considerably. To control the different network levels, the following means of administration and communication were chosen: - An interactively usable website was developed to exchange information. The internet portal was also used for internal communication. - To collect and elaborate on information on the complex subjects, seminars and workshops were held with the participation of the different partners from authorities, companies, and universities. - All activities of the project at the PEI were co-ordinated by the control group. - Rules of collaboration (frequency, which partner works on which topics, time required, location) were agreed upon at the beginning of the project and determined. - Concepts and rules were prepared as to how decisions should be made and the roles for the individual partners laid down. - Methods and instruments for monitoring whether the goal has been reached were used in the structural planning of the projects and the determination of sub-goals, milestones, and end products. - Mechanisms for the running evaluation and analysis of the results were found and specified. - In doing so, goal definitions were developed and completed for the individual projects. The efficiency for these goal definitions was monitored through the network structures. - This involved making agreements on the documentation of the results and the processing of the latter. - The communication strategy for the public relations such as the presentation of data and information, setting up a website, preparing flyers and result reports was planned in detail. - After first experience was gained, the financial plan had to be permanently checked for plausibility and revised. - To complete the project, a report was compiled

c. What were the main obstacles encountered? How were they overcome? No more than 500 words
However, the target group aspect went beyond this group of people and also focused on non-disabled colleagues. Through these people, their personal experience and the direct contact with the disabled, a way could be found to reduce the amount of prejudices and reservations regarding efficiency, absences and the relations in a working environment. This is a further step toward normality in the workplace. Most of the disabled people employed here were previously confronted with the prejudice by many employers that they were less efficient and often sick. With this project, these prejudices could be disproved – not least by means of the external project evaluation. The positive experience of the participants on all sides and the continuously high quality of the work results – e.g. the granting of a PhD – document that the right path to integration was found and pursued here. This path, however, could be pursued only through sustained interaction within the network. Involving the different partners made it possible to obtain structural improvements in the legal funding options for disabled science staff. This enabled representatives of practical working life and representatives of executive and the legislative bodies to maintain new relationships. In the final analysis, it was also a challenge to design a concept of the relations between companies, authorities and academic institutes and to experience the integration of these concepts in other areas. Each participant had up to now made efforts to integrate disabled and/or unemployed people into the working world, but it was not until the participants interacted that synergy effects were achieved for the integration of qualified disabled and/or unemployed scientists. That way, new joint steps could be developed, evaluated, and implemented successfully.

d. What resources were used for the initiative and what were its key benefits? In no more than 500 words, specify what were the financial, technical and human resources’ costs associated with this initiative. Describe how resources were mobilized
Project co-ordination of the network as a whole The responsibilities of the project co-ordination included e.g. awareness of the subprojects for implementing vertical and horizontal mainstream activities, and co-ordination of appropriate activities. Other important activities were the presentation of the project and its results at companies, authorities, interest groups, and politics, and specialised seminars for personnel managers in the public services, but also companies on the subject of the project. Expenditure for these activities: Personnel costs: 75,841.42 € Travelling costs and materials: 66,961.58 € Order placements: 207,218.31 € Partial co-ordination of the in-house PEI project This includes the selection and care of the personnel employed as part of the integration. New staff who could be employed and cared for: 3 trainees, 3 PhD students, 10 scientific and 9 other staff members each with disablements, employed during the project term and can predominantly also beyond that period. The personnel costs for these staff members are not included in the listing below: Personnel costs: 91,255.50 € Travelling costs: 16,607.76 € Mainstreaming Main streaming activities were introduced only after initiating the network as a whole. The background for this was the request by the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs to those responsible for the project, to create primarily three projects jointly with the network partners for publishing the contents of the project. Firstly, an integration award was proposed for the area of “Science and Research” throughout Germany, and secondly, in addition to an advertising spot, a film reflecting the goals of integration. This also involved: - concretising the requirements and goals as well as the addressees of the integration prize - determining the selection process and the participants - offering the integration award and selecting the winners - organising and granting the award with the appropriate publicity - inviting tender for production of the film and selecting a contractor - participation in elaborating the contents of the film - agreeing on the contents of the film with the network participants - personal support in the shots, e.g. interviews - inspecting the rough and final cuts - publication of the finished productions and distribution by the appropriate media Order placement: 330,679.13 € The total costs for all parts of the project can thus be estimated at 788,554.70 € and refer to a period of 3 years.

Is the initiative sustainable and transferable?
Favourable effects were seen even beyond the period of the official project. Project members of the PEI continue to be asked to contribute presentations during seminars on the integration subject. Issues elaborated can now be presented and suggestions for solutions made at a national level until they can be used for amendments to laws. The project concept is still communicated to the public. Thanks to the contacts established and improved by the network, ideas are exchanged at all levels. Therefore, last but not least, mutual support in problem-solving is also guaranteed. Thanks to the PEI project members’ excellent work, the subject is no longer ignored and has gained in popularity. Persons in charge in personnel departments at various companies and authorities are seeking contact to obtain advice and support from the responsible project members of the PEI on their integration measures, their implementation, and financing plans. Last but not least through these measures, close contacts to the company forum are maintained. This forum consists of representatives of renowned major companies in industry, who undertake to orientate their company policies consistently to disabled staff members and customers. These people, too, therefore live the idea of integration as defined by the PEI network. The co-operation thus has long-term effects to an unexpected extent. The work achieved up to now, the contacts and the reputation of the PEI project group will also be used in future. New project ideas were developed during the first advisory talks and their financing guaranteed. New project partners have already expressed their interest so that first negotiations can be started as early as April 2009. Thus, it will be possible to start a project for promoting disabled bachelor students and their integration into employment process in the course of the year 2009. The costs for this are estimated to amount to 4 million €. Another project, entitled 5x5 is aimed at providing employment for 5 scientific university graduates for 5 years to help them to become established in the job market. The costs for this are estimated at just over 1.7 million €. The “Pharmnet” project, which, being a joint project in the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Health, refers to reviewing and quality assurance of datasets of medicinal products is also designed to help disabled people return to a job and increase their chances in the job market. Here, too, the costs are estimated at just over 1.7 million €. Thus, the network for integration projects continues to grow beyond the time of its official end and establishes long-term measures both for its previous but also its new participants, who communicate the integration concept to management levels for the long term, thus offering a basis for good collaboration

What are the impact of your initiative and the lessons learned?
The success of the work in networks for the integration of disabled people in science can also be seen by the fact that the networks persist beyond their term, and work is being done on new projects. New projects are being prepared which would not be possible without the existing networks. As from 2009, for instance, jointly with partners from the network, we are integrate disabled bachelor graduates into existing research groups to achieve a better qualification for the first job market. This offer enables the graduates to obtain further qualifications by means of quality science publications through the participation in running projects. The background for this project is the existing incompatibility of national academic and social benefit systems. Within the Bologna process, for many disabled bachelor graduates, this will lead to difficulties in obtaining funding for the disability specific extra expenses for the second part of their study, the Master course. The reason for this is that a Bachelor’s degree is considered as a vocational qualification, which, in Germany, does not give the graduate entitlement for further funding.


Institution Name:		Paul-Ehrlich-Institut: Federal Agency for Vaccines and Biomedicines
Institution Type:		Government Agency
Contact Person:		Andrea Fruechtl
Title:		Assistant head of unit personnel
Telephone/ Fax:		0049 6103 77 1105
Institution's / Project's Website:		0049 6103 77 1260
E-mail:		fruan@pei.de
Address:		Paul-Ehrlich-Strasse 51-59
Postal Code:		63225
City:		Langen
State/Province:
Country:		Germany

The Problem

Solution and Key Benefits

Actors and Stakeholders

(a) Strategies

(b) Implementation

(c) Overcoming Obstacles

(d) Use of Resources

Sustainability and Transferability

Lessons Learned

Contact Information