Project Results
The LEAD YOUR WAY project has produced comprehensive research, evidence-based practices, and innovative digital tools to promote the employability of people with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities across Europe through supported employment and digital empowerment.
Research & Resources
Download our comprehensive research publications and good practice guides.
Research Publication
Comprehensive research on supported employment and digital skills for people with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities across five European countries: Croatia, Greece, Malta, Romania, and Spain.
DownloadGood Practice Guide
20 detailed case studies of innovative initiatives across Europe, showcasing successful approaches to inclusive employment and digital empowerment.
DownloadEuropean Employment Landscape
Our research reveals significant gaps and opportunities in the employment of people with intellectual disabilities across Europe.
Less than 10% of people with intellectual disabilities in the EU have paid employment
Comprehensive research across Croatia, Greece, Malta, Romania, and Spain
Key informant interviews with academics, employers, and service providers
Direct input from people with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities
Shared Barriers Across Europe
Persistent Stigma
Societal prejudice and low expectations remain the most enduring obstacles to employment.
Benefit Systems
Individuals risk losing disability benefits when entering paid employment, creating disincentives.
Limited Long-Term Support
Job coaching is typically time-limited (6-12 months) when ongoing mentoring is needed.
Digital Skills Divide
Limited training and assistive technology access hinder participation in modern workplaces.
Key Enablers of Successful Inclusion
Evidence-based approaches that yield higher retention and satisfaction in employment.
Employer Engagement
Direct experience working with people with intellectual disabilities leads to profound shifts in perception, improved workplace culture, and recognition of business value.
Supported Employment Models
Professional job coaching, job carving to individual strengths, and the five-stage SE model: client engagement, vocational profiling, job finding, employer engagement, and continuous support.
Digital Innovation
Assistive technologies, e-learning platforms, digital job matching, and support apps enabling job coaches to provide remote, scalable support.
Inter-Sectoral Collaboration
Successful inclusion occurs when government agencies, employers, NGOs, social enterprises, and families collaborate effectively.
Promising Practices Across Europe
Innovative initiatives demonstrating that inclusive employment is both feasible and beneficial.
Digital Transformation
AYHO! digital platform for job coaching, Paso Adelante VR for work preparation, and AI specialization courses integrating machine learning tasks into vocational training.
ERGASIA MOU Platform
First Greek platform connecting job seekers with intellectual disabilities to inclusive employers, co-designed with people with disabilities ensuring accessibility.
LightGuide AR Support
Augmented Reality projecting visual instructions directly onto work surfaces, guiding workers through complex tasks step-by-step.
Humana Nova Cooperative
Over half workforce are people with disabilities, combining textile upcycling with inclusive employment in a cooperative model.
Join the Movement for Inclusive Employment
Download our research publications and good practice guides to learn how you can contribute to creating more inclusive workplaces across Europe.
Download Resources