Some Issues Concerning Career Counselling for Adolescents with Disabilities

Abstract

Although there has been a series of improvements concerning the equalization of opportunities and social integration for persons with disabilities in Romania (especially on the conceptual, legislative and school level), we have noted a number of obstacles in their professional integration. Our research aims to present an investigation with reference to the needs of adolescents with disabilities from three Schools of Arts and Crafts from local level in order to target and identify job pathways, thus providing a theoretical and practical framework for career counsellors. Using documents. analysis, focus group interview and observation with adolescents with moderate and severe mental disabilities, interview with school heads, we have reached to the following important findings: 94% from the option of adolescents with mental disabilities for the profession is conditioned by the educational system.s offer and family, neglecting their professional interest; 86% wants to practice another profession than that obtained after graduation; 67% do not know the techniques to search and apply for a job. In conclusion, we consider extremely necessarily developing career counselling programs for this kind of people in order to maximize their chances of employability. Also, based on our research findings, we propose the some intervention measures (at the school level and at the labour market level) to enhance socio-professional integration of adolescents with disabilities in Romania.