There are rights that, on paper, are enshrined and guaranteed for everyone but that, in practice, we still fail to truly ensure. Among these are the rights to work, social inclusion, and autonomy for people with disabilities. In Italy, only 35% of people with disabilities aged 15 to 64 are employed, compared to a European average of 55%. Most young people with Down syndrome or autism spectrum disorders live with their families and are not socially or professionally integrated. But how much does this impact a family’s well-being? And what will happen when their families are no longer there? These are the questions that Il Sole Associazione Down Pistoia seeks to answer daily through its work in social and healthcare fields, supporting people with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities and their families. For years, the association has been committed to promoting their inclusion in society, schools, and workplaces. When can one truly call themselves an adult? A fundamental aspect of growing up is achieving independence from one’s family of origin. This is precisely where the project we support, Finalmente divento adulto, comes into play. The initiative aims to assist people with Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorders in designing and achieving a life independent of their families, helping them find employment and a new home. How? First, by activating 10 training internships in the textile sector at KPET-Fody, a company that produces blankets from recycled materials to donate to animals and people in emergency situations. These internships include a monthly salary, and throughout their work, participants are supported by educational staff. Second, by organizing residential weekends in selected apartments, involving 30 participants who will experience living outside their family homes. Finally, by setting up an artistic workshop to create handmade products and opening a temporary shop to sell both these items and those produced during the textile internships. Thanks to the project, participants gain the skills needed to live independently with minimal assistance, and efforts are already underway to secure permanent housing where they can live. Moreover, through the work internships, they learn the skills necessary to work in the textile industry, preparing them for stable employment and helping them, at last, to become adults. Details Location: Tuscany Organization: Il Sole Associazione Down Pistoia ODVETS Beneficiaries: 40 people with autism spectrum disorders and Down syndrome Funding: €10,000 Duration: January 2023 – December 2023
