About EUSE

Background

The European Union of Supported Employment (EUSE) was established in 1993 to facilitate the development of Supported Employment throughout Europe. Supported Employment assists people with significant disabilities (physical, intellectual, psychiatric, sensory and hidden) to access real employment opportunities, of their own choice, in an integrated setting with appropriate ongoing support to become economically and socially active in their own communities.
EUSE works to achieve this through the promotion of the Supported Employment model, the exchange of information and knowledge on good practice in Supported Employment and the development of model services. EUSE provides a platform for networking with other organisations and  associations at European and worldwide level.

Role and Activities
The main activities of the European Union of Supported Employment include:
• Organising the EUSE Conference, which is held bi-annually: Rotterdam, Netherlands 1994, Dublin, Ireland 1995; Oslo, Norway 1997; Rome, Italy 1999; Edinburgh, Scotland 2001, Helsinki, Finland 2003, Barcelona, Spain 2005 and Belfast, Northern Ireland 2007.
• Exchanging information via regular mail shots, and now, thanks to this project through newsletters, email and website (www.euse.org).
• Influencing European social and economic policy.
• Networking with other European Associations and working with worldwide organisations.
• Developing new National Associations – assisting and supporting organisations to establish their own National Associations
• Campaigning and lobbying for the rights of people with significant disabilities to access vocational training and employment.
• Researching and developing models of good practice, staff training, quality standards, self-advocacy, capacity building and legislation.
• Membership services and support for National Associations
EUSE is a non-Government organisation and is a member of the European Disability Forum (EDF).