Work changes the life of Česlovas with a disability: he vacations in Egypt and enjoys saunas

Only a third of people with disabilities in Lithuania are currently employed, and the situation is even more challenging for those with severe intellectual disabilities. However, experts in the field say that when people with disabilities find work, it brings them great joy, boosts their self-confidence, and benefits the state as well. Underfunding employment services means the state misses out on these advantages, reports LRT.lt.

Česlovas, who has a disability, has worked for three years at a company producing fastening components. Another former attendee of the social workshop “Vilniaus Viltis” also joined the same workplace, and the two support each other when needed. Česlovas is very happy with his job, describing it as not difficult or tiring, with friendly colleagues.

“I pack bolts, sort them by size. I glue labels on boxes, bend boxes,” Česlovas told LRT.lt.

Finding work has also brought financial independence. Česlovas proudly notes that his salary has increased several times over the past three years, allowing him to contribute to family trips. Together with his family, he has vacationed in Egypt and Turkey. “I enjoyed the excursions, the bar, the sea,” he said with a smile.

After work, he likes to relax at home, visit friends, and enjoys drawing. But his greatest pleasures are swimming and going to the sauna.

Giedrius Bagdonas, head of the “Vilniaus Viltis” community, speaks warmly of Česlovas, a former attendee of the social workshops. He emphasises that while it is often difficult for people with disabilities to find work, when they succeed, it brings them immense joy.

“When Česlovas found a job, he was overjoyed, very satisfied. At first, he missed the workshops, but over a few years, he made friends with employees and other attendees. For almost a year, he would call someone from the staff every week to share that he had been to the pool or that things were going well at work. Later, he stopped calling as often—new social connections formed, but people don’t forget old friends; they write, call, and meet,” Bagdonas told LRT.lt.

According to Bagdonas, work gives people a sense of security. A working person has more opportunities—they can engage in hobbies, buy necessary items, or go on trips. “When our attendees move from social workshops to the open labour market, they become more satisfied with themselves and gain more self-confidence. They smile more, enjoy talking about work. Many good things happen,” he said.

However, Bagdonas regrets that it is difficult for people with disabilities to find jobs, as most companies are reluctant to hire employees with severe disabilities. “There are very few companies that employ people with disabilities. It’s a great moral value,” he added.

Indrė Širvinskaitė, president of the Lithuanian Disability Organisations Forum, confirms that it is not easy for people with disabilities to find employment—only a third of working-age people with disabilities are employed. She attributes this to structural reasons, educational attainment, and employers’ willingness to adapt the work environment.

For example, adapting the workplace for a person with a mobility disability eliminates the need for additional assistance. However, those with more severe disabilities, particularly intellectual ones, may require more intensive support. “Research shows that employment success is strongly influenced by education level. Usually, the more severe the disability, the lower the education level. Young people with severe disabilities drop out of the education system faster and sometimes do not even complete secondary education,” she said.