AIPD - Valueable network

AIPD – Valueable Network fosters collaboration and innovation by connecting businesses, experts, and resources, supporting growth and creating job opportunities in the hospitality sector for people with intellectual disabilities.

Who is needed to launch Valueable?

• A motivated person with an intellectual disability and sufficient autonomy.

• A training or employment agency experienced in job placement.

• A hospitality company willing to include a person with an intellectual disability as an intern or employee.

Valueable is both a trademark and a European network.

The Valueable trademark was registered at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) on 6 April 2018 (and later extended to Turkey) and serves as a recognition sign for enterprises that include people with intellectual disabilities in their workforce.

It is a voluntary, auditable, and certifiable standard that acknowledges an organization’s culture and policies as intellectual disability-friendly, achieved by providing internships to and/or hiring people with intellectual disabilities.

The Valueable network was set up in December 2016. It is present in 8 European countries (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, and Turkey) and includes more than 150 hospitality employer members.

Each member of the Valueable network is listed in the members section of the Valueable website:
https://www.valueablenetwork.eu/members-map/

Engagement of Valueable Members

The following requirements must be met by companies seeking the label:

• Host internships and/or hire people with intellectual disabilities, or provide at least one internship of a minimum of three weeks within two years for trainees from other countries.

• Avoid discrimination in selection, recruitment, training, and career development.

• Raise staff awareness, with particular focus on managers and those responsible for recruitment and training.

There are four different labels corresponding to different levels of commitment by Valueable members:

• Bronze: certifies the provision of internships.

• Silver: requires the employment of at least one worker.

• Golden: for those who employ workers and act as ambassadors of the label.

• Platinum: for chains that agree on an annual action plan with Valueable and support the network with an annual fee.

Valueable Tools

1. Videos: 14 short videos describing good and bad practices in relationships between interns/employees with intellectual disabilities and their tutors or co-workers.
   https://www.valueablenetwork.eu/video-gallery/

2. E-learning for Valueable hospitality managers and staff: A four-module course raising awareness about job inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.
   https://www.valueablenetwork.eu/manager-courses/

3. E-learning for VET (job placement) professionals: Available in 7 languages.
   https://www.valueablenetwork.eu/vet-courses/

4. HACCP Course: General rules for safe food production, available online for workers with intellectual disabilities in the hospitality sector.
   https://www.valueablenetwork.eu/haccp-courses/

5. Health & Safety at work Course: Available online for workers with intellectual disabilities in the hospitality sector.
   https://safetywork.valueablenetwork.eu/

Valueable Promoting Organizations

1. European Coordinator: Associazione Italiana Persone Down Onlus (IT)

2. Associate Partners:

• Associacao Portuguesa de Portadores de Trissomia 21 (PT)

• Down España (ES)

• Down Alapitvany (HU)

• Hamburger Arbeitassistenz (DE)

• Down Sendromu Dernegi (TR)

• Hrvatska zajednica za Down sindrom (HR)

• Down Syndrome Ireland (IR)

• Trisomie 21 Vendée (FR)

3. Valueable “Friends”:

• European Down Syndrome Association

• Associazione Italiana Confindustria Alberghi (IT)

• European Hotel Managers Association (IT)

• Lumsa University (IT)