AGORA XII. Training for Mentally Disabled People and Their Trainers: Permitting the Mentally Disabled a Genuine and Appropriate Exercise of Their Rights. CEDEFOP Panorama Series

Materials from Agora 12 demonstrate that the disabled are merely another side of ourselves and training for them is a means of developing and acquiring independence and of becoming absorbed into society. A Foreword outlines the subjects of the three sessions: social solidarity and mental disability; training of the mentally psychologically disabled and the transition from institution to integration; and training of trainers and other professionals providing support for the mentally disabled and assisting their integration into economic life. A 36-item bibliography and agenda follow. The 15 presentations are "Mental Health: Medical Fact or Social Construct" (Gaye Hutchison); "Disability and Independence: Improving the Quality of Life of Disabled People" (Carmen Duarte);"Professional Training of the Mentally Disabled in Enterprises in the Open Labor Market" (Helmut Heinen); "Job Creation for the Mentally Disabled: New Approaches in Germany Through Integration Enterprises and Employment Companies" (Rainer Dolle); "The Effects of Globalization on the Mentally Disabled" (Alberto Alberani); "Economic Costs and Benefits of Integrating Disabled People into the Labor Market: An (sic) European Look" (Juan Carlos Collado); "Permitting the Mentally Disabled a Genuine and Appropriate Exercise of Their Rights" (Annet De Vroey); "The Initial and Continuing Training of the Mentally Disabled in Lifelong Education and Training" (Christian Robert); "Education and Training Proposed to Persons with Learning Disabilities in the Different European Countries" (Victoria Soriano); "Occupational and/or Personal IndependenceThe Role and Significance of Sheltered Employment in the Emancipation Process" (Gerard Zribi); "The Normal Environment as a Training Ground and Indicator of Personal Potential for Disabled Workers and Their Trainers" (Yvonne Schaeffer); "How Does a Trainer Working with the Mentally Disabled Differ from Any Other Teacher or Trainer?" (Hans-Juergen Pitsch): "Training of Trainers in Learning Disability ServicesIs Learning or Disability the Issue?" (Paul Twynam); "Training of Trainers of the Mentally Disabled in Europe" (Angelika Buehler); and "How Useful Are Networks of Trainers and of Trainers of Trainers in Preparing Them for Their Very Special Role?" (Raymond Ceccotto). A summary of discussions (Victoria Koukouma) is provided. Several presentations include bibliographies. (YLB)