Inclusion is a process whereby society adapts so as to allow full participation to people from all sectors, including people with special needs (PSN), as they prepare to become regular members of society. PSN's access to the job market is among the aspects of the process of inclusion, whose importance relates to the promotion of conditions for satisfying their basic needs, achieving self worth and developing their full potential. The aim in this research was to investigate businesses with more than 100 employees and institutions that work with young people and adults with special needs, so as to identify what they are doing to promote inclusion of PSNs in the job market and uncover possible difficulties they have faced during the process. We interviewed professionals in 30 businesses and 10 educational institutions, all located in Curitiba, the capital of the southern State of Paraná (PR). The results showed that most businesses do not obey the national Quota Law which establishes the minimum quota for hiring PSNs. According to the businesses consulted, the main problem lies in the PSNs low level of education and their lack of professional qualifications. The educational institutions criticize the processes adopted by some of the companies hiring PSNs, however few of these institutions offer proper schooling for their students, concentrating instead, for the most part, on developing basic work habits or investing in developing work related skills in areas other than those required by the job market. Also discussed in this paper are some of the contradictions found in our legislation, educational practice and job market, as related to inclusion.
inclusion in the job market; people with special needs; business; special education institutions
