Work is a fundamental part of adult life: it not only ensures financial independence but also allows individuals to choose how to spend their time, participate in society, and feel part of a community. This applies to everyone, but for people with disabilities, it carries an even deeper meaning. Having a job means being recognized for one’s abilities, building stronger relationships with family and friends, engaging in recreational activities, and relying on support, both from services and from family and social networks.
Unfortunately, data shows how difficult it is for people with disabilities to access decent employment. In the case of individuals with Down syndrome, only 31.4% of those over 24 are employed. Even among those who do work, the majority do not have a standard contract: over 60% are employed in social cooperatives without real job protections. Even more concerning is the fact that in 70% of cases, they receive no compensation at all or are paid a symbolic wage, far below the actual value of their work. The situation is even more critical for autistic individuals: among those over 20, only 10% are employed.
This job insecurity affects not only people with disabilities but also their families. As highlighted by Censis years ago, many families feel increasingly alone in planning their children’s future. While 30-40% of parents of children and teenagers with Down syndrome up to the age of 15 envision an independent or semi-independent life for them, this percentage drops drastically to 12% once their children reach adulthood. A similar trend is seen among families with autistic children: 23% hope for a future of autonomy for them, but this confidence plummets to just 5% after the age of 21.
To try to change this reality, an innovative project has been launched in Italy: for the first time, a sports club, the Accademia di Calcio Integrato, has created a professional training program for six young people with intellectual disabilities. The project, funded by the 8×1000 contribution from the Waldensian Church, enabled participants to take an online course offered by the Italian Paralympic Federation for Intellectual and Relational Disabilities, earning a qualification as assistant instructors. With the support of two tutors—a sports psychologist and an instructor with a degree in sports science—these young adults completed a 16-hour training course and are now beginning a five-month paid internship.
This inclusion model could open new opportunities. Until now, job placement projects for people with intellectual disabilities have focused mainly on the restaurant and hospitality sectors. However, for many of them, sports already serve as a space for socialization and personal growth—a place where they have built relationships with peers and family members. So why not turn this passion into a professional opportunity? With the right training, these young individuals could become assistant coaches in soccer, basketball, and other sports, actively contributing to the life of sports organizations.
Italy has thousands of sports clubs, some small, others highly structured, that could seize this opportunity provided by Fisdir to offer a professional future to many young people with intellectual disabilities who are passionate about sports. The Accademia di Calcio Integrato project proves that it is possible—now, other organizations need to follow this example, transforming passion into a real career path.