Paola Vulterini

The Valueable trademark has been registered at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) on 6 April 2018 (and then extended to Turkey as well) and it is a recognition sign of enterprises including people with intellectual disabilities within their work force. It is a voluntary, auditable and certifiable standard which acknowledges an organization culture and policy that is intellectual disability-friendly and achieved by providing internships to and/or hiring people with intellectual disabilities. The Valueable network was Set up in December 2016, the Valueable network is present in 8 European countries (Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland and Turkey) and counts on more than 120 hospitality employer members. Each member of Valueable network is included in the members section of the Valueable website: https://www.valueablenetwork.eu/members-map/   The engagement of Valueable members The following are the requirements that have to be met by the companies willing to obtain the label: -          to host internships and/or to hire people with intellectual disabilities. Or else at least one internship of minimum three weeks in two years, of trainees coming from foreign countries; -          not to discriminate these people when concerning selection, recruitment, training and career development; -          staff awareness raising, with special focus on managers and those in charge of recruitment and training; There are three different labels corresponding to different degrees of commitment of the Valueable members:                 -          the bronze    label certifies the provision of internships; -          the silver      label requires the employment of at least one worker; -          the golden    label is for those who employ and also act as ambassadors of the label. -          the platinum           label is just for those chains which agree on an annual plan of action with Valueable and support the network with an annual fee as well. Valueable Tools 1)      Videos: 14 short videos, which describe the good and bad practices that can be adopted in the relationship between an intern or employee with intellectual disabilities and her/his internal tutor, as well as with other co-workers. https://www.valueablenetwork.eu/video-gallery/ 2)     “On my own” app: the customizable application has been developed to support trainees/workers in order become more and more independent in their job. It works on mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets: http://valueablenetwork.eu/resources/app 3)     E-learning for valueable hospitality managers: a four-modules course raising awareness about job inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. https://www.valueablenetwork.eu/manager-courses/  [1] 4)      The HACCP (general rules for safe food production) course, available on the web site, for workers with ID operating in the hospitality sector. https://www.valueablenetwork.eu/haccp-courses/ 5)      https://www.valueablenetwork.eu/haccp-courses/A dedicated e-learning for VET professionals (7 languages) /      https://www.valueablenetwork.eu/vet-courses / 6)      A health & safety course, available on the web site, for workers with intellectual disabilities operating 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). 3. Valueable “friends”: European Down Syndrome Association Associazione Italiana Confindustria Alberghi (IT); European Hotel Managers Association (IT). Lumsa University (IT).