Lisbon's Bold Project Gives People With Disabilities Real Work Experience

There's plenty of work to be done by the six participants at the Júlia Moreira Center, run by the Lisbon Association of Parents and Friends of Citizens with Intellectual Disabilities. Their tasks include feeding the goats, cleaning the milking parlor, helping sort the animals, and even identifying the kids.

The "We All Have a Place in the World" project began in February and runs through the end of May. Nearly every week, the participants—people with intellectual disabilities—get the chance to explore different work environments.

Maria Veríssimo, 31, has learned a new recipe, and the whole process brings her joy. Now, she dreams of working in a pizzeria. In this experience, Maria is joined by Diogo, Augusto, and Joi. For one morning, they take over the kitchen of a bustling pizzeria in downtown Lisbon.

The association's goal is to demonstrate that some of its 250 participants are ready for employment. According to the latest data, in 2024, the long-term unemployment rate for people with disabilities stood at nearly 55%, with most affected individuals aged 45 or older.

The lack of work impacts not just income but also independence, mental health, and social inclusion. The project is expected to expand into more fields of work. The association also operates a café in Ajuda, Lisbon, where the staff are participants in its programs.