60 people with disabilities have passed through the internship program professionals of COCEMFE Navarra (Federation of associations of people with physical and organic disabilities) and the University of Navarra, which offers them "a second chance" in positions such as administration, documentation or cleaning, among others.

In this sense, five participants received their corresponding diploma this year after fill in successfully completed their internships and lived "a unique professional experience" in the School of Medicine, the department of Microbiology, the file General and the Cleaning Service.

"This experience opens the doors of the labor market to people with disabilities who for a long time have seen how it seemed unattainable. And that a prestigious university like this one trusts them is a unique job opportunity but also an important injection of self-esteem", explained Marina De Diego, manager of the inclusion program of COCEMFE Navarra in the act of submission of diplomas, in which also participated Rosalía Baena, Vice President of Students of the University of Navarra and Natalia Couto, coordinator of Tantaka, its program of volunteer activities, who have described the experience as "very enriching". "On the one hand, it changes the view that student body can have, showing respect for difference and acceptance of people with disabilities as part of diversity and the human condition. On the other hand, the University of Navarra is committed to inclusive equality as a value core topic in society".

These internships are part of the program Disability and Social and Labor Inclusion of COCEMFE Navarra, funded by the department of Social Rights and that has the goal to combat situations of exclusion in the group of people with disabilities. This year it has assisted 12 people referred from Base Social Services, of which 4 have found work and 9 have done internships in Pamplona (University of Navarra) and Tudela (Distrivisual, Limpiezas Cornago).

Overall, since its inception a decade ago, the program has served 227 people achieving the employment rate of more than half of the participants, through a employment or work experience. A balance that is "a great success" in the opinion of COCEMFE Navarra, taking into account the profile of the participants, who add to disability factors such as advanced age, long-term unemployment, low training, situations of violence or lack of income.

 "People with disabilities start with higher unemployment, higher expenses, lower training... This program selects those who add the greatest obstacles and offers them support so that they can have a second chance," explains De Diego. In this way, the program boosts their skills, self-esteem and labor inclusion through "tools to find work", training focused on employment and practical experiences in companies. "It is not only about supporting them and increasing their chances of finding work, but also boosting their self-esteem, since many of them have almost lost hope," explains De Diego, who explains that the program "is a step forward to normalize their status".