title: Down syndrome and the world of work: professional integration, ESAT and adapted companies
description: A comprehensive guide on the professional integration of people with Down syndrome: ESAT, adapted companies, supported employment, internships, rights, financial aid, and testimonials from workers with Down syndrome for a fulfilling professional life.
keywords: Down syndrome work, ESAT Down syndrome, Down syndrome employment, professional integration disability, adapted company Down syndrome, supported employment Down syndrome, Down syndrome internship
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Down syndrome, work, employment, ESAT, adapted company, professional integration, inclusion, autonomy
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Reading time: 22 minutes
"My son is turning 18, what kind of work can he do?" "Can a person with Down syndrome work in a regular company?" "What exactly is ESAT?" "What are his rights as a disabled worker?" "I'm afraid he will be exploited, how can I protect him?"
Working is a fundamental right, a source of autonomy, self-esteem, social connection, and income. People with Down syndrome can, depending on their abilities, access different forms of employment: ESAT (protected environment), adapted companies, supported employment in a regular environment, or even traditional employment for the more autonomous.
This guide explains all the options for professional integration, the procedures, rights, aids, and provides inspiring testimonials from people with Down syndrome who work.
Table of Contents
2. Different forms of employment
3. ESAT: employment in a protected environment
4. Adapted companies and supported employment
Why work is important {#why-work}
Financial autonomy
Earn your own money = pride, independence (even partial).
Be able to buy what you want (within budget limits).
Self-esteem
"I work like everyone else" = feeling of normalcy, of contributing to society.
Validation: "I am useful, I have my place."
Social connection
Colleagues, team: Social relationships outside the family.
Socialization, friendships, team outings.
Structuring daily life
Routine: Getting up, going to work, schedules.
Structured rhythm = well-being.
Skill development
Professional learning: New tasks, responsibilities.
Possible progression (job change, advancement).
Different forms of employment {#forms-employment}
1. ESAT (Establishment and Service for Work Assistance)
Protected environment, adapted for people with disabilities.
Target audience: Disabled workers who cannot work in a regular environment (reduced productivity, need for support).
Status: No employment contract (not an employee), but a "user" of the ESAT.
Activities: Industrial subcontracting, green spaces, catering, laundry, packaging...
Compensation: 55-110% of the minimum wage (depending on performance), around 700-1100€/month.
Support: Educators, workshop supervisors, medical-social follow-up.
2. Adapted Company (EA)
Regular company, but with at least 55% disabled workers.
Status: Employment contract (fixed-term or permanent), thus true employee.
Target audience: Disabled individuals who can work (with adaptations), but find it difficult in a regular company.
Compensation: Minimum wage (or more depending on collective agreement).
Activities: Very varied (IT, administrative, logistics, services...).
Support: Disability referent, job adaptations.
3. Supported Employment (EATT - Supported Employment Transition to Work)
Recent system (2016): Enhanced support for disabled workers in a regular company.
Principle: Job coach who follows the worker and the employer (job adaptation, mediation, training).
Target audience: Disabled individuals with potential for a regular environment, but need support.
Status: Regular employment contract (permanent/fixed-term).
Compensation: Depending on the position (minimum wage or more).
4. Employment in a regular environment (without specific support)
Regular company, adapted position.
Rare for Down syndrome, but exists (examples: Mélanie Ségard, weather presenter).
Requires: Significant autonomy, specific skills.
5. Internships (before employment)
Discovery internships, internships in ESAT, in EA.
Mandatory before admission to ESAT (trial period).
Useful for finding one's path.
ESAT: employment in a protected environment {#esat}
What is an ESAT?
Medical-social establishment (not a regular company).
Dual mission:
1. Professional: Production, work
2. Medical-social: Support, assistance, activities
Target audience: People with disabilities (intellectual, mental, physical) with a work capacity < 1/3 of normal.
How to integrate into an ESAT?
1. Recognition as a disabled worker (RQTH)
Request MDPH (if not already done).
2. Orientation to ESAT
Request MDPH: The CDAPH (Commission for Rights and Autonomy) decides on the orientation to ESAT.
Documents: Social evaluation, medical evaluation, professional project.
3. Registration in ESAT
Contact the ESATs in the sector (list on MDPH site, associations).
Visits, meetings.
Registration on the waiting list (delays can be long: 6 months-2 years).
4. Trial internship
Trial period (a few weeks) to assess suitability.
5. Admission
Signing a support and work assistance contract (not an employment contract).
Life in ESAT
Hours:
Generally 35h/week (or part-time if needed).
Professional activities:
- Industrial subcontracting (assembly, packaging)
- Green spaces
- Laundry
- Catering (kitchen, service)
- Craft (pottery, sewing)
- Market gardening
- Educational support
- Cultural, sports activities
- Outings
- Medical follow-up (nurse, doctor)
- Resource guarantee: 55-110% of the minimum wage (depending on performance, seniority)
- AAH (Disabled Adult Allowance) completes if income is insufficient
Medical-social activities:
Compensation:
Holidays:
Right to paid leave (5 weeks/year).
Advantages of ESAT
✅ Adapted: Rhythm, requirements, support
✅ Secure: Caring supervision
✅ Socialization: Colleagues, team
✅ Progression: Possibility to evolve (different workshops, responsibilities)
✅ Varied activities: Not just work (outings, leisure)
Disadvantages of ESAT
❌ No employment contract: Precarious status (no unemployment in case of departure)
❌ Low compensation: 700-1100€/month
❌ Waiting lists: Admission delays
❌ Variable quality: Some ESATs are excellent, others less so
Adapted companies and supported employment {#ea-supported-employment}
Adapted Companies (EA)
For whom?
Disabled individuals with work capacity > 1/3, but difficulties in a regular environment.
Advantages vs ESAT:
How to integrate?
Sectors:
Very varied (administrative, IT, green spaces, logistics, services...).
EA list: Directory on the UNEA (National Union of Adapted Companies) website.
Supported Employment
Recent system: Job coach who supports the worker + employer.
Job coach missions:
For whom?
Disabled individuals (including those with Down syndrome) with potential for a regular environment, but need support.
How to access?
Advantages:
Employment in a regular environment (without support)
Rare but possible.
Famous examples:
Requires:
Possible sectors:
Rights, aids, and procedures {#rights-aids}
RQTH (Recognition of Quality as a Disabled Worker)
Mandatory to access systems (ESAT, EA, supported employment).
Request: MDPH (Departmental House for Disabled People).
Advantages:
AAH (Disabled Adult Allowance)
Income supplement if resources are insufficient.
Maximum amount (2025): ~1,000€/month.
Can be combined with ESAT compensation (progressive deduction based on income).
Aids for the employer
If hiring a disabled worker:
Encourages hiring.
Professional training
Adapted training centers:
Learn a trade, get qualified.
Cap Emploi
Support organization for employment for disabled workers.
Services:
Free, funded by the state.
Testimonials and success stories {#testimonials}
Testimonial 1: Lucas, 22 years old, works in ESAT
"I have been working in ESAT for 2 years. I do packaging (putting parts in bags). It's good, I have friends, we eat together at noon. I earn my money, I can buy video games! My parents are proud of me."
Testimonial 2: Emma, 25 years old, in Adapted Company
"I work in an EA that does archiving for companies. I digitize documents. I have a real contract, I earn the minimum wage. I feel useful. And I have super nice colleagues, we sometimes go out after work."
Testimonial 3: Théo, 28 years old, supported employment in a large store
"I work at Carrefour, I put products on the shelves. I have a job coach who comes to see me every week, he helps me if I have problems. My boss is nice, my colleagues too. I am proud to work in a real store!"
Testimonial 4: Sophie, mother of Nathan, 24 years old
"Nathan has been in ESAT for 4 years. At first, I was afraid he would be unhappy, exploited. But no! He loves going there, he has made friends, he learns a lot of things. Working has helped him grow, mature. He is proud of himself. And so are we."
Mélanie Ségard: the icon of inclusion
Weather presenter on France 2 (2020).
First person with Down syndrome to be a TV presenter in France.
Message: "People with Down syndrome can work, have skills. Give us our chance!"
Huge impact: Raising public awareness, inspiration for thousands of families.
Tips for successful professional integration
1. Start early (from high school)
Discovery internships (9th grade, high school): Observe different professions.
Internships in ESAT: Familiarization.
2. Identify interests
What does the person like?
Professional orientation based on preferences.
3. Develop skills
Training, learning:
Applications like COCO and JOE: Maintain cognitive abilities (attention, memory) necessary for work.
4. Visit several ESAT/EA
Do not choose randomly.
Visit, meet the teams, observe the atmosphere.
Choose the ESAT/EA that best fits.
5. Support without overprotecting
Encourage autonomy: Travel (if possible), money management.
But remain available: Listening, support in case of difficulty.
Conclusion: Work, a right and a pride
Working is a fundamental right for people with Down syndrome. Whether in ESAT, adapted companies, supported employment, or even in a regular environment, solutions exist to allow everyone to find their place, contribute, earn a living, and above all, thrive.
The keys to professional integration:
1. RQTH and MDPH orientation
2. Internships to discover, test
3. Choose the appropriate system (ESAT, EA, supported employment)
4. Continuous training (skills, soft skills)
5. Supportive family involvement
6. Maintain cognitive abilities with COCO and JOE
Work brings autonomy, self-esteem, social connection. Your loved one with Down syndrome has the right to work, to be proud, to be useful. Support them towards this success.
DYNSEO resources to prepare for work:
External resources:
Working means existing. Support your loved one towards this achievement. They are capable. Believe in them.
