Building inclusion: Café Joyeux empowers people with disabilities in Lisbon

At number 26, Calçada da Estrela, in central Lisbon, José and Teresa, both of whom have autism spectrum disorders, found their first job after turning 20.

Café Joyeux, a French initiative brought to Portugal with support from the VilaComVida association, offers a model for training and integrating people with disabilities. The café aims to create a more inclusive society by opening its doors to people from all backgrounds.

There are now four Café Joyeux locations in Greater Lisbon, employing 29 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Over two years, the staff develop skills as baristas, waiters, cashiers, and kitchen assistants.

I enjoy making coffee, talking to customers, speaking French and English, helping my colleagues, and cleaning up,” Teresa, one of the Café Joyeux employees, told Euronews.

After completing their training, employees have the option to take on new roles or stay on with permanent contracts. The goal is not just to teach them practical skills, but to offer better prospects for the future.

José, who has worked at this inclusive café chain for three years, is excited about moving on to a new job in catering. “They say I’m ready to move to another shop. I’ve also had offers from other places,” he said.

One in five in EU is unemployed

Since 1992, the International Day of People with Disabilities has been celebrated worldwide on 3 December.

However, one of the biggest challenges people with intellectual and developmental disabilities continue to face is integration into the labour market. It remains an issue despite initiatives like Café Joyeux and quota systems implemented in 133 countries.

In the European Union, at least 100 million people over the age of 16 live with some form of disability, with one in five being unemployed.

In Portugal, nearly 6 out of 10 people with disabilities are unemployed, and more than 62 per cent have been without a job for over a year.