ZBORNIK RADOVA

ASSESSMENT OF WORKING CAPACITYBY MELBA/ IDA INSTRUMENTOlgica Jukić, special educator, rehabilitator and mentorTatjana Kovačić, special education teacher and mentor,Croatia, Centre for Education in RijekaSUMMARYNumerous tests and ability assessments are made during the education of students with disabilities inthe Republic of Croatia, mainly defining their "limitations" and accordingly the forms of support providedto them. Identification of bio-psycho-social status of pupils is mainly undertaken in order for a child toexercise entitlements to various forms of support during their schooling. The same procedures also allowparents of children with disabilities to exercise certain rights within the welfare system. During theelementary school, a pupil with disabilities should, in general, get vocational guidance at the CroatianEmploymentService.Wearewitnessesthatparentsoftendonotrespondtotheinvitationorthatpupilsdonot continue their high school education in accordance with the recommendation of the team forvocational guidance. It is never too late to assess the working capacity of persons with disabilities and thusgive them a more competitive position in the labour market. Also, pupils and their abilities can be assessedand monitored throughout the schooling period, from the very inclusion in the educational process. Suchan approach is possible thanks to the instrument Melba/Ida. Melba/Ida tests are not psychometric tests andare therefore widely applicable, but there is a requirement for a person applying them to be qualified andlicensed. The applicability and effectiveness of Melba/Ida instruments has been proven throughout theyears of application in many European countries.Key words: children with disability, persons with disabilities, evaluation of working ability128IntroductionSchooling of children with disabilities in the Republic of Croatia is not regulated by any special act, butit is an integral part of the Act on Education in Elementary and Secondary Schools. Regulations lay downan appropriate level of schooling based on a severity of child's disability and this can be a regular school(full integration or partial integration), special education institution, rehabilitation or medical facility, andlearning at home. Types of programs offered to students with disabilities are: individualized educationalprograms and a special program. Every child is specialinitsownwayandeachchildintheeducationalsystem would require a program tailored to his/her individual needs. Encouraging of individual potentialsimplies awareness of the student's personality and assessment of the remaining ability possessed by anindividual.According to data of specialized agencies (World Health Organization, UNESCO, UNICEF, etc.),around 10% of all persons (children, adolescents, adults) is the population with major or minor deviations,damages, disorders in the psycho-physical development, who need to be provided specific assistanceaccording to their individual abilities and skills.The law also regulates the obligation of testing children to determine the psycho-physical condition ofthe child before the primary school education and it applies to all children. Psycho-physical condition ofthe child is determined by an expert committee. In the practice of Croatian education up to now, the typeand degree of child's damage were the main criteria for determining on an appropriate program. Anassessment of the child's ability and detection of disabilities is also carried out in social welfare centres, for