Disworks develops, implements and evaluates policies and practices
aimed at increasing the employment of people with disabilities
“We believe that people with disabilities are entitled to a full place in society and thus to
participate in the labour market, corresponding to their capabilities. To give that right content, it
is important that organizations aimed at increasing the employment rate of people with
disabilities, learn how to put in their possibilities and expertise in such a way that the
employment chances of people with disabilities will actually increase.
From that perspective we support governmental institutes, companies, organizations and service
providers through organizational development, research and advice regarding policy and
implementation focused on the increase of the employment of persons with a disability. Also we
contribute to policy developments aimed at increasing people with disabilities.“
Dr. Brigitte van Lierop: "With passion and knowledge to work on the
content”. As an independent consultant and researcher I work in all
projects aimed at improving the employment situation of people with
disabilities: as manager, project manager, project advisor and as
evaluator. "
Curriculum Vitae Dr. Brigitte van Lierop
Working positions
2008 - present
2008 - present
2002 - 2008
2002 - 2004
2000 - present
2000 - 2003
1995 - 2002
1984 - 1995
Director Disworks, a research and knowledge center in the field of employment of
people with disabilities. Tasks: advise and project management of research and
implementation projects aimed at creating jobs on the competitive labor market for
people with a large distance to the labor market. Member of several Advisory Boards.
Program manager at CrossOver, Knowledge and Innovation Centre Young people with
disabilities and work.
Job responsibilities: responsible for the content of the program of CrossOver and the
national dissemination and implementation of a culture change
Program Manager at Arbeidsintegratie Vilans, formerly iRv
Tasks: acquisition, research, operational management
Content and operational responsibility for the implementation of national and
international projects in relation to work and disability.
Coordinator of European Rehabilitation Academy. Responsible for the development of
an international professional development program for professionals in management
and labor integration for people with disabilities
Founder and editor of the Monthly magazine Getting Started: a magazine aimed at the
professional in the world of labor and participation of people with a distance to the
labor market
Coordinator Higher Management Development Course: an international academic
training program for high potential of leading vocational rehabilitation centers in
Europe
Coordinator Master program Occupational Rehabilitation. Development and
management of an educational program aimed at supporting the integration of people
with disabilities
Senior researcher
Lecturer Chemistry, Biology and Physical Education at various educational institutions
Experience
External expert role
Training staff and management in the Disworks method of Sustainable Job Creation: a method where
jobs are created from a business point of view for the employer, aiming at jobs for persons with
disabilities who are not able to gain the minimum salary at the competitive labour market without
support. Period 2011 - present.
Locus project leader Makelaar in pilot Samenwerken & Verbinden: A pilot organised by the WenB
(Employer's Organisation of Water & Energy) with the aim of creating extra jobs for pwd who are not
able to enter the competitive labour market without support. All options to create jobs are analysed,
including Recruitment Policy, Procurement Policy, and Sustainable Job Creation.
Period 2014 - 2015.
Training and Coaching Advisors AWVN (Dutch Employment Organisation) in project Creating 7500 jobs,
in how to create sustainable jobs in different companies. Jobs will be created from the business
viewpoint of the employer. Period 2013 - 2014.
Implementation of Sustainable Job Creation in Dutch hospitals: a national project funded by ESF and
SBCM to create sustainable jobs for people with disabilities who normally are not able to enter the
competitive labour market. The jobs are expected to be sustainable because they are created based on
a business case of the employer, the hospital in this case. Period 2013 - 2014.
Coaching project leaders in developing smart project plans, working towards goals and reaching goals in
projects. Period 2012 – present.
Implementation Sustainable Job Creation within National Railways: a project where on several pilot sites
analyses take place and sustainable jobs are and will be created for people with a distance to the labour
market.
Period 2013 - 2014.
Implementation Sustainable Job Creation in companies in the province of Limburg: a project in which
the opportunities for Sustainable Job Creation are examined within two companies and, where possible,
sustainable jobs for pwd will be created.
Period 2014 - 2015.
Sustainable job creation in Nursing and Care homes: a project where within nursing homes sustainable
jobs are created for people with disabilities. Period 2012- 2013.
Implementation Sustainable Job Creation in Atrium hospital: a project where analyses took place at
various locations in the hospital and sustainable jobs are created for people with a distance to the
labour market. Period 2012 - 2013.
Implementing UN Convention in Maastricht: measuring the state of the art in 2014, defining goals for
2015 – 2018, monitoring implementation. Period 2014 – 2018.
UN Convention around the corner: a project to raise awareness about the impact of the UN Convention
on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the current and future actions of the municipality and within
all relevant stakeholders within this municipality.
Period 2013.
Development of Methodologies / instruments
Sustainable job creation in Nursing and Care homes: a project where within nursing homes sustainable
jobs are created for people with disabilities, by splitting tasks in work and reorganize work processes,
with the aim of creating sustainable jobs for pwd and to make more efficient use of highly educated
staff and thus increasing the chance of long-term employability of the existing staff.
 Lierop, B. van, Nijhuis, F. (2013). A guide for Social Work to create sustainable employment in the
VVT sector.
 Lierop, B. van, Nijhuis, F. (2013). Guide to Job Creation in the VVT, A guide for the VVT to generate
the VVT - sector sustainable employment.
Relim: Methodology description, where people with an extreme large distance to the labor market are
trained through deployment to grow to a higher level of participation in society and work.
 Lierop, B. van, Reichrath, E., Nijhuis, F. (2010). The Relim methodology, a description. Maastricht
Disworks
Job Creation: Development and application of a training to equip vocational rehabilitation counselors
with knowledge and skills needed to create sustainable jobs on the competitive labor market.
 Nijhuis, F., Lierop, B. van (2010). Job Creation: a handbook for professionals to create jobs in a
systematic manner. Maastricht Disworks
Quick Scan and Business Report: Development and application of an instrument to understand the
opportunities for Sustainable Job Creation and the added value for the company in a relatively rapid
manner.
 Lierop, B. van, Nijhuis, F. (2013). Quick Scan and Business Report.
WRR: Development and application of a method to apply work related rehabilitation with a
rehabilitation centre.
 Lierop, B. van, Soest, K. of (2008). Work Related Rehabilitation (WRR) in Rehabilitation Heliomare.
Hoensbroek: Vilans
MakeWork: Description of a methodology for creating jobs for people with intellectual disabilities.
 Soest, K. van, Lierop, B. van, Pijl, D. van der, Crombag, P. (2007). Method MakeWork, A guide for
creating jobs for people with intellectual disabilities. Utrecht: Vilans
Request: Development of a tool for empowering the actions of the professional environment of the
client within vocational rehabilitation and to identify where improvement is needed. Subproject:
scientific basis for instrument development (Equall project).
 Lierop, B. van, Pijl, D. van der, Soest, K. van (2006). Request: a scientific basis for a measuring
instrument: Final report. Hoensbroek: iRv
Working with a disability: The development and publication of a series of booklets for young people
with a specific disability about how to look for a job, the interview and how to deal with the first days in
the workplace.
 Lierop, B. van (2006). You are looking for work and... A thirteen part series books for young people
with specific disabilities focused on the job search and application process.
Working with a employee with a disability: The development and publication of a series of brochures for
employers, focusing on the employment of an employee with a specific disability and what this means
for the workplace and what to ask during the interview.
 Lierop, B. van (2006). An employee with...,what does this mean for the work? A thirteen part series
brochures for employers aimed at providing objective information on the performance of an
employee with a specific disability in the workplace.
Different: Development and application of a methodology for low-skilled immigrant women with
disabilities to accompany (EQUAL project) them to work.
 IRv (2005). DIFFERENT method: Manual
VrijBaan: Development of a measuring instrument and methodology to empower people with
disabilities to make their own choices (EQUAL project).
 Lierop, B. van, Ven, L. of, Schouten, M., Janssen, N. & Cima, R. (2003). Interim report. Hoensbroek:
iRv Institute for Rehabilitation Research.
PhD
Qualitative and quantitative research on the effectiveness of Vocational Rehabilitation programs for
people who cannot participate in mainstream vocational education because of their disabilities.
 Lierop, B. van. Work after Vocational Rehabilitation. The bridge between disability and Employment.
The Hague: Elsevier Company BV, 2001.
International projects
Opti-Work: Research in fifteen European countries (Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland,
Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and United Kingdom) and development
of instruments with the aim of optimizing strategies for people with disabilities into work (FP6 project).
 Lierop, B. van (2007). OPTI -WORK, Optimising Strategies for Integrating People with Disabilities into
Work: Fifteen or National Reports. Utrecht: Vilans
 Lierop, B. van (2007). Report on National Employer Threshold Tool Profiles. Utrecht: Vilans
 Lierop, B. van (2007). Report on National Jobseeker Threshold Tool profiles. Utrecht: Vilans
NRP: A cross-border project in which work related activities are introduced in the clinical rehabilitation
process (Interreg III project).
 Lierop, B. van, Hidding, A. & Drunen, N.. (2004). Neurological rehabilitation programs: Back to work
with a neurological disorder. Hoensbroek: iRv
 Lierop, B. van, Pijl, D. van der & Drunen, N.. (2004). Neurological reintegration programs:
Occupational Rehabilitation Activities, an inventory. Hoensbroek: iRv / Tilburg: Diemen & van Gestel
Işkur: A project aimed at improving the policy and implementation of policies for the labor market
integration of people with disabilities in Turkey, with the aim of increasing equality in the labor market
of people with disabilities (Matra Project).
 Baten & partners, Disworks, iRv, Pluryn (2009). " Institutional Strengthening of işkur and improved
employment strategy and vocational rehabilitation for disabled ".
EEE4all: Development of an international module for Bachelor students, focusing on the labor market
integration of people with disabilities (EU Lifelong Learning Programme subsidy fund)
 Lierop, B. van, Heijkers, J., Jellema, H., Speth, I. Believes, L. van der, Lipsch, R. (2010). Module
Enabling Employability for All: focus on disability.
Evaluation studies
DeSqual: the development of a method to create sustainable quality within organizations.
Grant Submitter: Agency Leonardo Da Vinci. Period 2013 - 2015
Early Intervention: Research into the effects of an early intervention among workers who drop out at
least six weeks, the best strategy for the return to work is determined by a multidisciplinary approach.
 Lierop BAG. (2006). Early Intervention; Final evaluation. Hoensbroek: iRv
Monitoring and evaluation of a new method to measure the incapacity to work of people: CBBS.
 Lierop, B. van, Aben, I., Janssen, N., Nijhuis, F. (2003). Evaluation to the introduction of the CBBS;
Final Report. Hoensbroek: iRv / Maastricht: Maastricht University
SBO reintegration: The efficiency and effectiveness of the SBO vocational rehabilitation training program.
 Lierop, B.A.G. van, Aben, I. & Reichrath, E. (2003). Evaluation study of training programs for the
purpose of reintegration: Final Report. Hoensbroek: iRv
Research Specific Target groups
Empowerment RCT: A randomized study testing the effectiveness of a standardized empowerment
methodology, aimed at young people between fifteen and twenty-five years.
 Crombag, P., Dijcks, B. (2009). Standardized empowerment training for young adults with visual
impairments. Final report. Utrecht: Vilans
PhD project: " Accessibility of the labor market: the development of an assessment tool to measure the
accessibility of the labor market for visual impaired people" (2008). Co- promoter
MAJ: Research into factors that play a role in the decision making of in employment of employers and of
employees with a visual impairment.
 Lierop, Brigitte van, Janssen, Nathalie (2007). Work book Maintaining a Job: An overview of results
from the study Maintaining a Job. Hoensbroek: iRv
Reintegration of people with a chronic illness: Research into how a program can be designed for optimal
reintegration into work for chronically ill people.
 Lierop, B. van, Schouten, M. (2003). Reintegration into employment of clients with chronic illness: a
matter of good guidance. Hoensbroek: iRv
Not a matter of motivation, just a matter of the situation: Research in the work setting to male -female
differences in return to work during the first year after reporting sick.
 Rijk, A. de, Lierop, B. van, Janssen, N. and F. Nijhuis (2002). Not a matter of motivation, just a matter
of the situation. A study of male / female differences in return to work during the first year after
reporting sick. Doetinchem: Elsevier Company bv
'Inventory' Studies
Inventory of the extent to which professional universities undertake actions to create working chances
for young people with disabilities.
 Disworks by Zestor (2013). Guidance Book Wajongeren as Employee. Creating opportunities to
participate as workers in professional universities.
What happens abroad: A Documentary study in different countries in Europe, focusing on the education
and employment of young people with disabilities.
 Lierop, B. van (2010). Report: What happens abroad and what can we learn from it: best practices /
advice. Nieuwegein: CrossOver
IGOM: Research on the satisfaction of employees of an association of 31 municipalities and municipal
organizations in South Limburg (IGOM organizations) concerning their return to work process.
 Lierop, B. van. (2005). Return to Work. A satisfaction survey of employees of IGOM organizations
concerning their return to work process. Hoensbroek: iRv
Knowledge is Power: An orientation to the facts and figures about the actual (labor) participation of
young people with disabilities in order to develop a better (labor) participation effective policy.
 Lierop, B. van (2010). Knowledge is power; an orientation focused on measuring the (labor)
participation of young people with disabilities in the Netherlands. Nieuwegein: CrossOver
Reflection on the progress: A qualitative study of the state of the art concerning the guidance of young
people with disabilities in mainstream vocational education.
 Lierop, B. van, Reichrath, E. (2007). Reflection on progress. Guidance of young people with
disabilities in mainstream secondary vocational education. Nieuwegein: CrossOver
WAJONG Landscape Helmond: A qualitative inventory to the match between supply and demand
regarding the support of young people with disabilities in Helmond:
 CrossOver (2010). The support provided: Supply and demand in supporting young people to work;
concept for a model-based approach. Nieuwegein: CrossOver
What do companies: A survey of HR professionals and HR professionals about hiring a young person
with a Wajong benefit.
 Lierop, B. van (2009). What do companies? A poll of HRM'ers and HR managers about hiring a
young person with a disability. Nieuwegein: CrossOver
Rehabilitation and participation: A literature review on the rehabilitation of people with sustained
permanent disability or chronic illness and the way these people are escorted to their participation in
society from this new perspective.
 Lierop, B. van (2008). Rehabilitation in balance. Hoensbroek: Vilans
Book Contributions
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Nijhuis, F.J.N. & B.A.G. van Lierop (2003). Assessment Methods for integration of people with
disabilities in organizations. In: Funda Mental, methods, techniques and analysis, Kluwer: 2003,
17.7.1 - 301 t / m 17.7.1-312
Nijhuis, F.J.N. & B.A.G. van Lierop (2003). Reintegration in the company. In: Practice Book Healthy
Working. Elsevier, 2003, IV 2.5-1 t / m 2.5-16
Nijhuis, F.J.N., Lierop B.A.G. of & F.Wichers (2006) Vocational Rehabilitation in the Netherlands. In:
Charles Gobelet and Franco Franchignoni Textbook of Vocational Behaviour. Springer Publishers,
p.367 -377
Nijhuis, F. and B. van Lierop (2007) Labour integration and vocational rehabilitation. In: Schaufeli, W.
and Baker, A. The Psychology of Work and Health Houten: Bohn Stafleu of Loghum. p.169 - 193
Scientific Articles
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Lierop, B.A.G. of & Nijhuis, F.J.N. (2000). Assessment, education and placement: an integrated
approach to vocational rehabilitation. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 23, 261-9.
Lierop, B.A.G. of (2002). Working with an intellectual disability. NTZ: Dutch magazine for mentally
handicapped care. Vol. 28 (2002), vol 1, pg. 37-47 (11).
Lierop, B.A.G. of & F.J.N. Nijhuis (2006) Early Work- Related Interventions in a Medical
Rehabilitation Setting. The International Journal of Disability Management Research, p. 74-87
Smeets, V. M., Lierop, B.A.G. of, Vanhoutvin, JP, Aldenkamp, AP & Nijhuis, FJN (2007). Epilepsy and
employment: literature review. Epilepsy & Behavior, 10 (3), 354-62.
Rich, A. The, Lierop, B.A.G. of, Janssen, N., Alex Anderson, K. & Nijhuis, F.J.N. (2009). A behavioral
approach to RTW after sickness absence: the development of instruments for the assessment of
motivational determinants, motivation and key actors ' attitudes. Work, 33 (3), 273-285.
Goertz, Y.H.H. Van Lierop, B. van Houkes, I. Nijhuis, F.J.N. (2010) Factors Related to the Employment
of Visually Impaired Persons: A Systematic Literature Review. Journal of Visual Impairment and
Blindness, 404-418
Journal Articles
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Brigitte van Lierop. De erfenis van CrossOver. Interview in Sociaal Bestek voorjaar 2013
Brigitte van Lierop en Tom de Haas. Werken aan externe banen. AdS juli 2012
Brigitte van Lierop. De A2school: een invulling van social return. AdS januari 2012.
Brigitte van Lierop. Tien jaar ouder en tien jaar wijzer: tien jaar verslag over re-integratie. AdS
oktober 2011
Brigitte van Lierop. ESF tot nog toe. AdS maart 2011
Brigitte van Lierop. Busje komt zo! Relim methode succesvol. AdS januari 2011
F. Nijhuis, B. van Lierop: Izmir: pilotlocatie voor trainingen. AdS oktober 2010
B. van Lierop, R. van Geuns: Tien jaar ouder, tien jaar wijzer. AdS oktober 2010
Brigitte van Lierop. Verenigde Staten: voorbeeld voor onze re-integratie. AdS (Aan de Slag) juni 2010
Brigitte van Lierop. Ervaringen van de auditoren van het Blik op Werk Keurmerk. MR Juli/augustus
2009
Brigitte van Lierop, Karin van soest. Een succesvolle aanpak om nieuwe banen te creëren. MR
oktober 2008
B. van Lierop. Scenariostudie in re-integratie; een mogelijkheid voor gewogen beleid. MR november
2007
Brigitte van Lierop, Michel Edelaar. Vroege interventie: bevordering van arbeidsparticipatie door een
snelle multidisciplinaire aanpak. MR mei 2006
Brigitte van Lierop. Scholing in het buitenland. MR april 2006
Brigitte van Lierop. Different is anders; nieuwe methodiek geeft allochtone vrouwen meer kans op
werk. MR juni 2005
Brigitte van Lierop. Een kijkje in de keuken van… Arbodienst DSM; het verhaal van een interne Arbodienst over hun activiteiten en de invloed van de Wet Verbetering Poortwachter hierop. MR april
2005
Brigitte van Lierop. Hoe ROC’s hun gehandicapte jongeren voorbereiden op de arbeidsmarkt: een
gesprek met drie voormannen. MR maart 2005
Brigitte van Lierop. Een europees kwaliteitskeurmerk voor re-integratiebedrijven. MR mei 2003
Brigitte van Lierop, T. Zaeyen. Meer kansen door empowerment. MR maart 2003
Brigitte van Lierop. Get Back: het succesvolle Britse reïntegratieprogramma. MR januari 2001
Brigitte van Lierop. Er is nog veel werk te verrichten in Nederland. MR (Maandblad Re-integratie) 0
nr 2000
Presentations on request in the past five years
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November 2014, Den Bosch, Conference for employers in hospitals: results of a national pilot in job
creation
February 2014, Sittard Employers Meeting: job creation as a way to create jobs for people with
disabilities in sustainable employment
October 2013, Arnhem, Employer’s Organisation in Energy &Water: job creation as a way to create
jobs for people with disabilities in sustainable employment
October 2013, Nijkerk, National Union of Job Analists: job creation as a way to create jobs for
people with disabilities in sustainable employment
October 2013, Utrecht, Conference for employers in Care: results of a national pilot in job creation
June 2013, Maastricht, Limburg Employers Meeting employers: job creation as a way to create jobs
for people with disabilities in sustainable employment
June 2013, Utrecht, Conference sustainable employability A & O VVT: creating sustainable jobs for
people with disabilities.
May 2012, Nieuwegein, Congress Multi Problems Ministry of Social Affairs: Tension between
integrated approach and specialization
December 2011, Den Bosch, Congress Fit to Work: Working to Power: the preconditions
November 2011, Papendal Congress: Final Results Transition Monitor
October 2011, Tallinn Estonia, Ministery of Social Affairs and Employment: Dutch Reintegration
Market
October 2011, Eindhoven, College Bachelor students: Young people with intellectual disabilities in
the Netherlands
April 2011, Helmond, official setting: The inclusive city in 2026
March 2011, Utrecht, UN Manifestation: What is needed to ensure that all children and young
people can learn and work according to their capacities
December 2010, Rotterdam, Disability Studies Congress: Definitions and Disability and Impact
November 2010, Papendal Congress: Interim results Transition Monitor
November 2010, Maastricht, The Master's College students: Children with disabilities in
Netherlands
September 2010, Siegen (DE), Örtliche Teilhabeplanung für Menschen mit Behinderung: CrossOver
Centre of Expertise and Innovation: Young People, Disability & Work
September 2010, Los Angeles, International Forum on Disability Management: Differences between
RTW between men and women
September 2010, Los Angeles, International Network on Disability Management Researchers:
Working with a Disability
June 2010, Helsinki, EASPD Annual Meeting: CrossOver: Strategy and Results
June 2010, Helmond, Final Meeting: The support provided
March 2010, The Hague, Ministry of the Interior: Two Ticks: a win - win situation for the employer
and future employee
November 2009, Amersfoort, Congress Success in Work: How to get hired and keep my job?
September 2009, Nijmegen, European Platform for Rehabilitation: Customer Focus in Relation to
Employment: a macro approach
April 2009, Groningen, Refereerbijeenkomst Makke Map: Reflection on the Makke Map
March 2009, Nijmegen, The Turkish delegation Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Disability: The link
between ICF and reintegration activities in the Netherlands
January 2009, Valencia, DISABILITY RESEARCH FP6: Opti-Work: Optimising Strategies for Integrating
people with disabilities into work
Guidance Committees in the past years
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Supporting young people with intellectual disabilities: research to support young people with
disabilities need for optimal development and the costs that this entails
External Evaluator European Commission FP7 Programme
Cultural Program WAJONG: an interdepartmental program, coordinated by the Ministry of Social
Affairs and Employment
Teamwork: a project that focuses on the development and implementation of a method that youth
in an AKA process helps employees to learn specific skills through team work
Rehabilitation Fund: A scenario study on employment and rehabilitation
UWV experiment WAJONG: member of the evaluation of projects under the subsidy scheme
WAJONG
Joining you learn by participating: A survey of the way in which care for children aged 0 to 12 years
with disabilities attention is given to (future) social participation
Boris: Cooperation between centers for vocational education and business to support pupils in
secondary special education (VSO) who choose the learning route to the labor market
RWI: Study facors within labor organizations that affect the success of the labour market chances of
Wajongers
RWI: Experiences of employers with Wajongers
Berenschot: Exploring the possibilities for the introduction of Two Ticks in Netherlands
Regio Plan: The Wajonger as an employee, an investigation into sustainable employment
NVVA: People with possibilities: an interdisciplinary methodology to achieve better employment
chances of young people with disabilities
Work address:
Disworks VOF
Jekerweg 42
6212 GC Maastricht
The Netherlands
Mobile:
E-mail:
0031651813690
Brigittevanlierop@disworks.eu