Professional skill contests for invalids as an effective mechanism for their job placement

The article is devoted to organization and realization of the professional skill contests ‘Abilympics’ for invalids and disabled people in the Russian Federation, which are seen as a mechanism for their employment. Objectives, tasks and organizational structure of the contests are analysed. The contests organizers must aim at the employment of the winners and participants. The paper studies the problems of invalids and disabled employment, the mechanisms of invalids’ employers support and best regional practice. The author presents the experience of the Chelyabinsk region in conducting ‘Abilympics’ contests in 2015-2016. The author reveals the main risks associated with organizing and running such contests and the ways to overcome and minimize them.