For the first time in Pakistan, those trainees who have certain abilities but are not yet capable of 100% communication or working independently are given simple jobs within the centre (hence the word “sheltered”). In sheltered workshop they can develop a basic concept of working with others, follow given instructions, become more socialise, increase eye hand coordination, develop time concept and much more. These tasks include cleaning and packing (Pulses, sugar, pop corn etc.) making paper bags, envelops, registers, copies, gifts boxes and writing bags etc.
A combination of functional academics of reading and writing depending on ability is offered besides simple task completion skills, work independence, money handling and large group socialization. Pre-vocational training offers a variety of skills, which grooms the trainee and give basic concepts regarding vocational skills. These skills are taught through simulated workshops setting which is used as a bridge to the employment and mainstreaming in the community. Special emphasis is placed on time management and productivity. Pre-training of the skills include typing, computer , salesman ship, public dealing, carpentry, polishing, tailoring, machine embroidery, stained glass painting, Photostatting, office assistant, block printing, book binding and industrial workshop. After this pre- training trainee is giving in house internships which further enhances trainees’ capabilities. Hence, the trainee is fully prepared for vocational training.
Vocational training is an extension of pre vocational therapy. Much of the work is obviously simple and repetitive kind but the trainee learns habits of work which should be geared to the individual needs. Continuity and variety of work should be closely supervised by therapist. After getting the feed back in the enhancement of the trainees’ ability regarding a particular skill the trainee is then registered and given a regular salary for his/ her house job.
In occupational therapy, our occupational therapist makes use of the activities of daily living in preparation of a program for the trainee. This program is individually designed for each traineAfter the in house job training the trainees are placed in real job situations with salaries example jobs in fast food restaurants, factories, shops, offices, motor workshops, toys shop, groceries shop, paint shop and general stores etc. with follow-up services.
Certain activities augment the rehabilitation process and play a vital role in the trainees’ progress. These include:
Parents counselling
Training parents along with their individual program is our highest objective towards community based rehabilitation. We offer quarterly counselling sessions of parents as a group, training and guiding them towards home base programs and therapies. Individual counselling is also provided on a regular basis as well as whenever needed.
Home visits
Our specialized team also visits homes of the trainee in order to understand the home environment and living conditions for giving regular guidance to their care givers for effective results by planning a home based program.
Social therapy/ training
The aim of social training is to help the intellectually challenged person to function within groups both at works, at play and at home. To conduct these social training we organized events stages, plays, poetry competition debates, quizzes program, song competitions, coordinated dances, outdoor visits such as amusement park, cinema house, library, zoo, water park. Sexual education should also be included in this program as a serious issue. By having social activities in communities, it may be expected that the general public will be positively affected with resulting understanding and tolerance. The Rising Club, a pilot project of KVTC, is an extension of this training.
Teachers training
Teachers training are conducted frequently in KVTC. In this training session we trained our teachers in many different areas such as behaviour modification, classroom management, self help skill training, developing social skill concept among teachers and students, teaching techniques, lectures of many cases of mental retardation are also given in training program. Besides our own special educators, lectures are often conducted by itinerant teachers of many other external organizations.
Providing special educator home tuitions
If a KVTC trainee is experiencing behavioural problems at home or is facing any difficulty regarding academic, socialization self help skill etc which the parents cannot handle by themselves than the special educator of the KVTC is appointed who goes to his/her home and makes a proper home based program with follow-up services. The frequency of the visits by the special educator depends on the seriousness of the case.e and is based on his/her adequate knowledge of personality, habits, and ability.
The OT department covers a wide range of activities. Here, simple manual or intellectual task on material with which the trainee is familiar, can be used for initial estimates of functioning. It also covers the area of improving work skills, to acquire new skills and to reduce social isolation. Activities of this department can be shared by regular people also to improve the process of learning.
Internship and Job Placement with follow-up services
Vocational training
Pre-vocational Training
Sheltered Workshop