Developmental and career path training for adults with intellectual disabilities

Training Workshops Unlimited (TWU) is a programme initiated by Cape Mental Health, a non-proft organization located in the Western Cape province of South Africa, to provide developmental and career path training for adults aged 18 to 65 with intellectual disabilities. Each day some 550 people experience the training and career path model of TWU, and many have gone on to fnd employment.

Problems Targeted

People with intellectual disabilities in South Africa face stigma and are often denied appropriate education and work opportunities.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

The TWU programme ofers six levels of disability: Level 1: For adults with profound intellectual disability in need of higher levels of care. Level 2: For adults with moderate intellectual disability. Level 3: A work skills programme for adults with mild intellectual disability. Level 4: A bridging and support programme providing job coaching for internal and external trainees. Level 5: Supported employment, whereby reasonable accommodation and additional job coaching is provided for trainees in full-time employment. Level 6: Open labour market employment, whereby all participants receive a market related salary Benefciaries of the TWU programme work in a wide variety of jobs, such as governments administration, construction, woodwork/ carpentry, sewing, machine operating, gardening, packaging, maintenance, retail, driving and delivery, and cleaning and domestic skills.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

TWU’s total annual cost is US$398,000 and is primarily fnanced by the Department of Social Development at 55 per cent. Another 14 per cent comes from donations and fundraising, and the balance is generated through external sales of goods and services. Through international exchanges with service providers in Germany, the TWU model and programmes have been shared internationally.

Pictures