Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Worksen Good Practies
Worksen Good Practies
HANDBOOK OF GOOD
PRACTICES
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication
reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any
use which may be made of the information contained there in.
http://www.worksen.com
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LEONARDO DA VINCI PARTNERSHIP 2011-1-TR1-LEO04-24209
Contents :
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1. WORKSEN PROJECT
(Leonardo da Vinci Partnership 2011-1-TR1-LEO04-24209)
Project Title: Comparing The Techniques Used in Special Needs Vocational Education and
Supporting Their Social and Vocational Integration
Acronym : WORKSEN
Project extent : 2011-2013
Target group : Children with light and moderate mental deficiencies
1.1 PARTNERS;
1. Ankara Esnaf ve Sanatkârlar Odaları Birliği – TURKEY
2. Hurin Yavuzalp İş Okulu – TURKEY (Coordinator)
3. Bala Halk Eğitimi Merkezi Müdürlüğü – TURKEY
4. Scoala Speciala nr. 7 – ROMANIA
5. University Bucureşti Facultatea de Psihologie şi Ştiinţele Educaţiei, Secţia
Psihopedagogie Specială – ROMANIA
6. Specjalny Ośrodek Szkolno-Wychowawczy im. Jerzego Strzałkowskiego w Lesznie –
POLAND
1.2 OBJECTIVES;
Supporting the integration of disabled people into society in order to prevent risk of
isolation;
Verifying the learning environment considering their mental disabilities and skills;
Developing the cooperation between school and sector so that the pupils can be
employed in appropriate places in terms of their skills and interest;
Training parents on how to treat their mentally disabled children in order to ease the
load on them;
İnforming the parents and pupils about the social rights of mentally disabled people and
to prevent the discrimination;
Encouraging the pupils to take part in country economy and have the awareness of
citizenship;
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Meeting the necessities by comparing curricular contents and exchanging good
practices of application and new approaches;
İmproving the pupils' skills of adaptation in school and working environment;
Developing entrepreneurial competencies using the "virtual company"
Enhance classroom applications in order to support the competencies needed for the
development of a future career;
İmproving pre-professional abilities of students for integration in vocational high-
schools;
Enhancing vocational education of teachers working with children with special needs;
İmproving conditions for social inclusion of children with special needs; for the project to have better
chances, we should find another professional school for children with SEN from another countries;
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1.5 DISSEMINATION AND USE OF RESULTS;
The module to be used in the training of parents on treating disabled children, the work
legislation and social rights will be an important part of dissemination. It can be applied in all
special needs schools and centres. The published versions of this module will be distributed to
the public authorities (incl. the Ministry of Education), parents, special needs education
institutions and adult education institutions.
The website will serve not only for students to perform in the virtual company but also to
disseminate the project activities to all countries.
The handbook of good examples to develop the students' social and entrepreneurial
competences will be distributed to the public authorities, to the department of Special Needs
Education in each country’s respective Ministry of Education.
Local and national media representatives, public authority representatives, employees and
people in the neighbourhood will be invited to the dance performance and exhibition of
products and photos.
The project will be introduced to local authority by means of brochures, and posters.
www.worksen.com
5
2. GOOD PRACTICES;
It is also difficult to know when a practice is good or not, the best one or not.As human
beings,we often doubt what we say is true,but we have tried.Consequently,we present you
some practices and collected in the project partnership countries.These practices show how
education for disabled is something alive in the countries participating in the Life Long
Learning Programme.
Our project aims preparation of handbook of good examples to develop the students’ social and
entrepreneurial competencies in and outside the school.
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2.1 EXAMPLES OF GOOD PRACTICE TAKEN IN WORKSEN
PROJECT
(SPECJALNY OŚRODEK SZKOLNO-WYCHOWAWCZY
IM. PŁK. JERZEGO STRZAŁKOWSKIEGO W LESZNIE)
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2-DAYS WORK EXPERIENCE IN THE HAIRDRESSING SALON
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On Art classes students made Easter postcards for the partner institutions. Using
traditional motifs and patterns pupils presented Polish tradition to students from
Romania and Turkey. Students designed and prepared the cards. Moreover
participation in the workshops improved their art skills and increased awareness of
cultural diversity.
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Students had opportunity to learn about Turkey by creating cards for The Republic
Day. They personally searched for Turkish symbols and motifs. Additionally studied partner
country’s history and compare to their own. Students benefit from growth cultural awareness
and widened their experience.
Students developed their talents by designing and making Christmas cards. They
searched for motifs, materials and occasional greetings. Pupils showed their creativity.
Moreover communication in foreign language increased their self-confidence. Additionally
they had chance to compare Christmas symbols and traditions in partner countries.
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DECOUPAGE WORKSHOPS
Students of vocational school participated in workshops where they learnt about decoupage
technique. They were trained in decorating items step by step. Their self-made products were
photographed and exhibited on the virtual company website.
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DANCE PERFORMANCE IN BUCHAREST
In March 2012 group of eight students took part in the dance performance. At the
meeting in Romania students presented three dances including traditional Polonaise and two
modern dances. They gave a great performance in the international event. Moreover they had
chance to meet students from partner schools.
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COOKING CONTEST IN BUCHAREST
During mobility to Romania in March 2012 group of eight students took part in
cooking contest. Together with Turkish and Romanian they prepared a tiramisu dessert. Apart
from practice cooking students had opportunity to improved communication skills and made
friends.
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EASTER WORKSHOPS IN BUCHAREST
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PARENTS’ TRAINING COURSE
In September and November 2012 group of parents and legal guardians attended the
training course. During 15- hours course they have been trained in work legislation and social
rights of disabled people. Participation in the course increased parents’ awareness towards their
children and improved knowledge about rights of person with disability.
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MOBILITIES (FIRST MEETING);
At the first meeting two teachers from Poland stayed in Ankara for a week. Participants
visited vocational units in special schools and occupational therapy workshops. During the
meeting they got know special education system in Turkey and were guests of partner
institutions.
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MOBILITIES (SECOND MEETING);
At the meeting in Bukarest in Spring 2012 eight students and two teachers from Poland
visited Special School nr 7. Group took part in cooking contest, dance performance, Easter
workshops and football match with Romanian students. Participants exchanged experience,
improved their communication skills and developed their pre-professional abilities.
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MOBILITIES (THIRD MEETING);
In October 2012 four teachers from Poland took part in the meeting at the University of
Bucharest. Group visited vocational special schools and participated in occupational
workshops. Representatives presented raports of the labour market in partner countries.
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2.2 GOOD PRACTICES IN BUCHAREST UNIVERSITY
In the context of current educational reforms and national and international legislation, a
special importance is given to the generous principles of “education for all’, to the idea of
acceptance of human diversity without discrimination, optimal school, professional and social
integration of all children, youth and adults experiencing difficulties, and not least of
generalization of the “inclusive school”.
Within this foundation, each activity aims at specific objectives for the benefit of persons
with disabilities:
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It requires a special form of communication, an individualized relationship
established between the counselor and the client within its limits being
accomplished: identification of the client problems, determination of the steps
which have to be followed (along with the persons that are counseled).
Youth will be monitored throughout the period of probation, aiming at the development,
adaptability and social integration.
20
At this stage, gaining beneficiary independence and the understanding that sooner or later
he or she will have to go his/her own way it is important, not because he/she was abandoned,
but because he/she learned to fend for himself/herself.
These activities are carried out at the “Alpha Transilvană” Foundation in those days
when the young man is not at the practical training in the workplace and are grouped in the
following themes: daily life skills, the skills of home management and use of community
resources, money management skills, skills regarding personal care, skills regarding social
skills.
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Alpha kitchen and Jan Gerssen bakery
The protected unit kitchen Alpha accredited according to the law 448/2006 provides
solutions to companies on the effective use of handicap funding due to the state budget under
this Act.
This activity includes especially the service of preparing and serving complete meals
for immediate consumption.
Beneficiaries
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SC Timural Group SRL – www.timural.ro - is a protected enterprise under Law
448/2006, located in Târgu Mureş, which provides products and services done by people with
disabilities employed with labor card. Company history begins in 2003, working on two levels:
provides solutions for companies with more than 50 employees regarding the effective
use of handicap funding due to the state budget, according to the law
provides employment opportunities for people with handicap.
Services and products offered by SC TIMURAL SRL are:
Within the “Ateliere Protejate” Association functions the “Boxberg House” project,
through which every person was given the responsibility to assume some tasks in order to
achieve the project purpose: to increase the independence of each beneficiary in organizing of
own life, buying food, proposing recipes, working in the kitchen, with the help of some
volunteer mothers, who insured a thorough training in culinary activities and work safety.
Such activities were alternated with leisure programs (walks outdoors, visit to the zoo,
visits of cultural objectives, socialization along other groups, jogging in the Youth Park,
around the lake in the middle of the park, every young person with handicap trying to
overcome his/her limits.
A young woman, while
struggling to climb a
mound, sang
enthusiastically: “You rise 23
me up, so I can stand on
mountains!”
5 young people with Down syndrome, beneficiaries of “Ateliere Protejate” Association
in Bucharest have conducted in collaboration with “Caritas” Association interesting activities
such as: „Noaptea Lumânărilor“ (“The Night of Candles”), manufacturing of candles (sold
initially in front of the churches, then to “Glaxo Smith Kline” company, which offered
sponsorship to renovate one of the association houses, where there is a space for individual
study), celebrating Christmas, Easter, birthdays, organizing anual camps with the support of
practitioners from Germany and Austria, Open Doors Day, “Fall Market” activity held at the
“CopiiiRo” Association headquarters, “Christmas Market” activity, participation of 5 young
men at the large project “Pasărea de foc” (“Firebird”) together with other 90 children and
young people from other projects.
An interesting activity of the association youth, organized through the European program
“Youth in Action’ consisted in the camp organized with “Curtea Culorilor” (“Color
Courtyard”) and “Punto Missione” associations, activity to which 11 Italian students
collaborated too.
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Financial benefits obtained show that the future of the “Ateliere Protejate” Association
can be represented by providing of services for different companies.
Much more important, however, are the benefits in the adaptive plan and the optimization
of the integration of children and young people with handicap, as reflected in their
assessments.
.
“Here I learned songs, making candles in the boiler”
“I am happy and it suits me not to leave from here. I like being with the colleagues, I cannot do
manual work alone”
“This is the last, where you can find like this? People around me do not care about it. But I continue
doing my job as I can. That is, time passes”
“A pool is missing”
“You wish all people good health, have a family in their home and be born without
sickness” (Simona, 33)
“I enjoy working fine! I come alone at the Workshop now and I’m glad, it is good I fend for myself”
“I work, I do a good job, I take care of colleagues, I help them, I talk to them, we communicate and
I come every day to continue working”
“I changed my behavior. I have a girlfriend. She is an intelligent girl. She has a good soul, she is
hard-working and I have what to learn from her, she knows well how to relate with people”
“I do not know if the Workshop will exist any longer… I’d like to get a job, but it is not up to me”
(Alex, 25)
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Name of the entity: Asociaţia Angels Down
Fiscal identification code: 28100026
IBAN:RO50BRDE426SV43349184260
Phone no. 0723 0 198 33, 0722 45 46 85, 0720.38.48.43
E-mail:[email protected]
Web site: www.angelsdown.ro
Bucharest, 2012
Angels Down Association, as a private law legal person without patrimonial purpose,
was founded in March 8, 2011 by a group of parents of children with Down syndrome, with
the purpose of valuing of their own children, to offer support for social integration of children
and for changing of mentalities, attitudes, preconceptions through the development of some
information, counseling, recovery and integration programs.
The purpose and objectives of this association are:
to promote, protect and represent the legal rights and interests of children, adolescents
and adults who were diagnosed with Down syndrome
a better adaptation and social integration
to eliminate marginalization and segregation
to increase the level of autonomy of children, adolescents and adults with Down
syndrome in solving the tasks of everyday life for an independent life
to eliminate the risk of handicap caused by lack of affection to these persons
to know the problems generated by the integration of children with this condition and
to advise parents caring for children with this syndrome
the development of day care centers for children, adolescents and adults with Down
syndrome and for tutors and support persons from their social network
initial and periodic assessment of children and adults with Down syndrome who
benefit from the association’s services
developing individual programs adapted to the needs and level of development of each
beneficiary in order to improve symptoms and develop new skills and adaptive
behaviors
development of therapeutic programs adapted to the needs of beneficiaries: speech
therapy, physical therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, art therapy, ABA
therapy, etc.
counseling adults and adolescents who experience anxiety and/or depression due to
social difficulties
organizing camps and excursions, entertainment and recreational activities
carrying out activities in diverse social backgrounds
vocational and occupational counseling
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supporting adults with Down syndrome in identifying, obtaining and maintaining
employment
counseling and informing the family and/or support persons with the necessary actions
to maintain children/people with Down syndrome and adapt to their needs
individual and group counseling of child tutors/person with Down syndrome facing
problems on a personal level (anxiety, depression, physical and/or psychological
exhaustion, etc.)
promotion and support of the rights of people with Down syndrome
promotion of solidarity and equality
actions for awareness and public awareness about the reality of life for those suffering
from Down syndrome and their families
preventing the abandonment of newborns with Down syndrome through direct contact
and moral support to new parents for permanent relationship with them
informing pregnant women about the importance of tests and ultrasound during
pregnancy and how pregnancy must be monitored
actions with an educational purpose in schools to support integration and adaptation of
children with Down syndrome
fundraising to support the activities of the association
drawing up and managing applications to various local, governmental and European
financing projects, attracting grants and sponsorships to support the programs of the
association
classic or electronic format editing of publications and materials to support the goals
and objectives of the association
monitoring, maintenance and development of professional networks and other
stakeholders to support the activities of the association
recruiting volunteers
discounting drugs and medical services, ABA alternative therapies which are not free
for people with Down syndrome.
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Altfel!” („Different School”) program, whose objective being the information and raising
the awareness of students about their neighbors who are different, but who, through a
sustained effort, can go beyond, being endowed with qualities, despite the prejudices of
society and the obstacles they face and offering of 50 folders with informative
materials (Different School program, presentation of Angels Down Association,
presentation of Down Syndrome problems), 50 printed shirts, 50 certificates of
participation
Presentation of examples of good practice for children with special needs who were
integrated into the general education, emphasizing the role of educator in the integration
and learning process
Forming of a mixed playing group of 15-20 children, its goal being the increase of the
independence level in solving the daily life tasks of children with Down syndrome (pre-
professionalization, seeking learning, strengthening and generalizing the skills necessary
for independent living based on personalized intervention plans) and attracting volunteers
Forming a support group for parents (15 families), moderated by a psychologist with
experience in family relationships psychoanalysis and a parent of a child with Down
syndrome, licensed in psychology, aiming to optimize the parent-child relationship in the
context of diagnosing the child with Down syndrome and of difficulties that that arise in
the relationship
Information and improvement of Angels Down Association members (attendance
of the Grundtvig UP4DOWNKIDS Transnational Seminar GRU-LP-11-P-101-DJ-NL
in Craiova, Romania, October 12 to 13, 2012), and “A single voice for disability”
seminar, Câmpina (October 27, 2012), organized by the profile associations
Association “Alternativa 2003” functions as NPO and NGO from 2003, being composed of
parents of children with mental handicap and associated, medium and severe (which are
beneficiaries) and specialists involved with parents in rehabilitation, education and social and
professional integration of youth (16-30 years old) with disabilities who cannot be enrolled in any
other form of education
• Social work
• Workshops
The project also included practitioner specialists of Special Schools nos. 1, 6, 7, 8,10 and 11,
who participated in the “Alternative for integration” seminar sharing their educational experience.
The advantages and peculiarities of people with intellectual disabilities that make them
competitive in the labor market:
represent an important workforce
have specific skills
they are suitable for routine work involving great routine
they do not get bored soon
in many cases they are more productive than people without disabilities
increased motivation comparing to other people
they do not generate conflicts
handicap itself is not an obstacle to employment
they are less interested in changing jobs
they are very punctual and are not absent without motive, having a highly
developed consciousness of work
they provide a positive image of the company
benefits of companies that hire people with disabilities:
tax incentives represented by wages received
improvement of company image
disciplined labor workforce
workforce willing to do repetitive work
reasonable salaries
Identifying and assessing the causes that negatively impact the socio-professional integration
of young people with handicap/severe disabilities (lack of information and collaboration of families
of these children with schools, poor educational and vocational guidance, the small number of
professions and occupations appropriate for these young people, lack of sheltered workshops,
reserved attitude of employers towards people with severe disabilities, etc.) and in accordance with
the Program of Employment of Workforce, “Alternativa 2003” association contributes to the
decrease of unemployment among people with special needs through incentives to employers who
hire unemployed persons over 45 years of age, unique family providers, persons with handicap,
organizing vocational training courses, providing free mediation services on job vacancies or newly
created jobs by a current activity which consists in providing information about job vacancies,
facilitating links to people seeking employment with employers, in drawing up individual plans for
mediation, in the organization of general job “stock exchange” or of specialized ones, people with
handicap included.
29
The main job offer
• hearing (365)
• associated (156)
• sensorial (97)
• deaf-mute (96)
30
Modele de bune practici în activarea factorilor care condiționează reușita integrării copiilor și
tinerilor cu dizabilități
31
Education and vocational respecting of individual rights in
social integration
concrete services community
FUTURE PROJECTS
“Alternativa” Daycare Center was founded in partnership with several institutions for the
protection of children and youth, having as main objective education, rehabilitation and
vocational training of young people with mental handicap and associated medium/severe by
developing skills and abilities to help them live independently.
To achieve this goal, “Alternativa” Daycare Center provides vocational and occupational
training services, professionalization, social work, psychological and psycho-pedagogical
counseling, specialized education, socialization, occupational therapy, computer skills.
Main diseases the beneficiaries are suffering of are different: chronic infantile
encephalopathy, Down syndrome, autism, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, severe mental deficiency.
Through the services offered by the “Alternativa 2003” association in the “Alternativa” day
care center, these young people will continue their education, thus avoiding their family and
school abandonment and isolation from society.
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Special Middle School “Constantin Paunescu” is the largest special school in
Bucharest, which operates since 1980 (special school with grades I-VIII for students with
mild and moderate disabilities and I-X grade classes for students with mental deficiency,
neuro-motor deficiencies, severe deficiencies/associated, and kindergarten for preschoolers
with severe/profound deficiencies), providing educational and, educational and therapeutic-
rehabilitation assistance for children/students/young people with SEN, through activities
valued as models of good practice, corresponding to a modern educational process, adapted to
the specific of each deficiency of students.
Beneficiaries:
children of preschool age (between 3-7 years old)
children of school age (8-16 years old)
eighth grade graduates of special schools for pre-professionalization
homebound children, through home schooling and reduced frequency
children with SEN integrated in mainstream schools
Children with SEN have various diagnoses: from moderate to severe/associated
deficiencies impaired, from Down syndrome to autism, from severe motor deficiencies to
partially sight or hearing deficiencies, from language disorders or severe communication
difficulties to major disorders of adaptive and social behavior.
The qualified professionals and school-based teachers have different
specializations: special psycho-pedagogy teachers or teachers for compensatory therapies
(speech disorders therapy, kinetic-therapy or psycho-diagnosis), teachers of different
specialties (physical education, religion), educators, foremen-instructors, doctors, nurses,
para-professionals, social worker, all featuring a rich teaching experience, imagination and
creativity, pedagogic talent and interest for self-improvement, qualities valued in the teaching
process and in coordinating the pedagogical practicum of students from the University of
Bucharest, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences - Special psycho-pedagogy
The fundamental objective: to prepare students with deficiencies for optimal
integration into social and professional life.
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“Decorated candles”
“Skilled chefs”
Specialized teaching workshops
Household and farm workshops – in which the activities have a role in the formation
of domestic skills (using simple household tools, observing the work stages,
evaluating the prepared products - sandwiches, pizza, cakes, including at some group
parties during holidays, birthdays or anniversary days of students).
Also, such activities contribute to the formation of self-assistance and daily life skills,
which optimizes personal autonomy of students with deficiencies, responsibility and
self-confidence, as well as future success of their integration into adult life.
Decorative candles workshop “Licurici” (“Firefly”) – in which the activities
(manufacturing and decorating candles, sold through exhibitions, fairs, etc.)
contribute to the achievement of compensatory-rehabilitation objectives:
Multisensory stimulation
Development/correction of psycho-motility (precision, coordination, movement
synchrony, using of both hands, etc.)
Development of aesthetic sense
Stimulation of creative imagination and education of potential aptitudes
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Occupational therapy workshop - where activities take part in training and practicing
of some skills (handling, modeling, assembly) useful in practicing of a job or
profession, in familiarizing and adapting students with deficiencies to the work
demands, in the perspective of a good socio-professional integration.
Products made by students: collages of seeds, braids made of rope, decorations with natural
materials, folk art objects; small bags, embroideries, greeting cards, clay objects represent a
permanent exhibition of occupational therapy workshop, but can also be admired in thematic
exhibitions and fairs organized in Bucharest.
35
“Varlaam Mitropolitul” School from Iaşi
Provides activities that may constitute good practice models regarding education based not
only on performance but also on the formation and internalization of authentic values, Christian
orthodox included.
school training according to the plans and programs for all study subjects approved by
the Ministry of Education
in-depth study of the German language
after school program
meal serving by students
learning chess
openness to spirituality: “School of God” („Şcoala lui Dumnezeu”) by studying religion
and management of training students based on Christian principles
The philanthropic activity of the Department of Social Services of the Romanian Orthodox
Archdiocese of Alba Iulia intertwines with the social activity of the “Orthodox Philanthropy”
association (“Filantropia Ortodoxă”) in Alba Iulia by mission (development of local communities in
Alba and Mureş), purpose (improving quality of life in local communities through: social, medical,
cultural, educational, economic and environmental services, provided according to Christian spirit)
and through objectives.
36
OBJECTIVES
37
BEST PRACTICES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
AVITECH Company
Modern technology becomes one of the key elements absolutely necessary for the
implementation of a coherent process to improve Romanian education system.
2000 – Acquiring of number 1 position in Romania in the domain of video projection and
conference systems and introduction in the portfolio of professional solutions of
sound amplifying.
Retrieved from:
http://www.alphatransilvana.ro/home.html
http://www.ateliere-protejate.org/
http://alternativa2003.ro/
http://www.scoalaspeciala11.ro/
http://www.avitech.ro/
http://angelsdown.ro/
http://filantropiaortodoxa.ro/filantropia/
http://www.alphatransilvana.ro/activitati-generatoare-de-venit/sc-timural-group-srl.html
38
2.3 GOOD PRACTICES IN WORKING WITH STUDENTS
WITH SPECİAL NEEDS
Special Secondary School nr. 7
Bucharest, Romania
The Leonardo da Vinci life-long learning partnership titled Comparing the techniques used in
the vocational education of children with special needs and supporting their social and
professional integration (acronym: WorkSEN) has facilitated an exchange of good practices
between teachers from Turkey, Romania and Poland. By means of visits to participating
schools, the teachers have enriched their professional experience by comparing the special
educational systems and curricula of partner countries, and the teaching methods and
techniques used in working with mentally disabled children.
Work visits to special schools were organised, which have occasioned the experience
exchange between teachers and students. During this visit, the students from Romania have
worked together with their colleagues from Turkey, knitting, crafting, listening to the Turkish
students playing traditional instruments and painting, thus having the opportunity to know the
way their colleagues from other countries learn and prepare for life.
The teachers took part in class activities, observing the teaching methods of the Turkish
special educational system. Discussions took place on the educational and practical activities
enjoined by the curriculum in order to integrate children with mental disabilities (occupational
therapy, drawing, painting, cooking, artisanship, music, knitting etc.).
39
Mobility to Romania at Special Secondary School nr. 7 (26 March to 1 April- 2012)
During the school visit, the students from Poland and Turkey took part in reading, writing,
drawing, painting, maths and sports activities in class, together with students from Romania,
and have asked questions about the school programme.
40
Strong points of class activities in the visited institutions which constitute an example of
good practices
Educational activities were organised according to the children's abilities and accorting to
school programme. The students' motivation has increased as a result of the approach toward
the project activities. The following objectives have been met:
Improving the students' attitudes and skills of adapting to school and work
environments;
Improving the students' preprofessionalisation abilities for professional integration;
Developing the skills of children with disabilities in order to support the necessary
abilities for developing a future career;
The activities undertaken by the students from partner countries took place during cooking
and decoration workshops and dance shows.
Cooking workshop
The students from Poland and Turkey which took part in the mobility prepared a Tiramisu
cake with the help of students from Special Secondary School nr. 7. They were congratulated
and rewarded with certificates for their work. The cake was served by all the participants.
41
Easter decorations workshop
The partners were invited to a visit to the local Children's Club, where children with special
needs undertake extra-school and extra-curriculum activities. During this visit the Easter
decorations workshop took place, during which children and teachers from Romania, Turkey
and Poland have worked together. Certificates of participation were awarded.
Dance show
The children from partner countries have performed both modern and traditional songs and
dances. The dance show also aimed at involving the local community in the project activities
and integrating the children with special needs into the community by organising the show
with the aid of a mainstream school. The show was appreciated by the both the participants
and the local community. The dancers and musicians were awarded certificates for their
artistic talents.
42
Two days of professional experience
The students of Special Secondary School nr. 7, participants in the Leonardo da Vinci
WorkSEN project, took part in two days of professional activities in the Little Pizza-baker's
Shop and folk artisans' fairs according to the activity plan of the project.
Sixth grade and other students of the school have undertaken preprofessionalisation activities
during which they learned to bake pizza. After the activities, the students received certificates.
These activities have been organised with the aim of developing practical abilities, in order to
prepare secondary school students for school and professional guidance toward arts and crafts
schools.
43
During the project activities, the students took part in traditional craft workshops in order to
guide them toward traditional crafts such as pottery, sewing, artisanship, painting glass icons
etc.
44
Exhibition and sale of products made by the students on the occasion of the winter holidays
(December 2012) during the Leonardo da Vinci project at the Romanian Peasants' Museum.
Exhibition held by the students from Turkey during the mobility to Romania.
45
The students from each partner institution have exchanged handmade postcards on their
special days, such as national, religious and traditional holidays. This exchange allowed
students to actively take part in the communication section of the project.
Postcards made and sent by the students from Romania to the project partners on the occasion
of the winter holidays.
Postcards received from the project partners (students from Poland and Turkey).
Virtual company
The students of Special Secondary School nr. 7, participants in the WorkSEN project, have
made a number of products: paintings, glassware, bottles, painted globes decorated with
various materials, holiday postcards, traditional gifts, manually painted polystyrene Easter
eggs, handmade tablecloths and handkerchiefs etc.
In order to support the entrepreneurial spirit and develop ties to the professional environment,
the students were encouraged to establish a virtual company in order to simulate selling the
products. They chose a manager, a sales representative and an accountant. The company was
implemented on the project's website, each partner country having a page where to display the
products.
Here are some of the products made by the students from Romania, together with the prices
they have set for them, in national (RON) and European currency (EUR).
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During the project mobilities, the professional offer and the level of social insertion of
children with special needs were compared by presenting the situation (offer of special
professional schools and labour market) in Romania and in the partner countries. It has been
noticed that the educational offer can be enlarged with jobs offered to persons with disabilities
in other countries (barber, hairdresser, cashier, cleaner, artisan etc.).
By comparing the degree of social insertion of youths with disabilities we notice the fact that
both in Turkey and in Poland there is a greater concern on the part of both the public
economic sector and the private sector to offer jobs to disabled youths for trades they have
qualified for through professional schools. Also, these youths are being helped to find
employment, and they can qualify at the workplace. The governments of partner countries
offer a greater social protection to youths with disabilities which qualify for a trade, by
helping them to find employment.
Multimedia presentations
In Turkey, the project coordinator (from Special Secondary School nr. 7) presented a guide
for school and professional guidance.
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In Romania, presentations regarding the Report on the labour force for students with special
needs from participating countries took place.
The University of Bucharest has compiled a guide of good practices for parents, Based on the
guide for parents made by the University of Bucharest, a training course to prepare families of
children with special needs and volunteers (members of society) regarding the work
legislation and social rights of disabled persons.
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Course for parents
Stills from the course for parents regarding work legislation and the rights of disabled
persons. The 15-hour course module has been shown to the parents by the school headmaster
and the project coordinator (teachers Lucian Mozer-Schönborn and Carmen-Marilena
Ș erbănescu). The post-test questionnaires have shown an improvement of the parents'
knowledge both with regards to legislation and to the psychological knowledge of their own
child (needs and support, method of approaching deficiency).
Examples of individual counselling of the students' parents with regard to the educational
offer of special professional schools. At the end of the eighth grade, individual counselling of
the students and their parents takes place. The educational offers of special arts and crafts
schools are shown. Each parent and student is counselled by the class director.
Offer nr. 1:
constructions, plumbing and public works
o construction worker (finisher)
tourism and food service
o hotel worker
o catering
food industry
o milling and baking
textiles and leather
o knitting and clothing
Offer nr. 2
mechanic
o construction worker (metal structure assembler)
constructions, plumbing and public works
o plumber (technical-sanitary installations)
o wallpapering, wall-painter
wood industry
o carpenter
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food industry
o fish and meat products
The parents were told of the importance of school and professional guidance:
Every society requires the practice of trades and services;
Each student has the possibility of learning and practising a craft that is useful to
society;
Through work, each can win his bread and help his peers;
The practice of a trade requires a certain system of communicating and relating to
those around;
In the practice of a trade, knowledge and habits that are accumulated through
schooling in an ACS are needed;
Work requires effort, and the results depend on it, and on the level of training.
Each parent understood the importance of school guidance and will choose a trade for their
child according to the child's preference and the recommendations of the class educator, the
professionalisation activities teacher, the psychodiagnostician, the school medic and the
school's professional guidance committee.
A society's level of civilisation can be assessed by the attitude they display toward persons
with special needs. Furthermore, the social and professional integration of children with SEN
is dependent upon the attitudes and material conditions offered to them by society, which has
obligations toward all of its members. The Constitution of Romania stipulates the right to
work and equal rights for all its citizens, without discrimination.
Two visits to ACS 2 and ACS 3 with the students were arranged in order to achieve the
knowledge and behaviours related to preprofessionalization, to know the special education
arts and crafts schools in Bucharest and to achieve optimal professional guidance. The
purpose of these visits was to get acquainted to their future professions.
During those visits, the students received information about the various trades which form the
educational offer of the two schools, about the tools use in those trades, about the usefulness
of each trade and about the employment opportunities after graduating from professional
school. The job offer accords to the students' capacities and to the demands of the labour
market (construction worker, carpentry, food service worker etc.).
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During the Leonardo da Vinci WorkSEN project, a visit was arranged to the hotel where the
students of an arts and crafts school undertake practice for jobs in tourism and food service.
The employers expressed their satisfaction regarding the way children with special needs have
been working and informed us of their being willing to employ those who graduate from
professional school as hotel and food service workers.
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Through the activities which have been proposed and undertaken in the project, the following
good practices were emphasised:
The exchange of professional experience, through:
o comparing the visions (concepts) for the most effective means to integrate
students with special needs (with regard to the cultural aspects, material and
human resources, labour market, social status of the family etc.);
o socialisation and communication (linguistic, intercultural and professional);
Participating in the school activities and discussing the work methods used for
students with special needs;
Ties between teachers and educators from the academic and pre-academic educational
environments;
Emphasis on specific aspects of career guidance and social integration of students with
special needs;
Discussions regarding practical and educational activities for integrating children with
special needs;
Promoting the integration of persons with special needs into the social and
professional life;
Improving the educational approach by comparing the different educational systems;
Improving the inadequate behaviour of certain families or parents toward children with
special needs;
Presenting the opportunities on the labour markets of the participant countries for
students with special needs, especially for those with mental deficiencies.
The activities undertaken in the project aimed at (and achieved) developing the skills of
students with special needs, their motivation, increasing their confidence in their abilities.
They felt equal to the rest of their peers, acknowledging the fact that they are important
members of society.
Through the practical activities undertaken during the workshops, visits to special
professional schools, the two days of professional experience and by creating a virtual
company on the project website, the students' social and entrepreneurial skills have been
developed, thus fulfilling the project's objectives.
The positive impact on the local community, parents and students from mainstream education
was noted, especially after involving them in the dance show and workshops. Uploads to the
project site (www.worksen.com) demonstrate the variety of the activities and their impact on
the community.
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Mobility to Romania at the Department of Special Psychopedagogy
Representatives of the Ministry of Education, Research, Youth and Sports, of the School
Inspectorate of the Municipality of Bucharest (the inspector for special and integrated special
education, Adrian Romeo Cozma), as well as representatives from associations working with
children and youths with special needs were invited.
The project was presented, and also the parents' training guide on how to treat children with
disabilities, the work legislation and their social rights. Representatives of the public
authorities have shown a few video presentations regarding the issue of children with special
needs in Romania and expressed their interest for the project's subject, as well as for their
willingness to support the social and professional integration of youths with special needs.
The project activities had an important impact on the students, families, teachers and the local
community, leading to:
An increase in the quality of the instructive-educational act and the improvement in
the school and professional guidance for students with special needs;
An improvement of the cooperation between the school, family, community and the
economic sector;
An increase in the school's prestige.
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2.4 EXAMPLES OF GOOD PRACTICE TAKEN IN WORKSEN
PROJECT
FOOD TECHNOLOGY:
We have also carried out activities in areas such as food preparations, cooking
techniques, ironing, using washing machine and dishwasher to help students in their daily
lives.
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HOUSERY:
There are suitable facilities for both boys and girls to work on sewing and knitting
areas in our housery workshops, in the aim to recognise and able to use kind of
machines in their future professional lifes..
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SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
School fairs are organised each year, and always attract great attention.
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School Folk Dance and dance team continues to work .
“
EXAMPLES OF GOOD PRACTICE
Leonardo Partnership Project was launched in 2011 by the school teachers.
Short Name Of The Project: WORKSEN
Name Of The Project: Comparing The Techniques Used in Special Needs Vocational Education and
Supporting Their Social and Vocational Integration.
1)TURKEY Our project is under the coordination of Hurin Yavuzalp Work School and has partners
which are Mamak District Education Directorate (Silent Partner)
2) TURKEY Bala Public Education Center
3) TURKEY Union of Chambers of Ankara Tradesmen and Craftsmen.
4) ROMANYA-BÜKREŞ- Scoala Speciala nr. 7 - Secondary education
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5)POLONYA – LESZNO - Specjalny Osrodek Szkolno-Wychowawczy im. Jerzego
Strzalkowskiego w Lesznie - Technical and vocational secondary education
6) ROMANYA- BÜKREŞ- Universitatea din Bucureşti, Facultatea de Psihologie şi Ştiinţele
Educaţiei, secţia Psihopedagogie specială-Unıversıty So in this project:
-Effective engagement of disabled pupils with social life in terms of their skills and knowledge.
-The practise of employment according to their professional skills.
-Training parents on how to treat their children and live happily with them.
-Comparison of curricular content and good experience.
-In addition to academic purposes, students got involved in the project activities as active participants
to share their experiences.
-Partners organised dance performance, hand made postcard exchanges, work experience and product
exhibition.
MOBİLİTİES;
Visits were made between countries in order to remedy the deficiencies in special needed education,
with sharing new developed approaches, content of curricula and practices. Some of our project
partners from Romania and Poland made a visit to our school and two more in our district ;
MAMAK EDUCATION SCHOOL OF BUSINESS APPLICATION and ÖZKENT AKBİLEK in
September 2011
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Romanian students met our students
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Second mobility to ROMANIA-BUCHAREST-Scoala speciala nr. 7 - Secondary education 'a
took place in March 2012.
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Our students danced and exhibited crafts activities in Romania.
Poland, Romanian and Turkish pupils prepared a tiramisu dessert . At the end of the activity
the certificate was given to children.
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In the third mobility, we had chance to know schools in Romania and compare curriculums.
School students made and sent some postcards to other partners students .
In order to support social integration and rehabilitation, our students exhibited their own
made products in exhibitions and bazaars in Ankara.
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PARENTS’ TRAINING COURSE
Families were informed about the laws on the rights in order to ease their burden.
In order to improve the school-sector cooperation, to be employed in the business areas according to
their skills, different establishments were visited students made short-term applications in those
workplaces.
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Project partners created a web site on the purpose of data sharing about the activities.
http://www.worksen.com
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