The Adaptive Learning Program is for adults with physical and developmental disabilities who want to prepare for independence, competitive employment or volunteer work in the community. Students participate in on-site work settings to gain job skills, in addition to transferable essential skills. Possible work sites include the coffee shop, resource room or copy room. Students may then make a transition to an employment support program in the community.
Who is eligible for the program?
Adults age 21 or older with developmental disabilities who are:
- Able to demonstrate a high level of independence
- Able to spend lunch and break times without supervision
- Able to set and work toward specific goals
- Able to attend classes four days per week
- Willing to work or volunteer in the community
- Able to follow routines and directions
- Able to work in a variety of environments, with different people
- Have the support of family and caregivers in finding employment or volunteer positions
What will students learn?
Students learn both the transferable and targeted skills needed to prepare for employment.
Transferable skills are those that will help them in any job, such as:
- Gaining self-confidence, problem solving and self-management
- Understanding workplace culture and expectations
- Knowing labour laws and rights
- Working as part of a team and working alone
- Using strategies for handling conflict and stress
- Prioritizing and organizing tasks
Targeted skills are specific to various workplace environments. Examples include:
- Preparation for Food Services Settings
- Gain hands-on experience through helping to run a coffee shop
- Learn specific skills such as reading recipes and instructions, serving customers, cleaning and handling food following public health regulations, and maintaining inventory
- Preparation for Office and Library Settings
- Gain hands-on experience through maintaining a resource room
- Learn specific skills such as laminating, binding, shredding and photocopying as well as how to categorize, repair and organize books and other resources
- Preparation for Plant Care and Maintenance Settings
- Gain hands-on experience through working in a recycling program
- Learn specific skills such as tracking plant care, preparing seedlings for planting, selling, and general cleaning