15 Apr 2019

There is need to support people living with intellectual disabilities in order to help them find a source of livelihood.

A disability expert from the United States, Mr Thomas Defeyette remarked this at Camphill Community Trust in Otse in the South East District recently.

He said it was important i for people with intellectual disabilities to find employment opportunities.

Speaking during a two-day workshop on supported employment for people with intellectual disabilities, Mr Defeyette said despite the barriers that made it difficult for them to be employed, both the public and private entities needed to play a role in availing opportunities.

Among the challenges faced by the disabled community, he cited transition from the school environment to the work environment and unwillingness by parents to let go.

Director of Camphill Community Trust, Mr Andreas Groth, said people living with disabilities desired, deserved, needed and required information on access to employment and community life.

“Not only do they deserve that, but they also have the right to it,” Mr Groth stated.

He noted that the world  had moved towards human acceptance over the years but said opportunities and support for people with disabilities were not satisfactory.

He stated that Camphill Community Trust offered a school that provided for people with disabilities right from primary school at the age of five-years-old until tertiary where they were taught, life skills, social skills and groomed for employment.

He stated that they offered access to those who would not be accepted into the mainstream school system. However, he stated that they start preparing their pupils  for the after school transformation the moment they are enrolled. ENDS