WGS Jaguar Scout Group - MINDS

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Being Able Text by Salinah Kader Photos by SMEDC Salinah with two of her trainees 25 January 2008 was a very important date for me as it was my first working day as a Training Officer at SIA- MINDS EDC (SMEDC). I was still wondering then if I had made the right decision to take up this job. After all, I had no prior experience working with people with intellectual disability and my 20 years of experience working in the healthcare industry seem to have little relevance. I had many initial concerns and jitters, such as “how I should talk to my trainees” and “will they understand me”? I also had to overcome the fear sparked by naysayers who told me that people with intellectual disabilities are not capable of doing things and that they might harm me. However, being a positive person, I decided not to let negative thoughts get in my way of knowing another human being. And so my journey began. And the journey has been enriching and beautiful so far. Never have I seen a bunch of people happy and smiling everyday, including Mondays and post holidays. Never have I seen such hardworking, dedicated and talented people, and not once have I heard them make grumbling and whining of sorts when they are told to work at a faster rate to meet work demands. At the end of the day, they are still smiling happily and have so much enthusiasm, passion and energy in whatever they do. 15 mindspeak: the heartvoice of special people They showed me that nothing is impossible and to be brave to face the world, which makes me feel ashamed of myself at times. I read up on books about people with special needs and in October 2008, I attended the Diploma in Disability Studies (DDS) Course. This course was full of insights and provided me with an in depth knowledge of people with intellectual disability. Not only did I understand more about the disability, I have also learnt that they can achieve anything with adequate training and support. They have their desires and wants, which can be what we desire too - to be accepted in the community and to be happy! Upon graduating from the DDS course, I became more aware of what my role as a Training Officer can contribute towards making the lives of my trainees more enriching and beneficial for them and their families. My journey in SMEDC has been a great learning process for both my trainees and myself! It has been over two years since I first joined SMEDC as a Training Officer and I am glad that I had made the right decision to join them. Throughout this period, I have learnt a lot about adults with intellectual disability and there is still more that I know I can learn from them. To the trainees I am working with, I salute you because you have taught me the meaning of “Being Able” in whatever I do, regardless of any difficulties or circumstances. Salinah (third from right) at her DDS Graduation ceremony. On her right is Mr Keh, CEO of MINDS, and Professor Trevor Parmenter
Our Overseas Learning Journey to Adelaide Text by Lawrence Alphonsus Yeo Kim Seng Photos by WGS Assembly session at Pasadena High School Disability Unit 15 staff from the school sector and CDU embarked on an overseas learning journey to Adelaide, South Australia, from 14 to 19 June 2010. The objective of this learning journey was to study the South Australian special education system, transition programme and vocational training and opportunities. The visits to the various schools and centres were coordinated by the Flinders University and the places visited were as followed: - Hamilton Secondary College - Henley High School - Pasadena High School - St Anne’s Special School - St Patrick’s Special School - Kensington Centre (school) - Special Education Resource Unit (SERU) - Bedford Industries - Daws Road Centre - MINDA Incorporated The trip started with an introductory lecture of the South Australian special education system by Dr Kerry Bissaker, a senior lecturer at Flinders University. In Adelaide, most of the schools adopt the model of inclusive education where mainstream schools have a disability unit for students with special needs. Although the lessons are still conducted in a separate unit, the students have the opportunity to interact and co-share the facilities with their mainstream peers. The schools are each assigned with a district school counsellor and support officers. Their role is to provide additional support and they sit in during the parent-teacher meetings as well. Daws Road Centre, which is a vocational transition centre, works very closely with the schools to provide attachments and elective training programmes to equip the students with the necessary skills for employment. The participants of the trip also had the opportunity to witness at Bedford Industries how the workers with special needs operate various heavy machineries to pack furniture parts and wines to be sent to the retail stores. These machineries have been modified and equipped with additional safety features so that the workers can operate them safely. Bedford Industries also has a setup for independent living where they offer accommodation for those who work in open employment and in their sheltered workshops. The visits to the schools and adult centres gave the participants an insight into how transition is followed through from their schooling years. A lot of emphasis is placed on the ‘End in Mind’ planning where every student is identified with certain work skills for some potential work placement. This identification could take place many years before their graduation so that there will be ample time for the schools to teach the necessary skills and facilitate work attachments. There are also many financial and welfare schemes offered by the state government for persons with special needs, and efforts are made to ensure that they are well supported by the society. This trip has indeed been an enriching learning journey for all the participants. They have been able to adapt their insights and newly acquired knowledge into their areas of work. This will ultimately enhance our skills in teaching and learning for the education of our students. Participants of the learning journey with staff and lecturers of Flinders University mindspeak: the heartvoice of special people 16
Page 2 and 3: MINDS’ Vision To be a world-class
Page 4 and 5: Interview with Mrs Jaya Mohideen Mr
Page 6 and 7: The Flame within our Youths Text an
Page 8 and 9: WGS Jaguar Scout Group Bagged Silve
Page 10 and 11: Fun Fit @ FGS Text by Quek Yan Ying
Page 12 and 13: HSBC Helped to Improve the Lives of
Page 14 and 15: A Cut above the Rest: Enhancing a C
Page 18 and 19: Occupational Therapy in MINDS EDCs
Page 20: About MINDS MINDS stands for Moveme

WGS Jaguar Scout Group - MINDS

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