Introduction

Introduction


Symbiosis Foundation was established in 1999. Our aim is mainly to integrate persons living with disabilities into the labour market and society in Northern Hungary. It was expressed very clear that we want to approach problem solving in an innovative way. Our target groups are mostly mentally disabled people and people living with autism. We have been creating a complex service model through the years. We support families raising disabled persons (transportation, day care, special camps, etc.) furthermore we help the adult persons living with disabilities to live self-contained life (support service, several developing activities, day care, trainings, various sport activities, etc.)

Symbiosis Foundation provides supported living service for people with mental disability. It is a very important issue that residents can work out of social service provider and they have job in the open labour market. In most cases people with disabilities use special transport services instead of public transport to get to the workplace. This is expensive and not time consuming and it does not help personal development and social inclusion. Some people cannot use public transport without help that is why a visual app can help a lot and travelling independently become reality.

 

Our target

People with intellectual disabilities can use public transport independently

It distributes to community inclusion, people can use public transport

For people with disabilities it helps independent life.

Self-advocacy

Task

Task


  1. Dress appropriately.
  2. Check the time.
  3. Prepare oneself for travelling to work.
  4. Put ones shoes and jacket on.
  5. Check ID and bus ticket.
  6. Leave the house.
  7. Take the keys and close the door.
  8. Go to the bus stop.
  9. Take a look at the timetable.
  10. Check when the bus will arrive.
  11. Wait if needed.
  12. You cannot smoke at the bus stop.
  13. A bus is coming.
  14. Check if it is the right bus.
  15. Prepare the travel documents.
  16. Go to the front door of the bus.
  17. Get on the bus and show the documents to the driver/controller.
  18. Pay attention where to get off.
  19. Before getting off go to the second/third door of the bus.
  20. Press the "STOP" button.
  21. Driver opens the door of the bus.
  22. I get off and start to walk to my workplace.
  23. Find the closest pedestrians crossing.

Process

Process

1. Team of professionals (social workers, mentors, therapists etc.) discuss who is able to use public transport independently after a learning/training process

2. Involvement of people with disabilities to the planning and development

3. A person with a disability and a social worker use public transport together. They discuss the most important issues and what to pay attention for (e.g. to have ticket).They make photos of the process.

4. Photos are included into the personal development plan. Person has to try to make the steps into the right order and learn the whole process.

5. A person with a disability and a social worker use public transport together but the social worker intervenes just if necessary.

6. A person with a disability travels alone with the help of the app. Social worker follows him/her and if it is possible we involve the bus driver as well to the learning process.

7. Regular control- whether people can use the app and able to travel alone

 

Evaluation

Evaluation is an official part of personal development plan

We make it visible in the community that a person can travel alone- that is a good example for others and motivates others.

Competencies can be developed for adults as well.

Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

Learning outcomes

  • travelling independently

Knowlege acquired

  • how to use public transport

Skills acquired

  • communication skills
  • time management
  • orientation

Competences acquired

  • self-confidency
  • independency

Conclusion

Conclusion

Independent living and personal development are important issues in a life of a disabled people. It is also key point for professionals; sometimes in institutions and bigger settings some kind of overprotection can be experienced.

To find a job is crucial element of independent living but we cannot forget that it is related to other issues, eg. travelling.

People with disabilities have to get all help and information, including special trainings and toos so as they can travel alone. Is is important for the whole socitey as well: they are not invisilbe or hidden citizens and also it is an environmental conscious way of travelling. 

The application was designed for a bus transport but is is important that we can transform it any time according to the needs of the individual. 

Links

Links