Brochure of Vocational Training for Mentally Handicapped : Chapter I
As said earlier, the mentally handicapped persons look so nice and affectionate, yet they are so very different that throughout their lives they need constant help, supervision, protection, guidance, acceptance and above all love. Academically, they cannot go beyond standard f or I I in its true perspective. But they are able to do productive work under supervision. Hence, we shall discuss that part of the ability that a mentally handicapped person can do in general. “The success can only be achieved by adapting various methods to the needs of these persons who vary one from the other much more than do normal persons.”
Whatever may be the seed and the soil, the care and supervision have values. Similarly, whatever, may be the level of intelligence of an individual, the education and training have values. It is this value that we accept and understand, and try to do our best within the limits of our limited resources.
Before, the various stages of Vocational Training are discussed, it must be clearly understood that this booklet is only a guide for those working in this field and not the final word an the subject. As time progresses, new concepts, theories and inventions may add new dimensions to these approaches and render many of these suggestions totally irrelevant in the changed circumstances.
However, we must remember that we are training persons whose faculties of reason and understanding are not as developed as those of the normal persons. They are very often subject to rapidly changing moods and at a loss for comprehension. Under the circumstances, we must seek to identify ourselves to their needs and having done so, the training programme may be planned accordingly.
Vocational training plays a major role in the management, education, training and rehabilitation of a mentally handicapped and is also an answer to the parents’ constant anxieties regarding the child’s future after he leaves the school when he is 18/20 years. Rehabilitation is the ultimate answer to the crying question, “What next ?”
Let us understand the meaning of VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND REHABILITATION – stage by stage.
What is Vocational Training? Vocational Training in its true sense, is, “to put one, on his way to efficiency by instruction and regular practice leading to independence in any safe work or occupation.”
What is Rehabilitation? The meaning of Rehabilitation is, “to restore to working order, or to make fit, or to bring back into good condition, or to restore to Society, etc.” The rehabilitation programme
is just to find out a suitable system of procedure whereby a mentally handicapped boy/person can be placed in a particular vocation or work after due training where he will feel secure, happy and will be able to earn his mite after settling down to his job.
AIM: The aim of rehabilitation is, “the development of self-reliance”. It is said, the optimum utilisation of working capacity and independence. In other words, to encourage in all routine work of life. “Self-reliance” can only come, as it seems, from the deep inward satisfaction of specialised knowledge, careful handling and training with love, tact and kindness. In principle, if the ability is nursed and at the same time constructive encouragement is given, the foundations of interest and endurance take their roots respectively. It is through day-to-day practice and experience, performance is accomplished. It is, therefore, felt, that after giving genuine encouragement to acquire skill and giving a feeling of security, plans may be formulated for rehabilitation programme. The preparation of the training programme should be, as far as possible, in accordance with the best principles of vocational guidance, to meet the requirements of the mentally handicapped, at a level of their skills, abilities and understanding. But mentally handicapped of Profound, Severe & Moderate grades, can never be independent in their day-to-day life, nor will they be so in their working environment. But they perform excellent productive work under supervision in a Sheltered Workshop. The person who is training them, has a duty to motivate then by repeated instructions, suggestions, practice and offering incentives to learn safe work (which must be a repetitive one and reasonably remunerative).
It has been observed and practically realised that the mentally handicapped persons lack no confidence or courage, show no disgust or disapproval to work, once they settle down to their respective works. It is very patient and time-consuming work on the part of the teacher or a trainer or supervisor to recognise the understanding, temperament and moods of these students/persons, assess the basic motives and inculcate a feeling of ‘being wanted’ in them. The emotional stability of the students should, as far as possible, be identified so as to prepare them to gain confidence. It is correct guidance to plan, “Boy – job” relation with regular practice and thereafter the “Placement”, which is, perhaps a complete rehabilitation.
“Education must be held fast to certain ideals, and the young should be taught to aspire for harmony in bodily movement, harmony in thought, harmony in vision and aspiration.
Vice-Chancellor, Allahabad University – Dr. Amarnath Jha
“All true education ought to be religious, since the object is not merely to give information, but to develop and regulate all the powers of the mind, the emotions and the workings of the conscience.”
Religious teacher – Raja Rammohan Roy
“Progress is the activity of to-day and the assurance of tomorrow.” American Author – Emerson