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Country

Chile

Import/Export

Topic

Zero Project 2019/20

Transfer Model

Status

Universidad Andres Bello is a private university based in Chile. They have developed a three-year vocational training programme for students with intellectual disabilities, fully housed within the university campuses. The programme develops employment skills in specific industries and supports students’ transition to work. Since 2006, there have been 403 graduates, 72 per cent of whom are now employed. The programme runs at all three campuses and has been replicated in universities in Argentina, Mexico, and Spain.

You can discover their presentation at the Zero Project Conference here

Solution

The first year of the programme focuses on developing the cognitive, linguistic, and social skills necessary for future work activity and helps students to identify their strengths and interests for future employment.
In the second year, students acquire specific skills by choosing modules in one of five areas: administration, education, catering, gardening, and veterinary skills. In the third year, students gain work experience at companies in their chosen fields. Learning materials are designed to be accessible to students with intellectual disabilities, and personalized support is offered by teachers as needed.
Students have access to all the extracurricular activities on campus, for example, sports programmes and dance classes, and meet peers from other study programmes through these activities.
At the end of the program, students graduate with a job skills diploma.
Throughout the programme university staff also work with potential employers to identify the key skills needed in each industry, and they support employers to offer inclusive work environments to graduates of the programme.
Students pay a normal fee, but those who cannot afford the fee are granted scholarships through donations from private companies, banks, and other institutions.

Impact

Studies show an increase in social skills, autonomy, and self-esteem in the young people who have taken the programme, and 87 per cent of parents report being very satisfied with the programme.
The programme started with 35 students in Santiago in 2006 and had 136 participants across its three campuses in 2018.

403 students have graduated from the programme, 72 per cent of whom are now employed

As well as replicating the programme to its other campuses, UAB has also supported three universities to replicate the programme in Argentina, Mexico, and Spain, and it is looking to expand this replication further.

Needs

We wish to partner with Higher education organisations that aim at developing an inclusive culture in their communities.

We look for partners in countries with similar job training needs for people with intellectual disabilities.

Transfer Model

We wish to replicate Our inclusive education model based on equity:
– Curriculum adaptations
– Personalised approach
– Cognitively accessible methodologies
– Multidisciplinary support
– Special protocols

We will work through partnerships and alliances

Further Info

Contact person: Maria Theresa von Fürstenberg, Programme Director, mvonfurstenberg@unab.cl

Website

 

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