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at the Institute for the Blind and Partially Sighted, Hellerup, Denmark
April 26-28, 2001
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Inge Kyhl opened the seminar by welcoming everybody to this seminar, which has been on the agenda for quite some time. The purpose is described briefly in the programme (enclosed). Everybody agreed that it was important to have as participants those people who are actively involved in planning and carrying out the instruction.
Everybody then gave a brief presentation of the way that ADL instructors are trained in their respective countries. The following notes attempt to capture some of the main points from this presentation. To summarise, here appeared to be great differences between the countries in the way the training is carried out, both in terms of the duration and the formality of the training. In terms of methodology, one point that was discussed, was the use of blindfolds or simulation goggles. Some used this means only for an hour or two, while others did it for a whole day in order to get the fatigue effect. There was some debate on the best use of the goggles/blindfold.
Addresses for participants is enclosed in another section of this report.
Inge began in the field 20 years ago as an occupational therapist teaching newly blind people as well as people who were congenitally blind. She received basically no special training for working with blind people. In 1980, Inge trained as an O&M + ADL instructor in a dual qualification programme. The programme was 8 months, but was later extended to 10. The focus is mostly on partial sight. The programme has 4 modules:
The modules are not necessarily taken continually, but may be taken over several years. It is possible to take the 2 x 2 weeks of practical work in one block of 4 weeks. The course weeks are 4 days of instruction + 1 day for preparation/ homework. Course days run 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
After modules 2 and 4, there are exams.
Entry requirements is basic teachers' training, training as an occupational therapist (OT) or similar. Normally, practical experience is required as well. Average age for students is late 30's.
The student usually already has a job and receives normal pay during the training.
The programme costs 13,500 Euro, this is normally paid for by the employer.
During the past 30 years, some 170 people have completed the course. Some 100 are still active today (population of Denmark is about 5 million).
Today, the programme ends with a diploma, but many (incl. Inge) consider it necessary to change that to an actual degree. This will lead to greater recognition as well as greater leverage in salary negotiations.
Jette works at Refsneasskolen, the national school for visually impaired children. For the past 3 years, part of the ADL training (2 weeks) has taken place at Refsnaes, where the focus is on ADL with children. Jette works in the course division, which sees children (0-15 years) and their parents, teachers and other related persons. ADL for children has become part of the course, although most graduates are going to work with adults, because it is important to have some experience with the kids, and because it offers an insight into the characteristics of people who are congenitally blind.
See enclosed descriptions of IRIS [Germany] and the ADL course [Germany].
Additional information: The price for a single course is 27,000 DM, in addition, the student (or others) have to cover expenses for accommodation and travel.
The course lacks official recognition, which may cause problems with employers.
The goal is that every 3rd lesson should be supervised.
Pam estimates that around 100 students have graduated from the course so far.
See enclosed description of Blista [Germany].
Additional information: "Blista" is an 85 year-old rehabilitation institution as well as a private school for blind children from 5th grade through 12th grade. Children/young people come from all over Germany, they live in Marburg, which is a university city of 80,000 inhabitants, 20,000 of them are students. Since 1990, Blista has been responsible for the training of O&M and ADL (or DLS) instructors. The training includes braille, early intervention, ADL, psychology, optical rehabilitation. Blista also offers a unique education as 'informatikkaufmann', i.e. an education in business and IT.
Since 1983, Blista has offered training for ADL instructors only through a dual qualification programme. Some 80 teachers have completed this programme since 1983.
Simulation (goggles/blindfold) is used to increase the students' sensitivity and to enhance their creativity, as they try to develop and use some of the same strategies as a blind or partially sighted person must.
Supervision is gradually reduced; in the beginning of the course every 2nd lesson is supervised, then every 3rd and every 4th, until the last 4-6 weeks, which are without supervision.
Vreni works part-time (40%) as a trainer for O&M and ADL at the centre of information and rehabilitation for blind and partially sighted people in Bern. Vreni's second job is with the Swiss National Association for the Blind (SNAB), where she is an instructor (50%). SNAB is the main organiser of training and development of professionals working with visually impaired people. The department has a permanent staff of 4 people (incl. head of dept. and a secretary).
The SNAB courses use course instructors both from Switzerland and abroad. The latest ADL course at SNAB (began November 1999) had two German instructors, one of them Pam Cory. For a course with 8 people, 4 instructors are needed. The main course lasts 17 weeks, divided into sections of 1 to 4 weeks. Between the courses, the participants use their newly learnt skills in practice at their workplace. For supervision during the practical phase, the students have to find their own supervisor, for example an experienced colleauge. The supervisor has to prepare a report. The courses are based on IRIS' concept.
In the beginning, there is a basic course of one week covering the most frequently needed services for partially sighted people (the largest group of the clients). Subjects include communication (to write, to identify money, to use the telephone), sewing (to thread a needle, to sew on a button), special aids for the kitchen, markings, adaptations in the household etc.
In the second basic course, there are various theoretical subjects, e.g. aspects of perception, observation, methodology and didactics, for example the concept of learning processes. Students also have to learn to formulate and solve a problem on their own in an exemplary way. Then the blindfold is introduced. Specific ADL subjects are mainly communication, computer skills, cooking, eating, personal care and hygiene, handwriting, sewing, household chores and care of clothes.
Currently, SNAB is considering organising the courses in a module system, which would allow the students to choose only the ADL subjects they need the most. But in a small country like Switzerland (population 6 million), this may prove to extravagant, as a course needs to have at least five participants.
Instructors in the SNAB ADL education programmes must have a course in adult education and at least 3 years of job experience.
The cost is 11,000 SFr, this is excl. of food and accommodation. It also does not cover the cost of the introduction course and the pay for supervisors.
Please see enclosed description of Seminar ADL, Copenhagen [Holland].
In Holland, the rehabilitation services for visually impaired adults have two main branches: 15 regional centres and 1 residential centre, Het Loo Erf. Since 1980, Het Loo Erf has been offering courses for professionals (before 1980, this training was organised by the individual institutions themselves with no proper, formal training). Bill organises courses for 'home teachers', who visit the home and provide education there - this title today has changed to 'independent living therapists'. Courses are offered to employees of other institutions, approximately 20 students a year. Only for people who are currently working with adults (18+ years), and who have training as an occupational therapist (OT) or similar (most are OT's). This means that what Het Loo Erf offers is specialised training, as the basic training is already in place.
Courses are 4 weeks, full time.
Content: ADL, O&M, typing skills, handwriting, maybe braille.
Basic skills are taught in the course, but there is also an emphasis on learning about principles and strategies - general coping.
Bill considers the programme too short, but people are not willing to pay for a longer course. The course offers no recognition, no diploma, no status.
Children? Children are not covered by the course, this area continues to be handled by the institutions themselves.
Tyfloservis (in English: Service for the Blind) has been an independent organisation since January 1, 2001. From 1990 till 2001, Tyfloservis was part of the organisation Czech Blind United. Tyfloservis has 12 centres in Bohemia and Moravia. They offer courses in cane techniques, psychology (the most popular course), typing, braille, personal signature. ADL subjects include cooking, cleaning, clothing care, hygiene, childcare, simple maintenance. Tyfloservis has 40 instructors, who visit clients locally. ADL education is still at a very basic stage.
After January 2001, students have to take exams incl. the preparation of instruction for a made-up client, for example a plan for teaching the client vacuuming. These courses are only offered to Tyfloservis' own employees. Courses last 4 days + 4 days, and ADL is only a very small part. The courses are funded by the Ministry of Health + private foundations (public funds are not enough).
ADL courses begin in September 2001. The institute is in the middle of a process of change. Currently, it is under the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, but from May 2001, it will be under the Faculty of Humanitarian Studies.
In the O&M course, there will be 10 students, and often 5 will be blindfolded, while the other 5 are supervising. O&M includes cane technique, route planning and the planning of instruction for clients.
Requirements for joining the course are: good mental health, normal physical health, vision good enough for drivers' license, braille skills, knowledge about ophthalmology (enough to understand diagnoses). After 1 year, there is an exam, which covers theory, O&M, route planning. When the student has taught for 3 years, he or she may then take a verification exam. If the result is only medium, he or she may try again 3 years later. Thus, the O&M requirements are quite strict, because there is a potential for dangerous situations. For ADL, it may not be necessary to be quite so strict.
The plan is for ADL courses to last 2 terms, 300 x 45 minutes.
The first week is introduction week, and there are classes every day. The entire first day is spent with blindfolds; half the students wear a blindfold, while the other half are 'guardian angels'. Later in the day, they switch. After this first week, there are classes every second Thursday and Friday, the rest of the time is for independent studying. Part of the course is the planning of special courses for people with multiple disabilities. There are no plans to have verification exams for the ADL course. The course is completed with a university diploma. The course is free, but students must pay their own food and accommodation (in fact, the institution/workplace often pays). Participants include both people who are already working in the field and students from the university.
Additional information from Lenka: Education for ADL - instructors [Czech Republic] and O&M courses [Czech Republic].
The GDBA offers 2 courses for professional rehabilitation workers:
In 1993, 10 students a year took these courses, now the number is about 50 a year.
Costs: if the student funds the programme him/herself, the cost is 5-6000 pounds. The student may also receive a bursary from the GDBA, in which case the programme receives 20,000 pounds. Unemployed students may qualify for funding through the European Social Fund, ESF. Most students are over 30. When interviewing prospective students, lifeskills are considered as well, not just formal educational qualifications. There are no formal requirements concerning hearing or vision, but administrators will look at whether the applicant has adequate coping strategies.
The academy offers courses to eastern and central Europe, conducted in English and Polish. Please see enclosed description on the following pages.
You can read more about the NGO for people with disabilities, Foundation AWARE Europe, which Nina runs in addition to her work at the Academy.
Visit this link - and click on the English flag if your Polish is a bit rusty...
aware-europe.idn.org.pl [new window] (no www in front). Here, you will find a newsletter from spring 2001 describing activities and plans [Poland].
Note 1: In these notes, visual impairment is used as a general term that covers both blindness and partial sight.
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Note 2: Notes have been supplemented with information from the GDBA website, at www.gdba.org.uk/schoolofvision/courses.htm. This page also contains information on masterclasses.
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