HANDIDACTIS

TRAINING SERVICES

Our services are enhanced by the quality of our trainers.  Each lives with a different disability (physical, hearing, intellectual, visual, learning, psychiatric or speech). Trained and accredited by HANDIDACTIS, they facilitate dynamic workshops designed to meet your specific needs of content and length.   A  resource handbook and a certificate are given to each participant.

TWO OF OUR WORKSHOPS:

ADAPTING SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES;

These workshops respond to the needs of organizations whose clients have disabilities.  The programs are aimed at workers who are in direct contact with the public.  It is the quality of this contact that determines customer satisfaction.

Personnel who are competent and attentive to the needs of clients are further distinguished when they acknowledge the special needs of those who have disabilities.  Their knowledge coupled with openness and a positive attitude translates into a flexible and relaxed approach.

Through our exciting teaching methods, your staff will discover the main characteristics of each kind of disability;  they will learn to identify the needs of persons with disabilities in terms of accessibility and adapted services;  they will develop the attitudes and skills necessary for providing good service; and they will apply the simple and practical interaction techniques through simulation exercises which reflect the reality of your workplace.

WORKPLACE INTEGRATION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES;

Legislation requires the accommodation of employees returning to work after an injury or illness.  Re-integrating an employee who may look or act differently can be difficult.   Coworkers may feel  frightened or embarrassed.   HANDIDACTIS can de-mystify the disability, and answer the questions.

This will reduce staff discomfort, and increase the opportunity for a successful re-integration.   HANDIDACTIS awareness workshops will also help in the successful integration of newly hired employees who live with disabilities.   These workshops are designed to interest everyone in your organization, and can be tailored to meet the needs of a specific group, such as recruitment staff.

Each workshop sensitizes participants to the capacities and  potential of those who live with disabilities; introduces the  appropriate vocabulary;  and informs participants about the barriers  to workplace integration for people with disabilities.

THE ADAPTED TRAINING PLAN (ATP)

Divided into four steps and adaptable to all our training programs, the ATP ensures the training program you receive will be an exclusive product, and tailored to meet the needs and structure of your organization.

STEP ONE: A questionnaire is sent to workshop participants. It allows us to identify their expectations.

STEP TWO: The completed questionnaires are analyzed and the results are used to determine the additional information that will be included in the standardized program.

STEP THREE: Simulation exercises will be developed based on realistic interactions with clients. Documentation will be adapted to reflect your work environment.

STEP FOUR: Prior to the workshop presentation, you may evaluate the content to ensure its relevance to your workplace.

As part of the accreditation of HANDIDACTIS instructors, each trainer receives intensive training in adult education and group facilitation. To guarantee the consistent high quality of our training programs, a system of evaluation is incorporated within the training process.

Each trainer is evaluated by your employees on the basis of dynamism, subject knowledge, ability to respond appropriately to participants needs, and the quality of participant-instructor exchanges.

The entire workshop is also evaluated at the close of each session, including content, structure, and timing. This permits a global assessment of participant satisfaction. This feedback is compiled into an evaluation report and delivered to you.

CONSULTATION SERVICES

Train-the-Trainer: Develop your own awareness program.

HANDIDACTIS has the expertise to help you develop and implement your own sensitivity training program on disability issues. We will guide you through each critical step:

• Developing the concept and structure of the program;

• The training of trainers who will present the sessions;

• Creating an evaluation system for trainers and course content;

• Evaluating the impact of the program on employees.

Take advantage of HANDIDACTIS know-how through this process.

The selection of training tools for sensitivity and awareness.

You can develop the tools for training your staff. Depend on HANDIDACTIS for :

• Producing a video which reflects your specific environment;

• Creating an information pamphlet for use within your organization;

• Designing simulation exercises to mirror your specific environment, to help your staff to a better understanding of the needs of people who live with disabilities.

Site Audits

Your employees and clients deserve a fully accessible environment. Let HANDIDACTIS experienced auditors survey your workplace. If your goal is compliance with the Federal and Provincial Building Codes, the Canadian Standards Association Guidelines for Barrier-Free Design, the Americans With Disabilities Act, or a comparison of all four, HANDIDACTIS auditors are fully trained to provide a highly detailed report for your exclusive use. We develop a complete description of every adaptation necessary to create a milieu that is fully accessible to people who live with physical, hearing, visual, speech, learning, intellectual or psychiatric disabilities. You will receive a document to use as a guide when your organization plans facility renovations.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES AVAILABLE

Take advantage of other services offered by HANDIDACTIS. These can be incorporated into special events, such as National Access Awareness Week.

Kiosk on Sensitivity and Awareness

To reach the maximum number of employees, with the ultimate impact, HANDIDACTIS will set up a kiosk on your premises. Our trainers will facilitate a variety of activities that are exciting and fun while providing a sensitization experience. Some of these are: an obstacle course to be negotiated while blindfolded, wearing low- vision goggles, or using a wheelchair; communication exercises to be performed without speaking; or fine-motor tasks to be completed without using fingers.

We can set up a display in your lobby or cafeteria, for a few hours, or a entire day. A booth can be an interesting addition to a company function where employees bring family members, providing an enjoyable and enlightening experience for children and adults.

Conferences

Several of our instructors are available as speakers. For a seminar or conference, HANDIDACTIS speakers are dynamic, experienced, and entertaining. Our trainers personal experiences enrich each presentation in a thought-provoking and non-judgmental context.

Some Suggested Themes:

• From Myth to Reality:  Living with Disability

• What to Say When You Don’t Know What to Say

• Community Integration of Persons with Disabilities

and many more!

Video Rentals

HANDIDACTIS has a series of training videos in English and French,
available to organizations and individuals.

If this sounds interesting, or you have questions, please call us.