Eleni Stamarga of the Association of Parents and Friends of people with Autism disorders of Rethymno explains how the development of social enterprise based on handiwork has helped increase inclusion. This presentation was part of a webinar hosted by Citizen Network on behalf of the Erasmus+ funded Day Centres Without Walls project.

1. The handcraft workshop
Developing Social and Works skills for people with mental disabilities

2. Who are we
▪ On July 2021 the Association of parents and friends of people
with Autism at Rethimno decided to put in operation a
HANDCRAFT WORKSHOP, for adolescents and young adults
with cognitive disabilities and mental disorder
s
▪ The whole project started a few years ago, when parents , special
education teachers and volunteers wanted to make a change in
our children life. It was a fact that, at the time , there where no
suitable and accessible facilities (sports, entertainment,
workshops…. )for people with disabilities (over 18 years old).
After school most of our children spend their time at home. Their
social life was restricted to family visits and spending time with
relative
s
▪ At first we focused on organising an afternoon programme.
Initially the purpose was to socialise and entertain We
organised activities customised to the needs and interests of
young adults with mental disabilities. For the last 4 years many
things where done for developing their social skills. But we had
the knowledge that around the global theories and beliefs about
disability where changing.

3. Inclusion
✓Scientists, phycologists, social workers, teachers and
associations involved with people with disabilities, where
focusing on inclusion and wholly participating in social lif
e
✓In this new environment we decided to focus on
developing working skills to our young adults with mental
disabilities. And our HANDCRAFT WORKSHOP
began!!
!
✓Our workshop is organised according to the individual
needs, skills and abilities of each trainee
.
✓We learn young adults with disabilities techniques to
create accessories, jewelleries,(bracelets, necklaces,
earrings, keychains), small items for decoration and small
handiwork gifts
.
✓Consumers can find our products and buy them, if they
visit the site www.koinsep-kipseli.gr

4. Why is our
workshop
important
❖With the workshop we are making an effort to
promote working inclusion for people with disability.
Because it is a human right
.
❖People with disabilities at
our workshop feel productive and they feel that they
can participate equally in social life
.
❖They become more and more independent and they
develop everyday skills
.
❖People with mental disabilities at our workshop prove
to us that working inclusion can be a fact.

5. How do we
work-strategies
and tips
➢Be specific in the things we say, avoid difficult expression
s
➢Smile , be positive, patient, flexible and supportiv
e
➢Repeat instructions many times and show as many times the
techniques
➢Cut up the activity into smaller part
s
➢Offer assistance for demanding tasks to those that need it most
.
➢Make sure participants understand the rules of the group. Make
clear what is and what is not an acceptable behaviou
r
➢Take care that the working place allows the participants to
concentrat
e
➢Each participant offer a skill to the group according to their
individual abilities and interest
s
➢For participants with poor social skills we have personal assistant to
take care and help the
m
THESE ARE SOME TIPS THAT ARE USEFUL WHEN YOU WORK
WITH PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

6. What is our
aspiration
o To break barriers. We want the society to realise that people with
cognitive disabilities can be productiv
e
o All our policies are aimed at promoting inclusion for people with
disabilities at workplace
s
o Inform prospective employers about the necessity of engaging or
employing a person with mental disabilities. And focus on the
benefits
o Train and support future candidate
s
o Inform families, local authorities, companies, organisations about
working inclusion and cooperate with the
m
o Make constructive recommendation to governments about work
inclusion for people w.m.d
o Convince the government to change their nowadays policy on this
issu
e
o Legislation
END!

7. KEYCHAINS

11. HANDCRAFT

17. WORKING WITH DIFFERENT MATERIALS