PROJECT TITLE

The Social & Economic Integration Of Persons With Disabilities Project

Project duration: 12 months

In fulfilling our mandate of providing access to educational, hearing health, and social support services, for Deaf persons, there is the need for a stronger Transitions Unit within the Social Services Department of the Jamaica Association for the Deaf.
The Transitions Unit is responsible for the coordination of activities to promote the movement of Deaf persons from secondary school to post-secondary opportunities. These opportunities include those aligned with post-secondary education, vocational training, integrated employment, self-employment, adult education services, independent living and community participation through social activities.
In order to coordinate these activities to ensure that there is successful transition, there is a need for a stronger system for intake and case management of clients, greater public awareness for employment integration and structured work readiness training for Deaf persons; all of which can be achieved through this project.
The project will lay a stronger foundation for Deaf adults to achieve social and economic integration into the wider society, as the Transitions Unit will be better able to provide the assistance they require . It will feature the design and development of a robust data management system, Deaf-friendly information resources on national social support services, a communication plan to build awareness of Deafness and Deaf culture, and structured curricula for remedial education and work readiness skills.
The general objectives of the project are:

1. To strengthen intake and transition support service delivery to Deaf persons.
2. To build awareness with target audiences for employment integration of Deaf persons.
3. To develop work readiness training programs for Deaf persons.

This project represents the start up phase of an intervention that will be sustained in order to achieve the desired impact.

PROJECT TITLE

Advancing Deaf Kidz Jamaica!

The ADKJ has partnered with the Jamaica Cultural Develop- ment Commission to present Empower to Elevate Deaf Dance Festival 2015. This will be held on Wednesday May 13, 2015 and will support the JAD Thanksgiving Week Cele- brations to be held during the week May 3 to May 10, 2015.
The project aims to advance the rights and protection of Deaf children and young people through a nationwide programme of communication, safe behaviour, and positive parenting by utilising sports and dance as channels for engagement.
The festival will take place on Wednesday May 13, 2015 at 4:00pm at the Little Theatre, under the patronage of his Excellency David Fitton and Mrs. Hisae Fitton, British High Commissioner to Jamaica.