Adult Integration Program

The Adult Integration Program (A.I.P.) is a 1-year training program for adults with intellectual impairments aimed at achieving independence at home and at work.

Assessing suitability

In order to assess a potential candidate’s suitability for the program The Living Link offers a SCREENING ASSESSMENT, which is done by a qualified Occupational Therapist. This functional assessment indicates whether a candidate would cope with the content of the course and whether they would be sufficiently challenged by the course material. Please click on the link below if you wish to submit a form for prospective students:


Prospective Student Questionnaire

Course Contents

Person Centered Planning (PCP)

Before commencing with the program The Living Link conducts a thorough interview with the young adult and any member(s) of their support network (parents, siblings, family members or friends). The aim of the PCP is to gain relevant background on the life of the young adult prior to joining The Living Link, including a history of their schooling, work experience, medical conditions and a plan of their goals, dreams and fears. The interview focuses on the person with the disability and begins the process of allowing them to express their own thoughts and ideas.

Skills Development

The first 5 months of the program consists of the following 4 courses that are trained at the centre. Training takes place 5 mornings a week from 8h30 until 12h00. The course has been specifically designed for this population of people and is practical, hands-on and relevant to their circumstances.


EMPLOYMENT ORIENTATION
PERSONAL EMPOWERMENT
  • Applying for a job
  • Assessment, matching, job trial, job coaching
  • Employment contracts
  • Employment Equity Act & disciplinary action
  • Understanding your salary & retirement
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Communication in the workplace
  • Time management
  • Self advocacy & speaking
  • Electronic communication - telephones, faxing, photocopying & basic computers
  • Stress management
  • Anger control
  • Conflict resolution
  • Diversity & multi cultural communication
  • Self esteem
  • Communication
  • Assertiveness
  • Team building
  • Problem solving
  • Goal setting
  • Relationships
  • HIV, AIDS & sex education
LIFESTYLE MANAGEMENT
COMMUNITY SURVIVAL
  • Personal hygiene & healthy eating
  • Cooking
  • Cleaning & washing
  • Basic home maintenance
  • Running a household
  • Catching public transport
  • Basic banking & money management
  • Human rights
  • Voting & census
  • Safety in the home and environment
  • Basic first aid

Job Sampling

The second five months of the program provide the students with a unique opportunity to gain work experience. Students sample various jobs at real companies on a rotational basis and are exposed to the realities of work. Students go to work every day and a full time job coach from The Living Link provides ongoing training and support in the following areas:

Specific companies in the community generously offer The Living Link their sites for the purpose of Job Sampling. These companies have opened their doors and their hearts and provide the platform for the practical application of the student’s training:

Independent Living Tour

The Adult Integration Program ends with an independent living tour where students are allowed the rare opportunity to experience independence and learn to fend for themselves. Students get a taste for what it’s like to live on their own and have to tackle the challenging tasks of budgeting, menu planning, shopping, cooking and cleaning their own accommodation for the week.

The tour provides real situations, which allow the students an opportunity to demonstrate and practically apply their skills in a fun, relaxed and supported environment.

Imago Relationship Coaching

Imago Relationship Coaching sessions are offered on an individual basis to students and their parents or caregivers. Imago coaching is a dynamic approach to healing and enriching relationships under the guidance of a trained coach. This method helps students develop a safe and loving relationship with their caregivers by teaching skills to heal old relationship wounds and satisfy each other’s important needs, while fostering the young adult’s personal growth.

Parent Workshops

Monthly support workshops empower parents or caregivers with valuable skills and provide regular feedback on course content and suggestions on how to start implementing independent living skills at home.

Work Assessment

Students complete a comprehensive individual assessment which establishes their potential in various work areas. This assessment is used as a tool to correctly match the skills of an individual to the demands of a potential job in order to make a successful job match.

Independent Living Tour
Independent Living Tour
The graduates
Training
Graduation
Job Sampling
Job Sampling
Training

Course Costs

Course Timetables