Some schools have already
opened now and in the swing of things, while the rest will be opening this week.
Shopping malls are still a hive of activity with last minute shopping for
school requirements such a stationery and uniforms. Parents subject themselves
to all the expenses because they see light at the end of the tunnel. They want
their children to get everything they need, get good grades and make wise
career choices. For children with intellectual disabilities, however, there is
a lot of uncertainty regarding where to go after they are done with their high
schools studies, sometimes even their primary education, if at all they make it
to school to begin with. Not everyone with intellectual challenges has the
capacity to enroll for high schools studies. On the other hand, there are many
that qualify for high school and even tertiary, yet the educational system is
not that accommodating. For the few that do manage to study, the employment
market can be very hostile and they might still find themselves twiddling
thumbs with no job opportunities.
Employers are usually scared,
unwilling, or mistrustful to hire people with disabilities. Two people in
Veghel, the Netherlands, came up with a brilliant idea to avail employment
opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. Teun Horck, a chef, and
Thijs Swinkels, a special needs teacher, realised that not many people with
disabilities were employed in the hospitality sector, and decided to change
this. In 2010, they started Brownies & Downies in their home country and
the concept soon spread to surrounding European countries. The franchise has
since grown by close to 30 stores in the Netherlands. It has even come very
close to our own shores – in Cape Town South Africa.
Brownies & Downies is a
training centre, in the form of a coffee shop and lunchroom, for people with
intellectual disabilities ranging from fetal alcohol syndrome, autism, Down syndrome,
to other learning disabilities. Their website states that it is “a vessel to
create change and acceptance in the South African culture. Special needs young
adults are trained to be employable in the hospitality, service and retail
sectors. The Cape Town outlet was started by Wendy Vermeulen, a young woman who
initially came to South Africa from the Netherlands, and also noted the lack of
employment opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.
Parents whose children need
training phone the shop or email Vermeulen, then meet her at for an assessment
of their age and interests. They are then added to the waiting list for
training. Schools also sometimes approach the shop for their learners. Brownies
& Downies tries to find job placement for the trainees, but some of them
come for the training while they are still studying. “So far we have placed 3 people into real jobs
at spar. And hopefully we will place some more of young adults in the work
field very soon,” said Vermeulen.
She said in the beginning
some of the trainees were shy but after a while, their confidence grew. “It is
really great to see the trainees opening up and enjoying their work in the
coffee shop.” Regarding how customers react
to being waited on by people with intellectual disabilities, she said, “99% of
the customers are fine, they absolutely love it. But you always have the odd
one who is rude to them or things like that.”
The biggest challenge faced
by the establishment, according to Vermeulen, is the lack of knowledge that
people have about people with intellectual disabilities, adding that having the
young adults working in the coffee shop was good sensitization that people with
disabilities can actually do something, they can work; contrary to what some
people think.
Going through social media,
there appears to be very happy customers for Brownies and Downies, with one
hash-tagging #findingabilityindisability. However, some people have misgivings
with the name. Name notwithstanding, it is a powerful concept that is helping
to change perceptions and put people with intellectual disabilities in
circulation with broader society, while taking charge of their lives by being
professionals.
I believe the Brownies and
Downies concept is doable even here, and not just for the hospitality sector. It
could be in mechanics, retail, crafts, fashion, anything. People with
intellectual disabilities have their own interests and some of them are
exceptionally gifted. Unfortunately in most cases they are not consulted about
their own lives, or parents and teachers alike might not take time to observe
their areas of interest. Decisions are made for them. Some parents would rather
channel financial resources to their typical children who they feel stand a
chance of getting employed. Atypical children also need that chance to do what
they love and lead fulfilling lives.
Medical and educational
experts say early intervention for children with intellectual disabilities can
work wonders to improve their condition. If you want such a child to go to work
someday, you need to ensure they get the necessary medical care such as
therapy, and attend school so that they can learn to take instruction and work
within set routines with other people. But for them to go to school, the
schools would need to be available and equipped to deal with their respective
conditions.
Vermeulen said Brownies
& Downies were thinking of expanding and maybe even franchising. Who knows,
maybe someone with a big heart is reading this and we might have our own
Brownies & Downies in Swaziland and change a few lives and perceptions. Regarding
how employers usually shun employing people with disabilities, Wendy encouraged
them to take a chance. “Just open your heart and see what amazing people they
are. They are just like anybody else. A lot of times, in my experience, even
better!” said Vermeulen. If you happen to be in Cape Town and in need of a
bite, Brownies and Downies are located in Shop 7, 2 Long Street.
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