Miaw Destiny has engaged with SEGi University in West Malaysia led by Dr Pang Jee Ching as subject matter expert and strategic partner in replicating the Let Me Grow Up Training modules for teachers/practitioners in Kuching, Sarawak. Dr Pang and her team will train the identified teachers on the modules. After training, teachers will identify 15-20 youths with learning disabilities and/or Autism in Kuching to develop the work aspiration and practical work skills. A practical employment training will be set up for youths with learning disabilities and/or Autism to build on their work aspiration and practical experience. Based on the above work description of Miaw Destiny, it will play the role as Managing partner for this proposed project.
People with disabilities are one of world's most marginalised groups with lower rate of employment as compared to non-disabled people. In addition, people with learning disabilities have a far lower rate of employment in all countries (Heymann, Stein & Moreno, 2014). The same scenario can be observed across Malaysia including Sarawak. Many miss out on the basic right to aspire to a career. Many who are employed only work part-time or on a contract basis. Yet, most of them tell us they want to work.
One way of promoting their community inclusion and economic well-being is through educational and skills programmes, interventions and support schemes that aid their transitions into employment. Research shows that successful transitions into work are associated with proper transition planning, inclusive communities, supportive families and allies. This project was piloted under SEGi University Grant in 2020-2022. Instruments were developed and it is believed to augment the existing school curriculum to share innovative practice in order to promote pre-employment skills and self-determination skills in students with disabilities, especially youth with learning disabilities in Sarawak.
