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"I really felt like I was making a difference in the home for women because I was doing massage for them and they all loved it and were so appreciative. I felt needed and loved when I would arrive there and see them lined up waiting for me!"
– Amy, Curry College
You will serve 15–20 hours per week in government-sponsored or private (voluntary) agencies. You might work with residents of homes for mentally handicapped individuals, participating in a variety of activities; teach English to blind students, developing relationships that begin as teacher and student, and often are transformed into friendships; assist in a special school or kindergarten; or engage in other related service activities. Service placements are based on your interests, goals, and language skills, and on community needs.
Following are examples of agencies where IPSL students have served in the past or may be able to serve. Other service placements may be available. Your placement will be determined by community and agency needs, as well as your interests, goals, and skills (including Czech language ability).
This basic special school serves children with multiple handicaps. Every child is educated according to an individual educational plan. The school program includes speech therapy, basal and sight stimulation, physiotherapy, water therapy, canistherapy and hippotherapy. Students participate in all of these activities.
Population Served: Children with physical and intellectual disabilities
Areas of Service:
Special education
/
Therapy
/
Disabilities
A group house for people with intellectual disabilities who cannot live and work independently. Rather than having these adults live with their parents, the best solution seems to be a integration of these people in a community, which will ensure their care and accept their special needs. This enables them to live a dignified and useful life. Students spend one week here, being fully involved in all activities of the community.
Population Served: Adults with intellectual disabilities
Areas of Service:
Disabilities
The home offers various kinds of social services, based on development of social skills, self-control, self-confidence, education, adaptive skills. Students work with the women mainly in the area of hand-work (ceramics, art therapy, music therapy, occupational therapy, drawing on silk, making candles, sport activities, etc.) and help to facilitate the skills of residents for independent living.
Population Served: Women with intellectual disabilities
Areas of Service:
Special education
/
Disabilities
/
Arts
Gymnasium (secondary school) for visually impaired youth. IPSL students serve as assistants to English Language teachers in different classes. They help secondary students with English conversation, readings, and writing papers. They also take part in informal-time activities.
Population Served: Visually impaired youth
Areas of Service:
Education
/
Special education
/
Recreation
/
Disabilities
