Recently, a group of students from FPT University, under the guidance of professional advisors, carried out a project – RAID with Imago (Raise Awareness About Intellectual Disability with Imago) to help change community’s perspective on people with intellectual disabilities.
As volunteer work, instead of giving away what they have, the students propose a project to convey the most authentic images and meaningful messages about the people who are with intellectual disabilities, so that society change its view about their abilities and the miracles they can create.
The RAID project of 4 students promotes volunteer values for participants through social-emotional and mindfulness education activities. Moreover, the project emphasizes and directs society toward having the right perspective of people with intellectual disabilities.
RAID with Imago is inspired by a group work of FPT University students and students of Imago Work.
In the social activity class, participants communicated with gestures and straightforward, understandable terms rather than the typical spoken language. Gradually, their language skills improved, and they began to speak in longer, more confident sentences. It is a means of giving students the chance to try for themselves.
Imago students were able to express themselves and do skills they had never done before, such as tying an apron, making a cold latte, and giving a presentation in front of the class, with the support of a group of project students.
“Although I have tried a wide variety of coffees and beverages, this is the most unique cup of coffee I have ever experienced. Not only was it delicious, but it was also a very unforgettable event. Students with intellectual abilities, who everyone assumes will require special assistance, made this coffee cup. I genuinely respect your determination to succeed” remarked Phung Duc Anh, a member of the project group.
Intellectual disability is a state of reduced or lost ability to perceive and think, manifested by slowness or inability to think and analyze things, phenomena, and solve problems.
To expand new opportunities to young people with intellectual disabilities, Michelle Beard – an American teacher developed the Imago Work model. This concept was developed with the intention of empowering young people with intellectual disabilities with crucial social, occupational, and life skills.
Imago Work enhances self-esteem and independence for young people with intellectual differences through social, vocational skills and job search assistance. At the same time, launch the movement of inclusive enterprises, where people with intellectual differences can use their talents and abilities to work and change the community.
At Imago, students will learn, practice skills and make their own decisions, they will only monitor to see if they know what they are doing, what they need to do next… Every day, the assistants give specific goals for each of you to strive to achieve, do it yourself without reminding others.
The students gradually learned to come to class on time, to take attendance, to wash their own dishes, to bathe themselves, to prepare their own clothes, to arrange their own food in boxes to bring to class.