The primary objective of the Adult Training Facility is to provide training, socialization and recreational services to adults with physical and medical limitations as well as developmental disabilities. It also serves adults with greater vocational and self-care skills who may require assistance in areas of attention to task and managing behaviors.
A disabled adult is a person who requires special help or special services on a regular basis in order to function. Examples of disabled adults include persons who exhibit any of the following characteristics:
Development of an annual plan to outline needs/preferences of the individual that are translated into a set of defined goals
This room serves people with varying degrees of disabilities and provides concentrated activities for sensory stimulation. Exercises are also done in this room according to the individual's formal evaluation plan.
Activities in this room help meet specific goals of individuals for exercise and sensory stimulation. Most individuals using this room are non-verbal with communication taking place through facial expressions and body language.
The Soc/Rec room serves individuals with varying degrees of disabilities who have simple socialization skills. The activities provided in this room are geared towards communication, socialization and daily living skills. Individuals participate in gross motor activities, crafts, food preparation, bingo, cards, musical activities, sign language skills, computer lessons, story time and picture games.
Goals for individuals using this room include: being able to communicate wants and needs appropriately in the community and in daily life; learning how to socialize and be with others; and performing daily living skills to the best of one's ability.
The Pre-Voc Room serves people with varying degrees of disabilities who have adequate motor skills to perform vocational tasks and earn money through contract work. The Pre-Voc room works in conjunction with the BHE Vocational Program, which sends contract work to the room for the ATF individuals to complete. The individuals who do the work get regular paychecks. When not doing contract work, individuals practice pre-vocational tasks such as sorting by color, shape, size, matching, collating, assembly and disassembly, packaging and working on motor skills, in hopes of moving forward in the Vocational Program at BHE.
Activities in the Pre-Voc Room help individuals meet goals in performing paid work tasks successfully and eventually gaining a job in the BHE Vocational Program.
The Snoezelen Room serves all the individuals of the ATF. This room is a multi-sensory stimulation room, which has been one of the most successful approaches to the learning disabled for some time, according to researchers. The Snoezelen concept provides a means for non-verbal communication in a setting that promotes relaxation and self-healing.
A variety of sensory elements in the Snoezelen Room, including sounds, colors, forms and textures, enable staff to provide stimulation for those people who would otherwise be almost impossible to reach. The inviting environment of the room also serves as a tool for motivation and a means to improve concentration and coordination.
