KÄO Keskus

The main goal of Käo Tugikeskus (Käo Support Centre) is to offer welfare and care services for children and adults with disabilities (severe cognitive/developmental and multiple disability). Käo Tugikeskus has one children’s centre with 34 children as well as two centres for adult clients: Maleva centre with 24 and Pae centre with 50 clients. Centres are situated in different parts of Tallinn. Children´s center is cooperating with Käo Põhikool (Käo Basic School). Käo Põhikool is a school for students who have special educational needs and a recommendation to study by simplified national curriculum. Learning activities and educational activities are based on individual study plan which are carried out in cooperation between Käo Põhikool and Käo Support Centre (Käo Tugikeskus). School provides special needs children with an opportunity to study while receiving rehabilitation during the school day. Teaching is based on the principles of the comprehensive education. Activities at the centre are meant to be support and improve different abilities (physical, cognitive, communicative, social and everyday skills) of the clients to help them cope and participate in everyday life to the fullest extent possible. The volunteer will work as an assistant of workers with clients in the centre. Clients in the centre are organized in different groups that are managed by professional activity instructors. There are maximum 6 clients in one group at the same time. Groups are both in Estonian and in Russian. The volunteer will work in close relation with the activity instructors and other specialists/ therapists in the centre. During the day there are different activities taking place for the clients, where the volunteer’s job includes: • supporting the clients while they are doing their work activities according to their work plan as well as their individual plan of activities (housing works, cleaning rooms, washing dishes, preparing food, handicraft, works in art field etc). • participating with clients at their everyday activities and work activities; • practice and learn everyday skills needed for everyday life (clothing, washing themselves, eating etc); • develop/ maintain motor skills; • develop communication skills (increasing the personal vocabulary if possible, adapted signs for expressing personal needs and wishes, using alternative communication equipment – PCS pictures, photos and technical equipment); • develop and practice social skills (cooperation, correct behavior, orientating in local environment and people, creating a contact etc.); • develop cognitive skills (orienting in time and space, board games, writing, drawing, listening to music, nature and self observations etc); music, nature and self observations etc. In our organization, the volunteer can also get acquainted with specific activities for people with various disabilities (use of alternative communication, use of the sensory room) and specific therapies (music, art and physiotherapy).