FIRST-ADLX for People with Special Needs

I have applied FIRST-ADLX in my teaching and training facilitation on many occasions, such as to students, teachers, communities, and organizations. I have proved by myself that FIRST-ADLX is applicable and interesting enough for those categories of people (normal people).

However, what about people with special needs? There is no learning journey for people with special needs applied before or learning design for people with special needs using FIRST-ADLX.

I really never thought before that FIRST-ADLX would be applicable and adjustable for people with special needs. However, the opportunity came up with the invitation from a community called “Netra Mandiri”, A community of people with special needs. This time I got an opportunity to give training for some members of the community at “Netra Mandiri”, Palembang, Indonesia. It was a great chance but also a huge challenge for me since I had only a little knowledge about people with special needs. Yet, I had no experience before giving learning facilitation for them.

At first, I was worried and doubt whether I could apply FIRST-ADLX during the facilitation in the community. I had a long time thinking and considering any other designs that could be used. I also asked for some suggestions from the community leader about what kind of models and activities and make them more engaged positively.

They may not able to see by their eyes, but they see with their hearts, indeed their hearts are strong to feel with, I used listening, speaking, touching, and walking around activities. and the facilitator should put himself in the learners’ shoes.

So, according to those considerations, I then designed a learning module for their community with some modifications. Some conditions were designed with respect to the participants that they could not see anything. So, the learning facilitation used no charts, no pens, no books, no notes, no drawing as usual as normal facilitation I did before. But, it used other things such as learning activities and energizers. It means there could be claps, songs, discussions, presentations, or games. So, the learning module of Team Work as the facilitation topic was designed with some adaptations and with such conditions. The goal of the topic was to understand the importance of teamwork as well as to create solid teamwork among members. They were hoped to recognized their problems and to find their own solutions.

There were 8 participants, 4 men and 4 ladies joining the facilitation, with an average age from 21-28 years old. They were all well educated, graduated from High School. Some of them were studying at university. They usually used Braille to read or to write. As I recognized they were even able to use their mobile phones as their communication tool, too, by using a special application for people with their special needs.

I started the facilitation with a nice and simple pre-opener and opener. The opener ‘Clap’ could break the ice in the class. The participants were smiling and feeling relaxed. They were not feeling intimidated by the facilitator or the difference with me as a normal person. It was a good start.

As the metaphor activity of Team Work, I asked them to create a thing from two pieces of paper (Two Become One). I divided them into two groups, the ladies group, and the men group. Each group must find an idea to make a thing from the paper. Two pieces of paper should be combined into one thing.

Surprisingly they could follow the instructions well. They discussed among them to get the idea as well as to find solutions. As I noticed they were involved in the activity within groups. Each member in the group was participated well and worked together to create a thing from the two pieces of paper. Although they did not see, they could touch, scrub, and fold the paper well. They used their imagination to make a good creation. Finally, they did it! One group created a flower (ladies group), and the other created a ship (men group).

The Ladies group during the activity

The men group during the activity

In reviewing parts, the facilitation became more interesting. Everyone shared their opinions about the activities they did. They enjoyed discussing and presenting ideas in the class. One of the participants said that it was difficult at first since they need to combine two pieces of paper into one thing. They then discussed among them to get a great idea of creating a thing from those paper.

A participant from the ladies group explained, “Firstly, we discussed among us what to do and how to combine the paper. However, when the idea hit our minds, we then worked on it together and divide jobs among us..”

Another participant added, “It was finally easy when we got the idea and finished it together”.

A participant from the men group also shared, “With teamwork, we could find solutions to their problems. Although we were struggling to work on it, we could finish it on time..”.

“If only they did it alone, the work would not finish well on time, “ he explained.

I observed that they were not fear or anxious during the learning sessions. They even did not feel humiliated with their weaknesses. Contrarily, they showed their high confidence by expressing ideas and sharing opinions in the group discussions. Everyone was feeling so enthusiastic about learning facilitation. It worked as a flow.

More importantly, they could understand the topic well. They said that it was clearly and easily understood. They realized that the material given was so important for them and so was for their organization. They explained that they would apply it in their real lives, especially in their organization. They were thinking to do their best for their organizations and work together with each other to reach their goals.

Everyone was feeling so happy at the end. A Two hours long session did not make them feel bored or sleepy. They also really felt thankful to me after the sessions. They also mentioned that they got many new experiences during the learning facilitation.

“Thank you to Ms. Hensi Margaretta who has given the training facilitation to us. I got many new experiences during the learning facilitation with the topic of Team Work”.

“I am Andre Agassi from Netra Mandiri Foundation. Thank you so much to Ms. Hensi Margaretta who was able to share about Team Work with us. We got plenty of knowledge about Team Work as well as a new experience. I hope that Ms. Hensi would not mind giving other training facilitation for them.”

I was also feeling excited that FIRST-ADLX was applied for people with special needs. FIRST-ADLX was adaptable to any situation and condition. The facilitator just needed to adjust the learning model and learning design with the needs of the learner. Once again, we must put on their shoes.

Palembang, 28th of June 2021

Ms. Hensi Margaretta

Master Facilitator of FIRST-ADLX, Associate Consultant of NICE Indonesia, Educator and Trainer in Indonesia

Some photos: