By Cheer | Children are us Foundation
The Ministry of Labor organized the "8th Annual Job Redesign Creative Competition," where the Children are Us Foundation team made remarkable contributions. Through improving workflows, adjusting work methods, and providing employment aids, the team assisted sheltered workshop employees in overcoming workplace obstacles, effectively enhancing work efficiency and self-confidence. This year, two projects, "Roll & Stick Single-Handed Packaging" and "Intelligent Roll," were awarded top honors in the Job Redesign category for persons with disabilities.
Xiaoqiu (anonymous), a sheltered workshop employee at the "" near the Far Eastern Department Store in Zhubei, faces physical challenges due to cerebral palsy, making fine bread packaging tasks challenging. Although she is highly proficient in other aspects of the store's work, packaging often proves to be a source of frustration. A counselor mentioned, "It's evident that she cares about this small imperfection, affecting her mood." Consequently, after six months of continuous testing and improvement, using pearl boards in combination with soft magnetic strips and an iron ruler, a customized aid called "Roll & Stick Single-Handed Packaging" was created for Xiaoqiu. This not only significantly improved the quality of bakery product packaging but also boosted the self-confidence of sheltered workshop employees. Counselors used empathy, observational skills, and creativity to resolve barriers for sheltered workshop employees, enhancing product quality, and the project received high praise from the judges, earning them an excellent award.
Another sheltered workshop employee, Xiaqi (anonymous), facing mild intellectual and physical challenges, works as an assistant chef in the kitchen of the "Children are Us Japanese Creative Cuisine" in Hsinchu City. While she is proficient in many tasks, her left hand's physical challenges create frustration during the preparation of seaweed hand rolls. Due to the intricate pressing procedures and the need for extremely fine hand muscle control, counselors Hsu Yiting and Zhang Nianxin creatively designed the "Intelligent Roll" work aid using readily available materials such as long tail clips, acrylic racks, and plastic chopping boards. This innovative device allowed Xiaqi to effortlessly produce consistent seaweed hand rolls with one hand, increasing efficiency and confidence. The simple and safe process received unanimous praise from the judging panel.
Through counselors' long-term observation, barriers faced by sheltered workshop employees in their work were identified. By conducting problem analysis, applying empathy, and creative thinking in the job operation process, aids were designed or workflows were optimized. This not only overcame obstacles for individuals with intellectual disabilities in the workplace but also enhanced the efficiency, independence, and confidence of sheltered workshop employees.
Deputy Executive Director Yen expressed, "Since the Ministry of Labor initiated the Job Redesign competition, our foundation's team has received a total of 11 awards. Before the formal proposals, we conduct internal pre-selection within the foundation, encouraging team collaboration to brainstorm and unleash creativity. This not only fosters team cohesion but also effectively exerts influence within the organization, paving the way for more possibilities in career development for individuals with intellectual disabilities and overcoming greater challenges and obstacles."
Links:
By Children are Us Foundation | Cheer
By Children Are Us Foundation | Cheer
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