World Autism Awareness Day marked

Manama, Apr. 5 (BNA): Graduates of a specialised programme organised by Tamkeen in collaboration with Alia Centre for Early Intervention, which provides workplace training for individuals with learning and behavioural difficulties, marked World Autism Awareness Day by going to their first day of work. 14 students who were registered in the programme began on-the-job training in family markets. Tamkeen will provide support for the trainees’ wages and appoint five mentors to follow up with them during their training period. The training will be spearheaded by Project Serge, an American non-governmental organisation specialised in providing training and guidance to persons with mental disabilities. "Tamkeen is committed to the professional and interpersonal development of all Bahrainis. We are particularly proud of this programme, which enables individuals with learning disabilities to become active members of society and to contribute to the economy," commented Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Janahi, Chief Executive of Tamkeen. "Bahrain is a pioneer in the care and support of those with special needs, as one of the first countries in the region to have signed the international conventions on the care of people with disabilities, including the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment for Disabled Persons Convention, the Convention on the Employment and Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities, as well as the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, among others," he added. He also commended the family markets for their participation in the programme. The programme was launched in January with a budget of BD 80,000 as a joint effort by Tamkeen, Alia Centre for Early Intervention, and Project Serge. It aims to equip differently-abled individuals with the skills necessary to participate in the labour market and is one of many Tamkeen initiatives to encourage enterprises to hire more Bahrainis. Tamkeen is also working on further programmes to enable Bahrainis to participate in all sectors and to position them as employees of choice.