VOCATIONAL EDUCATION FOR DISADVANTAGED YOUTHS

By the end of the project, FASINARM itself will have trained 90 handicapped youth -- 30 will already be working in community or sheltered workshops and 60 will have just completed their training. In addition, FASINARM, in conjunction with the University of Guayaquil, will institute a training program for vocational training personnel. The following people will be instructed in the prevention of handicapping conditions and in the provision of special education, vocational training, and placement services: 12 instructors from the University of Guayaquil; 50 special education students; 240 teachers and other technical personnel from social welfare institutions; 100 special education teachers; 2,000 elementary school teachers (Guayas Province); and 300 parents and volunteers. FASINARM will assist in the establishment of three new special education centers (with at least 35 students each) in provinces not currently providing such services. Also, FASINARM will establish a media resource center which will be responsible for the collection, translation, adaptation, and development of materials on the training of disadvantaged children and youth. The center will provide these materials to appropriate institutions throughout Ecuador. A.I.D. will finance personnel costs, training of FASINARM personnel at the University of Idaho, an on-site training program, office equipment and operating expenses, duplicating equipment, and vehicle procurement and maintenance. In all, this project will support the implementation of services to 3,060 disadvantaged children and youth participating in vocational and special education programs; 300 participating in at-home training programs; 3,000 living in social welfare homes; and 80,000 attending regular elementary schools.