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53 Jalan Baru, Mk I Pulau Betong,
11000 Balik Pulau, Penang.
Tel : 604 - 8665349 |
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INTRODUCTION
Increasing the employability of persons with disabilities has always been one goal of independent living within the broader goals of consumer decision-making control and community participation.
Employment is an avenue to economic independence, enroute to social identification, and a source for personal networking for most adults in our society. In our adult years, we define ourselves by our careers, support our lifestyles throught our wages,and develop our friendship through our workplace.
Unfortunately, for many persons with intellectual disabilities, employment and associated benefits of employment have not been a realistic option. |
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ACS STEPPING STONE CENTRE
Stepping Stone Centreis a part of Asia Community Service's Support Centre for Community Living project, which provides a work place for people with special needs.
The project is in line with the UN-ESCAP declaration of "full participation and equal opportunities for people with disabilities" in the community. With an initial grant assistance from International Post Office Volunteers' Fund, the Centre which is based in Balik Pulau, a rural district of Penang Island, began its operations in February 2000 in a small rented terrace house in Balik Pulau town.
After having raised enough money, we moved into our current location in Pulau Betong in 2004. Click here for building history. |
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AIM
Stepping Stone Centre aims to challenge society's conventions by offering people with intellectual
disabilities work opportunities.
For many of our members this is a rare experience of acceptance and respect, in a society that often rejects those whose difference we fear. This means
seeing people with intellectual disabilities as having the same rights, hopes and expectations as any other individual.
We believe that they are people with gifts to offer, experiences to teach and hopes to fulfill. As such, this workplace offering job opportunities
will be a stepping stone for them to be more economically independent in ensuring them a valued role in the community.
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OBJECTIVES
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To provide work for the members with intellectual disabilities in the areas of baking cakes, hand weaving, home made soap and candle making. |
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To support the members in their choice of the work areas depending on their interest. |
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To motivate and develop work attitudes and social skills. |
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To offer behavioral support, health and safety support, and financial management support. |
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To encourage self determination and decision making in members. |
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To have opportunities to establish and maintain friendships and relationships. |
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To enhance awareness of quality of life outcomes that results from the opportunity to work. |
TYPE OF WORK
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In a conventional way of thinking, people with disabilities must acquire and must consistently prescribe skills and competencies, such as reading, writing, independent in taking the bus etc… before they are considered a candidate for a real job.
The sad fact is that while some may take too long a time to reach that required level, some others will never ever be ready for work.
However, we realise that supports are one to help people with disabilities become more independent and able to control the direction of their own
lives.
Therefore in ACS Stepping Stone, we want to view the people with intellectual disabilities as bringing skills and abilities rather than limitations and incapacity. We believe that with the necessary support and given opportunities, the members can develop career growth.
Hence, the Centre provides on-the-job training in the following work sections that have been identified i.e.:
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Hand Weaving & Yarn Dyeing Section |
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Creative crafts Section : Batik blok printing / batik canting / tie-dyeing / handmade soap / handmade paper / handmade candle |
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Bakery & Cooking Section : Biscuit / cake / bun / tart / fruit jam / lunch |
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Pottery Section : Handbuilding products |
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Production Section : Sewing / paper bag making / displaying finished products |
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Recycling Section |
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Gardening Section |
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The handmade items are all produced under the brand name of “Special Hands”. You can view the products here.
MEMBERS AT STEPPING STONE
Stepping Stone is open to members with intellectual disabilities, aged 18 years and above. After 3 month's orientation in the various sections, they are encouraged to select to work in their area of preference. All members will join as junior apprentice. Some have become skilled workers while some have been promoted to be in-house supervisors and master craftsman. If you are interested to join, please submit this form to apply. Let's meet some of the members and see the activities at Stepping Stone.
Watch another video clip about our members.
INDEPENDENT LIVING SUPPORT SERVICES (ILSS)
In 2018, we embarked on the Independent Living Support Services (ILSS) as a pilot project by renting a small 3 room house in Balik Pulau. 3 young adults signed up for this project whereby they check in to stay during weekdays and go back to their individual homes over the weekend. During the week, they were exposed to various job skills at the ACS Stepping Stone as well as being placed in the community for open employment placements. In the evenings, they learn activities of daily living as well as leisure time. One of them learnt to take public transport while another learnt to cycle to work. |
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This ILSS project went very well for over almost 2 years before the pandemic hit. We made several attempts to resume whenever lockdowns were lifted but regretfully, our organisation had to close it down towards the end of 2021.
Today this ILSS project has been revived by individual parents & families with private arrangements and working with each other. |
WEDDING BELLS
PROMOTION OF ARTS
Over the years, the ACS Stepping Stone Centre has evolved from just being a vocational centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PwID). Stepping Stone has also attracted students, artists and the general public with our range of creative artisan activities. |
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VISUAL ARTS |
Hosting various artists in residence at our Centre, we have also held several public exhibitions in George Town to showcase these outsider’s art through their hidden talents. |
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2009 |
Asniza & Yoichi Saito's Joint Exhibition |
2011 |
The Painting Project with Daniel Brimsmead in partnership with Malihom AiR program. Click to read - Article "Liberating Art" by Daryl Yeap |
2012 |
The Outside Art @ Chai Diam Ma as part of George Town Festival 2012. Click to read - Star News "Instinctive Talent" by Andrea Filmer |
2015 |
Empowering Abilities @ The Star Pitt Street in partnership with Think City. |
2016 |
Warm Hearts Exhibition @ Hin Bus Depot in partnership with Shiok Wasabi. |
2017 |
Kacau Kacau with Shogo Ogoshi @ UAB Building. Exhibition Booklet. |
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Some of our members' artwork has been selected for participation in the various public art exhibitions such as the ParaArt Exhibition in Tokyo (2013 & 2019), the GTF Open Studios (2019), The Art Showdown (2019). project went very well for over almost 2 years before the pandemic hit. |
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PERFORMING ARTS |
Besides visual art, we have also partnered with the established Tutti Arts Australia to put up performances at George Town Festivals. |
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2016 |
Beastly. Meet the Artists from Tutti and Stepping Stone |
2018 |
Say No More. A fantastic collaboration with Tutti Arts Australia, Perspektif Indonesia and Stepping Stone Malaysia. Meet the entire wonderful cast of Say No More with Tutti CEO Pat Rix, Artistic Director Catherine Fitzgerald and George Town Festival Director Joe Sidek. |
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Besides volunteering opportunities, Stepping Stone Centre provides team-building activities for multi-national companies (MNC) through the various skills training packages such as batik painting, hand-weaving, tie and dye, soap making, papermaking or baking, working alongside with the Stepping Stone members in their daily activities.
The ACS Stepping Stone Centre has been featured in several local tourist brochures, therefore we do welcome walk-in visitors. However, we would always prefer pre-appointments by calling 04-8665349 or email acspenang@gmail.com. |
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