We use a variety of training techniques so that persons with various disabilities such as Autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, blindness and Down syndrome can learn according to differing and preferred learning styles. We also employ a flexible approach not only to content but to goals, methods,materials and assessment techniques. At the novel outbreak of the Corona Virus, we conducted the STEM and Robotics Empowerment workshop in collaboration with the Barack Obama American Corner to develop the cognitive and technical capacity of young adults with Down syndrome and their educators so that they can be well equipped to lead technology roles, gain access to STEM and Robotics related jobs and earn a living for themselves especially during the Covid 19 crisis.

https://t.guardian.ng/news/down-syndrome-young-adults-get-introduced-to-robotics

• Nigeria

• Youth
• People with disabilities
• Children and young adults with Down syndrome, Autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy and Visual-impairment.

This project was conducted for the special needs educators of the Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria and the young adults with Down syndrome. Currently, the educators are replicating the positve outcome of the STEM and Robotics workshop to the children adaptive eLearning opportunities that meets each dpwn syndrome young adult learning style/pattern and capacity building in terms of his or her cognitive flexibility. Currently, the young adults with Down syndrome are undergoing mentorship and Monitoring and Evaluation to discover how well they are utilting the technical expertise and training delivered to them to change their capacity building for access to decent work. Also, we are partnering with technology based organization to link some of the Down Syndrome young adults to technology based organizations where they can Intern and leverage upon the STEM and Robotics opportunities proffered to them.

We have put in place another curriculum for 2021 to proffer STEM and Robotics training to more special needs educators and down syndrome young adults across other parts of Nigeria via vritual and onsite sessions. This will be sustained through our continous partnership with the Barack Obama American Corner and donation from the Sifax Group. Also, we have carried out a survey and discovered that the training conducted early this year has improved the cognitive flexibility, critical thinking and technical ability of 70% of the Down Syndrome children and young adults as well as 80% of the special needs educators. If we keep up with this training on a yearly basis, we will demonstrate and replicate a positive outcome to more down syndrome young adults and educators who will be well be well equipped to take on technology roles, bridge the divide encountered in unequal access to career development and promote inclusiveness for them.

The project promotes inclusion and bridges the gap for young adults living with various disabilities such as Autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, blindness and Down syndrome in Nigeria.