Case Study
Vocational training of a young person with restricted growth to become an office management assistant

This is a vocational rehabilitation facility or a vocational training center (BBW) where young people with disabilities can complete initial training.

The young person is small in stature and depends on the use of a wheelchair as her spine is bent sideways and partially stiffened. Due to her disability, her reach and mobility are restricted and she is physically less resilient.

In the ninth year of secondary school, the young person completed a work placement in a vocational training center. After successfully completing secondary school, she began training as an office management assistant at the BBW.

When she began her training, the young person was given a power wheelchair with a lift/lift function for the seat, the seat of which is electrically height-adjustable and extremely maneuverable. This makes it possible to reach operating elements (light switches, window openers, etc.) or files on shelves that are otherwise outside the wheelchair user's reach and ensures that the wheelchair can be used on narrow paths and areas in offices and the vocational school. To reduce physical strain, a PC with a special small keyboard, an electric hole punch, a stapler and a special desk were purchased. The special desk is a custom design and was made especially for the young people by a carpenter's workshop to compensate for their physical limitations. The desk's worktop has a semi-circular geometry. At the touch of a button, various panels (sliding units) can be electrically positioned at the edge of the table (in the reach space). The assistive products described above are located on these sliding units.

Transport from home to the BBW was provided by a transport service in a suitably converted vehicle.

The young person successfully completed her training. With the support of the employment agency and the vocational training center, she then applied for a job with a municipal administration and is employed there part-time as an administrative assistant. The administrative assistant also uses the assistive products she used during her vocational training at her current workplace.

The vocational training, the design suitable for disabled people and the transportation costs were funded by the employment agency. Advice on design suitable for disabled people was provided by the Technical Advisory Service of the Employment Agency.