A new and modern approach to vocational education

Tuesday 14 February 2012

Cedar is one of eight partners from five European countries who have joined forces to develop an occupational support concept for people with Spina bifida and Hydrocephalus that has not existed in this form in Europe to date.

The project partners meet on a regular basis to discuss the progress of their work. The next meeting will take place in Rumania and will be hosted by, the Rumanian Association for People with Spina bifida and Hydrocephalus  (ARSHB). Victor Prescura, Vice President of the ARSBH has announced that a United Nations representative has agreed to participate in the workshop and we also expect the participation of the Rumanian Minister of Health, Dr Ladislau Ritli”.

Many Rumanian parents are unable to pay for the operations that are vital in the first weeks of their children’s lives. Spina bifida is a congenital paraplegia, Hydrocephalus is a disruption of the circulation of cerebrospinal fluids. “We become involved so that these children have at least a chance of survival”, says Victor Prescura, who himself has Spina bifida.

Over the course of the two-and-a-half year project, the eight partners will develop a support catalogue for this target group containing action guidelines and practical aids to enhance learning and career opportunities information for employers and peer counselling. At their meeting in May in Rumania, the project partners will determine how the instruments can best be adapted to conditions in the individual countries and will explore the possibility of e-learning, so that people with disabilities can also participate via a home computer.

“We empower uS bH” will end in April, 2013 with an international symposium in Germany, “It will be a new, modern approach”, says Victor Prescura. “We will not present any unrealistic dreams but rather concepts that can be realised in the whole of Europe to the advantage of people with Spina bifida and Hydrocephalus.”