Overview
Aaron H. Gurian Technology Center
Culinary Arts Training Center & Kitchen Area
Snoezelen Room
Day Habilitation services, also referred to as Assonet Bay Life Skills Environment (A.B.L.E.) I & II programs, are designed to meet the needs of those in our Adult Program who require active habilitation. A.B.L.E.'s programs are designed to address a variety of individualized habilitation goals, such as fine motor skill development, sensory skill development, cooking skills, and community inclusion. A Director oversees each A.B.L.E. program, and Day Habilitation specialists, Day Habilitation aides, and a Health Care Specialist are always on site.
A.B.L.E. programs are supported by an Administrator who oversees service delivery to individuals while maintaining the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) standard and meeting the requirements of licensure by the Massachusetts Division of Medical Assistance. A.B.L.E. programs have achieved three consecutive three-year accreditations by CARF, a nationally recognized accreditation agency, for our Community Support Services. The most recent successful three-year accreditation was in September, 2007.
Aaron H. Gurian Technology Center
The Aaron H. Gurian Technology Center, located at ABLE I, was dedicated in November 2008. Aaron’s memory will live on through the generosity of family and friends who funded this space. The dedication took place in the company of his family, friends and all the people who loved and supported Aaron at IDDI for over thirty years. Aaron’s zest for life and unquenchable desire for exploration was never lost and it seemed appropriate that this environment be developed with that same idea. The ‘Tech Center’, as it is know, houses a wealth of equipment that individuals are supported to access through assistive technology devices. Some of the equipment currently available to people are: a plasma TV, DVD player, radios, computers, printers and general household appliances. The skills learned in the Tech Center are transferrable to everyday living and further support people in being independent in their environment.
Culinary Arts Training Center & Kitchen Area
The A.B.L.E. II program created a “Culinary Arts Training Center" with kitchen space that replicates a home kitchen. Although the space can accommodate up to ten people comfortably, there are usually no more than two people working in the kitchen at one time, and they are constantly supervised by staff. The goal is for individuals to increase their basic cooking skills, with some focus on health and nutrition. The group plans a weekly cooking exercise, preparing entire meals or simple desserts. They also plan "theme parties" on a quarterly basis. Individuals love to get involved in the preparation of meals and look forward to their scheduled "cooking class."
The Snoezelen Room, a concept developed by two Dutch therapists in the late 1970's, was created five years ago at IDDI and is currently being remodeled. The Snoezelen concept is based on offering an environment for individuals to actively explore and relax. The environments in a Snoezelen Room offer intriguing spaces with lights, sounds, aromas, tactile surfaces, moving images, and a wealth of other sensory experiences, in a comfortable and safe setting. We currently have equipment for visual, olfactory, auditory, tactile and visual stimulation. In the room, which can accommodate up to six individuals at one time, individuals operate and activate the pieces of equipment that most interest them, and in the process, develop their cause/effect response. Types of equipment that are utilized in the Snoezelen Room include somatosensory tubes; a liquid effects projector; aromatherapy; sound machine/stereo; fiber optic strands; endless light tunnel; Nintendo Wii Systems and a bubble light tub. Individuals with severe cognitive and physical challenges thrive in this calm, relaxing, and stimulating environment.
The A.B.L.E. programs operate between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday-Friday, with the exception of holidays.
For more information on Day Habilitation, contact the Director of Adult Services, Keith Duhamel at 508-644-3101, ext. 3278, or email kduhamel@iddicommunity.org.