CASE STUDY
Social assistive enterprise
Agathi Pandi
Agathi Pandi
The case study describes the implementation of the assistive technology in the social cooperative enterprise for people with disabilities. The general characteristics achieve the integration of vulnerable groups in society involving the process of education, supervision, practical and technological support to goal the good operation of the enterprise.
social integration, possibilities of part time work, cooperation, multi-dimensional training, sharing experience
MYRTILLO is a Social Cooperative Enterprise with a Special Purpose (the integration of vulnerable groups into the labour market).
Myrtillo has been operating as a cafeteria and arts centre. It is an innovative self-supporting business and training entity, where all employees are jointly responsible for its viability.
At present 90% of those who work in Myrtillo belong to vulnerable groups (persons with disabilities).
The basic needs of disabled people are social integration, possibilities of part time work, opportunity of communication and earning some income. The existing technology (internet, face book, tweeter, Instagram, LinkedIn and etc.) can solve the problems such as communication, advertising, information about current events and presentations. Such kind of cooperation needs the right place and location to provide the people with disabilities the appropriate entrance without any obstacles due to reach the place. The vulnerable groups feel equality, gain self-confidence and they become an integral part of the society.
The social enterprise offers multi-dimensional training, a training which initially was based on the great arts (literature, drama and music), on the cultivation of self-awareness and on the transmission of the values of sociality and solidarity. The goal for those who work in Myrtillo is that they can learn a job that will secure for them a living, but also a job that will give them the joys of sociability and a sense of creativity and self-confidence.
The strengths are:
The people participate in the working process and enjoy the productive team work.
The weaknesses are:
Creating the enterprise and obtaining the appropriate place under the law with allowance from the administration and the city hall, finding the sponsors. To persuade the individuals to join the group and to choose the right team leader(manager) with qualification to organize them and run the business.
Considering the resources we should point:
The enterprise could organize different events such as parties, anniversaries, theatrical performance, life music events, book promotions, art exhibitions, placing the gift -shop with articles such as pots, mugs, handcrafts, fine art, handmade jewelries and cards.
The integral part of this solution is the hardware, software application programs, social media. An innovation idea for this enterprise could be creation an APP application (supported in two or three languages), it can be downloaded on cellphones and tablets and the customers could achieve the information about the daily menu, offers and discounts (per example 1+1 free), promotions, weekly entertainment program and recommendation of bio products and sweets. Through this APP the clients can order on line and pay by card.
The etrerprise uses the special coffee machine appropriate for people with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge. The staff has been shown and supervised how to use it in a safe way and recognize and understand the consequences of incorrect operation.
For better services the waiters use the restaurant order device with application programs giving them the possibilities of viewing the Menu, viewing the orders, placing the customers’ orders and view-ing the callout. The implementation of this process could avoid possible mistakes and confusing situations. The staff has been training to use and operate with the particular device and program by experienced adviser and attending a short course of education.
Myrtillo uses for music covering hardware and software that plays audio files in MP3 and other audio formats that are used to organize a music collection, play audio files and repeat music from a CD. Software players may also provide access to internet radio stations and other streaming audio files.
“The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.”
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Agathi Pandi
"The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein."