During 2020, in a situation with COVID-19 pandemic, one of the fundamental priorities of the Republic Centre – PORAKA has been the provision of support to the users of the Day Centres for persons with intellectual disability and their families, i.e., continuing the realization of the adapted programme activities of the Day Centres.
As a result of the initiative taken by the Republic Centre – PORAKA, on 29th of September, the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia accepted the proposal of the Commission for Infectious Diseases and passed a decision for opening the Day Centres for persons with disabilities in strict compliance with the measures and the adopted protocol for work in the Day Centres for children/persons with disabilities.
The Republic Centre – PORAKA took all necessary preparations for starting the work in the Day Centres with physical presence of the users: the premises and the equipment were disinfected, the adequate protective equipment was purchased, a schedule for work with the users in groups was made and all the parents of the users were informed. After the preparations, all day centres of the Republic Centre – PORAKA started to work with physical presence of the users on 1st of October 2020.
Regarding that some of the families of the users in the day centres, and taking in consideration of the epidemiologic situations and the possible risks for their children, did not agree to be included in direct work with physical presence, the day centres continued to perform adjusted individual educational programme in home using telephone, internet and video communication.
The adapted programme for psychosocial support and the adjusted individual educational programmes are unified and are being conducted in every da centre within the Republic Centre – PORAKA’s network. Within the realisation of the individual educational activities, the everyday communication with the users and their families continued. The priority was to engage the users, i.e., to give guidance and tasks for conducting activities that would maintain their skills and possibilities. Within the psychosocial support priority is given to support, advise, reasoning, encouragement for easier understanding and dealing with the situation we are all in. Different types of communication are used that are suitable for the users and their parents/guardians, including telephone calls and video communication if the user/parent/guardian are using Viber, FB Messenger or other application. Special attention is given to those users who are more independent since they are in greater risk of inappropriate behaviour, i.e., not respecting the official recommendations and limitations.
