Career Training

Adults with Disabilities Program

Our Partnership

What comes after high school for students with disabilities? Do they stop learning just because they graduate? You don't think so, and neither do we.

In a partnership formed be¬tween Orange County Public Schools/Westside Tech, Quest, Inc., and Primrose, certified teach¬ers are located at three sites. Grant funding provided through the Florida Department of Vocational Rehabilitation pays the salaries of teachers and aides. Classroom sup-plies and equipment are also pro¬vided through the grant.

Both Quest and Primrose are known for their innovative pro-grams for adults with disabilities. Adults who attend these programs learn appropriate work behavior while participating in contract work paychecks.

These students participate in com¬munity inclusion activities to experience new things and learn skills like appropri¬ate social interaction and personal safety. And they're provided therapeutic support for their special needs.

Our instructors offer classes in work simulation, social and personal skills, computers, and civics.

Our Program

Work Simulation programs pre-pare students for more independent work situations. Classes vary, but include prod¬uct assembly, car washing, food prepara¬tion and sales, sewing, and custodial work. Students not only learn to perform these jobs, but are also trained in inter-viewing, appropriate work behavior, time management, workplace safety, and han¬dling of paychecks.

Social & Personal Skills classes help students grow as adults and teach suchconcepts as personal fitness, horseback rid¬ing, handling emergencies and physical & social sexual education. Students participate in Community Based Instruction activities to places like stores and restaurants. They even travel to Westside Tech's cosmetology class where they enjoy manicures and hair-cuts. They also learn decision making skills, such as choosing leisure activities, then planning and participating in them.

All of our classes have computers and students of all cognitive and mobility levels have the opportunity to learn to use them. Classes teach mouse and keyboard skills as well as the use of adaptive switches, mice, keyboards, and touch screens. Students who use electronic communication devices find it easy to hook them up with our com¬puters. Lessons are learned through games, educational software and direct instruction. As students progress, they can master

Email, the internet, word processing, and data entry skills.

Our Civics classes help students grow as responsible citizens. Students learn about government, laws, and voting. Qualified adults learn how to vote and make informed choices. Some of the students will travel as a group to their voting precincts and cast their ballots. But their training doesn't end on Election Day. Continuing activities include current events discussions and e-mail campaigns to local officials concerning legislative decisions that directly affect them.

Program Locations

Primrose Center
2733 South Ferncreek Ave.
Orlando, FL 32806
407.898.7201

Instructional Staff:
David Creath
Renee Williams

Quest North
210 West Fourth Street
Apopka, FL 32703
407.880.3731
407.880.3964 FAX

Instructional Staff:
Chris Campbel
Miriam Roth
Jan Rydahl

Quest South
1600 Aaron Ave.
Orlando, FL
407.299.6050
407.296.5808 FAX

Instructional Staff:
Linda Hill
Randi Kaufman-Long
Lynne Martin

Academic Training

Apprenticeships

Special Programs

ACE Centers