Program Spotlight: Day Habilitation

Day Habilitation is a program where adults with developmental disabilities set goals and develop life skills in a supportive environment of their peers. Participants learn how to maintain a household, how to stay safe and healthy, and how to get and maintain a job through workshops and volunteer experience in the community.

Hear from Amani, a staff member, and Marquieta and Esther, program participants, about the program and how it has positively impacted their lives.

Interview with Amani, Direct Support Professional

Can you tell me your name and your position here?

My name is Amani Daniel and my position is a DSP, Direct Support Professional.

What does that mean?

My job is to help our participants achieve their goals. I make sure they develop job skills for the worksites that they go to, to make sure that they know how to work. We also help them with independent stuff here. So if they have to live by themselves, they know not to leave certain things by the fire, how to turn on the fire, how to hold a knife, things like that. During COVID, we had a big thing about wearing masks, using hand sanitizer, and always making sure you wash your hands. I just make sure that they stay on track in terms of their goals and then I report their progress to their care managers.

How long have you worked here?

I think like a year and half?

I know this program involves going out into the community to volunteer. What kinds of work sites do you go to? And what do you do there?

Right now we go to a school every Tuesday and Thursday. We make sure that it’s clean for the kids there. I can just tell them, “Clean this window, sweep this floor.” And they will do it because developing these kinds of skills are part of their goals.

What made you interested in this work?

I have a brother who’s autistic. So this job has helped me bond with him a little better in terms of how I react to him. Before, I would think, “Why would he do this? Why would he do that?” But now I’m able to think about it in terms of like , “Alright, I understand, this is something that you struggle with,” or “this is something that you’re good at” or “this is just who you are.” This group of people doesn’t process the same as we do. They just need a little extra help to get there, but eventually they will get there. This job has helped me gain insight into my brother’s mentality and overall mindset.

Do you have a favorite part of your job?

Just being with them honestly. Every day is an adventure. You don’t know what to expect. But they’re fun. They’re very fun to be with. They don’t cause any trouble, I just enjoy being with them.

Why do you think a program like this is important in Brooklyn?

A lot of people don’t know how to deal with autism or other disabilities. This is a place where families can get support. It’s great for the participants here because they learn things and then they’re excited to go home and tell their families about it. The program helps the individuals because they learn new skills and it allows them to help out their families in their homes. You know, they’ll eventually be like, “This is how this works, this is how that works.” And it creates a better understanding between parent and child.

Is there an aspect of your job that’s challenging or something you’ve had to work through?

Sometimes they’ll have little episodes and I have to defuse the situation and think, “How can I calm them down? What’s the problem?” Other than that, there’s not really any real difficulty to the job. Just you know, interacting with them making sure they’re good. Sometimes you’ll have a moment where they’re having an episode and I just stay calm and speak to them in a calm tone. You identify the problem and then you separate them from it. I might take them for a little walk or something and then they will come back and say “I’m sorry,” and stuff like that and then they’ll be fine.

Is there anything you’re looking forward to? That’s coming up in the program?

Summer. I just like being outside with them.

So how is summer different in terms of programming?

We can go to the park and they really like it. It’s so nice to breathe in fresh air. During the colder months it’s harder to get them into their coats and get them out into the door. We’re trying to think of new stuff to do with them in the summer. We’re always trying to find more ways for them to be out in the community because that’s where they learn the most.

Is there anything else you’d want to add?

This program is just great for the community. It really helps the working parents who need a place for their child to go during the day. It gives the parents a break and it also gives their son or daughter time to learn something new.

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Interview with Marquieta, Program Participant

First, can you tell me your name?

Marquieta.

Can you tell me a little bit about what you do in this program?

We do trainings and we go out in the community to volunteer sites. We do exercise, we do work, we learn vocational skills. We learn about different fire safety like how to prevent a fire– don’t use the elevator, use the stairs. And if it’s too smoky in the building just cover your face and feel for the doorknob, if it’s too hot, don’t touch it. And we eat lunch and we get along with our peers.

Can you tell me about the training you are doing today?

We were learning about counting money.

What other trainings have you done?

We learn how to go for job interviews and how to dress for a job. We learn about kitchen safety, like how to use the stove and microwave and what not to put in the microwave. You don’t put silverware in a microwave, you don’t put a glass bowl in a microwave, you don’t put aluminum foil in the microwave. We learn how to wash our hands when we finish using the restroom and before we start cooking and eating.

You said you volunteer in the community, what kinds of things do you do?

We go to the sites and we clean. We wipe off the doorknobs, clean chairs, clean windows.

Do you have a favorite part about the program?

I love going out to volunteer sites and helping out with my peers. I help out with the ones that can’t really get their coats and stuff. And I help out with the lunch, I heat up lunches and stuff and make sure it’s not too hot for the ones that can’t have their food warmed up that much.

Why do you like this program so much? Why do you keep coming?

Because it benefits me. I’m learning more. I’m learning more new things.

Do you have any specific memories from the program that stick out to you?

Learning about safety and getting along with my friends.

Is there anything else you’d want to share about yourself or about this program?

I like to play basketball. I like to take walks. I like to read. I like to write. I like to cook. I like to clean and take care of my household.

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Interview with Esther, Program Participant

Can you tell me your name?

Esther.

And how long have you been coming here?

11 years.

Can you tell me a little bit about what you do in this program?

In the program we have fun and learn how to be independent.

What kinds of things do you learn?

You learn how to get a job and how to help in the kitchen.

What’s your favorite part about this program? 

Going to the worksites.

What about the worksites do like?

I like to go to different worksites and learn new things.

What kinds of different sites have you been to?

The BCS worksite where you do cleaning.

What have you been learning about today?

Money management and how to save money.

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Thank you Amani, Marquieta, and Esther for teaching us all about Day Habilitation!