Opportunities for Rehabilitation

The Day centre for disabled persons with physical and mental disorders was established in Tukums in 1999. Each day 22-36 disabled persons receive here different kind of social services. The main goal of the centre is to achieve the integration of the disabled in society that is gained by improving the self-caring, communication and working skills of clients.

A special social rehabilitation program was elaborated for each client taking into account his/her individual abilities and wishes. The center offers service of physiotherapist, computer skills training, drama group or vocally-instrumental music band participation, and knitting, sewing, weaving, floristic and woodworking workshops.

In 2003 the development of the workshops for the visual art and woodworking was set up as the main priority of Tukums Day Centre. Painting, due to the lack of financial resources, was offered in a limited way. In March the visual art , "I am" was organised. Works produced during the action will participate in the exhibition of visual arts of disabled persons.

This year the centre has started co-operation with a home for disabled "Kisi". Once a week we use the clay-modelling workshop of this home. Innhabitants of "Kisi", in their turn, visit different workshops at our centre. We exchange the exhibitions and organise common activities of amateur art and relaxation.

Moreover, the centre has established co-operation with the private kindergarten in order to organise common integration projects with a goal to inform children about people with special needs, as well as to teach them toleration towards the disabled.

In the future, Tukums Day centre plans to develop a program to approximate the rehabilitation services to the residential places of clients. In order to create a stable and well-functioning system at a highly qualitative and professional level, the Day Centre co-operates with the state, local government and NGOs.