The Five Project, Inc.                       五项目

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 THE FIVE PROJECT, Inc.
            Focus on International Initiatives,Vocational and Educational Opportunities

Vision:               

All individuals in need of special educational services have access to appropriate services worldwide.

Mission:    To create and support educational, vocational and community participation opportunities for individuals with special educational needs in China.

The Five Project, Inc. (FIVE) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization incorporated in the state of Massachusetts to create and promote activities that further educational and vocational opportunities for children and adults with special educational needs. Board members have significant international and professional experience and expertise; currently board members’ professional fields include adult education, social work, and college education. One founder has been a volunteer in the field of special education and disability in the People’s Republic of China since 1992.  

FIVE board and staff have come together to formalize work previously done and to create further opportunities in areas where there is a need.  FIVE’s goals and current activities include:

•  Create, arrange, and distribute materials about autism and other disabilities.  These materials include written information such as FAQs, journals for parents, newsletters, video/DVD training materials, etc.

• Establish and support family activities, including regularly scheduled family and peer support groups for families and individuals with mental illness, developmental delays, and autism.

• Collaborate with Chinese disability organizations to invite experts to China to provide training in the form of conferences and workshops, to introduce the latest knowledge and research.

• Advocate to raise awareness of disability in society, and to advance educational and vocational opportunities for people with disabilities.

• Assist adults with limited literacy in finding appropriate educational services in Massachusetts, USA.

Why we do this work in China

Unlike in the United States, where special education is mandated by law, and where there are numerous educational and vocational opportunities supported by government and private agencies, in China there is a serious need for information and services for children, adolescents and adults with autism and other disabilities.  For example, autism was only first diagnosed in China in 1982 and awareness is only beginning. Because of a lack of awareness about autism and other disabilities (including mental illness and mental retardation), many families still face school rejection, social discrimination, and a lack of any type of support. In order to help address these problems, FIVE has conducted multiple workshops in China geared toward family members and professionals working with individuals with autism. These trainings have been very well-received; FIVE also provides some written materials at these workshops.  FIVE has also started Peer and Family Support Groups for individuals and families of individuals with mental retardation, mental illness, and autism.