Developing a Vocational Training and Transition Planning Programme for Intellectually Disabled Students in South Africa: A Case Study

Little information is available on future vocational preparation for intellectually disabled students in South African schools. Currently teachers adapt the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) to educate these students. A literature study was conducted to investigate existing models in the United States of America in order to develop a framework for a South African vocational training programme. The NCS was adapted to make the learning material suitable for intellectually disabled students. The programme was implemented and a mixed method research design facilitated a case study done in a school for intellectually disabled students. Findings revealed that a school vocational training programme can be managed successfully to the benefit of the parents, students and Department of Education. Based on the findings recommendations were made to improve various sections of the comprehensive programme.