Happy 10th Birthday KANDU
Transitional Work Access (TWA) began in 1990 as a temporary post-school option for individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder to develop skills for the workplace. It also provided services for individuals who did not seem well suited for a work setting.
During 1996, in an attempt to regain its primarily vocational focus, TWA ceased and became TASC (“Towards a Skilled Crew”) and KANDU (a recreational day program) began in January 1997.
The first KANDU program was based at Myrtle Bank, near the Fisher Street office. It provided skill enhancement and learning opportunities to individuals through participation in activities such as walking, swimming, art and craft, puzzles, sensory experiences, eating out at restaurants and much more.
After KANDU’s successes and achievements, KANDU II began on February 23rd 1998. It has had a two-fold purpose:
- To provide a quality service to local participants in the Northern suburbs and thereby reducing the daily travel time
- To make two programs of manageable size as opposed to one large recreation program.
Over time, each of the KANDU programs have developed their own styles to cater for the individual needs and preferences of participating individuals and venues have changed.