For many sheltered workshop employees, daily life is often limited to the journey between home and work. To give persons with disabilities the opportunity to experience a variety of recreational activities and diverse life experiences, Eden Foundation recently (on 11th, Sep.) led six sheltered workshop employees from the Manna Sheltered Workshop to Apex Aviation’s flight training base in Taitung. From learning about the principles of flight and operating flight simulators to touring the hangar and posing for photos in the cockpit, the participants became “pilots for a day” and created unforgettable memories.
Instructors used hands-on demonstrations to help the sheltered employees understand the principles of flight
“I want to try it again!” Sitting in the flight simulator’s cockpit, sheltered employee Hsin-Yi looked every bit the pilot. Under the instructor’s guidance, she gripped the control stick to steer the aircraft and attempted to land on the runway. On her first attempt, she quickly got the hang of it and even asked to increase the difficulty for another go. The instructor praised her piloting skills, which boosted Hsin-Yi’s confidence as she flew. She realized, “I can actually do this,” and even expressed her hope to try flying a real plane in the future.
After the experience, Hsin-Yi developed a dream of flying
Another sheltered workshop employee is 28-year-old Ssu-Ting. She lives with her mother, and her daily life mostly consists of commuting between the sheltered workshop and home, with few opportunities to try new things. Upon learning she would be visiting the aviation training base, she was very excited. Although she was a little nervous when she sat in the flight simulator, she successfully completed the experience under the instructor’s patient guidance. Ssu-Ting happily said it was a lot of fun and she learned a lot; she plans to share the experience with her mother when she gets home.
It was Ssu-Ting’s first time trying a flight simulator; although she was a little nervous, she successfully completed the challenge.
Before the flight simulation, ground training course instructor Jen-Chieh Wu carefully prepared a comprehensive lesson to introduce the principles of flight to everyone. To make the complex material easier to understand, the instructor used props made from chopsticks, cardboard, and ping-pong balls to help the participants understand changes in air currents. He also used a large blower to keep a ball suspended in midair, demonstrating the relationship between air pressure and flight. Through hands-on activities and observing these changes, the participants became fully engaged and gained a concrete understanding of flight.
Thanks to Apex Aviation for supporting the participants in fulfilling their dreams; at the end of the event, they received flight certificates.
Yeh-Ying Lee, Section Chief at Eden Manna Sheltered Workshop, indicated that the daily lives of sheltered employees typically revolve between their residences and the workshop, with few opportunities to engage in other recreational activities or life experiences. Therefore, when the event was announced a month in advance, everyone was very excited and looked forward to it. “We hope that our sheltered workshop employees do not just focus on work, but can also broaden their horizons and explore their interests,” she said. Through repeated attempts, she hopes to assist them discover their own abilities and preferences. When they are willing to make choices, take on challenges, and even begin to voice their dreams, she believes this will build their confidence in facing life.
Chung-Ching Tu, Director of Eden Foundation’s Accessible Innovation Service Center, stated that discussions had begun long before the COVID-19 pandemic, with the goal of creating opportunities for persons with disabilities to experience flying. Although the plan was postponed due to the pandemic, it has now finally come to fruition. Chung-Ching Tu g expressed deep gratitude to Apex Aviation for its willingness to support persons with disabilities in Taitung, hoping this Dream-Fulfilling Initiative would serve as a crucial opportunity for sheltered workshop employees to gain self-awareness and build self-confidence.
Stepping onto the tarmac for the first time was an incredibly joyful and unforgettable experience for the sheltered workshop employees.
Eden has long been committed to addressing the needs of persons with disabilities at different stages of their lives. Through sheltered employment, vocational training, and diverse social participation programs, Eden assists persons with disabilities build their capabilities and explore their interests. The “Eden Manna Sheltered Workshop” is located in an orange-brick building in the parking lot behind the Taitung County Government. Through professional training and work assignments, the workshop assists persons with disabilities develop job skills and adapt to the workplace. In addition to offering festival gift boxes, the workshop also sells handmade toast, coffee beverages, artisanal cookies, and meeting refreshments. We invite the public to support the sheltered employees through the purchases, enabling them to work with peace of mind and continue learning, so that every effort they make is recognized. Order hotline: +886-89-346-610; LINE Official Account: eden_manna.
