Inclusive education … bridging barriers in the community for individuals with special needs

Mission:
To nurture, educate and empower young people with special needs.

History:
Founded in 1994, the Springboard Project provides English speaking special education services for children and young adults aged five and above. Springboard caters to students with a variety of mild to moderate learning difficulties, including Down’s syndrome, autism and global developmental delays.

Springboard supports the Korean International School in providing students with special needs an individualised and school-based curriculum. The focus is on quality education in an international and inclusive setting. The integration policy of the school is vital to the success of this programme and it provides regular opportunities for mainstream, social and extra-curricular integration for all Springboard students. 
 
In addition to the school-based programme, Springboard offers an enrichment programme which operates from the Springboard Centre. The programme enables Springboard students to learn and refine social skills outside of a school setting, practise life skills and receive other therapeutic interventions.

A Springboard five-year post-school Transitional Programme is currently under development for Autumn 2011. The programme is aimed at students with special needs aged 16 and above, with the goal of preparing them for transition from school to post-school activities. The three main focus areas are functional academics, life skills education and vocational training preparation.

Transition planning for each student includes exploring post-secondary educational opportunities; living arrangements and self-care; vocational and employment options; and community participation. For some students, transition planning may also include connecting with adult service agencies.

Springboard also partners with Growing Together, advocating for appropriate provisions for language and ethnic minorities with special needs in Hong Kong.