PWD may not readily be accepted in open employment due to several reasons. One of them may be that employers do not have the confidence that PWD can be as productive as their able-bodied counterparts.

Sheltered workshops are designed to give PWD opportunities leading to dignity, self worth and socialisation amongst their peers. These workshops provide encouragement, supervision and jobs that PWD find exciting and challenging; the pride of accomplishing meaningful work; compatible peers; and the all-important salary - in short, the rewards of a successful career.

Sheltered workshops often employ PWD in a variety of subcontracting work such as packaging, mailing and sorting services for companies and also producing food and crafts. The majority of sheltered workshops found in Malaysia cater for people with learning disabiliites.

Employees of sheltered workshops work a certain number of hours per week (determined by the management) and are paid wages based on their abilities to produce in comparison to normal standards.

Parents find sheltered workshops very important not only to their disabled children but also to their family members. It is probably the greatest Respite Programme ever designed for parents and guardians. This is because they have the peace of mind that their son or daughter is safe and secure, and is a productive member of society.

Values of Sheltered Workshop

Sheltered workshops provide basic needs for the disabled and the community including:

• Salary - It allows PWD to perform a service for society by earning a portion of their livelihood.
• Responsibility - It gives them the responsibility of coming to work and doing a job.
• Asset to Business - It performs a service to competitive industry in jobs that are labour intensive.
• Socialisation - It provides an avenue for PWD to work side-by-side with their friends.