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Life long Learning

DANA Conference 2012

Elizabeth McGarry

CEO, Association for Children with a Disability

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EARLY CHILDHOOD(0 – 6 YEARS)

All children are entitled to access

early childhood services in their local community

• maternal and child health• playgroups• child care• kindergarten• early childhood intervention services

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Disability Education Standards 1.5

Applicable to education providers including –

pre-schools and kindergartens

(not child-care providers)

http://www.deewr.gov.au

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The Early Years Learning Framework of Australia

Belonging, Being and Becoming

“All young Australians become • successful learners• confident and creative individuals• active and informed citizens”

http://www.deewr.gov.au/EarlyChildhood/Policy_Agenda

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Inclusion Support Subsidy

may be available to eligible child care services to assist them to build their capacity to include a child or children with ongoing high support needs.

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Early Childhood Intervention Services

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Early Childhood Intervention Services

Interventions to achieve inclusion -

• Additional support to improve access and participation in child care and kindergarten

• Assist with moving to school

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Kindergarten Inclusion Support Services

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Kindergarten Inclusion Support Services

support access and participation of children with severe disabilities by providing flexible, individually tailored support in an inclusive 4-year old kindergarten program.

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Barriers to Inclusion

Government Policy under-funded services eligibility constraintsWorkforce Insufficient training underpaid / undervaluedCommunity deficit focus = indifferent = intolerant = competitiveFamily too many knock backs = too hard = give up

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Government Policy

NDIS

‘Helping Children with Autism’

‘Better Start’ Initiative

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Workforce

Insufficient pre-service training. Disability related learning relegated to “elective” status

Supporting children with a disability isn’t promoted as a valued career path

Low remuneration for “assistants”

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Community

See the disability first not the childFocussed on ’perfection’ Don’t appreciate/value diversity or how

attitudes impact on others

Want their own child to get best opportunities – without exception

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Family

Desire to protect child and self from the judgement of others

Unsure of entitlement to access support

Too many battles to fight

Retreat to where it feels ‘safer’

Isolation for child and family

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Fighting for inclusion

“I’m so tired of fighting to get a little help for my daughter. I feel like I’m turning into a beggar” parent

“I didn’t want my son sitting in the playground all alone while the other kids played around him.” parent of boy with Spinal Muscular Atrophy

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What Inclusion looks like

“They (other children) all came away with an awareness and tolerance of others who are different to themselves. “parent of boy with Spinal Muscular Atrophy

“He made friends, went to birthday parties and participated in all the activities with the other children” parent of boy with Down Syndrome

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Individual Advocacy Tips

Know your stuff – share accurate information

Understand the desired outcome and why it is important for the child/family

Help prioritise concerns – what is and what isn’t negotiable

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Individual Advocacy Tips

Seek out person who has the power to make decisions

Accountability – who undertook to do what, how and when

Keep an open mind - alternative solutions may be just as effective

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Individual Advocacy Tips

Work towards the child/family’s goals.

This is their journey not yours.

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Contact details

Association for Children with a Disability

Suite 2, 98 Morang Road

HAWTHORN VIC 3122

Phone: 03 9818 2000

or 1800 654 013 (rural callers)

Email: mail@acd.org.au

Web www.acd.org.au