The program promotes the discovery of disability and diversity so as to enable all children across Toowoomba and the Darling Downs to experience disability and diversity awareness in their own school environment.

This program is designed to allow students to experience and explore a wide range of disabilities. Instead of just talking about issues like Dyslexia and Autism, and expecting children to understand and empathise, children can participate in activities that simulate what it is like to live with these disabilities. Children also experience physical disabilities. All students get to use a wheelchair to negotiate an obstacle course in their school.

There are various other activities that simulate vision impairment, deafness and mobility problems. After these disabilities are experienced and explored in the simulated form, the students then have small group discussions with the teachers who facilitate questioning and exploration on a personal level for the students. Existing opportunities in critical literacy, SOSE, and HPE will be explored to promote this inclusivity and diversity initiative, as well as to ensure that this program is co-curricular.

Target audience

The audience for these sessions is children from year one to year four. We run a very similar program to the basic primary program however focus the delivery more for younger children with more encouragement and questioning developed.

Objectives

• To further schools inclusive education policy of education for all. 
• To create a process that responds to the uniqueness of individuals, increasing Presence, Access, Awareness, Participation, Opportunity and Achievement of all individuals in a learning society. 
• To welcome, accept, involve and support all individuals, as full members of a learning society in all education communities. 
• To link with Education Queensland’s 2010 plan, which states that the development and implementation of all Education Queensland policies and curriculum frameworks will be consistent with and support the above ideals of inclusive education

Session format

The sessions  involve a discussion time and informal question and answer time. The children are then given a series of activities to participate in that immerses them in a world of difference. They can explore what it is like to be blind, or to have to use a wheelchair etc.

Session length

The sessions take a maximum of 30 children. The length of each session time is approximately 90 minutes, however it can be flexible to fit with existing school timetables.

Staffing

Two full-time registered teachers staff the program:

• Ms Sharon Boyce
• Dr Michael Furtado

Their broad experience and diverse backgrounds bring a depth to the program.

The classroom teachers are encouraged to participate with their classes and parents are welcome to attend as well.

Cost

$200. This includes the session, access to updated website with follow on class and student activities. Classroom and school competitions that promote awareness of disability and diversity are also included.

How to book

Phone 0417 708 945 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and request the dates that suit you