A new initiative that empowers students with disability prepare for high school has been launched by Western Australia based service provider VisAbility.
The free online tool is all about giving young people a voice when it comes to playing a more active role in the learning journey by helping to develop self-advocacy skills.
Student Emily Prior pictured), who has cerebral palsy and trialed the How I Learn website prior to launch said it has given her more control of the way she liked to be taught. “It lets the school know they are doing the right things to support me,” she said.
Her mother, Jenny Prior, said as a parent it gave her reassurance that the school was doing all it could to make her daughter’s education experience easier. “It is teaching Emily to advocate for herself and I can step back and give her the freedom to become more independent so she has a voice.” Because Emily prefers multiple choice type questions, rather than writing down long answers, it means the school knows about these requests and can accommodate them, she said.
VisAbility CEO, Elizabeth Barnes said being able to assertively advocate for your own learning and accessibility requirements will set students up for success as they move onto life outside school. “The best people to know about their learning needs are the individuals themselves,” she said.
The website was developed by VisAbility speech pathologist, Monique Ziegelaar with input from students, therapists and schools and disability specialists.
To access the website go to: www.howilearn.com.au