LOBBY PAGE

Dear Parent,
Is this you? Are you up to your neck trying to sort out what has to be done when your son/daughter leaves school or has left school. Do you feel like you don't know where to go, what to do, what forms you have to fill out etc etc etc? You are not alone. Many, many parents feel the same at this stage of their son/daughter's life. If you would like this to change, then maybe it's time to demand that the whole complicated system be made easier. If this sounds good, then read on.

All you have to do is email the following message (or make up your own to fit your situation) to State and Federal politicians (addresses supplied) and let them know how you feel and what you want done. The more of us who jump up and down, the more notice they will take! Fill the form out above to advocate for change.

This is the message that will go to the politicians:

I am a parent of a son/daughter with disability who is/will be leaving school in the near future. I want my son/daughter to leave school with a good education and with high self-esteem which comes from teachers and others having positive attitudes and high expectations of him/her. Not only do I want good, straightforward information about what options are available in terms of further education, employment or post school services, but I want services to be creative and innovative and willing to help my son/daughter to fulfill their dream to lead a meaningful, purposeful life in whatever pathway they choose.

This is how you can help us to achieve this: 

Ensure transition planning starts early - Year 9 - at school. I need adequate, appropriate support and information for this to happen.

Better coordination of services. It would streamline planning if there was a closer working relationship and cooperation between Vocational Education and Training organisations, employment agencies, post school services and schools. I can't stress enough how significant and important this aspect of decision making and choice is to me. 

There needs to be a mechanism developed to ensure the above can happen, such as a key worker who is independent of all agencies, maybe a role similar to that of the Local Area Coordinator, who could bring all these various systems and resources together in a meaningful way for my son/daughter

Assistance with planning for the future, for developing a longer-term vision and plan for my son/daughter over their lifetime.