Enrolments are open at one of Queensland’s most anticipated educational centres designed to prepare young people with a disability for a lifetime of independence.
The STEPS Pathways College is the first of its kind in Australia that combines real independent living experiences with an intensive 12 month training course, students will gain the necessary skills that will allow them to successfully navigate their own lives and plan for their future.
STEPS managing director Carmel Crouch said the College was the organisation’s biggest achievement to date in terms of creating equal opportunities for people with a disability.
“Our aim is to provide a positive, life changing experience that will give our students the chance to live their life the way they choose just like you and I, with the tools and know-how to make important choices and decisions in life,” Ms Crouch said.
Students at the Caloundra-based College will master day to day living tasks, develop critical thinking skills, gain confidence and self-awareness, make new friends and learn how to maintain healthy relationships all in a safe and supported environment.
While STEPS Pathways College is unique in its approach to long term outcomes for people with a disability, STEPS have also taken a different approach to funding.
From bricks and mortar to resource development STEPS Pathways College has been developed through funds raised, and donations of materials and services from the local community.
Despite opting for a 100% community funded approach, the college has still managed to catch the attention of government and the disability sector looking for innovative ways to assist Australia’s growing population of people with a disability access equal opportunities for an improved quality of life.
“We have a situation in Australia where relatively young people are living in aged care facilities and other types of inappropriate housing where they would have been quite capable of living independently with the right training,” Ms Crouch said.
“We’re working as hard as we can to make a better, brighter future for people with a disability”.
Support STEPS Pathways College and help us create a brighter future for people with a disability by donating today.
