Decision Making and Choice
All people with disabilities and/or their guardians are free to make or influence the decisions and choices that affect the course of their lives.
Part of values statement, Challenge 2014: A ten year vision for disability in the ACT,
Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services ACT 2004
So you've had many years of schooling, many experiences and now are looking at life after school. There are many informed choices to be made that set in place what you will be doing after school. Planning well ahead and making decisions to work, undertake further education and training or to participate in other activities requires information, advice and time to make sure it is what you want to do. Sometimes it isn't easy to find out what is available and how you can make it fit into your future plans. But there is plenty of information in this guide that will help you to make a start on making your plans a reality.
Planning for your life after school is not an isolated event that once it is done it is over. It is an ongoing process that changes and evolves over time. The planning however starts with
- your reflections, planning and decisions
- discussion with family and friends
- discussion with teachers and support workers
- contact with careers advisors and post school service and support providers
All these people have valuable knowledge and experiences to share and are there to help you.
So this guide is for you! Grab a family member or friend and prepare, plan and implement your future pathway.
Simple planning tools can and should be used to guide your steps.
Planning Tool for Employment
- Plan well ahead of the time you expect to have a job
- Choose a career to match your interests or goals
- Identify the employment agency that can assist you in getting the job
- Discuss your needs. Let agency staff know what you need to assist you in accessing employment and performing in the job
- Identify your skills for the job and prepare a résumé
- Find out about alternatives to full-time employment, for example apprenticeships, part-time work, work experience or further study
- Identify other support services that you may require, e.g. Centrelink, accommodation or transport, etc.
Planning Tool for Education and Training
- Plan well ahead of the time you expect to train or study
- Choose a career to match your interests and goals
- Identify the CIT, TAFE or University or private training provider that offers the course you are interested in studying
- Find out about any entry requirements or prerequisites for the course that interests you
- Discuss your needs. Let the Disability Liaison Officer or other campus staff know what you need to assist you with accessing the campus, communication, laboratory work, sitting exams, taking notes, managing workloads, using the library, writing essays etc
- Find out what financial support is available
- Consider all options. It may help to consider part-time or off-campus study
- Identify other support services that you may require, eg Centrelink, accommodation or transport, etc.
Pathway Options for People with a Disability
On the next page you will see a visual representation of the three main pathways people with a disability can explore. Further information on all the services in the flow chart are provided in the guide. The three main pathways are:
- Further Education and Training
- Job Seeking - Employment
- Community Access and Life Skills Services
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