YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DISABILTIES TO BENEFIT FROM NEW DAY OPTION PROGRAM

The Stanhope Government is to provide greatly enhanced community support options for young people with a disability living on the Northside of Canberra.

The 2005-06 Budget will provide $1.7 million over four years to develop day option programs, assisting young people with disabilities develop essential life skills.

The Minister for Disability, Housing and Community Services, John Hargreaves said these skills would help these young people live more independently and develop more and better choices for their futures.

“These programs are aimed at bridging the gap between adolescence and adulthood, a transition that can be significantly harder for a young person with a disability,” Mr Hargreaves said. 

“The funding will assist young people with disabilities in accessing extra education, developing vocational skills, having a fun social life and participating in all sorts of recreational activities during their spare time.

“These programs will help young people achieve — as much as possible — all of these things.

“Currently programs such as these are provided in South Canberra by Sharing Places — a community based day activity service — funded by the ACT Government — which works with people with disabilities of all ages.

“There will be a strong focus in the new Northside day options program on life and vocational skills, which could range from activities such as learning to cook, different ways to communicate and learning a range of creative arts, such as photography.”
Statement ends