Early childhood

Advocacy Tips and Tools to Make it Happen

Below are some clips that may help you think about the sort of life you want for your child when getting ready for school and life. It is never too early to start thinking about the future. The resources below offer practical tips, strategies, ideas and information to help you start planning a positive future and look at some of the things that are important in achieving an inclusive education.

Please keep in mind the films are a part of a recording from a live webinar conducted in June 2015. Funding supports and possibilities change quite frequently, so it is important that you keep checking that the information is accurate.

Chapter 1: Who is Family Advocacy, the aims of the webinar and having a vision for the future

Chapter 2: What is a vision and how you can use it as an advocacy tool

An inclusive education as part of an inclusive life. This clip talks about the advantages of an inclusive education from a parent’s perspective. Mum Gina talks about how her son’s vision helps guide their choices and advocacy efforts.

For more information and examples of a vision visit our Resourcing Inclusive Communities* website. Resourcing Inclusive Communities is an initiative of Family Advocacy.

Chapter 3: The education system, what the research says and what inclusion is

Things that might be helpful to consider when choosing an education for your child Dr Bob Jackson. To view more of Dr. Jackson’s work and resources visit his website, Include.

Research evidence on inclusion can be found on our Listen to the Evidence webpage.

All students learning together – Taking Action on Education this Family Advocacy booklet provides insights into advocating for your family member in a practical way when talking to schools.

Chapter 4: Reasonable adjustments

View Joscelyn’s Journey another example of how a student with disability has been supported in the regular class.

Resource: Disability Standards for Education: A practical Guide

Chapter 5: Choosing a school, enrolling and transitioning into school

Learn more about Mac’s experience in enrolling and transitioning into school on Gina’s blog Inky-Ed, where you can also find her Mac2 DET letter.

Creating a personal portfolio

In this section, a parent discusses how she used a booklet or portfolio as a way of introducing her son in a positive way. Some families have found this to be a useful tool. The booklet could include your vision and photographs of your son or daughter in various positive contexts. It could also talk about things he or she likes doing. You can read an article by Paula Kluth, called Creating Personal Portfolios to get more ideas on what you can put in a personal portfolio. You can also read examples of a personal portfolio on our building good relationships with the school webpage.

Applying to enrol

You can find out more on how to enrol by visiting the NSW Schools website page: Enrolment .

Getting Ready for school: A guide for parents of a child with a disability is a booklet that shares more information about the enrolment process in State schools.

Chapter 6: Supports in the system

Integrated Funding Support Program

The Integrated Funding Support Program is for students who need additional supports and have an identified disability (as defined by NSW DEC criteria). An application must be made for this funding. To find out more about this you can read the DEC Funding Support Document which we referred to during the webinar.

Thinking critically about the role of a School Learning Support Officer previously called a Teacher’s Aide read: Be Careful What You Wish for …”: Five Reasons to Be Concerned About the Assignment of Individual Paraprofessionals

To find out more about supports in the system, applying for funding and how funding can be utilised visit our using funding supports effectively webpage.

Chapter 7: Communicating with schools, planning and further resources

Parent’s Individual Education Planning Report (IEP Workbook and Report Proforma) This form and workbook helps parents to think through the important areas that need to be considered when developing plans and goals for children in educational settings.

Advocacy Tools this booklet discusses tips and tools for meetings and communication with your school.

Dr Paula Kluth Dr. Paula Kluth works with teachers and families to help facilitate inclusive opportunities for students with disability and to create more responsive and engaging schooling experiences for all learners. Her website has lots of practical ideas, articles and resources for including children with disability in regular classes.

Navigating NDIS

Despite the fact that the NDIS aims to give people with disability more flexibility and control, advocacy is just as important as ever. This is because power still resides largely with those groups implementing change – the government, the bureaucracy, and non-government service providers. Vigorous advocacy is needed to ensure...

Creating a home

People with disability have the right to live in similar ways to the majority of Australians Family Advocacy believes that people with disability have the same right as other Australians to have appropriate and relevant housing options and choices available to them. This means that the living situations of people with disability...

Community living

Many people with developmental disability live under low expectations and limited opportunities that prevent the development of valued social roles within the community. Their days may be empty or full of programs and activities that keep them busy but are of no real interest to them and serve little purpose....

Employment for All

Having the opportunity to be in a work or volunteering type role can provide a sense of purpose, self-worth and the opportunity to contribute to the community. This section of our website will look at how you could support your family member with disability to pursue their interests and strengths...

School years

All kids together in the regular classroom What does it mean to be included? Inclusion is a word that is often misrepresented and therefore can be confusing. Family Advocacy believe people with disability should have the same opportunities that other Australians enjoy and expect. Their involvement in community should be genuine,...

Early childhood

Advocacy Tips and Tools to Make it Happen Below are some clips that may help you think about the sort of life you want for your child when getting ready for school and life. It is never too early to start thinking about the future. The resources below offer practical...