Raising the Bar: Inclusive Education - workshop for parents of pre-school children with disability

Are you a parent or caregiver of a preschool child with disability?

Are you trying to decide between different educational options to enrol your child for school?

Have you envisaged a great future for your child, but still wonder where to start and what information and resources you need to get there?

Do you want to connect with other parents and caregivers who have a child with disability?

We’ve got your back!

In these FREE workshops we will explore what an ‘Ordinary Life’ pathway looks like and how inclusive education will increase opportunities and life outcomes for your child. Through a combination of presentations and reflective and interactive activities drawing on educational research and personal experiences, these sessions will give you valuable insights and help you make informed decisions about your child’s education. By the end of the workshops, you will be able to:

• describe what inclusive education is and what it is not.
• summarize the reasons why inclusive education is effective.
• state how transition planning and inclusive education can increase your child’s opportunities and life outcomes.
• make informed decisions with your child regarding their education.

• describe the vision you have for your child’s future.

The workshops are delivered in-person at Statewide Inclusive Education Services (SIES).

These workshops are free for parents/guardians of pre-school aged children with disability. Please contact Ewa if you have questions or need assistance to complete your registration: EwaL@purpleorange.org.au or phone 8373 8387

This workshop is delivered by JFA Purple Orange.

Thanks to Leanne Longfellow, Michaela Banks, Lauren Spear, and Giang Le and other members of the Co-design Group for your work in co-designing this workshop.

Participants who attended this workshop commented:

"Great presenters... It was a quite interesting workshop focusing on what inclusive education is."

"Having facilitators who have lived experience was great."

"This workshop should be mandatory for parents and carers."

"Excellent introduction to the topic. Has opened my eyes and increased my knowledge to be able to make informed decisions."

"Such a wealth of knowledge shared."

Participants were asked if they will do anything as a result of this workshop:

"More confidence to advocate and believe in inclusion as the 'right' choice."

"Ask for my child to be included in mainstream class."

"I came into the workshop with a very fixed view on education options. This has given me information to make an informed decision."

"I'm going to look at local kindy options."

"Be willing to advocate more and be aware that I might need to educate the school on inclusive ed."

"I will look at mainstream settings and the school my other children attend."