SOME�TIME AGO I FOUND A COUPLE OF�STATEMENTS �BELOW IN A COUPLE OF ARTICLE ON THE WEB……

1. ‘PROGRESSIVISTS BELIEVE THAT INDIVIDUALITY, PROGRESS AND CHANGE ARE�FUNDAMENTAL TO ONES EDUCATION. “
2. JOHN DEWEY BELIEVED THAT PEOPLE LEARN BEST FROM SOCIAL INTERACTION IN THE REAL WORLD.

These articles�had nothing to do with the ‘world of disability’ but it�struck a chord�with me�and I believed that if the above was�applied the right way could be advantageous to Angela�and her understanding of the world around her where the process becomes as important as any outcomes…….

So�to cut to the chase –  �“the community setting” becomes Angela’s progressivisit classroom (so to speak) which is about exploration, experience , idividuality(supported)�planning, progress and change.

With the added help of NDIS (individual funding instead of block or group funding)Angela’s community support has gone through multiple changes -to

daily individualised progressive�social inclusion which�is promoted creatively by her support workers (we call Circle of Support) �Hence support days have increased, people have increased,social inclusion has increased, opportunities to experience life have increased relationships have increased to name a few.

What do I mean about a Circle of Support?�I mean a group of people who provide support,�and get paid-for a desired amount of time in a day who focus on the worth of inclusion in the community for someone with severe disability..�Yes- it is about caring but MORE�it’s providing Angela with a life of greater purpose which constantly gives opportunities to turn potential into growth .

Continuing social experiences,relationship building all aiding health and wellbeing.

Regardless of�Angela’s�limitations imposed on her by her disability-�so to get it right- her daily support requires “progressive multiple thinking by workers of a creative nature when planning�which is an ongoing form of ‘simplicity and variety’ for the full shift,

As her website calendar shows the direct, practical ideas ,real world situations,fostering explorative learning and certainly�addresses the so called “minority” group that Angela�belongs to or seen by others�as belonging�to…….

Personalised learning is the fundamental principle and main advantage of progressive”education” or in Angela’s case “ progressive understanding.

The support hours reflecting consistent progressive�“change” during the shift �addressing Angela’s short attention span but the progressive application naturally producing�‘variety”. �More variety- means more possibilities for learning.�The quote below says it all……

 

Written by Bev Nugent (Angela’s mum and lifetime advocate)