Everyday Relationships by Everyday Independence
Empowering young people with Everyday Relationships
Sarah is an occupational therapist at Everyday Independence.
She helps run a program called Everyday Relationships, a group program for young people with disability to learn about friendships, romantic relationships and family connections.
Most existing education on this topic is built for mainstream classrooms.
"We wanted to create a program that was going to be accessible, age appropriate and targeted for young people with disabilities,"
Rachel, a teacher who worked alongside Sarah, saw the difference her approach made in the classroom.
"The visual content on the big screen was amazing," Rachel says.
"The resources and the worksheets that she brought in matched the topic but were linked to student need."
For families, the program offered a starting point they don't always get elsewhere.
"As parents we can't always focus on these little parts as teenagers grow and start to interact and develop relationships," says Joanne, a parent.
"So it gives us a starting point as well. Sometimes the kids don't want to talk to us about these sorts of things. Having a third party involved makes it somewhat easier for the kids."
Sarah noticed a shift in her students over the weeks.
"At the beginning of the program, the students were very nervous," she says.
"But as the weeks went on, I noticed a huge progression in their confidence and their willingness to contribute."
Much of the learning centred on safety when out in the community. Knowing who to meet, where, and who to tell.
"We talked a lot about creating safety plans, so that they can be young adults accessing the community," Sarah says.
Nathan, assistant principal, says they have seen the impact in everyday school life.
"For me it's more the informal assessments where we see the real difference," he says.
"Students actually going through with what they've learned, sentence starters with their friends, appropriate conversations. It's been a real success for our kids."
Amelia, one of the participants, described the program in her own words.
"It was very fun, and the teachers were helpful," she says.
By the end, Sarah noticed her students were more open and curious.
"There was a lot of laughs and some uncomfortable feelings," she says.
"We worked through that and created a safe environment for them."
Joanne hopes other families consider what programs like this can offer.
"You need to think about age appropriate material this program can deliver, and the safety it might instil in your children," she says.
Rachel agrees the conversations matter.
"The more that they can hear messages around consent and sexual health, wellbeing, relationships, the better," she says.
For Sarah, watching her students grow in confidence is what makes the work worthwhile.
"I love watching them feel empowered," she says. "Extremely rewarding."
For more information, please reach out to our Futures team at futures@apm.net.au, or 1300 276 757.