MEDIA
A 14-year-old with cerebral palsy is taking on the bureaucrats.
By Margaret Cook. www.theage.com.au 22 July 2006
Ariane Garner-Williams is lively and intelligent. She's also a fighter, particularly when it comes to improving rights for people with disabilities.
 Ariane Garner-Williams, of the Youth Disability Advocacy Service. Photo: Rebecca Hallas |
"I was nervous at our first meeting but I decided to speak out," says the year 7 student. "I represent all the people with disabilities at school, and that's a very big responsibility."
Ariane has a simple message for bureaucrats who allocate disability funding - such as money to provide teacher aides - using statistics based on questionnaires filled in by schools and families.
"Don't try to fit us into a formula; look at us as individuals and come out and meet the person first," she says. "It's not just 'tick the box' to decide what we need."
Ariane cites her situation as an example of what many students with disabilities and their families face.
She attended both Belmore School and Ruyton Girls' School up to year 4 and was allocated level-5 disability funding by the state Education Department.
She then studied full-time at Ruyton for three years and received Commonwealth funding. This allowed her to have a full-time aide at school.
This year she transferred to Melbourne Girls' College, where she is very happy. But her state funding has been downgraded to level-4, mainly because she now has an electric rather than manual wheelchair.
"I'm bigger and more independent but I still can't get my books out or write or turn the pages," says Ariane. "Less funding means I don't have a full-time aide. We need to listen to people more and understand what they can do and how much funding they need."
Ariane's mother, Victoria Garner, takes her out of school during PE and sport because she does not have the aide to help her during these classes. "She may not be able to run around but she could be learning rules and strategies, cheering on her friends, being part of the group or even umpiring," she says.
Ariane says another problem for students with disabilities is the shortage of "wheelchair-accessible buses".
This can make it difficult - and often impossible - for them to take part in excursions. She also believes all public places need to be accessible for people with disabilities.
The Youth Disability Advocacy Service - which is funded by the Human Services Department - is a partnership between the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria, Youthlaw and the Disability Discrimination Legal Service.
Co-ordinator George Taleporos says it will act upon the concerns of young people, not their parents or carers. The 15-member steering committee (most of whom are at school, university or TAFE) has identified access to education as a high priority.
"Young people want to choose to attend local schools and receive adequate support to make this possible, but sometimes don't receive that in the form of aide time or equipment," says Dr Taleporos.
"At tertiary institutions, there are barriers in terms of the provision of information in accessible formats and the lack of Auslan interpreters." Other issues are inadequate access to buildings and the need for more funding for personal-care assistants who help students with meals and going to the toilet.
Ms Garner, who is treasurer of the Association for Children with a Disability, says many families struggle financially, emotionally and physically. "They only want what they need to give their children the best outcome - not more than that."
Ariane wants to study at TAFE and possibly be a "superstar drummer" after completing school. She also hopes that more young people will become involved with the advocacy service.
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