Article of Note
Young people with and without disability share the same goals when they finish school .
Other participants felt “ stuck ” with a life in disability services locked into the role of “ disability person ”, while wanting to do and be more .
You know […] I want to do some more in life and […] I want to be out there . Know what I mean ?
Participants felt they needed better support with finding and keeping employment , even from agencies that had been contracted to do so . Getting help with finding a paid job seemed especially frustrating and out of reach . One young man called it a “ total nightmare ” explaining ,
So they ’ re basically , you know , not very well , um , structured […] you ’ re just waiting here for that lottery ticket to draw your name out .
The same goals as young people without disability This study shows transition planning processes remain inconsistent and there is insufficient collaboration between school systems , adult disability services and the workforce .
Participants in our study had the same goals as young people without disability for meaningful work , independence and social connection — but need better support to contributing meaningfully to their communities .
The sense of “ feeling stuck ” with life in disability services or in “ perpetual transition ” may be caused by conflicting beliefs and values between service providers and consumers .
Young people expect to take on adult roles after leaving school . But disability service providers often see these young people merely as service receivers . Standardised processes and procedures may create “ institutionalised identities ”.
The highly standardised nature of the NDIS leaves it inaccessible for people with intellectual disability , so the promise of choice and control in adult life is far from reality .
How it should be Australia needs nationally consistent policies backed by systematic actions and oversight that truly supports the transition
28 Accessibilty for All