Life after school: what’s next?

This series of events has been created to support the development of a shared foundation for the three key stakeholders in the ‘transition space’, (i) students and their families (ii) educators and (iii) employment and day service providers. Free for disabled students and their family/whanau If you are eligible for attending free please contact admin@nzdsn.org.nz with your details

September 15, 16 and November 11

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      Description

      Presented by: Imagine Better and NZDSN

      Typically, graduation from college is an exciting time of life. It is a time of exploration, adventure, growing independence and fun. However, for many young men and women with disabilities and their families, it can
      be a time of great vulnerability, uncertainty and worry.

      Despite years of foreknowledge, invested resources, countless planning sessions, conversations and sleepless nights, many disabled students finish their secondary education with little clarity on their next steps. There is a great deal of good will from all stakeholders, however it seldom seems to translate into people leaving school and smoothly entering their adult life.

      This series of events has been created to support the development of a shared foundation for the three key stakeholders in the ‘transition space’, (i) students and their families (ii) educators and (iii) employment and day service providers. It will enable a deeper understanding of the key issues each group is grappling with and actively explore how, together, we could relook at this journey for our youth. We ask that participants register for and commit to all three days.

      Who should attend?

      • 13 - 21 year old college students and their family/whanau
      • Secondary School Educators
      • Key Ministry of Education Staff
      • Service providers involved in 'transition' employment and day support
      • Other key stakeholders

      This series will involve:

      1. A two day workshop which brings together
        all stakeholders. 
        There will be time for combined learning, reflection and sharing and time where different cohorts are able to explore and plan for what they need. The workshop will be facilitated and each participant with receive resources and learning materials.

      2. An agreed set of action steps will be developed and agreed by the end of day two. These will offer all participants a framework that they can ‘go back to the real world’ and begin to implement and experiment with. In this way the learning from the two days will become applied in a shared space.

      3. We regather to share our learning, stories and develop our next steps. This will be a one day event approximately 8 weeks after the initial two days.

      Cost

      Free for disabled students and their family / whanau
      If you are eligible for attending free please contact admin@nzdsn.org.nz with your details

      Attendance for professionals is $250 (for all 3 days). This may be reimbursable for eligible organisations (those with MSD contracts) through the MSD training fund. For further information, see the MSD Training Fund.

      Presenters

      Nicky Mayne

      Like most parents, having a child with a disability was Nicky’s first exposure to the complex world of disability and the never ending rollercoaster ride that is parenting a significantly disabled child. She now also leads a disability organisation and navigates her work and home life through the dual lens of parent and provider. Nicky is an advocate for social change that will enable good life outcomes for people with disabilities. She recognises the power of having a vision that brings the natural and formal supports in a person’s life together to pursue the good life.

      Tony McLean

      As a young man Tony spent a number of years in hands on support roles assisting other young men try to have as ordinary a life as possible. Over the last 25 years he has been engaged in a wide variety of voluntary and paid roles with disabled people, families, organisations and communities. For the last decade he has been deeply immersed in assisting families
      to envisage their good life and walking with them as they turn that vision into a reality. Tony is an experienced trainer and facilitator.

      Guests

      At each series you will also hear from guests presenters from different stakeholder groups. They will share their unique perspectives, lessons and experiences.

      Venue

      Hotel Armitage and Conference Centre

      9 Willow Street, Tauranga

      Questions?

      For questions, please contact Tony Mclean
      T: 0274 934 601
      E: tony.mclean@imaginebetter.co.nz

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