Over the last few months, Day Support leaders and support staff have been trialling and testing new, innovative ways of teaching our Literacy and Numeracy programs. Due to varying communication and information processing needs, our education programs must be regularly adapted to suit the learning styles of many different participants.
Our creative Day Support team work using a Co-Achieve model. This means the voices of our participants are heard and valued, and strategies to reach their personal goals are made in collaboration with them. It’s about choice and independence and it helps our staff to understand a participant’s hopes and needs.
Adaptive teaching is crucial for people living with disabilities – whether it be physical or cognitive support, creative strategies are often used to ensure that information is being heard, processed and retained. Our staff provide ongoing learning opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, both in and out of set sessions, by listening and working with them to understand their needs.
Everyone is different, so it can take some time to understand the learning styles of each participant and plan programs to ensure no one is left behind.
One of our programs, recently dubbed ‘Off the Page’, has incorporated a stronger visual approach to learning numeracy. Support worker Michelle swapped worksheets for tactile, real-life examples of counting, addition, and subtraction, including using a deck of playing cards to memorise numbers.
During an ‘Off the Page’ session, Michelle engages participants with a game of bingo, prompting their memories with visual cues and building a supportive group structure. Incorporating playing cards – something recognisable and fun – gets participants engaged on a deeper level. There’s a sense of comradery that helps information travel around the room, and the social aspects of learning allow participants to support each other and be creative in communication.
Many OC educators utilise the daily arrival of the Tasty Truck in their numeracy programs. With participants in line for the food truck, Michelle asks them how many people are waiting and helps them break down their purchase before reaching the server. Engaging learners in real-life situations and encounters is a great opportunity to show them why they’re learning specific things and when this information will be used.
This is only one example of adaptive teaching within OC Connections’ educational programs – we’re excited to share stories and ideas from our creative and skill-based classes over the next few months.
From Dance & Movement to Literacy to IT skill-building, our innovative educators and support staff explore creative ways to engage participants and support them to learn important life skills.
3 November 2023
Over the last few months, Day Support leaders and support staff have been trialling and testing new, innovative ways of teaching our Literacy and Numeracy programs. Due to varying communication and information processing needs, our education programs must be regularly adapted to suit the learning styles of many different participants. SUpporting diverse learning Our creative […]
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31 October 2023
The Final Report of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability has been released. The research findings, collected through thousands of interviews, submissions and panels, provide a detailed understanding of Australia’s current disability landscape. It describes the prevalence of ableism in our society, within our education system, labour market, […]
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31 October 2023
The ecologiQ Greener Infrastructure Conference was a resounding success for OC Connections Enterprises. The conference brought organisations from across Victoria together to discuss innovation in the manufacturing sector and the different ways in which businesses can positively engage in the circular economy. OCCE representatives Steve Batinksy, General Manager, and Nancy Zele, Employment Pathways and Engagement […]
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20 September 2023
The Australian Government will soon review the recommendations of the Disability Royal Commission, including employment services and opportunities for people living with disability. Around 16,000 people living with disabilities work as Supported Employees across Australia. Working in Supported Employment makes a significant difference in the lives of people with disability – engaging in work helps […]
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19 September 2023
The OC Art Space provides a welcoming, encouraging environment for participants to learn creative forms of self-expression. Living with intellectual and developmental disabilities can feel isolating, especially when your natural type of communication isn’t widely understood. That’s why support staff Renate, Rose, Michelle and Val have worked to build a strong foundation at OC Connections […]
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2 August 2023
In July, two residents from our Oakleigh Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) made the trip up to Echuca to participate in a game of footy with Moama Rockets! Tim and Bart are members of the Mazenod Panthers in Glen Waverly, an all-abilities football club that goes up against teams from around Victoria. They woke up bright […]
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22 July 2023
Meet Zane, a regular resident of our Short-Term Accommodation (STA) house located in Oakleigh. Since the start of the year, Zane has become a pillar of the STA community. He’s got a vibrant personality and adores the regular staff and participants at our STA house. He’s even been spreading the word and getting his mates […]
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17 July 2023
On Monday 10th July, we held our Annual Charity Golf Day at the Metropolitan Golf Club. This is one of our largest fundraisers, and we couldn’t have done it without the efforts of the organising committee, our volunteers, business partners and sponsors. The prestigious Metropolitan has been supporting OC Connections for 27 years – their members […]
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14 June 2023
On Friday 2nd June, we had our annual OC Connections Dinner Dance! This year’s theme was Bright and Bold, and attendees delivered standout looks with lots of gold, glitter and florals. Dressed in our fancy outfits, participants enjoyed a two-course meal at Merrimu Receptions. A big thank you to the attentive and friendly staff; the food […]
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OC Connections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional owners of this nation. We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past, present and future.
OC Connections respects Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their contribution to our society.
