Las formas de la “informalidad” Aspectos económicos, urbanísticos y

the SchooL

Aspley Special School in Queensland is a leader in the provision of school-based vocational skills training for students with disabilities from a range of government and non-government schools located in the northern suburbs of Brisbane. The school caters for over 90 students with intellectual impairment, aged between 12 and 18 years of age. Forty-five per cent of students at the school have an additional disability (autism, physical, vision and hearing impairments) with 17 per cent having multiple impairments. The students require the highest level of learning support and extensive adjustments to the school curriculum to enable access to learning opportunities.

the need

Being a special school for students with disabilities, Aspley recognised the need to improve the level of achievement for students by providing access to meaningful post-school

outcomes through school-based skills training. Traditionally for special schools, there are barriers to accessing skills training for students with a disability, and many employers do not have the facilities or the staff to accommodate these students. Work experiences are not easily accessible as there are limited numbers of work placements available, transport can be a problem, and there are financial barriers because of the extra costs involved and the level of supervision required for the students. Providing these opportunities on-site enables full participation by all students and provides them with the opportunity to develop important life skills in a safe and supportive environment.

the PartnerShiP

Aspley Special School has partnered with community volunteers, many of whom are retirees or adults with a disability, and with Brisbane City Council, Keep Australia Beautiful Queensland and other local businesses,

including Di Bella, Oz Grown, Visy, Amcor and Trans Pacific.

The recycling program originally began in 1983 with the support of volunteers from the community. As a result of the initiative, the school’s recycling centre has grown to the point that it is now open twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year, and processes over 700 tonnes of recyclables and generates over $50 000 in revenue annually. Members of the public drop off their recyclables at the recycling centre at all hours and the community volunteers work with staff and students to process the recyclables at a number of workstations, including can-crushing, bottle sorting and crushing, cardboard folding and stacking, stamp removal, glass bottle sorting for re-sale and e-waste. The school purchased a dual cab ute so that staff and students could pick up recyclables that cannot easily be dropped off at the centre. This has enabled the school to expand its business in computer and television recycling (e-waste). In excess of 1400 tonnes of recyclable materials has been processed at the school in the past three years, which generates an income for the school.

Aspley Special School has also been awarded local, state and national business and environmental awards, including the Queensland Showcase Award for Senior Schooling and the National Banksia Environmental Award for Schools. The Frothee Coffee Shoppee is open to the public every Friday and caters for between 80 and 120 customers. Students undertaking work experience in the café learn about hospitality, food, nutrition and cooking. This aspect of the partnership has provided access to different skills training for students, including preparing and serving beverages and meals for paying customers at the coffee shop, which also generates an income for the school. Local businesses donate equipment and produce, including coffee, fruit and vegetables, milk and drygoods. This generosity enables school funds to be directed to providing high level teacher aide support. The coffee shop is well supported by the community, and guest chefs share their expertise with students through cooking demonstrations and lending a hand at fundraising functions. Businesses

also provide work experience in the hospitality area for targeted students. More than half of the school’s students have shown competence in key hospitality skills that can be directly transferred to work and supported work environments. A mobile coffee van is about to be launched, which will assist students in making the transition from the highly supportive environment of the on-campus shop to a regular work environment.

the Benefit

All of Aspley’s students have participated in skills training programs during their transition education and more than 200 students with a disability from other schools have accessed these training programs at the school. Students have acquired a range of skills in the fields of recycling and hospitality and they are exposed to a work environment with quality control measures, health and safety standards and the need to demonstrate a strong work ethic. A number of students have completed hospitality-related TAFE certificates or traineeships on graduating from school. There has been a high degree of parent satisfaction with the training provided through the school’s partnerships and there is excellent customer satisfaction with the dining experience at the coffee shop.

Despite the growth in the programs being implemented with the partners and the financial benefits to the school, the core focus remains on student skill acquisition. Students are exposed to a range of skills that are subsequently

transferred to work, supported work and real-life environments. The programs that have been developed in partnership with local businesses and community groups are also available to students with a disability from mainstream high schools in the area. Opening these to other schools means that not only are the students exposed to quality learning, but also to the staff and volunteers that support them.

PartnerShiP focuS:

school-based skills training

target grouP:

students with physical or intellectual special needs

sErVIng thE communIty