Education Gap for Disabled Young Adults
Children go through school and typically have choices when they either reach 16, 17, or 18 and look at apprenticeships, college and further eductaion, university, or, full time employment. They have the ability to continue their education with accredited courses which fill qualification gaps or assist them in finding future employment as the gap between school and college is not significant.
Recently identified though is a gap where children with learning disabilities, who have developed at a different rate or quite simply would benefit from an extra couple of years of schooling are left in an area where development is not the priority but keeping them occupied is.
Doing something meaningful is important and can give someone a sense of inclusion but what happens if the individual needs or wants more but is not capable of stepping into a college place whether that is down to their own individual learning curve or the lack of support in further education.
Many learning disabled are on a learning path that differs from more able minded individuals.
A disabled school leaver has fewer options which may include college or a day centre or even some supported work activity but the what if question is with another couple of years education in a school environment could more choices become available? We enable young adults with the option to leave school at 16, 17, or, 18 but why not the option to stay within education until 19 or 20?
Day centres and supported work groups are not designed to support the traditional learning aspects of development. Many are focused on independent living skills or fun and interaction with peers. These are important. Yet the gap between these and colleges with tailored learning programmes could be better catered for.
