Valued Social Roles

Key Learnings

We can connect with our community through valued social roles
Student, worker, volunteer and club member are examples of valued roles in community life

As we talked about in Exploring Your Vision one way we connect with our community is through valued social roles. These roles are seen as respected and worthwhile within community life.

Some examples include:

Parent
Student
Worker/volunteer
Sibling
Friend/partner
Team member

Student

Legally in Australia, children living with disability must be given the same opportunity for education as other children. These rights also apply to young adults, or anyone else, wanting to participate in further education.

Let's watch Luke’s story to learn about what being a student means to him.

In this story Luke’s parents were confident that mainstream schooling was Luke’s preferred choice, and they advocated for this.

Entering the mainstream education system can present a range of challenges for people living with disability, but there are ways to overcome them. If becoming a TAFE or university student is something you’re interested in, here are some tips to get you started:

If you’re studying so you can find employment afterward, make sure the course you enrol in provides the qualifications you need.
Before you visit the campus check the campus map for accessible features.
Make an appointment with the student services counsellor so you can discuss part-time and full-time options, access needs and whether you will need a ‘Learning Access Plan’. (This plan contains details of study adjustments based on individual impacts of your condition/situation.)
Find out if there is assistive/adaptive technology and equipment to access campus, classrooms and learning resources.

Have a look at the video of Brodie below for a great example of a student working towards his goals and passions.

Worker

Another valued social role is a worker. Having a job provides purpose and the economic benefits of a wage, which provides access to many other things in life!

Let’s watch David’s story to learn about the benefits he and his co-workers have gained since he joined Woolworths.

David gained employment through a retail training program that took place over a few years. If entering the workforce or finding more meaningful work is one of your goals, you can work with your allies and support people to make it happen. This may include working with a Disability Employment Provider or looking at training options so you can work toward a job you would love.

Volunteer

Volunteering your time is a worthwhile and valuable way to contribute to your community. You are able to help others, make new friends and strengthen existing relationships.

There are so many ways you can make a difference and volunteer in your community. To find a an opportunity that would interest you visit the Volunteering SA website.

Club Member

Do you have a hobby or are you part of a club? Club membership is a great way to connect with people who have common interests. This could include sporting clubs, community groups or a drama group.

If you're not part of a group but would be interested to join one, you can check out the SA Directory of Community Services.

In the next video we see how Hannah’s involvement in her local theatre group has helped her grow in confidence, make friends and enjoy a passion! In this case taking part in a mainstream activity allowed Hannah to shine.