DDWA provides extra support to regional parents and children with disabilities

Advocates from a not-for-profit organisation have spoken about ways children with disabilities could be better supported in a recent visit to Karratha. Organised by local community group Move Your Body, 20 parents registered for the training session held by Maxine Drake and Leticia Grant from Developmental Disability WA. Move Your Body chairperson Carol Hegan said the region lacked independent advocacy services. “Parents in regional communities become very good at finding ways to stand up for their children but sometimes you need that extra support,” she said. “It is great that DDWA was willing to send up members of their team and then be available by phone to talk or be part of meetings, if we need them.” Ms Drake, an education advocate, said schools and parents wanted the best for their children. “Problem-solving and finding creative strategies to support children and schools is the most common part of education advocacy,” she said. “Everyone knows that children with disabilities have a right to be part of school communities, it is how this is done that is challenging for everyone and needs to be thoughtfully negotiated.” DDWA provides a range of support for families and are available for meetings via video or telephone.