More after school options for kids and teens with disability

Children and young people with disability will soon have access to new after school and vacation programs with the announcement of community agencies to provide the services.

Minister for Community Services Joy Burch said Northcott Disability Services, Belconnen Community Service and Communities@Work were successful in tendering to run new programs.

"Access to activities for students after school and during the holidays is very important for families, and I am very pleased to see the start of these programs," Ms Burch said.

"I welcome Northcott Disability Service to the ACT in its first venture here to set up after school and vacation programs which will start first term next year."

The Northcott program will target teenagers with high needs related to disability including those with autism and will be based at Black Mountain School.

Belconnen Community Service will be providing a similar service also for teenagers, based at the Belconnen Community Centre. Each of these programs will have 10 places per day.

Local regional community services Communities@work and Belconnen Community Service will deliver new school holiday programs for children under 12 years, based at Malkara and Cranleigh schools. These programs are due to begin in mid 2012.

"These programs are unique in that they will each provide ten places for children with disability and ten places for children without disability. This is demonstrating leadership in inclusion."

Ms Burch said the new services followed extensive consultation with stakeholders to identify the level and location of need. The Government allocated $335,000 per year in the 2011-12 Budget to fund the program.

"We heard there was a need for students with disability to access after-school and holiday opportunities, and we have responded with a model that reflects the areas of need."