15 January, 2009

Minister congratulates Bundaberg’s newest tertiary student

Bundaberg’s newest tertiary student – Daniel Blackhurst – was thrilled to be personally congratulated on his achievement by the Minister for Disability Services and Multicultural Affairs, Annastacia Palaszczuk today.

The accolade was even more special because Daniel has an intellectual disability.

Daniel met the Minister while she was being given a tour of Bundaberg’s most innovative disability service, Endeavour Foundation’s Latch-On education program for young people with an intellectual disability.

Bundaberg is one of only two locations outside Brisbane to offer the program, which dramatically improves the education, social skills employment prospects and lifestyles of graduates.

Daniel is able to attend the program because part of his course fees were met by Post-School Services funding from the Department of Disability Services.

The vast majority of his course fees were met by Endeavour, made possible by the generosity of the Foundation’s donors.

Endeavour CEO David Barbagallo said the Minister’s visit was a heartening endorsement of the program and the amazing difference it made to the lives of people with an intellectual disability.

“Latch-On dramatically improves the lives of young people with an intellectual disability, and we whole-heartedly thank Endeavour’s supporters, without whom this life-changing service would not be possible,” David said.

Latch-On teacher Jill Lyle said the students were excited to be able to showcase their talents for the Minister.

“This program allows students to be more confident and aware of the world around them and to be more active in making decisions about their own lives and what they want to achieve,” Jill said.

“This not only improves graduates’ quality of life and sense of self-worth but also their employability, often allowing them to find mainstream work where this otherwise wouldn’t be possible.”