Support Skills Program
Our Support Skills Program is a specialised educational program for groups of eligible students from year 4 until they enrol in any VCE subjects. Students attend once or twice per term for a full day of timetabled individualised or small-group instruction focused around the Expanded Core Curriculum for students with vision impairments.
The Support Skills Program provides a positive learning environment, which promotes inclusion while acknowledging the unique needs and learning styles of students who are blind or have low vision. It provides an opportunity for students to come together in positive association to learn, share and grow academically, socially and emotionally.
The Support Skills Program does not seek to replace the role of the visiting teacher or local school, but rather to enhance and build on specific needs not easily addressed in the local school setting.
The program runs on Fridays during school terms. Teachers and other specialist staff are drawn from the Statewide Vision Resource Centre and external agencies including Guide Dogs Victoria and Vision Australia. Feedback from staff is provided to families, visiting teachers and schools after each session.
Focus Areas
Students will receive a personalised timetable for each day they attend. Subject areas may include:
- Assistive Technology
- Braille
- Braille and Large Print Music
- Braille Maths and Tactual Graphics
- Careers
- Creative Arts
- Independent Living Skills
- Orientation and Mobility
- Physical Education
- Research Skills
- Social and Communication Skills
- Vision Issues and Self-Advocacy
Enrolling in Support Skills
If you are interested in the Support Skills Program, please send your expression of interest via email to Lea Nagel and Di Bennett at the Support Skills email address: statewide.vision@education.vic.gov.au. We will contact you to discuss your child’s needs and arrange a Try Day, where we may assess their social and emotional readiness for the program.
Please include:
Student Full Name
Year Level 2021
Parent/Carer full name
Parent/Carer email
Parent/Carer mobile phone number
Visiting Teacher
Testimonials
- “SUPPORT SKILLS ROCKS”
- “The Team at SSP are fabulous and your knowledge and skills in education BVI kids is outstanding.”
- “There has not ever been a time where my child didn’t come home with a smile after a full day at SPP.”
- “You are helping our daughter shine into a brave independent young lady.”
Upcoming Dates
Visit our calendar of student programs.
