Expanding the YLOT buddies program
A Labor Government will expand Young Leaders of Tasmania’s buddies program for children with a disability and their peers to the North and North-West while also establishing the program within mainstream schools across the state.
YLOT is an innovative, award-winning, forward-thinking organisation that aims to drive disability inclusion and support to the next level, promoting awareness, education and understanding within the community.
They provide:
- Peer-mentor buddy programs, to provide friendship and support for young people living with disability
- Personal growth and leadership opportunities amongst young Tasmanians including those living with disability
- Post School options for young people living with disability.
Some facts on participants:
- 100% feel more comfortable being around people living with disability
- 100% of teachers surveyed said the YLOT program has benefited their students.
- 91% felt they could now communicate more effectively with people with disabilities
YLOT’s Future Leaders All Abilities program provides work experience and a workforce development aspect and has been proven to influence and change students career choices to disability support work.
A Labor Government will extend these programs to the North and North-West, solidify YLOT’s work in the South and develop a program within Learning Support Centres in mainstream schools statewide.
Currently the program includes 40 mainstream students from exterior schools and 60 Southern Support School students.
Labor’s funding of $1.24 million over the forward estimates will lead to at least a tripling of those numbers, with the potential of Learning Support Centres support unlimited.