Australia's first University-based literacy skills course for young people with Down syndrome has been established by the University of Queensland.
The two-year course entitled ?LATCH-ON' (Literacy and Technology Course) began in March with six students and is run through the University's Fred and Eleanor Special Education Research Centre.
The program was initiated by the Down Syndrome Research Program within the Graduate School of Education, and involves Schonell Centre researchers Dr Anne Jobling, Professor John Elkins, Dr Monica Cuskelly and Dr Pat Gunn.
The course is designed to increase reading, writing, numeracy and computer competency among young adults with Down syndrome. Karen Moni, a registered teacher, is the program co-ordinator.
'Aside from the obvious benefits of enhancing participants' reading and writing skills, the program will provide an ongoing research and teaching resource for University staff and students,' Dr Jobling said.
She said the Centre's 20-year-old Down Syndrome Research Program had revealed the need for such a post-school program.
'The longitudinal study debunked many myths about Down syndrome children such as that they couldn't read or write. These young adults require continuing education in literacy and numeracy skills after they leave school to help them integrate better into their communities,' Dr Jobling said.
'The course is designed to increase their literacy skills, giving them greater access to the world - they can read a magazine or newspaper or communicate with others through letter-writing or the Internet. The course will increase their self-confidence, helping them participate in the workforce or life in general. Reading and writing well opens many doors.'
She said the course would allow Centre staff to trial print and computer programs for the continuing education of young adults with Down syndrome. Teaching segments would also be video-taped and used to demonstrate various teaching techniques for both GSE students and teachers throughout Queensland.
To enhance writing skills, course participants will publish their own newspaper and make it available on a special Web site, also set up by the group.
'They will use the Internet to connect with other young people including other adults with Down syndrome. Many community organisations and University facilities are contributing to the course. For example, students will write one of their newspaper articles on the University's Classics and Ancient History Museum while background information can be obtained from the on-line resources of nearby Toowong Library,' Dr Jobling said.
Some participants are assisted to access the program through funding from the Moving Ahead Post-school Services Program run by the Queensland Department of Families, Youth and Community Care. With a further intake of six students expected every six months, the course will eventually cater for 24 people.
Down syndrome is a chromosomal anomaly affecting about one in every 800 live births. It is characterised by intellectual disability and associated medical and physical problems.
Established in 1977, the University of Queensland's Down Syndrome Research Program has involved more than 200 families of children with Down syndrome, following many from birth to adulthood.
It is recognised as the world's longest continuous study of Down syndrome, providing unique and important insights into the health and development of the children as well as information about family functioning.
The research program is partially supported by the Michael Cameron Fund, a trust fund administered by the University specially for the purpose of advancing knowledge about Down syndrome. Donations to the fund are tax deductible.
For more information, contact Dr Anne Jobling on (07) 3365 6405.
