Course improves literacy skills of young people with Down syndrome
A two-year course at the University of Queensland is enhancing the literacy and Internet skills of young people with Down syndrome.
Established in March last year, Australia's first University-based literacy skills course for young people with Down syndrome now caters for 14 students aged between 18 and 20.
The program, entitled ?LATCH-ON' (Literacy and Technology Course), was initiated by the Down Syndrome Research Program within the Graduate School of Education, and involves Fred and Eleanor Schonell Special Research Centre researchers Dr Anne Jobling, Professor John Elkins, Dr Monica Cuskelly and Dr Pat Gunn. Karen Moni, a registered teacher, is program co-ordinator.
Dr Jobling said the course aimed to enhance students' literacy through reading, writing, speaking and listening.
"In doing this, students' self-confidence is boosted and their world view and ability to seek out information through reading and the Internet broadened," she said.
The course also provides data for the University's ongoing Down Syndrome Research Program and an opportunity for University postgraduate students to learn about the needs of students with Down syndrome.
Dr Jobling 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. Reading and writing well opens many doors."
Thanks to a colour printer purchased with monies from an APEX grant, the students had published a newsletter four times and a book of poetry last year, Dr Jobling said.
They had also prepared and then presented an information session for the Queensland Down Syndrome Association's Family Information Day last year. Human Movement Studies Department Olympic historian Dr Ian Jobling led a project in which the students presented information on their favourite Olympians for the Pierre de Coubertin Awards. The awards were part of the Queensland Olympic Council's Community Education Program, she said.
Dr Jobling said University exercise management students took the LATCH-ON group for personal fitness classes each Friday to improve overall health and fitness as well as provide an opportunity to interact with mainstream University students.
"Students regularly access parts of the University of Queensland campus as part of the course including the Mayne Library and the Alumni Gardens," 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.
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 250 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 Jobling (telephone 07 3365 6405). Down Syndrome Awareness Week runs from March 13, 1999, with activities organised by the Down Syndrome Association (telephone 07 3368 2684).
