The fund assists indigenous and non-indigenous people with disability to participate in both formal and informal education programs through small financial grants. The belief is in the importance of education and it should not be measured in graduate degrees and diplomas or in salaries people achieve or careers people have undertaken, but it should be measured by peoples’ continual learning of cultures, relationships, history, tolerance and honing skills to apply this learning.

Unfortunately for many people with disability, their early years are more about cure, care and rehabilitation than stable, well-grounded education. The skills to make and retain careers, relationships and friends are develop while they attend school however, continuing disruption of this education impacts greatly on this learning. Many indigenous people with disability experience further disruption to their education due to poverty, isolation, lack of services and family breakdown.

Education is continuously growing and developing so many people undertake courses to pick up the education that was not completed or to begin a new education. With the development of technology, education has become more accessible for people with disability allowing people to complete higher levels of education which in turn can lead to more complex and skilled work.

This fund distributes six-monthly financial grants of up to $2,500 to assist people with disability to continue or commence their learning.

Eligibility

People with disability of any age living in Australia may apply for financial assistance with formal or informal education. While people may need assistance to complete the application, we would like a letter in the person’s own words telling us why they want to learn.