Toowoomba’s disability evolution on show
ENDEAVOUR Foundation’s history of supporting young people with intellectual disability in Toowoomba goes back to 1952, when the for-purpose organisation helped educate children at Hame with house.
Sixty-seven years later, and the disability service provider is throwing open the doors of its modern Kearney Springs Learning and Lifestyle Hub on May 1 so the Toowoomba community can see just how far disability services have progressed.
Where once young people used chalkboards, now they have access to tablet computers in the palms of their hands and world-leading virtual reality technology provides a digital window to the wider world, giving them access to training and experiences that they never had before.
Manager of service delivery for the Toowoomba region, Alison Wright, said opportunities for people living with intellectual disabilities had evolved over the past 67 years.
“Endeavour Foundation is committed to supporting people with intellectual disability to live their best lives and that’s why we’ve continued to develop learning pathways, invest in technology and build new programs,” said Ms Wright.
“Community days like this one give families and individuals living with disability the opportunity to experience everything our services have to offer.
“We’re even hosting a special performance by The King Stones, a band of individuals who have taken the term ‘music program’ to the next level with their original music and energetic performances.
“We know that learning doesn’t finish when you leave school and we’re proud to be able support our customers to live life to the fullest.”
Joseph started at the Endeavour Foundation Industries in Toowoomba when he finished school 13 years ago and he hasn’t looked back.
“I knew I wanted to work because I’d done work experience through school,” he said. “I started in a packing role, working in a team but now I have a lot more responsibility. I drive the forklift and the trucks. I do dispatching and receivals.”
To see what post-school options are available, come to the community day on Wednesday, May 1 from 11am-2.30pm at 257-275 Stenner St.