A significant and growing proportion of students enrolled in Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training programs have disabilities. Successful participation for students with disabilities is being achieved through a combination of policy and institutional initiatives, the work of a wide range of teaching and enabling staff, and of course, the contributions of students with disabilities themselves.
Pathways 9 will provide teachers, academics, students and enabling staff with exposure to optimum strategies for facilitating positive participation of students with disabilities at each stage of the student cycle. Covering topics of admissions, the first year experience, moving through courses and transition out to research and employment, Pathways
9 will offer a thought provoking program highlighting educational strategies in inclusivity that would benefit students with disabilities.
Attendees will have the opportunity to share ideas and information, about how these practices can be implemented within their own institutions, with other practitioners in the same or similar fields, allowing a unique opportunity for 'cross pollination' of individual experiences, ideas, and knowledge to occur.
Pathways 9 comes full circle in 2008. Following a successful nationwide journey that reached every state and territory, Pathways returns to Victoria, where the first Pathways was held in 1991. Pathways 9 intends to reach beyond staff primarily employed to enable the participation of students with disabilities. Disability is the business of everyone employed in Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training, and there will be something for everyone who is interested in teaching and learning.
The conference will begin with a celebration of Ability in recognition of the 'International Day of People with a Disability' which occurs on the 3rd December.
Menus that will be provided for the duration of the Conference can be downlaoded here