CP 101 on campus

If you are a person with cerebral palsy or support someone with CP, university (or tafe) presents a significant but uncertain milestone. While most students have galloped over the biggest hurdle – exams, students with disabilities are confronted by a multitude of uncertainties as they leave the safe and familiar cocoon of high school. 

Traditionally, most Australian schools offer basic funding for your child’s education (e.g. accessible classrooms, aides, physiotherapy and social connections.) Unfortunately, these provisions often vanish when entering adulthood.

As thousands of students (many with CP) embark on their tertiary studies, here is a quick guide to surviving and thriving on campus with a disability!

1. Accessibility

In 2019, and as a developed nation – this should be an obvious one. Sadly, if you wander through any campus, you will quickly see there is still plenty of catching up to do. Whether it’s navigating over historically preserved cobblestone, poorly designed ramps, or you may even find some areas are only accessible via stairs, challenges are presented. These barriers pose a massive inconvenience to an individual with CP who is beginning the next chapter of their education.

Solution: Take a tour or TWO – before orientation day. Anyone can give a guided tour, and most people without a disability can find their way around with little consideration of the obstacles mentioned above. CP students should get in touch with their faculty and get a schedule of their classes well before orientation. Students should speak to someone from the faculty about their circumstances and request an individual tour from a student or staff member (and of course take a support worker or family member if required). Checking out the campus before starting studying will significantly reduce anxiety and confusion for everyone. If you do find a barrier on campus, make sure the institution offers a solution.

2. Support

If students have a support worker, ensure that they can be facilitated on campus so they can help students get around. Support workers who share the same interests as students make great study buddies and scribes.

Solution: As a CPSN member, you can choose and recruit a support worker to match a person’s individuality, with our Innovative Choices Program. Are there people within your networks or on your campus who meet your needs and share your interests? Contact us to find out how they can be employed as your support worker.

” During the first few years of my degree, I struggled in my transition from secondary school to uni for several reasons.  I was able to recruit a third year student during my first year to support me at the time through CPSN. Eventually, when she graduated, I had built the capacity to manage uni life happily and independently.” – Monique, CPSN Member.

3. Social Networking

Just like everyone else, further study is a period of self-discovery and exploration. It is difficult for most students, regardless of whether they have a disability or not, to sit outside their comfort zone. When a person first starts school, they might realise that the changing class schedules, irregular hours and coming and going makes it difficult to foster friendships as organically as they did in high school. A lot of pupils fall into the trap of only coming to campus for classes, and miss out on countless chances to meet amazing people and make fun memories.

Solution: Establishing friendships in higher education requires more effort but is worth the pay off. If you have a free hour between lectures, try getting a coffee with a classmate. Joining clubs and discovering interests are not just enriching experiences, they often provide an outlet towards career objectives and offer life experiences that you will not learn within the confines of a lecture theatre. O-Week is a great opportunity to connect with other students, check out your institution’s website to see what events are on.

Whatever you or your family member pursue beyond high school, further education is about exercising your civic and social muscle. It is about working towards a more enriching and inclusive educational experience in the 21st century. Enjoy!