Flinders University students from the Disability and Community Inclusion Unit have travelled to Bali to work with a key disability rehabilitation organisation, PUSPADI Bali.

The trip is part of a practicum within the Bachelor of Disability and Developmental Education that give students real-world experience of delivering disability and rehabilitation services.

PUSPADI Bali provides education and training support to people living with a disability in Bali and Eastern Indonesia, with a view to empowering them to lead self-determined, contributing lives.

The students are self-funded and are working alongside the team at PUSPADI Bali to establish a new accessible learning centre at Bungaya, Karangesem. Their work involves supporting the outreach teams and therapy groups based at the centre and helping to furnish the centre with books and other resources.

During their time in Bali the students will have the opportunity to engage with staff and clients and gain a deeper understanding of the local culture and the issues impacting on disability services in the region.

Flinders has a strong commitment to helping people with disabilities participate fully in community life and this placement program, spearheaded by Associate Professor Caroline Ellison, is a key initiative in fulfilling this commitment.

Professor Ellison is accompanying the students during the first two weeks of their placement and providing mentorship and professional development training to PUSPADI Bali and other non-government organisations in the disability sector.

Associate Professor Caroline Ellison has also submitted an application to the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan initiative to further develop the placement program into 2018. Further funds for the program could see more students participate in more frequent placements.

Read more about the Disability and Community Inclusion Unit.