Cail Varker wants to get his licence and thanks to a new driving program catering to people who have disabilities he may get his L-plates in just over a month.
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“It would be a real privilege to have a license … Fingers crossed the next five weeks go well,” he said.
The Mission 2 Ignition learner permit education program was brought to Bendigo by Ability 2 Drive and disability service provider Interchange Loddon Mallee.
It came after Interchange was approached by people wanting to learn to drive.
Ability 2 Drive director Dion Griffin believed it was the first time such a program had been offered in the city.
“From what we understand there’s not a lot of assistance out there to help people with intellectual disabilities to get their learner permit, (with people who) sit for a length of time one-on-one or in a small group to help them,” he said.
For participants like Jack Reid the program was a chance simply to get behind the wheel as he worked towards getting his licence.
“I just want to drive around on all the roads,” he said.
For others the program could unlock doors and build self-esteem, Mr Griffin said.
“I’ve been a youth worker for 15 years and the reason I started Ability 2 Drive was that I was working with a young lad who had an intellectual disability. All of his mates were out there getting their learners.”
Mr Griffin was providing suicide intervention and learnt the youth felt he could not move on with his life and had low self-esteem because he could not get his L-plates.
“We helped him with his learners and probationary license and he is now actually a truck and heavy machinery driver,” Mr Griffin said.
A previous participant from another part of Victoria had attempted to get their learner permit up to 14 times on their own.
“When they did our program they got it straight away,” Mr Griffin said.
After an occupational therapist assessed each participant the instructor’s car was fitted with equipment suited to individual’s needs.
Of the seven local participants one was using National Disability Insurance Scheme funding while the rest were receiving support from the City of Greater Bendigo.
Interchange’s Rob Fisher said the council’s funding would help kick-start the program and was confident about its long-term appeal.
“I don’t see why, down the track, participants with NDIS funding can’t use that money to access a course of this nature,” he said.
Mr Fisher said the NDIS was partly geared towards fostering independence and access to the community.
If this story raised concerns about suicide contact Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14.