Working to transform the lives of students with disabilities, Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board has forged a renewed partnership with Facile Perth.
Facile Perth offers services and support to people with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges – helping them navigate the world of assisted living, applying for support and grants and much more.
Mirjam Schut, Lead Independent Facilitator at Facile Perth, says that their partnership with the school board primarily focuses on students transitioning out of high school. She emphasized that times of change, such as the transition from school to adulthood, are when their services are most valuable.
The partnership between Facile Perth and the school board aids in removing barriers that students with disabilities face, working to simplify the complex system of adult services – which can often be a difficult transition for parents and children.
Schut is excited about their renewed partnership with HPCDSB | Photo provided
Crucially, this partnership helps families look beyond the confines of long waiting lists and system complexities, inspiring hope and allowing them to dream about what their child’s life could be. It’s a win-win for the community, as it recognizes that everyone has something valuable to offer, and inclusivity enriches society as a whole.
Shut says that they’re also boots on the ground, working to generate opportunities for students that fit the plan that they create.
She says that the last thing they want is for students with disabilities to “graduate to the couch” – making sure that they remain active and engaged members of their community is key to their long term success and happiness in the community.
The renewed partnership between Facile Perth and the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board is working to forge a brighter and more inclusive future for students with disabilities, and contribute to their success as valued members of their community – no matter what that looks like.
Written by: B. Shakyaver
