Markus

Rocky Bay’s NDIS-funded STEP program aims to assist students living with disability transition from school into the workplace – and ultimately into meaningful employment.

The unique aspect about the program is that it is individualised. Rocky Bay’s dedicated Community Transition team, along with our support workers, spend time getting to know an individual, their abilities, passions and skills, and help them identify their niche in the workplace.

“When we first met Markus, he told us of his passion for playing AFL and cricket, which sadly came to an end with his diagnosis of muscular dystrophy,” said Alison Maxwell, Rocky Bay Support Worker.

“We took the time to understand his aspirations and what he wanted from a role, so he could use his abilities and chosen path to meet the needs of a relevant organisation.”

The Rocky Bay team discovered Markus had great office and administration skills and that he hoped to put them to good use in a sports statistics role after completing Year 12 at the end of the year.

“One way we help a customer achieve their goal is by building up knowledge of their chosen career and developing a network of contacts,” added Alison.

The team were able to arrange an interview for Markus with Reader’s Editor of The West Australian, Alison Wakeham. Markus, supported by his Support Worker Callum Hearn, learnt about the different roles within the newspaper and at Channel 7. He was shown through the organisation’s offices and was even taken to a West Coast Eagles training session by sports journalist, Craig O’Donoghue.

Rocky Bay’s STEP program is designed to match an individual’s interests, skills and abilities to a role that will help them secure meaningful employment. Our Community Transition team works with organisations to develop roles perfectly suited to an individual’s abilities which also meet a previously unmet need within the organisation.

To find out more about how Rocky Bay’s S.T.E.P. program can assist you, call our friendly Customer Engagement team on 6282 1900.