Not everyone learns the same way, and it’s that belief that is helping young Tasmanians with learning difficulties get their driver’s licence via an innovative training program.

West Moonah Neighbourhood House (WMNH) is no stranger to the Future2 grants program, having previously been successful in winning Future2 grants for its community programs.

Situated in the Hobart suburb of West Moonah, WMNH is a home away from home for many people – regardless of gender, race, religion, age, culture or educational background. As the manager of WMNH, Mel Knuckey says: “We adopt an open door policy encouraging every member of any community to participate in our activities, utilise our facilities, volunteer, or just drop by for a warm place to relax and chat. Everybody is welcome.”

There are 35 Neighbourhood Houses within Tasmania, 33 of which are funded by the Department of Communities Tasmania, which work to a community development framework within their respective communities. This is achieved by offering programs and courses of interest or identified needs to the community.

WMNH provides a range of services to its local community. These services range from the provision of school and community-based training sessions for young people struggling to learn and understand the road rules, through to the use of newly developed training mediums that encompass the four main building blocks of learning – auditory, kinaesthetic, written, and visual.

According to Mel, the WMNH receives numerous requests from agencies and people who identify as having a learning spectrum disorder or disability, as well as those with literacy issues or where English is a second language.

“Without training and support, many of these people are destined to fail the online driving test at a Service Tasmania outlet and end up being stymied from entering the workforce, as well as getting further education and moving forward in their lives. Many of these individuals are also known to drive whilst unlicensed and ultimately, disqualified.”

Learner’s Licence Assistance Program

To address this growing demand for assistance in helping people improve their driving and road skills, WMNH – with the help of retired police officer, Kim Smith – has developed a practical education initiative called the Learner’s Licence Assistance Program (LLAP).

The LLAP started with the aim of supporting multicultural communities from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to help them with the training and assistance required to get their learner’s licence. However, the main resource available was a Road Rules Manual that was available only in English. As Kim tutored individuals, he encountered difficulty in explaining the road rules due to the lack of suitable training resources.

Subsequently, he began designing road maps depicting intersections, roundabouts, general road markings and signs, and combined these with toy cars to practically demonstrate how the road rules apply in different situations.

Following on from the success of the road maps, Kim then undertook the filming of roads in different settings, and found that once again, the visual approach assisted both the tutor and participants in teaching the road rules, as well as the testing process.

Today, LLAP uses specialised videos developed and produced by WMNH, as well as highly visual road maps and model cars, to create a highly practical program that encourages confidence in participants who opt for this method of training and testing. The program also removes much of the guesswork that many young people would typically apply when doing the online test.

In total, 28 videos have now been produced, with 22 of these currently online and available in five languages, with the other six awaiting update to the additional languages.

“A majority of the young people being assisted in the program presented with literacy issues and Learning Spectrum disorders – such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, autism, and ADD/ADHD/ODD. That’s why a third type of learning that is tactile or kinaesthetic in nature, through the use of the road maps and videos, overcame the difficulties these young people faced,” says Mel.

“Once tested and passed, participants are provided with a Certificate of Competency, which they are able to take to a Service Tasmania outlet, along with appropriate identity, and receive their learner’s licence.”

The LLAP is aimed at young people in the south of Tasmania, with WMNH running the program  throughout local schools, TAFE, as well as youth and welfare agencies.

In the last 12 months, 133 people have passed their test and received their Certificate of Competency. Approximately 42 additional students involved in some of these classes, but who already had their learner’s licence before the course started, continued in the classes, stating they learnt more by staying in the classes than what they had actually learnt doing the Plates Plus pre-learner course and test.

A long involvement

As a Future2 Ambassador, Todd Kennedy CFP^® – CEO of the Public Trustee – has been involved with the grants judging process on a number of occasions, and feels fortunate to having seen many of the deserving programs that not-for-profits are running in local communities that heavily rely on support from Future2.

“I have seen the work the WMNH has done now over many years. Kim Smith has done a wonderful job building the LLAP and ensuring its ongoing sustainability,” says Todd. “Kim is so passionate about the people that come through the program and the personal stories of success are really heart-warming. Getting a driver’s licence is incredibly empowering and significantly improves the independence and lives of people.”

Todd was first introduced to the work of WMNH about six years ago. He has previously supported Future2 grant applications for WMNH, and was delighted that his most recent endorsement was successful in receiving an $8,600 grant from the Future2 grant’s committee for the LLAP.

“I have had the opportunity to see the outcomes of this program through being invited to WMNH, and meeting with key people involved in the program, as well as reading testimonials provided by the program’s participants. I was thrilled that WMNH’s grant application was successful, as the target audience of disadvantaged youth is well matched to the objectives of Future2,” says Todd.

“This program delivers tangible and measurable results for participants. The end result of assisting disadvantaged youth to help them get their driver’s licence is life changing. Obtaining your driver’s licence is an important step in assisting a young person build their confidence, gain employment, and provide them with a better chance at life.

“The program also teaches valuable road safety skills, which is greatly helping to reduce the number of younger driver’s involved in accidents and fatalities on Tasmanian roads.”

Mel confirms the Future2 grant is enabling WMNH to reach out further into the community to address the needs of many more young people who are struggling to pass their learner’s licence test because of learning issues, misunderstanding of road rules, nervousness at Service Tasmania outlets, as well as their inability to use computers.

Real heroes

While Todd admits his involvement with WMNH is limited, he nonetheless believes the real heroes of the not-for-profit are Kim and the WMNH team. And so does the Government, with Kim’s role in developing and rolling out the LLAP also playing a part in his nomination for an Australian of the Year Award, which ultimately saw him win the Tasmanian Local Hero Award for 2022.

“This is where the funding support from organisations like Future2 is so vital in being able to run training programs like LLAP,” says Mel. “Without this support, there would be limited knowledge and experience gained. Instead, by having the opportunity to trial and test our programs with the wider community, many lessons are learnt for ongoing improvements.”