ARC Resource centre
To inspire children to reach their full potential through supportive and flexible provision of specialist services, educational resources and assistive technology.
Target Group
The Resource Centre is available to children with a disability or special needs between the ages of 0 to 18.
Students who access this service must have intellectual, sensory, physical, social/emotional or multiple impairments, which make them eligible for enrolment in Special Education Services and thus have an ascertainment level of 5 - 6 and 4PI. Children under school age and not attending SEDU need to obtain a referral from their doctor or paediatrician. (Requirement of the Commonwealth Special Education Equity Programs Unit)
There is a user pays service available for those people with disabilities over 18 years of age through membership and/or fee-for-service and loan fees.
Aims
- To provide specialised resources, learning and educational equipment, and adaptive and assistive technology equipment for trial and loan which are specifically selected to support educational and therapy programs for children with disabilities, their families and schools.
- To provide specialist consultation and prescription of assistive technology.
- To provide information and education to people with disabilities, their families, carers, teachers and workers.
- To be able to support and cater for all individual needs.
The ARC Resource Centre is funded through the Commonwealth Non-Government Schools Organisation on a yearly submission basis. This funding covers the cost of wages only therefore fees have been revised to cover all additional operational costs. We are a non-profit organisation and appreciate any support.
Service Details
The ARC Resource Centre provides the following services to its members:
Educational Resources
Provision of educational play and sensory equipment loans in the following areas: gross and fine motor, perceptual motor, perceptual, sensory motor, sensory stimulation, music, mathematics, pre-reading and reading, socio-dramatic play, speech and language development, and conceptual and abstract reasoning.
Assistive Technology
Trial and loan of equipment through consultancy and prescription in the following areas: mobility aids, positioning aids, toilet aids, bath aids, writing aids, communication aids, computer access and software, environmental control, switches, and switch-adapted toys.
Mobile Service
The Mobile Service is a traveling resource unit providing equipment loans to schools. The Resource Centre van operates on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and each school receives a visit every five weeks. The boundaries of the service are Cardwell, Mossman, Ravenshoe, Dimbulah and Yarrabah.
Outreach Service
The Outreach Service operates in the Gulf and Peninsula region providing equipment to schools in remote regions and islands. Toys are packed into crates and sent to schools at the beginning of each term.
Advocacy
The service can advocate on behalf of its members for the purchase of specific equipment for specific students and needs. This involves accessing fundraising opportunities and requesting community support.
Information and Education Sessions
The service provides practical education and group sessions on many topics and hosts local, national and international presenters.
Advisory Speech Therapist and Occupational Therapist
ARC Resource Centre has an advisory Speech Therapist and Occupational Therapist on site. They are able to offer advice and consultation regarding assistive and adaptive technology.
How is equipment loaned out?
Only ARC Resource Centre members are able to borrow resources. Individual families can visit the centre and borrow. Schools can borrow from the Mobile Service or contact the centre directly. School based therapists can borrow equipment for individual students who are members.
Where is ARC Resource Centre located?
ARC Resource Centre is located at 92 Little Street, North Cairns. The centre is open every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 5pm. The mobile service does not operate during school holidays and the centre is closed for the Christmas/New Year period.
Come and visit the ARC Resource Centre and say hello to the ARC Resource Centre Team.
