PATH Governance Group

The PATH Governance Group is the group that oversees the PATH project and directs and supports the PATH Coordinator. There are currently 12 members. Approximately half the members are "family members" who have adult children with disabilities. The other members represent some of the key stakeholder groups that have similar aims in wanting to assist people with disabilities achieve their life goals.

Welcome

Welcome to the PATH families network blog. We hope that folk will join this blog and build a supportive online community of people with disabilities and their families. This blog is a means to keep in touch with each other and become proactively involved with the PATH project. We look forward to sharing your stories; discussing issues you may be facing, receiving your comments, feedback and your assistance in spreading the word about this PATH program.

What is PATH?

Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope (PATH) is one of many planning tools that have been developed to help people with disabilities and their families to plan for important transitions and opportunities in life. It can be used to explore various possibilities and options for education, employment, accommodation, relationships, or increased independence, for example.

PATH is a process which helps people with disabilities to turn their dreams and aspirations into real and possible futures. It is a highly creative and visual process, full of colour and graphics which encourages everyone involved to think creatively and create new possibilities.

Two trained facilitators will guide you through the process and you can choose to include family, friends, carers, and supporters. Together we will discover your strengths, how you stay strong and the practical steps you will need to take to achieve your goals, whether they be short term, medium or long term ones.

The entire journey is recorded on a colourful map which is approximately 1 metre wide and 2 metres long. The pictures, images and colours used on the PATH map switch on different parts of our brains so that we can think more creatively. Upon completion of the session (which takes about 3 hours) you will keep the illustrated PATH as your personal record. You can modify it as you please, check off accomplishments, delete goals or add new ones. You may choose to display it in your home and share it with other people.

If you would like to know more about the PATH process; or are interested in having a PATH undertaken for yourself or a family member and the fee involved; or interested in training as a facilitator please contact the PATH Coordinator.