Jayden combines his passions with employment opportunities

Like many teenage boys, Jayden Prasad loves technology.

With the help of funding from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Jayden is using his love for electronics to build job readiness skills by volunteering with EWaste Connection, a program that recycles used technology and appliances.

Jayden is 19, and his mother Praneeta began the process of helping him apply for the NDIS when he finished high school in 2017.

“Being on the autism spectrum he was really driven by and reliant on his routines.”

“Not having his school routines really threw him off. We knew he had to have something that was going to occupy his time because the routine eases his anxiety,” said Praneeta.

“He loved the group of people there at EWaste Connection and he was interested in electronics so it was a good fit.”

Jayden is also supported to work three days a week at MailpaQ, a digital printing, packaging, and warehousing service centre in Rocklea.

Praneeta says the NDIS funding has made a big difference to her son’s quality of life.

“His priority was to get work training in place, so that he could work towards paid employment, which he does at MailpaQ.”

“It works well. I have seen how working at MailpaQ has built his capacity in a lot of ways. He can now access speech and occupational therapy as well.”

Jayden’s other big passion is music. He now attends programs that work on his drumming, his art and his singing with NDIS support.

On occasions when his mother is away, Jayden attends short term accommodation in shared housing with other people with disabilities.

“When I am away he goes for short term accommodation. He does a lot of activities. They take him to the park or a restaurant or the shops. They teach him cooking and build his independent living skills. He is now self-dressing, grooming, and putting away his dishes without being reminded.

“It has blown me away. Before I had to do everything to get him ready for work, now after living away for short periods of time he has built his capacity a lot more. The things he was previously excluded from, he can now do with new friends.”

Jayden and the family are supported by Carers Queensland’s Local Area Coordination (LAC) Partner in the Community Program in Lutwyche. They work with Louise, who helps them understand and utilise their NDIS plan.

Praneeta encourages other people with disability and their families to apply for NDIS support, highlighting the resources available to those seeking access to the scheme.

“The website is good and I looked at a lot of resources. I attended workshops with the NDIA and got a lot of great information which made things easier.”

Carers Queensland can support you to find out more about the NDIS, to apply for the Scheme and to help you get started with your NDIS plan.

If you have a disability but are not eligible for the NDIS, Carers Queensland can also help you identify and link to options in your community.

To find out more about how the NDIS and Local Area Coordination program can work for you, visit Carer’s Queensland NDIS Local Area Coordination Partner in the Community Program for the Brisbane region at the Lutwyche office at Level 4, Lutwyche City Shopping Centre, 120 Chalk Street Lutwyche 4030 or contact us on 3215 9600 or at brisbanenorthlac@carersqld.com.au