HUNGRY MINDS

CASE

STUDIES

Case Study: YDAN

Snapshot

Client

Youth Disability Advocacy Network (YDAN)

Industry

Not-for-profit

Health and community

Project duration

3 months

Delivery methods

Blended (eLearning & face-to-face)

Objective

To develop accessible tools that empower young people with disabilities to strengthen self-advocacy and employability skills necessary for overcoming systemic barriers.

Tools

Rise 360

Microsoft Office

Adobe XD

Learning strategies

Shared learning

Scenario-based learning

Storytelling through case study videos

Role-playing

Deliverables

eLearning

Learner guides/workbooks

Facilitator guide

PowerPoint slides

Quick reference guide

Templates (self-advocacy template, resume, cover letter, meeting guides)

About the organisation

The Youth Disability Advocacy Network (YDAN) is Western Australia’s peak body representing young people with disability aged 12-25. Established in 2015, they champion the voices of young people with lived experience, ensuring they’re heard in decision-making forums. Through their network, advocacy work, and community engagement, YDAN promotes equal rights and opportunities, working towards a more inclusive society. Their approach combines peer support, advocacy, and practical action to break down barriers and create meaningful change for young people with disability in WA.

The need

YDAN identified two critical gaps for young people with disability in WA. First, many struggled to effectively advocate for themselves in a system full of barriers. Second, they faced significant challenges in finding meaningful employment opportunities. The organisation needed practical tools that would build both confidence and capability, helping young people take control of their journey. build real employability skills, boost digital literacy, and help people map out genuine career paths. Plus, it needed to be accessible and engaging enough to keep learners moving forward, regardless of their starting point.

The learning solution

Working closely with YDAN, we developed two programs that give young people with disability practical tools for self-advocacy and employment success.

Nothing Without Me: Self-Advocacy Toolkit

At the heart of this program is our practical ‘self-advocacy flow’ – a step-by-step framework that guides users through speaking up for their needs. We brought this to life through engaging eLearning that features real stories from young people sharing their advocacy journeys.

The toolkit includes:

A comprehensive facilitator guide for running impactful workshops

Practical templates that make advocacy less daunting

Interactive activities that build real-world confidence

Reflection tools to capture insights and progress

UNLEASHED Employment Program

This program transforms job seeking from overwhelming to achievable. Through interactive eLearning modules, users build both practical skills and confidence, while a digital workbook helps them track their journey.

We developed a suite of practical resources including:

Customisable templates for resumes and cover letters

Meeting guides and preparation tools

Materials that complement YDAN’s networking events

Resources for workplace communication

Both programs feature accessible design, clear language, and practical application opportunities. By blending digital learning with hands-on tools, we’ve created solutions that support young people to take action in their own lives while giving YDAN sustainable resources for their ongoing work.

The outcome

We delivered a suite of learning tools that support YDAN’s mission to break down barriers for young people with disability. The programs work together to build both skills and confidence – from advocating for your needs to pursuing employment goals.

By combining digital learning with practical resources and real-world application, these solutions help young people move from ‘I can’t’ to ‘I can’ while providing YDAN with sustainable, scalable tools for ongoing support.

The design ensures participants can:

Learn at their own pace through accessible eLearning

Practice skills in supported environments

Access practical tools when they need them

Connect learning directly to real-life situations

The team

Olivia: Senior Instructional Designer

Michael: Project Manager

Looking to create something exceptional? Our expert learning designers are located across Australia – in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide. Let’s discuss your project! Book a Discovery Call with Michael here or contact us here.