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:
- Customizable 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
Case Study: YDAN
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