March 8th is International Women’s Day, when women around the globe are remembered, celebrated and honoured. There are millions of women who work tirelessly to raise awareness of inequalities and socioeconomic issues, and strive for change.
Dr Rhonda Faragher, Associate Professor in Inclusive Education at the University of Queensland, is one of those women, and she’s making her mark on the Down syndrome community.
Down syndrome is a genetic condition, not an illness or disease. In addition to some characteristic physical features, Down syndrome comes with a level of intellectual disability. Ultimately, most people with Down Syndrome enjoy a long, happy and healthy life, and mature to be productive and independent members of the community.
Rhonda’s involvement in Down Syndrome Queensland came about with the birth of her own daughter, Ruth, in 1996. At that time, children with Down syndrome were generally considered to be unable to learn mathematics and parents were being advised that their children would have considerable difficulties. This was the advice for many other areas of education, too.
With Ruth as her driving passion, Rhonda sought to change the perceptions around the education of children with Down syndrome. As a maths teacher, Rhonda was determined to find a way to teach her daughter.
Whilst Down Syndrome Qld offered wonderful support, Rhonda was surprised to find that there was no-one in the world who knew how to teach maths to students with Down syndrome.
With an advantage of knowing the education process, Rhonda and her husband began to advocate strongly for Ruth’s inclusion within the mainstream school system. They came up against plenty of well-meant but poor advice, but perseverance won over. Ruth’s teachers worked in partnership with Rhonda and together they were able to ensure Ruth received an enriching educational experience. Rhonda remembers these times as being very difficult, with lots of battles, but reflects that it helped her and her husband understand what other families were going through.
Rhonda’s drive to make a difference in the lives of Down syndrome families has continued.
On appointment to her role at the University of Queensland, an immediate opportunity arose for her to become Director of the Down Syndrome Research Program within the School of Education where Rhonda oversees a variety of Down Syndrome research programs. The program’s longitudinal study is believed to be the oldest, most complete study of its kind anywhere in the world.
Rhonda’s involvement in global research has shown there is a very strong evidence base that people with Down syndrome actually learn best in inclusive classrooms. This is an exciting and encouraging finding for families.
Busy and dedicated are understated words when describing Rhonda. Anyone would think that her tenure as Director of the Down Syndrome Research Program in addition to her Associate Professorship in Inclusive Education would be enough. However, Rhonda is also an appointed Board member to the Academy on Education, Teaching and Research of IASSIDD – the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Chair of the Down Syndrome Special Interest Research Group of IASSIDD, Vice-President of Down Syndrome International and an Independent Director of Down Syndrome Australia. She is also Co-Editor in Chief of the Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities.
These roles have provided Rhonda with more intricate knowledge, important connections and great influence in the world of international research and Down syndrome.
Rhonda’s heavy involvement in the industry, along with her personal experience, has enabled her to advocate for families and ensure that people, particularly secondary school students, with Down syndrome are included within the mainstream education system.
Rhonda’s impact culminates in opening up possibilities for people with Down syndrome, and their families. Her work aims to change mindsets and enable learners with Down syndrome to engage with the Australian Curriculum.
No doubt influenced by her mother’s love, dedication and persistence, Ruth, now 25 years of age, holds a TAFE Certificate III in Child Care and enjoys working in a permanent position in the industry.
Although she says there’s still a long way to go, thanks to Rhonda, the future for people living with Down syndrome looks bright with increasing awareness and acceptance.
Congratulations and thank you for your incredible contribution to Down syndrome, Rhonda.
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