Celebrating three years as partners, the two organisations have extended the Memorandum of Understanding until 2028, allowing the expansion of existing programs and the introduction of new projects and research.
The following highlights the projects and accomplishments over the past three years.
Aspect Adult Community Services Centre at Victoria University (VU) St Albans Campus
In June 2023, Aspect opened its first on-campus Community Service Centre, at VU St Albans Campus.
It is one of four Aspect Adult Community Services Centres in Melbourne, where Autistic adults can take part in a range of activities tailored to their individual goals. Each activity is designed to support health and wellbeing while building independent living skills.
Approximately 20 participants join in the weekly activities at Aspect St Albans, which has become a welcoming community hub. Participants see friendly, familiar faces and take part in a range of NDIS-funded activities on campus, including gardening, newsletter writing, yoga, fitness, meal prep and art therapy.
For example, one participant, David, learns to use public transport, practices everyday routines and accesses community spaces like the gym. He’s working on life skills that help him to become more independent, such as preparing simple meals, organising his belongings and managing transitions with the help of visual routines and structure.
As well as building skills and improving wellbeing for participants, the centre is valued by local families, who have peace of mind knowing that their loved ones are in a safe, supportive environment – and are making new connections in their local community.
Local parent Antoinetta Muliett, said that her daughter Bernie “loves being a part of the Aspect St Albans team." Antoinetta said that through interacting directly with staff on campus, Bernie has become more confident and has been able to explore a wide range of engagements that suit her sensory needs.
Boosting the disability services workforce in Melbourne’s west
Since partnering in 2022, 24 VU speech pathology, psychology, Certificate IV in Mental Health and Certificate III in Individual Support students have completed placements with Aspect. And four students have gone on to work in graduate roles with Aspect.
One of these graduates, Lauren Simos, completed a Certificate III in Individual Support in 2024, and secured a student placement with Aspect Community Services St Albans, where she is now working.
“Victoria University really prepared me for working in the industry, and then the hands-on learning during my student placement took it to the next level.
“Aspect’s approach is so person-centred and the focus is all about progressing participant goals. We really get to develop relationships with the participants, which helps to support them further. I love the time I spend with the participants and seeing them grow and be a part of the community,” Lauren said.
Removing barriers to educational achievement for neurodivergent students
The Victoria University Accessibility Services team have opened four quiet rooms on campus: places where neurodivergent students can retreat when overwhelmed by sensory input.
VU Accessibility Support Officer Maria Vardakis has led this initiative, and other collaborative opportunities that aim to remove barriers to educational achievement for Autistic students.
Maria shared insight into her work and advice on how to make universities inclusive for Autistic learners: 5 things Autistic students want you to know and organised a neurodiversity training session with students and staff, facilitated by Aspect, with another planned at the end of the year.
Looking ahead
As well as ongoing work in student employment, community services and improving accessibility – the organisations are extending collaboration in two new areas:
- Improving neurodivergent patients’ experiences in health and emergency settings: as part of the extended partnership, VU’s College of Health, Science and Engineering is working closely with Aspect on a range of programs that aim to improve patient experiences in health and emergency settings.
- Research collaboration – building a national network for Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) practitioners: Dr Vicki Gibbs (Head of Research, Aspect) and Professor Debra Smith (Victoria University) and their research team have received a grant from the Department of Home Affairs to develop and evaluate a nationwide Community of Practice. This initiative will support professionals working with radicalised young people by sharing learnings, strengthening skills and fostering a deeper understanding of autism among those in the CVE field.
For more enquiries: Karen Keech 0411 052 408
About Aspect
Aspect is one of Australia’s largest autism-specific service providers, with one of the world’s biggest autism-specific schools programs. A not-for-profit organisation, we work in partnership with people of all ages on the autism spectrum and their families to deliver distinct services, practices and research that recognise a different brilliant® - understanding, engaging and celebrating the strengths and interests of people on the autism spectrum.
