Dear community,

 

We are writing to you today with a heavy heart to inform you that Deeside College has decided to cancel the specialist autistic computer courses that have been running successfully for many years. These courses have been an essential part of our community, offering valuable skills and opportunities for individuals with autism. Unfortunately, the college has decided to move these courses to Wrexham, making it impossible for many of our local students to attend.

 

We are calling on you to sign our petition to help save these vital courses and show the college that our community will not stand for this unfair decision. Here are just a few reasons why this decision is so disappointing and unjust for the students affected:

 

Accessibility: Many of our local students with autism find it difficult to travel long distances, making it impossible for them to attend the courses they need and deserve.

 

Familiarity: These students are familiar with the local college and its staff, and they feel comfortable and supported in this environment. Moving the courses to the bigger campus will remove this essential support system.

 

Community: The courses at the local college have been an essential part of our community, offering students with autism a chance to socialise, learn and grow together. This community aspect will be lost if the courses are moved to the city.

 

Specialised Support: The courses at the local college are tailored to the specific needs of students with autism, with specialised support staff and resouces. The specialised staff at Deeside College are known as the best in the area for a reason. Separating the courses from these staff seems strange rationality.

 

Reduced Provision: This is another case of the college reducing the provision for autistic people at Deeside. Over the years, the college has cut back on resources and support for students with autism, and canceling these courses only makes this situation worse. After chatting with the Student Services team, it seems the current plan is to replace The Austism focused ICT classes with an Autism focussed media course. However this is only true of the Level 1 class. Previously the ICT courses ran at Levels 1-3. Swapping out 3 of the current Autistic focussed ICT classes currently running at Deeside with 1 Media Class is less provision for students in our Autistic community.

 

Financial Burden: Traveling to the city to attend these courses will create a significant financial burden for many of our local families who have students with autism, and it may be impossible for some families to cover the costs. Many students with Autism are frightened of public transport and will only travel via a lift with parents. Many parents will find the extra 1+hour round trip to Wrexham impossible making attendance extremely difficult.

 

Quality of Life: These courses are not just about gaining skills and qualifications; they are also about improving the quality of life for our students with autism. The courses at Deeside college provide a safe and supportive environment that promotes well-being and personal growth.

 

Employment Opportunities: The skills learned in these courses can lead to employment opportunities in our local area. By moving the courses to the city, our students will lose these valuable chances to gain meaningful employment and familiarity with local businesses in the Deeside area.

 

 

We strongly believe that our local college should reconsider this decision and continue to offer these vital courses to our community. With your support, we can make a difference and show the college that this decision is not acceptable. Please sign our petition today and help us save these vital courses.