The location

We took a very advanced approach to finding a suitable location, we walked around knocking on doors asking anybody who would talk to us if they knew of any cheap and suitable locations.

I then came across an ad in a window for studio space in the Trocadero Artspace. After getting in contact we learnt that the guy in charge, Michael Brennan, also works for Footscray Community Arts, who have just formed a partnership with Victoria University.

I met with Michael the following week and he showed us a space which he had planned to split into three seperate artist studios. The rent is $210 per week. My business(Oztron) will pay this until we are able to get some funding.

The space is around 6m X 8m, with nice natural light from windows looking out onto Leeds St, one of the main drags in Footscray. It's upstairs and located behind the art gallery.

We were initially looking for a shopfront, more in the style of 826 Valencia, however there are several benefits to this space.

- We don't have to make a shop or 'front' for the learning space.

- The gallery has a great atmosphere and is a nice way for the kids to be welcomed. The art in the gallery is quite different and I think it might help the kids feel more comfortable about whatever they are into.

- It's upstairs, and wont get any walk-ins, which we don't need, and would probably just be a bit of a pain for us when we are working during the day. All of our kids will come through agencies.

Below is a rough floor plan for the office.

A few key ideas in the design;

- Everybody has the same space and equipment to work with. There is no teachers chair or single focal point.

- LCD screens on the walls enable students to share their work with others.

- The parents have a small area to the side where they can sit and wait for their children. This will double as a meeting area for us.

Stefan sends an email out to some of our colleagues

Here is an email Stefan sent to several colleagues regarding our ideas.

I’m emailing to let you know about an idea that Dale and I are pursuing that has arisen from our Connected Lives project, and wanted to get your feedback and thoughts. I’m copying a blurb that I’ve been sending to a few people about the project, as follows.

Our proposed project is to set up a drop-in centre in Footscray for young people with AspergersSyndrome, especially those from other cultures. This centre would be modelled on the Dave Eggers ‘826 Valencia’ project (http://www.826valencia.org/, or here for the TED video:http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/dave_eggers_makes_his_ted_prize_wish_once_upon_a_school.html ). We would like to establish a centre close to transport and readily identifiable where:

· Dale’s technology company Oztron can be based – this company does web and virtual world development

· Young people with Aspergers can drop in at specified times to do projects, meet each other and learn technology and media skills from Dale and other Oztron volunteers

· We create something relevant and interesting at the front of the premises, possibly a computer museum

· Teaching students from VU can undertake work experience

· We provide paths to advocacy for young people with Aspergers

There is a huge demand for this , particularly in the West of Melbourne (see:http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/autistic-students-in-west-miss-out-20101026-172dx.html). As you know, we have found through our work (and something that has been well documented in the literature) that:

· many young people with Aspergers gravitate to technology;

· structured online environments allow these young people to develop their social skills in a mediated way

We have also found in our work that:

· one-on-one mentoring seems to work particularly well with these young people, especially with mentors who are highly technically adept

· the chance to meet others with Aspergers has made a huge difference to their lives – isolation is a big factor

· young people with Aspergers from ethnic backgrounds are particularly disadvantaged because their parents often do not know how to negotiate the complex government, education and health conditions that accompany this disability

· the problem is severe. These young people are truly ‘fish out of water’, and half of the young people with Aspergers we’ve worked with have attempted suicide in the past. Despite the funding they are given, schools often have trouble knowing what to do with these young people, and they end up being shunted inappropriately into classes with kids with other kinds of disabilities, including those who are low-functioning

We already possess most of the elements needed to make such a drop in centre happen, including:

· a bank of laptops, Telstra-supported wireless broadband accounts, digital video cameras and other gear

· support from the VU School of Education, who are willing to provide pre-service teachers on work experience

· the computers to create a computer museum.

All we really need to sort out is the space and a small amount of coordination, which we’re currently working on. Oztron is also willing to contribute to any rental expenses. Based on the 826 Valencia project, the space will need to be out of the usual institutional environments for kids to feel comfortable in going, and will need to be close to public transport, as we expect many disadvantaged young people from other areas to also attend.

Be interested to hear thoughts you may have.

Regards,

Stefan

The initial plan

Background

In 2009 and 2010 the Connected Lives Project investigated how technologies such as virtual worlds, the Internet and free software (video and image processing, comic making etc) impacts on the social connectedness and well-being of young Victorians living with multiple layers of disadvantage, particularly disability and geographical, cultural and socio-economic factors.

Throughout this period we discovered what people with Asperger's and their famillies already know - there are very few resources available for this community group.

During our program we had success in two ways;

- Firstly by bringing the young people together, and simple allowing them to meet others with similar minds and interests.

- Secondly by giving the young people access to technologies such as computers, internet access and video cameras, we allowed them to explore their own (often intense) interests and communicate their ideas with clarity and confidence.

The Rough Plan

The idea behind the Asperger's project is to provide a real world location particularly designed for young people with Asperger's Syndrome.

Current plans include the following;

- two or three free after school sessions, from 3.30pm-6.00pm on weekdays

- computers, internet access, and other associated technologies such as video cameras

- an embedded technology company sharing the space who will assist with students and act as mentors

- a shared 'virtual space' which would enable other youth with Asperger's from around the country or world to virtually attend sessions and collaborate on projects. This space would be developed by the kids themself.

- volunteer students from schools like MGS

- volunteer teachers from schools like VU

- a parent support officer on hand to counsel and support the parents

The Location

We are currently scouting locations which would suit the project.

The following is our wish list;

- In Footscray, within walking distance of the station

- A shop front in the style of 826 Valencia - http://www.826valencia.org/