MIYAD Wheels co-ordinator “relieved” to see Driving Access and Equity Program extend to Great Southern

An Albany not-for-profit that helps vulnerable members of society get their driving licence has welcomed the State Government’s commitment to fund a similar program in the Great Southern. MIYAD Wheels — which supports migrants, Indigenous people, youth, adults (domestic violence support) and people with disability — is a smaller-scale version of what the Government’s $15.7 million Driving Access and Equity Program will offer. MIYAD Wheels program co-ordinator Suzanne Thomas said she is “relieved” the subsidised wraparound driver education support will expand into the Great Southern after “years of waiting and advocating”. “Having these programs that are specifically catering to people who might struggle to gain their licence for one reason or another is something that really makes a difference to someone’s life,” she said. Shane Northcott and Heidi Henderson have both benefited from the MIYAD program, which 18-year-old Mr Northcott called a “valuable resource to the community”. At 19, Ms Henderson — who has autism and anxiety — struggled to learn with traditional teachers and to afford lessons on her cafe work salary. “I found that while learning with other drivers, they often times had an anxious aura around them that made me anxious and I was very nervous when I first started driving and very hesitant to do anything that could pose an accident,” she said. “But Suzanne has a very calming air about her that really makes it so that I felt comfortable and confident. “Having a car of my own finally means that I get that freedom and independence that I wasn’t really able to get before, especially seeing as the public transport in Albany isn’t great.” Though the tender for the Great Southern iteration of the program is yet to open, Ms Thomas said she is “certainly going to put her hand up” for the funding, which will cover qualified instructors, driving supervisors, training, safe vehicles and client support. “Initiatives like ours that support the more disadvantaged people in society are so valuable as many of our clients would not even consider looking into getting their licence if not for our subsidised fees — as the costs associated with it are considered a luxury item,” she said.