Course to teach people with intellectual disabilities how to deal with money

Saving, spending, being careful with your money – all these skills are taught to people with intellectual disabilities by a new course which helps people be more independent.

Budgeting, saving and using money safely online is the focus of a new website targeting people with intellectual disabilities – the first of its kind developed by an SA council.

Playford Council says its “Everyday Money Skills” site teaches people the “do’s and don’ts” of shopping, avoiding scams, checking change, dealing with banks and seeking financial advice.

It aims to benefit NDIS providers, schools, support agencies and trainers and can beused for one-on-one or group sessions. 

Mayor Glenn Docherty the website would benefit thousands of people across Australia – not just council residents.

“The package builds the confidence of people with an intellectual disability so they can become active and independent members of the community,” he said.

“(Users) will find out the importance of prioritising spending their money on items they need rather than want, dealing with text and email scams and keeping their cards and cash safe,” he said.

Verity Chattaway and Matthew Bartley buy a coffee, practising skills they learnt with Playford Council Everyday Money Skills program. Picture: Brenton Edwards

The Wyatt Trust charity funded the $20,000 website project, which was inspired by a Flinders University pilot program.

Among people who helped design the learning platform with council staff was Verity Chattaway, who has an intellectual disability and features in the website’s videos.

She says she’s become better at “using money” and has set up separate bank accounts for spending and saving.

“I can now use my card to buy things I want like clothes when I’m with my dad. It feels good to do that,” she said.

The federal government’s Health Department estimates there are about are about 450,000 people with an intellectual disability in Australia – 1.8 per cent of the population.

About 7700 people with disabilities live in the Playford Council area.