Peer learning is when people learn with each other and from each other.
A peer is someone that is similar to you.
Peer learning is very important because it demonstrates how people with an intellectual disability can gain trust from their peers. This can also help people speak up for themselves.
Peer learning can help to make sure that people with an intellectual disability are able to share their personal experiences and share their opinions in a safe space.
Inclusion Australia Policy Officer, Brooke Canham spoke with her colleagues Rebecca Biddle and Liam Doyle about their own experiences with peer learning.
Rebecca said that learning from peers has helped her when she has difficulty with technology and when she needs help understanding something. If Rebecca has something on her mind, forgets a meeting or feels worried, she feels like peers are there to help guide her and support her.
“We can learn from each other, build connections and learn through each other’s experiences.”
Since working at Inclusion Australia, Rebecca has attended multiple peer learning meetings where she has enjoyed sharing her experiences and listening to the experiences of her colleagues. Rebecca said, ‘peer learning has helped me be more confident, learn more skills, and helped me to listen more.’
Brooke also talked to Liam who shared his insights about what peer learning means to him. Liam said that he feels comfortable to share his own stories and that it is good to get to know each other without the stress of everyone else being around. In Liam’s words, ‘peer learning is a big yes from me!’
Beck and Liam reflected that peer learning offers a lot, ‘We all help each other in different ways. Peers help me, and I help them too!’