Keeley Johnson is a Ballan resident and the founder of Keeley’s Cause, a charity that provides technology to people with learning disabilities to help them make their way through the educational system. Since founding the charity as a 13-year-old five years ago, Keeley’s Cause has become a nationallu registered charity assisting children across Australia and has received international accolades for its positive impact on the community. Our reporter Oliver Lees spoke with Ms Johnson ahead of World Autism Day on April 2.
Q1. What is your connection to Melton and Moorabool? (A chance to talk about where you grew up, community work, etc.)
I was born in Bacchus Marsh in 2004 and moved to Ballan in 2010. I began volunteering at the Ballan Lions Club in 2012, and I’m a Ballan Lions Club cub member. In 2013, at age 13, I created Keeley’s Cause. I also attend Melton Specialist School and have been a student there for four years.
Q2. What do you like about where you live?
I like the country feel and still being able to be close to nature with owls, hares, rosellas and kookaburras that often visit my home. I also enjoy being able able to own a miniature pony.
It’s quiet here not so as much hustle and bustle as there is in Bacchus Marsh and Melton. It gives me time to relax and appreciate life.
Q3. What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
I would like to see more infrastructure and things for the youth to do. It’s very limited as to what we can do, and is often boring when your looking for something to do in your spare time.
Q4. What drove you to create Keeley’s Cause?
I created Keeley’s Cause after my own personal journey. Growing up, I was unable to learn the standard curriculum without the use of technology. These resources were unavailable to use on a full time basis. There was also no government funding or NDIS [National Disability Insurance Scheme] assistance for people like me with autism and an intellectual disability.
I believe that everyone has a right to an education despite their disabilities as we have dreams of becoming someone someday too, so I created Keeley’s Cause to ensure children with additional needs could receive educations tailored to their individual needs through the use of iPads.
Q5. How can people get involved?
People can volunteer, attend our events and purchase merchandise. Also, children aged 6 to 17 can join our super raisers programme to help raise funds. Those over 18 years of a can become volunteer ambassadors, or they can simply like our Facebook or Instagram pages and share us among family and friends.
