About Inclusive Programs

Inclusive Programs is a privately owned business established to provide for marginalised individuals.

Inclusive Programs is owned and managed by Mary Brake Dip Mus., B. Ed.

Why was Inclusive Programs established?

As an employee of the Tasmanian Education Department Support Services, 35 different schools were visited during the years 2000-2005. During these visits programs were designed and implemented to assist in the inclusion of students who school personnel had difficulty catering for.

During 2005 the Tasmanian Support Services were closed down and some areas of provision were no longer able to be offered. Inclusive Programs was established to meet the demands of schools who desired to continue accessing Mary Brake’s Inclusive Programs to better cater for the inclusion of students with disabilities in mainstream settings.

Inclusive Programs has grown at a rapid rate, and now services many schools throughout Tasmania and mainland Australia. Programs have been formalised with specifically designed activities formed into a collection –Your Stage. These practical activities have been embraced internationally as Mary has shared her work at national and international conferences.

The Website Background

As the business keeps growing, so too does the website! If you'd like to view the original website developed by Emily Brake, please click here to do so. Emily programmed the entire site herself using Flash - an impressive achievement!

The new website was made live in mid-October 2008 - any and all feedback regarding the site is most welcome!

Who is Mary Brake?

Mary began as a specialist music teacher, and quickly realised that music has an inherent ability to bring people together.  She became interested in the benefits of music for students rather than of music education itself and through the attending of Music Therapy and Music Medicine conferences Mary developed an appreciation of music as a very powerful tool -capable of engagement and motivation.

She has worked in Special Education in many contexts – through music. She has designed and implemented accredited programs in the UK such as ‘Express Yourself’ and ‘Who am I’; worked at Giant Steps (centre for autistic individuals) and the Kent Autistic Trust (UK), she has facilitated inclusive communities for students with disability in mainstream environments (Education Department Support Services), and worked through the arts with indigenous communities of Cape Barren Island.

She has recently completed a Master’s Degree in Inclusive Education and continues to grow in passion with regard to the potential that music has to unite and include all, regardless of difference.

What does Inclusive Programs offer?

Inclusive Programs offers professional development for you and your staff.

• Inclusive Programs provides professional development on many topics around inclusion of marginalised individuals.  Motivate, challenge or stimulate your staff!  Make sure that all of the individuals who you are responsible for really do feel a sense of belonging and community.  For suggestions, see ‘Our Programs’ page.
• Inclusive Programs works with you to design an inclusive program to meet the needs of the individuals under your care; the program is workshopped to staff, introduced to the group for whom it was designed and progressively handed over to you and your staff.  The program is yours, and you are provided with practical skills, insights and materials so that you can continue facilitating inclusive programs within your organisation.