The Scene

Issue 2, 30 January 2006

Back to The Spastic Centre

Back to School

A bag full of good ideas and sources of information….

Tips, Tricks and Tales
Parents share their experiences and insights into their child’s school experience in the Preschool and School chapter of Follow Your Instincts.

School Days
Factsheets on everything from exams, stress, friendships, and options after leaving school.

Homework
Homework hints from respected child and adolescent psychologist, Dr Michael Carr-Greg, broadcast on Channel 7’s Sunrise program.

Healthy Lunch Boxes
A host of healthy ideas for school lunches.

Department of Education – Whole of Life
A one-stop-shop for information on disability programs and services in public education and training in NSW, with links to employment and other disability services. The Education and Training section provides information on how students with special needs are supported in NSW government schools, and information on TAFE, vocational education in schools (VET), apprenticeships and traineeships. Visit Whole of Life - All of Life.

Learning Difficulties
- Introduction to Learning Difficulties - A basic factsheet on learning difficulties
- SPELD - The peak learning difficulties organisation in Australia. The NSW branch website has a number of resources for parents including an online assessment tool.
- LD Online - A US website, LD Online has a vast range of good articles for parents and educators. Find it at
- Richard Lavoie National Australian Tour – see Conferences.. Workshops.. Forums section below.

Kids and Traffic Website
The Kids and Traffic Early Childhood Road Safety Education Program is a partnership between the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) and Macquarie University. Kids and Traffic work across a number of sectors to provide professional development workshops, road safety education information, resources, road safety strategies and advice to staff and families in children’s services; early childhood education training providers; health and family support services and local government. Visit the Kids and Traffic website.

General

New NSW Photo Card
The new voluntary NSW Photo Card is now available through Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) motor registries. Introduced in December 2005, the RTA has made the Photo Card available in response to requests from people who are unable to obtain a driver licence and find it difficult to show who they are in order to access everyday services.

The Photo Card is for NSW residents aged 16 years or older and the replaces the current Proof of Age Card. The same stringent customer enrolment and proof of identity criteria apply as for the Proof of Age Card. The cards cost $40 and are valid for five years. Further information is available from the RTA website or phone 13 22 13.

Money

David Koch - Online for Working Carers
David Koch will be the Working Carer’s Support Gateway’s guest host on its first on-line monthly chat room from 8-9pm on Tuesday, 14 February (Eastern Summer Time).

The topic will be Post-Christmas Money Blues. This will be a great opportunity for working carers to talk personally to Kochie about any financial concerns and to ask for general advice on money matters.

To find out how you join the discussion, go to www.workingcarers.org.au

Click on the Chat Room button where you will find all the necessary information.

Gregory and Dolores Farrell Scholarship

The Gregory and Dolores Farrell Scholarship is administered by Spinecare and is open to anyone who is a wheelchair user and undertaking tertiary education in NSW during 2006. The scholarships are to assist students who are wheelchair users with the costs entailed in tertiary education.

Two scholarships up to the value of $5,000 each are available for 2006.For further information visit the Spinecare Foundation website.

Parents and Children

Gumnut Playtherapy Group

Gumnut is an integrated playtherapy group for children with special needs aged 0 to 5 years, their families and carers. The playgroups are held at Joseph Sargent Centre, 60 Prospect Street, Erskineville and Redfern Community Centre, 27A Hugo Street, Redfern and run weekly during the school term on Wednesdays from 10am to 12pm in Erskineville (cost $2/child or $3 per family) and on Fridays from 10am to 12pm in Redfern (free).

Gumnut also offers support and information services for parents and caregivers and operates under the auspice of Windgap Foundation Ltd. For further information contact Lindy Palmer, Gumnut Coordinator on 0422 183 804, or Windgap Administration office on 8337 3600.

Sports

Sports Skills for Adults with Disabilities
Thursdays 12:30pm-2pm starting in March.

Learn to play or freshen up your skills in cricket, netball, AFL footie, or floorball (like hockey) in a 12 week program. People who require assistance (to follow simple rules of a game, personal care etc) are required to bring along a support person. To be held at Willoughby Leisure Centre, Halstrom Park (cnr Willoughby Rd/Small St), Willoughby. Close to Bus 273- Wynyard to Chatswood, Bus 257- Chatswood to Balmoral Beach. Limited transport may be available. $15 per session, including tutoring, equipment, court hire. Phone Kristen, Simone or Jillian at Centacare Disability Services on 8425 8700.

[Source: Warringah Disability Information Service]

Soccer Programs for Children with Special Needs
- West Pymble Soccer Club - A program for children with intellectual disability (Autism, Down Syndrome, etc.) aged 5 to 8. Children play with a ‘chaperone’ to guide them as they play. $170 (same as mainstream). West Pymble Public School, West Pymble. 1pm each Saturday. No training times. See www.wpsc.asn.au or email specialneeds@wpsc.asn.au
- St Ives Soccer Club - A program for children with intellectual disability (Autism, Down Syndrome, etc.) aged 7 to 12. Children play with a ‘chaperone’ to guide them as they play. $155 (the same as mainstream) Toolang Oval, St Ives. 1pm each Saturday. No training times. www.stivessoccer.com.au or email registrar@stivessoccer.com.au
- Sutherland Shire Special Division Soccer - A program for children with a range of disabilities, age 5 and over. Every Saturday, time TBA. Registration Sunday 5 March, 2pm-5pm. Gymea Bay Soccer Oval, Corner of Gymea Bay Road and Avenal Road, Gymea. Cost to be announced. Phone Stewart on 0424 415 225 or email soccer_stars06@yahoo.com.au
- West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook Soccer Club - The Special Soccer program for children with a disability simulates a match played between two junior teams. Expressions of interest are currently being accepted. To register your interest, contact Brendon Upson, Special Soccer Co-ordinator, on 0403 197 414, email bupson@wnc.net.au or see http://wphcsoccer.net.au

[ Source: Warringah Disability Information Service]

Arts, Music and Dance

Junction House Band Album Launch

The Junction House Band will launch its latest album, ‘If Only Hope Would Come’, at the High Tide room, Bondi Pavillion, Bondi Beach on Friday 10 February at 6pm.

Junction House is a non-residential community centre for adults with a mild intellectual disability based in Waverley in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. The Junction House Band is a rock band playing melodic pop songs with a sixties influence. The group writes and plays its own material and have performed all over Sydney alongside mainstream bands at venues such as the Powerhouse Museum, the Stanmore Carnival Street Festival and the Young Musicians Festival at the Bondi Pavilion.

Come and see the band perform on February 10. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP to Lindy Morrison, the band’s musical director on 0409 224 720 or lindymorrison@optusnet.com.au.

Artability
From 15 February to 12 April 2006 the Drummoyne Community Centre is holding Artability, a visual arts program for young people with physical or sensory disabilities. The target audience is young people with physical or sensory disabilities. The venue is Drummoyne Community Centre, 10 Cometrowe Street, Drummoyne.

For further information contact Frank or Margaret Marjason at Drummoyne Community Centre’s Artsworkers ‘Artability’ program on 9719 8102 or email dccinc@ozemail.com.au. Web www.dcc.org.au.

Discobility
Presented by Warringah Council, this dance party is for 12-18 year olds with special needs, their family and friends. Venue is YOYOs Youth Centre, Forestway Shopping Centre, Frenchs Forest on Friday 17 February from 7pm to 10pm. The venue is a two-storey brick building to left of shopping centre, entrance off Forest Way. Entry via front door, then upstairs. Wheelchair accessible doorway via path leading to side of centre. The cost is $5 per ticket which includes a can of drink and packet of chips. Lucky door prizes. Car parking available in the shopping centre.

For further information and indemnity forms phone 02 9942 2680 or visit www.warringah.nsw.gov.au. A carer must remain onsite if attending youth are not self-reliant. The form on the website must be handed in at the door.

Creative Programs For People With Disabilities
- Craft and music classes for young people and adults will be held at Eastern Suburbs Community College from 13 February to 7 April 2006. For further information phone 9387 7400 or visit http://www.escc.nsw.edu.au/cgi-bin/WebObjects/East.woa.
- Craft and Living Skills class at Mill Hill Community Centre on Thursdays 10am to 12noon for 8 mornings. Starts 16 February. For more information contact Julie on 02 9337 5217.
- Music class at Junction House in Waverly on Wednesdays 5pm to 7pm for 8 evenings. Starts 15 February. For more information contact Junction House on 02 9389 2689

Autism

Evening to Start an Aspergers Support Group in Northern Sydney
Thursday 23 February

Family or people with Aspergers are invited to start an Aspergers Support group on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Speakers attending include: Autism Council representative Jane Cotter, Phil Morton from Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service and Barbara Pheloung from the Learning Difficulties Support Group. Opportunities to ask questions, share ideas, discuss needs. Forestville RSL Club, 22 Melwood Ave, Forestville. 7.30-10pm on Thursday 23 February. Geoff Sinclair at Geoff_Sinclair@innovations.com.au

[Source: Warringah Disability Information Service]

For Sale

Otto Bock Kinder Stroller
The stroller is in original (near new) condition.

Lightweight, fully adjustable and collapsible, headrest, thoracic belt, lateral support. Detachable table. From ages 3-8.

Was $5000.
Asking $500.

Please phone Monique: 0421 011 483.

Easy Stand Youth 5000
The Easy Stand Youth can automatically adjust to fit any body and age group/weight between 8 years to adult. It allows the person to descend under his or her own control and timing.

All elements are adjustable. It is in near as new condition.

The original price was $7250.
Would like to sell it for $2500.

For further information contact Bo Grahl and Marita Murphy on home phone 9453-1548 or 0402 064 224 and 0418 656 836 at any time.

Shoprider Scooter
Scooter 3 wheel shoprider, model 778.

Red and grey and in excellent condition, kept as spare.

New batteries, new wheels, charger, hand brake, front and floor metal baskets.

Scooter is in Neutral Bay, Sydney.
Asking $750.00.
For further information contact Gail Grey on 0403 902 598.

Conferences .. Workshops .. Forums

The Fundamentals of Diversional Therapy
8 February 2006

For untrained, new to the field and/or practicing diversional therapy staff, the workshop on leisure and recreation covers assessment, documentation, legislation, program design, therapy types, essential skills.

The workshop will be held at the Conference Room, Diversional Therapy Association NSW, 47-49 Wicks Road, North Ryde, Wednesday 8 February. Parking onsite on. Registration 8:30am for workshop from 9am to 4pm. The cost is $82.50 DTA members, $104.50 non-members, $74.50 students. Includes morning and afternoon tea, lunch handouts and certificates.

For further information contact DTA of NSW on 9887 5035 or visit www.diversionaltherapy.com.au

Education and Training - Making Change Workshop (S&E NSW)
13,15,16 February 2006

One-day workshops aimed at enhancing advocacy skills of parents and relatives of people with developmental disability. Each workshop will discuss what advocacy is, why it is needed and how to advocate with the most impact. It is open to families of people with developmental disability. A nominal fee will be charged although financial assistance for child and family care costs can be sought.

13th February - Wollongong
15th February - Albury
16th February - Queanbeyan

People must register for the workshop by phoning Kim Roots at Family Advocacy on 1800 620 588 or 02 9869 0866 or email familyadvocacy@family-advocacy.com Further information is available on the Family Advocacy website in the Events section.

Autism Intervention Seminar
7 April 2006

The OT Association Paediatric & Adolescent Focus group is conducting a one-day workshop on Autism interventions on Friday 7 April 2006 at the Northcott Society at Parramatta. Further information is available on the OT Association website.

Riding the Wave of the Future - Community Care Conference
3-5 May 2006

Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) is holding the first National Conference and Trade Exhibition to cover the full spectrum of community care in ageing and disability.

The conference will be held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour from 3 to 5 May 2006. For further information phone 9799 0900 or email events@agedservices.asn.au. Or visit www.agedservices.asn.au/

ACROD National Conference on Social Participation
30-31 May 2006

This inaugural conference is designed specifically for providers and funders of services for people with disability including day activities, post school options, recreation, community access, leisure, community participation, lifestyle options, alternatives to employment, transition to work, adult training and support and community life skills.

The conference will be held at Star City, Pyrmont, Sydney on 30 and 31 May 2006. If you want to receive conference information as it becomes available, email your contact details to gabe@acrodnsw.net.

Innovative Communication Programming (ICP) Courses for 2006
Innovative Communication Programming is conducting a number of AAC workshops in 2006. For further information on any courses contact Ylana Bloom or Dolly Bhargava, phone/fax 02 9876 3568 or email bloom@iinet.net.au. Programs include:
- Augmentative and alternative assessment of Intentional and symbolic communicators
- AAC intervention for intentional and symbolic communicators
- Using AAC to develop emotions and problem solving
- Using AAC to provide positive behaviour support to manage challenging behaviour.

Learning Difficulties - The First Richard Lavoie National Australian Tour
August-September 2006

Australian Federation of SPELD Associations is sponsoring Richard Lavoie, recognised expert on learning difficulties and popular international speaker, on an Australian speaking tour. Best known for his videos, Richard holds three degrees in Special Education, has served as adjunct professor or visiting lecturer at numerous universities, including Harvard and Georgetown, serves as a consultant on learning disabilities to several agencies.

NSW Dates
- 23 August - Liverpool (Catholic Club)
- 26 August - Sydney (Willoughby Civic Centre, Chatswood)
- 29 August - Wagga Wagga - Charles Sturt University
- 2 September - Newcastle, (University of Newcastle)
- 4 September - Wollongong, (University of Wollongong).

More details on the National SPELD website or email info@auspeld.org.au.

[Source: Warringah Disability Information Service]

SPOT on DD Conference – Across the Life Span
3-4 August 2006

The organising committee of the Conference is calling for abstracts from people wishing to present papers, workshops or posters at the SPOT on DD Conference (Speech Pathologists, Physiotherapists & Occupational Therapists in Developmental Disabilities). Reduced registration costs will be available for presenters.

The SPOT on DD Conference will be held on 3 and 4 August 2006 at the Carlton Crest, Haymarket.
For further information contact Kate Avoledo on 02 8855 3555 or email kate.avoledo@dadhc.nsw.gov.au or Marina Radis on 02 8855 3555 or email marina.radis@dadhc.nsw.gov.au. Further information is also available on the conference page of the SPOT on DD website.

PDF (print-friendly version) of this issue of The Scene.

What would you like to see in "The Scene"? Email Robyn Cummins Information Manager at The Spastic Centre if you would like to contribute any ideas, advise of any future events or know of any websites that might be of interest to others.

Disclaimer
Opinions expressed in items of The Scene are the individual opinions of the respective authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of The Spastic Centre or the editors. Products and companies featured in The Scene are not necessarily endorsed by The Spastic Centre. The Scene is intended to be informative only and should not be relied on as medical or other technical advice on any matter. The Spastic Centre and editor take no responsibility for the information published in this newsletter or any person's actions in reliance on that information.