The Scene is The Spastic Centre's free fortnightly e-newsletter.
It features news, events, issues, links and contacts for people living with cerebral palsy, their families and service providers.
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Supporting the Sexuality of Your Child
The Spastic Centre will be conducting free information sessions during April 2006 on ‘Supporting the Sexuality of Your Child’. Facilitated by Jill Maginnity and Kate Hooke from The Spastic Centre, the session will begin with a panel of young adults with disabilities who will be giving us their insight around attitudes and myths, access to information (from peers to parents and educators), and expressing your identity and sexuality.
After the short break we will invite discussion around the topic of ‘Supporting the Sexuality of Your Child’, including key messages from the panel, disability and sexuality, tips and tools, supporting yourself to support your child, discussion and questions.
This workshop is strictly for parents only.
Locations: The Spastic Centre
Ryde Thursday 20 April 10am to 12 noon 3a Smalls Road
Prairiewood Friday 28 April 10am to 12noon 224-244 Restwell Road
Allambie Heights Tuesday 11 April 7pm to 9pm 189 Allambie Road (Head Office Boardroom).
Refreshments will be available. Childcare is available only on request – minimum 5 days notice please
BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL. RSVP to Penny Clarke, Community Development Unit, Phone 02 9975 8227 or email pclarke@tscnsw.org.au. (Please advise Penny if you would like your name on the mailing list for future flyers).
Parents & Children
Exceptional Parent Annual Toy Review
Each year, EP features games and toys that could be fun and helpful for children with special needs that could foster creativity, coordination, self-discovery and social interaction.
For a complete list visit the Toy section on the Exceptional Parent website.
Research
Furthermore, pharmacologic and cellular interventions to improve the nervous system damage present in cerebral palsy and other conditions that lead to abnormalities in brain development are on the horizon. Early detection may some day allow early intervention. For these reasons, and to prepare families and caregivers, early prediction of later impairment is critically important.
- What Research is Being Carried Out to Improve the Early Prediction of later Disabilities in the Highest Risk Newborns
- Predicting Developmental Disabilities in Infants: Using Electrophysiology
Parents Help With Careers—future directions
Learn how you can help your child prepare for life after school with a booklet produced by the Commonwealth government, ‘Parents Help with Career Choices’.
The book is not specifically for young people with a disability, but it has many useful general suggestions. Find it at
Also, TAFE Qld have developed a booklet, ‘Anything’s Possible’ that targets parents as career counsellors.
[Source: Disability Education and Employment News: No. 4, Vol 2]
‘Stepping Into…’ Work Experience Series
The ‘Stepping into…’ work experience series has been developed by The Australian Employers’ Network on Disability and its member organisations to assist students with disability to enter their chosen profession. Work placements are completed during the mid-year semester break (mid-July to mid-August).
The program for 2006 includes:
- ‘Stepping into Employment Advisor’ for Psychology and Rehabilitation students, in both Sydney and Brisbane; and
- ‘Stepping into Law’ in Sydney and Brisbane.
The ‘Stepping into…’ series offers practical work experience for students with disability who may face significant obstacles in gaining employment. The program is equally beneficial to the organisations involved, as it enhances disability awareness in the workplace, and encourages an inclusive and productive working environment. Prior to commencement of the placements, firms have their workplace reviewed for access requirements and also participate in disability awareness sessions. Firms actively participate in the development of the 4-week work experience program and an evaluation is undertaken by the firms and the students on completion of the program.
For further information about the 2006 programs, please contact The Australian Employers’ Network on Disability on 02 9261 3922. For further information about any of the ‘Stepping into…’ programs, please contact Rachel Butler at The Australian Employers’ Network on Disability on 1300 363 645 or Rachel.Butler@emad.asn.au or visit http://www.emad.asn.au/
Setting Directions Seminar 2006 - University Education Options for People with Disabilities
27 May 2006
A free seminar about alternative entry schemes, choosing careers, disability services, assistive technology, talks by current students and graduates, financial issues and it’s not all study!
The seminar will be held on 27 May from 9.30am to 4pm at the University of Technology, Sydney, City Campus, Broadway. Registrations close on 19 May 2006. For registration and further details contact Liz Claridge on (02) 9385 6768 or email e.claridge@unsw.edu.au For further venue information contact 02 9514 1183 or visit www.ssu.uts.edu.au/sneeds/
Fast Facts for Faculty
The Fast Facts for Faculty information briefs from the Ohio State University are designed to help college and university instructors improve the climate and quality of education for students with disabilities. Brief topics include coordinating internships for students with disabilities; guided notes; guidelines for creating accessible web content; frequently asked questions; rights and responsibilities; sign language interpreting in the classroom; syllabus disability statements; teaching students with invisible disabilities, medical/mobility impairments, and sensory impairments; universal design for learning; and writing in the university.
Although it is geared to this particular university, there is some very useful material that could be adapted to Australian tertiary education.
Technology
CSUN 2006 – New Technology
The California State University, Northridge (CSUN) Center on Disabilities' 21st Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference was held in Los Angeles on, March 20-25, 2006. The Axistive website features a number of the presentations from the conference with photo and video footage of new products.
Conferences .. Workshops .. Forums (For all)
The Practical Management of Medical Problems in Cerebral Palsy
26 April 2006
A free webcast on the management of medical problems for people with cerebral palsy. It includes topics such as pain, seizures, reflux, incontinence, etc.
This online seminar is hosted by Exceptional Parents and will be held on 26 April 2006 from 7pm to 9pm (USA EST Time) which is 9am to 11am 27 April 2006 Australian EST.
For further information visit http://www.eparent.com/epliveonline/live_online.cfm
To register, visit http://eparent.com/epliveonline/register.cfm
Spinal Cord Research Forum
29 May 2006
re:connections is an interactive forum showcasing the latest research in spinal cord injury and related neurological conditions on 29 May 2006 at Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.
re:connections will bring leading Australian and international researchers together with clinicians, healthcare and rehabilitation professionals, people with spinal cord injury and their carers to share knowledge and strengthen research, clinical, and community networks.
Organised by the New South Wales (NSW) Ministry for Science and Medical Research, re:connections will also showcase new research being undertaken in NSW under the NSW Spinal Grants program announced at the 2003 Making Connections forum. Contact the re:connections Secretariat on 02 9388 7872 or email reconnectionsforum@bigpond.com
Service Providers
Multicultural Caring Conference 2006
22 May 2006
This Multicultural Caring Conference aims to facilitate communication and understanding of the issues facing carers from a non-English speaking background and service providers. The Conference also aims to provide an opportunity for carers and service providers to learn from each other and to take this learning and transform how caring services are given and received. The day will begin with presentations from carers and from service providers, both sharing experiences and exploring opportunities for good practice.
The conference will be held on 22 May 2006 from 9.30am to 3.00 pm at the Northcott Centre, North Parramatta. The three concurrent afternoon workshops will focus on:
- How to promote your service to carers from a NESB Michael Camit, Marketing Communication Coordinator for the NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service>
- Avoiding the pitfalls right from the start: getting cross cultural communication right Barbel Winter, Executive Officer with MDAA.
- What are the numbers? Where do people come from and how can I reach them? Maria Katrivesis, Consultant, Trainer and long term advocate for people from a NESB.
For further information call Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW on 02 9891 6400 or E-mail: susan.cooper@mdaa.org.au or visit the MDAA website.
Risk and Resilience: Hope for the Future
4-7 September 2006
The theme of the Australasian Society for the Study of Intellectual Disability (ASSID) conference is linked to the changes that have occurred over the last twenty years in the lives of people with disabilities, their families, service providers and professionals. The conference will be held from 4 to 7 September 2006 at the National Convention Centre, Canberra.
Proposals for papers, posters, symposia should be submitted by 30 May 2006 and be submitted by e-mail to assid_41st@confco.com.au, following the guidelines (which are available on the ASSID website. Intending presenters will be notified by 30 July 2006 on whether their paper has been accepted.
For further information and the guidelines visit http://www.assid.org.au/
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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.
