The Scene

Issue 12, 2 July 2007

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Feature

Chatter Camp
4-7 October 2007

ChatterCamp is a residential therapy camp run by The Spastic Centre that seeks to bring together children and young people who use a speech generating device (communication device), their families and support team. Families who attend the camp will participate in a research project to evaluate the outcomes of this intensive therapy program.

It will provide a range of activities designed to encourage full participation and optimal use of each child’s communication device. Training and development opportunities will be provided for family members, as well as the chance to develop links with other families to enhance natural support networks. Recreational activities will also be available for parents/carers and siblings at times during the camp to provide a break from structured activities.

The camp will be held from 4-7 October 2007 at Camp Breakaway, a 25 acre property at San Remo, on the northern end of the beautiful Central Coast. Applications will close on 20 July 2007. If you would like more information, contact Sarah Humes and Maria Hovius at cphelpline@tscnsw.org.au or phone 1300 30 29 20 or alternatively you can view the Chatter Camp flyer.

Parents

My Time
MyTime groups provide local support for mums, dads, grandparents and anyone caring for a young child under school age with a disability or chronic medical condition. MyTime gives parents the chance to socialise and share ideas with others who understand the rewards and intensity of the caring role. Parents can meet with people in similar circumstances to have fun, hear from others and find out about available community support. Research-based parenting information will also be available at group meetings. Each group has a play helper who can lead children in activities such as singing, drawing, playing with toys, blocks or sand so parents can spend time focusing on catching up with others.

New groups will be starting soon at Punchbowl, Belmore, Lilyfield and Marrickville. To learn more about MyTime visit their website www.mytime.net.au.

Arts

Little Carnivale ARTES!
Studio ARTES Northside is an independent, not for profit, community organisation that provides training and artistic programs to increase the independence, employability and community involvement of its members. From Friday 6 July to Sunday 8 July Studio ARTES is having a carnivale! Performances from members, all with disabilities, will start on the Friday night and artworks will be on sale all weekend. Workshops in music, dancing and art will be run by members and will be open to all for a small charge of $5 or $10.

Studio ARTES is located at Unit 3, 67-71 Jersey Street, Hornsby 2077 and for more information call the co-ordinator Gabrielle Mordy on 9482 5266 or email gabriellemordy@hotmail.com or visit their website www.studioartes.com.au.

[ Source: Warringah Disability Information Service]\

Clubland
The new Australian movie, Clubland, tells the story of Jeannie Dwight (played by Oscar-nominated Brenda Blethyn) trying to make a comeback on the club comedy circuit and ex-husband John (Frankie J Holden) staging a comeback of his own on the country music charts after 30 years. With parents like these, life is slightly dysfunctional for Jean’s sons, 21-year-old Tim (Khan Chittenden) and David (Richard Wilson) who has cerebral palsy, life is not always easy.

Clubland is a funny and touching story that that will make you laugh and cry. Opening June 28th at Dendy Cinemas. www.dendy.com.au.

Technology

Web 2.0 for People with a Disability and Service Providers
Recently, Robyn Cummins, Manager of Information Services at The Spastic Centre, presented a paper at the CP Australia Conference on the rapid rise of Web 2.0 and how it can be utilised by not-for-profit organisations, especially disability services and their clients.

She also lists some ways for an organisation's clients to use these new web tools to be heard or access support, including digital storytelling, wikis, online groups and blogs. Web 2.0 could also allow disability services to increase their efficiency, thanks to discussion forums, RSS feeds and virtual worlds. As well as listing the benefits, Robyn Cummins outlines some of the risks, including a lack of online savvy, the rapid pace of technological change, mass amateurisation and increasing accessibility challenges.

Find the presentation and a glossary of new Web 2.0 terms at www.cpaustralia.com.au/web2.0/index.html

Virtual Reality
Second Life and other virtual reality experiences are rapidly gaining the attention of people with a disability as a genuine leisure activity. The upcoming issue of The Spastic Centre’s
'I Am' magazine features an item on Second Life by journalist Jenny Kapp, who has created an alter-ego Avatar called Leilia (at left).

The phenomenon has not escaped the attention of researchers, with an article this week in the journal Research in Developmental Disabilities. The research concludes that, ‘VR appears to provide varied and motivating opportunities for use among young adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. Its ease of use and adaptability make it a feasible option for this population’. In this instance, researchers were using specially created virtual games. However, as with all web-based activities, parents need to supervise children under 18 if they are engaging in social sites like Second Life.

Find out more…
- Ouch Web 2.0 Blog – Second Hand Look at Second Life
- Disability Now Magazine - Virtually the Same
- Jenny Kapp’s Blog - HandyKapp … and the very new blog of her Avatar, Leillia, Secs and the Cyty

Say-it! SAM SM1
Say-it! SAM SM1 is a new tablet-based touch screen Speech Generating Device that delivers loud and clear speech output in using sleek and powerful communication software. Create your own ‘page-based’ communication system or use and edit the pre-design communication set that comes packaged with Say-it! SAM SM1. Preset messages and an intelligent word prediction engine makes the SM1 a complete augmentative communication system.

Find out more on the Technability website.

Awards and Funding

National Disability Awards
Nominations for the inaugural National Disability Awards are now open. The awards coincide with the International Day of People with Disability in December and will recognise and celebrate outstanding contributions and achievements made by people with a disability to the community and by individuals to the disability sector.

There are five categories:
- Community Contribution Award: A person with a disability who has made a significant contribution to the community.
- Young Community Contribution Award: For a 12 to 25-year-old with a disability who has made a significant contribution to the community.
- Inclusion Award: A person who has significantly contributed to improving the lives of people with disability.
- Go Getter Award: A 12 to 25-year-old who has significantly contributed to improving the lives of people with disability.
- Personal Achievement Award: A person with a disability or the carer of a person with a disability who has overcome adversity to achieve personal goals.

Everyone is encouraged to nominate someone with a disability or who cares for someone with disability who has overcome adversity to achieve personal goals. Other nominations could include someone with disability who has made a significant contribution to their community; as well as people who have improved the lives of people with disability.

Nominations are due Friday 20 July 2007. To find out more information and download the nomination forms go to www.idpwd.com.au/awards.asp

New Services and Financial Assistance

Disability Assistance Package
On 28 June 2007, the federal government announced a $1.8 billion package of assistance for people with disabilities, their families and carers.

Key elements of the package for families and carers include funding for:
- 1,750 new supported accommodation places
- 800 new respite places to be available by 2012
- $1,000 grant to families with children with disability under 16 years.

Key elements of the employment services package include funding for:
- An extra 500 supported employment places in business services (250 for existing providers and 250 for new providers)
- Continuation of the targeted support program
- Temporary emergency assistance for business service viability
- An increase in the case based funding price.

A Disability Assistance Inquiry Line has been set to help answer any questions you may have. The contact number is 1800 101 888. The line is open between 8am – 9pm weekdays and 9am – 5pm on weekends. Further information can also be found on the FaCSIA website.

Conferences... Workshops... Seminars (Families and Carers)

Training, Information and Stress Management Course for Carers
If you are looking after someone who is frail aged, or has a disability or chronic illness that requires someone to help with their daily living, the Carers Network, Northern Beaches Community Services Ltd, is running a course which may be helpful. The course explores the emotional and physical demands of caring, available assistance, how to share experiences, looking after yourself, the benefits of stress management and relaxation methods including tai chi and yoga.

The course runs for eight weeks, every Wednesday morning from 8 August at 32A Howard Avenue, Dee Why and costs only $20 all up. For more information phone Denise Taylor on 02 9931 7750/1.

Conferences... Workshops... Seminars (Service Providers)

'Theratogs', 'Second Skin' and Dynamic Taping
The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is running an evening lecture to learn about 'Theratogs', 'Second Skin' and Dynamic Taping. Also discussed will be their uses for children with movement disorders e.g. cerebral palsy, hypotonia etc., and a comparison of clinical experiences. Speakers include Kathy Gardiner, Debbie Evans and Bronwyn Thomas.

The lecture is on Wednesday 8 August 2007 from 7pm – 9pm at the APA NSW Branch Office, Unit 5 – 77 Parramatta Road, Silverwater. Payments on the door: APA Members $10 and for Paediatric/Rural Members it is free. It is Essential to RSVP to Donna Borg by emailing nsw.pd@physiotherapy.asn.au

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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.