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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Siblings Fun Day at Prairiewood
Do you like to have fun? Do you enjoy ten-pin bowling? Are you between the ages of 8 and 12? Do you have a brother or sister with a disability? Would you like to meet other kids who also have a brother or sister with a disability?
If you answered yes, then come along to The Spastic Centre Marconi Centre, 224-244 Restwell Road, Prairiewood, Wednesday 10 October 2007 from 10am – 3.30pm. It will only cost $10 and if you would like to attend, please RSVP to Sue Slater-Liehr on 02 9757 4322.
Out & About / Holidays
Ignation Children’s Holiday Camp
In December each year, St Ignatius College Riverview in Sydney holds an four-day holiday camp for children with physical and intellectual disabilities. The camp includes swimming, a ferry trip to a mystery destination, a fair day, outdoor activities and loads of games. The camp accommodates 30 children between the 
age of 5 and 15 and has full medical facilities with registered nurses on duty each shift and a doctor on call 24 hrs a day. Further companions are teaching staff and specially selected students from St Ignatius, Monte St Angelo or Loreto.
This year's camp will be held from 13–16 December. For more information, please contact Heather Cloudsdale or Tina Brayan on 0448 450 320.
Snappy Swim School
Snappy Swim School, in the Hills District of Sydney, is a special needs aquatic program for children of pre-school age and over who have a physical or intellectual disability. Carer/child group classes are also held for children from 6 months up to school age. The classes will provide the opportunity for children to learn water safety skills in a fun, stimulating environment with the security of their carer in the water with them. In this way they are able to enjoy the lesson with other children, whilst Snappy teaches the carer how to expand what they do in the class to assist with water confidence. At the same time they will both have the opportunity to make friends, and carers will be able to network with others sharing similar life experiences.
All of the teachers are Austswim qualified and have experience in teaching people with disabilities ranging from small children to adults. If you would like further information please see the Snappy website at www.snappyswimschool.com.au or phone on 02 9686 6899.
[Source: IDEAS]
Parents
Parenting and Child Health
Adelaide’s Children, Youth and Women’s Health Services website has an extensive range of information about parenting and children’s health. The website includes factsheets, health topics and links to resources and services. The Disabilities section is particularly good, covering a range of different conditions and topics such as coping with disability, your child’s needs, your own needs, relationships, coping with prejudice and many more.
Technology
Switch Latch and TImer
A Switch Latch and Timer is a simple way to add modes of control to any switch accessible toy or appliance. They can be used with any pre-adapted device or with a battery device adapter, which will allow you to switch adapt your own simple on/off toy. Three types of Switch Latch and Timers are available - Single, Choice and Dual.
This product is available from Technability, the commercial arm of The Spastic Centre’s technology service www.technability.com.au
Employment
VORN Disability Services
Vocational Options Resource Network (VORN) is a website designed to provide information about the employment and post school disability choices in the Illawarra region. On the site you can browse the list of services or use the search tool to look for a specific service or a particular type of service. If you are a service provider and wish to be listed on the directory, fill in the service directory form and send it to one of the contacts listed.
To visit the site, go to www.vorndisability.com.au
Complaints Resolution and Referral Service (CRRS) 
The CRRS is an independent service that helps you sort out complaints about your employment and advocacy services funded under the Commonwealth Disability Services Act, including Disability Employment Network (DEN) services (formerly open employment services), CRS Australia business services (supported employment services) as well as advocacy services.
For more information, visit the website www.crrs.org.au. For enquiries or to make a complaint, call 1800 880 052 or email crrs@pwd.org.au
Service Providers
Grants Opportunity for IDPWD 2007 Arts Events
Accessible Arts has announced the opportunity for organisations to apply for small grants to assist in their budgeting for International Day of People with Disability (IDPWD) 2007 arts events. These grants have been made possible with the support of the Department of Ageing, Disability and Homecare (DADHC).
Amounts of up to $500 will be available in three categories. Accessible Arts website.
Enhancing Adaptive Function of Children with CP
'Enhancing Fitness, Adaptive Motor Function, and Participation of Children with Cerebral Palsy Classified in Levels IV and V' is a new review released by CanChild. Children classified in levels IV and V on the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) need adult assistance for mobility and self-care most times throughout the day.
The importance of wellness, physical fitness, and prevention of secondary complications for children with mobility limitations are discussed. Websites of manufacturers cited in the report provide readers pictures of assistive technology and are not an endorsement of a particular manufacturer's product. The appendix lists websites that are recommended as a resource for further information. Find the review on the CanChild website.
Accommodation Planning
Commonwealth Consultation on Supported Accommodation for People with a Disability
The Australian Government is seeking input into the development of the Disability Supported Accommodation Program (DSAP), which is part of the recently announced Disability Assistance Package. People with a disability, their older carers, potential providers, all levels of government and interested community groups are welcome to participate in this consultation process and put their ideas forward to ensure that families have choice and are supported in their decision making processes. The discussion paper is available on the FACSIA website. (Department of Families, Communities and Indigenous Affairs).
How can you have your say?
Written submissions can be emailed to disabilityaccommodation@nationalmailing.com.au until 26 October 2007.
Conferences... Workshops... Seminars (Service Providers)
Every Child Matters
National Disability Services and Families Australia will be hosting the National Conference on Children and Young People with Disability and Their Families. The aim of this inaugural conference is to identify issues, share solutions and celebrate successes. Additionally, discussion will focus on enabling services to better respond to children’s and families’ needs by focusing on family wellbeing, all-inclusive communities, policy, practice and priorities, and the voice of children, young people and families.
The conference will be held at the Melbourne Park Function Centre, Melbourne Park on 14 -15 May 2008. Papers are due in by 26 October. For more information and to download the registration forms go to the Every Child Matters conference website.
Making Links Conference 2007
Making Links is a great conference for non government organisation interested in using technologies for the benefit of their clients and families. This year’s theme is ‘Emerging Technology – New Opportunities for the Community Sector’ and there is a strong focus on the opportunities presented by emerging technology, with a mix of case studies and practical sessions. Presenters will be from organisations as diverse as ANTAR, The Spastic Centre and Greenpeace and workshops on Photoshop and Dreamweaver will also be run.
The conference will be held at the NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre Sydney, 30–31 October 2007. Early Bird closes 24 September. For more information and to register online go to www.makinglinks.org.au
Classifieds
For Sale - Volkswagon Transporter
Volkswagon Transporter (LWB) with Hydraulic (side) lift. Year –1999. 90,000 kms, Auto. TRAKKA Conversion 6 Passenger seats plus Wheelchair (option for 2 Wheelchairs + 5 passengers).
Options for conversion to camper van. Air-conditioned, tinted windows, curtains, 6 Stack CD player. One owner, excellent condition.
$42,000 ono.
Please phone Kathryn 0423 696 696 or 02 4421 4625 after 6pm.
Nowra NSW.
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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.
