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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Arts Activated Conference
26-27 September 2007, Conservatorium of Music, Sydney
The Spastic Centre is a proud supporter of the first Arts Activated Conference. The conference, hosted by Accessible Arts, will be a celebration for all those passionate about people with disabilities and their active inclusion and participation in the arts.
Individuals and organisations are invited to submit a proposal for presentation or workshop at the conference. Proposals can discuss a broad range of topics and non-traditional formats are particularly encouraged, e.g. performances along with research based papers, or presentations highlighting any art form. Contributions from the arts, disability and the museums and galleries sectors are also encouraged.
Due date for proposals is Thursday 5 April 2007. More information and call for papers on Arts Activated.
How to Help
There are many ways that you, your family and friends can support The Spastic Centre. Here are two…
Don’t Dump It – Donate It!
Support people with cerebral palsy, and the environment, by donating your old mobile phone or your company’s unwanted mobile phones.
Each one received will raise funds for The Spastic Centre.
How to donate:
1. Register, by calling 1800 004 364 or fill in the online form www.thespasticcentre.org.au/recyclingmobilephone/
2. We will send you a free-post satchel or collection box
3. Post the satchel with the mobile phone inside or call for a courier pickup
when your collection box is full.
Trek and Bike Asia 2007
Have you or your friends ever wanted to trek the Great Wall of China? Or cycle from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to the mystical and ancient Angkor Wat in Cambodia? The Spastic Centre and Aspect have combined to offer you the opportunity to do just this, whilst raising funds for both organisations.
If you choose to trek or bike, you pay a registration fee that secures your place on the trip. Then you raise a minimum amount of money that pays for your trip as well as giving a donation to the two organisations.
Both trips are run by Inspired Adventures and you can contact Jamie Ling for an information pack on 02 9907 7088 or take a look at their website www.inspiredadventures.com.au/trekbike07/
Theatre
A Day in the Death of Joe Egg
Darlinghurst Theatre Company is excited to present a new production of Peter Nichols' groundbreaking play, A Day in the Death of Joe Egg. Produced by Whoosh Productions (The Memory Of Water) and directed by Kim Hardwick (Dinner With Friends), A Day in the Death of Joe Egg is a heartfelt, challenging look at the way parents, family and friends can be affected by a child's disability. Skilfully walking a tightrope between humour and heartbreak, the play's engaging wit, sense of social satire and great theatricality make it a 'must-see'.
The production runs from Thursday 1 March to Saturday 24 March 2007, Tuesday to Saturday 8pm and Sunday 5pm. Tickets are normally $30 Adult, $25 concession and $20 subscribers – but for The Spastic Centre’s clients, families and friends, Adults can receive a special price of $20 to Tuesday night performances and $25 to all other performances (excluding Opening Night). Please mention The Spastic Centre when you book.
For more information call 02 8356 9987 or visit their website www.darlinghursttheatre.com.
Sport
Northcott Disability Services Interschool Swimming Carnival
Each year, Northcott organises Interschool Sport Carnivals for school aged children with a physical disability. Sports include swimming, wheelchair football, athletics and wheelchair soccer. Northcott Carnivals are held once a school term and provide children the opportunity to compete against other children with similar abilities to their own.
Entries for the Northcott Disability Services Interschool Swimming carnivals are now being sought for school aged children with a physical disability across Sydney. The Interschool Swimming Carnival will be held at Ryde Aquatic Centre, with the Junior Carnival (Years K-6) on Friday 16 March 2007 and the Senior Carnival (Years 7-12) on Friday 23 March 2007.
To register, call Claire or Melissa on 02 9890 0100 or email recreation@northcott.com.au
NSW Sport and Recreation Disability Education Program
The Disability Education Program (DEP) assists sports clubs and schools to better include people with a disability in sport and physical activity. As less than a third of the 20% of Australians who have a disability participate in sport, community education is the key to increase participation.
The DEP consists of seven core modules that cover disability awareness, how to attract members with a disability to your club, dealing with discrimination, myths related to disability and sport, and how to use assistive equipment. Resource material and details of an extensive support network are also included.
For more information, visit www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/training/dep_courses.asp
Aids and Equipment
Macarthur Aids and Equipment Expo
A free Aids and Equipment Expo will be held on Tuesday 6 March at the Campbelltown Catholic Club, 20-22 Camden Road, Campbelltown, from 10am to 2pm. It will feature suppliers such as Technical Aids for the Disabled – TAD, Cello Paper – Continence aids, Independent Solutions - a division of Paraquad, TamTec Solutions – pens and writing aids, Help My Self - Equipment and Aids, Deafness Resources Australia – communication equipment. The day will also highlight the activities of a number of local and regional services that assist people to become more independent or cared for within their own home.
For more information contact Bob at Families in Partnership Co-operative on 4648 1593 or 0400 481 520.
Health
Oral Motor Clinic at Westmead – Information Session
A new Oral Motor Function Clinic will be held once a week at the Westmead Centre for Oral Health at Westmead Hospital. It’s a multidisciplinary clinic that provides consultation for babies and children who have problems with saliva control and other problems using their oral or facial muscles. It is available to babies and children ages 0-10 years. Referrals will be received from parents and health professionals.
An information session about the clinic will be held for parents and health professionals onThursday 29 March 2007 from 9.30am – 11.30am at Westmead Hospital Education Block, Theatre 2, Darcy Rd, Westmead. Please RSVP by 15th March 2007 to Ellie Hoppe on 9845 7423 or email elisabeth_hoppe@wsahs.nsw.gov.au. For further information please contact Emma Jay on 9845 7423 (numbers limited to 100 people).
Technology
Low Cost Computer Packages 
Wesley E-Recycling specialises in refurbishing computers for individuals, families and community organisations in need. They have a range of low cost computer packages starting from $50 that include monitor, new keyboard and mouse, speakers, modem, CD ROM, power cables and a three month back-to-base warranty. Healthcare cardholders and non-profit organisations receive Microsoft Windows 2000 software free of charge.
Contact them on 02 9572 3200 or visit their website www.wesleycomputers.org for package details and pricing.
Google Apps
Google has launched a new suite of communication and collaboration programs that are available free of charge to individuals, families and not for profit organisations. Google Apps Premier Edition incorporates programs for email, spreadsheets, instant messaging, calendar, internet telephony and web page creation.
In contrast to the Microsoft model that requires companies to buy software, install it on machines and maintain it, Google will tend to the programs on its servers and customers will access them via the internet. Businesses will be able to use it for $US50 per user. Find out more at www.google.com/a/
Advocacy
DASH + ANW = DA
Disability Advocacy Service Hunter (DASH) at Newcastle and Advocacy Northwest (ANW) at Tamworth have merged to become Disability Advocacy NSW Inc. (DA).
The service operates in the Hunter, New England and Mid-North Coast regions of NSW with some limitations based on funding. DA advocates with and for people with a disability to ensure that they have the same rights as other citizens.
For more information, brochures and referral forms visit www.da.org.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.
