The Scene

Issue 9, 14 May 2007

Back to The Spastic Centre

Feature

Speaking for Ourselves
Speaking for Ourselves was a remarkable two year oral history project which recorded the experiences of people with cerebral palsy in the UK. This pioneering project allowed people with disabilities to have their say about the social history of Britain and their part in the rapid changes that have taken place over the last 50 years. The interviews are now available as monthly podcasts. The Speaking for Ourselves project also developed a schools citizenship teaching pack and DVD. The project is supported by the UK Heritage Lottery Fund.

Find more information about Speaking for Ourselves at www.speakingforourselves.org.uk

Parents

Australian Schools Directory
A new website is available to help parents search for schools across Australia. You can search all primary, secondary, government and private schools by location, name, curriculum, religion, alternative education and special needs. The special needs category includes autism, distance education, emotional/behavioural, hearing impaired, high needs, speech/language, English language. The special needs category does not yet include general schools that have some special needs facilities, but this information will be added in time.

Find the site at www.australianschoolsdirectory.com.au

Sibling Support Project
The sibling relationship is the most significant and the longest-lasting bond most of us will ever have. Sibling relationships can be uniquely special when one sibling has a disability or chronic health condition.

To celebrate this relationship, the US-based Sibling Support Project has created special web pages featuring the stories of 20 sets of siblings of all ages and backgrounds.

You can view these at www.siblingsupport.org/about/connect/national-siblings-day-celebration

Out & About

New Liberty Swing at Seaforth
A new Liberty swing has been installed in the Baranbali Playground, cnr Fromelles Avenue and Baranbali Ave, Seaforth, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. The Liberty swing can be used by anyone in a wheelchair or who cannot use a standard swing and can be unlocked with a Master Lock Access Key (MLAK). The MLAK key is available for purchase for around $10 from any master locksmith upon presentation of proof of a mobility difficulty or an authority from a doctor, disability organisation or other health professional.

The Liberty swing is an Australian invention and to find out more go to www.libertyswing.com.au. For more information about the park and the swing, contact Manly Council’s Open Space Coordinator on 02 9976 1563.

[Depicted above is the Liberty swing in Ray Bastin Reserve, Naree Warren, Melbourne]

Winter 2007 Sailing Days with Sailability
Come sailing this Winter! People with any disability are invited to sail in specially constructed boats with volunteer crews at Manly Yacht Club, East Esplanade, Manly. These sailing days are run on Saturdays; 26 May, 23 June, 28 July and Wednesdays; 13 June and 11 July. Cost is $5 per sail or $25 per annum and the price includes a BBQ lunch and the use of life jackets.

Sailors arrive at 9.45 am and they need to bring a hat that stays on, good sunscreen and water to drink. The day finishes by 2pm. If you would like to join, please call Elli on 02 9976 2747 at least 24 hours ahead of the day you would like to go sailing.

Arts

32 Life Pieces – ‘Tell Us About Yourself, Tell Us About Your Life’
The Offices of the Public Guardian and Protective Commissioner are celebrating the artistic achievements of more than 40 people with disabilities with an exhibition in The Fountain Court, State Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney.

The theme is 'Tell us about yourself, tell us about your life’ and most artworks will be for sale.

You can see the exhibition from 4-29 June - Weekdays 9am-5pm and for more information go to www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/opg or phone 02 9265 1443.

Safety

Tips to Feel Safer at Home
Warringah Council are running two workshops on how you can feel safer at home. Officers from Dee Why police station will be talking about securing your home and a Bunnings Warehouse expert will demonstrate affordable locks, lights and other security devices. Refreshments are available and all questions will be answered.

There are two sessions the first on Wednesday 16 May from 10.45 am – 12.30 pm at the Forestville Senior Citizens Centre, cnr Starkey Street & Warringah Road, Forestville and the second on Monday 18 June from 9.30 am – 11.30 am in the Warringah Mall community room - above the library and Hoyts.

For more information or to book a place call Warringah Council on 02 9942 2686. Transport is available if you have mobility or vision problems.

Special Offer for Over 55s - Warringah Council will conduct a free security check of your home, and provide you with reduced cost supplies and installation. To book this service call Warringah Council on 02 9942 2686.

Money

Fee Free and Low Cost Banking
Did you know that almost 55% of Australians are eligible for free or low cost bank accounts? The Australian Banking Association has released a factsheet, which provides an overview of the basic bank accounts that are available to the community. These low cost bank accounts do not attract bank-keeping fees and can have no transaction fees. They are available to those with concession, pensioner, student and health care cards or even farmers and those looking to buy a home.

Have a look at the factsheet in full on the Working Carer's website If you think you may be eligible go and visit your local bank!

MoneyMinded
MoneyMinded is an online financial education program that helps you to make informed decisions about the use and management of your money. MoneyMinded covers planning and saving, everyday finances, loans and credit, super future and investment basics. The site also includes money tools, a section with a pre-drawn up budget sheet and a calculator to work out where you are leaking money. In addition, there are feature articles that discuss topics such superannuation, protecting yourself from scams, back to school and looking after your credit card.

To find out more and to access any of this information go to www.moneyminded.com.au

Centrelink Guide to Payments and Services 2006-2007
Centrelink has developed a book ‘A Guide to Payments and Services’ with information on the payments and services it is providing in 2006/2007.

You can download the entire book or individual chapters in Adobe Acrobat Format (PDF) and Rich Text Format (RTF) from the Centrelink website.

Employment

Information for Disability Support Pensioners Wanting to Find Work
Centrelink has developed factsheets giving information for disability support pensioners who would like to find work. Available in nineteen different languages, they describe the process in two steps.

1. www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/multifilestores/mcid012_0702
2. www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/multifilestores/mcid013_0702

Technology

Cheap Computers for Sale
Low cost reconditioned computers are available now from Sunnyfield on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. All computer units are cleaned, had all data erased from hard drive and been checked that all hardware components work well. Each computer comes standard with colour monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer connections and is capable of broadband internet connection. Windows 98 and Internet Explorer (v6) are installed. There is no warranty for hardware or software but Sunnyfield will gladly exchange in 30 days if hardware / software problems occur.

Starting at $50 for Pentium II or Celeron (64MB, 2 GB) to $120 for Pentium III (128 MB, 20GB), the computers are to be collected from Sunnyfield Business Services at 185 Allambie Road, Allambie Heights. A copy of Linux or Windows 2000 operating system can be installed for an extra $10 each.

For more information or to place an order phone Tony Pyonter on 02 8977 8817 or email him at t.poynter@sunnyfield.com.au

Boardmaker Version 6.0
The Boardmaker software is a powerful communication and learning tool containing over 4,500 Picture Communication Symbols (PCS), including Australian symbols. Easy to use, Boardmaker for Windows has just been updated to Version 6, giving far greater flexibility in your board, schedule or template designs and now comes with access to some great new features - you can even ‘Write With PCS’ in your Boardmaker document.

Upgrades and special bundles are available as well. Pricing starts at $499.
See www.technability.com.au for further information.

Travel

Accessible Tourism Accommodation Research Survey
Dr Simon Darcy from the University of Technology Sydney is carrying out a study on the accessible tourism accommodation requirements and preferred information formats for people with mobility disabilities. Previous research has shown that people with disabilities experience a series of setbacks when trying to locate and gain accurate information about accessible accommodation.

Dr Darcy’s research aims to identify the room requirements and preferred information format for presenting accessible accommodation so that a person is able to make an informed decision for their needs. His questionnaire is designed for people with mobility disabilities to answer. However, he would welcome carers/attendants, family or friends completing the survey based on the needs of those who require accessible accommodation. (For example, if you are a parent of a child with a disability you should answer the questionnaire based on the access needs of your child.) Participation in this study is highly valued whether you travel frequently or not.

Click here to go to the Accessible Tourism questionnaire. It will take about 15 minutes to complete. If you would like an alternative format or to answer the questions over the phone contact Dr Simon Darcy on 02 9514 5100 or email simon.darcy@uts.org.au

Service Providers

Australian Disability and Development Consortium
The Australian Disability and Development Consortium (ADDC) was formally launched at Parliament House on Monday, 26 February 2007. ADDC is a national network focusing attention, expertise and action on disability issues in developing countries;
building a national platform for disability advocacy. It aims to promote the rights and inclusion of people with disability in development activities, advocating that disability be fully integrated into all Australian development programs and policies.

ADDC membership is open to individuals and agencies working on disability issues in developing countries.

More information about ADDC can be found on the ADDC website.

NSW DADHC Epilepsy Policy
NSW Department of Ageing Disabilty and Home Care (DADHC) has released ‘Epilepsy Policy and Procedures 2006.’ This document sets out policy regarding the support of clients with epilepsy and applies to DADHC operated and funded accommodation support and respite services.

The main changes to policy include:
- DADHC funded services have a responsibility to support clients with epilepsy. This includes developing an Epilepsy management plan for each client with epilepsy.
- There is no longer a requirement for clients with epilepsy to be subject to a minimum of hourly checking at night. However, staff will be required to monitor clients if a medical practitioner recommends this in writing.
- Clients with epilepsy with ongoing seizures are at particular risk to their safety if seizures occur when they are bathing, showering or swimming because they may drown if their faces become submerged during a seizure. They must therefore be supervised at all times when undertaking water-based activities.
- Clients with epilepsy who do not experience ongoing seizures do not have to be supervised when undertaking water-based activities, unless a medical practitioner states in writing that this is required.

To read the policies in full go to www.dadhc.nsw.gov.au/dadhc/Publications+and+policies (scroll down about half a page).

Breakaway
Breakaway is a non-profit, self-funding, registered charity that runs respite camps for people with disabilities and their families. It is located in San Remo on the central coast an hours drive form Hornsby, right on Budgewoi Lake. The complex is wholly wheelchair accessible with fully equipped lodges and cabins to stay in with a large dining hall, tennis court, mini golf, pool tables, adventure trail, playground, BBQs and gardens. Catering is available and the site is fully fenced in with lockable gates.

Cabins start at $52.80 per/day, lodges from $200 per day. For more information call on 02 4390 7624 or visit their website www.breakaway.org.au

Conferences... Workshops... Seminars

The Australian Association of Developmental Disability Medicine Conference
A conference for everyone who has an interest in the health of people with developmental disability, health research, practice and ethics. The theme is ‘Sex, Drugs and Rock n Roll’. It is being held at the Adelaide Holiday Inn from 12–14 September 2007 and key speakers include Professor Michael Kerr, Dr Rosie King and Professor Christopher J Mathias. A two-day scientific program, pre-conference welcome reception and conference dinner will be held in association with opportunities for all delegates to enjoy post conference tours to some of South Australia's major attractions.

Registrations are now open and early bird prices close on 16 July 2007. Abstracts are due in by 31 May 2007. For further information go to www.plevin.com.au/aaddm2007

ACE Annual Disability Employment Network Conference (ACE) 2007
‘Raising the Bar’ is the theme for this years Association of Competitive Employment (ACE) conference. It is being held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Melbourne from 6-8 June and the draft program includes speakers such as the Hon Dr. Sharman Stone, Federal Minister for Workforce Participation, Senator Penny Wong, Shadow Minister for Workforce Participation and Susan Scott-Parker – Chief Executive, Employers' Forum on Disability, UK.

For more information and to register online go to www.acenational.org.au or call 03 8676 0353.

Kaleidoscope - Exploring Cross Cultural Stories and Experiences of Raising Young Children in Australia
This one-day workshop is for everyone, including community and health workersand children's service workers. Kaleidoscope will explore issues such as cultural identity of children, diverse childrearing practices, and bilingualism.

It will be held at the Petersham Town Hall on 6 June from 8.30 am – 3.30 pm. The cost is $20 per person and this includes a light lunch. For more information view their brochure or call Maria Lemos on 02 9558 0999. Please RSVP by 30 May.

Classifieds

Macbook For Sale
The Macbook is only 5 months old and in very good condition. It has a 13’ white screen, core duo 2Ghz, 2GB Ram, 120HDD, OS X10.4 Tiger and ilife 06. All for $1200.

If you are interested please call Jeffrey Taylor on 0403 133 734.

Mulholland Wheelchair For Sale
Toddler 3, fully adjustable Mulholland wheelchair – royal blue and teal trim.

Refurbished with new rear tyres; rain/sun hood; tray; travelbag; instruction manual and allen keys.

Located in Pymble, cost new $10,000, asking $2,000 ono.

If interested please call Celia Lillywhite on 02 9449 2881.

Small Cricket Walker For Sale
The walker is in very good condition, yellow in colour and suitable for a child aged 18 months to four years old.

It is currently in Newcastle but can brought closer, especially if you would like to trial the walker before you buy it. It is selling for $300.

If you are interested please contact Karen Temme at The Stuart Centre on 02 4946 9199 or email on Karen.Temme@tscnsw.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.