Hunter Disability eNews
16 February 2004
Phone: 02 4927 0111 e-mail: infoline@dash.org.au web: www.dash.org.au
Welcome to the DASH Disability Infoline eNews. We aim to distribute the latest news relevant to the Hunter disability sector. To be added to or removed from our e-mailing list, simply send your name and e-mail address and request to infoline@dash.org.au . For contributions to eNews, e-mail any information to infoline@dash.org.au
What’s in this edition:
HUNTER HAPPENINGS:
* PROGRAM ASSISTANT VACANCY AT DASH ADVOCACY PARTNERS PROGRAM
* "HANDS ON TECHNOLOGY" DAY
* LINKS IN THE HUNTER - MORNING TEA
* "BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES" CONFERENCE
* MAITLAND ART GALLERY COMMUNITY GARDEN
* THE SPECIFIC LEARNING DIFFICULTIES CONFERENCE
* LAKE MACQUARIE BOWLERS
WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING:
* SEXUALITY AND DISABILITY WORKSHOP
* HUNTER INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH WORKSHOPS
RESEARCH:
* NSW COUNCIL FOR INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY - POSITION PAPERS
* CURRENT RESEARCH ON OBESITY
* CURRENT RESEARCH ON COMMUNITY INTEGRATION
* JAMES FLETCHER LIBRARY
* MULTICULTURAL DISABILITY ADVOCACY ASSOCIATION (MDAA) STATISTICS FOR THE HUNTER VALLEY
* "OUT OF HOSPITAL, OUT OF MIND, MARK II" - SURVEY ON MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
POLICY DOCUMENTS:
* NUTRITION POLICY FOR DISABILITY SECTOR
* ACTIVE STRATEGY FOR ENGAGING DSP RECIPIENTS WITH JOB NETWORK
* PUBLIC CONSULTATION DOCUMENTS ON THE DRAFT DISABILITY STANDARDS FOR ACCESS TO PREMISES AND A REVISED BUILDING CODE OF AUSTRALIA (BCA)
* AUSTRALASIAN NETWORK OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
* INCREASED TV CAPTIONING
CLASSIFIEDS:
* TALKING PICTURES
* ACCESS NOOSA
* NORTHERN TERRITORY DRIVING HOLIDAY
* CRI DU CHAT SUPPORT GROUP OF AUSTRALIA INC.
* TRY THE NEW 2003/04 HUNTER DISABILITY DIRECTORY
* BULK E-MAIL YOUR MESSAGE TO THE HUNTER DISABILITY COMMUNITY
HUNTER HAPPENINGS:
PROGRAM ASSISTANT JOB VACANCY AT DASH ADVOCACY PARTNERS PROGRAM
The Advocacy Partners Program recruits, trains and supports volunteer advocates for people with an intellectual disability in the Hunter region. We are seeking a Program Assistant to support the Coordinator in the operation of the Program. The position is a combination of clerical support and assisting the Coordinator to support Volunteer Advocates and clients (“Partners”).The position is for 15 hours per week over 3 days (Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday). The rate of pay is $12.38 per hour (SACS Award Community Service Worker Grade 1). For full details contact Mark Grierson (4927 0111 or mark.grierson@dash.org.au). Applications close Monday 1 March 2004 5pm.
"HANDS ON TECHNOLOGY" DAY
Quantum Technology will be holding a free "hands on" information session on Monday 16th February from 9.30 - 7pm at Newcastle Panthers, Cnr King & Union St,Newcastle West, to advertise their latest equipment for people with vision impairment. They will display: electronic print magnifiers, including portable magnifiers; the PAC Mate; computer screen reading software JAWS and Connect Outloud; and WYNN software for students with learning disabilities.Representatives from the Royal Blind Society and CRS Newcastle will also be there to answer any questions and complimentary tea and coffee will be served. Specific times have been organised for displays of equipment: 9.30-10.30 - Low vision technology; 11.15-12.15 - Blindness technology; 12.45-1.45 - Royal Blind Society technology and training services; 2.30-3.30 - WYNN Learning Disability
software and 5-6.30 - Blindness and low vision technology. To RSVP or for
further information call Quantum Technology on Tel: (02) 8844 9888.
LINKS IN THE HUNTER - MORNING TEA FOR PARENTS OR CARERS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
The Links in the Hunter program is holding an informal morning tea and general discussion on how parents can link together, share information and support each other on an ongoing basis. The program is co-ordinated by The Spastic Centre and funded by the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services. It covers all disability types and age ranges. Everyone is welcome and all input is valued. The morning tea will be held on Monday 23rd February from 10am - 12.00 noon at Singleton Returned Servicemen's Club, Cnr Castlereagh and Church St. For all inquiries contact Dianne Evans on Tel: (02) 6573 1949. To RSVP contact the
Spastic Centre Singleton on Tel: (02) 6572 3812 by Monday 16th February. If unattended, please leave message on answering machine. If childcare required, please leave details of number and ages of children.
"BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES" CONFERENCE
The Australian Association of Gerontology conference "Ageing in rural areas, the future and the imagination" will be held 11th-12th March at Kurri Kurri. For more information contact: AAG Conference Registration Co-ordinators, East Coast Conferences, PO Box 848, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 or Tel: (02) 6650 9800 or Fax: (02) 6650 9700 or Email: info@eastcoastconferences.com.au SOURCE: IDEAS Inc E-News Issue 1, 2004
MAITLAND ART GALLERY COMMUNITY GARDEN
Maitland City Council is developing an accessible Community Garden in conjunction with the new Maitland Art Gallery. Changeworks Pty Ltd (Dr Peter Melser), in association with Dr Susan Thompson and Linda Corkery, from the Faculty of the Built Environment, University of NSW are organising the initial community consultation. The plan is for the garden to be designed, cared for and used by the entire community. To this end, there will be a Community Garden Celebration Day on Saturday 13th March, 11am - 3pm at the Garden site, behind the new Art Gallery on High St. The Celebration Day will be a fun day of informal discussion and sharing, giving everyone an opportunity to put forward their ideas for the Garden. A BBQ lunch will be provided and there will be a free native plant to take home. There will be displays showing a range of gardening concepts, as well as native plants to see, smell and feel. Ideas suggested for the garden include: linking the Garden to the existing Art Gallery, making it a site for community art, sculpture and outdoor exhibits; an outdoor cafe; including food plants eaten by the original Aboriginal inhabitants of Maitland and subsequent migrant groups. Contact Dr Peter Melser, Changeworks Pty Ltd, 107a Young St, Cremorne NSW 2090 or Tel: (02) 9953 1346 or Mobile: 0409 134 600 or email: pmelser@bigpond.net.au.
THE SPECIFIC LEARNING DIFFICULTIES CONFERENCE
SPELD NSW and the Special Education Centre, University of Newcastle present "The Specific Learning Difficulities Conference" on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th March at the University of Newcastle, Hunter Building, Eastern Entrance. Keynote speakers will be: David Pescud - Cofounder of Sailors with disAbilities and author of "Life without limits"; Prof. Max Coltheart - Scientific Director, Macquarie Centre for Cognitive Science and Deborah Knight - Director, Dalwood Assessment Centre. Topics will include: understanding the dyslexias; management of children with reading and spelling difficulties; best practice in numeracy and auditory processing difficulties. An accompanying Trade Expo will include such companies as: ACER Press; Australian Curriculum Software; Ants in the Apple; Jigsaw; SAMONAS Sound Therapy and Smart Kids Spectronics. There is a major prize: the Kurzwell 3000 Colour Scan/Read computer program valued at $2500. For further information, ring SPELD NSW on (02) 9144 7977 or email: speldnsw@bigpond.com or visit their web-site: www.speldnsw.org.au
LAKE MACQUARIE DISABLED BOWLERS
Lake Macquarie Disabled Bowlers will be holding their inaugural open tournament for disabled and non-disabled bowlers. The tournament is open to people with all disabilities. It will be held on Sunday 30th May at Rathmines Bowling Club, Stilling St. Rathmines. There will be single entry, two game pairs - triples and a 10 ends open draw - with prizes for winning teams. Play starts at 10am. Cost is $5.00 per player and there will be a sausage sizzle. Everyone is welcome to come along and have a wonderful time. All money raised on the day will be donated to Lake Macquarie Disabled Bowlers. For more information contact Angelo Iacona on Tel: (02) 4973 4542 or Mobile: 0402 223 659.
WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING:
SEXUALITY AND DISABILITY: A WORKSHOP FOR RESIDENTIAL CARERS, CASE MANAGERS AND TEACHERS
Due to continuing interest, this 2-day workshop will be held again in Newcastle on Thursday 29th and Friday 30th April from 8.30 - 4.30pm, facilitated by Ms Reet Kabi (ABN 99 307 975 451) DipTeach, BA, MpsychEd, MAPS. It is designed to review sexuality and relationships from 'first principles' with a view to enhancing the capacity, enjoyment and quality of life for people living with a disability (developmental or acquired, single or dual/triple diagnoses). It is a 'firstline' level workshop suitable for professionals who are new to the field or for those who want to revisit the issues and to share ideas and strategies with others in the field. Topics covered include: sexual identity development and awareness; sexuality through the life cycle and the effects of intervening events; sexual health issues including menstrual management, contraception, STD's & HIV/AIDS; policy and protocol and teaching and case management strategies. Cost is $160 (GST free) and includes tea, coffee (lunch is not included) and materials. Please note that numbers are limited to 20 and applications close 10 days before course commencement. Fees should accompany applications (unless otherwise arranged) and are non-refundable, unless there are exceptional circumstances. Please make cheques payable to: REET KABI. For further details contact: PO Box 62, Lambton NSW 2299 or Tel: (02) 4956 4233 or Fax: (02) 4956 4255 or Email: lifeworks@bravo.net.au
HUNTER INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH WORKSHOPS
The Hunter Institute of Mental Health (HIMH), based at the James Fletcher
Hospital, continue to present fee-paying workshops of interest. Their "26-week Counselling Skills" course begins Thursday 18th March from 10am to 12 noon or 6pm to 8pm. "Personal Construct Psychology" - a one-day workshop presented by Assoc. Professor Bill Warren is on Tuesday 17th February. "Clinical Counselling Supervision" - a one-day workshop presented by Dr Daphne Hewson is on Tuesday 24th February. "Schema Focused Cognitive Therapy for Personality Disorders" - a two-day workshop presented by Chris Lee is on Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd March. "Cognitive Therapy - Fundamental Principals & Techniques" - a two-day workshop presented by Greg Sorrell is on Thursday 11th and Friday 12th March. Please contact Liz Cook or Michelle Wallace for further information or copies of programs/applications: HIMH, PO Box 833, Newcastle NSW 2300 or Tel: (02) 4924 6721 or Fax: (02) 4924 6724
RESEARCH:
NSW COUNCIL FOR INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY - POSITION PAPERS - HEALTH AND PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY
Recent Australian research has highlighted a number of disturbing issues
relating to people with disabilities.
The life expectancy of a person with an intellectual disability is approximately twenty years lower than the general population. SOURCE: Bittles, A.H. Petterson, B.A. Sullivan, S.G. Hussain R.
Glasson, E.J. & Montgomery,P.D. (2002) The influence of intellectual disability on life expectancy. Journal of Gerontology Series A-Biological Sciences & Medical Sciences Vol 57:7, M470-M472.
Obesity for people with intellectual disabilities is up to three times the level in the general population. SOURCE: Stewart, L. Beange, H. & McKerras D. (1994) A survey of dietary problems of adults with learning disabilities in the community. Mental Handicap Research 7, 41-50.
42% of 211 people with disabilities who died in care were underweight and some died because critical illnesses were untreated. SOURCE: Community Services Commission (2001) Disability, death and the responsibility of care: a review of the characteristics and circumstances of 211 people with disabilities who died in care between 1991 and 1998 in NSW.
Dental disease was up to seven times more frequent than in the general
population. SOURCE: Scott, A. Marsh, L & Stokes, M.L. (1998) A survey of oral health in a population of adults with developmental disability: comparison with a national oral health survey of the general population ADJ 43, 257-261.
The NSW Council for Intellectual Disability has created a position paper in response to the research to discuss how the situation has arisen and suggest possible solutions. They discuss the problem of communication issues between professionals and patients; lack of an established speciality in Intellectual Disability medicine; the mistaken assumption that symptoms are related to disability; and that health professionals need to spend more time with people with disabilities, but the health system doesn't allow for this. They conclude that "there is a lack of appropriate strategies" to address the "poor health outcomes" of people with intellectual disabilities. (Australian Health Care Summit Communique (2003) The Old Parliament House Blueprint for Health Reform.) The Council has developed some strategies for action, for example: national acknowledgement of people with intellectual disabilities as a particularly disadvantaged group in the health system; the Medicare Benefits Schedule acknowledging the extra time a doctor needs to spend with a person who has an intellectual disability, including provision for annual comprehensive health assessment; and extension of Medicare to therapy services such as speech therapy and dieticians. Copies of the position paper - detailing the full text and references can be obtained from the NSWCID web-site: www.nswcid.org.au/systemic/position/health.html or contact: Level 1, 418a Elizabeth St Surry Hills NSW 2010 or Tel: (02) 9211 1611 or Fax: (02) 9211 2606 or Toll free: 1800 424 065.
CURRENT RESEARCH ON OBESITY
Another Australian study inspired by recent statistics detailing the severity of the problem of obesity in people with intellectual disability. It is based on the belief that to change behaviour, it is necessary to ascertain the level of knowledge and beliefs of people with intellectual disability about nutritional intake and levels of physical activity. The study discusses the usefulness of the scale in future research and details intervention programs.SOURCE: Illingworth, K., Moore, K. & McGillivray, J. (2003) The development of the Nutrition and Activity Knowledge Scale for use with people with an intellectual disability. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 16(2), 159-166.
CURRENT RESEARCH ON COMMUNITY INTEGRATION
This paper reviews the issue of integration as it applies to people with an intellectual disability. A compelling finding is the almost exclusive
orientation of the literature to physical integration within the general
community of non-disabled people. Moreover, it seems to be generally assumed that the more frequently people experience such integration the better their lives will be. The authors believe it is social, not physical integration, that has a reliable positive influence on well-being. This is an important conclusion, as some disabled people find effective social integration with the general community extremely difficult to achieve. In fact, an overly enthusiastic program of integration for such people has the potential to be stressful rather than beneficial. As integration is being pursued to benefit the individual, the essential goal of service provision should be to achieve a sense
of community connectedness, rather than being concerned with physical
integration within the general community.SOURCE: Cummins, R. & Lau, A. (2003) Community integration or community exposure? A review and discussion in relation to people with an intellectual disability. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 16(2), 145-157.
ACCESS to the text of the journals referenced above (and so much more) is
available through the James Fletcher Library (see below).
JAMES FLETCHER LIBRARY
The James Fletcher Library is a specialised professional mental health library. The collection is strong in all aspects of the care and rehabilitation of people with a mental illness and includes: books, journals, reports, videos, audio-cassettes, historical material and computer databases. The Library works in collaboration with the Gardiner Library Service (GLS) and the University of Newcastle libraries. It is located on the first floor of the Barracks building in the grounds of James Fletcher Hospital, Watt St, Newcastle. (Unfortunately disabled access is still pending.) Hours of operation are: Monday to Friday
9am-5pm - closed weekends and public holidays. Disruptions to staffing levels may effect these times, so please telephone to confirm. For information on membership, services and access for people with physical disabilities, please contact the library on Tel: (02) 4924 6790 or Fax: (02) 4924 6795. Email: jfhlibrary@hunter.health.nsw.gov.au or Website: www.himh.org.au - select "James Fletcher Library" - then scroll down to "click here for more information".
MULTICULTURAL DISABILITY ADVOCACY ASSOCIATION (MDAA) STATISTICS FOR THE HUNTER VALLEY
The MDAA has recently published the following statistics for the Hunter Valley:
Number of people = 566,617
Number of people with a disability = 109,357
Number of people from a non-English speaking background (NESB) with a disability = 7,175
Number of people who speak a language other than English at home with a
disability = 3,699
Top five languages spoken - Italian, Macedonian, Greek, German, Polish
For statistics on specific areas go to: www.mdaa.org.au/faqs/hd.html
"OUT OF HOSPITAL, OUT OF MIND, MARK II" - SURVEY ON MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
In November 2003, the Board of the Mental Health Council of Australia agreed to this study as part of the review 2003-2008. The survey can be accessed through: www.mhca.com.au/survey or under "Hot Topics" at the general MHCA website: www.mhca.com.au. They claim that it is very easy to complete on-line and only takes 15-20 minutes. The senior research officer Tracey Davenport is notified each time a survey is completed and the results are automatically transferred into a database. Information compiled from the surveys will be used in future negotiations with Governments for mental health reform, so the MHCA would like everyone to get involved. For further queries contact: Brain and Mind Research
Institute, Top Floor Broughton Hall, PO Box 1, Rozelle NSW 2039 or Tel: (02) 9556 9113 or Fax: (02) 9556 9171. SOURCE: Disability Newsletter No 71 - 14.01.04
POLICY DOCUMENTS:
NUTRITION POLICY FOR DISABILITY SECTOR
The Ensuring Good Nutrition policy and accompanying Nutrition Information Kit was launched in October by the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC). The policy was developed in collaboration with the Nutritional Health Expert Advisory Group (NHEAG). It is to be implemented across Government and non-government supported accommodation and centre-based respite care services, and sets out a good practice framework for delivering care to people with a disability. The information kit provides practical guidelines and tools to help services providers develop approaches to nutrition to ensure clients' needs are better met. It includes such resources as the Nutrition in Practice checklist and manual and the Food Services manual. The policy also includes an Annual
Nutritional Risk assessment, which will help to identify whether a client's nutritional needs are being adequately addressed and a referral framework to ensure clients access qualified health professional where required. For more information contact DADHC on Tel: (02) 6622 8233. SOURCE: Disability and Aged Information Services Inc. - The DAISI link, Summer 2003
ACTIVE STRATEGY FOR ENGAGING DSP RECIPIENTS WITH JOB NETWORK
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) is funding a pilot that will give eligible Disability Support Pension (DSP) recipients access to a range of employment services under Job Network. This pilot is voluntary and for those DSP recipients who can be assisted by Job Network (ie. those without ongoing support or rehabilitation needs) and not participating in other Commonwealth employment, education and training programs. It is expected to start in January 2004 and is expected to end in June 2004 with ongoing monitoring being conducted during and after the pilot is ended. For more information go to the Department of Family and Community Services web-site at: www.facs.gov.au/newsletters/disability/2004/issue10.pdf
PUBLIC CONSULTATION DOCUMENTS ON THE DRAFT DISABILITY STANDARDS FOR ACCESS TO PREMISES AND A REVISED BUILDING CODE OF AUSTRALIA (BCA)
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has released documents for public comment as part of consultation on the proposed Disability Standards for access to premises (Premises Standard). The package includes proposed changes to the Building Code of Australia (BCA), a Regulation Impact Statement (RIS), Guidelines to the Premises Standard and amendments to the Disability Standards for accessible public transport. Comment on the proposals has been invited by the end of April 2004. Tel: (02) 8206 6072. Electronic copies are available from: www.abcb.gov.au/content/whatsnew/index.cfm The draft Australian Standards
AS1428.1, AS 1428.4, AS 2890.1 are available on the Standards Australia website: www.standards.com.au. SOURCE: Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission - Disability Rights newsletter.
AUSTRALASIAN NETWORK OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES (ANSWD)
The ANSWD is a network of people dedicated to: ensuring equality and improving access for students with disabilities to tertiary education; monitoring national, state and local government policy, which might affect students with disabilities; promoting the representation of students with disabilities in tertiary education and actively campaigning and lobbying to achieve equality, access and representation of students with disabilities in tertiary education. To find out more about ANSWD go to their web-site: www.answd.com
INCREASED TV CAPTIONING
An agreement has been reached in negotiations regarding captioning on
free-to-air television. The new agreement means that the level of captioned material on free-to-air television between 6am and 12 midnight will rise from the current 40% level to 55% by December 2005 and 70% by December 2007. All programs that commence during prime-time (except sport) will have to be captioned. Priority will be given to pre-school and children's programs. The agreements are a result of long-term negotiations between the free-to-air television industry and the Deafness Forum of Australia, the Deafness Council of WA and the Australian Association of the Deaf. For more details contact: Brian Rope at Deafness Forum. Tel: (02) 6262 7808 or TTY: (02) 6262 7809 or web-site:
www.deafnessforum.org.au. SOURCE: Disability and Aged Information Services Inc. - The DAISI link, Summer 2003
CLASSIFIEDS:
TALKING PICTURES
The Community Transport "Talking Pictures" book has been developed as an aid for both drivers and passengers. With words and pictures translated into 21 languages plus English, it enables people of many different cultures to communicate easily. For orders or enquiries please contact the Community Transport Organisation, PO Box 795, Surry Hills NSW 2010 or Tel: (02) 9699 2228
ACCESS NOOSA
Access Noosa is a new web site that provides a 'one-stop' destination for
information about accessibility in Noosa and surrounding areas on the Queensland Sunshine coast. It provides everything from accommodation to support services, transport options, tours, eating out and activities. For example: you can hire a beach wheelchair to enjoy the sand and surf or a wheelchair accessible pontoon and boat for fishing. For more details go to: www.accessnoosa.com . SOURCE: e-bility.com News Update Number 25 - December/January 2003
NORTHERN TERRITORY DRIVING HOLIDAY
For people with disabilities who have dreamt of holidaying in the Northern Territory but thought it wasn't possible, Greg Killeen provides an update on services and support available following his recent trip to Central Australia. His article offers travel tips and information about accommodation, transport and sightseeing opportunities. For details: www.wheelabout.com/nt.php. SOURCE: e-bility.com News Update Number 25 - December/January 2003
CRI DU CHAT SUPPORT GROUP OF AUSTRALIA INC.
The group is based in Melbourne, but provides support, information and contact to families who have a member with Cri Du Chat syndrome in Australia, New Zealand and throughout the Southern Hemisphere. They also provide information to professionals, students and other people with an interest in the syndrome worldwide. Families meet annually in Sydney and Melbourne and occasionally in other states. Contact with other families can be arranged. A newsletter is published three times a year. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in the syndrome. Cost: $10 for families, $15 for friends and other organisations. Contact: 104 Yarralumla Drive, Langwarrin Vic 3910 or Tel: (03) 9561 8134 or (03) 9775 9962 or Email: info@criduchat.asn.au or web-site: http://www.criduchat.asn.au
TRY THE NEW 2003/04 HUNTER DISABILITY DIRECTORY
The 2003/2004 Hunter Disability Directory has been updated and revised. It now contains new services and all the latest information on over 450 services for people with a disability in the Hunter Region and beyond. Over two-thirds of all entries have been changed since the last version was released in May 2002. The Directory is available in two easy to use formats: an electronic version ($27.50 delivered via e-mail) and a traditional paper version ($33 plus postage). For more details call 4927 0111 or e-mail infoline@dash.org.au
BULK E-MAIL YOUR MESSAGE TO THE HUNTER DISABILITY COMMUNITY
Are you sick of posting information out about your event or product? For a fraction of the cost of regular postage the Disability Infoline can instantly target around 850 Hunter region contacts by e-mail with your message.
For example, we can send your message about:
* an upcoming event, seminar, workshop, meeting etc.
* a product or service that will benefit people with a disability.
* a job vacancy.
Subscribers and contacts on our e-mail list include people with disabilities, families, carers, people who work in the disability sector and relevant government departments. Cost only $55 inc GST. For more information call Mark Grierson 49270 111 or mark.grierson@dash.org.au . The Disability Infoline is a non-profit service staffed by volunteers and all proceeds from group e-mails are used to support the service.