Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Family Advocacy 11 Sept West Ryde

The flyer is here.

Family Advocacy hosts Jeremy Ward presentation in West Ryde - 11 September 2010

Planning for now, tomorrow and the future
11 September West Ryde

Family Advocacy is a state-wide, community based, organisation that focuses on the rights and needs of people who have developmental disability and their families.

On 11 September 2010, Family Advocacy is hosting a presentation by Jeremy Ward in West Ryde. The day will be of interest to families wanting to plan a long term positive and secure future for a family member with developmental disability.  The day will also be of relevance for workers who are considering the role they could play in supporting families with this planning.

We attach a flier for the event.

It would be great if you could let people in your networks know about the day – including the families of people with developmental disability. As I am sure you are aware, families often miss out on hearing about information that will be helpful to them and we rely to a great extent on thoughtful professionals disseminating the information via their networks.

We can also send text that could be used in a newsletter, if that would assist.

If you would like more information about Family Advocacy you can go to our web site at: www.family-advocacy.com

Thank you in anticipation of your assistance and support.  Please do not hesitate to contact Family Advocacy for further information on (02) 9869 0866.


Regards

Rick Hansen and Karen Tippett
Advocacy Development and Liaison
Family Advocacy

-------------------- PO Box 502 Epping NSW 1710 --------------------
Suite 305 16-18 Cambridge St Epping 2121
ph: 02 9869 0866  Freecall: 1800 620 588  Fax: 02 9869 0722

Monday, August 30, 2010

Attention: An invitation to Parents with disabled family still living at home - do you need a long term sustainable accommodation solution for your family?

10 Bangalow Ave,
MONA VALE, NSW 2103
Home: 02 9979 5103, mobile: 0412 232 535
30-Aug-10

Dear Sunnyfield Members
At the Sunnyfield Member’s Auxiliary meeting on 20 June I proposed that all those families who still had their disabled family members living at home should meet in a public workshop.
Of the 300 odd families who are represented by Membership in Sunnyfield today, as many as 200 may not yet have an accommodation solution for their disabled person
This was raised with Members in a survey in 2004 and again in the recent 2010 Member’s Satisfaction Survey.  As yet no results have been released for the 2010 position but in 2004, 74% of clients were 30-60 years old, 82% of the carers were 60+ years old and 62% said “NO” to the question “are there family members guaranteed to assume the principal carer role”.
Time is flying by, the Federal and State Government’s policies for disability are in disarray and neither is very likely to initiate any actions to help families.
This workshop therefore aims to discuss publicly, amongst Sunnyfield Members, what options exist and what extra help is required to make sure that there is a workable transition in care for the disabled who do not yet have a funded accommodation solution after the family can no longer cope.
I personally don’t think we will find a “one size fits all” answer and that the best outcome will be for smaller groups (6-12 families) to form and collectively work to solve that small group’s particular needs and wants.  This is I am told the pattern adopted by Mamre and Homes West in Queensland and they strongly advise that it must be kept small to make it workable.
I think we will, ourselves, have to do what is required.  No-one else will do it for us, more is the pity.
I also think we must involve the siblings of the disabled people as the younger generation, by definition, will be required to pick up the pieces. Better they play a very active role now in setting up a system that will not leave broken bits when the parents can no longer cope.
I suggest we start with a discussion for an hour or so and finish with a BBQ and we can continue to discuss the issues and options as we socialise over a lunch.
May I propose we meet at 1200 on Sat 18th of September at Chatswood Industries before the scheduled Auxiliary Meeting on that day.  We will arrange for BBQ facilities to be available on the day but please bring your own food & drink. 
To let me know if you plan to attend (and how many) email me or call by ‘phone or better log on to the Member’s BLOG and say your piece.
Yours Sincerely
Chris Howells
Vice President, Sunnyfield Members Auxiliary

Sunday, August 29, 2010

WARRINGAH DISABILITY NEWSLETTER No 236- - 27/08/10


The newsletter starts with an art event, disco, concert, activities at Sailability, fun for siblings of children with disability, and the 30th Teddy Bears’ Picnic.  Carers are invited to lunch and entertainment, art exhibition during Carers Week, parent support program, and reminded of open day at Cromehurst School and a workshop.

Tax Help is available again, as are ING grants for community makeovers, and the Local Carer Awards.  Resources include health resources for families and GPs, the Livewire website for youth with disability and siblings and parents, free MLAKs for Warringah residents, and presentations by Guide Dogs NSW/ACT and Cormac Russell.  Your participation is invited for walks for Parkinsons and dementia, and to ride for MS.  Readers are invited to write for wellness, submit an article to a journal, and complete MDAA’s survey.

Workshops and meetings involve patient-centred care, ageing of people with disability, mental health skills, brain injury, schizophrenia, childhood trauma, children’s resilience, challenging behaviour, addiction, facilitating parenting groups, web accessibility.  Pioneer Clubhouse holds an open house.  Meetings occur regarding vocational support, dementia, transport.  There are also conferences on Mental Health Services, ASSID (intellectual disability), PsychDD (psychologists), as well as funded training for employment service providers.

Your comments and suggestions are welcome, as always!  The next newsletter will appear on 10 September.

Regards, Marjorie Janz, Disability Information Officer, Warringah Council.
Phone 9942 2686, fax 9942 2371.  Also janzm@warringah.nsw.gov.au.  

Monday, August 23, 2010

Sunnyfield Events Calendar

Folks
Lisa McMurtrie has circulated his v3 draft of the Events planned by Sunnyfield for Fundraising and Branding promotion for the next 12 months. it is not quite complete and will probably be reissued.

If you can help with volunteer time or in any other way please call (02) 8977-8800 or email Lisa at l.mcmurtrie@sunnyfield.org.au.

Monday, August 16, 2010

From The Board

Our Chair, Patricia McKenzie has asked that these comments from the Board be circulated to all Members.

Friday, August 13, 2010

WARRINGAH DISABILITY NEWSLETTER No 235- - 13/08/10

Hello!
The newsletter starts with a dance for adults with disabilities, art program, two festivals, and reminders about a camp and coaching for sitting volleyball.  Carers are invited to a grandfathers / fathers evening session, women’s health event, life coaching, dementia course, and a resourcing families workshop.  There is also a camp for young carers aged 8-12 years.  There are two open days at schools:  Cromehurst and St Lucys.

There is a reminder that grants for sport and athlete development end shortly.  Resources include two booklets (leisure, accessible community facilities) and free MLAKs for Warringah residents.  A book in plain English describes Being a Healthy Woman.  Your participation is invited in two studies:  on bi-polar and on multitasking after TBI.  Volunteers are sought for two camps:  for young carers, and for adults with disabilities.  Additional funding is sought for people with disabilities in the arts industry.

Workshops and meetings involve social role valorisation, self advocacy, sexuality, relationships, women with disability, action methods, planning for the future, manual handling.  There are also conferences for ASSID, employment, technology for people with vision impairment, and courses offered by IFP and Northside Community Forum.

Your comments and suggestions are welcome, as always!  The next newsletter will appear on 27 August.

Regards, Marjorie Janz, Disability Information Officer, Warringah Council.
Phone 9942 2686, fax 9942 2371.  Also janzm@warringah.nsw.gov.au.  

WAYS TO HELP THE CARERS ALLIANCE IN THIS ELECTION

If you like facts and figures, attached is some very interesting information that is worth reading before you cast your vote in the upcoming election.
The Carers Alliance is running Senate candidates in five states these elections and in NSW has candidates for House of Representatives seats in Bennelong, Macquarie and Wentworth.
Also outlined in the attached are some other ways you can help.  If you can do letter-box drops in advance of the election (good exercise!) or help at voting booths on the day, please get in touch with the people listed in the attached or email me back and we’ll arrange for the appropriate materials to be sent to you.
Katrina Henty 
for the Carers Party
http://www.carers.org.au/

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

WARRINGAH DISABILITY NEWSLETTER No 234- - 3/08/10

The newsletter starts with evenings for siblings aged 8-12, the annual Bella program, and dance at the Magnolia Centre.  Carers are invited to a fathers evening session, a mental health support group, sessions about school aged students with ASD, information and stress management courses, activities at Bradfield Park Wellbeing Centre.  They are also invited to enter items in an October exhibition.

A post school pathways expo occurs on Wednesday, and 30 job vacancies exist at Sunnyfield.  Grants are on offer regarding the DISmyABILITY campaign and education for sight impaired students.  Carers can benefit from exemption from motor vehicle weight charge, and new regulations for retirement villages.  Former local Lindy Hou is running the City to Surf for The Achilles Running Club.  Resources include a specialised health unit, ACD NSW’s offer of a book, resources for Mental Health Month, anxiety groups, information about Brain Injury Week.  Your participation is invited on the AART.BOXX committee, at the Bennelong vigil, and for the Disability Care and Support Inquiry.  Ten passes can be won for SenCity.

Workshops and meetings involve suicide prevention, memory loss, sleep apnoea, supported living, premises standards, person centred thinking, decision making by people with disability, autism spectrum disorder, dementia.  Courses are offered by IFP, Relationships Australia, Northside Community Forum, IGL.

Your comments and suggestions are welcome, as always!  The next newsletter will appear in 10 days, on 13 August.

Regards, Marjorie Janz, Disability Information Officer, Warringah Council.
Phone 9942 2686, fax 9942 2371.  Also janzm@warringah.nsw.gov.au.