WARRINGAH DISABILITY NEWSLETTER No 276 - 8 March 2012

Hello!

Today’s newsletter starts with two discos, special needs soccer, Northcott Senior swimming carnival, Paralympic Talent Search.  People can purchase early bird Easter Show tickets, and attend the SCIA independence expo.  Parents of children with special needs can attend the pampering and information sessions, the Dads are Great day, or dpen day at St Joseph’s in Narrabeen.  The Young Carer Leadership Program deadline has been extended, and siblings can attend school holiday programs with Centacare (VOLUME) or Northern Beaches Interchange.  There are also meetings about local services (in Italian, Spanish, Mandarin, Serbian) and about mental health services in the Northern Beaches.  A workshop on dealing with teen backchat, the Bradfield Park program for carers of people with mental illness, and counselling for carers of people with dementia complete this section.

Financial matters include grants from the NRMA and the IOOF Foundation, two fundraisers (Fighting Chance cricket, Angelman dinner and auction), a tender for OOHC placement services, low vision products on sale, and a manager position at Flintwood.  Proposals / applications for the Supported Living Fund must be received by 23 March.  Resources include the gadgability website, a counselling service for youth and families, orientation and mobility for children, and Level 4 social work students needing placements.  The first global World Down Syndrome Day will be held on 12 March.  Three useful guides address preparing for study and work, Microsoft accessibility features, and changes in Work Health and Safety Laws regarding volunteers.  Your participation is invited in voting for Project Local, nominations for Volunteer awards, participating in studies on transition for youth and for adults, a survey on inclusive technologies, health services in Hornsby Ku-ring-gai, and a change in the NSW Housing Register.

Information sessions address anxiety and depression, macular degeneration, learning difficulties, planning for later years, equal pay and SACS, adults with ADHD and addictions, mental health and disability.  Workshops focus on writing for the web, dual disability, sexuality and disability, mental health, focusing on boys’ and girls’ development, behaviour management.  Several conferences focus on Younger Onset Parkinson’s, Sport in building community, advocating for inclusion, turning research into action, non-profit organisations.  The Northern Beaches have the Mental Health Community Forum / Expo and the Northern Hub information day.  The MATE program enables family and carers to support people with disability in the water. Groups are being run on life after abuse, and family relationships. Training is offered by the IFP, HACC Development program, UnitingCare Mental Health.

And Sunday 25 March is the 10^th annual NEIGHBOUR DAY.

Your comments and suggestions are welcome, as always!  The next newsletter will be sent on 22 March 2012.

Regards, Marjorie Janz, Disability Information Officer, Warringah Council.