Planning for now, tomorrow and the future Saturday 9 June – Newcastle

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 9 June 2012, Family Advocacy is hosting a presentation by Jeremy Ward in Newcastle. 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 families and other potentially interested people know about the day.

If it would assist, we can send text that could be used in a newsletter.

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 or 1800 620 588 (free call).

Regards

Kim Roots 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

e-mail: familyadvocacy@family-advocacy.com

web: www.family-advocacy.com

WARRINGAH DISABILITY NEWSLETTER No 278- 5 April 2012

Hello!

Today’s newsletter starts with another discobility (on Thursday), Manly Sailability 15^th anniversary, wheelchair tennis coaching.  Carer support programs occur at Bradfield Park, Lane Cove, Dee Why, Hornsby.  Two young carer programs have spots.  A unique anti-bullying workshop, anxiety self help groups, and help for partners in depression are also available.  There is a day for dads, and the annual information session for parents of young children with special needs.

Financial matters include grants at Warringah, Manly, Pittwater and Mosman, as well as Project Local Community Grants.  A Golf Day raises funds for MD, and two part-time positions exist atCAN.  Resources include the Lifetracker, Camp Breakaway, three websites (including socialising online), the newsletters, and Mental Health Month 2011.  Your participation is invited at NDIS rallies in Australian capital cities, replying to a survey by Carers NSW, a study on glaucoma and a focus group on transport for people with disability.

Information sessions and workshops focus on avoiding scams, navigating depression, creating better communities, performance management and appraisal, technology skills for women.  The BIS symposium offers many interesting seminars for families, carers, and clinicians; and the NSW government is launching the final consultation stage.  Several conferences focus on mental health, disability advocacy, sector development, preparing for the New World, and SRV themes.  There is also a call for papers, and the Centre for Disability Studies presents two thought-provoking seminars.

Your comments and suggestions are welcome, as always!  The next newsletter will be sent in three weeks, on 26 April 2012.

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

Minutes of meeting 10 March

These are now available here.

Fantastic Opportunity to meet with John O'Brien for individuals and families

Michaela Kennedy brings this to our attention:

We excited to be able to provide an amazing opportunity to meet with two of the world's original innovators in supporting people with disabilities to lead fully inclusive lives.  John O'Brien and his partner Connie Lyle-O'Brien.  This opportunity is specifically designed for individuals and families.

John and Connie are coming to Australia for a number of engagements and have offered us in Sydney this exclusive opportunity. 

During this time of change towards personalisation and new opportunities for individualised funding John and Connie will discuss their experiences from around the world during their practice of over 30 years.

Please share the attached flier with your members, friends and families and all those who have an interest in supporting the lives of people with disabilities and their families to be in their control.

Many thanks

Michaela

How People with Intellectual Disabilities and Their Families Are Building Better Communities

Thursday -­‐ 19 April 2012

Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney Theaterette 10am – 3pm. Morning Tea and Lunch Included Only -­‐ $15

Facilitated by John O’Brien and Connie Lyle-O’Brien (US)

People with intellectual disabilities and their families make contributions to community life that most experts never predicted. Their achievements have led to changes in policies and laws. But most still face a hard road to take their rightful place as respected, well-supported participants in schools, places of work and leisure, and civic and political life.

In this time together, we’ll explore some lessons from the stories of people and families who are making a positive difference in their communities.

John O’Brien learns about building more just and inclusive communities from people with disabilities, their families and their allies. He uses what he learns to advise people with disabilities and their families, advocacy groups, service providers, and governments and to spread the news among people interested in change by writing and through workshops. He is affiliated with the Center on Human Policy (USA). The National Development Team for Services to People with Learning Difficulties (UK), and the Marsha Forest Centre: Inclusion. Family. Community (Canada).

Connie Lyle O’Brien has spent the last 25 years learning about what it takes for people with disabilities, their families, friends and allies to better support people with disabilities to live, work, learn, worship and have fun as full participants in community life. In collaboration with her partner, John O’Brien, and other members of the Responsive Systems Associates network, Connie has developed methods for helping people learn about the principle of normalization through PASS, assisted people in implementing and evaluating citizen advocacy programs,
 developed Person Centred methods for planning and co-authored a variety of articles and manuscripts to assist people who are learning to develop effective service programs and build more competent communities.

WARRINGAH DISABILITY NEWSLETTER No 277- 23 March 2012

Hello!

 Today’s newsletter starts with the reminder that Daylight Saving Time ends on 1 April so change your smoke alarm battery and clocks!

Fun can be had at a disco, the Paralympic talent search, Boonah art classes, Lane Cove’s Walk around the World, CAN’s workshops on veggies and floral arrangements, powerchair soccer, boccia on regular or casual basis, sailing.  There is also a camp for anyone with neuromuscular disorders, a Facebook group for vision impaired adults, Easter events at Chatswood Social Club and advance notice of the popular Magic Mania in December.  Parents of younger children with special needs can attend Transition to School, and Stepping Stones/  There are also a grandparenting workshop, meetings for carers of people with depression or mental illness or dementia or hearing voices, men’s cooking courses and Open Day at the Men’s Shed.  There is also a Young Carers School Holiday program, events in Seniors Week, and the Circles of Support meeting.

Financial matters include a family fun day, Warringah Council’s grants program, grants for people with disability to attend conferences, the No Interest Loan Service, and several items of equipment.  Resources include another speech pathologist, a large Telelink program for vision impaired people, two booklets and a DVD.  The 2RPH radio station and talking newspapers assist vision impaired or print handicapped people.  Your participation is invited at NDIS rallies in Australian capital cities, nominating for the Arts Access award, research for younger onset dementia, and CPBusiness.

Information sessions and workshops focus on brain function, handling people and teams, sex education, suicide intervention skills, younger onset dementia, autism and Aspergers, exploring grief, mental health and intellectual disability, sensory integratin, caring for people with a spinal cord injury.  Several conferences focus on homelessness, mental health, creating opportunities for full lives, as well as the regional HACC forum.

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 5 April 2012.

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

Sunnyfield Auxiliary Central Coast NOTICE of MEETING

The next meeting of the auxiliary will be held on Tuesday 27 March 2012

Note DAY   TUESDAY

Note commencement time     11.00am

Note Venue CLUB TUGGERAH

Bryant Avenue

TUGGERAH    (opposite Bunnings)

AGENDA

1. Welcome
2. Receipt of minutes of meeting 28 February 2012
3. Treasurer’s report

      4. Correspondence

1. Report by the Chairman:  Happenings since February
2. Presentation Anita has been, as an invited guest, to a press release announcing major changes to Government residences in Western Sydney. This information will be of significant interest to us given the influence of Stockton and Morisset on the provision of funding on the Hunter region (which is US). Anita will tell all.

7 General Business  

WE ARE TO HAVE OUR Annual general meeting in conjunction with this monthly meeting.  Now is the time for bright ideas, criticism, lofty visions and so on. PLEASE come along and be heard!

LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR COMPANY

Coffee and tea  and biscuits as usual

A Story to warm the Heart

from Estelle Shields...

"Here's a story that combines both my passions - music and disability (and one hell of a father!)"


http://www.wimp.com/fatherdecade