Walk On Melbourne had its official launch on Monday the 14th of May 2012 with the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce officially opening the program in Melbourne. Please read SCIA's official media release.
Media Release and speech from the Governor General.
Article in the Brimbank Leader and in the Maribyrnong Weekly.
We also featured on Channel Nine News.
Arts Access Australia, the British Council and Accessible Arts NSW are pleased to launch a new professional development opportunity for Australian artists and arts workers with disability. Unlimited UK will subsidise a group of Australians to travel to London in September to attend the ‘Festival of the World’, part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. This international arts and disability gathering will showcase Unlimited, the largest program of work by artists with disability ever commissioned. Whilst in London, participants will also be able to attend a range of panel discussions, meetings and workshops. Participants will then share their experiences at the Arts Activated Conference in Sydney on 30 and 31 October 2012. For more information please visit:http://www.artsaccessaustralia.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=346&cntnt01returnid=15
The final stage of consultations for Living Life My Way was launched on the 24th of April 2012. A discussion paper has been developed which details a series of practical options for changing the current NSW disability system to deliver person centred planning, funding, services and decision support.
The full list of consultations and discussion paper is available from the ADHC website.
The introduction of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and complimentary National Injury Insurance Scheme (NIIS) is an important initiative which will have a profound effect on the quality of life for many Australians. The Suncorp Group, in conjunction with PricewaterhouseCoopers, are hosting a series of summits to facilitate constructive and collaborative dialogue around the effective design and implementation of the NIIS and NDIS. To register for the next summit visit:
http://traumaticinjurydisabilitysummit.com.au/index.php.
SCIA reports the sad news that Nicola Broniman, a former SCIA accommodation resident, member and employee passed away on Sunday, March 11, 2012 aged 41. Nicola worked at the SCIA Head Office, Little Bay, NSW in a number of roles at different stages including receptionist and in marketing/promotions.
Formerly of Daceyville, NSW, before moving a few years ago to Forster on the NSW mid-north coast to be closer to other family members, Nicola worked as a Receptionist at Club Forster. Nicola is fondly remembered by her SCIA colleagues, and on behalf of them, condolences go out to her parents Carol, Richard and all her family.
In August 2011 as part of its Disability Care and Support inquiry, The Productivity Commission released its final report with recommendations to establish a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Recognising that essential services and supports for people with a disability are often grossly underfunded, provided on a crisis only basis and therefore quite disempowering in nature, a NDIS would address this.
Disability organisations and all major political parties are in support of the establishment of an NDIS, however costing $13 billion a year it is yet to be funded.
"NDIS – Every Australian Counts" is actively campaigning to promote the NDIS to ensure it stays on everyone's agenda.
As part of their action they have launched a new way for supporters to get involved by creating 1 minute videos in support of an NDIS which can be uploaded to their website.
To get involved and to find out more about their campaign please follow the links.
Eligible households across Southern and Central NSW, the ACT and the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area are encouraged to opt in to the Australian Government's Household Assistance Scheme (HAS). HAS is available to people receiving the maximum rate of the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension or Carer Payment, or the Department of Veterans' Affairs Service Pension or Income Support Supplement who do not have access to digital TV.
For more information regarding eligibility and timeframes visit the HAS page on the Digital Ready Website (see under Govt Assistance) or call the Digital Ready Information Line on 1800 20 10 13.
The highly acclaimed Walk On program opened its doors in Melbourne on 10 January 2012 – and welcomed clients who have been anxiously awaiting the program being offered there.
The program is being delivered under a collaborative partnership arrangement between Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA) and Victoria University’s School of Sport and Exercise Science and is now operating from the University campus situated at Whitten Oval, West Footscray – also the training base and administrative headquarters of the Western Bulldogs AFL team.The three new Walk On staff welcomed their first clients and look forward to working with all those who have accepted a place in the program to date. “Places have filled quickly and we expect many more enquiries as the word spreads” commented Kierre Williams, National Operations Co-ordinator for Walk On. “Some of those starting have already travelled interstate to Sydney or Brisbane for the program and it is great that they can now access it in Melbourne – we look forward to growing the program and offering it to as many people as we can” she added.
For further details about Walk On Melbourne please phone 1800 819 775 or email walkon@scia.org.au.
Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC), Department of Family and Community Services, has committed $60 million over five years through Stronger Together – Two, to provide a Supported Living Fund. The Fund will provide a total of 300 packages over the next 5 years across NSW.
The opportunity to formally register an interest in accessing a Supported Living Fund package is now open. People with a disability who are planning or considering moving to a supported living arrangement are encouraged to register with ADHC.
For more details please viist the Supported Living website - http://www.supportedliving.org.au/
It is with great sadness that we report the unexpected death of our Director David Prast.
David was a leader, and inspirational thinker whose determination led to major improvements for those, like him, who suffered a spinal cord injury.
A few years after his accident in 1995, he became a director of SpinalCure Australia (SCA) and set up the first of several state government’s Neurotrauma Research Program in WA.
He later became a director of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA), and launched the burgeoning Walk-On facility, now going national, to help people with intensive exercise after an accident. He was also one of the brains behind The Spinal Cord Injury Network.
Internationally, he pioneered a global campaign to cure paralysis (International Campaign to Cure Paralysis). His achievements resulted in greater awareness and improved funding for this under- researched condition.
But David was so much more than spinal injuries. Career wise, by the mid 90s, he had already achieved outstanding results as a top sales manager for a major computer company. And it was his generous nature, sense of humour and love of life that made him attract friends wherever he went. Amongst his many passions, he loved music and a good red wine.
David’s significant contribution lives on. We will miss him hugely. Our profound sympathies go to his wife Michelle, and family.
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A wonderful tribute to David has been published in the West Australian - please read ....
When: 24-26 October 2012Where: Sofitel Melbourne on Collins
Australia and New Zealand Spinal Cord Society 2012 Annual Scientific Meeting
The theme of ANZSCoS 2012 "SCI - New Approaches and Challenges" will bring together delegates in the specialised field of the management of persons with spinal cord impairment (paraplegia and tetraplegia).
Complete the online Expression of Interest form to ensure you are added to the mailing list and receive up to date information as it comes to hand.
For more information visit www.dcconferences.com.au/anzscos2012.
was held on the 7 – 8 July 2011.
The Living Life My Way Summit Report, outlining the outcomes from the summit, has been released. It can be accessed on the Ageing Disability and Home Care website at www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/pca.
Latest News Update: The Final Report was released by the Government on the 10th of August 2011. To see the report and associated materials please visit the Report page. To read SCIA's submissions to the inquiry please click here.
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The Productivity Commission has released its discussion paper on a a long-term disability care and support scheme—which may result in a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The paper summarises what the Commission sees as the important issues, and contains a series of questions to prompt discussion. People may choose to answer these questions in their written submissions and during public hearings Read More »
Leaders for Tomorrow is an individual leadership development program which has been funded by the Australian Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs to develop the leadership capacity of people with disability. The program is targeted at people who aspire to be leaders or further develop their current leadership capacity.
There will be five intakes in total:
Applications are now open for the first intake of participants for the Leaders for Tomorrow Program. Hunter TAFE was selected as the national provider of the program and together with E-QUAL (Enhancing Quality) will provide opportunities to people with disability to develop their leadership skills.
Applications for the third intake close 27 April 2012.
Further information (including the application pack) is available from the Leaders for Tomorrow website or by calling 1800 887 624 (NSW, ACT, VIC and TAS) or 1800 648 021 (WA, SA, NT and QLD).
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