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.
Carers NSW invites carers to take part in our 2012 Carer Survey. It is now online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CarerSurvey2012 until April 30.
The survey is for anyone in NSW who provides unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, mental illness, drug or alcohol dependency, terminal illness, chronic condition or who is frail. Carers NSW conducts this survey every two years to get more information about carers in NSW, so that we can identify and advocate for what carers want and need.
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.
Would you like to be part of a research project?
Do you have a physical disability and are over the age of 18 years? Have you been in an ‘abusive’ or ‘hurtful’ relationship? (which can include physical, emotional, sexual, or with-holding of medication or mobility aids) by a boyfriend/partner, husband, sibling, carer, parent, service provider etc in the last five years. If you answered YES to these questions, then please read on. We are seeking a number of women with physical disabilities (over the age of 18 years) to assist us in conducting a research study about your experiences with violent or hurtful relationships and what kind of help you received (if any).
The research is being conducted by postgraduate student Karen Jordan (who is a woman with a physical disability) from the University of Sydney and will inform social work practice and education about better ways to support this group of women.
You can register your interest through:
Calling Karen Jordan on 02 9351 4712; or emailing kjor0898@uni.sydney.edu.au and leave your name and contact details with a safe time to call or email back. Karen will contact you to explain in more detail about the study and to see if you would like to participate.
Thank you for your support.
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.
Have you ever used a demountable ramp, also known as a modular ramp, installed at home as means of accessible entry?
Would you like to share your experience and opinions to improve supports for people with mobility impairments?
We are looking for volunteers to participate in a study on demountable ramps.
Your participation would involve an individual interview conducted by a researcher from the Home Modification Information Clearinghouse, Faculty of the Built Environment at the University of New South Wales. This interview will last for up to one hour and will contribute to a better understanding of the advantages and limitations of using demountable ramps as a solution for enabling home access.
An information statement will be provided to the participant and the participant will be required to provide written consent (signature or equivalent) for audio-recording of the interview and photographs of ramps prior to the interview.
If you think you might be interested or wish to find out more about this study, please contact: Yong Moon Jung (Research Associate): 02 9385 6252 or y.jung@unsw.edu.au.
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.
We would like to speak to people with spinal cord injuries about the impact of spinal cord injury on their lives.
Spinal Cord Injuries Australia and the Social Policy Research Centre at The University of New South Wales are interested in speaking to people in NSW with spinal cord injury about the impact of spinal cord injury on their lives and about their life choices and the ways in which they can live the way they want to.
You are invited to participate in an interview about this, at a time and location of your choosing.
Interviews will take between 45 minutes and 1 1/2 hours. All participants will be given a $50 gift voucher in recognition of their contribution or participation.
We are interested in talking to a variety of people and would like to include:
If you are interested in taking part, please contact Saul Flaxman at the Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW on (02) 9385 9776 or s.flaxman@unsw.edu.au.
Please note that we may not be able to interview everyone who contacts us. We will be running a larger electronic survey of people with spinal cord injury early in 2012 and are still very interested to hear your view.
The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis is currently doing a survey about sleep habits and problems associated with spinal cord injury. This is a great opportunity for people with paralysis to contribute their thoughts and experiences. The survey is at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/sleepsurveykiosk.
Research participants wanted for a study on mobile shower commodes for adults with SCI.
If you are over 18 years old, have a spinal cord injury and use a mobile shower commode for showering and/or toileting, we need your help. We would like to talk with you about your experiences using your mobile shower commode.
For more information, please contact Emma Friesen on 0403442027 or emma.friesen@uqconnect.edu.au
This study will involve an interview via phone or Skype.
Please download the Participant Information Sheet
The SURE Trial
Single-use versus Reuse Intermittent Catheterisation
Reuse of intermittent catheters has been a method of self-catheterisation utilised by patients for many decades. It is a preferred method of bladder emptying for many patients with voiding dysfunction.
Reuse of Nelaton catheters was common until 2003 when TGA regulations stated “devices labelled single use only must not be reused”.
Purchasing catheters for single-use only places a huge financial burden on patients.
The Pelvic Floor Unit at St George Hospital is conducting a study to compare the health and cost implications between two different ways of performing self-catheterisation – single use catheterisation versus reuse catheterisation.
The study runs for 16 weeks, during which participants receive FREE catheters.
To be eligible for the trial you must be:
For further enquiries or to confirm your eligibility for the trial please email Hayley.Leek@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au or phone 9113 2632.
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.
SYDNEY NURSING SCHOOL
LIVING WITH AND PROVIDING SUPPORT TO PEOPLE WITH SPINAL CORD INJURY
INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN A RESEARCH PROJECT
If you answered "yes" to all those questions, you are warmly invited to take part in a study to explore the experiences of partners and other family members who are living with and supporting a person with spinal cord injury.
This study has ethics approval from the University of Sydney (HREC No 12701). The research will be conducted by Ms Laynie Pullin, a Registered Nurse, as part of a PhD award.
The long-term aim of the study is to inform health and community-based services in this important area. The contribution of all family members living with and providing support to people with spinal cord injury over long periods of time is welcome.
If you live in the Sydney area, or within a 200 km radius of Sydney, and identify as living with, and providing long-term support to a person with a spinal cord injury, futher information and a Participant Information sheet can be provided.
Contact: Laynie Hall PullinPh: 0418 289027Email: lpul8417@uni.sydney.edu.au or laynie.pullin@sydney.edu.au
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).
A new edition of the wallet sized AD Medical Emergency card for people with spinal cord injury has been developed to alert health care professionals to the principles of management of AD.
It contains some new information relevant to adolescents and an addition to the treatment guideline. Read More »
Invitation to participate in research:
Great Expectations: A Qualitative Study Exploring Reproductive Decision-Making in Men and Women with Spinal Cord Injury
The University of Western Sydney is undertaking research into the impact of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) on family planning decision-making Read More »
Following a spinal cord injury, people’s responses can vary widely. Some people may experience intrusive and recurrent anxiety from the trauma, while others do not.
Whether you have experienced anxiety or not, you are invited to participate in a project conducted by Dr. Kathryn Nicholson Perry and Ms. Jasmine Wong (University of Western Sydney), about the symptoms and rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in an Australian population with spinal-cord injury. Read More »
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