Indoor Netball for children and teens with disabilities: Penrith

Indoor Netball NSW has scheduled a new activity for children and adolescents with disabilities:

Penrith Indoor Sports & Recreation, Jack Williams Drive, Penrith

Fortnightly on Saturdays from 2:30pm – 3:30/4:00pm

Starting in first the week of September and going until March 2010 with a break over Christmas.

Boys or girls with a disability (but not a physical disability i.e wheelchair) from about 8yrs old to early 20s.

Cost - free (uniforms provided)

Players will be coached in the rules of netball and have opportunities to have a game. Experienced coaches will be following a modified netball program as developed by the University of Victoria.

Anyone interested can contact Sue Barnett (secretary of Indoor Netball NSW) on innsw_sbarnett@hotmail.com

Library Thursdays: See, Sign & Say Series

Last year Tara Hearne & Aileen Ryan produced some beautiful books on various subjects with a picture, word and sign on each page. Now they have updated these books with bright and expressive photographs and added more titles. Titles include: Primary School, Colours, Alphabet, Pre-school, Baby Animals, Animals, Objects, Opposites One, Opposites Two, Verbs, Emotions/Feelings, Teen Feelings, Directions, and Food. 

These would be great books for any young child and even nicer for those who are learning Makaton signing. Aileen has kindly donated a set to the Down Syndrome NSW library.

If you want to borrow any of these, just email us.

More City-To-Surf supporters for DS NSW

We now have six runners fund-raising for Down Syndrome NSW in this year's City-to-Surf classic, on Sunday 9th August. Click on their names below to go to the Everyday Hero pages, and pledge your support

• Daniel Fleming
• Allan Le
• Shmulik Kachlon
• Joe Hedger
• Tamzyn Bielecka
• Brad Dewhurst

We thank them for their generosity and the work they are putting into their preparation and performance - run well and enjoy the race!

Workshops in the Arts for People with Disabilities: Granville and Ermington

WAPD holds four weekly drama/dance workshops catering for clients with varying physical and intellectual disabilities. The program focuses on improving and developing skills in movement, drama, dance and singing, and each ninety minute workshop consists of a wide range of theatre sports, games and dances.

Different classes cater for people with moderate to severe disabilities, and those with mild to moderate disabilities.

Click here for the WAPD website for further details of classes at Granville and at Ermington, information about the program and the tutors, and enrolment forms.

Workhshops in the Arts for People with Disabilities is an activity of Riverside Theatres, Parramatta.

Penguin Party: fundraiser in Coffs Harbour, 18th July

Click here to download the flier for The Penguin Party - a fundraiser for Down Syndrome NSW in Coffs Harbour, organised by Leila Sweeney.

If you live on the Mid-North Coast are lucky enough to be visiting - join in the party!

15th July at the Coffs Hotel

Contact host at lu39@live.com.au

Far North Coast: Coffee Morning for Parents, Families, Friends and Carers of people with Down syndrome of all ages

When: Wednesday 19th August 2009

Time : 10.00am - 12.00 pm (Approx)

Where : House With No Steps, Wardell Rd, Alstonville

Gold coin donation requested to help cover morning tea

RSVP : Wednesday 13th August 4pm

Trish 0411 693 127 or email

trish@aydata.com.au

Changes to Carer Payment (care receiver under 16 years).

Along with other organisations, we have been asked to help circulate this information through our networks, by the Australian Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA):

Are you looking after a child under 16 with severe disability or severe medical condition?
If so, you may be interested to know about some changes to Carer Payment that take effect from 1 July 2009.

Carer Payment provides income support to carers who, because of the demands of their caring role, are unable to support themselves through substantial paid work. Carer Payment is income and assets tested and paid at the same rate as other social security pensions.

The most important change is to the way qualification for Carer Payment is assessed. The new method that will be used from 1 July 2009 looks at the carer’s total care load.

Other changes include:

• recognising more situations when carers will receive the payment, such as caring for:

- one child with severe disability or severe medical condition
- two or more children with disability or medical condition
- an adult with disability and one or more children with disability or medical condition

• the payment will be available to eligible carers who are looking after a person for a short period of time, that is at least three months, but less than six months
• more sensitive and generous arrangements for carers of children with a terminal illness
• removing the 63 day limit on hospitalisation
• automatic Carer Allowance for carers who qualify for Carer Payment
• a wider range of health professionals to complete medical forms.

Further information
From 1 July 2009 for information about rates, other available assistance or your potential eligibility you can:

• visit the payment page on Centrelink’s website www.centrelink.gov.au
• telephone Centrelink on 13 27 17 or for TTY service 1800 810 586
• visit your nearest Centrelink office.

Do you have feedback about these changes?
If so, you can email the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs at carer.reforms@fahcsia.gov.au or write to:

FaHCSIA - Carer Reform Implementation
TOP CE2
PO Box 7576
Canberra Business Centre ACT 2610

All feedback will be acknowledged and carefully considered in our review of Carer Payment over the next 12 months.

Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) - free course for parents of children 0 - 5 with additional needs

A FREE group course for parents with children aged 0-5 years old with additional needs

Practical solutions to common parenting problems
The Triple P positive parenting program can help you find ways to deal with difficult behaviours and support your child.

Triple P is an evidence-based program (backed up by over 25 years proven clinical research) so it works for most families.

Triple P can help you:

• create a stable, supportive, harmonious family environment


• teach your children skills to get along with others


• deal positively, consistently and decisively with problem behaviour


• encourage behaviour you like


• develop realistic expectations of your children and yourself
  take care of yourself as a parent.

Every Wednesday, starting 5 August 2009 (four-week program), 5:30 – 7:30pm

Waverley Council’s Family Day Care Centre
25 Ebley St, Bondi Junction 2022

RSVP by Wednesday 15 July

CONTACT Paul Berchtold: PHONE 9310 6300 ; EMAIL paul.berchtold@dadhc.nsw.gov.au or steve.cato@dadhc.nsw.gov.au

FACILITATORS Steve Cato (Speech therapist, DADHC) and Paul Berchtold
(Case Manager, DADHC), whose areas of expertise include working with children
with additional needs and challenging behaviours.

Click here to download the flier

Supported by Waverley Council and NSW Dept Ageing, Disability and Home Care

Numicon Training in Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra: August 2009

Numicon is a multi-sensory approach to teaching mathematics for all children, but especially for those with learning difficulties. Margi Leech will be in Australia providing training for parents and for teachers during August.

Please note these are not DS NSW events - any enquiries should be directed to the contacts given in the relevant fliers.


SYDNEY

Workshop 1 - for all parents, teachers,

9.30 am – 4.00 pm, Monday 3 August, 2009


Workshop 2 - a workshop for training teachers to become Numicon trainers
9.30 am – 1.00 pm, Tuesday 4 August, 2009

Venue for both days: St Lucy’s School, Wahroonga

Registrations close 27th July 2009

Click here for the Sydney flier for further details



CANBERRA

Workshop 1 - for all parents, teachers, educators
9.00 am – 3.45 pm, Wednesday 5 August, 2009


Workshop 2 - a workshop for training teachers to become Numicon trainers
5-8 p.m, Wednesday 5 August, 2009

Venue for both events:Turner School, Turner, ACT

Registrations close 27th July 2009

Click here for the Canberra flier for further details


BRISBANE

Workshop 1 - for all parents, teachers, educators
9.30 am – 4.00 pm, Friday 7 August, 2009

Workshop 2 - a workshop for training teachers to become Numicon trainers
9.30 am – 1.00 pm, Saturday 8 August, 2009

Venue for both events: Grange Bowls Club Brisbane

Click here for the Brisbane flier for further details

Registration for Brisbane workshops: via Numicon NZ website only.

Contact Margi Leech at Numicon NZ: margi@numicon.co.nz or via www.numicon.co.nz

Performers for Professional Integrated Dance Performance Company

From Accessible Arts Newsletter, June 2009:

Call Out : Sydney : Open : Expressions of interest sought by Sydney based movement teacher, choreographer and divisor of new dance work from artists wishing to develop a new integrated Dance Company.

This new group will work on a weekly basis, progressively developing skills in physical performance and material creation as led by Margot Politis and other professional guest collaborators. The intention is to work over time towards regular performances of created material. These performances may include workshop showings, participation in short-works performance programs and eventually stand-alone company performance.

The short-term purpose is to provide professional working and performance opportunities for local artists interested in collaborating in an inclusive and accessible setting.

Click here for further information and contact details.

Restructure of NSW Government Departments and agencies - where will Disability Services fit?

Under the restructure announced recently by the Premier, the existing 160 NSW Government agencies are combined to create 13 ‘super-departments’ which in turn are grouped into 6 ‘Policy Groups.’ There remain 23 Ministers assigned to various policy areas within the super-departments.

The NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care has been amalgamated into the NSW Department of Human Services, as part of the Social Development Policy Grouping.

The Department of Human Services will be headed by Ms Jennifer Mason, formerly the Director General of the NSW Department of Community Services. The Department of Community Services (DoCS) and the Department of Housing will also be grouped in Human Services.

View a diagram of the new super agency alignment.

Sources: PWD E Bulletin, Issue 54, June 2009; NSW Carers ebulletin, June 2009

Enhanced protection for the rights for people with disability

From PWD E-Bulletin, Issue 54, June 2009 (a publication of People With Disability Australia Inc):

On Thursday 25 June 2009, the Attorney General, the Hon Robert McClelland MP and the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, the Hon Bill Shorten MP, announced two major initiatives for human rights for people with disability:

• the Disability Discrimination and Other Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 was passed by both houses of the Federal Parliament;
• the Australian Human Rights Commission will be given specific responsibilities for monitoring Australia’s implementation of the international Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Human Rights Commissioner and Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes welcomed these initiatives as “milestones on a long road to equality and human rights for people with disability and their families”.

“Human rights for people with disability present some of the biggest emerging human rights issues in Australia and internationally, and it's great to see today’s announcement recognising that," Commissioner Innes said.

PWD is particularly pleased at the formal recognition given to the CRPD as part of the human rights framework within Australia. The Australian Human Rights Commission can now consider the rights contained in the CRPD and report to Government on how it is being implemented.

PWD will be seeking further information on the practical application of this initiative and providing information in future editions of E-Bulletin.

Conference papers now online - Carers in Action in NSW biennial conference 2009

Carers NSW hosted a two day biennial conference on carers issues in June.

The focus of the conference was on leading practice in carer support, health and community care. Targeted at service providers, keynote speeches were made by John Watkins, CEO of Alzheimer’s Australia NSW, Associate Professor Diana O’Halloran, Chair NSW General Practice Council, Dr Kristy Muir, Social Policy Research Centre of the University of NSW and Elena Katrakis, CEO Carers NSW.

Conference papers, 22 in all, are now available online.

Source: Carers NSW ebulletin, June 2009

To subscribe to Carers NSW ebulletin, go to the Carers NSW website, and click on the "Information and Resources tab, and then "ebulletin". Open any of the ebulletins listed and enter your email address in the subscription panel.

School holiday activity: come and try basketball and other sports

Special Olympics Sydney Inner West Region

Come and Try : Basketball (and other sports)

Tuesday, July 14th

Debbie and Abbey Borgia Community Recreation Centre & Steel Park - Illawarra Road, Marrickville

Click here to download the flier for further details.

It is essential to book in to join in. Contact: Kristen Fitzpatrick, Ph: 0424 185 565 or email: kristenf@specialolympics.com.au by Friday 10th July at the latest.

Sydney Inner West - new dance opportunity

Special Olympics Sydney Inner West Region introduces

a co-educational dance facility that presents an exciting opportunity for people with intellectual disabilities to learn different genres of dance with structure & technique along with fun & friendship

You need to register with Special Olympics to join in the regular class

Class Timetable: 4.30pm – 5.30pm; and 5.30pm – 6.30pm

Styles covered in both sessions include Ballet, Jazz & Hip Hop.

Age: from 7 years up

Presbyterian Church Hall, 443 Great North Rd

Abbotsford
(The hall is at the back of the church - opposite Abbotsford Public School)

Tuition $5 per dancer

For further information & registration for Special Olympics contact:
Kathleen Collins, Sports Co coordinator for Special Olympics Sydney Inner West region:

kath2012@tpg.com.au or 0405 100 753

DADHC Focus Groups on self-directed funding: July 2009

This information has been circulated at very short notice (and two events have already been held), but we know that families are interested in self-directed funding and will value an opportunity to put their views to DADHC.

The NSW Department of Disability, Ageing and Home Care is holding focus groups across NSW to speak with carers about self-directed funding.

The focus groups are being held over the next month and more respondents are needed to participate. Attendees must receive DADHC services directly or through an NGO service. They will also be paid to attend and can be reimbursed for travel costs.

The meetings will be held on the following dates:

Broken Hill, 3 July, 9.00 am to 12pm

Parramatta, 6 July, 9.00 am to 12pm

Penrith, 8 July, 10.00 am to 1.00 pm

Gosford, 14 July, 11.00 am to 2.00 pm

Lismore, 16 July, 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm

Wollongong, 20 July, 10.00 am to 1.00 pm

To be a part of the focus groups contact Wendy Wride from The Allen Consulting Group:

Wendy Wride Corporate Services
The Allen Consulting Group
Level 12, 210 George Street,
Sydney NSW 2000

02 8272 5100
wwride@allenconsult.com.au

Library Thursdays: Puberty resources

Some of the most popular items in the library are the puberty resources. Special Girls' Business and Special Boys' Business by Fay Angelo, Heather Pritchard and Rose Stewart are excellent resources to explain to girls and boys with intellectual disabilities the changes happening to their bodies and how to manage them (most of the Girls' one concerns periods). Other resources by the same authors include Secret Girls' Business and Secret Boys' Business for all girls and boys. They have more details in a more complex manner than Special Girls' and Boys' Business but can be good for parents to explain things to their children with Down syndrome as well as for older, more accomplished readers. Now the authors have created More Secret Girls' Business. It is promoted as a companion volume to Special Girls' Business. It includes more details about the information in Special Girls' Business and physical and emotional changes. It also seems to be presented in a clearer and less busy way. 

For girls with Down syndrome starting puberty, I would recommend Special Girls' Business but for parents who want simple ways to explain and discuss things and for older girls who want more information, I would recommend More Secret Girls' Business. I look forward to More Secret Boys' Business which I hope is coming out soon.

Other puberty resources in our library:

Janet gets her period

Talk to me: A personal development manual for women and girls with Down syndrome and their parents Available Online 

Down's Syndrome Scotland also have some good resources online

These resources are available from our library, just email us.

Family Planning NSW also loans out many resources to carers and service providers for people with disabilities. The above resources and many others are available.

DS NSW e-Update: July 2009

The online edition of the Down Syndrome NSW Update, July 2009 is now available here.

Auslan flashcards, game cards

In addition to teaching and publishing, Hands Can Talk produces a range of resources to assist families learning to use sign and maintaining sign skills to support communication. The latest products are card sets, designed to teach signs in various categories, suitable to be used as flashcards or for memory games, and an Animal Lotto game incorporating photos and signs.

The Hands Can Talk website is currently undergoing a comprehensive overhaul, and will be relaunched shortly. The new products will be available through the new website, but meanwhile, contact Hands Can Talk by phone or email for further information on formats and costs.

Contact details for Hands Can Talk:

Phone 02 9824 8332

Fax 02 9824 8112

Email aileen@handscantalk.com.au

10th World Down Syndrome Congress - 7 weeks to go

A reminder that the 10th World Down Syndrome Congress will be held in Dublin, Ireland from 19th - 22nd August 2009 - that's just seven weeks away, but you still have time to register. We know that a number of NSW families are planning to be there, and two DS NSW staff members are attending.

The Congress has a comprehensive website, providing full details for registration and programs, including the first International Synod of People with Down Syndrome, adressing the topics of Employment Opportunities and Living in the Community:

The theme for the Congress is "Lifelong Living and Learning". We have chosen this theme to stress the fact that people with Down syndrome and their families develop right throughout their lives. We are constantly encountering new experiences and personal demands, in circumstances that can be both challenging and fulfilling for each individual, family and community.

Playschool, Tuesday 7th July

ABC TV perennial Play School will feature Matilda, who has Down syndrome, on Tuesday 7th July, in the morning episode (a different episode will be broadcast in the afternoon time slot).