Scrapheap Adventure Ride returns for the eighth year - the biggest and best ride yet!

The Scrapheap Adventure Ride is a unique fundraising event which involves motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the country purchasing a bike for no more than $1000 and doing it up for an adventure ride through the Aussie outback, all while raising money for people with Down syndrome.

Last year we had a blast at Four Corners Farm Stay in Nymagee. We had 101 riders and together we raised over $97,000! This year we are aiming to top that and raise a new record of over $100,000 with100 plus riders.

Our destination for 2017 is Green Valley Farm near Tingha, which in turn is near Inverell in Northern NSW. We will be camping and Scrapping on the weekend of September 29 to October 1.

We will have the Adventure Moto Ride departing Wisemans Ferry at 8am on Thursday September 28. Warren Sakey, once again, has a great ride planned and we will be overnighting at Quirindi. More details to follow.

As always, there will be an Adventure ride loop on the Saturday where we are sure there will be thrills and possibly a few spills. On Saturday evening, there will be plenty of fun and entertainment for the whole family, including open mic music during our celebratory dinner auction and awards ceremony.

Of course, the best part of any Scrapheap is catching up with your mates and the friendly competition between teams and raising money for Down Syndrome Australia/NSW. However raising money is not our only objective as I am sure there will be a few drinks raised over the weekend as well.

Remember it is a family weekend and Green Valley farm also offers a wealth of activities for everyone including the kids, so why not bring the whole support crew!

Catering packages and accommodation options info will be provided shortly.

The registration this year is $100 for all bikes (Scrapper or non-scrapper), Please help us make this the most successful and fun year ever.

If you can't join us, we hope you will be able to sponsor one of this year's riders or teams. Make sure you connect with other Scrappers on Facebook by joining the Scrapheap group.

www.scrapheapadventureride.com.au

Scrapheap Adventure Ride 2017: Team Inverell in the news

Much appreciated continuing support for Scrapheap Adventure Ride from Inverell, in northern NSW:

Inverell's Scrapheap Adventure Riders prepare for first Down Syndrome NSW fundraiser
Naomi Shumak, The Inverell Times, 17 May 2017

Brendon, Emi and Ashleigh Campbell

... Each year, the Scrapheap Adventure Riders take up the challenge of buying a bike for less than $1000, doing whatever is needed to make it roadworthy and taking it through the outback; all while raising funds for Down Syndrome NSW.

“I’ve blown a few bikes up, but it’s all the enjoyment and fun of it,” rider Joe Bliss said.

Local Brendon Campbell said the ride meant a lot to his family, especially daughter Emi, who has down syndrome.

“Our family has benefitted from NSW Down Syndrome Association with support and events since Emi was born. Joining this is part of our way of helping to give back,” he said ...

• Scrapheap Adventure Ride on Facebook

Latest additions to 'events' pages

• Click here for Down Syndrome NSW events

These links provide information about events run by other organisations that might be of interest to people with Down syndrome, their families, carers and professionals who support them 

• All current events listings  

PossABLE Expo Albury

12 – 13 May 2017 - Albury Entertainment Centre

IDEAS

The NDIS launches in the Murrumbidgee and Riverina Regions from July 2017 and the Ovens Murray Region from October 2017. 

PossABLE is an Expo that provides the opportunity for people with a disability, their families and carers to see, hear and try the best options to assist their life choices.
These Expos bring together people and organisations from everywhere to help people with disability live a full and independent life of their own choosing. 

Who is IDEAS? Visit their website here.

Sexuality and Relationships Forum

Saturday 27 May 2017 - Corrimal (Wollongong)

Family Planning NSW

Forum for parents and carers of people with intellectual disability. 

Family Planning NSW provides parents and carers with much needed information and resources about sexuality and relationships. Our forums help parents and carers to gain a clearer understanding of their child's sexuality and how to support their personal development in a positive way.

More information about program content 

• Flyer - please note there are two pages, the second outlining options for workshops within the forum 

• Information about Family Planning NSW training events for support professionals

Carers and the NDIS 2 day workshops
Carers NSW

Dates and location across NSW are now available here.

Is there such a thing as a good group home?

9:30 am – 3:00 pm Friday 9 June 2017

New Law School Annex, University of Sydney

Centre for Disability Studies and Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability (ASID) NSW

What does the research tell us? What action do we need to take to improve the quality?
What are the alternatives?

Who should attend? 

Those in a leadership role of accommodation support services including CEOs and senior managers; Families of people with intellectual disability; Service coordinators/case workers; Funders; Professional staff who support individuals living in group homes

Presented by Professor Christine Bigby (La Trobe University, Living with Disability Research Centre)

Screenability Program at the Sydney Film Festival
7 - 18 June 2017 - Sydney

The focus of Screenability is to grow participation via internships with a wide range of industry professionals, showcasing productions by filmmakers with disability in a festival context, and providing best practice in building diversity in the screen industries. 

The programming of titles for Screenability has been a stimulating process, and has uncovered creatives with talent and dedication eager to own the disability narrative. There are many films about disability, but today’s projects made by those with lived experience of disability offer the most startling, provocative and authentic cinema.

Ripple Effect 2017 + 2018

August 2017 - September 2018 - Cootamundra NSW
Murmuration Integrated Theatre

Murmuration is working in collaboration with The Arts Centre Cootamundra to facilitate a series of inclusive creative workshops throughout 2017 and 2018. 

Across three art forms participants will take part in a creative development process culminating in a presentation and showcase. Participants will be taught by and exchange with professional artists with and without disability. 

The workshops are designed to inspire and engage a diverse range of people’s interests, needs and abilities.

Regional workshops for families, on inclusive education

One of the Kids

4 April 2017 - Bathurst

5 April 2017 - Lithgow

6 April 2017 - Katoomba

7 April 2017 - Emu Plains

Family Advocacy

Come along to learn about inclusive education, hear stories of success from the regular classroom, and think about how inclusion can work for your child!

Scrapheap Adventure Ride 2017 - Tingha, NSW

The Scrapheap Adventure Ride is a unique fundraising event which involves motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the country purchasing a bike for no more than $1000 and doing it up for an adventure ride through the Aussie outback, all while raising money for people with Down syndrome.

In just six years the event has raised nearly $500,000 for Down Syndrome NSW.
Riders begin their journey at home or wherever they like but arrive at the same destination.

This year that destination is Green Valley Farm, Tingha, in North Western NSW, where all ‘Scrappers’ plus family and friends will meet for a weekend of fun and entertainment at a campsite from September 29 to October 1.

Our target for 2017 is 100 riders raising $100,000 for Down Syndrome NSW. So what are you waiting for? Click here to join the 2017 Scrapheap Adventure Ride.

If you’re not a rider, you can support the Scrapheap Adventure Ride and Down Syndrome NSW by sponsoring a rider or just donating to the cause.

Free NSW forums on NDIS - Every Australian Counts

The Every Australian Counts team will be hitting the road from March – May presenting NDIS information forums in the NSW regional areas where the NDIS will be rolling out from July.

Topics include:

• What the NDIS is, why we need it and what it means for you
• The changes that the NDIS brings and how they will benefit you
• How to access the NDIS and get the most out of it 

These free forums are designed for people with disability, their families and carers, people working in the disability sector and anyone else interested in all things NDIS.

Please register for tickets and let Every Australian Counts know about any access requirements. All the venues are wheelchair accessible and Auslan interpreters are available if required. Please contact us when you book if you have specific access requests.

We’ve locked in the following locations:

Casino 8th March
Grafton 9th March
Coffs Harbour 14th March
Port Macquarie 15th March
Wagga Wagga 23rd March
Orange 5th April
Dubbo 6th April
Nowra 2nd May
Wollongong 3rd May
Albury 9th May
Broken Hill 16th May

We will be holding Sydney metro forums too – we’ll have those dates to you ASAP.

Click on a link above to register online now!

Latest additions to 'events' pages

• Click here for Down Syndrome NSW events

These links provide information about events run by other organisations that might be of interest to people with Down syndrome, their families, carers and professionals who support them 

• All current events listings  

Lessons My Son Taught Me: Anything Is Possible!

6pm–9pm Tuesday 7 March 2017 - O'Connor, ACT

Imagine More - Canadian presenter Alison Ouellette. For - people with a disability; families and friends; support staff; community members. Online registration is open now.

• How Dave transitioned from High School
• Setting up Dave’s business
• Creating Dave’s home of his own
• Hearing about a life that mattered

Responding Well To People Labeled As Having “Challenging Behaviour”

9.30am–4.30pm Friday 17 March 2017 - O'Connor, ACT

Imagine More - a workshop presented by Ann Greer

• How you can respond to behaviour in ways that are respectful and non-punishing.
• How you can work collaboratively to understand the motives, effects and consequences of behaviour.
• How you can develop a range of strategies to minimise the effects of certain behaviours.

Creatability on iView long term collection

The complete first series (9 episodes) of Creatability is available on ABC iView until 27 November 2019:

Artists with disabilities reveal the places and perspectives driving them to create. From textiles to dance, these portraits of artists creating in regional NSW were produced by independent filmmakers from across the state.

The first episode features a young man with Down syndrome, Kayah Guenther:

20 year-old artist Kayah Guenther explores his strength and masculinity through dance. Working alongside esteemed choreographer, Gavin Webber, this film explores identity, vulnerability and power through movement.

Another young man with Down syndrome, Lydian Dunbar features in Episode 8.

Latest additions to 'events' pages

• Click here for Down Syndrome NSW events

These links provide information about events run by other organisations that might be of interest to people with Down syndrome, their families, carers and professionals who support them 

• All current events listings 

‘Understanding Abuse’ and 'Staying Safe' forum
National Disability Services, NSW CID and the NSW Ombudsman invite you to attend a free forum about human rights, safety and preventing abuse and neglect of people with disability.

Representatives from VALID will talk about their Staying Safe program for people with disability. Staff from NDS’s Zero Tolerance Initiative will also talk about the free new Understanding Abuse online training and tools for disability service providers.

Who should come to the forums?
People with disability, direct support staff and supervisors are invited to both sessions. You can also choose the session that is best for you.

The event is free, but please RSVP to let us know you're coming via the eventbrite link 

10am - 1 pm Monday 28 November 2016 - West Ryde


International Day of People with Disability - free event:

This is not just your average night at the movies. Arriving on the red carpet will be like walking onto a live stage, with music and live performances, before a night of film to celebrate International Day of People with Disability! 

It’s an event not to miss, with a stellar line up including Paralympian Dylan Alcott, Actor Alex Jones and key talent yet to be announced. To top off the night we will hear from NSW filmmaker Sofya Gollan and have the opportunity to watch her locally made, award-winning short film Gimpsey. 

Tickets are FREE and canapés and refreshments will be served.

• Register Now for you and a friend, so you don’t miss a cracking night of entertainment and film!

This is a featured event and showcase for this year’s Don't DIS my ABILITY campaign. 

For information about IDPWD events in NSW, visit the Don't DIS my ABILITY website.

Access All Areas Film Festival:

Event Cinemas 159 - 175 Church St Parramatta
11 am   Screening with audio description
11.10 am Screening with open captions
11.30 am  Relaxed screening with chill out space next door
RSVP: eventbrite.com.au or IDEAS freecall 1800 029 904  or SMS 0458 296 602
All program and venue information Access All Areas Film Festival 2016 across NSW

Shaping our future: discussions on disability rights: Albury
Alistair McEwin, Disability Discrimination Commissioner - come along and provide your input to the proposed priorities of the Australian Disability Discrimination Commissioner. Once you have registered for a consultation you will receive email updates that will include: the discussion paper, an agenda, and other relevant information about the consultations.

The venues for the consultation will be accessible. Auslan interpreters will be available. Please advise us as soon as possible if you have any other accessibility requirements.
10:30 am – 1:00 pm Monday 12 December 2016 - Albury NSW

Is golf or netball your sport?

Landmark partnership to make golf an even more inclusive sport
Adrian Proszenko, Sydney Morning Herald, 29 October 2016
Golf will become an even more inclusive sport in NSW following a landmark initiative encouraging people living with an intellectual disability to participate in the game ...

Disability netball shooting goals across NSW

Netball NSW, 31 October 2016

It has been a fantastic year for Disability inclusion in New South Wales, and in particular for netball and all those involved in our wonderful sport.

Throughout 2016 netball Associations and Clubs in NSW, with the support of Netball NSW have worked tirelessly to create a diverse and inclusive environment for Players with a Disability (PWD), and the results have been overwhelming ...

Scrapheap Adventure Ride 7: 30 September - 2 October

Scrapheap is back for it's roughest toughest year yet!

The Scrapheap Adventure Ride is back for it's seventh great journey through the Aussie outback.

To the many people who supported scrapheap in the past we wanted to say a huge 

Thank You!

We would love your support again this year.

Help us reach our target of $100,000, to enable people with 

Down Syndrome reach their full potential.

  Sponsor a Scrapper  

Make a Donation

This year that destination is Kallara Station, Tilpa, in western New South Wales, where all ‘Scrappers’ plus family, friends and supporters will meet for a weekend of fun and entertainment at a campsite from 30 September 30 to 2 October .

That's over 900km from Sydney!

We have 60 riders registered and have raised of $15,000 so far! The aim is to raise $100,000!

Over the past 6 years Scrapheap has raised over $400,000 for 

Down Syndrome NSW which has had a huge impact on people 

with Down syndrome and their families.

Art Safari: entries open

Challenge Community Services Art Competition is designed to allow people with a disability living in NSW, the opportunity to further enhance their individualism, independence and status within the community through the expression of art.

The Challenge Art Competition is open to all persons with a disability living in NSW, who are currently attending a disability service. 

Entries are now open! Paintings, drawings and photographs are welcome. The prize pool is worth over $2500.

Entries close on Wednesday, 12th October 2016.

The 2016 Art Safari exhibition will run from 22 November - 20 December in Tamworth.

• Flyer, conditions of entry and entry form

Inquiry into access to transport for seniors and disadvantaged people in rural and regional NSW

NSW Legislative Assembly (media release)

7 June 2016

Image: pixabay.com

Getting around is hard enough for older and disadvantaged people in closely settled areas, but what about the plight of those in rural and remote areas? That question is at the heart of a parliamentary inquiry into transport access for seniors and disadvantaged people, being conducted by the NSW Parliament’s Committee on Community Services.

“Most Australians have access to public transport or have enough money to provide their own,” Committee Chair and Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said. “For most of us, society supports our mobility. “But in some cases, particularly for those who live in remote areas and are on pensions or who are otherwise disadvantaged, transport options are either very limited or absent. That in turn limits access to medical and social support services. 

"This inquiry is looking into how that issue might be overcome in an equitable way. “We’ll be looking at a range of options, including adjustments to existing transport services or financial support measures." 

The Terms of Reference adopted by the Committee will give particular regard to the situation of seniors, Aboriginal persons, persons with disability, and social housing tenants. The Inquiry emerged from a request by Deputy Premier Troy Grant who asked that the Committee examine these issues and report back to Parliament.

 “We welcome any ideas or observations on this issue through submissions to the inquiry,” Mr Marshall said. “The inability to get suitable transport is a chronic problem for many individuals, so it's important that we provide a useful channel that helps the community to be part of the solution.”

The Committee will report to Parliament before 30 November. It is receiving submissions until 21 July 2016. 

For further information, including the full terms of reference, please refer to the Committee’s webpage.

Radio interview: remarkable parenting

Sue and Neil Coutts from Martins Creek (in the Hunter region) have opened their home to over 55 children in the past 20 years ... that's on top of raising their three biological children. They spoke to Ben Millington on 1233 (Newcastle) Mornings yesterday, to highlight the need for foster parents in NSW. 

Sue and Neil have cared both short and long term for a number of children with complex health care needs and disabilities. Their very strong and successful advocacy for their daughter Sarah to remain at the local primary school into her high school years because of her fragile health, was well supported by the local community and press as you can see from previous posts here and here. Sarah died at 14 in 2010, and Sue and Neil are now foster parents to two young sons with Down syndrome. 

This excellent interview is 14 minutes long, and well worth the time to listen, and contemplate the remarkable parenting of two of the most grown-up people you will ever hear.

Carers in the Kitchen workshops and more - Carers NSW 40th anniversary

Carers NSW is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, with a series of events across NSW, including:

As part of the Carers NSW 40th Birthday celebrations we are launching a series of Carers in the Kitchen cooking workshops with My Kitchen Rules finalists, Helena and Vikki Moursellas. 

The monthly workshops run from June – November 2016 and will take place at the William Angliss Institute, 26/32 Waterloo St, Surry Hills 2010, and are dedicated to teaching you everything you need to know about budgeting, planning and preparing scrumptious meals for your family and friends.

Attendance is free for carers who are members of Carers NSW and you can register your interest online or by contacting the Communications Team on commsteam@carersnsw.org.au to obtain a printed copy of the registration form. 

Expressions of interest close Friday 13th May 2016.

40 years 40 stories

Throughout 2016 we are asking carers across NSW to share their caring stories. The stories will be complied and used to raise awareness of over 850,000 unpaid family and friend carers in NSW and the work they do in supporting a loved one. 

If you have a caring story or any pictures you would like to share, please send them to contact@carersnsw.org.au or post them to PO Box 20156 World Square NSW 2002.

A calendar of events across regional NSW is online here. To find out more about events happening near you or to request promotional material for your carer support group or organisation, contact the Communications Team on 02 9280 4744 or commsteam@carersnsw.org.au.

Key Word Sign workshops: Hunter

Full details of workshop content are in this flyer

Members/Family/Carers: $32 

Service Providers: $100 

Purchase tickets online

Registration closes 11 May 2016

Register now for the ride of the year

Registrations are now open for Scrapheap Adventure Ride 2016

Visit  the Scrapheap Adventure Ride 2016 website here and click on 'Join The Ride'

Scrapheap Adventure Ride 2016: fund raising for Down Syndrome NSW

The Scrapheap Adventure Ride 2016 (the seventh Scrapheap event) destination has been announced - Kallara Station, Tilpa NSW:

The Scrapheap Adventure Ride is a unique fundraising event which involves motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the country purchasing a bike for no more than $1000 and doing it up for an adventure ride through the Aussie outback, all while raising money for people with Down syndrome. 

In just six years the event has raised nearly $400,000 for Down Syndrome NSW.
Riders begin their journey at home or wherever they like but arrive at the same destination. 

This year that destination is Kallara Station, Tilpa, in Western NSW, where all ‘Scrappers’ plus family and friends will meet for a weekend of fun and entertainment at a campsite from September 30 to October 2.

Our target for 2016 is 100 riders raising $100,000 for Down Syndrome NSW.

• Scrapheap Adventure Ride 2016 website
• Scrapheap Adventure Ride 2016 on Facebook 

Arts news

• For news about arts events and opportunities (including grants) across NSW, read the Accessible Arts Newsletter online, or subscribe.

Artist Run Initiative: Opportunity for artists with disability

Arts OutWest has recently invited expressions of interest from artists with and without disability living in the Central West to join this new artist run initiative (ARI) project.

Currently, ten passionate and engaged visual artists with disability have become involved. These artists are in the process of communicating and aiming for their first Central West ARI meeting in late March. 

Visit the Arts Out West website for much more information or to join the group contact Zoe Rodwell, Life-Long Learning Development Officer on 0434 368 033 or email zrodwell@yahoo.com.au or artsoutwest@csu.edu.au

Arts Activated: call for papers
Accessible Arts (AA) is now calling for proposals for papers, presentations or workshops to present at the 2016 Arts Activated conference, ‘Pathways to Practice’, 20 and 21 September at Carriageworks, Sydney Australia.

Submissions close 5pm Tuesday 12 April 2016 ... details

Australian Chamber Orchestra's Move Program

Accessible Arts Newsletter, February 2016
The Australian Chamber Orchestra's [ACO] Education Program aims to provide students with the skills and inspiration to explore and continue their artistic journey. As part of the development and growth of the Education Program, ACO Move was created to encourage young adults with disability to learn, practice and develop movement responses to music being played live in a safe and inclusive environment.

Dean Watson, the ACO’s Customer Relations and Access Manager, says, "ACO Move is about access in its broadest sense: access to what we do, who we are, how we work, think and create; access to musicians, instruments, staff, administration and facilities. This broad conception of access helps to encourage inclusive and transparent involvement in the creative process. ACO Move is set up to engage as directly as possible with the best disability arts practice, bringing together young adults with disability and members of the ACO - both musicians and staff."

• ACO Move 2016 – application form available online.

Accessible Arts Grants Program 2016
Accessible Arts is pleased to offer a second year of funding through its 2016 Small Grants Program. Supported by Lifetime Care, the program consists of two opportunities for not-for-profit arts and disability services/organisations and/or for groups or individual artists with disability living in NSW.

• The Small Grant offers funds for projects at any stage of their creative development and/or public presentation, of amounts between $5,000 – $20,000 Applications close 4 April 2016

• The Quick Response Grant offers funding up to $5,000 for artist projects that demonstrate evidence of urgency, unforeseen or sudden opportunity ...

All details and application information is on the Accessible Arts website, here.

A Training Ground for Untrained Artists

Nathaniel Richdec, New York Times Magazine, 16 December 2015
An Oakland nonprofit has a startling track record for helping developmentally disabled adults become prolific — and profitable — artists ...

K2C 2016 begins ...

Last night Lance, Leigh, Shane and Evan camped out on the cold, windy summit of Mount Kosciuszko preparing themselves for the 9 day adventure ahead.

Jindabyne, Cooma, Michelago, Captains Flat, Braidwood, Nerriga, Nowra, Wollongong, Cronulla and Coogee ... plus all the towns in-between ... This is the route for K2C 2016.



We are asking everyone to please support their heroic efforts this year, with all proceeds going Down Syndrome NSW. There are many ways to get involved with K2C - You can sponsor one of the riders by making a donation, you can attend one of the events being organised or even just help spread the word through your networks.

Sponsor our Riders:
Help our riders reach their fundraising goal! First select the rider/s you wish to sponsor from the fundraisers page. You can sponsor as many of the riders as you like.

Once you are viewing the riders’ profile page simply click the ‘Give Now’ button and fill in the form to make your donation. Don’t forget to add your name and message so that they show up on the rider’s profile feed!

Attend an Event:
Two exciting events have been organised by Down Syndrome NSW to show some local support for the K2C team.

Nowra community dinner
16 March, 6pm
Bomaderry Bowling Club Bistro

A community event where you will have the chance to meet the K2C team: Lance Mitchell, Leigh Leslie, Evan Brunton and Shane Maxfield, as well as DS NSW staff Mary Mamootil and Ben Chinnock. Dinner and drinks available for order from the bistro.

• More information

Coogee picnic to welcome riders
19 March, 11am
Coogee Beach

A community picnic to welcome the riders back and celebrate their achievement! Bring your friends, bring a picnic, play some beach cricket, cheer on the team as they cross the finish line.

• More information

We would love to see you at one of the events!

Interested in learning more about K2C? Read the story behind the event.