Sydney workshops on Microboards

Introduction to Microboards

1 April 2017 - West Ryde (Sydney) 

and
Family Mentoring Session

2 April 2017 - West Ryde (Sydney) 

Developmental Disability WA

A microboard is a small group of people, typically committed family and friends who form an incorporated association and work with the person to help them plan and achieve their goals for a good life. 

Depending on a person’s particular needs, a Microboard’s role can include assisting with coordinating support services, finding and keeping employment and facilitating friendships. 

This workshop will introduce you to what a microboard is and how they can be set up and run. 

• The orgnisers advise that NDIS participants might be able to use NDIS funds to attend these workshops. 

Belonging Matters 2014: Melbourne, September

• Click here for the detailed flyer

One page profiles - ' ... a simple way to start personalising education ...'

This simple-to-prepare resource could be useful in supporting people with disabilities beyond the classroom, and across all ages.  This post describes a UK educational implementation, that could be easily adapted:

Using One Page Profiles for your special needs child
Debs Aspland, Special Needs Jungle, 17th February 2014
... A one-page profile gives a shared understanding about the child, built from the knowledge of the child, the family and friends and teaching staff.

They give parents an opportunity to share their learning and expertise on what good support means for their child, and what is important to them. It is these ‘little things’ that make a huge difference ... read on here.

Turnips and the NDIS ...

The Laughing Turnip
This short, original video was a hit with the audience when it was used as part of a service providers' conference presentation by Jackie Softly and Samantha Connor, this week in Sydney. 'The message, to service providers, is that rebranding and re jigging your agencies isn't enough if you're serving the same old services. People need choice and good information so they can make informed choices regarding their services under the NDIS.'

We can put you in touch with Jackie and Sam if you want to know more about their work (or to contact the actors for a project!).


With the advent of the NDIS and a new direction in self directed services, some service providers are choosing to do new things in a way that their customers want. But what happens when you 'rebrand' and keep the status quo?

Centre for Disability Studies: short course on Person-Centred Facilitation, open to everyone

The purpose of this short course is to provide an introduction to the theory and practice of person-centred facilitation. Opportunities will be provided to practice facilitation strategies and action methods suitable for leading groups.

Wed 4 September 2013 - Wed 23 October 2013 (8 sessions, 2 hours per week)

Centre for Disability Studies (University of Sydney)
The Medical Foundation Building, Camperdown

Presenters: Patricia O'Brien , Ray Murray

For further information and links to online enrolment, visit the course website, here.

2013 NSW Disability Industry Innovation Awards.

Nominations for the 2013 NSW Disability Industry Innovation Awards are now open until 31st May 2013.

This year a new category has been added. The People’s Choice Award will be nominated by people with disability and/or their families and carers and awarded by NSW Minister for Disability Services, Andrew Constance, for a strong commitment to person centred practices.

Other categories for nomination include: 

• Innovation in independent living, 
• Leadership in promoting community engagement and employment opportunities, 
• Excellence in the use of technology

“Now more than ever, innovation and new ideas will be the driving force in ensuring a successful rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS),” Mr Constance said. The Innovation Awards were launched last year and are an initiative of the NSW Government in partnership with National Disability Services NSW (NDS).

This year nominations can include volunteers, self nominations and private workers.

The Innovation Awards ceremony will be held in Sydney in September 2013.

For more information visit www.nds.org.au/nswdiia

Getting Started: My Choice Matters workshops

My Choice Matters is the $5 million consumer development fund set up by the NSW Government to support people with disability (aged 0-65) and their families in NSW to get the most out of the changes towards self-directed supports and individualised budgets.

In a My Choice Matters workshop, people with disability and family members share how they got started, how they learned stuff from what went right and also sometimes what went wrong. 

You will hear from people who have been managing their supports themselves about how they have taken on more control and exercised more choice.

Workshop dates and venues, May and June 2013:

Coffs Harbour Thursday 2 May 2013
Dubbo Wednesday 8 May 2013
Liverpool Friday 10 May 2013
Goulburn Thursday 16 May 2013

Hornsby Thursday 6 June 2013
Newcastle Thursday 27 June 2013

For further information about the workshops and how to register, visit the My Choice Matters website

Two day workshop with Michael Kendrick

Are you preparing for the NDIS … if so this workshop may interest you?

The Centre for Disability Studies (University of Sydney) is hosting a two day workshop

Individual and Agency Transformation

led by Dr Michael Kendrick

Dr Kendrick is well known internationally for consulting with  organisations to bring about change particularly as it relates to individualised funding and self directed support.  He has consulted and lectured worldwide on models of service and support that provide the best fit to meet individual needs.  He is also well known for his work on agency transformation in creating richer lives for people with disabilities and family members.   

Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st March 2013
St Andrews College
University of Sydney

• Flyer and registration form

My Choice Matters

My Choice Matters is a $5 million consumer development fund that has been set up by the NSW Government.

It is governed in partnership between the NSW Council for Intellectual Disability (NSW CID), and the NSW Department for Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC). There will also be an Advisory Group appointed by the Minister for Disability Services.  (Who we are)

Having more choice and control is a big change for many people.

My Choice Matters will work together with you to build on your skills and abilities. This is so you can feel ready to make the most of the changes. You can:

• dream and have more choices
• choose your workers
• decide what times your workers come to support you
• select new supports and learn things
• try new activities
• take control of organising these things, and
• hire people to do all the paperwork for you.

From March 2013, My Choice Matters will provide opportunities for all this learning to happen through events, training and information sessions, workshops, peer support, mentoring, leadership development and more. (What we do)

Nathan Basha is a spokesperson for the Get Involved page on the My Choice Matters website - drop by for much more information.

Information session on The Ally Project: Blue Mountains

The Ally Project is an initiative of InCharge:


SEEKING BLUE MOUNTAINS LOCALS!

Information session:

Monday 10th December 2012, 7.30 pm - 9.00 pm

• GO PLACES   
• CONTRIBUTE   
• EXPRESS YOURSELF   
• KNOW MORE PEOPLE
• MAKE  CHOICES    
• DEVELOP YOUR POTENTIAL  

Connect with people of like-mind through your interests and talents!

This is an 8 month project in 2013 that will assist you build relationships in your local community.

We will work with you to figure out out how your talents and interests can be productively applied in community. This could be in the area of work, leisure, civic contribution, home or other life domains.

RSVP via the webpage link is essential for catering and venue information. An Expression of Interest form can be downloaded, and can be submitted by those living in the Blue Mountains, or further afield to register interest in similar initiatives.

InCharge is a 'social business which invests in the dreams and potential of people with disabilities' - InCharge Australia on Facebook

Circles of Support: Resourcing Families workshop, metro and regional NSW

Circles of Support - all you need to know to get started and keep going!

Resourcing Families is running a practical workshop for families about the ‘how to’ of setting up, running and maintaining a circle of support. Circles of support are an effective strategy for getting more people involved in the life of a person with disability to support them in their life goals and to have a lifestyle that suits them. This can be an enriching and empowering opportunity, as well as an important strategy for keeping people safe into the future.

West Ryde,  13 November 2012

Newcastle,  14 November 2012

Coffs Harbour,  16 November 2012

The day is for families (mothers, fathers, adult brothers and sisters, other relatives) and friends of

people with developmental disability. It would be a great idea to bring any prospective circle

members with you. Families that include a young person with disability are encouraged to attend.

• Flier

See the Resourcing Families website for more details about these events, or phone Resourcing Families on 9869 7753 or 1800 774 764 (NSW non metro callers)

Email: info@resourcingfamilies.org.au

Resourcing Families is an initiative of Family Advocacy NSW

NDIS: ways to have your say

The National Disability and Carer Alliance has received funding from the Federal government to 'ensure people with a disability, their families and carers and specialist disability service providers have a chance to have their say about the design, introduction and implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.'

... this project is about ensuring people have as many opportunities as possible to have their say about how the scheme should work on the ground so it best meets the needs of people with a disability and their families. 

... This project is not about the current system – there is a great deal of evidence already about how the system has failed to meet the needs of people with a disability and their families. What we are looking for is what people would like to see done differently in the future – what works well now, what could work well in the future and what would need to be done to make that happen

NDIS Engagement Project
The Alliance will ... hold a series of forums across the country, including in regional and remote areas. Some of these will be held jointly to include people with a disability, families and service providers all working and responding together. Some will be held separately to make sure people feel comfortable and safe and are able to express themselves in a manner that suits them.

The Alliance website lists scheduled events for people with disabilities, their carers and families, and events for service providers.  No events for people with disabilities and their families have yet been listed for NSW locations, but we are assured that dates in October and November are expected to be announced by the organisers, People with Disability Australia and Carers Australia. 

In the meantime, NS residents can complete the online survey:If you are unable to come to an Engagement Forum, or did not get to say everything you wanted to at the forum you attended, we’d like to invite you to complete the online survey. We are very keen to hear what you think the NDIS should look like.

* * * * * * * * * * 


National Disability Insurance Scheme - Your Say
Starting in July 2013, the first stage of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will become real for people with significant disabilities in South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT, the Hunter region of NSW and the Barwon region of Victoria.

National Disability Insurance Scheme - Your Say is a new website set up by the Commonwealth government where you can have your say about what you want the NDIS to be; what would work best for you and your family. 

You can register for updates, tell the designers your story and what you want from the scheme, your thoughts about what makes a good support worker, for example.

Please take the opportunity to have your say.

* * * * * * * * * * 

Every Australian Counts
The community campaign for the implementation of the NDIS continues to monitor progress and lobby to raise community and political awareness of the urgent need for the NDIS. Visit the website for information on currents activities and events.

Positive Directions: Resourcing Families workshop, regional NSW

See the previous post for information about Family Advocacy events scheduled for the 10th October in Coffs harbour and 16th October in Nowra :

About the Workshop:
Many families have said that they would like their son or daughter with disability to enjoy the same good, ordinary, opportunities as their other children but that they find this hard to achieve.

This workshop considers why this is so and explores strategies for helping a person with disability to have a good life as part of their community. These strategies are:

• having a positive vision for the future
• working not just for community presence but also community participation and relationships and
• assisting people to develop and sustain positive roles in their community by ‘looking the part’ and ‘acting the part’.

With NSW Government policy changing to enable people with disability and their families to have more control over their lives, now is a great time to be inspired!

• Flier

Resourcing Families is an initiative of Family Advocacy NSW

Making a Difference: Family Advocacy workshop, Coffs Harbour and Nowra

Family Advocacy workshops coming up in regional NSW. See the next post for information about Resourcing Families events scheduled for the 11th October in Coffs harbour and 17th October in Nowra :

Making a Difference
Family and friends are often called upon to speak or act on behalf of people with disability. The formal term for speaking or acting on behalf of another person is advocacy. 

Making a Difference is a workshop specifically for families and friends of people with developmental disability who would like to gain and develop their advocacy skills. The workshop will explore what advocacy is and why it is needed. It will also provide you with practical hints and tips to increase your confidence and success when you speak or act on behalf of a person with disability.

10 October 2012

Coffs Harbour

16 October 2012
Nowra

Registrations close 27th September 2012

• Flier

For all enquiries, contact Family Advocacy on (02) 9869 0866 or 1800 620 588 or by email at workshops@family-advocacy.com

Living Life My Way Ambassadors and Champions Program

From NSW Ageing, Disability and Home Care:
On 24 April 2012, the Minister for Disability Services, the Hon. Andrew Constance MP, announced that the NSW Government was setting up the Living Life My Way Ambassadors and Champions Program to raise awareness of person centred approaches in NSW.
Vision for a person centred disability support system

The NSW Government's vision for a person centred disability support system is one in which:

• People with a disability, their families and carers have choice and control over their support arrangements to suit their needs
• People with a disability are supported to live a good life by achieving their full potential, living as independently as possible and participating in the community and the economy
• Families and carers are supported to sustain positive and healthy relationships and pursue their own goals
• The disability sector is diverse and sustainable, offering quality, person centred and cost effective supports.

About the Living Life My Way Ambassadors and Champions Program

The purpose of this two-year initiative is to raise community awareness and understanding of person centred supports and the Government's policy directions for self directed support and individualised budgets.

The Government is looking for enthusiastic people who are passionate about person centred approaches, have experience in self-managing their supports and are willing to share their experiences and inspire others.

Up to 50 community representatives from a range of backgrounds will each be appointed for 12 months as Ambassadors and Champions.

Recruitment for the first round of Ambassadors and Champions is now open. Applications should be submitted by Friday 21 September 2012.

• Ambassadors and Champions Program information pack (RTF)
• Ambassadors and Champions Program application form (RTF)

Centre for Disability Studies workshops and seminars

The Centre for Disability Studies has a number of workshops and seminars scheduled over the next few weeks.

Registration and further information about all CDS events from Centre for Disability Studies, 02 9036 3600 or margaret.carrick@sydney.edu.au

Angerwise: a problem solving approach to handling anger wisely 

28th August 2012, Camperdown

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Trauma Informed Positive Behaviour Support and Complex Behaviour 

One Day Workshop

10 September 2012 

The Auditorium, Medical Foundation Building, 92-94 Parramatta Rd, Camperdown 

Cost – $169.00 per person

This one-day interactive workshop presents information regarding the impact of trauma and how that trauma affects the neurodevelopment of children into adulthood. The presenter will guide small groups through the process of applying the concepts presented in the workshop to one individual served by attendees. This will empower attendees to immediately use the concepts presented to integrate the information into Positive Behavior Support plans through the use of structural assessments. The training is appropriate for all staff at all levels of the organization. A background in psychology or medicine is not required!

Workshop will run for a minimum of 20 and maximum 40 participants 

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Facilitating Person Centred Planning (2 day workshop) 

18th - 19th September 2012, Ryde 

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Strengthening Interactive Foundations for Person Centred Planning

Day 1 – September 4: 9.30am - 4pm

Sancta Sophia College, 8 Missenden Road, Camperdown 

Day 2  –  October 10: 9am - 1pm 

venue to be confirmed

$300.00 plus GST

This 1-day workshop and half day follow up will provide opportunities to discuss and problem solve issues relating to using PCP with people who have severe difficulties with communication (for example, people who have profound and multiple disabilities, people with autism and intellectual disability, people who appear to withdraw from interaction, and those who have behaviours which interfere with positive interactions). 

The themes of the workshop include: discussing tricky issues (for example, dealing with idiosyncratic preferences and people who appear to refuse interaction - the dance of boundaries); the Hanging Out Program as a support for PCP; using Video Interaction Guidance to enhance and uncover interaction; ownership of decisions and the legitimacy of opinions; and alternative communication (for example, eye gaze, mobility, facial expression, pictures and objects). 

The follow up day (October 10) will focus on reviewing participant videos (VIG) and identifying what is working, in addition to a discussion of the strategies trialled by participants since the initial workshop. This workshop are highly interactive in nature and will allow for a deep consideration of the challenges, and the generation of new possibilities to trial and reflect on. 

 ___________________

Medication management in supported living settings - half day workshop

Presented by Dr Seeta Durvasula and Sam Arnold 

Thursday 27 September 

9.00am - 1.00pm 

The Auditorium, Medical Foundation Building, 92-94 Parramatta Road, Camperdown 
Cost: $98.00 + GST


Everything you wanted to know about medications and medication management in a supported living setting but were too afraid to ask. This workshop is aimed at support workers and managers, and covers: 

·         What are medications? 
·         Adverse Drug Reactions 
·         Medication errors 
·         Specific medications – including psychotropics, anticonvulsants, antibiotics 
·         Practical aspects, including ADHC policies and funding requirements 
·         Documentation, Administration, Hygiene 
·         Storage and disposal 
·         Medication administration errors – prevention and response 
·         Supporting self administration 
·         Consent 

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Registration and further information about all CDS events from 

Centre for Disability Studies (University of Sydney)

02 9036 3600 or margaret.carrick@sydney.edu.au

Facilitating Person Centred Planning (2 day Workshop)

Michaela Kennedy presents a two day workshop for the Centre for Disability Studies

FACILITATING PERSON CENTRED PLANNING 

18th - 19th September 2012

Based on John O'Brien's 5 valued experiences and the values of inclusion, this workshop is designed to support people to gain fluency in the skills and practices of Person Centredness. It demonstrates how to document learning and record actions in order for the individual to be assisted around what is most important to him / her, whilst having a balance of health and safety.

Day 2 builds on the learning from the first day and is tailored to suit the learning needs of each individual including:

• Reviewing how the services are currently supporting the individual
• Focusing on how life is right now and helping people vision & stretch towards future hopes and dreams
• Reviewing influences of working or not working from different perspectives 
• Building an active circle of support
• Planning towards Citizenship within the person’s community
• Looking outside service life to build a full community life

Venue, Time and Cost:
Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club, 117 Ryedale Road, West Ryde 
9am- 4pm both days$400.00 plus GST 

Registration and further information from Centre for Disability Studies, 02 9036 3600 or margaret.carrick@sydney.edu.au

Dating and disability: Life Matters, ABC Radio

Life Matters, on ABC Radio National this morning featured a ten minute segment on how people with intellectual disabilities can be supported to develop and sustain the relationships they choose:

The world of dating can be a tricky for anyone entering into it but for those with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to meet people can often be more limited. Liz Dore is a relationship counsellor who runs friendship and dating skills workshops and provides dating coaching for the intellectually disabled. Danielle Pham, who has (Down syndrome), has attended both the workshops and taken part in dating coaching. She met her partner at one of the workshops and has been in a relationship for three years now.

Image: Danielle Pham and Liz Dore (photo by Tracey Trompf) from the Life Matters website

Congratulations to both Danielle and Liz on a great interview.  Liz Dore's website is Relationships and Private Stuff, for more information on her counselling services and workshop.
The segment is available as a podcast, or for direct listening on the Life Matters website, here.

Angerwise: for people with ID

Assoc Prof Vivienne Riches has let us know that she will schedule an Angerwise workshop specifically designed for people with intellectual disability, if there is sufficient need, in response to the workshop for primarily for carers already scheduled for 28th August. Alternatively, a short course of group sessions can be considered (probably at Ryde). 


Please contact Prof Riches through the Centre for Disability Studies if you, or someone you care for, would be interested:  ph 02 9036 3600, or email vivienne.riches@sydney.edu.au

Angerwise: Centre for Disability Studies workshop

Do you get angry? Do others get angry at you?

Anger is a powerful human emotion that is often experienced in daily life and it can be very upsetting. Anger can be helpful or harmful. When not resolved well, anger can result in aggressive behaviour, bitterness and resentment, and it can be stored up over time and seriously affect health, relationships and quality of life.

AngerWise: A problem solving approach to handling anger wisely - introduces participants to key information, tools and resources to better understand, control and handle anger wisely.

The workshop is open to carers, service providers and people with intellectual disabilities.

Presenter: Assoc Prof Vivenne Riches

Tuesday 28th August 2012
9.30 am - 4 pm
Cost: $200 + GST

Centre for Disability Studies, University of Sydney
Medical Foundation Building 
92-94 Parramatta Road |
Camperdown 


Enquiries and registration form: CDS ph 02 9036 3600 email: margaret.carrick@sydney.edu.au