Intellectual Disability Healthcare: online courses from University of Queensland

The University of Queensland now offers three courses in its online program Intellectual Disability Health Care. Course instructors are Prof Nicholas Lennox and Miriam Taylor from the Queensland Centre for Intellectual and Developmental Disability, University of Queensland:

Able-Minded - Mental Health and People with Intellectual Disability
Gain an understanding of mental health issues and ethical decision-making for people with intellectual disability.

Through my Eyes – Intellectual Disability Healthcare around the World
Learn, from personal stories, the daily life and challenges faced by those with intellectual disabilities.

Well and Able - Improving the Physical Health of People with Intellectual DisabilityLearn how to help those with intellectual disability achieve better health.

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  

Families Getting NDIS Ready Wednesday 24 May 2017 - Bomaderry Thursday 25 May 2017 - Wollongong Friday 26 May 2017 - Miranda Resourcing Families A free workshop for families to kick-start their NDIS preparation and make the most of the NDIS for their family member with disability - presented by Jan Kruger and Jack Kruger. Hear from a parent and a participant about their NDIS journey Find out how and why they self manage NDIS supports Ask your questions of an NDIS representative Explore strategies for creative planning Learn tools for advocacy in a changing support environment Understanding Person Centredness 25 May 2017 - Camperdown (Sydney) Centre for Disability Studies Participants will attain knowledge in the background and philosophy of Person Centredness and develop skills to apply it in their daily professional practice.  Audience - anyone interested in learning about the fundamentals of Person centredness. This is a good introduction into the CDS suite of Person Centredness workshops.  Facilitator - Ray Murray Carers and the NDIS workshops May – August 2017 - Ashfield, Botany, La Perouse, Marrickville, Nowra, Port Macquarie, Ryde, Shellharbour, Strathfield, Sutherland, Ulladulla, Waverly Carers NSW Do you care for someone with an NDIS package?  Carers NSW is running a series of Carers and the NDIS workshops designed to help carers get the best outcome from the NDIS for the person they care for and for themselves. To find out more, contact the Education and Training team on 02 9280 4744 or education@carersnsw.org.au

NSW CID End of Financial Year packages

NSW Council for Intellectual Disability offers a range of expert services to organisations:

With the end of the financial year rapidly approaching, now is the time to put the remainder of your hard-won budget to good use. NSW CID is offering some great value EOFY packages that will help your organisation be more inclusive and accessible. What better use is there than that?

Need Easy Read materials? Keen to offer more learning opportunities for people with intellectual disability? Wondering how to make your organisation more inclusive? Want to invest in training for your staff? We can help you achieve all of this and more with the expertise of people with intellectual disability, our skilled trainers, facilitators, designers and easy read gurus.

View flyer for more information here or contact our Business Development Manager Tymon Kennedy to book today.

Office of the Children's Guardian: seeking children with disabilities for short film project, Sydney

Arts Access Australia posted this call for children with disabilities to appear in some training films, on Facebook yesterday:

We have been approached by Office of the Children's Guardian about wanting to hire some kids with disability to act in a short film production they are working on as part of a project. This is a PAID JOB and they need our help are on quite a tight time-frame so would appreciate you sharing this info far and wide if possible ...

The project involves the development of training to build capacity for disability providers on how to become a Child Safe Organisation. The training will be delivered across NSW in mid 2017. 

To support the face to face training they are developing 4 short films of situations within the workplace which represent areas of risk. 

Some of the actors required for the training videos will need to be children with disability and at this stage it is likely that a child around 6 years old and another child from 10-14 years old will be needed. All scenarios will be set within an inclusive school environment and if possible it would be great if they could have another 2-3 children as extras. 

They are hoping to film in the week beginning 27 March at La Perouse Public School for around 6 days, and may only need the children for 1-2 of those days. 

Caryn Millward is the Project Officer and can be contacted on 02 9286 7264 if you would like to discuss the details further.

'Disability and a Good Life': free six week online course, UNSW

The University of NSW is offering a six week free online course, Disability and a Good Life:

Learn how disability intersects with human rights, and how a good life can be made possible for everyone. 

20% of the global population has a disability; that means most of us will have an experience of disability in our lives - whether personally, through family and friends, or work. 

It’s crucial that we understand disability and what it means to live well with disability.
In this online course, you’ll find out more about human diversity, and learn about disability and the systems, structures, supports and approaches that enable everyone to live a good life. 

• Register now

NSW CID e-news, February 2017

NSW Young Carer Leadership Program 2017 – applications open

Young Carers NSW is a Carers NSW program for carers aged 25 years and under. Applications are now open for the 2017 Young Carer Leadership Program:

Are you passionate about your role as a young carer? Would you like to gain valuable leadership and presentation skills? Would you like to help raise awareness of young carers? If so, we want YOU to become a Young Carer Leader!!

The Carers NSW Young Carer Leadership Program is designed to give young carers, like you, a stronger voice in the community. Each year, we offer up to 20 places to passionate young carers from across NSW. Selected applicants are invited to Sydney for a jam packed 4 day introductory workshop to leadership, media and presentation skills. Not only will you learn and develop new skills, you’ll also get to meet other young carers and check out some of the sights of Sydney! 

Young carers aged 16-22. Young carers from all cultural backgrounds and living all across NSW (including regional and remote areas) are encouraged to apply! 

The Young Carer Leadership Program will take place between Monday 10th April 2017 – Wednesday 12th April 2017.

Applications are open until Sunday 12th March 2017!

• Am I a young carer?

School, education, teaching, learning

What a very hot, hot hot week for the start of the 2017 school year! Best wishes to all of those students starting school or high school for the very first time, and those returning from the long summer holidays.

There is so much information available to support students, teachers and families, it can be difficult to know where to start. Here are just a few links to give you food for thought right now:


I Don’t Speak for Laura
George Estreich, New York Times, 27 January 2017
... In one way, Laura’s Father’s Day note is nothing special: Lots of people with Down syndrome read and write. In another, it is evidence of a radical transformation that began in my lifetime, and is still underway ...


Schools For All Guide

School Inclusion Parent Network

We, as parents, are the experts on our children and the constant in their lives. But navigating the schools years and ensuring that our children gain access to the general education classroom, receive the appropriate supports and stay on the path to an inclusive future, can be challenging and confusing. Access to quality information can make all the difference ...

• This guide refers to US law and school administrative procedures, but it also includes reading on the nature of inclusion in education, the role of families and other matters that have universal relevance.

Tips for Teachers - a collection of short practical tips for teachers to improve the inclusiveness of their general education classrooms

Dr Robert Jackson and Catia Malaquias, IncludEd (part of the blog Starting with Julius), January 2017
The 2017 school year is about to start and teachers in regular mainstream classrooms will be busy planning and preparing teaching materials, including differentiated curricula materials for students with disability allocated to their class. To assist, we have gathered together all our “Tips for Teachers” articles on this page, including some additional information.

Tips For Teachers Series:

• Creating An Inclusive Class Culture – Practical Tips For Teachers (N.o1)

• Supporting Peer Connection in the Inclusive Class – Practical Tips For Teachers (No.2)

• Less Is More: The Education Assistant – Practical Tips For Teachers (No.3)

• Getting the “Big Idea”: Including All Students in the Same Curriculum – Practical Tips for Teachers (No. 4 Part A)

• Making the “Big Idea” Achievable: Including All students in the Same Curriculum – Practical tips for teachers (No. 4 Part B)

• Presenting the “Big Idea” for All: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) – Practical tips for teachers (No. 4 Part C)

• Behaviour Support in the Inclusive Classroom: The Basics – Practical Tips for Teachers (No. 5 Part A)

Education conferences in Qld and NSW
Two education conferences scheduled for the early weeks of the school year will be of interest to schools, individual teachers and support staff - families can pass the information about them to their child's school:

Embracing Success, Down Syndrome NSW's annual education conference will be held in Sydney 23 - 24 March 2017

Endless Possibilities, Down Syndrome Queensland's annual education conference will be held in Brisbane 2 - 3 March 2017, and might be more accessible to families and teachers in far northern NSW 

More posts on education matters

New online course from Down Syndrome Education International

Down Syndrome Education International has announced a new online course, to be presented by Professor Sue Buckley:

Implementing the Reading and Language Intervention for Children with Down Syndrome (RLI)

... This online course is designed for educators (teachers in mainstream and special education, advisory teachers and SENCOs, teaching assistants and paraprofessionals, speech and language therapists/pathologists) involved in delivering the Reading and Language Intervention for Children with Down Syndrome (RLI). Parents with an interest in the intervention and how they can support their child’s reading and language learning in partnership with their school may also benefit from the course ...

• Details of course content, resources, duration, registration and costs are now available via the Down Syndrome Education International website, here

Improving healthcare for people with intellectual disability: UQ online course open for registration

From the Queensland Centre for Intellectual and Developmental Disability, University of Queensland:

A world-first series of free online courses designed to improve healthcare for people with intellectual disability is again open for registration.

The ABLE XSeries, developed by a team of online learning specialists from The University of Queensland’s UQx and The Queensland Centre for Intellectual and Developmental Disability (QCIDD), had reached a large and responsive audience since its initial release in March 2016, said QCIDD Director Professor Nick Lennox ... read more about the course and how to register here

Sean Fisher is the face of the ABLE XSeries. 

Down Syndrome NSW 2017 education conference: bookings open

SMC Conference and Function Centre, Goulburn Street, Sydney 

Featuring Dr Rhonda Faragher, Dr Kelly Burgoyne (formerly of Down Syndrome Education International) and leading professionals from within the Department of Education and Training and the Catholic Education Office.

This is an essential two day conference for anyone working with a student with Down syndrome and suitable for educators working in all education sectors. Parents and carers are also welcome.

• Booking details and early bird registrations are available now via the Down Syndrome NSW website

Service, Support and Success: November 2016 issue

Service, Support and Success is a monthly international journal for direct support professionals, published in Canada. Each issue features a single substantive article focussed on a practical aspect of direct support.

As more staff are recruited to support people with disabilities with funding from the National Disability Insurance Scheme, they will be interested in locating such good quality resources, to establish good practice, and as education and training resources.

The journal is available free via email subscription or through a website (link below). Here is the link to the latest issue:

Deeply Frank: Getting Serious About Person-Centered Thinking 

Celine Parent, Tammy VanderWier, Elizabeth Wedderspoon, Service, Support and Success, Vol 5, Issue 11, November 2016
... What about if things change? What do we do if someone we support decides that they want to take a college class? Or join the local gym? How can we help them turn the unfamiliar into the familiar? How do we help them learn the routines and the social norms of this new place so that they can feel comfortable? ...

Answers to FAQ’s about the journal

1) The journal is intended to be widely distributed; you do not need permission to forward. You do need permission to publish in a newsletter or magazine.

2) You may subscribe by sending an email to dhingsburger@vitacls.org

3) We are accepting submissions. Email article ideas to either the address above or to anethercott@handstfhn.ca

4) We welcome feedback on any of the articles that appear here.

• Link to back issues of Service, Support and Success on the Vita Living Services website, here. Each issue is now available in both English and French. 

New online training course from Down Syndrome Education International: birth, early intervention and preschool years

Down Syndrome Education International (DSE) has launched a second online course, focused on development from birth and early intervention through the preschool years. The course looks at many aspects of early development, including play, cognition, speech, language, number and motor skills.

Presented and led by Professor Sue Buckley, the course includes 10 modules, each of which includes a video presentation, handouts and an assessment. The video presentations can be viewed, handouts downloaded and assessments completed at any time. In addition, course participants are invited to join an online discussion forum with DSE tutors for the opportunity to ask questions and seek additional advice.

The course offers convenient and cost-effective access to up-to-date information and practical guidance for early years professionals supporting children with Down syndrome aged from birth to 5 years, including health visitors, early years teachers and assistants, speech and language therapists, advisory teachers, educational psychologists and outreach/advice staff and volunteers at organisations supporting young people with Down syndrome. The course will also be valuable for the parents of children with Down syndrome seeking detailed advice, based on the latest research.

• Find out more here

The first DSE online training course was announced in July 2016:

• New online training course launched - Effective education for children with Down syndrome in school, Down Syndrome Education International, 22 July 2016

'Reading OUR Way' webinar and Brisbane workshop

From Down Syndrome Association of Queensland:

DSAQ is excited to announce an upcoming 'Reading OUR Way' webinar  and workshop.

Reading OUR Way is an exciting reading program that is designed for students who are visual learners. The program supports early reading and word recognition and is a valuable literacy tool in the home or the classroom, using the whole word approach.

Webinar: 5 - 7 pm 8 September 2016 (link will be sent on registration and payment) 

Workshop: 5 - 7 pm 12 September 2016 - Brisbane

To register for the workshop or webinar, contact us for a registration form on 07 3356 6655 or office@dsaq.org.au

For more information about the program, visit Reading OUR Way or contact Rachael at info@readingourway.com.au or 07 3356 6655

News from Down Syndrome Education International (1)

New online training course launched - Effective education for children with Down syndrome in school

Down Syndrome Education International, 22 July 2016

Effective education for children with Down syndrome in school

This new online course covers learning and development for young people with Down syndrome in school. Presented and led by Professor Sue Buckley, the course details what the latest research tells us about the educational needs of students with Down syndrome and offers a wealth of practical advice about evidence-based teaching strategies. 

This online course offers convenient and cost-effective access to up-to-date information and practical guidance for parents, teachers and therapists supporting children with Down syndrome aged from 4 to 16 years ... all details are on the DSE website, here.

Arts news (2): dance workshops; Irish film

The Right Foot workshops for 2016 are open for registration

DirtyFeet is a Sydney-based, not-for-profit contemporary dance organisation supporting independent dance artists- particularly young emerging artists looking for opportunities to cultivate their creative potential and gain industry experience.

Throughout September, DirtyFeet is presenting 'The Right Foot' - FREE creative dance workshops for people with and without disability between the ages of 14 and 26 years, providing a creative activity for those who may otherwise not have access to dance. The workshops will be facilitated by Brianna Kell and Margot Politis.

The Right Foot workshops for 2016 are open for registration (booking essential):  

September 3, 10, 17, 24Riverside Theatres, Parramatta

• DirtyFeet on Facebook

Let's hope we can get to see this movie in Australia. Check out the trailers embedded in the news story:

Award-winning Irish film starring cast who have intellectual disabilities hopes to go global

The Journal, 24 July 2016
An Irish film starring nine young actors who have intellectual disabilities is hoping to go global and be shown at international film festivals.

Sanctuary, directed by Len Collins, is an adaptation of the theatre play of the same name by Christian O’Reilly about a group of young people with intellectual disabilities who go on a day trip to Galway. Two of the gang are a couple, and plan some alone time in a local hotel.

... The film was premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh earlier this month, where it won the Best Irish First Feature award ...

Resources: online and on the air

Down Syndrome Australia: Easy Read Facebook page - complements the Easy Read edition of the  Down Syndrome Australia website

Accessible Arts Newsletter, June 2016

The Power of 'No'

Service, Support and Success, Volume 5, Issue 6, June 2016
... think about our members (term used for the people we serve). Depending on their history, they may have been in situations where saying “NO” was not allowed or not respected, but I’m sure they heard it, repeatedly, throughout their day. I spent my early years in the field experiencing many different types of support settings, where a member saying “No” was not allowed and certainly not respected. ‘No’ is a word that invokes negative feelings just by hearing it and, if it is the first word of a sentence, we will hear nothing else. We are in a new era where a member saying “NO” is a member saying “NO.” We need to value and respect all requests our members make and consider each request as we would want our requests to be considered before we make a decision ...

• Back issues of Service, Support and Success

On the airwaves and on track
Wendy Andrews, Coffs Harbour Advocate, 16 June 2016
Community radio station 2CHY is giving young people with disabilities a voice. As the result of a grant received from the Law and Justice Foundation, 2CHY is working with students from Toormina High School's Support Unit on the My Voice, My Ability, My Rights program.

"What we're doing with the My Voice, My Ability, My Rights program is training students in broadcasting and interviewing skills," station manager Becky Cole said ...

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

Free online courses via Future Learn (UNSW)

Disability and a Good Life: Thinking through Disability

Disability and a Good Life: Working with Disability

2 free online courses, Future Learn - University of NSW

In (these courses) we’ll reflect on how disability is part of who we are as human beings. These courses will give you and your fellow learners the opportunity to think through and work with some of the big issues facing societies, governments and disabled people.

Resources

• Michael T Bailey's new book Here to Stay is now available for Kindle, from the Amazon Australia online store.

Online courses: Intellectual Disability Healthcare around the World

... Worldwide, 60+ million people with intellectual disability experience poor health, die prematurely and receive inadequate healthcare. You will gain an understanding of the barriers and enablers for people with intellectual disability, their families, and their healthcare providers. 

In our courses, you will learn about best practice in the field of intellectual disability healthcare and gain knowledge to improve health outcomes for this disadvantaged group ...

This very reasonably priced series of three self-paced EdX courses beginning in March 2016, is presented by Prof Nick Lennox and Miriam Taylor, from the Queensland Centre for Intellectual and Developmental Disability, University of Queensland.

Making a paper-based AAC-book

Assistive Ware, 15 October 2015

For many reasons it can be useful to create a paper-based book of your vocabulary. It gives you a backup communication system if anything should happen to your iPad. At different times, in different environments it can be very handy to have a paper copy! Perhaps the AAC user has more success accessing their communication in a book like this! And if we are trying to do more modeling in the AAC app, your paper-based book is just another way to do it!

I have created the entire vocabulary in this book and it was quite a job! However it is also okay to print and laminate a few pages to use in a specific way, eg. all the food pages to have a copy in the kitchen. This book is based on a 5X9 Grid in Proloquo2Go's Intermediate Core vocabulary, but you can use any AAC app to create a paper-based version ...

MONEY MATTERS!

Financial Literacy for Learners with Down Syndrome 

A workshop for parents and caregivers of high schoolers/adults, presented by Dr Rhonda Faragher

Register now

Money skills are usually a challenge for learners with Down syndrome. Most ‘functional maths’ programs focus on outdated skills, such as using coins and calculating change.

This workshop for parents/carers explores key functional skills in financial literacy that will actually allow people with Down syndrome to participate in the adult world. 

Concepts will include 

• understanding budgets, 
• setting up electronic banking and using EFTPOS
• strategies for teaching 
• taking account of maths learning profiles 

While this session is targeted towards parents/carers, should you wish to bring along your person with DS, we are happy to offer them a discounted rate of 50% (if accompanied by a paying registrant).

Date: Wednesday 16 March 2016 Time: 7:30 – 8:30 pm Venue: SMC Conference and Function Centre, 66 Goulburn Street, Sydney Cost: $55 per session, inc GST.

Register now!

For more information, email training@dsansw.org.au