Weekend reading, viewing and listening 2nd - 3rd February 2013

A date to remember, Paul (Emily's Dad), Orange Juice Flavour Sky (blog), Wednesday 23rd January 2013

Camera can’t capture the inner realities, Beverly Beckham, Boston Globe, 27th January 2013

A child with Down syndrome keeps his place at the table, George Estreich, New York Times, 25th January, 2013

Self serve, Dave Hingsburger, Rolling Around in My Head (blog), 29th January 2013.  Dave Hingsburger's thinks a little deeper about the online response to the story of the Houston waiter who refused to serve a customer who insulted a child with Down syndrome.  And you might note that he has illustrated his post with a cover image of an issue of our journal Voice, for which he has written several times. Cool.

The benefits of using a visual timer for children with special needs, Brenda Kosky Deskin, Friendship Circle (blog), 28th January 2013

Why I wish I had chosen prenatal testing, Patti Rice, guest blogger at Thin Places, 29th January 2013

Competing is the most fun thing I do, Susie Oyens with Max Adler, Golf Digest, January 2013.

Just buzz me when you're done,Todd Winther, Ramp Up, 29th January 2013

Walk a mile in my shoes: a program teaching students how to relate to people with a disability, Life Matters, Radio National (ABC) 21st January 2013 MP3 file can be downloaded.  The link was passed on by My Choice Matters, who asked, 'Do programs like this help? Do they make a difference? Do students need to be 'taught how to relate' to people with a disability?' What do you think?

Creating Community Connection: additional webinar date

Resourcing Families has advised that their webinar, Creating Community Connections scheduled for 6th March 2013 is now fully booked.  An additional webinar has been scheduled for

Tuesday 19th March 2013
10.00 am - 12.00 noon

Further details, including how to register (up to 7 days prior), are available from the Resourcing Families website.

Mel and Fran Eustace at Casula Powerhouse

Liverpool Leader, 25th January 2012

Mother and daughter team Frances and Melissa Eustace will inspire you with their story of family life and determination.

The duo will share a narrative of life for a person with an intellectual disability when they come to Casula next month.

The pair's strong partnership has enabled Melissa to reach her dreams in the fields of dance and sport at an Olympic level, and has secured the mother and daughter with a reputation as fine community and corporate speakers.      Read the full story in the Liverpool Leader here.

Fran and Mel's talk is one of a series on Women in Sport presented by the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre:

26 February 2013, 12.30 – 1.30pm

Booking and details are available from the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre website

It's nearly T 4321 time

T4321 is an opportunity for the whole community to join in the celebrations for World Down Syndrome Day - 21st March - recognise the abilities and achievements of people with Down syndrome and raise vital funds to support their needs.

Anyone can take part, anywhere by putting on a morning or afternoon tea, inviting friends, workmates, neighbours, club members, and enjoying some good company and conversation over a friendly cuppa.

People with Down syndrome are now living more confident happy and independent lives than ever dreamed possible. To celebrate that fact and to foster further advancement by creating greater community acceptance and understanding, the first World Down Syndrome Day was declared on 21st March, 2006.

By the following year, hundreds of organisations around the world had joined in the
celebrations with a variety of events. In NSW, ‘Tea for 321’ (T4321) was launched with over 60 events and over 1000 people taking part across NSW.

To host a T 4321 event or for more information contact Priscilla Leong on 9841 4404 or priscilla@dsansw.org.au

Inclusive Art Clubs: Penrith Regional Gallery

Accessible Arts is advertising two five-week Art Clubs for beginner and intermediate artists who identify as having a disability.

 Clipart from Clipartheaven.com

In these studio-based workshop programs at Penrith Regional Gallery (Emu Plains), participants will explore art as an expressive form, while learning new techniques and exploring a variety of art-making mediums. Art Club participants need to be able to sustain an interest in art making over a two-hour workshop.

Term One 11th February - 12 March 2013

Details for enrolment  enquiries are available from the Accessible Arts website.

Wordless Wednesday

Events in February 2013

Sprung!! Dance Troupe 
Alstonville, NSW
First Sundays, from February 2013

ADHC Consultations on the NSW Disability Services Act Review
Across NSW
throughout February 2013

Having a Say Conference  
Geelong, VIC
6th - 8th February 2013

Appability: iPads for beginners (Northcott)  
Parramatta
12th February 2013

See in Me, (Beyond the Square)
Parramatta 
14th - 16th February 2013

Submissions close on  Improving Employment Participation of People with Disability
15th February 2013

Aspire Early Intervention and The Literacy Centre Information Session

Wentworth Point (Sydney)

22nd February 2013

Independence! Ours and Theirs (DS NSW) 
Burwood
23rd February 2013

Arts and the individual  
Newcastle
28th February 2013

See in Me: ticket discount offered to DS NSW members

SEE IN ME is a major new production for Beyond the Square’s ruckus ensemble features 7 very talented performers who also have Down Syndrome.

Beyond the Square is offering members of Down Syndrome NSW:

$10 discounted tickets to 12 noon performances on either Thursday February 14th or Friday February 15th

And $15 tickets to 7pm performances on Friday February 15th and Saturday February 16th 

at Riverside Theatres, Parramatta

To claim this special offer quote ‘RUCKUS’ when booking. To book call 8839 3399

Riverside Theatres is also a Companion Card affiliate.

Cherry Rainsford

We were sorry to hear of the death of Cherry Rainsford on 23rd December, after a fall at home.  Mrs Rainsford and her son, Andrew, who has Down syndrome, were interviewed for the excellent article published by the Australian Womens Weekly (December 2012 issue), about the experience of raising children with Down syndrome who are now adults in their 40s.

Our sympathy is extended to Andrew, his family and Mrs Rainsford's friends.

Australia Day Honours 2013

As always, the Australia Day Honours have this year recognised many Australians for the contributions they have made to the community by supporting people with disabilities in various ways.  Congratulations to these NSW recipients whom we know have worked with people with Down syndrome and their families - if you know of others, please let us know:

Junction House Band

Belinda (Lindy) Morrison, Clovelly, NSW. Medal(OAM). For service to the Australian music industry as a performer and advocate. Among her wide-ranging work as a musician and advocate, Lindy Morrison has been the director of The Junction House Band for several years.

Emeritus Professor Philip Jack Foreman, Bellevue Hill, NSW. Member (AM in the General Division). For significant service to tertiary education, particularly in the area of special education, and to people with a disability.

Ethel McAlpine, Barrack Heights, NSW.  Public Service Medal, New South Wales Public Service. For outstanding public service to people with a disability in New South Wales (in public education).

Young Australian of the Year is a Special Olympics volunteer and mentor

The 2013 Young Australian of the Year, announced in Canberra last night is Akram Azimi, a Special Olympics Western Australia (SOWA) volunteer and mentor on the Athlete Leadership Program (ALPs) at Special Olympics Australia. Special Olympics Australia said the award is 'great news and well deserved. Akram is a passionate advocate and supporter of Special Olympics athletes - well done on this prestigious award.' (SOA FAcebook page, 25/01/2013)

Read more about Akram Azimi's mentoring activities on the Australian of the Year website.

Akram Azimi, ALPS Mentor and Young Australian of the Year 2013, with athlete Brad Osborne and fellow mentor West Coast Eagles captain Darren Glass. (Photo: Special Olympics Australia)

Weekend reading and viewing 26th - 27th January 2013

Down syndrome - a promise of happiness or a curse? Deanna J Smith, Everything and nothing from Essex, 21st January 2013

Stephen Campbell Photography - Disability Project (Personal). Stephen Campbell is a British photographer, and Dad to Elizabeth who has Down syndrome, and multiple serious health issues. He is 'documenting the various ups and downs of caring for' Elizabeth, to reach out to others whose lives are similarly complicated, and as a potential fund-raiser for a service that helps to support his family. Some of the images may be somewhat confronting, but at the same time, Elizabeth's personality, and her family's care for her is beautifully captured.

My Brother Used to Have Down Syndrome, Eva Glettner, Huffington Post, 22nd January 2013

The Social Construction of Selective Abortion, Amy Julia Becker, The Atalantic, 22nd January 2013

At last I've seen the light, Rachel Leslie, Unless (blog) 5th January 2013

Everybody’s buddy returns to O’Hara High School, Kevin Kelly, Catholic Key News, 24th January 2013.  A US Catholic high school supports a student with Down syndrome diagnosed with the rare but life-threatening condition Moyamoya, and welcomes him back to school after neurosurgery.

N3lla's Triple Crown. Kelle Hampton, Enjoying the Small Things, 20th January, 2013. Nella's family is celebrating her third birthday with this video record of the support they have received from other families and professionals, and a US based fund-raising initiative. Kelle Hampton is a photographer, and the author of Bloom.

Bullying, stereotypes, and Down syndrome, Matthew, VATTA blog - Canadian Down Syndrome Society, 23rd January 2013

These two articles are responses to the widely circulated news last week of the choice of two Belgian brothers to end their lives in the face of increasing disability (not Down syndrome):

In pursuit of good lives, and good choices, Leah Hobson, Ramp Up, 16th January 2013

Euthanasia: let's look at the bigger picture,Craig Wallace, Ramp Up, 21st January 2013

Website of the Week: Young Carers NSW

From the Young Carers NSW website:

• There are around 347,700 Australians, under the age of 25, providing care to a family member who has a long-term illness or disability? (5.2% of all people under 25)

• The Young Carer Program at Carers NSW was developed to make a positive difference to the lives of young carers and their families.

• Young Carers are children and young people, 25 years or under, who help to support a family member or friend who has a disability, mental illness, drug or alcohol dependency, chronic condition, terminal illness or who is frail.

The aims of the Young Carers NSW Program:

• Promote the issues and needs of young carers through statewide programs 
• Develop a young carer support network in partnership with relevant agencies, services and schools 
• Coordinate a variety of young carer activities in the short term 
• Support referrals to local services who can assist young carers and their families 
• Develop and distribute other appropriate resources 
• Review and evaluate existing support activities

A screen from the  Young Carers NSW website

The Young Carers NSW website provides an enormous amount of information about events, projects and resources for young carers, such as siblings.

• Young Carers at Carers NSW on Facebook
• Carers NSW Biennial Conference 14th - 15th March 2013

Carers Australia launched its own Young Carers website in 2012, designed to support a different audience:

"The website is specifically designed as an information resource for professionals such as teachers and service providers and members of the community who may be in contact with young people who have caring roles," NSW Minister for Disability Services, Andrew Constance said at the launch.

"We want to ensure that young people receive the supports they need especially in relation to balancing their education and recreation with their responsibilities as a carer."

Young Carers (Australia) website, launched in October 2012

Arts and the Individual: forum, Newcastle

Accessible Arts is keen to understand more about issues for artists with disability in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) launch site of the Hunter region so we have partnered with the Octapod Association and the City of Newcastle to develop a forum.

Arts and the Individual - a forum to explore how the NDIS can assist artists with disability aims to

• provide a place where artists with disability, carers and service providers can explore issues associated with the launch of the NDIS in the Hunter region
• develop an understanding of issues of concern and an approach to advocacy during the roll-out of the NDIS
• develop networks of artists with disability in the Hunter region.

"People with disability should be in the driver’s seat when it comes to innovation. They should be asked what they want to do with their lives; that’s what should bring about change."  Participant, National Disability and Carer Alliance NDIS consultations, 2012

10:00 am to 2:30 pm Thursday 28 February 2013

Newcastle Museum, Workshop Way, Newcastle.

Preference given to people working or living in the Hunter region as numbers are limited.

RSVP 14 February 2013 using the online registration form.

Further information from the Accessible Arts website.

Kurt Fearnley highlights Australia's record in supporting its citizens who have disabilities

Every Australian Counts campaign poster for the NDIS

Transcript of the 2013 Australia Day address, delivered by Kurt Fearnley OAM, 22nd January 2013, Conservatorium of Music, Sydney.

Since its inception in 1997 and in a fitting build up to Australia Day, the Australia Day Address has become one of the nation’s most important and successful Australia Day initiatives. The Address taps into the essence of what the 26 January is all about – celebrating and reflecting on our national spirit.

Eminent individuals are invited to provide their own unique perspective on issues such as Australia's identity and the challenges that confront our society.  (Australia Day Council NSW)

Kurt Fearnley gives Australia Day Address, Amy Taylor-Kabbaz, ABC 702 online, 23rd January 2013 - includes an audio link to the speech and an MP3 file you can download.. 

Dance, movement and drama classes

Sydney Creative Movement is taking enrolments for integrated dance classes that start on Saturday 2nd February.  Classes are held in Hickson Road, Sydney. Details for Integrated Contemporary dance and Integrated Hip-Hop are here.

Beyond Abba (a Beyond the Square initiative) is enrolling for movement and drama classes for 2013, that start on 6th February.  A range of options for days and class times is offered; all classes are held at the Granville Comunity Centre.  Details are here.

Previous posts on new 2013 dance classes:

Sprung! Alstonville

Dream Big Dancers, Illawarra

Review of the Disability Services Act: new laws to reflect reforms to disability services

www.adhc.nsw.gov.au

New laws will be developed to support the NSW Government's reforms to the funding of disability services and to facilitate the State's readiness for the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Minister for Disability Services Andrew Constance has announced a review of the Disability Services Act 1993, which will be updated to reflect the modern day supports for people with disability.

“We are currently seeing historic changes to the provision of disability support and services with individualised funding packages to be rolled out from mid-2014, and the full NDIS from July 2018,” Mr Constance said.

“As part of this, legislative change is needed to help make the reforms a reality and to create a single legal framework for NSW which affects people with disability.

“We want the law to support the right of people with disability to be in control of their lives and to ensure that people with disability can participate fully in their communities. The implementation of Stronger Together 2 and the reform of disability laws will ensure that NSW models key elements of individual choice and control and reform which underpin the NDIS.’’

A series of face-to-face consultations will be held across NSW beginning in February.
The Issues Paper: Reforming NSW disability support - the fundamental legislative issues will form the basis for discussion at the consultation sessions. The companion Discussion Paper: Reforming NSW Disability Support - legislative structure and content, discusses the legal issues in more detail.

“I am calling on people with disability, their families and carers, service providers, advocates, peak bodies and government agencies to contribute to the development of a strong legal foundation to support the disability reforms,” Mr Constance said.

“Although progressive when introduced, the Disability Services Act is now out of step with the contemporary approach to delivering disability services.

“It needs to be modernised to reflect the shift towards person centred disability services, client-directed supports and individualised budgets, where the person with disability is at the centre of decision making and is able to exercise choice and control over the nature of their supports and how they are delivered.”

Contributing to the review can be done either through face to face consultation sessions or written feedback.

To find out more visit: www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/dsareview where you will find a schedule of consultations to be held across NSW during the first two weeks of February; links to the discussion papers and information about other ways to contribute to the review.

Source: New laws to reflect reforms to disability services, ADHC media release, 18th January 2013

NSW CID consultations for ADHC on Disability Services Act

NSW Council on Intellectual Disability has been asked by Ageing Disability and Home Care to run accessible consultations for people with an intellectual disability regarding the review of the (NSW) Disability Services Act.

These accessible consultations will take place in two metro Sydney locations and in Broken Hill in February. 

They will provide people with intellectual disability the chance to comment on what changes should be made to the Disability Services Act. To participate in either the Broken Hill or Sydney metro accessible consultations facilitated by NSW CID please contact Yvette Proud at NSW CID, phone 9211 2611 or 1800 424 065 (toll free) or email yvette@nswcid.org.au.

Source: NSW CID E-News, January 2013

US convention on Down syndrome: Denver, July 2013

Should you be planning to be in the US during the northern summer, you might want to check out the program for the renowned annual convention hosted by the National Down Syndrome Congress to be held in Denver, Colorado in July. The program is designed for both families and professionals. Click on the image for a larger view:

'Stronger Together' annual report online

NSW Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC) has released an online edition of its 2011 - 2012 annual report on the Stronger Together 2 initiative that sets out the NSW government's commitment to meet the needs of people with disabilities and their families.

Beyond the Square: 2013 program

Beyond the Square's performance program for 2013 kicks off with See in Me - a theatre work that is part of the Between the Cracks project, exploring what it is to be 'invisible, isolated and alone'.  ruckus ensemble have been preparing for the performance over 18 months.  Several of the players are young people with Down syndrome.

See in Me
Riverside Theatres, Parramatta
Thursday 14th - Saturday 16th February 2013

For all details and day and night session times, see the Beyond the Square program for January - July 2013.