here - Link Magazine

April 2016 | Volume 25 Issue 1
Why we
need authentic
portrayals
of disability
WHAT’S
HAPPENING
WITH THE NDIS?
We ask the Minister to
set the record straight
SPOTLIGHT
ON AUTISM
Stories from across
the spectrum
inside
Editorial
Editor
Rebecca Somerfield
E editor@linkonline.com.au
Graphic Designer
Annabel Breeding
Inprint Design
02 from the editor
Contact us
P 08 8201 3223 F 08 8201 3238
PO Box 2100, Adelaide SA 5001
Contributions welcome
04 contributions
06 in the news
Advertising
10 products & services
Advertising Manager
Michelle Stevens
E advertising@linkonline.com.au
P 08 8201 7513
M 0419 822 717
13 people
Online Content Manager
Justin Bell
E jbell@inprint.com.au
Subscriptions Manager
Mandy Vercoe
E subs@linkonline.com.au
P 08 8201 3223
14
Link is issued six times a year:
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Supporter
What's happening with
the NDIS? We ask
the Minister to set the
record straight
19 autism feature
Stories from across
the spectrum
30 mobility equipment
feature
Products, stories
and safety tips
40 in conversation
06
Cover shot courtesy Kriistina Wilson. Thanks to www.korepr.com
It is produced without the
assistance of government funding,
relying only on sponsorship,
advertising and subscriptions to
continue its development.
ISSN 1447–2023
Link Magazine is designed and
published at Inprint Design
(ABN 40 005 498 775),
a non-profit organisation.
Meet US singer and
actress Ali Stroker
18 opinion
General and News
Deadlines
www.inprint.com.au
We talk to Melbourne Cup
strapper, Stevie Payne
14 cover story
Subscriptions
The opinions expressed in Link do
not necessarily reflect those of the
editor, publishers or their agents.
link loves
13
Meet the CEO of Guide
Dogs SA/NT, Kate Thiele
42 health matters
Dieting dilemmas
45 travel
Marayke Jonkers checks
out the Jenolan Caves
48 music
18
19
Anthea Skinner
discovers Gig Buddies
51 opinion
Dignity for Disability
MLC, Kelly Vincent
52 breakthroughs
54 books
40
48
55 what's on
56 social scene
inside link
01
loves
yes i can
Rethinking Autism from ‘I can’t’ to ‘I can’, the 'I CAN Network’ is
Australia's first social enterprise founded by people on the Autism
spectrum. The organisation mentor young people with Autism and
educate businesses and organisations about the condition.
from the editor
The Link team was keen to start 2016
with a bang and we think you’ll agree that
our striking cover, featuring singer and
actress Ali Stroker, certainly makes an
impact. Shot in America in response to a
controversial photo shoot by Kardashian
sister Kylie Jenner, Ali’s images prove that
disability can be sexy, confronting and
edgy.
This edition we also meet Stevie Payne,
the Melbourne Cup-winning strapper and
brother of champion jockey Michelle, who
has become a poster boy for inclusive
employment. Having worked as a strapper
at Darren Weir Racing for the past ten
years, Stevie is proof that people with
disability can survive and thrive in the open
job market. Given talk surrounding the
future of the NDIS we have also invited
the Federal Minister for Social Services,
Christian Porter MP, to update us on the
National Disability Insurance Scheme check out his column on page 18.
In our Autism feature we meet several
families who have children on the
Spectrum and get some tips from
www.raisingchildren.net.au on what to do
if you suspect your child has the condition.
We also meet a young woman who was
diagnosed as being on the Spectrum as
an adult, and find out how horse-riding is
helping to manage her condition. There’s
also some fascinating research from Curtin
University that suggests soothing classical
music may help reduce self-injurious
behaviour in boys with severe Autism.
We hope you enjoy reading this issue. Feel
free to drop us a line at editor@linkonline.
com.au with your thoughts, letters or story
ideas - or connect with us on Facebook.
Until next time,
Rebecca
Link Editor
“Our mentors, who are predominately people on the spectrum, spend time
with students who have Autism in schools, universities and TAFEs, providing
advice, encouragement and acting as a role model,” says chief enabling
officer Chris Varney.
“We bring out their confidence, help build communication and teamwork
skills and foster an ‘I Can’ attitude that they can use in other areas of their
lives. Parents and teachers are also immersed in the program so they can
see and hear the difference in the students and learn new approaches to
help them.”
Mentees who display an aptitude for leadership are given the option to train
as mentors for younger students. I CAN Network also run camps for young
people and a Speakers Agency, and advocate on Autism issues.
Chloe Stuart first encountered the I Can Network in 2014, when she was a
mentee at a teen camp.
“I was apprehensive, but at the same time thrilled to meet so many people
like me in one place,” she said. Chloe’s positive attitude shined through,
and she quickly progressed to becoming a mentor at teen and primary
school camps.
“I CAN has helped teach me about self-confidence,” says Chloe. “Through
them I’ve done things I never would have thought I’d have the confidence
or capability to do.”
icannetwork.com.au
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On display will be the latest in aids,
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contributions
letters
to
farewell humanity
I've made a cosy home, here, in the outer darkness,
far from the horror of humanity.
I'm at peace, here.
Far from the hideous, insidious, vicious, malicious,
horror and hypocrisy of humankind.
And happy.
Here I am embraced by the warmth-of-the-darkness. Here I am
free. Here I can, finally, enjoy, peaceful solitude..without the fear
of being harmed or harassed by the hideous, insidious, egotistical
humans who still - continue to fight - in the name of their god or
their ideology, among themselves.
And they continue, still, today . . knowingly, mercilessly . . to
plunder and pollute and poison our beautiful blue planet for their
personal pleasure and private profit.
I'm happy to be left, here, alone, abandoned and forgotten, here
in the peaceful, blissful, outer darkness . . far, far, away . . where
no-one, can, again, enslave me, or touch me with their bitterness,
movies for all
As I am legally blind, I would like to see Audio Description movies
provided in all the iTunes stores for people who are blind or vision
impaired, and not just the American stores. It is not fair that we
have to change stores on iTunes and be made to pay extra money
to have content provided with audio description on our IDevices.
On an IOS device with the Voiceover screenreader enabled, all
menus are completely accessible, making it possible to enable
audio description for movies which contain this feature. VoiceOver
allows a person who is blind or vision impaired to operate an
IDevice independently, and to enjoy movies and other entertainment
without assistance, in the same way their sighted counterparts can.
If there are Audio Description movies on IOS devices, we could
download them directly onto our iPhone or iPad, then the voiceover
that comes with all Apple products would read out the movie title
for us. If the Audio Description language track can be available on
movies that were purchased on DVD from physical stores, why
not make this content available on iTunes?
In September 2015, I took Apple to the Human Rights Commission
about this problem stated in my blog. During a conciliation meeting,
Apple told me that this was not their responsibility - it’s up to
the movie distributors. However, (I noticed that) some movies
can now be downloaded in the Itunes stores within Australia
following the meeting and I believe I may have played a part in
this. This also proves that movies like this can be uploaded on
to the Itunes stores.
Phillip Chalker, VIC
their anger and their hatred.
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at facebook.com/linkdisabilitymagazine.
By Terry Richard Klump, VIC
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news
in the news
I'm passionate
about shining
a light on
this issue
thorpe
takes on
bullies
Hidden-camera footage of what
it’s like to be bullied will feature in
a new ABC TV series currently in
production.
To be hosted by Olympian Ian Thorpe
OAM, The Bully Project will examine
the causes, context and consequences
of bullying in Australia today. It’s being
developed in conjunction with ReachOut
(www.reachout.com), an online mental
health service for young people, and will
be shot in Queensland.
The show is currently on the look-out
for young people aged 14-18 who have
been bullied to take part. Thorpe said
he was “passionate about shining a light
on this issue”.
“If you live in Queensland, and you
or your child is being bullied or know
someone who is, we want to hear from
you.”
To find out more visit
www.stopbullying.tv
new patron
for autism sa
South Australian disability service
provider Autism SA has named
highly regarded academic, Professor
Warren Bebbington, as its new
patron.
Professor Bebbington, Vice-Chancellor
of the University of Adelaide and the
father of a child with Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD), will work with the
organisation to improve awareness
06
news
and understanding of the condition
and advocate for increased government
and private sector funding. “For more
than 50 years, Autism SA has been the
state’s leader in ASD,” said Professor
Bebbington. “The organisation is heavily
relied upon by families in South Australia
and the Northern Territory, but with its
funding coming largely from government
- and amid the transition to the National
Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) its resources are sorely stretched. I am
delighted to be asked to be patron and
hope I can help by advocating on behalf
of the autism community to raise more
awareness and support.”
include
disability in
my school
website
cancer
screening
vital for
people with
disability
A new online training resource for
support workers aims to ensure
more people with disability access
cancer screening.
‘Overcoming the Barriers’ provides
strategies to overcome the challenges
of accessing national bowel, breast and
cervical screening programs for people
with disability.
Cancer Council Victoria’s screening
manager Kate Broun said disability
support workers and family members
could play a crucial role in supporting
screening, such as showing the client
how to do a bowel screening kit or
broaching the difficult topic of cervical
screening.
“We know that up to 80% of women
diagnosed with cervical cancer have
either never had a Pap test or did not
have them regularly in the ten years
before diagnosis, so this tool will
empower carers to improve the cancer
screening information they share with
their patients,” Ms Broun said.
The free training modules can be
accessed at cddh-online.monash.
org/login/index.php
Speech Pathology Australia is
calling on the Federal Government
to amend the My School website
to include a national ‘disability
inclusion measure’ to allow parents
to identify schools best suited to
their children’s needs.
The Association’s proposal follows the
release of the Australian Senate’s Report
on ‘Access to real learning: the impact of
policy, funding and culture on students
with disability’ in November last year.
The Report made ten recommendations
including the establishment of a national
strategy to improve the education of
students with disability, and funding all
students with disability on the basis of
need by reversing cuts to the final two
years of the Gonski Reforms.
Speech Pathology Australia national
president, Gaenor Dixon.
“Speech pathologists know from firsthand experience that parents of kids
with disabilities continue to get a raw
deal when it comes to education,” said
Gaenor Dixon, national president of
Speech Pathology Australia. “We don’t
wish to see the release of this important
report descend into a debate about
education funding.”
Ms Dixon said a disability inclusion
measure on the My School website
would allow parents to compare schools
and see what specialist services are on
offer to support their children in securing
access to a full education.
better beach
facilities
The City of Greater Geraldton in
Western Australia will construct
a mobility beach access ramp,
accessible amenities block and adult
change facilities at Town Beach,
thanks to $150,000 in grants from
the Disability Services Commission.
The grants will enable the City to
undertake capital works related to
access and inclusion identified as a
priority by Council’s Community Panel
in late 2013.
“The City continually consults with
community representatives to improve
access in the CBD,” says Mayor Shane
Van Styn. The project will include
Regional Ambassador for Geraldton’s ‘Count
Me In’ Chris Kerr is looking forward to the
new mobility beach access ramp.
refurbishment of the toilet block to house
a beach wheelchair, accessible change
rooms with hoists and an adjustable
adult change table. The path will feature
stainless steel handrails for users down
to the high watermark on the beach .
news
07
news
bad medicine
Users of complementary medicines
are being warned to only purchase
products approved for supply in
Australia by the Therapeutic Goods
Administration (TGA).
The Australian Self Medication Industry
(ASMI) says consumers should avoid
buying medicines online from overseas,
and should always follow label
instructions and warning statements.
Steve Scarff, ASMI Director of Regulatory
and Scientific Affairs, said: “Australia’s
system of regulating complementary
medicines is one of the most rigorous
in the world.
"There are strict controls over
manufacturing
standards
for
complementary medicines to assure
the safety and quality of the medicines,
and also over the ingredients used in
complementary medicines - only those
ingredients approved by the TGA can
be used. Labelling of complementary
medicines is highly regulated to ensure
labels contain the right information to
help consumers select and use these
products appropriately.”
For more information visit
www.tga.gov.au
hit the beach
Adelaide people who use a
wheelchair can now enjoy a day at
the beach thanks to the installation
of South Australia’s first beach
access mat at Seacliff.
An initiative of Surf Life Saving South
Australia and the Seacliff Surf Life Saving
Club, this moveable mat allows people
with physical disability to access the
beach and move across soft sand to the
water’s edge. Launched by SA Liberal
Leader Steven Marshall and local MP
David Speirs on Australia Day, the mat
will be rolled out during surf lifesaving
patrols to direct users toward the safest
part of the beach.
confidence survey
reveals surprising result
A survey of 500 Australian small
to medium enterprises (SMEs) has
found that 89% have a positive
attitude to employing suitably
skilled people with disability and
80% recognise they have customers
with disability.
The Disability Confidence Survey,
conducted by the Australian Network
on Disability (AND), also found:
AND chief executive Suzanne Colbert
said though the positive attitude to
both employees and customers with
disability was heartening, more action
was needed. “With more than four million
Australians having a disability this is an
important segment for businesses, as
well as those who want to recruit from
the entire talent pool and ensure their
employees reflect their customers.”
08
news
80% believe they have some
customers with disability.
53% of these say they have
done something specific
to assist customers with
disability in the past year.
Three cheers for the National Relay
Service (NRS) app for winning an
award in the International Social
Affairs category at the 3rd Best
M-Government Service Awards.
The Australian-made service, a worldfirst, allows people who are deaf or have
a hearing or speech impairment to use a
telephone. The awards, which recognise
innovative developments in smartphone,
SMS and wearable technology, were
announced at the World Government
Summit in February in Dubai.
Download the report at www.and.org.au
62%
80%
1 in 3 SMEs
believe their
organisation
has employed
people with
disability.
international
award for
NRS
1 in 5 SMEs
don’t know
if any staff
have a
disability.
62% said they are likely
to make changes in
the next year to make it
easier for customers with
disability to do business
with them.
Left: The Prime Minister of UAE, Sheikh
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, presents
the award to Australia’s Ambassador to the
United Arab Emirates (UAE), Arthur Spyrou.
The
NRS
APP
NRS APP
The
a smart way to make
a
smart
way
to
make
relay
calls
relay calls
• a convenient new way to
• a convenient
way to
access
NRS callnew
options
access NRS call options
• extra call-support functions
• extra call-support functions
• both Apple and Android
• both Apple and Android
• a world first for the NRS!
• a world first for the NRS!
find out
find
out
more:
more:
www.relayservice.gov.au
www.relayservice.gov.au
A phone solution for people who are deaf
A phone
solution
people
who are deaf
or have
a hearing
orfor
speech
impairment
11/14
11/14
or have a hearing or speech impairment
products
products
& services
protect yourself
Blue Badge Insurance understands the needs of people with disability and
limited mobility when it comes to protecting their assets.
Their extensive range of insurance products are designed with disability in mind from car insurance policies that protect not just the car, but conversion equipment,
and home and contents insurance that covers structural modifications or specialised
contents. Blue Badge also offer comprehensive wheelchair and mobility insurance
policies, all designed to keep you moving when the unexpected happens.
www.bluebadgeInsurance.com.au
open
sesame
Opening and closing doors, windows
and flyscreens could be as easy as
tapping your phone thanks to an
innovative new product range from
ADIS Automatic Doors.
The Sydney-based, Australian-made
company has worked with the National
Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
to develop a cost-effective range of
front-entry swing doors, rear patio
sliding doors and sliding windows that
can be controlled from an easy-touse notepad app, remote control or
proximity sensor.
www.ndisautomaticdoors.com.au
responding with respect
Frontline disability and health care workers should check out a new online
toolkit developed by 1800RESPECT - the National Sexual Assault Domestic
Family Violence Counselling Service.
It’s designed to ensure frontline workers know how to respond to and assist women
who are experiencing sexual assault and/or domestic and family violence.
www.1800RESPECT.org.au/toolkit
the IT department
The IT Department are Australia’s
Leading Disability ICT Specialists.
Offering strategic ICT reviews,
managed ICT Services, Independent
CMS Consulting and NDIS Readiness
Consulting, they've already helped over
30 disability organisations prepare for
the NDIS. They're currently facilitating
the System Selection Workshops for
NDS ImproveIT4NDIS across Australia
and have a free whitepaper available for
disability organisations: ‘Top 5 Client
Management Systems (CMS) Secrets
– Lessons from the real world’.
www.itdepartment.com.au
10
products & services
light up
Many children (and grown-ups) are
scared of the dark, which can make
getting to sleep a battle.
Enter Madel Night Lights - a multicoloured light that gently cycles through
all the colours of the rainbow, creating
a calming effect on children and helping
them to get some shut-eye.
Available in several different designs
- everything from butterflies and cute
animals to dinosaurs and rocket ships
- Madel Night Lights feature a dimmer,
motion sensor and night-light setting.
www.madelnightlights.com.au
You’re invited to the premier Expo
for people with physical disabilities
ndependenceexpo
Spinal Cord Injuries Australia
15–16 April, 2016 | Australian Technology Park, Sydney
Explore amazing products, equipment and technology on display. Be
inspired by information packed workshops. Discover services to help you
overcome barriers. There will be travel, sport and art - plus entertainment and
fun activities for everyone. Entry is FREE and funding available for travel costs.^*
Register today at scia.org.au/expo or 1800 819 775
and go into the draw win a $500 gift card*
*For full terms and conditions visit scia.org.au/expo
^For more information visit scia.org.au/expo
scia.org.au/expo | 1800 819 775
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people
Commenting on his sister Michelle’s
Melbourne Cup-winning ride on Prince
of Penzance in a post-race speech,
Steven modestly said "it was a great
ride: ten-out-ten", adding "hope you
have a great night".
Not that he ever doubted Michelle’s ability
to win, predicting she’d bring home the Cup
when famously drawing the number one
position for Prince of Penzance at the official
barrier draw.
Photo courtesy of Australian Associated Press / Julian Smith
I have grown up with
racing my whole life
But Stevie’s profile has also highlighted the
important issue of employment for people
with disability and showed that, given the
chance, they can fulfil a wide range of
roles and responsibilities. A member of the
famous Payne horseracing family, Stevie has
worked as a strapper at Darren Weir Racing
in Ballarat for the past ten years.
“I work with lots of different horses,” he
says. “I get up at 5.30am, get a cuppa and
get down to the stable. I sweep, lead the
horses, swim them in the pool, give them a
hose and scrape, take them on the walker
and then they have a 20-minute dry off.
“I sometimes need help swimming some of
the horses in the water,” he says, cheekily
adding that the hardest part of his job is
“having to do what Johnno (the foreman)
tells me to do”.
Stevie, who says his family never treated him
differently due to having Down syndrome,
loves working with horses because of their
“good nature”, and that he always wanted to
work in the industry. “I have grown up with
racing my whole life,” he says.
When strapper Stevie Payne
appeared on our TV screens last
November, Australia fell in love
with his cheeky grin and dry wit.
Stable owner and Melbourne Cup-winning
trainer Darren Weir agrees that Stevie is a
natural, telling ABC News last November
that “he’s got a great rapport with horses”.
"He's really enjoyable to have around, and
I think it's important for those sorts of kids
to get a go at something, and if they get a
go they reward you.”
people
13
14
cover story
cover story
a different
PERSPECTIVE
Actor and singer Ali Stroker
believes disability and sexuality is
a conversation we need to have.
The talented mezzo-soprano, who has appeared
in the TV show Glee, created the images that feature on our
cover and in this story in response to a photo shoot starring
Kylie Jenner (of Kardashian fame), that was published in
the December 2015 edition of US magazine, Interview.
Shot by renowned photographer Steven Klein, the Jenner
images angered many in the United States, including writer
Kenta Murakami, who wrote a thought-provoking piece on
the issue for www.you-do-you.com - an online portal for
agender fashion and lifestyle. In ‘Feel free to stare: disability
and fashion’ she writes: “the images were immediately
felt to be offensive for their fetishization of disability and
simultaneous perpetuation of the systematic invisibility
of disabled bodies in mainstream media. The images fall
within a line of fashion imagery that treats disability as a
trope, employed variously to suggest a model’s mental
vacancy, a violent disfiguration of beauty, or a sort of
perverse passivity in the face of an enabled viewer’s gaze.”
Murakimi went on to say that despite nearly one in five
Americans having a disability, the concept of disability is
unfamiliar and strange to many able-bodied people. “We
are taught to visualize bodies solely as athletic and upright,
quick-thinking and agile. By placing an able-bodied model
in a wheelchair, Klein’s images continue to project upon and
fetishize whatever fantasies we may have about disability
in the abstract, conversely creating cultural assumptions
about what disability means or looks like. This error plays
into a larger discourse that dehumanizes those with
disabilities, a discourse that casts them not only literally as
outcasts, but as people less able to feel, to care, to love, to
think, or to receive and give pleasure.”
For Ali Stroker, who is paralysed from the chest down
as a result of a car accident at the age of two, the
high-profile Jenner photos have shone the spotlight
on the issue of sexuality and disability.

cover story
15
It felt exciting
to create these
images...it feels
powerful. It feels
like I’m able to say
something; that
we’re looking people
straight in the eye
Though Ali wasn’t offended by the photos
as such, she does take umbrage at the
lack of authenticity in the Jenner images.
“I feel so strongly that we (people with
disability) can represent ourselves here,”
she told US Variety Magazine in December
last year.
On the images created for www.you-doyou.com by photographer Kristiina Wilson,
Ali says: “It felt exciting to create these
images that in some way already exist,
but to see them created with someone
actually living with the experience of being
in a wheelchair. It feels powerful. It feels
like I’m able to say something; that we’re
looking people straight in the eye.”
Murakimi examines this issue further
in www.you-do-you.com: “Because
disabled kids typically grow up in
isolation from other disabled folks (not
unlike queer youth), as well as because
everyone’s relationship to their disability
is profoundly different, many feel they are
never adequately shown how to relate to
their sexualities.
16
cover story
In addition, people with disabilities
are frequently infantilized by those
around them, their sexualities seen as
non-existent. Many feel that they are
excluded from spaces where sex or
romance is on the agenda, such as bars
or Tinder, and for the recently-disabled,
sex is often assumed to be a thing of the
past.” However, starring in a sexy and
confronting photo shoot isn’t the only
way Ali is exerting her power.
Having acted since she was a child, Ali
came to mainstream attention in 2014
when she appeared on US television
series The Glee Project, which saw
young singers and actors vie for a spot
on the popular TV show Glee, shown in
Australia on Network Ten. Ali - who has
created her own singing techniques to
accommodate her paralysis - went on to
win second place, scoring a guest role
in Glee as the character Betty.
She’s since gone on to become the
first actress in a wheelchair to appear
on Broadway, performing in Deaf West
Theatre’s 2015 production of Spring
Awakening, and has enjoyed solo
performances at the Kennedy Centre
in Washington DC and at New
York’s Town Hall.
Ali also holds a Bachelor of Fine
Arts, majoring in Drama, from New
York University and is a founding
member of ‘Be More Heroic’ - an antibullying campaign that tours America
connecting with thousands of students.
On her website (www.alistroker.com) she
says she lives by the principle of ‘making
your limitations your opportunities’ - a
mantra that comes across strongly in
her interview with www.you-do-you.
com: “Being in a chair brings such a
different perspective to things. Everyday
I’m seeing the world through, what I
have decided to be, a powerful lens.
Not only do I literally see the world from
a different perspective, but I see the
way people receive me, which is such
a reflection of where we are. I also see,
through what I’ve accomplished, that I
have the power to shift that by feeling
powerful in myself.”
To read the full article by Kenta
Murakami on the Kylie Jenner and
subsequent Ali Stroker photo shoots,
visit you-do-you.com/2016/01/12/
feel-free-to-stare-disability-andfashion/
Ali’s Kylie Jenner-inspired photos are by Kristiina Wilson and styled by Rachel Donelan. Thanks to www.korepr.com for their help with this story.
As she told TMZ.com in December
2015: “It excites me because I feel like
there’s a conversation happening around
sexuality and disability.” She explains
further in Murakimi’s article: “A lot of
people were angry. But I remember
feeling that this could bring us to a larger
conversation that needs to be had. I
think what people’s anger showed was
the absence of authentic representations
of our community. I don’t even think Kylie
meant to reference disability, but when
there’s nothing else out there what are
we supposed to feel?” She continues: “I
didn’t know how to express my sexuality
because there was no one representing
it for me. And if it’s not represented then
does it not exist? Is it possible?”
Do you have a disability
and are looking for work?
Minda can help you contribute your skills
to the workforce and be supported while
doing so.
Through supported employment, you can:
We offer a range of supported employment
opportunities in a variety of businesses to
suit your interests and abilities.
• Make friends
Minda’s Commercial Enterprises provide a
variety of supported employment options,
where you can receive training, instruction
and support, specific to your needs.
• Earn a wage
• Learn new skills
• Build your confidence
• Be part of a team
• Discover training opportunities
• Work in a positive environment
For more information about supported employment
opportunities at Minda, phone Disability Choices on
1800 1 MINDA (64632) or visit the website,
mindainc.com.au/supportedemployment
opinion
no changes to NDIS
but flexibility required
With recent media reports suggesting
the NDIS is facing funding cuts and
structural changes, Link asked the
Minister for Social Services, Christian
Porter MP, to set the record straight.
Firstly, I will note that the recent
newspaper reports have been
completely false. There are no plans
by the Commonwealth to take over the
NDIS or accessibility requirements.
The Government is trying to reform some
of the administrative processes around
the National Disability Insurance Scheme
so that it can be responsive and efficient.
There's a hierarchy of governance in
the NDIS. There is the Act, then there
are the rules, then there are processes
that allow you to amend the rules in the
future. Now we are interested in having a
discussion around how we can change
the processes that are used to amend
the rules, because we think that this
is a scheme that as you roll out from
30,000 people to 460,000 people in
three years, you are going to need the
ability to respond quickly to changing
circumstances to any issues that might
arise. This is not an attempt to change
the substance of the Act which goes
to issues such as what constitutes a
reasonable and necessary support or
what constitutes eligibility. What we do
want to discuss is how we could modify
the processes that change the rules. The
rules deal with things like how the CEO
might assess what is value for money or
how the CEO might release information
about decision-making.
The definition of what is reasonable and
necessary support and the definition of
eligibility is contained in the Act. There's
simply no suggestion that we are seeking
to change those things. What we are
suggesting is that when you go down
that hierarchy, the rules and processes
18
opinion
for modifying rules - we want to have
a look at the process for modifying
the rules. Now the rules are subsidiary
instruments, where they deal with
secondary processes around decisionmaking undertaken by the CEO. So, it's
a whole lot less glamorous than great
big changes to the Act. It's about the
rules and in some instances where the
Commonwealth think it would be a far
better, more efficient scheme and would
be in the interests of the clients whom
it will serve if there can be consultation,
say for instance, with just an affected
jurisdiction, rather than every jurisdiction.
What we're trying
to do is have a
scheme where the
Commonwealth is
able to respond
quickly to any of the
issues that may arise
At the moment some rules can't
be changed without unanimity after
consultation with every state. What
we've proposed is that in some instances
where a rule change would only affect
one jurisdiction, the Commonwealth
should only consult with that jurisdiction.
In some instances we say that a rule
might be able to be changed after
consultation, but not necessarily with
agreement with all jurisdictions. What
we're trying to do is have a scheme
where the Commonwealth is able to
respond quickly to any of the issues that
may arise. The point should be made
that when the scheme goes to full roll
out in 2019-2020, 100 percent of the
risk is borne by the Commonwealth of
any cost overruns or anything of that
nature. So we need to have a scheme
that's responsive, in the best interests
of clients, otherwise we will are going
to be very, very slow to respond to
changed circumstances. And changed
circumstances invariably arise."
Regarding the NDIS Board, the
Commonwealth has suggested as a
matter of good continuity, that half of the
board should have their terms extended
by six months and the other half by 12
months, so that we can undertake a
full executive search process and have
a staggered replacement of the board.
Had nothing been done, the entire board
would have had their terms ended on
30 June 2015. Existing board members,
many of who are doing excellent jobs,
might reapply in that normal natural
search process.
While all governments end up being
in charge of government boards as a
matter of process, the Act is quite clear.
What it establishes is the Commonwealth
can undertake a process. They have
to consult on the process with the
states and they have to consult with
the states on who might eventually
be appointed. And if agreement can
be reached unanimously within 90
days then the Commonwealth has the
power to exercise their judgement in
these matters. This is what the Act has
said from day one, so we are not doing
anything that is not within the terms of
the Act. And, in fact, we are not doing
anything other than at the moment
reappointing those who are already on,
who are state representatives.
An estimated 115,400 Australians have Autism - a 79%
increase on the 64,400 people estimated to have
the condition in 2009.
Source: 2012 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, ABS
soothing sounds
Listening to classical musical may
reduce stress levels in children
with severe Autism, according
to a study conducted at Curtin
University.
PhD candidate and psychologist Jeremy
Marriott has been researching the effect
of calming music on school-aged boys
with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
and an intellectual disability known
as low functioning Autism (LFA),
specifically whether classical music can
reduce cortisol levels and self-injurious
behaviour in these children.
The study began with the development
of a playlist of calming classical music,
put together in consultation with concert
pianist David Helfgott. Thirty primary
carers of boys with LFA then rated each
piece of music based on how calming it
would be for their son, with Beethoven’s
Sonata Pathetique chosen as the piece
to be used in the second and third parts
of the study.
condition, listening to the Pathetique
significantly calmed the children with
severe ASD.”
The third study saw three teenage
boys with LFA, aged 14 to 16, videotaped during their morning school bus
ride for one day each week over four
consecutive weeks. Salivary cortisol
samples were taken each week, and
the Sonata Pathetique was played to the
boys in weeks 2 and 4 - the aim being
to see whether the calming classical
music reduced self-injurious behaviour
in the boys.
“The music reduced biological arousal
on the bus, however it didn’t do so with
autism
stories from across
the spectrum
statistical significance,” Mr Marriott said.
“For one of the boys, listening to the
music significantly reduced his selfinjurious behaviour, which occurs in up
to 40% of children with severe Autism.”
Mr Marriott says the research found that,
in a controlled environment, listening
to the Sonata Pathetique significantly
calmed the children with severe with
severe ASD and, as such, he is keen
to conduct more research in this area.
“I am interested to see the possible
calming effects of music listening within
notoriously problematic demanding
and controlled environments, such as
dentists and doctor’s surgeries,” he said.
“I would argue that calming children with
severe ASD in these environments may
result in better assessment, treatment
and therapeutic outcomes.”
Study 2 assessed whether listening
to Sonata Pathetique on a simulated
morning school bus ride would reduce
stress levels in boys with severe Autism,
with 15 boys randomly allocated to the
music listening group and 15 to the
non-music group. Saliva samples were
collected from the boys before the trip
and four times after to measure cortisol
levels.
“The significantly lower cortisol found in
the music group during Study 2 was one
of the most meaningful results of this
research,” says Mr Marriott. “Specifically,
in a controlled environment (school bus
simulator), when exposed to a demand
Concert pianist David Helfgott with Curtin University researcher Jeremy Marriott.
autism
19
touched by an angel
Adelaide mum Jean had a feeling
that something was different about
her three-year-old son, Cillian.
“He wasn’t showing signs of doing the
typical things that little kids like to do,”
Jean says. “However, I didn’t think there
was anything in particular wrong with him
- just that he was quiet and introverted.”
Jean’s husband, Matt, on the other hand
was becoming more concerned about
what Cillian was and wasn’t doing, and
his difficulty interacting with others. “We
had a friend with a child the same age
that was quite independent, whereas
Cillian needed to be around us all the
time,” she said.
“They helped with therapy, sourcing
funding and finding a school. We didn’t
have a clue as we were too busy trying
to cope emotionally with the diagnosis.
They’ve changed Cillian’s life because
they care so much - without them we
wouldn’t be where we are today.”
Autism SA chief executive Barrie Elvish
says Cillian's family's story is similar to
that of many people who access the
organisation’s services.
“Parents often come to us initially in
a state of confusion and uncertainty,”
said Mr Elvish. “Many are going through
a grieving period as they come to the
realisation that plans and dreams they
may have had for their children may need
to be modified.
"The good news is that with early
intervention, advice and ongoing support
it is often the case that any life changes
are minimal and a diagnosis may, in fact,
create more and diverse opportunities.”
In February Cillian, now 5, achieved the
milestone of starting school.
“Cillian presents really well so he can
function day-to-day in a mainstream
school,” says Jean. “We have been
bowled over by how well he is doing at
“We agreed for Matt to have a chat with
a friend of ours who is a psychologist
and she admitted she also had concerns
about Cillian. She referred us to a
psychologist and a paediatrician who
diagnosed Cillian with High Functioning
Autism, his main symptoms being
sensory issues, anxiety and auditory
processing disorder. “He functions well
most of the time but his social skills
are clunky, and his comprehension is
not great.”
Jean admits they found the diagnosis
traumatic. “We were in a very down
place - you’re grieving and unfortunately
you don’t look at your child in the same
way,” she explained. “You don’t know
what to do, where to go and how to deal
with the situation.”
Thankfully, Jean made contact with
Autism SA. “I get goose-bumps just
thinking about it,” says Jean. “I rang
Autism SA and they said come in - we
felt like we were falling down a black hole
then suddenly there was an angel there.
20
autism
Photo courtesy of Steve McCawley @ SlingShot Studios
we felt like we were
falling down a black
hole then suddenly
there was an angel
Males are four times more likely than females to have
Autism Spectrum Disorder, with prevalence rates
of 0.8% and 0.2% respectively.
Source: 2012 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, ABS
school - it has been thoroughly amazing.
He also has a fabulous teacher who is
helping manage his condition.”
therapist at Autism SA, with the focus on
sensory activities, teaching rules for play
and strategies for managing emotions.
Jean says though Cillian has responded
well to the daily classroom routine, he
sometimes struggles at recess and
lunch-time. “He spends a lot of time in
the yard on his own so the plan now is
to give him extra support at break-times
so he can overcome these challenges.”
Jean’s advice for parents of children
recently diagnosed with Autism is “you’re
not alone”. She suggests finding a good
paediatrician and to access support
services, like Autism SA. “There’s lots
of support out there, get in touch with an
organisation like Autism SA, find people
similar to you - it’s going to be ok.”
He also continues to work with a speech
therapist to address a speech impediment
and issues such as conversation
structure, and a psychologist who
focuses on emotional regulation,
anxiety and sensory issues. Cillian
also continues to visit an occupational
Looking ahead, the focus for Cillian
is on “surviving school and the social
landmines” that he will encounter as he
gets older. Jean is confident his longterm prognosis is good: “He’ll be ok - he
will be able to function at a level that’s
autism
stories from across
the spectrum
socially acceptable. You want your child
to be happy and I’ll do everything and
anything to achieve this.”
autism
21
staying
strong
Mother of three, Sarah Gee, knows
first-hand the emotional roller
coaster ride of learning your child
has Autism Spectrum Disorder
(ASD).
Almost overnight, the Melbourne mum’s
world was turned upside down as she
faced a huge lifestyle change of hopping
from one therapist appointment to the
next and ultimately trying to understand
what the diagnosis meant for her and
her family.
“There seems to be a whole lot of
misinformation out there about Autism,”
says Sarah. “A lot of people are still
scared of a diagnosis being a 'label'
rather than a tool to help. Most people
believe that Autism is something you
can tell a person has by simply looking
at them. Most people are scared to their
wits end by the word Autism.”
Even though Sarah wouldn’t change
her children for the world, she says she
would do things a little differently such as
accessing parent support groups earlier
rather than later.
For Sarah, who has three children - Jason
(7), Patrick (5) and Eliza (3) - the process
of obtaining a diagnosis for her children
was “long and horrible”.
“Knowing that other parents experience
the same wonderful, chaotic, slovenly,
brilliant nightmare on a daily basis is
mental salvation,” she laughs.
“We knew our eldest needed assessment
at the age of three, but due to hospital
wait times for the initial referral to a
private clinic, which cost over $1000,
we didn't receive the diagnosis until he
was 4.5-year’s old,” says Sarah.
“Finding certain services is easy enough.
I was immediately referred to AMAZE
Victoria by our paediatrician. They put us
in touch with early intervention and sent
us 1100 pages of stuff. Unfortunately,
maybe three were remotely useful,”
admits Sarah.
“On the other hand, for our middle child,
we knew he required assessment at
about two years of age, but due to lack
of funds, hospitals losing our referral
letters twice, and many other hospital
clerical errors, he was not diagnosed
until he was four-and-a-half.”
22
Sarah says obtaining the diagnosis was
“awesome”, as it meant they were able
to finally access therapy. They got to
work straight away by researching helpful
hints and talking to other parents in the
same boat.
autism
“After that, early intervention has been
great. Our worker Rita, from Noah's Ark
has been wonderful. She has helped
me with school enrolment for Western
Autistic, with finally obtaining a diagnosis
for Patrick and providing us with some
Sarah Gee and her children.
great suggestions to help us manage
behaviours.”
When it comes to advice for other parents
in the same situation, Sarah suggests
finding an Autism playgroup.
“This is somewhere you can take your
kids and speak to other parents who are
in the same position. You might not feel
like being social, you might dread the
two-and-a-half-hour battle to get your
child to put on their damn shoes so you
can leave the house, but it is worth it.”
Sarah also urges parents to not let other
people bring you down. “When your child
has an episode in a public place, you will
get looks - some will be a small smile of
encouragement, but the ones you notice
will be the old guy shaking his head and
muttering to his wife about the 'naughty
kid'. Remember - they don’t know.”
“If anyone is rude enough to actually
complain or yell at you about your child,
remain calm! Stick up for your child.
“Finally, stay strong and remember you’re
doing a good job.”
CELEBRATING DIFFERENCE
Sat 30th April
Karralyka Centre - Mines Road, Ringwood East
10am - 5pm
The Melbourne Autism Expo 2016 (MAE 2016) is for anyone who is touched by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
The Melbourne Autism Expo provides an opportunity for children, teenagers, families and adults to access
useful, practical (and sometimes unusual!) information, products and services related to ASD.
MAE 2016 will also be great for anyone working with ASD children and their families. The Expo provides a
brilliant opportunity to see and meet others working in your area of expertise!
A portion of proceeds from MAE 2016 will be donated to
Irabina Autism Services, www.irabina.com and Yellow Ladybugs, www.yellowladybugs.com.au
Tickets available at
www.melbourneautismexpo.com.au
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PRODUCTS
& SERVICES
SPEAKERS
CHILL OUT
AREA
AFL
CLINIC
Supporting Partners
Gold Partners
STORY
TIME
ENTRY
FROM
$10
to long-term employment,” said Autism
CRC chief executive Andrew Davis.
“We know that employment is critical for
financial security, independence, building
social networks and overall health and
wellbeing. A key aim of Autism CRC
is to increase workforce participation
to provide meaningful and sustainable
employment.”
Jeanette Purkis is an adult on the
spectrum who has written extensively
on workplace participation.
Jeanette Purkis says it’s important to focus
on positives rather than deficits.
adults
no longer
overlooked
Until recently, only 1% of all Autismrelated research worldwide has
focused on post-school outcomes,
and research into adults living with
the condition has been scant.
That’s all about to change thanks to
the efforts of the Cooperative Research
Centre (CRC) for Living with Autism the world’s first national research effort
focused on Autism from diagnosis,
through school years and into adulthood.
The Autism CRC aims to build capacity
in workplaces, schools, universities
and other community groups to better
support individuals on the spectrum.
With 2,500 to 3,000 school leavers
in Australia on the Autism spectrum
every year, successful transition into
employment, higher education and
vocational training is an area of great
need. Indeed, figures from the ABS show
the labour force participation rate for
people with Autism is 34%, compared to
54% for people with disability and 83%
for people without disability.
“Individuals on the Autism spectrum often
have the skills to do the job extremely
well, but social and communication
difficulties can sometimes create barriers
24
autism
“Everyone in the workplace is different
and we all have needs,” said Jeanette.
“It is far more productive to focus on
our skills and strengths as people and
employees, rather than our differences
and build respect in the workplace for
people who may not think or act like us.
“It’s so important to focus on positives
rather than deficits. Focusing on what
a person can’t do is demoralising and
does not allow them to build on their
strengths and boost confidence.”
Autism CRC is developing evidencebased tools to allow for effective
transition and vocational planning, as
well as tools for employers to support
autistic employees to succeed in
employment.
Melissa Scott from Curtin University is
developing the Integrated Employment
Success Tool (IEST)™ as part of her
PhD. She has found that the attitudes
of all managers, co-workers and other
staff play a significant role in employment
success. Education about Autism and
the strengths of those on the spectrum
is a crucial part of this tool.
“The IEST is designed as a decision tree
covering every aspect of the employment
process. The modifications described
in the resource are not just physical,
but also cover social, sensory, and
communication adjustments,” said
Melissa.
“We suggest a number of different
ways to choose a candidate rather
than the traditional interview process,
for example, providing a work trial
rather than an interview. If implemented,
employers will quite possibly get the best
candidate for the position.”
www.autismcrc.com.au
celebrating
difference
A new first-of-its-kind Autism expo
is set to hit Melbourne on April 30.
The brainchild of Larissa Hill and Natasha
McArdle, the Melbourne Autism Expo 2016
(MAE2016) will provide an opportunity for
children, families and adults to access
useful, practical information, products
and services related to Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD).
Designed for anyone who is touched by
ASD, the expo aims to educate, inform,
inspire and support those living with ASD
and their families.
“Our aim to bring a broad range of
products and services to the one place
so the Autism community can access
and explore, as well as providing an
opportunity to hear from some brilliant
speakers,” says Larissa. “The Melbourne
Autism Expo is aimed at people of all ages
and will be a safe and non-judgmental
environment – a great fun family day out.”
Designed for anyone
who is touched by
ASD, the expo aims
to educate, inform,
inspire and support
those living with ASD
and their families
Natasha adds that “the Melbourne
Autism Expo is about providing Autism
information in an easily accessible way
therefore saving precious time and money,
something that people living with special
needs often don’t have a lot of.”
To be held at the Karralyka Centre in
Ringwood on April 30, the expo will
feature over 70 exhibitors including
special needs photography, therapy and
support centres, occupational therapists,
speech pathologists, psychologists,
sport and physical training specialists,
Autism accounts for 31% of NDIS participants, according
to the NDIS Quarterly Report issued in June 2015.
The labour force participation rate for people with Autism
is 34%, compared to 54% for people with disability
and 83% for people without disability.
Source: ABS
musicians, pharmacy, respite,
sensory items, toys, schools,
government and community
organisations, educational supplies
and equipment, art and craft and
more.
“There will also be a speaker
program, break-out room and
roaming entertainers,” says
Larissa, “and the expo will be a
great resource for people who work
with children with ASD and their
families."
Larissa and Natasha, who were
recently nominated for a Brilliant
Biz Mum Award in the Best
Community-Minded Mum category,
autism
stories from across
the spectrum
said they established the expo to
make a positive contribution to the
Autism community. “I’m honoured
to be nominated for this award - it
confirms that I am doing something
that will make a difference to the
community,” says Natasha.
Supported by Maroondah City
Council and 89.9 Light FM,
a portion of proceeds from
MAE2016 will be donated to
community organisations that
support ASD, including Irabina
Autism Services and the Yellow
Lady Bugs.
For more information visit
melbourneautismexpo.com.au
Melbourne Autism Expo organisers
Larissa Hill and Natasha McArdle.
autism
25
living with
autism
According to Autism Spectrum
Australia, around 130,000 Australian
adults have Autism, and diagnosis
rates are on the rise.* Link invited
equestrian athlete, writer and public
speaker Danyele Therese Foster,
who is on the Spectrum, to share her
experiences as an adult with Autism.
I was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum
Condition in 2007 at 26 years of age. For
most of my life, I was misunderstood,
stigmatised, and lived a barren, isolated
existence. I know what it is to be the
unwanted stranger, forever on the
outside looking in. Since my diagnosis,
I have increased in self-knowledge
and confidence and my life has been
profoundly transformed.
I graduated from Good Counsel College,
Innisfail with commendable results and
then studied a Bachelor of Arts/Laws,
majoring in History and Politics, at
James Cook University. Unfortunately
I was not able to complete this degree
due to problems associated with
undiagnosed Autism, in addition to
severe depression and anxiety. After
many years in the wilderness and after
receiving my diagnosis, I began to put
my life back on track.
I now hold a
Certificate 3 in Business Administration
and Outdoor Recreation (Trail Riding)
and have completed a NCAS RDAA
Level O (Assistant Coach) certificate
and aim to complete my Level 1 RDA
coaching certificate. I am also studying
a Diploma of Library and Information
studies which will enable me to find
employment in the library/museum/
gallery sector. Further, I wish to become
an Equine Facilitated Learning mentor,
to assist people living with Autism and
depression/anxiety. Part-time university
study is also on the agenda in the next
few years in order to contribute to the
Autism field and to assist those on the
20160303 Link Disability Mag MARCH 182x120 OL.pdf 1 4/03/2016 1:01:18 PM
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M
Y
CM
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26
autism
Spectrum, from a lived experience, as
well as clinical perspective.
I have always loved horses since I was
a small girl, but due to living on a yacht,
not coming from a horsey family, as well
as my parent’s financial situation, I was
never able to own one. After my Autism
diagnosis, a watershed event, I began
riding and volunteering in 2010 with
North Queensland Riding for the Disabled
(RDA). I was selected to compete in the
2012, 2013 and 2014 RDA Queensland
State Championships in dressage and
mounted games, and have consistently
placed in the top five.
I first began my current equestrian
adventure due to the need to seek new
challenges. Several years ago, I was at
the crossroads, stagnating with no clear
direction. I was extremely frustrated as
there was nowhere I could progress, so
I bit the bullet and sought new horizons.
I really wanted to learn more about
natural horsemanship because I had
researched a great deal about how this
training approach could assist those of
us on the Spectrum. In addition, I wanted
In 2012, at least 1 in 63 Australian school children had a
formal Autism diagnosis and were registered to receive
Carer Allowance (child).
Source: www.a4.org.au
to learn more about dressage, as this
sport really suits my personality and
aspirations. I finally came to Cristogracia
Spanish Horse Stud and Training Facility
(www.cristogracia.com.au), located in
the sleepy little hamlet of Tarzali on the
Atherton Tablelands.
I am slowly learning to
better understand and
control my emotions
and develop my
leadership abilities
so I can communicate
more effectively
a passion for classical dressage and
natural horsemanship, and hope to
attend as many workshops and clinics
as I am able to. My ultimate goal is to
develop my horsemanship and riding
skills and compete further in mainstream
equestrian competition and attain the
highest level of dressage and Working
Equitation that I can achieve. My ultimate
dream is to become classified as a
Para Equestrian and perhaps, one day,
represent Australia.
When I’m not riding I take every
opportunity to learn more about
Autism by attending workshops and
networking with clinicians and adults
on the Spectrum, and seek to both
educate the broader community and
advocate for those on the Spectrum. In
autism
stories from across
the spectrum
2015 I gave the closing address at APAC
2015 (Asia Pacific Autism Conference)
as part of the Autism Mentoring Program
facilitated by Autism Queensland. I
am also a freelance writer and blog at
spectrumofthehorse.wordpress.com,
where I discuss the ups and downs of
my equestrian journey and managing my
various conditions. You can also find me
on Facebook.
Without diverse abilities, ideas and
talents, and an innate capacity to foster
these from within, society would be
doomed to socio-economic stagnation.
Society needs people with disabilities
to lead authentic lives - not isolated,
dependent ones.
*Autism Spectrum Australia ‘We Belong’ Survey, 2012
I live with depression and anxiety which
makes becoming the calm, tactful leader
that horses require quite difficult and
these problems are enhanced due to
a large amygdala (a part of the brain
which regulates emotions); I experience
feelings intensely and have difficulty
controlling them. I often think that
people on the Spectrum have a lot in
common with horses in this regard we are usually misunderstood, bullied
and abused and, unfortunately, some
of our only mechanisms for dealing
with this are undesirable behaviours.
Through natural horsemanship, I am
slowly learning to better understand and
control my emotions and develop my
leadership abilities so I can communicate
more effectively. The skills which I am
developing have implications far outside
the equine realm. It is improving the
relationships I have with others and
helping me set appropriate boundaries.
2015 saw me competing in mainstream
competition for the first time in Working
Equitation - this is a fantastic sport
and I have made great progress in a
short period. Since becoming involved
with Cristogracia I have discovered
27
e
h
t
r
fo
d
r
o
c
re
When it comes to Autism Spectrum Disorder
(ASD), misinformation is rife. Link asked Associate
Professor Julie Green, Executive Director of
raisingchildren.net.au, to set the record straight.
What are some early signs of
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
•
doesn’t use eye contact to get someone’s attention
– for example, she doesn’t look at a parent then at a
snack to show she wants it
•
doesn’t consistently respond to her name
The first point of call is generally a GP who can refer you to
a specialist health care provider. There is no single test for
ASD. Diagnosis may involve a range of tests and visits to more
than one health professional or specialist. The diagnosis will
be based on watching the child play and interact with others,
talking to parents and reviewing the child’s past development.
By using a combination of assessment tools, professionals
can diagnose a child with ASD and determine where on the
spectrum the child falls.When diagnosing ASD professionals,
like paediatricians, psychiatrists and psychologists, refer to
the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(DSM-5). This tool breaks down the signs and symptoms of
ASD into categories. It also states how many of these must
be present in each category to confirm a diagnosis of ASD.
•
doesn’t smile at caregivers without first being smiled at
or tickled
What are the causes of ASD?
•
doesn’t use gestures on her own – for example, she
doesn’t wave bye-bye without being told to, or without
copying someone else who is waving
It is not known yet what causes ASD but it is important for
parents to know that ASD is not caused by anything that
parents do or don’t do while raising their child.
•
doesn’t show interest in other children
•
doesn’t understand simple one-step instructions – for
example, `Give the block to me’, or `Show me the
book’
What we do know is that in children with ASD, the brain
develops differently from most children. A young child’s brain
is developing all the time. Connections in the brain become
reinforced and grow stronger. In children with ASD, connections
and different parts of the brain don’t communicate with each
other in a typical way, and the brain processes information
differently. Evidence also strongly suggests a genetic basis to
ASD – the condition might come from the complex interaction
of several genes involved in how the brain develops.
Early signs vary from child to child. One child might have
only a few characteristics, and another might have many. In
very young children, it can be hard to detect the early signs.
However, there are some signs in behaviour and the way a
child communicates to watch out for. These can include:
Social Communication – if a child:
Behaviour:
•
is very interested in unusual objects or activities – for
example, drains, metal objects, or watching a specific
ad on TV
•
focuses narrowly on objects and activities, such as
turning the wheels of a toy car or lining up objects
•
is easily upset by change and must follow routines – for
example, sleeping, feeding or leaving the house must
be done in the same way every time
•
repeats body movements or has unusual body
movements, such as back-arching, hand-flapping and
walking on his toes
•
is extremely sensitive to sensory experiences – for
example, is easily upset by certain sounds, or will eat
only foods with a certain texture.
Any young child might behave in the ways listed above at
different stages of development - this isn’t necessarily a sign
of ASD. Parents know their child better than anyone. The key
is to talk to a child health professional about any concerns.
raisingchildren.net.au has a more comprehensive list of
early ASD signs if you are concerned.
28
How do I get my child assessed?
autism
My child has an ASD diagnosis: what do I do?
Receiving a diagnosis of ASD can be a difficult time for parents
and prompt lots of questions about what to do and what to
expect. It’s important that treatment and support are tailored
to a child’s needs. There are many support options available
for children, as well as support for parents and siblings. Our
Autism Services Pathfinder can help you work out where to
go next - www.raisingchildren.net.au/services_pathfinder/
services_pathfinder.html
Where can I find more information?
Visit www.raisingchildren.net.au and click on the Autism
banner at the top of the page. There are also a number of
reliable apps available through app stores that can provide
information, assist with early diagnosis and explain pathways
for diagnosis and support. The Children with ASD & Disability
app and ASDetect app are two good examples.
For more information visit raisingchildren.net.au/asd_
disability_app/Autism_and_disability_app.html
Research released by the United States Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in March 2014 says
1 in 68 children have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Source: www.Autismspeaks.org
autism
stories from across
the spectrum
new vision clinic an aussie first
An optometry service designed
specifically for children and adults
with Autism Spectrum Disorder
(ASD) has opened at Flinders
University in South Australia.
The first of its kind in Australia, the
new centre will provide free optometric
services under Medicare specifically
to adults and children with Autism
Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
It will initially run every Thursday from the
Flinders Vision Optometry Clinic, and will
feature a purpose-designed room and
tailored consultation aimed to make a
visit to the optometrist a more positive
and anxiety-free experience for those
on the Spectrum.
Heading up the Centre is Flinders
University optometrist and senior
lecturer, Dr Paul Constable, whose son
is on the Autism Spectrum.
Passionate about conducting research
and providing services that aim to
improve the lives of those with ASD, Paul
modelled the Autism Centre on a similar
clinic at Cardiff University in Wales.
“Our waiting room and consulting rooms
are Autism-friendly, with toys that are
very tactile and with order and visual
cues, so that children have their own
space and feel a sense of belonging,”
Dr Constable said.
...the new centre
will provide free
optometric services
under Medicare
specifically to adults
and children with
Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD)
“Prior to their appointment, we offer
parents/guardians use of a ‘visual
timetable’ and a virtual 3-D video of the
practice and the eye-test routine, so they
can familiarise themselves with what will
happen before they arrive. These steps
will further reduce anxiety and helps to
set-up the routine of ‘what will happen
in the sight-test’ beforehand.”
Dr Constable said research showed
that children with Autism had a greater
likelihood of needing glasses and a risk
of one eye not developing, so parents
were encouraged to organise a sight-test
for their child as early as possible.
Flinders optometry students will also
use the Autism Centre as a teaching
resource. Students will be able to view
consultations from outside the room via
video and become involved in research
on visual function in Autism.
autism
29
access all areas
When you’re in the market for
a mobility device it’s vital to find
equipment that matches your
needs. Wheelchair user Malcolm
Turnbull, of Sydney, tells us why the
SmartDrive Power Assist, available
from Permobil, is the device for him.
I have been a wheelchair user for over
36 years as a result of a motor vehicle
accident. My injury level is T5 complete.
Frankly, my shoulders aren’t what they
used to be. So Permobil’s SmartDrive™
Power Assist device caught my
imagination as soon as I saw it. First
off it looked cool! This is no big “look
at me” piece of technology. It discretely
sits on a small lightweight clamp that
fits on the camber bar of a manual rigid
frame wheelchair or removable bar for
folding wheelchairs. Apart from fitting
the clamp there is no adjustment to the
wheelchair required. Super easy, virtually
no weight added to my wheelchair and
I can easily fit/remove the SmartDrive
independently. It is portable so I can
take it anywhere, including on planes.
The SmartDrive
stands out for me
as one of the best
advancements in
wheelchair mobility
in the past 36 years
The SmartDrive MX2 includes a wrist
band which connects via BlueTooth®
to the drive unit. No cables, no cords.
To engage the SmartDrive simply push.
Once engaged the motor powers me to
whereever I am going, no need for more
pushes. All I have to do is steer and
enjoy the ride! To go faster I simply give
another push. The motor is incredibly
powerful, it motors me up hills I did not
think possible. The SmartDrive allows
me to rock back on my rear wheels so
30
mobility equipment
I can go over cracks or rougher terrain
or down curbs.
To disengage the SmartDrive I just tap
my hand on my push-rim, or a part of
my body, and the wrist band sends the
signal to the SmartDrive to stop. Push to
go, tap to stop – simple! The SmartDrive
is suitable for varying levels of function.
When the SmartDrive is fitted, but not
engaged, my wheelchair still pushes
great so if I want to push on flat terrain
but use the SmartDrive to power me up
the hills I can still get some exercise.
The SmartDrive has changed my mindset
on going out. For years I avoided pushing
around places I know are hilly, like the
area directly around my house, some of
the beachside paths that wind around
the coast, the Botanical Gardens, the
CBD, the South Coast or places I visit
overseas. But now when there is an
opportunity to go to these places I am
ready and willing. I use my car less and
get to enjoy beautiful places with people
I like. It has opened up access to the
community and public places. I find
myself exploring lanes and walkways I
never did before because it was just too
hard. I have found hidden gems I did not
know existed all because the SmartDrive
has enabled me to go places without
the concern of fatigue, pain or needing
to ask for assistance. It is also brilliant
for my work which involves travel and
pushing around airports with luggage.
The SmartDrive stands out for me as one
of the best advancements in wheelchair
mobility in the past 36 years.
big business
The roll-out of the National Disability
Insurance Scheme will drive
significant growth in the mobility
equipment sector, according to an
IbisWorld report released in October
last year.
The ‘Mobility Equipment Stores Market
Research Report’ says the industry had
grown by 3.3% since 2011, generating
$525 million in revenue and employing
over 1600 Australians. It predicts the
mobility equipment sector will grow by
4.9% in the next year, and is forecast
to be worth $705 million by 2020/21.
Emphasis on people
enjoying active and
independent lives
has driven growth
of the sector
According to the report, one-third of
the three million Australians who have
a physical disability use a mobility aid.
mobility
equipment
These figures encompass temporary
users, such as people recovering from
an injury and long-term users such as
people with an ongoing disability.
The report also suggests that society’s
greater emphasis on “people enjoying
active and independent lives” has
driven growth of the sector, and that
the “continued migration from manual
to motorised wheelchairs and ongoing
product enhancements to improve the
ergonomics of mobility aids will also help
to drive industry growth over the next
five years”.
To access the report visit
www.ibisworld.com.au/industry/
mobility-equipment-stores.html
Comprehensive
Car Insurance
Designed for disability
converted vehicles
We also insure:
• Wheelchairs
• Mobility Scooters
• Home and Contents
TO ENTER GET A QUOTE 1300 304 802
or go to BlueBadgeInsurance.com.au/register
See www.bluebadgeinsurance.com.au/register for full terms. The Promoter is
Blue Badge Insurance Pty Ltd (ABN 59 162 783 306) of Level 9, 100 Christie Street,
St Leonards NSW 2065. Authorised Under: NSW Permit No. LTPS/16/00578.
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mobility equipment
31
What causes a chair
to go off course?
• Side-sloped terrain
- even slight slopes
• Obstacles at only one wheel
• Elevations encountered on one
side ahead of the other, such as
door jambs, flooring strips,
ramps, lift-steps)
• Steps, curbs, ramps, door jambs
approached at an angle
• Soft ground or unnlevelled terrain
• Bunched Carpets
All make it difficult for powerchairs with
traditional control systems to stay on
course without veering to one side or
the other.
the right
wheels
Powered mobility has revolutionised
the life experiences of many people
with physical disability, enabling
independence and social interaction,
and improving psychological
wellbeing.
According to David, powerchairs are
generally four or six-wheeled and nonfolding, however some folding designs
exist and other designs may have some
ability to partially dismantle for transit.
David Jeffries, from Invacare Australia,
says the right mobility device can
transform a person’s life.
“Three popular styles of powerchair
drive systems are front, centre or rearwheel drive,” says David. “Rear-wheel
drive has a larger turning circumference
and is, therefore, more difficult to
manoeuvre in tight spaces, whereas
front-wheel drive has a medium turning
circumference. This makes turning in
small spaces difficult due to the long
back-end, though they manage tight
corners well due to the short front-end.
“Powered mobility can provide the
interface between individuals and
participation and routines that form
everyday life,” says David.
“A mid-wheel drive powerchair has the
smallest turning circumferences and the
tightest turning radius. For example, the
Invacare Rovi ‘The Complete Solution’,
Having one’s own transport is not
only convenient, it can enhance the
development of cognitive and perceptual
skills, build confidence and self-esteem
and increase opportunities for social,
educational, work and leisure activities.
32
“Likewise, the advances in technology
in recent years have been amazing and
the range of products on the market is
extensive. It’s important for potential
users and their carers to assess the
options and choose the right equipment
for their needs.”
mobility equipment
introduced in 2015, utilises a unique
chassis configuration that creates more
stability with less overall width. It’s a
simple, but remarkable breakthrough
in power wheelchair design.”
David said some manual wheelchairs
may also be fitted with an add-on
electric power system which can take
one of three forms - integrated with the
hub of hand-propelled wheels, so that
any force on the push-rims is magnified
by the drive system; mounted under
the wheelchair and controlled as for a
powerchair, but with the motive force
either transmitted to the main wheels
via a friction drive system, or delivered
directly through an auxiliary drive wheel.
Tracking Technology allows a powerchair
to continue its true forward path
regardless of terrain, and reduced veer
correction is needed.
“This results in independent and safer
driving, with less fatigue, and is ideal
for ‘switch control’ driver, alternative
driver control users and marginal joystick
drivers.”
protecting your asset
As mobility scooters increase in
popularity and become more widely
used, unfortunately so has the
number of reported thefts.
Nik Witcombe, CEO of Blue Badge
Insurance, Australia’s first independence
and mobility insurance specialist, says
this is a growing concern.
“Thieves are realising the value of these
devices and beginning to target mobility
scooters that are left unattended around
people’s homes, shopping centres and
other public spaces like common areas
in apartment buildings and social clubs,”
he said.
“People often think locking their scooter
using the key is enough, but in most
cases this doesn’t deter theft because
most scooters can be put in neutral
and pushed away. “In some cases the
scooter is discovered later in a state of
disrepair or completely trashed, while in
other cases they are never seen again.”
While having a comprehensive mobility
scooter insurance policy will cover
you against theft, Mr Witcombe warns
that most insurers require that you
take reasonable measures to prevent
opportunistic theft both at home and
when you’re out and about. He suggests
considering a specific mobility scooter
policy, such as those offered by Blue
Badge Insurance.
easy target
SA Police offers a number of tips to
help reduce your chances of becoming
a victim of mobility scooter theft:
• Secure your mobility scooter in your
home or a locked garage or install
an anchor point and lock to secure
it to the anchor point.
• Park your mobility scooter out of
sight or consider concealing it with
a cover, which can be secured to the
scooter, when at home.
• Remove the key and lock your
mobility scooter when not in use.
mobility
equipment
• Lock the steering of your mobility
scooter if it is equipped with this
feature.
• Do not leave any possessions or
valuables in the mobility scooter.
• Photograph your mobility scooter
and record any markings and
the serial number to identify your
mobility scooter. The mobility scooter
company will be able to assist with
the location of the serial number.
• Mark your mobility scooter with your
driver’s licence number or proof of
age card.
Source: ‘Mobility Scooter Theft Protection Fact
Sheet’ www.police.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/
pdf_file/0005/2687/mobility_scooter_theft.pdf
AUTOMATIC SWING AND SLIDING DOMESTIC DOOR SYSTEMS
The iSwing door operator can be fitted to most home
doors, converting it to a disable accessible automatic
door. The system comes with push or pull drive arms.
• Remote control to open/close and lock the door
• Magnetic locking system with 270kg holding
power
• Exterior access key pad
• Exit push button
• Lithium long life UPS battery backup
power supply
The Autoslide door system is very versatile and can
automate a variety of door types, from:
• patio doors
• security screens
• cavity sliding
• bathroom doors.
Combined with a large range of accessories most
doorways can be converted to automatic at an
affordable price. Systems can be fitted to existing doors
or supplied with a track to fit your own custom
made door.
mobility equipment
33
Y
E
T
SAF IPS
T
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Be seen! It’s
important to stay
visible so consider
purchasing safety
equipment like flags,
lights and reflectors.
Watch out for vehicles
leaving and entering
driveways, and never
assume the driver has
seen you.
Check your speed. In
most states and territories
mobility equipment must not
exceed 10km/hour but it’s
always safest to adjust your
speed to your environment,
especially in busy pedestrian
areas.
Stick to footpaths. Only
ride on roads if there is no
footpath and make sure you
can be seen.
staying safe
Mobility scooters and wheelchairs
are a safe and easy way to get
around for people who have difficulty
walking, and many users cherish
the freedom and independence
they afford. However, accidents
can happen.
According to a survey conducted by
Blue Badge Insurance, 25% of mobility
scooter users had been involved in an
accident at some point and 38% were
involved in a near accident at least once
a year. Common accidents included
toppling over, colliding with cars, hitting or being hit by - pedestrians and cyclists
and accidental contact with objects like
street furniture and shopfronts. Recent
research also indicates that mobility
scooter theft is on the rise.
Chief executive officer of Blue Badge
Insurance Nik Witcombe says being
involved in an accident or having your
equipment stolen can be both distressing
and inconvenient.
O n l y c ro s s ro a d s a t
pedestrian crossings and
wait for a green light.
Slow down and check
your surroundings before
changing direction to avoid
injuring others. Adjust your
driving to the conditions and
don’t use slopes that are too
steep for your equipment.
Make turns slowly and
approach ramps and kerbs
head on.
Be careful around parked
cars. If you must approach
a parked car cross in front of
the car and take extra care.
Keep the load down – don’t
carry too many parcels.
Tips courtesy of
Blue Badge Insurance.
Photo courtesy of Blue Badge Insurance
34
mobility
mobility equipment
equipment
“You will likely need to have your
equipment repaired or replaced,
potentially leaving you without any
equipment for some time. Accidents
can also expose you to expensive repair
costs or even third party liability if the
accident causes injury or damage to
other people or their property,” he said.
“The best way to protect yourself against
these types of accidents is to familiarise
yourself with your equipment. There’s
no substitute for being confident and
in control of your scooter or wheelchair
so make sure you ask your mobility
equipment dealer to provide you with
the necessary training.”
For those who want to take extra
measures to protect their mobility
equipment, it’s worth considering taking
out insurance through a provider like Blue
Badge Insurance.
“Our product safeguards users against
the costs associated with accidents and
mishaps to help protect the user’s source
of freedom, making sure they are back
up and running as quickly as possible,”
Nik says.
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ONE OF THE MOST
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The Complete Solution
Unlike anything that has come before, the ROVI X3 utilises a unique chassis
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but remarkable breakthrough in power wheelchair design.
FOR YOUR NEAREST ROVI PROVIDER VISIT
INVACARE.COM.AU OR PHONE 1800 460 460
section title
35
ADVANCING MOBILITY
decisions
decisions
Choosing the right mobility
equipment for your needs
is a big deal. Research,
expert opinion and shopping
around are all important.
Our checklist will point
you in the right direction.
You’re invited to see what today, tomorrow and beyond
will look like at the CareFacilities Expo, May 20 – 22, 2016
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Safety Products
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Catering
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Laundry
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Recruitment
Security
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Finance
Furniture
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Transport
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Uniforms
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2 SHOWS IN 1
May 20 – 22
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36
mobility equipment
16/03/16 8:28 AM
Can you operate it safely?
Eyesight, reaction time, sitting
balance and posture should all
be taken into account.
Get professional and
independent advice:
pay close attention to this as
some models are better than
others), that it’s comfortable
for long periods of sitting and
that there’s space for luggage.
Try before you buy:
Talk to your health professional,
such as an occupational
therapist, to check if a
motorised mobility device is
for you.
Some companies offer this
service. Be sure to also
check the device complies with
Australian standards.
Consider your needs:
Another consideration is
whether you’ll need to transport
your device by car.
How far will you travel? Are you
travelling mainly on footpaths
or uneven surfaces? Short
trips or long hauls? All these
factors will impact the sort of
device you should choose.
Safety considerations:
Look for a device with
headlights, tail lights and
mirrors. A horn and beeper
(that sounds when you go
backwards) are also useful.
Road test:
When you’re in the market for
a new device check whether
the chair can be manoeuvred
easily, whether you can get on
and off safely, what the visibility
is like, that you can operate
the controls (if you have limited
movement in your hands then
mobility
equipment
Car transportation:
Choose a reputable supplier
with good after-sales
service:
Your doctor or occupational
therapist may be able to
recommend a suitable supplier.
Pimp your wheels:
Some suppliers can customise
mobility devices to the needs of
the individual. Once again, talk
to your occupational therapist.
What about second-hand?
Buying a pre-loved device is
definitely an option but make
sure it’s in good working order.
A pre-purchase check by a
qualified service agent is a
good idea.
Road-side service:
Many motoring organisations,
such as the RAA and RACV,
offer roadside service to mobility
equipment users in the event of a
breakdown. Contact your statebased service for details.
Information sourced from www.racv.com.au
and VicRoad’s ‘A Guide to Choosing and Using
Motorised Mobility Devices: mobility scooters
and electric wheelchairs’.
Moore Park Beach Motel (QLD)
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bespoke adj. made to individual order; custom-made
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Quality residential building design and
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mobility equipment
37
70% not
ready for
NDIS
A staggering 70% of Disability Service
Providers (DSPs) are currently
underprepared for the transition
to the NDIS, according to The IT
Department – a professional ICT
Services company that specialises
in providing independent NDIS
readiness and Client Management
Software (CMS) Consulting Services.
The IT Department’s analysis reveals that
more than seven out of ten Disability
Service Providers have either made no
start on NDIS programs or are still in
the planning phase, with nearly a half
of DSPs currently using custom-made
or manual systems for managing client
and program data.
“It’s a concerning picture,” The IT
Department CEO Dr John Cromie said,
particularly as many DSPs in Victoria and
New South Wales are now desperately
racing to meet a looming deadline of
July 1, 2016.
“There are more than 20 Client
Management System (CMS) products
in the Australian market, but none has
yet developed a market share of even
10 per cent,” Dr Cromie said.
“Of the small minority of DSPs who have
implemented a CMS, less than a third
are confident that it will handle NDIS
well for them. More than one-third have,
as yet, no clear picture as to whether
their CMS will even be able meet NDIS
requirements at all.”
“Efficient, improved processes,
accurately measuring costs, carefully
managing services and tracking
participant goals and outcomes will be
crucial to DSP’s looking to thrive under
the NDIS.”
The IT Department has been providing
ICT Support Services, ICT Project
Services and specialist Consulting
Services to the disability sector for
more than ten years and has already
helped more than 30 disability service
organisations prepare for the transition
to NDIS.
For more information email
ndis@itdepartment.com.au
or call 1300 10 10 40.
KEYS TO NDIS READINESS
USER
FRIENDLY
SYSTEM
SELECTION
COST,
MEASURE
& MANAGE
SERVICES
EFFICIENT
PROCESSES
PARTICIPANT
GOALS
NDIA
PORTAL
INTEGRATED
SYSTEMS
CHANGE
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38
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industry
39
more than dogs; providing mobility and
orientation services and also hearing
services. We also enable young people
transitioning from school to adult life to
live more independently.
What is your vision for Guide Dogs SA
in the next 5-10 years?
I have a vision
where everyone
who needs
assistance
can be helped
in conversation
kate thiele - ceo
guide dogs sa / nt
Congratulations on your success at
the Telstra Business Women’s Awards.
I was incredibly honoured and humbled
to be named Telstra’s South Australian
Business Woman of the Year and to win
the ‘For Purpose and Social Enterprise’
category nationally.
It was an exciting experience to be part
of the awards process and meet so many
talented women doing extraordinary
things with extraordinary commitment
and passion. I was honoured to win
40
industry
the award, not for myself, but it can
now enable me to shine a light on the
disability sector.
Tell us about Guide Dogs SA/NT.
Guide Dogs SA/NT was established in
1957 due to the vision of the Apex Clubs
of Adelaide and Unley. Since then the
organisation has grown and developed
to provide safety, independence and
inclusion to people living with disability.
I’m particularly proud that our Autism
Assistance Dog program is changing
the lives of families. And we are much
Every hour, every day an Australian learns
they will lose their sight - of those, nine
will become blind. By 2020 that means
more than 100,000 Australians will be
blind. I have a vision where everyone who
needs assistance can be helped. To do
that we need to expand our services,
ensure a reliable income stream and help
clients navigate the NDIS to ensure they
have access to the services that help
them meet their goals and aspirations.
I hope to further encourage my amazing
and passionate staff to achieve for the
client. Sometime before ten years I’ll
hand over the baton to an enthusiastic
new leader knowing that I’ve left it in
good shape.
You’ve worked at Guide Dogs SA/NT
for six years. Where did you work
previously?
I started my career in health but switched
to retail as a store manager with the Myer
Group and then to a national role with
Laubman and Pank. I have also worked
in manufacturing at Detmold Packaging
Group and moved into the not-for-profit
sector through the Cancer Council. I
love working with people and driving
growth and these roles enabled me to
grow as a leader.
What are the best parts of your job?
I am passionate about Guide Dogs and
the not-for-profit sector. It’s why I go
to work every day. It’s why I exist. It’s
my inspiration. Working at Guide Dogs
I am inspired by the achievements of
our clients. I truly believe that amazing
people can do amazing things.
Guide Dogs SA is opening Australia’s
first pet hotel in Adelaide. Can you tell
us more about this?
To ensure Guide Dogs can expand its
services we need to be innovative and
nimble and ‘future-proof’ our income
streams. Beau’s Personalised Pet Hotel,
to open next year at the Adelaide Airport,
is an exciting extension of our work.
industry
Owners will be able to leave their cats,
dogs and other pets with absolute
peace of mind while they are away. Most
importantly all profits will be directed to
services for people living with disability.
Disability support organisations
are increasingly becoming more
commercialised. What are your views
on this?
There needs to be a balance. Disability
support organisations exist for the
purpose of improving the lives of
people. To do that funding is critical.
It is impossible to rely on one income
stream - there needs to be a balance of
income streams that minimise risk but
provide a range of sources to ensure a
sustainable financial footing, whether
that’s government funding, fee for
service, community donations, bequests
or viable enterprises. Under that scenario
we need good governance and boards
with expert skills to chart a sustainable,
bold but assessed risk future.
What has been your organisation’s
experience to date with the NDIS?
The NDIS is a symbol of how we as
a society have said disability services
must be more adequately funded.
Through NDIS we will empower people
to choose services that meet their needs
by putting the funding services in their
hands. As part of the 0-14-year-old
pilot scheme we have had some Autism
Assistance Dog services funded through
NDIS and orientation and mobility skills
development for young children.
Not everything about NDIS is clear yet,
particularly around the supports that will
be available for people that may not be
eligible for a package arrangement. We
are reorientating how we do business
against that uncertainty. There are also
challenges for how we provide services
where NDIS funding cuts out when
people reach the age of 65 and transfer
to the Aged Care Reform system.
What are the top three challenges
facing the disability services sector?
Successfully navigating to the new NDIS
system and becoming more marketing
and business delivery savvy against
competition from fully commercial
companies; secondly, ensuring that
philanthropy remains part of our DNA
as a community - the NDIS will not be the
magic panacea for providing services.
Thirdly, attracting the best and brightest
staff to ensure outstanding services,
as well as forwarding-thinking and
innovative decision-making.
If you were Prime Minister for the day,
what one thing would you do to benefit
people with disability?
Change some silly ‘rules’ that
disempower people living with disability.
For example the requirement in many
job descriptions that a driver’s licence
is required. The flexibility of enabling
people with a vision impairment to use
taxis or public transport would open
up a much wider skills base for mutual
benefit.
industry
41
health matters
dieting dilemmas
Dieting is a hard slog for most of
us, let alone when you’ve been
prescribed psychiatric drugs, writes
Isabella Fels.
Dieting on psychiatric drugs is a real
rocky road and I don’t just mean a giant
marshmallow-filled chocolate bar. I really
have to lift the bar and compensate for
all the excesses of taking medication,
from a greatly increased appetite to a
decreased metabolism. Also, on my
medication for Schizophrenia, Clozaril,
I have to fight compulsions to eat at all
times of the day and night. I even worry
about impulses to pinch and snatch food
from places such as supermarkets and
friends’ houses.
Over the years my psychiatric drugs
won’t let me take a break from weight
gain. I continually beat myself up for all
my naughty treats, not to mention the
midnight feasts that I devour.
I then have to make a super-human effort
to eat only good foods and throw out
the bad.
Food totally dictates my life and becomes
the enemy. Eating is hardly a ceremony
or healthy past time for me. I quickly and
easily wolf food down and then regret
it afterwards.
The minute I stuff up, the going gets
tough and I have to learn to quickly get
back on the long, hard road to recovery.
Isabella's Top Tips
for Eating Healthily
-----------------------------------Don’t keep junk food in the house
When you get the urge to eat outside
of meal times, clean your teeth
Snack only on fruit and vegies
- same goes for overnight snacking
Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like
a prince and dinner like a pauper
Have a big drink of water
20 minutes before eating
I have to watch my diet all the time - I
spend hours cooking hearty soups and
salads. Often this becomes an uphill
battle and I end up having takeaway. I’m
often left wailing over my diet mistakes
- and not just the fat which I refuse to
cut off my steak.
Things become especially hard when
I have to go to the almost five-star
psychiatric hospital where I get served
delicious meals round the clock. Food
here is even more available than being
on an aircraft, and eating becomes the
focus of my stay. Everywhere I go I am
surrounded by delicious food, from
vending machines and tea rooms on
every floor to the huge dining room, where
all sorts of high-calorie foods abound.
Even walking the circuit of the hospital
does little to eliminate the calories of all
the bad foods I have eaten. It’s a shame
so many psychiatric hospitals have such
fatty and carbohydrate-loaded foods on
offer. They should look after our greater
good instead.
When I’m at home, and don’t know what
to do with myself, I make short work of
food. I then sink with a full stomach into
depression, either on the couch by the
television or into bed. I then feel that
I’ll never make an impression like I did
with so many men when I was younger,
when I didn’t have to take medication
and was an enviable size eight.
Often I get desperate about my weight
and the long wait to get rid of it. Often
I stuff up. That is why I now recognise
I need strong support systems such as
nutritionists, my family, my psychiatrist,
key worker and personal trainer to keep
me battling on with my weight loss. I
am still trying to learning to love myself
and accept my shape for whatever it
is. I realise now I have to do it for my
own health rather than to please people,
including men.
Isabella Fels is a writer and poet who
writes about her disabilities, including
Schizophrenia and Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
42
section title
NDIS READINESS
SPECIALISTS
INDEPENDENT CMS CONSULTING
GOT A QUESTION?
EMAIL - ndis@itdepartment.com.au
Call 1300 10 10 40
AUSTRALIA’S DISABILITY ICT SPECIALISTS
industry
43
re-imagining today’s
technologies
Telstra Foundation, together with
the Department of Family and
Community Services, is supporting
the Cerebral Palsy Alliance to
deliver Remarkable – Australia’s
first disability focussed accelerator
program.
Launched in Sydney on March 31,
Remarkable commenced with the
Enabled by Design-athon, a three day
incubator that connected people with
a disability, designers, technologists,
engineers, entrepreneurs, students, and
disability professionals to hot-house
ideas for exciting inclusive technologies.
Participants came together to reimagine today’s technologies to create
a future where everyone is able to play
a part. Taken on a journey through the
innovation process, contributors were
encouraged to delve into design thinking,
gain experience in rapid prototyping and
explore start-up methodologies.
Subject matter experts and mentors
helped teams to understand humancentred and universal design, generate
ideas, and develop final pitches for
technologies that have the potential to
create new opportunities for people living
with disability to participate in an exciting
connected future.
Telstra’s chief sustainability officer, Tim
O’Leary, was inspired by the collaborative
efforts of participants.
Do you have a problem
with your telephone or
internet company?
The TIO can help.
Remember, before you get in touch with us,
you need to try to fix your problem with your
landline, mobile or internet company.
Call us: 1800 062 058*
Go online: www.tio.com.au
Interpreting service:
131 450
For more information,
visit: www.relayservice.gov.au
*Calls to our 1800 number from landlines are free. Calls from mobile phones
may attract a fee, which will vary depending on your service provider. If you
are calling from a mobile phone, let us know and we can call you back.
44
advertorial
“It’s so important that technology and
innovation serves everyone – that it’s
not just for the privileged few,” he said.
"We believe that the more connected
people are, the more opportunities they
have. We want everyone – regardless of
age, income, ability or location – to enjoy
the benefits that new communications
technologies can bring.”
Over the next three years, Remarkable
will prototype 30 technology projects
and engage 300 people in the design
process, harnessing the power of digital
technology to create life changing
solutions for people with disability.
Our goal is for Remarkable to become a
model for all Australian incubators and
accelerators, and to create a cultural
shift that sees universal design principles
incorporated into all human-centred
digital technology solutions.
At Telstra, we believe that “remarkable
thinking” should be embedded in all
incubators. The Remarkable initiative
is just the start.
travel
an oasis
for all
Inspired by Aggie - a special
young woman who was born with
a genetic condition that leaves her
fully dependent on others for all her
needs - Aggie’s Oasis is the ultimate
in accessible accommodation.
Just like Aggie’s disability doesn’t
define her, Aggie’s Oasis breaks all
the stereotypes of disability-friendly
accommodation, offering an unrivalled
standard of luxury and all the mod-cons.
Located in beautiful Tewantin near the
Noosa River on the Sunshine Coast in
Queensland, Aggie’s Oasis was created
by Aggie’s family in 2015 on the premise
that everyone has a right to have luxury,
quality holidays.
The family first holidayed there over
Christmas 2015, and say it was
everything they had hoped for. “All the
work that had gone into the accessibility
details had really paid off. We enjoyed
a wonderful time with our family, Aggie
loved it!"
Promising ‘Holidays without Limitations’,
Aggie’s Oasis is fully accessible with two
indoor living areas, four bedrooms, a
spacious kitchen, accessible bathroom
and outdoor living area overlooking a
sparkling swimming pool, complete
with Kingfisher hoist, and set amongst
landscaped gardens.
The house is designed to offer families an
opportunity to holiday together without
having to worry about accessibility and
transport, and is ideal for travellers
needing accessible accommodation
close to Noosa, as well as families
looking for respite.
Other features include a lifting hoist
with a range of slings, hospital bed and
wheelchair-friendly van. Fully qualified
and experienced carers are also available
on request.
www.aggiesoasis.com.au
Great Holidays and Travel
for people with disabilities.
●
Nationally accredited family owned business since 1994
●
Specialist travel agency and tour operator offering over
80 holidays each year to the worlds finest destinations
●
Premium, boutique holiday experiences with high levels
of care and personalised attention
●
Highly trained and experienced staff including
full time registered nurse
●
Tailored range of group and individualised holidays
●
Registered service provider with NDIS
For more information call
1300 363 713 (toll free)
or visit our website
www.leisureoptions.com.au
Find us on Facebook
Suite 50, 574 Plummer Street
Port Melbourne VIC 3207
Tel: 03 9646 0666 Fax: 03 9646 5299
mail@leisureoptions.com.au
travel
45
going
down
We arrive at the threshold of Orient Cave,
one of the most spectacular at Jenolan,
discovered in 1904. Excitement takes
hold when we reach the cave entrance,
as when my father and sister considered
visiting the caves I never knew I would
be able join them in a wheelchair. But
Jenolan offer special pre-booked private
mobility tours to the first chamber of
the Orient Cave for wheelchair users or
those with restricted mobility.
At over 340 million years old, Jenolan the world’s oldest open limestone cave
system - has hosted everyone from this
travel writer in her wheelchair to kings,
tourists and even dinosaurs.
This tour is made possible by the
Binoomea Cut, a doorway controversially
blasted through the mountainside near
historic Caves House in 1954. Access
to the cave, previously at the end of a
long tunnel of cave systems, is a result of
the blast which damaged a spectacular
limestone curtain formation, the buildings
and the boiler, but creating an opening
at ground level enabling a wheelchair
tour minus the steps, ladder-climbing
and rope bridges of entering the Orient
through connecting caves. There is even
a wheelchair parking space beside it.
A series of metal air-locked doors bang
shut behind us as I push my wheelchair
Arriving at the tunnel entry our guide
stops to point out damage caused by
Travel writer Marayke Jonkers
travels deep underground to explore
an ancient cave that’s fit for a king.
Photos courtesy of Jenolan Caves.
down the narrow concrete-floored
passageway, and I feel like we are on
an Indiana Jones-style adventure with
our torch-wielding guide in the lead. As
we move deeper underground along the
400-metre and relatively flat tunnel we
learn the airlock system protects the
cave from pollution.
the blast, and explains the geological
wonders of the region. Limestone forms
in warm shallow sea that’s rich in sea
life, meaning that from the entrance to
the cave visitors can see fossils of sea
life and corals amongst the limestone
and moss-covered rocks.
As we enter the chamber the lights are
dimmed and the tour guide places a
rock in my hand, along with a torch,
explaining how minerals deposited in
the limestone created rocks that ‘glow’
under torchlight. Breathtaking curtain
features are created by water dripping
through limestone.
Stunning curtains and columns are
illuminated by LED lighting - it keeps
damage to a minimum while bathing the
formations in a soft glow that draw out
the natural colours.
We’re Different, We’re Social
Join YMCA Escapes for an
adventure of a lifetime!
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03 8397 3111
46
travel
ymcaescapes@ymca.org.au
victoria.ymca.org.au/escapes
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travel
Location: The Jenolan Caves
are three hour’s drive from
Sydney and Canberra.
Accessibility: It’s not perfect
but doable, given you accept
it will only be possible to visit
certain areas. The rest of the
caves involve many steps,
ladders and even caving
expeditions. However, for me,
seeing the Orient Chamber
was better than missing out
completely.
After you've visited Orient Cave don’t
miss Devils Arch and Nettle Cave.
Access is even easier as you can drive
through in your car, although I enjoyed
exploring in my manual wheelchair and
climbing into small caves.
Beside these caves is the stunning
Blue Lake Loop Walk. Part of the walk
is accessible and, after pushing less
than 50 metres up the track we stop to
watch platypus swim.
The accessible gift shop provides plenty
of entertainment while my family continue
on more cave tours. I then move into
the historical Caves House hotel foyer
to explore the rock specimens, art
collection and historical photograph
display where I learn the caves were
visited by the Duke and Duchess of
York (later King George VI and Queen
Elizabeth) in 1927.
For more information on accessible
travel visit www.marayke.com
Transport: There is no public
transport available. Those
able to board a bus can catch
tours, otherwise private vehicle
is recommended.
Parking: Disabled parking is
available at the top of the hill
beside the Orient Cave.
Other Facilities: Accessible
toilets are available, however
the café at Caves House has
one step, which fortunately I
could be lifted up.
www.jenolancaves.org.au
travel
47
feeling that it wouldn’t be safe; having
nobody to go out with; transport (either
having a lift to a venue or not having the
confidence to catch public transport
alone late at night); not knowing how
to find out what’s on in the local area;
and not having the confidence to get
out there with a feeling that it wouldn’t
be safe to go out alone.
“To overcome these obstacles the
research highlighted a need for better
disability support with a focus on
meeting new people, enjoying quality
time with people who aren’t paid to be
there, and finding out more about events
happening locally.”
Marissa (volunteer), Audrey (Marissa’s gig buddy) and volunteer Lisa.
life's better
with a buddy
There’s nothing quite like going to
a live concert - the noise, the lights,
the crowd, hanging out with your
mates. But for people with learning
disabilities accessing these events
can be difficult, and that’s where Gig
Buddies comes in. Link music writer
Anthea Skinner finds out more.
Gig Buddies Sydney is an organisation
that pairs volunteers with adults
who have mild to moderate learning
disabilities to enable them to easily
access social events.
Buddies are paired with volunteers
with similar interests and together
they organise to attend concerts, the
theatre, sporting events, the cinema or
restaurants.
48
music
Gig Buddies was formed in the United
Kingdom in 2013 after members of
the integrated punk band Heavy Load
noticed that many of their fans had to
leave their concerts early because they
were unable to access flexible support
services to attend gigs at night.
Gig Buddies Sydney was formed in 2015
by ACL Disability Services, a not-forprofit organisation that supports adults
living with mild to moderate learning
disabilities.
“Going to a live event is a rite of passage
for virtually all in the community, yet if you
have a learning disability you’re usually
constrained to partake in activities that
coincide with support worker hours,”
explains Gig Buddies Sydney’s social
media coordinator, Matthew Collins.
“Besides the stumbling block of inflexible
support, other issues include money; a
Volunteers undergo a police check and
training with Gig Buddies before being
paired with a buddy. “We make a pairing
based on a number of factors: firstly,
the volunteer and gig buddy need to
share a mutual interest, be that in a
particular taste of music or a passion
for a certain football team, for example,”
says Matthew. “We’re of the opinion
that the Gig Buddy tells us what gig
they’re into and it’s our challenge to
find a volunteer who shares the same
passion.”
Volunteer Jess Milne recently completed
her training before being paired with
her buddy Stavros Nanos, “I underwent
a day long training program. It was
intensive in its delivery style and very
thorough, I got a lot out of the training
session,” she says. “I met Stavros at
a Gig Buddies Sydney social event in
Manly. We hit it off right away with a
really similar taste in music, and it was
pretty natural and organic. Stavros is
totally into his music and across the
gig guides, he suggests gigs for us to
go to and we chat about our plans on
Facebook.”
According to Stavros, the best thing
about Gig Buddies is “meeting more
new people, having a gig buddy to go
and see gigs with and having lots of
fun. Jess and I are going to see Clutch,
supported by Cosmic Psyches and High
on Fire, with special gets I Exist + Lo!”
The service is open to people with mild
to moderate learning disabilities who are
18 years or older.
While the focus of Gig Buddies is on
attending events, its real strength is its
ability to support friendships.
music
To be totally
honest, I get more
from this program
than I give, I’ve made
great friends and get
to enjoy watching
music with my new
buddy.
“The beauty of the project, in comparison
to other befriending schemes,” says
Matthew, “is that Gig Buddies offers
something more mutual and less
lopsided. We take as much satisfaction
knowing that the volunteer benefits
just as much as the gig buddy, as the
friendship – created on a shared interest,
is two-way.”
Jess agrees: “Gig Buddies is an
awesome way to give something back to
the community, but to be totally honest,
Katie (volunteer) and Nathan (gig buddy).
Stavros (gig buddy) and Jess (volunteer).
I get more from this program than I give,
I’ve made great friends and get to enjoy
watching music with my new buddy. It’s
a no brainer.”
If you live in Sydney and would like to
get involved with Gig Buddies, either
as a volunteer or a buddy, visit their
website to fill in an application form:
www.gigbuddiessydney.org.
But the final word should go to Stavros,
who encourages people with disabilities
to access the project, “Gig buddies
will match you with a buddy that likes
the same music you like and (you will)
make more new friends. That's the way
it should be I think.”
You can also contact them
on (02) 9419 6951 or
info@gigbuddiessydney.org or follow
them on Facebook at www.facebook.
com/gigbuddiessydneynsw/?fref=ts
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For full product listing & installers
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music
49
We have a simple philosophy at Orana…
We exist to provide support for people living with a disability.
We encourage, we train and most importantly we provide real life choices.
With services in metropolitan and regional South
Australia, we ensure support is tailored towards
personalised service.
With a diverse range of employment
and accommodation options, Orana is
committed to excellence through creating
independence for people living with a
disability.
To find out more about Orana and how
we support South Australian’s with a
disability, visit our website
www.oranaonline.com.au or phone
us on (08) 8375 2000
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“ YO U R E N V I R O N M E N TA L LY F R I E N D LY P R I N T E R ”
opinion
and other mobility aid users to safely
access the beach.
The story was on the local TV on Australia
Day evening, and over the coming days,
photos and news clips of the unveiling
went viral. Dignity for Disability is thrilled
with the support shown for this basic
infrastructure – it really captured the
public’s imagination about what is
possible.
While we will be ramping up a campaign
travel
for all
South Australia Dignity for Disability
MLC Kelly Vincent says having more
accessible venues and facilities
throughout Australia will provide a
boost for our tourism industry.
On January 26, many South Australians
were able to access Seacliff Beach for
the very first time. Following a campaign
Dignity for Disability has supported, the
MP for Bright was able to welcome
wheelchair users onto the beach through
Australia’s first beach mat.
Through the involvement of the Seacliff
Surf Lifesaving Club, the access mat will
now be rolled whenever patrols are on
this beach, enabling wheelchair users
to see these mats installed throughout
South Australian beaches, it brings up the
broader issue of access to so many of our
public spaces and buildings. Accessing
the beach in Australia almost seems to
be viewed as an inalienable right. It is a
shame that so many people that may be
unsteady on the sand because of injury,
ageing or mobility aid use are denied the
right to dip their toe in the water.
There are so many other places in our
community it would be great to see more
ready access for all. Our national parks,
nature parks, playgrounds, zoos and
picnic spots are all something that we
mobility aid users would love to access
as much as the rest of the community.
Just because you have a disability or
are elderly, it doesn’t mean you should
be denied access to the outdoors and
our natural wonders. The same goes for
art galleries, theatres, sports stadiums,
museums libraries, restaurants, shops,
cafes and wineries – we want to enjoy
all that these have to offer as much as
the next person.
While we’re talking about accessibility, it’s
worth mentioning a campaign Dignity for
Disability is working on: Changing Places
toilets. Originating in the United Kingdom
and now taking off here in Australia,
Changing Places is a project to advocate
for public toilets with adult-sized change
tables and hoists in major public spaces
across Australia to meet the needs of
all people, including those with a high
level of disability. Changing Places are
public facilities also provide for a more
appropriate low sensory environment for
people with Autism, and the ability for a
differently gendered companion to assist
a person due to a health condition or
disability.
There are so
many other places
in our community
it would be great
to see more ready
access for all
There are significant economic benefits
to making Australia an accessible
destination. When a person with disability
travels within Australia, it’s for an average
of five nights and we have between two
and eight people accompanying us.
Imagine the jobs and dollars that might
flow if we could guarantee accessible
beaches, parks, cellar doors, toilets and
public buildings for all when we travel.
opinion
51
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52
www.csv.com.au
breakthroughs
lending a hand
Patients who have lost hand function due to injuries or
nerve-related conditions, such as stroke and muscular
dystrophy, may benefit from a lightweight rehabilitation
device developed at the National University of Singapore
(NUS).
EsoGlove aims to help restore hand movements in a more
comfortable and convenient way, compared to conventional
hand rehabilitation devices which are heavy and uncomfortable.
"EsoGlove is unique as it is made entirely of soft components
and does not require complicated mechanical setups. The
main body of the glove is made of fabric, with soft actuators
embedded. It also has adjustable Velcro straps to cater to
different hand sizes," one of the researchers, Assistant Prof
Yeow said.
EsoGlove is connected to a pump-valve control system that
modulates the air pressure which directs the soft actuators.
When the actuators are pressurised by air, they apply
distributed forces along the length of the finger to promote
finger movements, such as bending, extending and twisting,
to support different hand motions.
This novel method does not constrain the finger's natural
movements, unlike conventional devices that make use of rigid
links and joints. Each actuator also functions independently,
providing assistance to each finger separately.
The robotic glove can be applied in a table-top version for
bedridden patients, as well as a waist-belt version for patients
who are mobile and recovering at home. Dr Lim Jeong Hoon, a
Senior Consultant at the National University Hospital's Division
of Neurology, said: "With this unique approach, we can develop
therapeutic tools using safe and wearable robotic technology.
Patients can take the initiative in their own rehabilitative.”
Pilot clinical studies at NUS are now underway, with results
due later this year.
breakthroughs
sleepy
head
Sleeping more than nine hours a night
and sitting too much during the day
could be a hazardous combination,
particularly when added to a lack of
exercise, according to a study by the
University of Sydney’s Sax Institute’s
45 and Up Study.
you and there is growing understanding
about the impact of sleep on our health
but this is the first study to look at how
those things might act together,” said
lead author Dr Melody Ding.
a person who sleeps
too much, sits too
much and isn’t
physically active
enough is more than
four times as likely
to die early
The findings, published recently in the
journal PLOS Medicine, show that a
person who sleeps too much, sits too
much and isn’t physically active enough
is more than four times as likely to die
early as a person without those unhealthy
lifestyle habits. (Too much sitting equates
to more than seven hours a day and too
little exercise is defined as less than 150
minutes a week.)
“When you add a lack of exercise into the
mix, you get a type of ‘triple whammy’
effect. Our study shows that we should
really be taking these behaviours together
as seriously as we do other risk factors
such as levels of drinking and unhealthy
eating patterns.”
“Evidence has increased in recent years
to show that too much sitting is bad for
Dr Ding and her colleagues from the
University of Sydney analysed the health
behaviours of more than 230,000 of the
participants in the 45 and Up Study –
Australia's largest health study' – which
is looking at the health of our population
as we age.
“The take-home message from this
research – for doctors, health planners
and researchers – is that if we want to
design public health programs that will
reduce the massive burden and cost of
lifestyle-related disease we should focus
on how these risk factors work together
rather than in isolation,” said study coauthor Professor Adrian Bauman.
Share your home,
share your life.
Become a
foster carer.
Discover the difference
you can make to a child
with disabilities.
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foster@unitingcommunities.org
www.unitingcommunities.org/fostercare
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breakthroughs
53
books
books &
publications
Blue Bottle Mystery
The Graphic Novel:
An Asperger
Adventure
This graphic novel version of Kathy
Hoopmann's best-selling Blue
Bottle Mystery brings this muchloved fantasy story to life for a
new generation of readers. The
hero is Ben, a boy with Asperger
Syndrome (AS). When Ben and his friend Andy find an old
bottle in the school yard, little do they know of the surprises
about to be unleashed in their lives. Bound up with this
exciting mystery is the story of how Ben is diagnosed with
AS and how he and his family deal with the problems and
joys that come along with it.
This is a collection of 25 reallife stories about the unique
experiences and challenges
of raising children with Autism.
Compiled by Deborah Fay, the book
features authors who have worked
tirelessly with their communities
to bring about positive change.
A common thread throughout the
stories is the wide and varied challenges faced by the parents,
and the different approaches and techniques they use to
deal with them. Parents of children with Autism are sure to
find much to relate to, as well as practical ideas that can be
put into place in your home or the classroom. The overall
message is that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
www.footprint.com.au
www.authenticpublications.com.au
The Boy Who
Fell to Earth
Harnessing Hope
Kathy Lette’s novel draws on her
personal experience with son
Julius, who was diagnosed with
Autism at age three. Heartwarming
and hilarious, it tells the story
of a single mum, Julia, and her
young son, Merlin, who is autistic.
Since Merlin’s father, the reserved,
cerebral workaholic Jeremy, left
them in the lurch shortly after Merlin’s diagnosis, Julia has
made Merlin the centre of her world. Struggling with the joys
and tribulations of raising her adorable yet challenging son,
Julia doesn’t have room for any other man in her life - so why
bother trying to find one? When Julia realises she’s becoming
increasingly cynical about life in general, she finally resolves
to dip a toe back into the world of dating. Things don’t go
quite to plan, yet just as Julia is resolved to a life of singledom
once more, the most imperfectly perfect man for her and
her son lands on her doorstep. A touching, yet humorous
read, that’s set to be made into a TV series in the UK.
www.randomhouseaustralia.com.au
54
Parenting a Child
on the Spectrum
books & publications
As a clinical psychologist with 40
years’ experience, Jan Marsh, saw
an information gap that needed to
be filled. “I found I was often going
over the fundamentals with each
client and wanting to give them
something to take away and refer
to as a reminder,” Jan says. Jan’s
book, Harnessing Hope, shows
how simple lifestyle changes can
make a difference, offering a light
at the end of the tunnel for those living with depression.
This small-format book answers two key questions: What
is depression and what causes it? If I have depression,
what can I do about it? Jan takes a holistic approach,
addressing mind, body and spirit through tips on physical
wellbeing, insights into the habits and beliefs that shape our
moods, and ways to keep sight of the bigger picture through
mindfulness practices.
www.exislepublishing.com.au
what's on?
april
15
19
30
SCIA Independence Expo 2016
April 15-16 Eveleigh, NSW
scia.org.au/events/sciaindependence-expo-2016
Disability Respite
& Recreation Expo
Pakenham, VIC
respiteexpo@moira.org.au
Melbourne Autism Expo:
Celebrating Difference
Melbourne, VIC
melbourneAutismexpo.com.au
may
4
18
30
Harness the Possibilities:
Enriching lives in changing
times – Conference
4 -5 May Dubbo, NSW
resourcingfamilies.org.au/
events/
ATSA Independent Living Expo
Melbourne, VIC
ideas.org.au/event/front/
atsa-independent-living-expo2016?id=311
EduTECH National
Congress & Expo
South Brisbane, QLD
edutech.net.au
june
16
Grand Designs 'Are we there yet?'
16–17 June, Sydney, NSW
dementiaconference.com
30
Australian Ageing Agenda
and Community Care
Sydney, NSW
cvent.com/events/activeageing-conference
subscribe now
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s cial scene
3
4
1
business breakfast
South Australian disability support provider
Community Bridging Services (CBS) Inc. hosted
a breakfast on March 9 for local businesses
interested in employing people with disability.
Over 50 guests got to learn about CBS’s free
Job in Jeopardy program and the role CBS can
play in implementing this on behalf of all parties.
Speakers included Dignity for Disability MLC
Kelly Vincent and CBS chief executive Freddie
Brincat, while entertainment was provided by
young opera singer, Ali Brasted.
5
top carers announced
at national awards
1. Spartan Games trifecta medallist Graeme
Docking spoke to guests at the CBS
Business Breakfast.
The winners of the National Carer
Awards were announced in Sydney
on February 26.
2. Speaker Kelly Vincent MLC addresses
guests.
Organised by Life Without Barriers and
Carers Australia, the awards aim to
recognise and celebrate unpaid carers
and foster and kinship carers for the
extraordinary contribution they make
to the community. According to a 2015
Deloitte Access Economics report, more
than one in eight Australians provide
informal care to family and friends due to
disability, chronic illness, mental illness
or age.
3. Winner of the Family Carer
Award, Mulu Mihreteab.
4. Winner of the Foster and Kinship
Carer Award, Allan Skippen.
2
Send your social pics to editor@linkonline.com.au
with a caption and short description of the event
5. MC Tim Ferguson.
6. Winner of the Young
Carer Award, Ellie Moir.
6
We Are You.
Josh Anderson
TiLite VP of Product &
Brand Management
WE USE THE CHAIRS WE BUILD.
Listen to Josh and the TiLite team
talk about why TiLite’s TiFit wheeled
prosthetics are so critical.
HEAR OUR STORIES.
TiLite.com/TiFitStories
available at
www.permobil.com.au
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