Erica`s Story - Independent Disability Services

November 2014 Newsletter
Erica’s Story
in her own words
Hi I’m Erica, I have received
services from IDS for ten
years. During that time I’ve had
several Service and Support
Coordinators. My present one
Maryan Baselyous works well
with me to help me organise
my life and to be as independent as possible.
IDS and Maryan allow me to
choose my care agencies and
carers, from whom I require
Maryan with IDS client Erica
services at least twice daily.
I retired from work (nursing) 25 years ago. I was in my 30’s and my life changed dramatically after
several falls. I had callipers made for my legs to help me walk. I used crutches at first, and now
I have a walking frame and a wheelchair for longer distances. I have had many setbacks that I
fought to get over, but never regained the strength I had before. Finally I was diagnosed with a
form of muscular dystrophy.
My attitude has changed as I accepted things may not improve completely, I got on with my life.
I still enjoy the footy and go to Collingwood home matches three times a season. I have outing
days with my carer – going out for lunch, the movies, banking and post office visits. I enjoy personal shopping, often looking for craft materials.
I used to paint with oils, as well as pottery and tapestry. I now enjoy knitting and card making. I
am now making Christmas cards, my favourite materials are textured papers. I use to make 3D
designs. I’ve had no tuition, cannot use large machines as I have no room for them so have to
make them completely by hand, using cut cardboard and recycled odds and ends.
I have a poem on my kitchen wall called Attitude, it says “I am convinced that life is 10% what
happens to me and 90% how I react to it. You are in charge of your attitude.” I believe this is so,
and when things get difficult, I re-read these words and it helps me to carry on and not give up.
If you have something you would like to include in our newsletter please contact Ian Payne
Telephone: 03 9340 5112 or Email: ian.payne@idsa.org.au
Independent Disability Services Level 3, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton, Victoria 3150 - ABN 21 157 513 691
The great
influencer
Television, radio and newspaper content is largely decided by a small group of decision makers.
These editors, producers, programmers and budget-controllers are swayed by the opinions of their
proprietors, their individual beliefs, what has worked overseas and what they believe will capture the
audiences attention.
The media holds a high level of influence over public perception. There is an under and misrepresentation of people with a disability. This has obvious implications for people with a disability and
how others in the community relate to them. Especially when the portrayal of people with a disability
conforms to stereotypes.
Because media is so influential, it has significant role in establishing how people with a disability are
percieved in the community. The language used, physical contact, body language, all influence how
able bodied people view and interact with people with a disability.
The physical and verbal messages sent out by each and everyone of us is incredibly powerful, and can
be used to create a sense of empowerment, pride and identity. However, words and actions can also
be destructive, even with the best intentions. The media has a vital role to play in leading the way in
public attitude and the way society interacts when engaging with people with a disability.
It can be difficult to keep up with what is acceptable terminology in relation to disability, but it is
important we all, and in particular the media keep abreast of what is acceptable. The use of positive
language and images - focussing on the people, rather than just the disability - will help to improve both
the public image and the self image of people with a disability.
Certain sections of the media have been slow to change. It is evident that much more work is needed
by the decision makers in media industry.
Events
30 November - 6 December
GiveNow Week 2014
www.givenow.com.au
1 December
Worlds AIDS Day
www.worldaidsday.org.au
1 - 25 December 2014
Spirit of the Square
Web: fedsquare.com/spirit
1-31 December
Decembeard
Raise awareness and much-needed
funds for bowel cancer.
www.bit.ly/KFSYNm
1 - 25 December
Spirit of the square
Fed Square’s free Christmas program.
www.fedsquare.com/spirit
2 November - 2 December
International Day for the Abolition
of Slavery
www.un.org/en/events/
slaveryabolitionday
3 December
International Day of Persons with
Disabilities
www.idpwd.com.au
5 December
International Volunteer Day
www.un.org/en/events/volunteerday
7 December
Big Boys Toys Car Show
bigboystoys.org.au/
10 December
Human Rights Day
www.un.org/en/events/
humanrightsday
18 December
International Migrants Day
www.un.org/en/events/migrantsday
12 - 14 December 2014
Jubilation
Festival of lights, community, food
and entertainment, to show gratitude
for the CFA.
www.destinationdocklands.com.au
21 December
Melbourne Toyrun
www.toyrun.org.au
Change, not for the sake of it but for the better
Contributed by Charlotte Wyatt
IDS is a not for profit organisation that provides individualised
support, case management, service coordination, housing
support and financial administration to people living with a
disability in our community.
The IDS Individualised Support Team work very closely with the
clients that use our support services, ensuring they are given
choice, feel empowered and get out and about in their local
community. An example of what IDS’s support team can offer
is below.
Jessica* is an IDS client who uses the services of our Service Coordination Team. IDS had been
organising a regular support worker from an external agency for her over the last 12 months. Jessica
had always used this agency and was happy with the level of service she was receiving. She was in a
routine and had established a good rapport with her support workers from the agency. Even though
Jessica knew IDS had an individualised support team, she was reluctant to try something new and
make any changes.
When her support worker from the agency fell ill, IDS introduced three members of the IDS
Individualised Support Team to Jessica. Jessica couldn’t believe the difference the IDS team made
to her life. Instead of staying home and using her support hours in one block, Jessica was able to
maximise her time and split her days into shifts that suited her schedule, her requirements and on
her terms. For example, on Fridays members of the IDS Individualised Support Team spent one hour
in the morning with Jessica, then came back later after she had finished studying and spent time
supporting Jessica at the gym and then out for drinks. Jessica has now completed a new roster using
the IDS Individualised Support Team, at times that work better for her.
The transition from the external agency was seamless and directed by Jessica at a crossover date
chosen by her. Jessica now enjoys the flexibility she receives from IDS staff and the fact she has
complete control over who supports her and when. She has also found that she is supported in more
areas of her life – things around her home are getting done, she is able to access more places in her
local community and she has created great working relationships with her new support team.
Make a change for the better, contact IDS to get the life you want.
*Name changed to protect the clients privacy.
IDS Christmas leave
The offices of IDS will be closed on the following workdays
December 24th, 25th, 26th.
and on
January 1st and 2nd. The office will reopen on January 5th.
There be a skeleton staff working on December 29th, 30th
and 31st.
Message from our CEO - Jed Macartney
Changes that will lead to a better service
IDS needs to keep records of our clients, service providers and other
stakeholders for many purposes. These include details of our clients ISP’s and
client interactions. We also need to keep detailed records of what and when
services have been used. This is not only an IDS business requirement but is
also necessary for regulatory compliance.
Traditionally IDS has held this information electronically and in paper files.
This required a high degree of maintenance and cross-referencing. It has
been apparent we needed to make changes to the way we record and store our client information and
introduce a centralised Client Relationship Management system (CRM) if we were to properly service our
clients across all the IDS business streams.
I am pleased to announce that following an exhaustive search for an appropriate CRM system we
adopted MERP, a CRM package specifically designed for organisations working in the disability sector.
The system offers a secure environment for recording information across all business streams. Including
staff rostering, client details, financial and payroll.
The introduction of MERP has not been without its challenges. Unfortunately this has impacted on
our client statements. This has resulted in a significant delay in the distribution and accuracy in this
communication. However, I am confident that we have now overcome these issues and our clients will
see a significant improvement in the delivery of this service.
2014 National Disability Award Finalists
Congratulation to our Chair Tricia Malowney, who was nominated for the Lesley Hall Award for Lifetime
Achievement in Disability held on 25th November. The nomination recognised the role Tricia has taken
advocating for all people with a disability, including advocacy against violence. Along with her role at
Independent Disability Services, Tricia has been at the forefront of setting up the Victorian Women with
Disabilities Network Advocacy Information Service and assisting Women with Disabilities Victoria to
transition to a more corporate structure.
IDS Individualised Support
IDS is now offering individualised support to over 30% of our clients across metropolitan Melbourne. They
have made the change from other support providers after meeting with our Indiviualised Support Manager. We
offer a service that is comprehensive, flexible, responsive and priced at highly competitive rates. All IDS staff are
appropriately qualified, experienced and share a strong commitment to the values of the organisation.
Contact Nicole, if you would like to find out more about how we may be able to help you with your
support requirements. Telephone 03 9340 5111.
Need to crackdown on parking abuse
As we approach the festive season there will be increased pressure on parking in
and around shopping centres and retail strips. People naturally become frustrated,
unfortunately many cut corners. I have already noticed that accessible parking spaces are
often taken by able-bodied people.
Disturbingly people are misusing permits, borrowing them from friends who have a
disability. A family member may use a placard issued to someone who has died. This
doesn’t just create headaches for drivers with disabilities. Retailers complain that it is bad
for business, because there is no turnover when people improperly park in front of the
same shop all day.
We all complain about parking officers, but I am sure we all support a crack down on this
form of abuse.