News in Brief
Carers Week 2009
18 - 24 October
Carers week acknowledges and celebrates the essential role of carers across Australia. There are many events being held throughout the country. For more information contact Carers Australia on 02 6122 9900 or visit www.carersweek.com.au
Keys to Living Together resource for couples with a young child with a disability
'Keys to Living Together - Helping to build stronger, healthier relationships for couples with a young child with disability' is a new resource published by the Australian government.
The kit includes a DVD and booklet that provides strategies for coping with issues that may impact on your relationship when you have a young child with a disability.
Copies are available from the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA).
Phone 1800 050 009 (free unless calling from a mobile or pay phone)
National Relay Service for users who are deaf or have hearing or speech impairment
TTY: 1800 555 677
Speak and Listen: 1800 555 727
Back to top
The Power of PLAY Playgroup Australia Conference
5-7 November 2009, Queensland
The Power of PLAY Conference will examine the importance of play in the early years from a range of perspectives and will include a varied program of keynote speakers, abstract presentations and interactive workshops.
Guest speakers will include the Governor General Quentin Bryce and leading experts on early years education and psychologists.
Playgroup Australia is the peak representative and advocate for playgroups in Australia and is funded to provide playgroups for children with autism and supported playgroups for children and families with disabilities.
For more information visit www.playgroupaustralia.com.au/conference
Back to top
Younger people with disability in residential aged care program
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has released a report on the number of people assisted through the federal government’s Young People in Residential Aged Care (YPIRAC) initiative in 2007-08.
The objective of this initiative is to reduce the number of ‘young’ people in nursing homes. The specific target group is adults under the age of 50. Of those who accessed YPIRAC services in 2007−08:
• 51% agreed to move from
residential aged care to
alternative accommodation
• 22% were considered ‘at risk’ of
entry to residential aged care
• 23% accessed additional support
while in residential aged care
• 2.2% were in residential aged
care without additional services
At 30 June 2008, 398 people using YPIRAC service were living in residential aged care. Acquired brain injury was the predominant disability group (46% of service users). There was also a cohort of 30 service users who were less than 25 years old.
To view the report visit www.aihw.gov.au
Back to top
Report on Government Services 2009
In January the Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision released its Report on Government Services 2009. Chapter 14 reported on services for people with a disability.
The report includes a profile of specialist disability services, funding (including average costs per user of a range of government and non-government services), the system used for measuring performance of services and statistics about how many people access services. Outcomes of services for people with disabilities are examined and actions for improvement are highlighted
To view the full report visit www.pc.gov.au/gsp/reports/rogs/2009
Back to top
Links between disability and socioeconomic disadvantage
An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report released in April found that severe disability was more common in areas where residents had relatively few economic resources than areas where residents had more.
To view the full report visit www.aihw.gov.au or phone (02) 6244 1102.
Back to top
ASSID Conference
4−6 November 2009, Hobart
The theme of the 44th Australian Society for the Study of Intellectual Disability (ASSID) conference is Power and Passion: Progress through Partnerships.
For more information phone 03 6234 7844 or visit www.assid.org.au
Back to top
Bill Shorten addresses National Press Club
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, Bill Shorten, spoke at the National Press Club on ‘A Right to an Ordinary Life’ in April, 2009.
Mr Shorten aptly described the inadequacies of the current disability service system and the challenge of establishing broader community awareness of people with disabilities in Australia. He emphasised the need for the disability community to get organised and to get loud in articulating these issues.
Mr Shorten also discussed the proposed National Disability Insurance Scheme, stating that it was, “a big idea … It would turn our current system of providing for disability on its head … this proposed new approach would provide individualised lifetime care and support for each person from the point of diagnosis.” Mr Shorten viewed the scheme as a “good idea that demands serious debate and investigation.”
A full copy of the address can be viewed at www.billshorten.com.au
Back to top
|
