Why Participate?

Novita promotes social inclusion and focusing on the person not the disability. Novita has been a not-for-profit service for over 70 years helping South Australian children with disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Muscular Dystrophy and Acquired Brain Injuries.

Who can participate?

Everyone – families, children, teens, couples and people with any disability

Where?

Plane Tree Drive, Adelaide Botanic Gardens and Botanic Park

When?

Sunday September 12th from 10.00am – walk starts from Plane Tree Drive at 10.30am

How to Participate?

Register at www.novita.org.au/walkwithme – it’s FREE. Gain sponsorships and donate to Novita.

Bring a picnic and enjoy face painting, glitter tattoos, balloon artists, Star Wars characters, plaster fun house model making, storytelling and a free ice-cream eating competition. Some refreshments available – sausage sizzle, free water, orange juice and Dilmah tea.

John Della Bosca

Campaign Director – National Disability Insurance Scheme

Hi Everybody,

My name is John Della Bosca. As you may have already heard, I’ve been appointed Campaign Director for the National Disability Insurance Scheme. I am absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to work on something I feel very passionate about.

Over the next week or two I’m going to be spending some time making a scan of the landscape and discussing opportunities for the next stage of our campaign. I look forward to chatting to as many of you as possible – I will be taking the opportunity to pick the brains of as many colleagues as I can as we consider our next steps.

But given the extraordinary events of the last week I think a few initial observations might be helpful.

I came on board on August 9 in the middle of the federal election campaign. During the campaign both parties reaffirmed their support for a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and again promised to take seriously the findings of the current Productivity Commission Inquiry into Disability Care and Support. The fact that announcements regarding disability were made during a hectic campaign and received considerable media coverage is a promising step in the right direction.

The campaign provided an opportunity to achieve an important goal – both parties and the Greens went on record supporting an NDIS. Support for an NDIS as a point of consensus and not just a curiosity for the five weeks of the election campaign is a critically important outcome.

Hypothetically if the NDIS had been a major point of difference in the campaign the adrenaline would be flowing – but the NDIS could have become an all or nothing bet on the election outcome. The exchange of blows might have severely compromised an incoming government’s policy options.

The bi-partisan support creates an opportunity to firmly establish an NDIS as a point of consensus in the contemporary political culture. In summary – winning relative arguments with government about exactly what we want should, in theory, be easier than winning a threshold argument about whether an NDIS should happen at all.

Bi-partisan support has also become more important in the face of the final outcome, with the critical role the independents will now play in the federal parliament.

A strong qualification on this optimism is, of course, that both major party responses are contingent on the Productivity Commission inquiry. This of course provides “wriggle room” for any incoming government, which means we need to continue to find new ways to keep the pressure on. Anticipating various possible outcomes and increasing public awareness and government interest in our campaign in the interim is a key objective between now and February.

As part of the campaign we have begun conducting some research to inform our work. The research demonstrated that while coverage of disability during the federal election campaign raised interest and awareness in the short term, the effect was short lived. This is further evidence of our need to get out and let the Australian public know what the problems are and how the NDIS will solve them.

The research also demonstrated that while awareness of the difficulties faced by people with a disability, their families and carers is reasonably low, when the situation is explained they are generally supportive of change. They are convinced that people with a disability and their families deserve a fair go as fellow Australians, and they recognise that supporting people effectively will benefit the nation economically and socially. Again this is positive, and means we need to redouble our efforts to make the general community more aware of all the benefits of implementing an NDIS. We will of course continue to do our homework and conduct further research as the campaign continues.

Regardless of the final outcome of the federal election, it is clear we have a massive task ahead of us and I welcome the opportunity to discuss your views on the best way to achieve our mission. My email address is john.dellabosca@ndis.org.au – I look forward to hearing from you.

John Della Bosca

Apart from providing information to people with disabilities about TADSA’s unique service, the site will also enable anyone to access an online shop and purchase amongst other products, commercially available aids and devices to help people who struggle with day to day activities.

TADSA Public Relations Officer, Ian Beaton, said “Our clients and the public will be able to shop online for disability equipment whether they live in Adelaide, Mt Gambier or Ceduna. The website also includes news, information on volunteering with TADSA, a member’s only area, and details of recent projects.”

Other features of the site include an Occupational Health and Safety section for TADSA volunteers which highlights the safe use of tools and machinery in the shed, and videos showcasing TADSA’s service.

“Our volunteers who have skills in many different areas including: engineering, carpentry, metalwork, plastics or are just good handy persons, aim to improve the quality of life for our clients by solving practical problems,” Mr Beaton said.

One client who uses a wheelchair had difficulty reaching her clothesline. A TADSA volunteer created a lever for the clothesline enabling the client to raise and lower the clothesline with one hand. She describes her story in a video on the new TADSA website.

Disability Minister, Jennifer Rankine, officially launched the site at Parliament House.

The website can be found at: www.tadsa.org.au

DUKE OF BRUNSWICK HOTEL
207 Gilbert Street City
(just west of Morphett Street)

Opening Night

and the first of the free weekly sessions will be on Thursday 16th  September 7.30 – 11pm.

There’s no pa system or microphones, just singers, musicians and patrons performing around tables, creating a hearty join-in atmosphere.

So gather your friends, bring your voices and instruments and prepare to have the time of your life.

View the flyer here.

For more information contact Tony Doyle on 8212 0390 or tdoyle.visions@bigpond.com.

When

Sunday 19 September 2010 at 4.30pm

Where

Adelaide Town Hall
128 King William St, Adelaide

Bookings through BASS Ph 131 246 or www.bass.net.au.

Adults $30, Children and Concession $20.
Carers free with companion card.

All proceeds help keep these choirs singing.

Have a look at the flyer.

Troy Gray Channel 9 Sports reporter will be attending to talk about Kickin4Kids and you  can pay at the door.

More details are in the flyer.

If you wish to attend please phone Carolyn on 0423 270083.

Learn more about dementia care and support

• Talks by national dementia experts
• Information stands
• Lunch and entertainment

Please RSVP for catering purposes by Monday 6 September to Sue on phone 8372 2100.

Please view the flyer and the program / registration form.

Contact Don Nicholls, tel. 8296 6987.

Councils are holding public information sessions for anyone interested in standing as a candidate in the elections.

Sessions dates for some councils:

• City of Holdfast Shores – Tuesday 31 August, Saturday 4 September, Friday 10 September
• City of Port Adelaide Enfield – Thursday 2 September
• Port Augusta City Council – Monday 6 September
• City of Onkaparinga – Monday 6 September
• City of Salisbury – Tuesday 7 September
• City of Marion – Tuesday 7 September
• City of Playford – Wednesday 8 September
• Adelaide City Council – Wednesday 8 September, Tuesday 14 September

Contact your council for more details on times and locations.

Go to www.lga.sa.gov.au/goto/elections for more information on the local government elections, nominating as a candidate, and voting for your local representative.

• Youth: Mental Health First Aid
• Will they or won’t they? How to talk to teens about Alcohol and Drugs.
• From Paddock to the Plate “Master Class”

For full details please see this flyer.