The Disability Information and Resource Centre

On June 2nd Disability Speaks released the following:

“The Best of Both Worlds”

Is what intellectual disability service consumers are demanding

MEDIA RELEASE: June 2nd, 2011

The SA Government has released a detailed evaluation of the Strathmont Redevelopment and Community Living Project.

Strathmont as you will recall has received widespread negative publicity in recent times.

It is an excellent report and the Minister should be complimented for commissioning it and making it publicly available.

As expected the report confirms that there are perceived benefits from moving clients from a hopelessly outdated facility like Strathmont to new purpose built community accommodation.

For those with a vision restricted by fear and paranoia of congregate living they will focus on the positive comments with glee.

What is disturbing is that the report also confirms again that increased isolation can be generated by such accommodation models specifically for people with high levels of intellectual disability.

This negative outcome potential is already widely known but often ignored by those who push community living as the only accommodation option

Observation of the residents reveal “ they engage in very few social interactions and have relatively little to do during their waking hours”

Comments from volunteers who assisted the clients included “another believed that some residents seemed isolated and had more activities when they were at Strathmont” are impossible to ignore.

For those like the Intellectual Disability Association of SA (IDASA) who want to modernise and lift the debate on developing and creating more vibrant and client centred accommodation models this report confirms once again what so many parents carers clients and families have been complaining of for years “ they want the best of both worlds”.

They want modern living in environments where clients with intellectual disability (noting in many instances their needs are very different from people with other forms of disability) are the beneficiaries of accommodation models that do not yet seem to exist.

The report can be accessed at www.dfc.sa.gov.au/research/.

Your comments and feedback as always would be appreciated.

David Holst

Chair – Disability Speaks Steering Committee & Intellectual Disability Association of S.A

0418 555 683

www.disabilityspeaks.com.au

disabilityspeaks@internode.on.net

Following an enthusiastic response to the proposed one-day seminar on future supported accommodation models for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the NSW Parliament House theatrette has been booked for Thursday 21 July, from 10am to 4pm. Expressions of interest in presenting at or attending this seminar have been received from people with disabilities, academics, federal and State MPs, Federal and State public servants, disability service providers and advocacy organisations, community-based groups and families of people with intellectual disabilities from Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, the ACT as well as from NSW. (Suggestions have also been made already to stage similar seminars in Adelaide and Brisbane.)

The NSW Minister for Disability Services, Andrew Constance MLA, has accepted an invitation to open and attend this seminar, and Professor Christine Bigby from Latrobe University, whose recent thought-provoking article – contending that there should be “limits to consumer choice” in supported accommodation models funded under any future NDIS – has also accepted an invitation to deliver the key-note address. This seminar is designed to provide an opportunity for an informed, stimulating and in-depth discussion between those who share Professor Bigby’s concerns about the potential for re-institutionalisation under new accommodation models, such as “villages” and intentional communities; those who support or are involved in the development of such models for some people with disabilities; and those who just want to explore the latest research, evidence and arguments, for and against, before making up their minds.

Bookings

As the NSW Parliament theatrette only seats 170 people, it will be essential for anyone interested in attending to book as early as possible.

Other than for those who will be presenting at the seminar, and people with disabilities who are welcome to attend at no charge, the cost of admission will be $30 per person, which includes a buffet lunch and tea/coffee.

To secure a booking, please deposit payment directly into the bank account of Fighting Chance Australia, which is hosting this event (BSB 032 123; account number 256 045), and please also send email to fightingchancefund@gmail.com to advise how many tickets you have paid for. Any money deposited after all seats have been allocated will be returned.

There are a number of limited vacancies in an accommodation service in Marion, South Australia run by Abbeyfield. This particular house caters to meet the needs of younger adults with a mild intellectual disability who are capable of living in the community with minimal support. Prospective members of the household need to be independent in personal care. Before people move into the house there is a process to be followed including an interview. There is an opportunity for them to stay on a respite basis to see if everything feels like a ‘good fit’.

For information about vacancies at the Marion Abbeyfield disAbility House please contact Philip Watchman on 0405 262 360 or email philip.watchman@gmail.com, or visit www.abbeyfield.org.au.

The Community Accommodation & Respite Agency (CARA) will be holding a Quiz Night and Silent Auction on St Patrick’s Day (Thursday 17th March) to raise funds to provide much needed respite and accommodation services for people with a disability in South Australia.

Time

7.15pm (for a 7.30pm start) till 10.30pm

Venue

Cara, JAN Hall, 98 Woodville Road, Woodville

Cost

$20 per person or $180 for a table of 10.

To book, contact Tania Potts on 8347 4588 or email tpotts@cara.org.au.

For more information, have a look at the flyer.

Are you concerned about accommodation in support of people with disabilities and their families?

Then come to this public meeting to Hear and Meet the Kingston Federal Election Candidates.

Monday the 9th August 2010

Southern Success Business Enterprise Centre
5/209 Main South Road Morphett Vale SA 5162

Light Refreshments, tea and coffee, from 7pm, formal proceedings to commence 7.30pm until approx 9pm.

http://australiansmadashell.com.au

http://www.disabilityspeaks.com.au

There is a new, fully accessible holiday home available for rent in Wallaroo.

For more details click here.

An invaluable free information evening for older people (& their families) to learn ‘must know’ information about applying & living in a residential care facility
This information session is designed for people needing information on aged care residential admissions and individuals on a residential facility waiting list and the family members, to learn more about living in low level care (hostel) or high level care (nursing home) and to help make the admission process smoother.
It will back up the information you already have from your aged care provider or get you started.
You will hear really useful information to gain a fuller understanding of the entire admissions process, including the important must know financial details.
Topics will include:
◊ Applying to an aged care facility – important hints and tips, how different residential facilities
manage their waiting list, policies and keeping applications current
◊ What to expect when moving into residential care – preparation required, rights of residents and accepting an offer
◊ The financial implications – costs involved, pension/DVA impact and will I have to sell my home
◊ Information displays from not-for-profit aged care providers
When: Tuesday 23 February 2010  6.15–8.15 pm

Where: Adelaide Pavilion, Veale Gardens, Park View Room, Cnr South Tce & Peacock Road, Adelaide

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL: Phone 8338 7111 or email acs@agedcommunity.asn.au to book your place

Media Release
17 June 2009

If everyone’s home is their castle, then many people with a disability need a ramp, not a drawbridge, to get in.
Carers Australia CEO, Joan Hughes, said new draft building standards may make this possible across Australia, even for short-term occupancy buildings and holiday homes.
She was commenting on a report tabled in Parliament on Tuesday [16 June]. Called Access all Areas: Report of the Inquiry into Draft Disability (Access to Premise-Buildings) Standards, the report could significantly improve disabled access to buildings.
The report’s recommendations have wide-ranging national implications for disabled access to premises. The report recommends requiring that all common areas of class 2 buildings (such as residential apartments) have disability access. Currently, building design and access may exclude many people with a disability from using, for example, serviced apartments.
Some four million Australians live with a disability and face problems accessing buildings every day. The draft Premises Standards would make buildings more accessible for those with mobility, vision and hearing difficulties. If adopted, the standards will also provide certainty for developers and building certifiers in ensuring buildings complied with the Disability Discrimination Act.
For the first time, recommended changes to disability access building codes have been extended to some Class 1b buildings, such as smaller boarding houses, cabins, guest houses and hostels.
“Most carers can’t afford a holiday, but if they were travelling with the person they care for it would be a relief to know that building access was improving,” Ms Hughes said.
“Organising a trip can be hard enough without forgetting to ask if the holiday unit has a ramp, not stairs.”
Class 3 buildings, such as backpacker hostels and hotels and motels, will also face new requirements, so that more disabled access units are available.
Carers and people with a disability will also find it easier to take in a show. The recommendations urge an increase in wheelchair accessible spaces in auditoria. Currently the code does not require grouped seating or wheelchair access to a range of locations in any auditorium.
Contacts: Andrew Geraghty, 02 6122 9911 or 0411 444 145
Alison Kemmis, 02 6122 9917 or 0417 604 305

Carers Australia is the recognised national voice of Australian carers. Our members are the carers associations in each state and territory. We have no political affiliation. We work with all parties to achieve better outcomes for all carers.
We believe that all carers are entitled to the same rights, choices and opportunities as other Australians.

Carers Australia, PO Box 73, DEAKIN WEST ACT 2600, Australia
t: 02 6122 9900 f: 02 6122 9999  Email: caa@carersaustralia.com.au
www.carersaustralia.com.au