The Disability Information and Resource Centre

Thursday October 7th, 2010
10.30 am – 12.30 pm

Care or support?

Perspectives on disability

There are so many types and levels of disability. Each person with a disability is a unique individual because the expression of their disability can be affected by so many factors – their environment, early interventions and access to appropriate help and supports to mention just a few.

For this reason, there can be no ‘one size fits all’ solution for all people with disabilities.

So how do these disabilities affect the day to day lives of the people involved? What are the major issues faced by people with disabilities and their families and friends? How can we help all people with disabilities improve their quality of life?

Some ideas on how we might think about disability and the support we provide, with plenty of opportunity to discuss your thoughts and concerns.

Peter Cookson

Peter is a PhD Research student in Disability Studies at Flinders University, School of Medicine.

Born with older twin brothers with intellectual disability, Peter has spent most of the past 40 years working in the disability area as a special educator, support worker, ‘job coach’ and coordinator of support services. For 30 of those years following the death of their parents, he also acted as guardian and advocate for his brothers.

Everyone with an interest in this topic is invited to attend

Opportunities to ask questions and to network with others

Morning tea provided

Cost: A gold coin

Please RSVP to: Jane by email jane@dircsa.org.au or phone 8236 0555 before 30th September

DIRC is implementing an exciting initiative.

DISABILITY FORUMS

To be held at DIRC on the first Thursday of each month, 10.30 am – 12.30 pm

We are bringing together people with life experience, skills, and research backgrounds in significant disability and related areas to:

• share what they know;
• discuss your issues and answer your questions; and
• help improve our understanding and co operation on disability issues.

Our first topic is on Thursday 9th September:

What is Map Therapy?

Complementary Therapies in Dementia Care

Dementia is affecting more and more individuals and families.

Come and hear about the latest research and practical applications that may help improve a loved one’s quality of life.

The next topic is on Thursday 7th October:

Care or Support?

Perspectives on disability

There can be no one size fits all solution for all people with disabilities.

Some ideas on how we might think about disability and the support we provide.

Share what you know and network with others

Thursday September 9th, 2010
10.30 am – 12.30 pm

What is Map Therapy?

Complementary Therapies in Dementia Care

Dementia is a debilitating condition, which has been described as ‘a living death’ and for which there is currently no cure. Both the nature and progress of the disease are highly individualistic and there is no ‘one treatment fits all’ easy fix for carers of people with dementia.

Research has shown that professional carers are highly innovative in designing treatment regimes for people with dementia and that the majority of Nursing Homes use a wide variety of Complementary Therapies to support regular medical treatments

What are Complementary Therapies and how can they be used by both professional carers and family members who are supporting people with Dementia?

This will be an informative introduction to the use of Complementary Therapies in dementia care and an opportunity to discuss your thoughts and concerns.

Graham Webber

Graham is a Disability Studies research student in the School of Medicine at Flinders University, author and trainer in the Disability Unit of the Certificate III in Aged Care. He has a Master of Science (by research) which looked at the use of Complementary Therapies in dementia care in High Care Residential Facilities in South Australia.

Everyone with an interest in this topic is invited to attend

There will be opportunities to ask questions and to network with others

Morning tea provided including biscuits (gluten free options), water, tea and coffee

Cost: A gold coin

Bookings required

Please RSVP to Jane via email: jane@dircsa.org.au

Or ring on (08) 8236 0555 to indicate your interest

DIRC provides access via limited parking, wheelchair accessibility, a hearing loop, microphone and accessible toilets. If you have other needs related to access please indicate when booking and we will try to accommodate your needs.

DIRC (Disability Information and Resource Centre)
195 Gilles St Adelaide SA 5000
Ph 8236 0555 Fax 8236 0566 SA only 1300 305 558

You are invited to read this media release regarding the upcoming review of the National Standards for Disability Services. From 17 to 21 May DIRC will be hosting a phone in to provide people with disability and their families the opportunity to have their say on the national standards.

What Happened to People With a Disability in the Nineteenth Century?

Find out how people with a disability were treated in South Australia during the nineteenth century.

Morning tea will be provided. Parking available off street.

Date

Monday 24th May, 10.30am – 12.00 noon.

Location

Disability Information and Resource Centre
195 Gilles St, Adelaide

Bookings are required for this event. To book or for further enquiries please contact DIRC on (08) 8236 0555. You can also book via the form below.

Thanks to the support of Dirc and the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel Club Cool is back in 2010 starting on the 16th of May.

There will be a program of fun and adventure in store for you this year starting off with May having a HATS theme.

The May event will feature 4 Acoustic Bands from the Weekend Warriors and as part of the Hat theme there will be prizes for the Best & Worst Hats.

For those unable to bring their own Hats there will be a hat making station for constructing something special.

You can have a look at the poster for the event here.

If you would like posters, fliers or a program sent to your organization or yourself please contact the Club Cool Coordinator, Tracey Davis via opiedavi@tpg.com.au or ring 0406 980 962.

Exciting Event to Stimulate the Senses

The Disability Information and Resource Centre is delighted to announce the imminent arrival of the National Gallery of Australia’s

Travelling Suitcase Tour -
Red Case: Myths and Rituals and
Yellow Case: Form Space and Design

which forms part of Elaine and Jim Wolfensohn Gift to the people of Australia.

The suitcases will arrive on the 14^th April and remain till the 14^th May, 2010.

This special outreach initiative is aimed at taking works of art to students, community organisations, schools and the general public.

In the coming week a program of internal and external workshops and access programs will be available.

For further information contact DIRC to leave your expression of interest.

Cheryle Hocking, Library and Information Manager

Disability Information and Resource Centre

195 Gilles St
Adelaide SA 5000

Tel 8236 0555

Fax 8236 0566

Email dirc@dircsa.org.au

The next meeting of the Disability Speaks steering committee will be held at the Disability Information Resource Centre (DIRC) on Thursday 4th March at 12.30pm.

From Disability Speaks:

With the SA election campaign now in full swing we need to ensure we provide a balanced update of the promises of all major political parties and any public events between the meeting and the election.

All are welcome to attend!

We hope by this date to have the ALP Official 2010 Election Policy

We will also have by then the transcripts of the presentations made and the answers too the 8 key questions asked of our political leaders at the public meeting last week.

These will no doubt be closely scrutinized by the broad disability community.

The Liberal Policies while polished and rhetorically strong may or may not be the best offer on the table in the lead up to the election.

With the major thrust of the public campaign in the media having moved very firmly onto a platform of “who can you trust”, the disability sector will no doubt be looking for the same outcome!

Too often in the past the major parties have promised the world and delivered little. Disability guarantees have been worthless.

Disability Speaks is committed to ensuring our disability parliamentary leaders will be held accountable in both the short and long term in 2010.

While working towards the important state election outcome Disability Speaks is also focused on the long term.

SHine SA will be holding a network forum which will provide an opportunity to hear about some of the work being done by disability workers in the field of sexuality education.

When and Where

Thursday 8th April 2010, 2pm – 5pm.

Disability Information & Resource Centre (DIRC)
195 Gilles Street, Adelaide

For more details please look at the flyer.

Registration

By Friday 2 April

Tel: 8300 5317

Email: SHineSACourses@health.sa.gov.au

In Relation to the June Forum

If there are any disability workers who have been working with men with disabilities who are feeling romantically or sexually rejected, and you have been able to help make a difference for them, Ralph Brew would like to hear from you at ralph.brew@health.sa.gov.au.

“Understanding the person-understanding the syndrome”

This workshop will be presented by Linda Thornton, National Director of the PWS Association of New Zealand. Linda Thornton has presented training programmes over the last 10 years that work. Although the first to agree that there is no magic bullet, her work is directed at understanding the person as an individual, understanding how PWS affects that person, and how to build a relationship of trust and confidence.

The workshop is built around understanding the person with PWS; what it is like to have the syndrome, what the characteristics are and how they may present.

When and Where

24th March 2010, 9am – 4.30pm

Disability Information and Resource Centre (DIRC)
195 Gilles St, Adelaide SA 5000

Cost

• Prader-Willi Syndrome Association Members Free
• Individuals living with a disability & their families free however a voluntary $10 contribution towards catering would be appreciated but is not compulsory
• Others/non members $25

Enquiries and RSVP (by Wednesday 17th March): Sandy Hanley 0418 477 389 / Jinny Wagner 0488 585 167.