The Disability Information and Resource Centre

This is a site where young people, with and without, disabilities, can find information and join in forums, on a range of issues including, disability, study, work, sexuality, mental illness and socializing.

http://au.reachout.com/

Here is a chance to participate in the development of this scheme.

Invitation to Participate in NDIS Research
The NDIS Workforce Ready Project has been funded by the Commonwealth Government (Practical Design Fund) to help prepare for Disability Care Australia, the national disability insurance scheme.

Focus group research is to be undertaken to find out how people with disability, their families and service providers can recognise that a person might be ‘right for the job’.

The Project is seeking views from across Australia, including from: people with disability, families, carers, disability workers, managers and staff from disability services, educators, and representatives from disability organisations and governments.

If you would like to be involved in the focus group research in Adelaide, here are the details:

When: Friday 17 May (time to be confirmed)

Where: SACOSS office, 47 King William Rd, Unley.

RSVP: Dr Angie Bletsas on 8305 4225 or email angie@sacoss.org.au

If you would like to be involved in the research project but are unable to attend the focus group you can contribute by answering an online questionnaire, or volunteering to be interviewed.

The online survey needs to be completed by 17 May and can be accessed here:
http://ndisworkforceready.org/

You are invited to the 2013 Barriers to Justice BBQ!

Get involved in the informative session supported by the Adelaide Central Market, d4d, DACSSA and the Victim Support Service.

Join in for a FREE BBQ showcasing produce from the Adelaide Central Market that will be served during the day event hosted by Barriers to Justice.

Where: Adelaide Central Market

When: Saturday 11th May, 2013

Time: 9am-1:30pm

Contact: for more details please contact Victoria Laughton of Victim Support Service on 8231 5626 or email Victorial@victimsa.org

Kristi Dossett

Trainee

Office of the Hon. Kelly Vincent MLC

Dignity for Disability (d4d)

Parliament House ADELAIDE  5000

Phone: (08) 8237 9484

Email: kristi.dossett@parliament.sa.gov.au

Office: vincent.office@parliament.sa.gov.au

Website: www.kellyvincentmlc.com

Centre for Disability Studies, in conjunction with the National Disability Coordination Officer Program (NDCO), are excited to be hosting the 2013 Direct Support Professional Conference. Aimed at Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), the conference will include a dedicated workshop stream focusing on practical skills for DSPs working in supported living and supported employment settings. 22 and 23 July 2013 at University of Sydney, New Law Building, Camperdown. Cost: from $295 to $440. Enquiries to: vera.laptev@sydney.edu.au See: http://tinyurl.com/clg6btx

Are you aged 18-30 years and living with disability?

Julia Farr Youth Mentoring is currently recruiting mentors and is keen to connect with you!

The program is looking for people who are passionate about young people living inclusive lives, exercising control over their lives and having the same opportunities as everyone else to develop to their full potential.

As a mentor, a person will have the opportunity to be involved in training, developing new skills including leadership skills and have the opportunity to empower another young person living with disability.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor, then download the flyer here:

http://www.purpleorange.org.au/files/9013/6090/2582/PDF_File_Mentor_Flyer.pdf

Are you aged 11-18 years and living with disability?

Julia Farr Youth Mentoring is looking for young people who would like to spend time with a mentor who also lives with disability. Living with disability can be difficult,
particularly when coupled with the challenges of school life and growing up. Mentors have had those experiences, and can provide you with guidance, support and friendship during this time in your life!

If you would like to be a mentee (have someone mentor you), then download the flyer here:

http://www.purpleorange.org.au/files/2413/6090/2576/PDF_File_Mentee_Flyer.pdf

Mentors are young people living with disability who are passionate about people living inclusive lives, exercising control over their lives, and having the opportunity to develop to their full potential. It is important that mentors display a positive attitude to life, are respectful of individual differences and are reliable.

A mentor and mentee will catch up a couple of hours each fortnight to do things they are both interested in, such as watching movies and playing video games, playing sport, getting a bite to eat or going to a park. Mentors can also play an important role assisting with the transition from primary school to high school, or from high school to what happens next.

A mentee/mentor relationship can last between 4 and 12 months, or longer depending on the relationship. Mentors also get together regularly to learn new skills and to share their mentoring experience.

If you would like more information please contact Sandy Williams on (08) 8373 8333 at JFA Purple Orange or email Sandy at sandyw@purpleorange.org.au. Further information can also be found at http://www.purpleorange.org.au/projects/juliafarryouthmentoring/

We look forward to hearing from you!

SHine SA’s sexual health course for disability workers. The course aims to help workers include relationships and sexual health education and support in their work. The final day includes assessment tasks which result in participants gaining a unit of competency in providing sexual and reproductive health information to clients. 20 May, 28 May and 3 June 2013 at Carers SA, 95 Swanport Road, Murray Bridge. Cost: $350. Book online at: www.shinesa.org.au/go/education-and-training/fresh-freedom-to-explore-sexual-health  Enquiries: email ralph.brew@health.sa.gov.au or call 8300 5317.

MySupportAdvisor is a site listing disability service providers in South Australia, where you can search for and rate your provider. If you receive individualised funding, you will soon be able to use it to manage your supports. MySupportAdvisor can be used from home or on-the-go: http://www.mysupportadvisor.com.au

MySupportAdvisor has multiple service search functions. System users are encouraged to provide honest feedback on the disability services they have used. This will help others to make better informed decisions about the services they choose.

Service providers manage their own profile page and can promote their services on MySupportAdvisor free of cost. Providers are encouraged to provide direct, online responses to service user reviews.

DCSI is committed to making MySupportAdvisor a useful resource for all. A review of MySupportAdvisor will take place after its introduction, to look at opportunities to further develop its interactivity. For any further information, please contact: MySupportAdvisor@dcsi.sa.gov.au

UNDERSTANDING THE ELECTION – AUSTRALIAN ELECTORAL COMMISSION

This session presented by the Australian Electoral Commission will provide a friendly atmosphere where attendees will be educated on a range of electoral topics. Get prepared for the upcoming Federal Election, become empowered, and make your vote count.
Topics covered will include:

• A basic introduction into the three levels of government
• How elections work in Australia
• The 3 E’s of the AEC: Enrolment, Elections & Education
• Understanding democracy and representation
• Understanding special category enrolment options for people with a disability
• Understanding voter services for people with disabilities such mobile polling, postal voting & casting a pre-poll vote

Thursday June 6th
10:30am – 12:30pm
195 Gilles Street, Adelaide

$10 General Admission
$5 Concession
Morning Tea Provided.

Click here to download the Understanding the Election flyer.

Click here to register now!

The recent film “The Sessions”, portrayed poet and journalist Mark O’Brien, who spent most of his life in an iron lung.

O’Brien, who died in 1999, left behind a legacy of a life well-lived, and some wonderful poetry, including the beautiful “Love Poem to No-one in Particular”, which featured in the film.

You can read that poem here:

http://amongtheregulars.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/no-one-in-particular/

Let me touch you with my words
For my hands lie limp as empty gloves
Let my words stroke your hair
Slide down your back and tickle your belly
Ignore my wishes and stubbornly refuse to carry out my quietest desires
Let my words enter your mind bearing torches

admit them willingly into your being
so they may caress you gently
within

There is some great poetry being written by people with disabilities. “Wordgathering” is an good site to start exploring from, being a journal of poetry of disability.

http://www.wordgathering.com/about.html.

Wordgathering also has a Facebook page, so you can keep up with the latest.

Another blog that is worth a look is “Dispoet”. This site encompasses, poetry, disability studies, journals and stories. Writers can submit to the site and enter competitions. http://dispoet.blogspot.com.au/

If you would like a great anthology to settle into on cold winter nights, then “Beauty is a Verb” is just the thing for you.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11784452-beauty-is-a-verb

And finally, if you are particularly interested in work by women with disabilities, then this is a good site to check out:

http://www.wwda.org.au/poems.htm

If you write poetry or stories, then all of these sites can give you inspiration, encouragement and possible publication.

Keep writing, keep reading and keep living well!

Tracey Korsten

Marketing Assistant

The Adelaide Disability & Ageing Expo is on again – August 16!
The Disability Information and Resource Centre (DIRC) is the proud host of the Annual Disability and Ageing Expo. The Adelaide expo, run every August, provides a wealth of the latest information, products and services available to those who are ageing or living with a disability, their families, friends and carers. The Disability and Ageing Expo also provides an excellent opportunity for service providers to network with each other and promote products and services to potential clients and develop brand awareness with the general public.

Click here for exhibitor information.

For enquiries please contact:

Justine Terese
DIRC Marketing & Event Coordinator
T: 08 8236 0575 M: 0411 896 010 E: events@dircsa.org.au