The Disability Information and Resource Centre

3 of Adelaide’s music & mental health project bands come together for a National Social Inclusion Week event on Wednesday, November 23rd from 1-3pm at the SA Folk Centre, corner of George St & South Road, Thebarton. Come and celebrate with The JMG Band, The Pulgi Band and Bach 2 Blues! A FREE event.

Social Inclusion Week is about caring, connection, inclusion and celebration, inspiring individuals and groups to look beyond their own ‘backyards’ and engage with those around them. In coming to terms with the effects of mental illness, people have used a range of approaches, including involvement in creative arts projects that encourage self expression, social interaction, teamwork and a sense of achievement through personal skill development.

For more information see www.socialinclusionweek.com.au.

The first Australian 1 in 4 Poll is seeking people to respond to a survey on social inclusion. The Poll can be completed by:

• people with disability; and
• carers who are family members or who are paid. Carers can support a person with disability to complete the survey or can complete it themselves.

The information will be used by the researchers – Deakin University and Scope – and by National Disability Services (NDS) to influence government policy and inform future practice and research.

The 1 in 4 Poll is a national survey, to be conducted at regular intervals over the next 3 years. It takes its name from the fact that disability touches the lives of one in every four Australians – either directly or indirectly in the case of carers. It aims to provide a vehicle for people with disability to voice their opinions on current social issues.

The results from this survey may assist in building impetus for a National Disability Insurance Scheme and the implementation of the National Disability Strategy.

The Footprints Holiday Programs are specially designed for school aged children with social integration disorders and intellectual disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorders and Aspergers Syndrome. Participating children will have a great day, learn skills and meet new friends.

The program will take place on April 20 and 28.

More information.

The Social Inclusion Board is now seeking the views of all South Australians to inform the development of its Blueprint for disability reform.

The Commissioner for Social Inclusion, Monsignor David Cappo says that the views of all South Australians are important as our current approach is not sustainable.

Full details on the Blueprint and how to make a submission can be found here.

Submissions can be made until Monday 27th September 2010. The final Blueprint for reform will be released in mid-2011.

Important links from the above page:

• News Release: SOCIAL INCLUSION DISABILITY REFORM: ACTIVATING CITIZENSHIP
• Activating Citizenship: A Social Inclusion Blueprint for Disability in South Australia
• The Online Survey
• A list of Community Meetings happening over the next two months.

Circles of Support are a key strategy to make social inclusion work for people with disabilities, people with mental illnesses, vulnerable children and families, young people in foster care, single young parents, and others struggling with social isolation.

By building an intentional circle of support around a person, comprising friends, neighbours, family, shopkeepers, drivers and support workers, real connections and communities can be built.

A National Steering Group to co-ordinate the development of Circles of Support will be convened at the Street by Street, Suburb by Suburb. Community Building and Social Inclusion conference in Melbourne on April 21/22. The group’s goal will be to facilitate the development of 50 Circles of Support around Australia by the end of 2010, and 100 by the end of 2011.

Strategies for achieving these goals will explored in workshops at the conference on April 21/22.

To register your Expression of Interest in joining the National Steering Group use this online form:

http://www.civilsociety.org.au/CirclesSteeringGroupEOI.htm

Deadline: Friday 16th April

To register for the conference use this form:

http://www.civilsociety.org.au/CommunityBuildingRegistration2010.htm

The Conference is hosted by the Centre for Civil Society, a public policy and social innovation think tank for the empowerment of ordinary people. http://www.civilsociety.org.au