ISSUE 12 SEPTEMBER 2020
Freedom of communication Supporting a child to tell their mum and dad ‘I love you’ for the first time, or an adult customer to be able to advocate for themselves, is an inspiring part of what our Speech Pathology team do every day. The team plays an important role in supporting our customers to use a range of analogue and technology based solutions to find their voice. Early Intervention Speech Pathologist, Kirstie Denning tells us how from a young age we can work with children and their families to find the best ways to communicate with each other. “I have been working with Hudson and his mum to develop his communications. At the moment we’re using a mix of a communication book
and Key Word Sign to assist him in developing his total communication skills. Over time we will see how his communication skills develop and grow and will adapt the types of communication devices to support his needs.” The team also works alongside our adult customers to develop the best solution based on their physical ability. One of those customers is Lyndon who we support to use head switch technology with his communication device. Through his device Lyndon told us, “Speech Pathology is important, it helps me use my device - so I can be involved in decisions about my life and chat to my mum and aunty Michelle every day.”
Speech Pathologist Kirstie Denning with Hudson and his mum Hannah
Speech Pathology Australia hold Speech Week every August to highlight the wide range of support the profession provides to many Australians. Executive General Manager Therapy Services and Speech Pathologist Melissa Boekhoorn said this year’s theme ‘communicating with confidence’ is about having the ability to communicate your message and know you have been heard. “For people living with disability sometimes this may take longer, so we all need to be patient and listen to give them the confidence to get their message across. Using non-verbal communications, pictures and objects are all ways to support them be confident communicators” she said.
Tax Appeal Update This year we have been amazed at the overwhelming support shown for our 2019/20 Tax Appeal.
Eleana at Tuart Hill Primary School
June, was a time when life was unpredictable and those most vulnerable to COVID-19 needed your support. Your donations of almost $60,000 helped to keep our customers connected to their community and wider support network. In our campaign, we wrote to you about our Minderoo Rise resident Eleana Bredemeyer. The social isolation of not being able to participate in her normal activities was a challenge for her, especially not being able to volunteer at Tuart Hill Primary School.
Volunteers for the better
Keeping connected
Our biggest corporate supporter this year has been RAC, providing Ability Centre with more than 136 hours of volunteer support.
Times of challenge can sometimes bring out the best innovations. One of those was the Social Connections program within our Shared Independent Living homes.
A variety of dedicated teams from across RAC have been gardening at our Shared Living Homes as well as repurposing part of our Coolbinia outdoor play space to support our new adult Gardening Program. RAC also kindly donated the $20,000 worth of management training from the Australian Management Institute which they received as part of their Social Responsibility Award at the Pinnacle Awards.
Every Thursday, our customers participated in a range of ZOOM events, such as bingo, quizzes, talent shows and cooking challenges. These mornings gave our customers and support workers the chance to connect with friends and colleagues from across Perth. As the COVID restrictions ease in WA and our Opportunities Programs are recommencing, we’re excited to offer this to our customers who for many reasons may not be able to connect face to face throughout the year.
However, the isolation didn’t stop her and she has recently been accepted on to the City of Perth’s Inclusion Advisory Council. She has also been nominated for the Westfield Local Hero award, for the positive impact she is making through her volunteering at Tuart Hill. On top of this, Eleana alongside one of our other customers Madison Heady, has been chosen to be a storyteller in the new Screenwest and Carers WA Different Lens Diversity mentoring initiative. The Intiative will produce 12 disability-led, short projects and provide mentoring to four filmmakers with a disability.
Thank you to our community sponsors Stirling Drive In Pharmacy Lions Club of Kalamunda Lions Club of Booragoon Lions Club of Cowaramup Lions Club of Duncraig Lions Club of Ellenbrook Lions Club of Morley JP Stratton Trust Cottesloe Golf Club Bridge Club Yokine Bowling Club
Joe Michell Award 2020 We have opened applications for the 2020 Joe Michell Award. The Joe Michell Award provides Ability Centre customers aged 16-25 with financial support to access education or employment opportunities. The Award provides recipients up to $6,000 to support them to attain their future goals. To apply they must tell us how they will use the Award to positively influence their future. Madison Heady, one of the 2019 recipients, finished high school last year and completed a Certificate III in Community Services at TAFE in the first half of 2020. After completing her TAFE course in July, she started a public speaking course at the Emotional Intelligence Institute, funded by her Joe Michell Award.
Madison Heady, 2019 award recipient
“I studied at TAFE as I wanted to get a better understanding of minority groups as I want to start my own public speaking business. I wanted to find out what these groups need so I cater to them and help them as best I can.” — Madison Heady
You can find further updates of our 2019 recipients on our website. The 2020 winners will be announced in early December.
Supported Employee John is looking forward to the launch on 1 October
Containers for Change Ability Centre, is excited to be part of the WA Government’s Containers for Change program which is launching on 1 October. We will be opening three container deposit locations in Beckenham, Midvale and Bibra Lake for the general public. At each site Ability Centre will be employing up to 10 people living with disability under its Supported Employment program to manage the container returns, interact with the public and provide container refunds.
Members of the general public will receive 10c per eligible container when returned to the refund point and the WA government will give Ability Centre 6c per container for processing. One key part of the program is the Virtual Donations, where community groups, schools, not-for-profits and other key groups can register for a Scheme ID. This enables their supporters to have their containers 10c refund allocated to their chosen group through the Scheme ID.
Donate your refunds to Ability Centre by quoting our scheme ID# C10282923 when dropping off your containers at any refund point. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated: @abilitycentre4changewa
Generosity abounds Earlier this year, one of our employees selflessly assisted an elderly Chinese Australian couple who were experiencing a dangerous situation at home with falling trees damaging their house. That simple act of kindness led to an amazing donation from the Australian Chinese community. Individual donations from the Australian Chinese community totalled $40,000, along with 4,000 medical grade masks donated by the China Chamber of Commerce WA to support Ability Centre’s preparation for COVID-19. The funds supported Ability Centre’s infection control programmes which
Mr Sun Xiaoxuan and Dr Dianmin Chen with Sue Theunissen and Carol Howden from Ability Centre
are specifically targeting potential future COVID-19 transmissions, as well as the ongoing risks associated with the annual winter flu season. Perth business leader Dr Dianmin Chen, representing the Chinese Australian community donors, said the individuals and families who contributed funds were impressed by the work of Ability Centre in supporting some of the most vulnerable members of the Western Australian community. “We are all delighted to be helping people with disabilities and the front-line staff who help them, to feel safer each day.” Dr Chen said.
“This act of goodwill by members of the Chinese Australian community was so timely and we are very grateful to all those who have made a personal contribution to our ongoing fundraising efforts.” — Jacquie Thomson CEO Ability Centre
Eat, drink, have fun and help someone living with a disability! Support Ability Centre with the purchase of your Entertainment Membership and enjoy thousands of valuable offers across Perth, the South West and Bali. The Entertainment memberships are great value and a great gift idea, with 20% of each sale through us going directly to our fundraising. For more information and to place your order, visit entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/830p03