BigDog Newsletter August 2023

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BigDog Cup 2023 Saturday 29th July Clive Berghofer Stadium Members of BigDog as well as the disability community formed a guard of honour for both teams as they ran onto the field for the inaugural BigDog Cup. Chasing their third win of the season and eager to put on a show for the BigDog Cup, the Western Clydesdales knew they had a difficult task at hand.

Squaring up to sixth placed Central Queensland Capras, the Clydesdales led several times during the game but faded away in the last 10 minutes.

Courtney S from Rockhampton was presented with the cup to take back to Rockhampton.

In This Issue 2 Editor’s Notes - BigDog Cup 3 NDIS Updates 4 Special Olympics 5 Para Athletics 6 Our Community - Paul Antonio 7 WhatsUp in Disability 8 Indigenous Communities 9 NGO Training Infographic 10 Toowoomba Group 11 Rockhampton Group 12 Psychological Safety 13 Staff Updates 14 What’s happening in August BigDog Newsletter Privacy Notice: Please note that as a subscriber to our BigDog Newsletter which supplies news and events relevant to this organisation, your email address or any other personal information collected will only be used for the purpose for which you gave it to us and will not be disclosed to any other person, body or agency except where you have provided your consent or it is required or authorised by law.

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BigDog Support Services Magazine

PACE

Conflict of Interest Under Scrutiny

PACE is the new NDIA ICT business system being trialled in Tasmania and is expected to replace the current NDIA system nationwide in the second half of 2023.

The latest Auditor-General report examined the effectiveness of the NDIA’s management of assistance with daily life supports. One aspect of the audit report focused on service provider conflict of interest, specifically for those who deliver both support coordination and other supports.

Key features promise easier administration, improved accessibility and a streamlined approach to plan variations and reassessments.

Changes for providers include:

+ Removal of service bookings + Removal of the single claim function with all claims via bulk upload

The report recommends that the NDIA assess and quantify this conflict of interest to mitigate accordingly.

The NDIA has agreed with the recommendation and says it is:

+ More support types and support categories

+ Reviewing the guideline for support coordi-

+ Updates to Application Programming Inter-

nation and regularity of training for support coordination providers.

faces (APIs)

+ New provider portal called 'my NDIS provider portal' While the NDIA say its is committed to minimising the business impact of system changes on providers, early feedback from Tasmania suggests the PACE trial has caused business disruption, particularly the removal of service bookings.

The trial used a process called 'Participant Endorsed Providers' - since renamed 'My Providers'. Under this process, payment for a claim submitted by a provider who is recorded on a participant's plan as 'My Provider' will be checked to ensure available budget before the payment is processed. Where a provider is not recorded as 'My Provider,' an SMS is generated to the participant. The participant can then either dispute the claim and trigger a claims review by the NDIA, or take no action and payment will be processed in 7-10 business days.

+ Undertaking a detailed data analysis to identify the extent of provision of support coordination and other supports to the same participant, to determine if there are any providers where this may be their practice.

+ Obtaining legal advice on the options for introducing a formal requirement whereby providers cannot provide support coordination and other supports to the same participants.

+ The circumstances that might warrant exemption (such as thin markets), and how these can lawfully be applied.

+ Liaising with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission about potential regulatory measures on provider conflicts of interest.

THIS IS SO OVERDUE. SCs ARE NOTORIOUS FOR LEADING PARTICIPANTS TO THEIR OWN SERVICES!

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With a brilliant fireworks display in the Berlin summer sky and the extinguishing of the flame, the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 came to a glorious close on 25 June 2023. It was the end of the Games, but by no means the finale in terms of what needs to be done for inclusion.

Australia's athletes have won 13 gold medals at the Special Olympics World Games in Germany.

The Games, the world's largest inclusive sporting event, finished in Berlin on Sunday night, with a spectacular closing ceremony at the Brandenburg Gate.

The event saw 7,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities from 190 different delegations competing across 26 sports.

The Australian team of 64 athletes competed in nine different sports: basketball, bocce, bowling, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, swimming, tennis and athletics.

Australia's head of delegations, Susie Bennett, told ABC that being in Germany with the athletes was a great experience.

"We have a team of young first-timers," she said. "[For] about 90% of the athletes in this team, this is their first World Games. So their excitement is obviously contagious.”

"I think the highlight for me was … most of Team Australia medalled, but almost every athlete on the team has achieved a personal best.

"That's a highlight for us because to come this

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far and achieve their personal best on the world stage is fantastic."

Australia was also very successful in gymnastics, with the six members of the team finishing the competition with 21 medals, including six gold.

Level-four competitor Chris Bunton, from NSW, won gold medals on pommel, rings and high bar, plus silver in another four events including the ‘all around’.

Victorian level-two competitor Sophie Nichols won three medals including two gold on floor and all around, while Queenslander Elizabeth Hocart (level three) won a gold on floor and two bronze.

In equestrian, level B (I) Queensland riders Isabella Parisi and Karen Messmer took gold and silver respectively in the dressage competition.

Australia's first gold medal win went to Michael Wheatley and Robert Goodrem, who claimed victory in the men's doubles tenpin bowling.

Victorian athlete Chelsea Haag-Witherden won gold in shot-put, after a fifth place in javelin.

In total, Australia won 45 medals, including 13 gold, 16 silver and 16 bronze.

The host for the next Special Olympics World Games in 2027 will be decided in November.

Australia has announced it will bid to host the Games in Perth. If successful, it would be the first time the Games have been held in the southern hemisphere.

BigDog Support Services Magazine

On 29 July 1948, the day of the Opening Ceremony of the London 1948 Olympic Games, Dr. Guttmann organised the first competition for wheelchair athletes which he named the Stoke Mandeville Games, a milestone in Paralympic history. They involved 16 injured servicemen and women who took part in archery.

The Stoke Mandeville Games later became the Paralympic Games which first took place in Rome, Italy, in 1960 featuring 400 athletes from 23 countries. Since then they have taken place every four years.

In 1976 the first Winter Games in Paralympics history were held in Sweden, and as with the Summer Games, have taken place every four years, and include a Paralympics Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony.

Since the Summer Games of Seoul, Korea in 1988 and the Winter Games in Albertville, France in 1992 the Games have also taken part in the same cities and venues as the Olympics due to an agreement between the IPC and IOC. The second largest disability sporting event in the world, the World Para Athletics Championships have officially concluded for 2023, after an exhilarating series of athletic feats set the stage for the Paralympic Games in 2024. The Paralympic Games, much like the World Para Athletics Championships, will be held in Paris.

Japanese Para Athlete Kenya Karasawa and guide-runner Koji Kobayashi both took home

Para Athletic sprinting medals in 2023 and shared their secret to success in sprinting with a vision impairment.

“I listen to my guide’s footsteps and take my rhythm based on what I hear,” Mr Karasawa told the International Paralympic Committee.

“All of my guide-runners have their own running forms and the way they run differs from person-to-person. So I also ask them to follow my rhythm as well.”

Karasawa topped the podium in the men’s 5,000m T11 with guide-runner Shunya Morishita, claiming gold in a Championship record time of 15:05.19. He followed that up with a silver medal in the men’s 1,500m T11 alongside guide Koji Kobayashi.

T11 sprinters, such as Karasawa, are blindfolded and compete with a guide, keeping pace with their footsteps and their fingers are tethered together to stay within distance.

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Everyone at BigDog wishes Paul a long and fun-filled retirement and thanks him for his generous support.

“As Mayor, I have regarded one of my most important roles as being the chief advocate for promoting our Region’s greatest attributes to new residents, investors, business leaders and the higher levels of government.”

“Aside from delivering major projects, planning and advocacy work it is the incredible mix of people I’ve met that has left a lasting impression. In my time I have worked with and seen the bravery and professionalism of our emergency services workers, hundreds of volunteers, business owners of big and small enterprises, school students and their teachers, refugees and migrants adjusting to new lives and dealt with senior religious figures, visiting international Mayors, Premiers and Prime Ministers.

“Across my life, Toowoomba and the Darling Downs have seen many technological, social and economic advances. Toowoomba has grown to become a major regional centre for health, education and commercial services that supports a vast area of southern and South West Queensland, plus northern News South Wales.”

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BigDog Support Services Magazine

Tony Wigan - Radio 102.7 Tony is a local legend who hosts his own talk show twice a week on Toowoomba’s 102.7 FM radio.

With 30 years hospitality experience, Tony owned the café, Rendezvous on Ruthven until 2019. He has always been vocal about his love for his community, telling The Chronicle, “There are a lot of talented people in Toowoomba, and we should be using them.”

Since beginning his radio career on Colour Radio 4LG in Longreach when he finished high school, Tony has worked with various radio stations across Queensland including Brisbane 4IP, 4LM and 4WK. Tony is a big supporter of BigDog and has been the MC for our community events and our radio ads.

WhatsUp in Disability Stories in this issue include: • Matt Armstrong • PATH Planning • Short Film Festival • Report on Boarding Houses • Family of League • Being on the Spectrum • Special Olympics To obtain a copy of WhatsUp in Disability magazine or to be a sponsor, please contact WhatsUp via: Office

11-15 Alexander Street, Toowoomba

Email

spaull@bigdogsupport.com.au

Online

www.whatsupindisability.org

• Queensland Budget • Charity Ride Click on the above magazine cover to read this online at Issuu.

Steven Paull President 7

Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disabilities are not accessing the services and support they’re entitled to because they feel the NDIS isn’t for them. Participation rates are low, even for those with serious illnesses and disabilities. The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) wanted to turn this thinking around and commissioned Rhythm, in partnership with Nani Creative, to help do it.

Building trust in the NDIS among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and encouraging them to engage with the complex system was going to be a challenge. There can be distrust with government programs and culturally specific communications about the NDIS had been limited, particularly in remote areas.

They knew hearing from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were successfully using NDIS services was key. But it couldn’t be a collection of talking heads. There’s too much of that going around and it’s ignored.

These important stories couldn’t be ignored.

Finally, everything had to come back to the NDIS and the message that the NDIS is a program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

‘Part of My Story’ is a collection of videos, posters, online stills, templates and guides that brings Aboriginal people’s experiences with the NDIS to life in unique and visually stunning ways. These deeply personal stories have been shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people using their words and voices.

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists created art for the animation. Each artist was paired with an NDIS participant hailing from a similar region, to give the story its own distinctive style for greater depth and relevance. They all end in the same way: on the story-teller – real and relatable.

“I was deeply moved when hearing the challenges that so many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their families have gone through. Connecting each NDIS participant with an artist from their area was a key part of this project and one that’s brought some beautiful diversity to the final work. It was a privilege to be introduced to these people and hear their stories of resilience and hope,” said Laura Morano, Rhythm’s Services Director.

The campaign shows that the NDIS already plays a positive part in many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s stories. And, given its reception, will play a part in many, many more.

BigDog Support Services Magazine

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Our live big program kicked off with a bang we have been working hard.

We have had some participant’s kick some personal goals Jess P is on her last few assessments for her Veterinary course. Bec has been trying new foods at the centre each cooking class. Bec for a cooking independently a cake for my birthday thanks so much Bec it was lovely.

month welcome to Alice and Amiee. We also have new BigDog parking assistants Meg and Scotty to make sure everyone at BigDog is always parking safely.

This month we will focus on self-care our lady’s group with have a pamper day and our men’s group with have a working bee with Bunnings DIY workshop.

Our arts and crafts days will be every second Friday with a cultural theme week 1 will be Japanese art of making paper week 2 will be Native American head dresses, we will dive into the way each culture ways of art.

Birthday shout out to Zac and Bec.

Walking club has been working out great walking with all the cool kids in town looking at all the street art. Our daily tasks skills have been improving quite fast. The RSPCA visits have been a learning curb for us all on how to care for our animals properly.

We have new volunteers in the centre this

BigDog Day Service Toowoomba Paul Myatt Community Centre 11-15 Alexander Street North Toowoomba 4350 Coordinator Jess Wright Phone: 4512 6020 dayservice@bigdogsupport.com.au 10

BigDog Support Services Magazine

This month Rockhampton BigDog has been enjoying their Monday Fishing Group Program, Community Events and celebrating Participant Birthday's! Programs that involve learning or skill-building activities, like our Fishing Group, can help individuals with disabilities further develop their talents.

tional to modern.

Each event features both local and national experts the latest’s craft supplies kits and equipment including patchwork paper craft scrapbooking quilting stitchery cake decorating beading and more.

CraftAlive Rockhampton is a significant event in the craft calendar. It’s packed full of high-profile craft designers and retailers from across the country.

Now in its 33rd year CraftAlive is Australia’s largest craft event series. With events running right across Australia.

CraftAlive events feature craft designers and teachers from across the country and covers a wide range of crafts and products from tradi-

BigDog Day Service Rockhampton BigDog Community Centre 170 East Street Rockhampton 4700 Coordinator Taylah Cox Phone: 4573 4611 rockhampton@bigdogsupport.com.au

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Psychological Safety

+ Thirdly, low wages and limited career ad-

Psychological safety refers to an environment where individuals feel safe to express themselves, take risks, and contribute their ideas without fear of negative consequences.

Psychological safety is a term made popular in this decade, by Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson, who describes it as: “A shared belief that the team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking.”

vancement opportunities have made it difficult to attract and retain skilled individuals.

+ Additionally, the sector faces difficulties in providing sufficient training and professional development opportunities to ensure a competent and qualified workforce.

These workforce challenges highlight the urgent need for strategic interventions, such as:

It refers to the extent to which employees feel comfortable being themselves, speaking up, asking questions, and sharing their ideas within the workplace without fear of judgment, retribution, or ridicule. It encompasses trust, respect, and inclusivity, forming the foundation for open communication and collaboration.

+ promoting the value of community service

“Workforce issues are the number one risk to businesses today, especially those in the delivery of care and community services.”

Addressing these issues is essential to ensure the provision of high-quality care and support for vulnerable individuals in the community.

“They are grappling with a significant shortage of labour, posing challenges to the delivery of essential services. The aging population, coupled with the increased demand for disability support through programs like the NDIS, has intensified the strain on the workforce”.

As covered in a previous BigDog magazine, on 1 April 2023, new regulations on managing psychosocial risks and hazards at work came into effect in Queensland. These regulations are an important step towards creating safer and healthier work environments that prioritise employee wellbeing.

Several factors contribute to this shortage:

+ Firstly, there is a lack of skilled professionals entering the field, resulting in limited talent pools.

+ Secondly, the nature of community care work can be physically and emotionally demanding, leading to high turnover rates and burnout among employees.

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work

+ improving wages and benefits + expanding training programs, and

+ creating supportive work environments that prioritise employee well-being and growth.

While much attention has been given to physical hazards and occupational health and safety, psychosocial hazards are just as important to address. Especially given that the time needed to recover from mental health conditions is on average five times greater compared to physical injuries and diseases.

BigDog Support Services Magazine

Disability Worker COVID-19 Leave Grant On 9 May 2023, the Australian Government announced the Disability Worker COVID-19 Leave Grant to support disability workers who deliver close personal support to National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants, contract COVID-19 and have insufficient sick leave available to them.

NDIS providers that pay eligible staff leave when they have a COVID-19 infection and insufficient sick leave, will be reimbursed at a rate of $450 per worker where the worker has lost at least eight hours but less than 20 hours of work, and $750 per worker where the worker has lost more than 20 hours of work. Eligibility will include registered and unregistered NDIS providers and sole traders who deliver specified close personal supports to participants.

The grant will provide support towards the costs associated with leave from 1 April 2023 to 31 December 2023.

Staff Birthdays

August 2023 1st 4th 7th 8th 28th 29th

Jacob T Natasha A Peta R Shireen Rhett Ryan Herman Libby

Have a great day!

Affected workers should retain evidence of their illness.

The Disability Worker COVID-19 Leave Grant replaces the High-Risk Settings Pandemic Payment and matches funding available to aged care workers.

It is important to remain alert to the continued risk of COVID-19 in the community. This grant has been designed to protect those most at-risk, but there are many ways to help ensure the safety of others, including staying home when unwell, ensuring adequate ventilation in indoor spaces, and practicing COVID-safe behaviours.

For more information www.dss.gov.au/covidleavegrant

Age Pension age has changed If you were born on or after 1 January 1957, you must be 67 years to be eligible for Age Pension.

You can submit your claim in the 13 weeks before you reach Age Pension age.

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Come and volunteer in our Big BBQ Van. Learn cooking skills for eggs and bacon muffins or our sausage sizzle. Learn food handling in preparing the items for the customers. Learn cash handling and customer service skills.

Sunday 20th August 8:00 am - Noon

Building Cultural Safety in the Workplace Build your workplace capability to support Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) people experiencing Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence.

There is a series of two online workshops that explore the complexity of CALD experiences in relation to your workplace response to Sexual and Domestic and Family Violence (SDFV)

+ Create shared understanding of the complex interactions between various aspects of identity, power dynamics and systems of support

+ Explore the pivotal role of trust, cultural safety and cultural humility in creating an inclusive and supportive workplace

+ Understand the power of a person-centred and strengths-based approach.

9 August 2023 10.30am - 1.30pm 29 August 2023 9.30am - 12.30pm Book at https://csialtd.com.au/events/buildingcultural-safety-sdfv-in-the-workplace/ 14

BigDog Support Services Magazine

Justice of the Peace This service is available at the Historic BigDog House 3 Clifford Street Toowoomba (please call first to make an appointment) The JPs in the Community Program is also available through major shopping centres, libraries, court houses and hospitals.

Contact Us BigDog Support Services

3 Clifford Street Toowoomba QLD 4350 PO Box 234 Harlaxton QLD 4350

(07) 4632 9559 1800 22 44 32 www.bigdogsupport.com.au 15

The winners of the inaugural BigDog Cup the Central Queensland Capras with members of BigDog from left to right rear: Ann, Manny, Courtney S, Steven Bec and Courtney C.

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BigDog Support Services Magazine