N E W S LE T T E R June 2016 “To stand with vulnerable people with a disability through vigorous independent advocacy.”
In This Issue
Planning the future of the NDIS Workforce in Townsville WorkAbility Queensland
Local NDIS workforce challenges, opportunities and priorities for the broader Townsville region will be the focus of the NDIS Workforce Forum that was held in Townsville. Hosted by WorkAbility Qld, the forum will see a range of stakeholders come together to hear, explore and share insights and strategies to ensure that the broader Townsville region has the right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time to achieve full implementation of the NDIS. WorkAbility Qld has been developed through a partnership between the Queensland Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services (DCCSDS) and a consortium of peak bodies including: •
Health and Community Services Workforce Council (Workforce Council),
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National Disability Services (NDS),
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Community Services Industry Alliance (CSIA), and
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Queensland (QCOSS).
Council
of
Social
Services
The Strategy aims to work collaboratively with the sector, government and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to deliver both local and state-wide workforce solutions to meet the identified needs of the sector in Queensland, and to build the sector workforce supply and capability to meet demand under the NDIS. Richard Nelson, Queensland State Manager of NDS says the rollout of the NDIS in Queensland will require significant growth in Continued over
Planning the future of the NDIS Workforce in Townsville ....................... 1 CEO’s Report....................................... 3 Advocacy Service Regions .................. 4 NDIS External Merit Review Support Regions ............................................... 4 IAT - A Brief History ............................. 5 Support IAT.......................................... 5 Funding................................................ 5 NDIS Expo ........................................... 6 News.................................................... 7 What’s On .......................................... 18 Reports .............................................. 20 Useful Resources............................... 20 Management Committee .................... 21 Staff ................................................... 21 Nothing about us without us! .............. 22 Independent Advocacy Townsville Office 2/179-181 Ross River Road MUNDINGBURRA QLD 4812 PO Box 3067 HERMIT PARK QLD 4812 Phone: Fax: E-mail:
1800 887 688 07) 47 252 505 07) 47 256 106 admin@iat.org.au
Newsletter Feedback and Contributions Did you find this newsletter useful? Which section or sections were of most use? Is there anything you feel we should include in future newsletters? Do you have something to contribute? Please send your response to: reception@iat.org.au
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the number of workers across the sector, as well as the range of skills and abilities required to meet new demand, expectations and needs as a result of the transition to the NDIS. “The NDIS is expected to create up to 13,000 additional jobs between 2016 and 2019, with an anticipated job growth of 650 FTE in the North Queensland region by full implementation of the NDIS. “The transition to the NDIS will change the way many employees work in various ways, depending on their roles and the types of services and supports that NDIS participants seek as the NDIS rolls out,” Mr Nelson said. Doug Evans, CEO of the Workforce Council says that this forum is a key component in preparing, strengthening and growing the local workforce to meet future demands as a result of the transition to the NDIS through identifying local solutions for local needs via collaboration with key stakeholders in the region. “This forum will provide perspectives and insights about workforce transformation; explore and contribute to local intelligence about workforce gaps and priorities; and provide a deeper understanding of, and possible solutions to the cultural change and workforce transformation impacts of NDIS implementation,” Mr Evans said. Belinda Drew, CEO of CSIA says we recognise the NDIS workforce challenges, opportunities and priorities will be different across the state. “These regional NDIS Workforce Forums will provide an opportunity for employers; training, education and employment organisations; and a host of other stakeholders to discuss the local opportunities, challenges and solutions for workforce supply, capability and utilisation, and will help to develop shared insights and workforce strategies for each region. “Discussions from these forums will form a basis for the development of regional workforce plans, which will provide a local blueprint for action on workforce priorities for each region,” she said. Mark Henley, CEO of QCOSS says participants at the forum in Townsville will get to hear valuable insights and knowledge from keynote speaker Rob Watkins, General Manager NSW/ACT, House with No Steps (HWNS). “Rob will share his experience and intelligence from his prior work for the National Disability Insurance Agency in the capacity of Launch Manager for the Hunter trial site, as well as the ongoing workforce challenges experienced by HWNS as the scheme is rolled out across the regions. “Participants will also have the opportunity to hear a range of perspectives on workforce expectations under the NDIS, including the voices of NDIS participants Peter Gurr and Daniel Flynn, who are the local convenors of the Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) in Townsville,” he said. The WorkAbility Qld NDIS Workforce Forums will be held in each region as the NDIS is rolled out across the state from July 2016 to June 2019.
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CEO’s Report Hello everyone, we have certainly had a busy start to the year. Firstly we undertook our re-accreditation audit which for myself and the members of the Management Committee was their first experience with the audit process. I would like to sincerely thank our staff especially our wonderful Administration Officer Beverly Smith for the work that was done in preparation of the audit. Beverly especially was a wealth of information and assistance to us newbies and we could not have done it without her. I am pleased to report that we have retained our accreditation for both Individual and Systemic Advocacy. During this time we also welcomed Kim Nicholls who joined us as our part time Receptionist/Admin Assistant and she has been a very welcome addition to our team and has allowed our advocates to concentrate on delivering services to our clients. One key element of our existence, funding has been high on the agenda of our Management Committee and myself as your CEO. We have been fortunate enough to secure renewed block funding for advocacy till 30 June 2017 for both Queensland Health and our funding under the Department of Social Services’ National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP). Both are undergoing significant reviews and/or restructure in the lead up to the full implementation of the NDIS in Australia. We have been a bit more fortunate with our funding from Queensland’s Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services who have extended our funding to 30 June 2019. All funding is of course dependent upon what governments will do with disability advocacy funding as a whole. While we wait and see where funding will come from in the future, please be assured that we will continue to provide advocacy to those with disability no matter what their age, nationality or disability. Also, we were recently appointed and funded by the Department of Social Services to provide independent advocacy for those who wish to undertake an External Review of NDIS decisions. This will allow us to advocate for a person throughout the whole NDIS experience – from their planning, their service delivery, with their complaints from initial stages, through the internal review and onto the external review if they need us. This extra service meant that we have also employed another advocate and mid-way through June we welcomed Helen De Campo who has hit the ground running and already has a full list of clients. Tania Brown as moved into the position of our External Merits Review Support Officer (EMRSO)/Advocate and depending on her workload Tania will take on limited advocacy services. The role of the EMRSO is to deliver information and education sessions around our EMRSO service region as well as advocate and assist those going through the External Merits Review process. Over the past two months we have welcomed two new committee members. Richard Cordukes and Aime Nganare. Richard joins us as an Ordinary member and brings with him a wealth of management committee experience. Richard is also a Life Member and Ambassador for Wheelchair Sports NSW and has competed on the world stage in Wheelchair Sports and at the Paralympics. Aime is currently undertaking a Master of Business Administration, Leadership & Innovation and holds a Diploma of Management. Aime has worked around the world and also holds a Batchelor of Science and a Masters in the fields of Engineering and Geology. Aime wants to give back to our community and we have asked him to undertake research into funding and to write up proposals, grants and tenders. And lastly, we will shortly be renovating our office space here to adequately house our new staff members and also have a dedicated meeting room. We would like to sincerely thank our wonderful landlord Angelo for making this happen in such a short period of time. Hopefully there won’t be too much disruption but it will be well worth it in the end. Warmest regards Deborah Wilson Chief Executive Officer
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Advocacy Service Regions •
Burdekin Shire
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Cassowary Coast Region
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Charters Towers Region
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Flinders Shire
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Hinchinbrook Shire
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Palm Island Shire
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Townsville
Did you know that … •
As at 30 June 2014, the estimated resident population (ERP) for IAT Service Region was 268,714 persons. The annual growth rate between 2013r and 2014p was 1.3%.
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Within the region, Townsville (C) LGA had the largest population with 193,946 persons
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Within the region, Townsville (C) LGA and Palm Island (S) LGA had the fastest population growth over five years with 1.9%
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18,116 persons (or 7.3%) were Indigenous. Within the region, Palm Island (S) LGA had the largest percentage of Indigenous persons with 94.2%.
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In the IAT Service Region as at 30 June 2014, 20.4% of persons were aged 0 to 14 years, 66.8% were aged 15 to 64 years and 12.8% were aged 65 years and over.
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4.4% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people had a profound or severe disability.
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4.5% of non-Indigenous persons had a profound or severe disability.
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The unemployment rate in IAT Service Region in June quarter 2015 was 8.6 %.
**Source: Queensland Government Statistician’s Office
NDIS External Merit Review Support Regions •
Charters Towers Region
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Flinders Shire
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Palm Island Shire
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Townsville
Accreditation National Disability Advocacy Standards Human Services Quality Standards
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IAT - A Brief History IAT has been incorporated for over two decades, providing advocacy support and high quality services to people with disabilities in the Townsville and surrounding districts. Covering rural and regional areas from the Cassowary Coast in the north, east to Palm Island, south to the Burdekin, and west to Hughenden. IAT is located opposite the Cathedral School, in Mundingburra. We have two Advocates and continue to offer advocacy support to vulnerable individuals. We also provide information to family, friends and other community members. We continue to stand for people’s rights and freedoms. We also provide information sessions and presentations to answer any queries and welcome any questions relating to providing an information session about Independent Advocacy Townsville. As economic and political situations change we are maintaining a positive outlook and continue to support people with disabilities during the introductory phase of new schemes and other changes within the sector. IAT’s advocacy speaks, acts and writes with minimum conflict of interest by standing with, and for people with disability to promote, protect and defend their welfare, rights and justice by: being on their side and no-one else’s, without jeopardy to the most vulnerable being primarily concerned with their fundamental needs: and remaining loyal and accountable to them in a way which is emphatic and vigorous and which requires the bearing of costs by the advocate or advocacy group.
Support IAT You can make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable people with disability by financially supporting IAT to make sure our advocacy efforts continue in the future. All donations over $2.00 are tax deductible. All gifts are also welcome. You can choose to make a one off donation or a recurrent donation. Alternatively, for further details about supporting IAT contact us on (07) 47252505
Funding Supported by the Australian Government Department of Social Services. Go to www.dss.gov.au for more information. Supported by Queensland Health. information.
Go to www.health.qld.gov.au for more
Supported by the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services. Go to www.communities.qld.gov.au for more information.
“Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts.” -Arnold Bennett
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NDIS Expo
IAT are hosting a community event to give NDIS participants the opportunity to see what services are available to them. A number of Service Providers will showcase their services and you’ll have an opportunity to speak with them regarding your requirements and how they may be able to fill those needs. Not happy with your NDIS Plan? IAT will be giving a special presentation about the NDIS review process. Remember it’s your choice! When: Time: Where:
Friday 26 August 2016 10:00am – 3:00pm (feel free to come and go as you please) Oonoonba Community Centre, 2 Shannon Street Oonoonba Wheelchair friendly, fully air conditioned
Cost: RSVP:
FREE! (but you must RSVP) Friday 12 August 2016 If you require assistance with transport please advise when booking. Please advise dietary requirements for catering purposes
RSVP To:
07 4725 2505 or email reception@iat.org.au
Limited spaces available!
Funded by...
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News 3D printing lets the disabled take control Cynthia Karena, Sydney Morning Herald 22 June 2016
A young man with cerebral palsy customises his apps with only neck movements, a woman who can move just one finger uses a personalised joystick to control her wheelchair, and a man with a customised bionic eye sees better. For people living with disabilities, the future is about customising their devices, according to Craig Smith, education consultant at Autism Spectrum Australia.
New technology is overturning traditional ideas of what disabled people can do. Photo: Alec Van der Velde
"Having the software to personalise products – that's where it's heading," he said. Nineteen-year-old Christopher Hills has cerebral palsy and quadriplegia, and has control only over his neck muscles. Instead of a joystick, his head movements operate a large button (or switch) on his wheelchair. All his keyboard and mouse functions can be accessed through the use of this single head switch. And Switch Control, an accessibility program built into Apple devices, allows Hills to access apps and set up his devices the way he likes them. Hills runs his own business, Switched-On Video Editing (http://www.switchedonvideoediting.com.au/), from his home office in the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast. He has just finished making a film for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) website using iMovie and Final Cut Pro. "Chris edits films with his neck," said Smith. "It's incredible. Film software can be tricky to use, and editing often requires fine movements with the cursor." On the NDIS project, Hills was the producer, director and editor. He used Final Cut Pro X. "As you might imagine, controlling everything with one switch is not quite as efficient as it would be to use my keyboard, but Final Cut Pro X is the fastest editor I have come across, so that compensates for the slowness of the switch," he said. "I often feel as though I've jumped straight into the deep end of life, (but) I'm loving the opportunity to make a difference." Hills customises editing to suit his speed and rate of response, to make it a more natural fit for him rather than someone else's idea of what he needs. . "The impact on Chris is life-changing," Smith said. "It's not just a matter of him being able to get a job, but getting a meaningful job that he wants to do. That's the crux of it for people living with disabilities: getting work that suits not only their skill set but is also closer to their passions." Meanwhile, for people with profound vision loss, a customised bionic eye can help them recover some vision by electrical stimulation of the retina using a retinal implant consisting of an array of electrodes, said Associate Professor Nick Barnes, research group leader for Smart Vision Systems at CSIRO's Data61 (http://www.csiro.au/en/Research/D61). Continued over
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"The implants communicate to a small headmounted camera so they can see the world in shades of grey," he said. "The implant can be calibrated according to their particular vision circumstances: for example, how many points of light and the range of different visual levels of brightness that someone can see." A more mainstream technology for customisation is 3D printing. Printing wheelchair joysticks, for example, is popular because it takes so long to order them, said Melissa Fuller, co-founder of Sydney based AbilityMate (http://www.abilitymate.com), which creates 3D printed customised devices for people living with disabilities. Fuller cited the example of a woman with a quadriplegic form of cerebral palsy using a wheelchair that costs $35,000. The problem was it comes with a standard joystick. "She finds it hard to keep her hands still," Fuller said. "It's hard for her to drive the wheelchair because it's not suited to her hand movements. The middle finger is the only movement she has. In about two hours with rapid prototyping, we 3D printed a joystick for her. The materials cost 37¢. The waiting list for a modification of the original device was six months at a cost of $1000."
UNYQ uses 3D printing to customise prostheses. Photo: Supplied
Another toggle was designed to be like an Atari joystick for a young man who used to play a lot of Atari before his brain injury. "Over time his fine motor skills deteriorated," Fuller said. "But using the Atari like a joystick is not only fun, it helps him remember movements." In Wollongong, disabled workers at Greenacres Disability Services (http://www.greenacres.net.au/GDS/index.htm) build 3D printers for the Me3D printer company. In the course of testing them, they decided to design and print something useful, said Matt Connelly, Me3D founder. The results included expanded personalised tool handles for better grip, including grip covers for screwdrivers and Allen keys. "Customising individual grip covers for tools means they are not trying to do something that doesn't work for them," said John Harvey, general manager at GDS. "Working with a screwdriver or Allen key is now easier," he said. "We have 250 workers, and it means that they're not struggling, and it builds confidence. It means they can do other jobs they couldn't do before." The idea of personalised grip covers is also used for joysticks on electric wheelchairs. "This means that one wheelchair can be used by different people. They just need to put on their own customised joystick cover," Connelly said. Continued over
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Both AbilityMate and Me3D are part of Autodesk's Entrepreneur Impact Programme (http://www.autodesk.com/sustainability/entrepreneur-impact-program), which gives free access to 3D design software to small businesses tackling environmental or social issues. Software includes Autodesk Fusion 360, 123D Design and Tinkercad, all open source. This means anyone can access designs and modify them to their personal specifications. 3D printing is also used for customising prosthetic limbs. While prosthetic innovation has come a long way, artificial and bionic limbs still look like metal rods with little resemblance to a real body part, said Eythor Bender, chief executive and co-founder of UNYO, which uses 3D printing to personalise and digitally optimise prosthetics and orthotics. The process starts with 3D scanning or photogrammetry, a technique that creates a 3D model using only photos. "We use 3D printing not only to create intricate designs, but also to make each (prosthetic) cover unique to the person's anatomy," he said. "We are taking something that used to be a source of frustration or indignity and turning it into a means for self-expression and pride." Website: http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/3d-printing-lets-the-disabledtake-control-20160614-gpih8g
Cuts, bruises, death: Stories from group homes By Alison Branley and Norman Hermant: ABC National Reporting Team: 22 June 2016
It might be hard to imagine what it would be like to raise a child with a profound disability, but Gail Fenton can tell you. "If people consider what it might be like to live with a two-year-old perpetually — the two-year-old that up-ends the flower pot if they're not being supervised — then you can understand," she said. "It's pretty exhausting. And we were exhausted." After 30 years caring for their daughter, Jo, in 2011 Ken and Gail Fenton made the decision to move her to a group Ken and Gail Fenton cared for their daughter for 30 years before home. she moved to a group home. (ABC News: Alison Branley)
The Port Macquarie couple were getting older and wanted Jo to get used to living on her own before they died. But for the Fentons, moving Jo to a group home had more than its fair share of teething problems. Jo has Phelan-McDermid syndrome, a chromosomal abnormality that leads to a range of problems including severe autism. "Jo is this complex thing," Ms Fenton said. "Jo has the ability to pick up a behaviour and run with it, so screaming seems to be a bit of a thing at the moment and has been for a while." Shortly after moving into a group home called Karinya, on the NSW north coast, Jo came home to her parents' house for a weekly "sleep over". Continued over
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As Gail was putting Jo in the bath, she spotted a scald mark on her upper leg. "It wasn't communicated to us by anybody, I don't know that anyone knew actually," Ms Fenton said. "Which sort of indicates there wasn't someone watching her at the time when she was using hot, boiling water." It is the kind of incident that would shock any parent who had entrusted their children to someone else. It is a recurring theme among parents who have children at Karinya. They say that today the NSW Government has made major improvements to its group home. But most of the concerns, the parents say, can be traced to systemic problems with group homes across the country. They include a lack qualifications for staff, high and no national registration means problematic workers
of minimum staff turnover system, which at any group
home simply move interstate.
Karinya Group Home, Port Macquarie. Photo Supplied
'They don't know how it happened' Jenny Wooster's son, Daniel, has severe epilepsy and had to have neurosurgeons separate the hemispheres in his brain to reduce seizures. He is confined to a wheelchair at Karinya and does not speak. Ms Wooster said during one visit with Daniel she noticed he had a chipped tooth. "They couldn't tell me anything. They don't know how it happened," she said. "They thought he might have fell over and bumped himself or whatever." Another time he showed up with bruises to his head. "The only thing they could say is Daniel might have had a seizure and he's caught his head to the bench," she said. "It actually concerns me heaps and I just wonder ‌ what is each day going to bring for Daniel." These are just two in a long list of incidents Daniel has been through at Karinya. It includes medication errors, clothing concerns, being left unattended for medical appointments, being sent to day programs when ill, and poor communication. Jenny Wooster's Daniel suffered bruises and a chipped tooth Continued over while in care. Photo ABC News
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Then there was the allegedly alcoholic worker who, Ms Wooster said, fed Daniel hot curry which burned his oesophagus and he ended up in hospital. The group home only opened in 2011. It might sound trivial but Ms Wooster is also concerned about Daniel being put to bed at 6:00pm on past occasions, a practice known as "warehousing". "To my thinking, it's feed the kids early, get them out of the road, then they've got time for themselves. Sit around doing nothing, do paperwork, who knows," Ms Wooster suggested. While parents of disabled children know better than anyone raising them is hard, they are upset about what happens after things go wrong. Sometimes police are called, more often they are not. Parents are almost never informed. "As far as I'm concerned, they don't look into it, they just write it down and put it to the side," Ms Wooster said. "I feel absolutely disgusted at the moment. Absolutely disgusted." A feeling of guilt She's not alone. Jenny Bayliss's first encounter with Karinya, when it first opened, was confronting. "It was bedlam," she said. "It wasn't until I went to pick her up and I heard the screaming that then I realised just what it was like." Her daughter, Sally, has epilepsy and wears a helmet everywhere.
Jenny Bayliss's daughter was assaulted in a Port
One night, early in her stay, Sally donned that Macquarie group home. Photo: ABC News helmet when she got up in the middle of the night. At one point another resident pushed Sally's head into the toilet door. Sally had to have five stitches in her head. "To me I certainly questioned whether I made the right decision to put her in the group home. I felt guilty," Ms Bayliss said. "If she hadn't had a helmet on, she could have been killed. "She was so totally defenceless and so totally reliant on me and it broke my heart." Ms Bayliss said she went to the police, who were sympathetic, but she said after the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care became involved their interest waned. "They just treated it like it was just a little incident in the playground where Sally skinned her knee," she said. "I felt my daughter had no rights and the perpetrators had all the rights. "I think they do try to push it under the carpet and I also think the staff are scared of losing their jobs." Ms Bayliss removed her daughter until there were reforms at the home. She concedes no-one could care for her daughter with the same diligence as her. "But she should have been kept safe. A home should be safe," she said. Continued over
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conclusion
The NSW Government said it had been doing specific work at Karinya and a core group of staff has been stable for two years. "During this time, we have had communication protocols in place to ensure parents receive regular updates and feedback from staff," a spokeswoman said. No-one's paid a heavier price for dysfunction in group homes than Laurice Hyam. The elderly mother lost her son, Michael, in 2014 when he choked on chocolate spread in a group home called Shearwater on the NSW south coast. The 45-year-old had a gorging condition that was known to staff but he got hold of the bulk container after a cupboard was left unlocked. Ms Hyam said Michael was supposed to have one-on-one care. He was found in the backyard where chocolate spread was smeared on a swing and shed nearby, suggesting he was unattended Laurice Hyam says she does not want other families to for some time. go through what she went through. Photo: ABC News "The person who was looking after him wasn't looking after him," Ms Hyam said. Ms Hyam said her son was suffering rapid weight loss prior to his death and would have been extremely hungry. To add insult to fatal injury, Ms Hyam then aged 76, was told about her son's death over the phone while she was at home alone. "I didn't even know where he was taken, which hospital he was at. What morgue he was in. It wasn't right. "I thought it was very poor form, bad manners, insensitive and traumatic to me." The mother of two only found out the cause of her son's death through a remark made at his funeral. "They withheld all this information because there was going to be a coronial inquiry," she said. "That's when I got extremely angry. Very, very angry," she said. Michael's death was the subject of a coronial inquiry who ruled it misadventure, but Ms Hyam maintains otherwise. Last year Ms Hyam took her case to the NSW Ombudsman and there have been changes to NSW group homes as a result. Cupboards now have lights that flash when unlocked. Whether those reforms transfer to a national system under the NDIS is another concern. "I know other people have suffered as well as I have," she said. "Staff selection was a big point, their qualifications need to be better than what they are." The tragedy was that it was not the only incident during Michael's many years in various group homes. "A lot of stuff was pushed under the carpet, quite a lot," Ms Hyam said. "I think it's unfair he had to go through that, to suffer that. I don't want other families to have to go through that, what I had to go through." Parents Jenny Wooster, Gail Fenton, Jenny Bayliss and Laurice Hyam say they all support calls for a royal commission nto the sector. Website: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-22/cuts-bruises-death-stories-from-grouphomes/7520456
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Media Release: Premier and Minister for the Arts The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk Brisbane to manufacture trial drug for Motor Neurone Disease SAN FRANCISCO: Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today (6 June 2016) announced a major deal that will see the manufacture of a potential new treatment for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in Brisbane. Ms Palaszczuk, who is leading a delegation of Queensland business and research leaders to the BIO International Convention in the United States (BIO 2016), said Patheon at Woolloongabba had signed a deal with Queensland company NuNerve Pty Ltd to manufacture a treatment for MND that will eventually be used in human trials. “This deal is based on research from the Queensland Brain Institute at the University of Queensland and from the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute,” the Premier said. The Queensland research team, led by Professor Perry Bartlett and Professor Andrew Boyd, have identified the role that a protein called EphA4 plays in repairing damaged motor neurons. The research holds up real hope of an effective way of treating this devastating disease. NuNerve Pty Ltd has entered into an agreement with Patheon to process, develop and manufacture this protein at its state-of-the-art biomanufacturing facility in Brisbane. The QBI will test the treatment in a series of lab tests with a view to doing human trials in the near future. “This is Queensland’s world-class science in action,” the Premier said. Ms Palaszczuk said Patheon’s scale-up manufacturing facility at Woolloongabba was the only facility of its kind in Australia, addressing a real need in drug development in Australia, providing contract manufacturing for biologic drugs and therapeutics. Biologics are medicines based on natural proteins made using DNA technology and are used for a range of medical conditions for which there are no other treatments, including cancer and autoimmune diseases. “Up until the establishment of this facility in 2013, our researchers and biotech companies had been forced to go overseas to source the quantities of the trial drugs they needed,” the Premier said. “Having a facility based in Brisbane that can do the job means our drug researchers can produce what they need much more cheaply and they have greater control over the products that are produced.” NuNerve Pty Ltd funds a number of MND research programs at the QBI. The company was established through a multi-million dollar bequest from Queensland entrepreneur Peter Goodenough who lost his life to MND in 2004. The Premier also said Patheon Biologics had signed a deal with US-based ZZ Biotech to manufacture its lead product 3K3A-APC, based on a naturally-occurring protein in the human body. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, ZZ Biotech is currently running a Phase 2 clinical trial in ischemic stroke patients in the United States. “The drug is also showing promise in wound-healing, based on research at the Kolling Institute at the University of Sydney. The company plans to run preclinical toxicology studies and human trials in Australia and the United States to assess the biologic as a new treatment for foot ulcers. “The Patheon facility is an integral part of my Government’s commitment to take research out of the lab and get it into the marketplace,” the Premier said.
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Queensland’s wellbeing report paints a clearer picture for improvement QCOSS Media release 11 April 2016
A new report released today reveals the interrelated nature of poverty and disadvantage and some of the key areas of concern in Queensland which need to be addressed, including violence in the home and education and health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) CEO Mark Henley said the QCOSS Queensland’s wellbeing 2016 report pulled together a broad range of data and was intended to help paint a clearer picture of where government and community needed to better target programs, policies and investment. “This report clearly shows the interrelated nature of poverty and disadvantage and how poor outcomes in one area of a person’s life can have a ripple effect which will impact not only the individual, but their immediate family and of most concern, generations after them,” Mr Henley said. “Queensland is doing well in many concerns – kindy participation is at nearly 100 per cent – however data shows that children from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are still missing out. “The number of Queensland children on care and protection orders or in out-of-home care remains stable, but the number of notifications of elder abuse and domestic and family violence is unacceptably high. It will be interesting to see how these statistics change with the current work being done by the government and their establishment of a taskforce to tackle family violence.” “QCOSS’ Queensland’s wellbeing 2016 report is designed to view, measure and track the wellbeing of all Queenslanders, help us pinpoint areas of poverty and disadvantage, and give us the evidence to change our responses to change people’s lives.” The report includes data regarding individuals and families and is based on seven key domains: safe; healthy; adequate standard of living; strong personal relationships; community connections; achieving in life; and secure for the future. Mr Henley said a strong evidence based was critical to developing and implementing policies, program and interventions that were timely, effective and provided value for money. “With one in eight people living in poverty, Queensland has much progress to make in terms of reducing income inequality and improving the economic and social opportunities for individuals, families and communities,” he said. “We believe this report will be of great value to people working in delivering social services in Queensland and those working in research and policy areas to clearly see that there is a direct correlation between chronic ill health, skyrocketing rents and electricity prices, poor education outcomes and low kindy attendance, just to name a few.” For more than 50 years QCOSS has been a leading force for social change to eliminate poverty and disadvantage. With members from throughout Queensland, QCOSS supports a strong community service sector. QCOSS Communication Manager – Karen Murphy 0423 245 252
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Sydney launches 'world's largest' braille and tactile network for visionimpaired pedestrians By Amanda Hoh 702 ABC Sydney 4 July 2016
The world's most comprehensive network of braille and tactile signs to help visually impaired pedestrians has been rolled out across Sydney. More that 2,100 braille and raised-letter signs have been installed at pedestrian crossings in the City of Sydney area. They were officially launched on Monday by Lord Mayor Clover Moore who said it was the "world's largest tactile network". "It's one of the most significant projects we've done to make sure our city is welcoming and The new signs will make a big difference to people who are vision impaired. Photo: 702 ABC Sydney accessible," Cr Moore said. "We want people to be independent around the city." The aluminium panels feature street names and building numbers in both braille and large, raised lettering. They have been placed next to push buttons at signalised crossing areas. Nicole Holmes, who uses a guide dog, said the signs would make a big difference to those who are blind or vision impaired. "The new signs help people who are vision impaired to move through the city safely, independently and with confidence," she said. "Being able to identify where I am without having to concentrate on orientation methods such as counting streets makes trips through the city far more pleasurable now. "The signs are easy to locate and read, whether you are reading the braille or raised print." For Rolf Geerings from Vision Australia, the signs will makes his life much easier once he loses his sight from macular degeneration. "It shows that in this country we can look after our own," he told the ABC. "It will help me move around the city and make me feel safe." According to Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, there are around 100,000 people with noncorrectable vision loss in NSW. Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore (left) and Vision Australia's Rolf Geerlings officially launch the new tactile signs. Photo: 702 ABC Sydney
That number is predicted to increase by more than 20 per cent by 2020.
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Media Statement: Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services and Minister for Corrective Services The Honourable Bill Byrne Tuesday, July 05, 2016
QPS raises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags for NAIDOC The vibrant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags are flying high in Brisbane after a flag-raising ceremony at Police Headquarters today in recognition of the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC). Police Minister Bill Byrne joined Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart at the important event. This year’s NAIDOC Week theme, Songlines - The living narrative of our nation, was celebrated at a breakfast after the ceremony. “For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Songlines or Dreaming tracks crisscross Australia and trace the journeys of ancestral spirits as they created the land, animals and lores,” Minister Byrne said. He said the week, which runs from July 3 to 10, was an important time to embrace and celebrate the culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples – the First Australians. Commissioner Stewart said the theme highlighted the importance of Songlines as a central part of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history. “This theme reflects our nation’s oldest living narrative, a part of our history we can all learn from and deeply respect,” he said. “Dreaming tracks or Songlines record the travels of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ancestral spirits who ‘sung’ the land into life. “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have been able to share their histories and keep a deep spiritual connection to land through their Songlines.” Commissioner Stewart said today’s ceremony was a chance to come together in celebration of the history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. “Every year the QPS joins Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to raise their flag. It’s an important event and an important time of year for us in the QPS to pay our respects to the traditional owners of the land,” Commissioner Stewart said. Minister Byrne encouraged Australians to learn more about Songlines in their region and get involved in NAIDOC events. “The Queensland Government will continue to work across communities, from Brisbane to Bamaga to Burketown towards long-term solutions,” Minister Byrne said. “We will also continue to celebrate the successes and reaffirm our friendships.” For a 2016 NAIDOC Week program, including a statewide calendar of events and online resources, visit: http://www.datsip.qld.gov.au/naidoc. Media contacts Minister Byrne: 0400 622 433 Police Media: (07) 3015 2444
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New JobAccess site launched National Disability Services: 6/07/2016
Photo courtesy of NDS
The Department of Social Services (DSS) has launched an upgraded version of its JobAccess website. Redesigned with input from people with disability, employers, industry and service providers, the new website is designed to serve as a national hub of information on disability employment related matters, including: • • • • • •
financial support workplace modifications help with finding and changing jobs creating flexible work environments links to career advice and training courses ways to connect with employers, providers and peak bodies.
JobAccess also provides a range of other tools and resources for people with disability, employers and service providers. Concurrency of support DSS has provided clarification on the new DES and Transition to Work (TTW) concurrency arrangements, including that extensions past the allowable six-month period may be granted in some circumstances. DES providers will be able to seek agreement from their Contract or Account Manager to continue servicing a TTW participant in DES beyond a six-month period. However, DSS will only approve cases where it can be demonstrated that genuine exceptional circumstances exist that justify keeping the participant in both DES and TTW. The duration of the extension will be considered when determining whether or not an extension should be approved. NDS has persistently sought this extension and applauds the Department for its decision. Further information on registering and commencing TTW participants can be found in the Direct Registration Guideline and the Eligible School Leavers Guideline. Census The DES-ESS Census for 2015-16 has been uploaded into the Employment Services System. DES-ESS providers (including new providers) are reminded that for the 2015-16 Census they are required to enter information regarding both the site and job seeker questions. The DES Census information is entered via ESS Web. The 2015-16 Census has to be completed by the end of August 2016. This will ensure that DSS can supply the required information on time to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Providers can access the Provider Portal for assistance with entering information onto ESS Web. Providers should access the DES Census page and look for the Disability Employment Services Census/NMDS Advice document. Further assistance can be obtained by emailing: DESCensus@dss.gov.au. Contact information Kerrie Langford, National Employment Manager, 02 6283 3202, kerrie.langford@nds.org.au.
Newsletter: June 2016
What’s On
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The next round (Round 8) of the Sport and Recreation Services (SRS) Get Started Vouchers program is due to open on 13 July 2016. It would be appreciated if the below details could be forwarded to any relevant contacts in your network as a reminder. What is Get Started Vouchers? Under the Get Started Vouchers program, vouchers of up to $150 are available to eligible children and young people, which can help pay for the cost of sport or recreation club membership, and/or participation fees through registered Get Started Vouchers clubs. If the child/young person or their parent/carer/guardian holds a valid Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, they can apply straight away online. In this case, there is no need to worry about having a recommendation from referral agents. Alternatively, children who do not fall into the above category can still apply by being nominated by two eligible referral agents. The full details of referral agent information and eligibility requirements are outlined online or in the attached Fact Sheet. I have also attached the Fact Sheet for parents, carers and guardians. Please note: • The vouchers are issued on a first come, first served basis. Once they have been allocated for the round, then the round closes. It is recommended to submit referral applications as quickly as possible to avoid missing out. • Applications close 28 September 2016 (or earlier if fully allocated). As this program really does make a difference for many families, we would value your support in promoting the program throughout Department of Housing and Public Works. If there are any queries from staff members, they can be directed to: PDU@npsr.qld.gov.au. The Program Development Unit will be happy to help. If you are assisting parents/carers/guardians with their applications, we recommend that they create an account prior to the round opening so they can apply as soon as possible. The department has a number of DL, A4 and A3 flyers used to promote the program. If you would like to receive some hardcopy flyers to distribute through your networks please contact the team at PDU@npsr.qld.gov.au indicating how many would be useful. Thank you for your assistance and support of the Get Started Vouchers program. Click here to download fact sheet for parents/care givers Click here to download fact sheet for referral agency
Get Started Vouchers Sport and Recreation Services Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing Level 8, 111 George Street, Brisbane PO Box 15187, Brisbane City East Q 4001
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Reports Independent Advocacy Townsville’s Submission: Review of the National Disability Advocacy Program Discussion Paper - June 2016 http://independentadvocacy.org.au/upload/files/IATSubmission_Review2016.pdf Willing to Work: The right to work is a fundamental human right, but one that far too many older people and people with disability in Australia do not enjoy. https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/disability-rights/publications/willing-worknational-inquiry-employment-discrimination The QCOSS Queensland Wellbeing Report: https://www.qcoss.org.au/sites/default/files/The%20QCOSS%20Queensland%20wel lbeing%202016%20report%20%28word%29%20%28June%29.pdf
Useful Resources The National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline (The Hotline) – a telephone service for reporting cases of neglect and abuse of disabled members of the community. Hotline: 1800 880 052 TIS: 13 14 50 TTY: 1800 301 130 NRS: 1800 555 677 Email: hotline@workfocus.com For more information visit the Website: http://www.disabilityhotline.net.au/
Welcome to the Disability Lawyer. The goal of this site is to provide a searchable, indexed resource of information about disability and the law.
http://www.thedisabilitylawyer.net.au/
NDIS Updates Queensland Government’s disability website www.qld.gov.au/disability Phone: 13 QGOV (13 74 68) Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services (Disability Services) www.communities.qld.gov.au/disability Phone: 13 QGOV (13 74 68) Email: disability@communities.qld.gov.au National Disability Insurance Agency www.ndis.gov.au Phone: 1800 800 110 Sign up to receive regular email updates at: www.ndis.gov.au/sign-updates
Disability and Health Apps and Tools The Queensland Government’s website has an extensive list of Mobile Apps and Tools to assist people with a disability. They have a link to the ACMA Consumer Guide (The Australian Communications and Media Authority's 'Apps & in-apps purchases: a guide for consumers') has information about understanding app basics, avoiding unintended purchases, getting refunds, dodging bill shock, and using apps safely and other useful links. http://www.qld.gov.au/disability/apps-tools/index.html
Newsletter: June 2016
Management Committee Chairperson and Public Officer: ..................................... Michael Collins Vice-Chairperson............................................................. Tania Hornberg Secretary: ........................................................................ Beverly Smith Treasurer: ....................................................................... Maria Hutton Ordinary Member: ........................................................... Richard Cordukes Associate Member: ......................................................... Aime Nganare
Staff Chief Executive Officer: .................................................. Deborah Wilson Advocates: ...................................................................... Anne Hansen .......................................................................................... Helen De Campo Advocate/EMRSO ............................................................ Tania Brown Administrator: ................................................................. Beverly Smith Reception/Admin Assistant ............................................ Kim Nicholls
Connecting With Us https://www.facebook.com/IndAdvocacyTownsville https://twitter.com/IndAdvocacyTsv www.independentadvocacy.org.au
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Nothing about us without us! This was the theme of the United Nations Assembly to ratify the Convention on the Rights of People with Disability. IAT works on the same principle – we are run by, and for, people with disability. This ensures that the agency is driven by people with a lived experience of disability and how societal values around disability impact on people’s lives. We are therefore able to remain relevant and focussed. Organisations like IAT can only survive with the involvement of community. We know there are many people with skills and experience that would be an asset to our organisation. Membership is open to anybody who supports the values, mission, and work of this agency. It is from the membership that we draw our management committee, which is the governing body of our organisation. Therefore, we are especially interested in people who want to become involved, who could contribute to the agency by supporting the work we do and the values we hold. In return, IAT offers the opportunity to be involved expand on and develop skills and experience relating to the governance of an organisation, and to be involved with like-minded people in a supportive environment.
What we believe IAT believes all people have the right to: • Be treated with respect and dignity • Be valued as individuals • Participate in the decisions and choices that effect their lives • Be involved in and contribute to their community • Safety and protection from abuse, neglect and exploitation • Live the life they choose
Membership is free for both ordinary and associate members. Ordinary Membership Ordinary Membership is open only to people with disability. Ordinary members have voting rights and can nominate for positions on the management committee. Ordinary members make up the majority of positions on the management committee.
Associate Membership Associate membership is available to any person concerned with issues affecting people with disability. Positions on the management committee (other than that of chairperson) are available to associate members; they have voting rights only for the period of their inclusion on the committee. What membership does not include: Automatic or preferential approval for advocacy support – all members, should they require advocacy, would be subject to the same entry criteria and referral process as any other person requesting advocacy support. Automatic approval for membership of the management committee – any person wishing to join the management committee must nominate and address a set of selection criteria. This is to ensure that members are able to support the values of the organisation.
If you would like to become a member of IAT, please complete one of the membership application forms at the back of this newsletter and return to the office for processing.
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ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM I would like to apply for Associate Membership of
Independent Advocacy Townsville Name: .................................................................................................................................. Signed: ........................................................ Address: .............................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................. Postal Address: ................................................................................................................... .............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................. Phone Number: ........................................... Date: ............................................................
On completion, please return to Independent Advocacy Townsville 2/179-181 Ross River Road MUNDINGBURRA QLD 4812 PO Box 3067 HERMIT PARK QLD 4812
Phone: Fax: E-mail:
1800 887 688 07) 47 252 505 07) 47 256 106 reception@iat.org.au
OFFICIAL USE ONLY Proposed by:
........................................................
Signed: ..........................................
Seconded by:
........................................................
Signed: ..........................................
Accepted by Meeting of the Management Committee. Date of Meeting: .....................................................
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ORDINARY MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM I would like to apply for Ordinary Membership of
Independent Advocacy Townsville Name: .................................................................................................................................. Signed: ........................................................ Address: .............................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................. Postal Address: ................................................................................................................... .............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................. Phone Number: ........................................... Date: ............................................................
On completion, please return to Independent Advocacy Townsville 2/179-181 Ross River Road MUNDINGBURRA QLD 4812 PO Box 3067 HERMIT PARK QLD 4812
Phone: Fax: E-mail:
1800 887 688 07) 47 252 505 07) 47 256 106 reception@iat.org.au
OFFICIAL USE ONLY Proposed by:
........................................................
Signed: ..........................................
Seconded by:
........................................................
Signed: ..........................................
Accepted by Meeting of the Management Committee. Date of Meeting: .....................................................