Link Magazine December-January 2024

December/January 2024 | Volume 33 Issue 6 linkonline.com.au $9.95 AUD / $11.50 NZ

WE TALK TO

Martin Wren founder of NOVA Employment

In this issue:

Meet a chocolatier / A boxer breaking boundaries / Wheelchair traveller takes us to the US / Challenging the sex taboo / Mobility / Book Giveaway / Happenings & More.

ANY AGE. ANY PLACE. SIMPLY HELPING YOU.

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Inside

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From the Editor

08-09

Cover Story – In conversation with Martin Wren

08

16

16-17

A shop for chocolate lovers

20-21

Dundee Kim – pushing the boxing boundaries

36-45

Mobility – innovations gaining traction

20

40

60-61

Autism Dads speak out

64-66

Travelling in the US

70-71

Talking Intimacy – A hot topic

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December/January 2024

70

72-73

Happenings – fashion, entertainment, sport and more

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From the Editor Publisher

Simon Cooper

Editor

Kymberly Martin kymberly@intermedia.com.au

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To subscribe visit www.intermedia.com.au P: 1800 651 422 or E: subscriptions@intermedia.com.au www.linkonline.com.au Link is published six times a year by Interpoint Events Pty Ltd. ABN: 9810 451 2469 A: 41 Bridge Road, Glebe NSW 2037 P: +61 2 9660 2113 F: +61 2 9660 4419 Reprints from Link are permitted only with the permission of the publisher. In all cases, reprints must be acknowledged as follows: ‘Reprinted with permission from Link Magazine’, and must include the author’s byline.

The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the publisher.

The Intermedia Group takes its Corporate and Social Responsibilities seriously and is committed to reducing its impact on the environment. We continuously strive to improve our environmental performance and to initiate additional CSR based projects and activities.

Our cover piece opens with a revealing Q&A from NOVA Employment CEO Martin Wren, who is committed to improving employment opportunities for people with disability. And we sweeten you up with a story from Paralympian, super sportsman and chocolatier Gerrard Gosens on Pages 16-17.

Boxing might not be everyone’s ideal sport, but it’s certainly helped a young man with autism. Read about Dundee Kim and his boxing endeavors on Pages 20-21.

Earlier this year a large group of Dads of children with autism got together on how they dealt with the condition.

The video got another airing on Father’s Day and Link has some excerpts from the event on Pages 60-61.

The Auslan Santa is arriving soon to Westfield centres across South Australia, Western Australia and the ACT, following the successful launch in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland last year. The expansion will allow Deaf and hard of hearing families the chance to share their Christmas wish-list directly with an Auslan-fluent Santa.

This magazine has been printed on paper produced from sustainably sourced wood and pulp fibre and is accredited under PEFC chain of custody.

PEFC certified wood and paper products come from environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of forests.

Auslan Santa will start arriving in Westfield stores from November 14 until December 24.

In addition to supporting the expansion of Auslan Santa at Westfield, Deaf Australia and event service providers, Scene to Believe, are continuing to educate and train all

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December/January 2024

Finally, we dive into sex and disability.

And no, it’s not a sealed section.

Go to Pages 68-71.

On that note, the Link team wishes all our readers a Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year.

Auslan Santa goes national

Launched as a pilot program in 2022 in collaboration with Deaf Australia, Auslan Santa offers children who use Auslan as their primary form of communication the opportunity to meet and sign with Santa. The bespoke sessions are longer and have helpers and an interpreter on hand to help facilitate.

As part of our company policy we ensure that the products and services used in the manufacture of this magazine are sourced from environmentally responsible suppliers.

There is a great travel article from Ali Wilcox who is travelling around the US in a wheelchair, embracing all the challenges along the way… surely proof that the journey matters just as much as the destination. Vision Australia has given Link three delightful book giveaways.

Read how to enter on page 18.

Like us on Facebook /linkdisabilitymagazine

Westfield Santas to better interact with Deaf and hard of hearing children.

Auslan Santa followed the success of Sensitive Santa, a tailored experience available for those with sensory challenges, anxiety, disabilities, or families who require more time.

It remains a national offering.

Bookings are now open for Auslan Santa. Customers can find out more and book sessions by visiting the website here. Or visit: www.westfield.com.au

Zoe meets Santa Claus

linkonline.com.au

Find a job where you can thrive.

Find a job that suits you.

Employment opportunities are a critical part of an inclusive, empowering community for people with disability.

Supported Employment We offer supported employment opportunities for people with disability wanting to gain new skills, be part of a team and earn an income to help you do the things you love.

Supported Employment can help you: • Learn new skills • Earn money • Be confident at work • Make new friends • Contribute in a safe, accessible space • Make a real difference • Feel job satisfaction in a rewarding job Learn more at: endeavour.com.au/supported-employment

We are hiring across Sydney, Melbourne and throughout Queensland.

Link to...Cover Story

Q&A with Martin Wren

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Martin Wren is CEO of NOVA Employment with over 30 years’ experience in disability employment.

He spoke to Link about the challenges and his quest for the perfect workplace.

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December/January 2024

COVER STORY

H

ow long have you been in the employment business and what sparked your interest?

I began working in disability services for NSW TAFE towards the end of 1987.

Prior to this I had been unwell so was desperate to be doing something and would have settled for anything that would give me time to care for my family and pay my bills.

My GP finally found a fix for my health issue as prior to this I could only hold down part time work. TAFE offered me a job I could manage, where I fell hopelessly in love with my new job, my students and my new friends. An early incarnation of the Transition program, a disability school to employment program, TAFE wanted my students to get jobs, so did the associated teachers and most of all so did the students, their families and friends. They all inspired me.

Your greatest achievement?

Even though people with significant disabilities are routinely denied employment, hope, and opportunity, today NOVA Employment will finish creating four new taxpayers and tomorrow, we will do the same. I know that these four new workers will get 40 per cent more in their pay packets than the industry average for People with Disability (PwD). Best of all they will be almost over 50 per cent more likely to be in their jobs in 12 months’ time. Being part of the crew that built this program is pretty cool.

If you met with NDIS Minister Shorten what would you ask him?

How on earth are you going to get us out of the complete farrago that is the NDIS? Your views on the NDIS? I could write a book on the failings and confusion that is the NDIS and the standout confusion for me relates to the NDIS and employment. NDIS service providers generally have no understanding of the best way to get great employment outcomes for PwD and little insight into supporting individual need.

From memory the NDIS was to be part funded by the savings achieved by giving extra employment opportunities to people with disability. That’s not happening. There is a pressing need to clearly define the roles of DES and NDIS funded services and end the fogginess.

The latest Royal Commission said in its report that the DES program is currently not meeting the needs of PwD or employers. I don’t know if the Commission would agree entirely with me and identify the ridiculous administration burden and associated red tape faced by DES programs.

Surely there’s no need for four annual audits covering essentially the same ground. That said, and acknowledging every criticism, Australia still has the best DES program in the world, it’s just that it could be so much better.

“ There is a pressing need to clearly define the roles of DES and NDIS funded services and end the fogginess.”

What lies ahead for your company?

We are excited about NOVA’s progress, as there are now processes and systems to support a much larger organisation without a drop in standards. ‘Apples with apples’ comparison shows NOVA outperforms all other DES ESS providers programs and our current data shows 88 per cent of people who achieve 26 weeks in employment go on to achieve 52 weeks or more against the national average of 23.2 per cent. NOVA consistently attains employment hours far above other services, workers work on average 24.8% per week, earning a $612.06 weekly wage.

What is a typical workday for you?

I start answering emails from 6 am and my driver picks me up around 8 or 9 am and work takes me through until early afternoon when my Parkinson’s requires a nap then I am usually back in the game for a couple of hours.

Artificial Intelligence and its effects, if any, on the disability employment sector?

Just a few weeks ago and I would have said, not many. However, that was before I saw AI in operation, creating resumes and rewriting material while doing a better job and a much faster job than the original author – me!

Your hopes for the disability employment workplace in 2024?

This would be both hope and fears. Sometime during 2024 the Department of Social Services will release the new disability employment services contract, and this will be in operation for the next five years.

The new contract is a chance to truly act on behalf of PwD and create an environment where we can thrive.

However, my concerns are that previous contracts have a strong compliance focus and contain ‘outcomes’ that are less in tune with the needs of PwD. What concerns you most at the moment?

Unfortunately, I don’t have any milk, and was rather looking forward to a cup of tea.

Any trends affecting your business positively or negatively?

A movement to mistakenly equate work carried out by persons engaged in Competitive Integrated Employment, working in jobs like yours and mine, with those provided by the plethora of sheltered workshops disguised by other names. Among the Royal Commission recommendations were that the Australian Government lift the minimum wages payable to employees with disability to 100 per cent of the minimum wage by 2034. Also, the DSS develop and implement a National Inclusive Employment Roadmap to transform ADEs and eliminate subminimum wages for people with disability by 2034.

Personal philosophy?

Borrowed from Winston Churchill: “If you are going through hell, keep going”. linkonline.com.au

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Link to...News

Occupational Therapy that advocates and affirms all learners

By Olivia Karaolis

O

ccupational therapists (OT’s) have a history of supporting the inclusion of individuals with disabilities. They do this through removing barriers that people of any age may encounter in their daily experience and through supporting them to do the things they want to do independently. The term Neurodiversity was coined by Australian OT Judy Singer in 1997 and the subject of her PhD thesis that examined a growing movement that recognised the oppression of people with autism and sought to respect and validate their unique ways of experiencing the world.

Other individuals who may describe themselves as neurodivergent may also have a lived experience of: • Autism • Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) • Down syndrome • Dyscalculia (difficulty with maths) • Dysgraphia (difficulty with writing) • Dyslexia (difficulty with reading) • Dyspraxia (difficulty with coordination) • Intellectual disabilities • Mental health conditions • Prader-Willi syndrome • Sensory processing disorders • Social anxiety (a specific type of anxiety disorder) • Tourette syndrome • Williams syndrome Source: Cleveland Clinic, 2023 OT’s can play a tremendous role in supporting individuals to celebrate who

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December/January 2024

they are and to change the perceptions of others in a range of settings. One of these places is schools and higher education.

Language: Our views, feelings and respect for others is reflected in our language. This means so much more than using appropriate disability language and professional terminology and includes asking individuals how they would like to describe their disability and using this consistently in your practice. This respect for the preferences of your client can have a ripple effect and influence others to become familiar and utilise the same language, affirming the choices of your client in a range of settings. In schools, OT’s can advocate for students to have their disability referred to with the language of their choice, either person first or identity first and have that accepted and used by their teachers and peers. An OT can explain how our use of language in the field of disability is evolving and now reflects the individual’s sense of identity or that of their families.

Environment: Schools and other public spaces have not always been designed to consider the sensory needs of neurodiverse populations. Lightening, furnishings, colour choices and acoustics can impact our experiences.

In classrooms, this includes the choice and presentation of learning materials, the tools and equipment used to engage learners or offered to express their knowledge and ideas. Not all classrooms provide equitable ways

of learning, listening, and playing. An OT can observe children and young people and suggest changes to the environment that may be distracting or unhelpful. They can introduce alternative materials, technology, and ways of playing that enhance learning and development and respect the student. Another powerful message is communicated here and that is one that values multiple ways a person can learn in a classroom and share that learning with others.

Voice: Students who identify as neurodiverse learners may not always have the confidence to express their needs to others, including their teachers. An OT can provide children and young people with a voice to express themselves or share with teachers and students’ information that is important. For example, a child may find certain pieces of clothing or classroom resources unpleasant or difficult to use because of how they feel, look, sound or smell. This reaction may be unique to that person and difficult for another person to appreciate. An OT can have the expertise and confidence to convey this information and encourage teachers to make changes and adjustments to the learning environment that they may not have previously considered. Other examples can include learning goals that recognise and value difference, rather than goals that seek to “fix” a child and have them do things that are more in tune with the child. Some of these may include slowing down their speech, saying the child’s name to get their attention, reducing the amount of language or complexity of instructions and providing individuals with choices in how they want to communicate.

Dr Olivia Karaolis, lecturer, Special & Inclusive Education, University of Sydney.

Link to...Social Impact

My Future, My Choice – 2024 expo program

P

resented by the Impact Institute, the My Future, My Choice Disability Expo program is a remarkable event series focused on empowering individuals, families, and caregivers navigating life with disabilities.

Centred on the theme of choice, these expos unite a diverse array of service providers offering medical and wellness services, long-term care options, financial opportunities, travel experiences, lifestyle enhancements, sports engagement, cutting-edge equipment, assistive technology, and mobility aids tailored to individuals with varying capabilities.

The My Future, My Choice Disability Expos represent a comprehensive event program that caters to the diverse needs and interests of

individuals living with disabilities and their support networks.

It serves as an invaluable platform to explore the latest advancements and services in the disability sector, learn from experts, and establish connections within a community of like-minded individuals.

The 2024 expo program includes the addition of two new venues: • • • • •

• • •

Canberra Disability Expo: September 6-7 Brisbane Disability Expo: October 11-12 Melbourne Disability Expo: November 22-23

For more information visit: impactinstitute.com.au/disabilityexpos/

Geelong Disability Expo: February 23-24 South-West Disability Expo: March 22-23 Hunter Disability Expo: May 10-11 Gold Coast Disability Expo: June 7-8 Sydney Disability Expo: August 2-3

2024 EXPO CALENDER

My Future, My Choice More choice, more impact from Australia’s biggest disability expos

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We’re thrilled to present the upcoming 2024 program of My Future, My Choice Disability Expos, brought to you by ImpactInstitute, taking place at different locations along Australia’s eastern seaboard. These Expos aim to unite disability product and service providers with attendees, whilst sparking creativity and empowering attendees for a brighter tomorrow.

Kicking off the year, we’re excited to present the Geelong Disability Expo on Friday 23rd & Saturday 24th February 2024, from 9am - 3pm, at the Geelong Arena. Best of all, entry is FREE!

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Link to...Employment

An alternative solution to sourcing and employing disability support workers Once everything is formalised, support workers simply submit timesheets, the participant approves them, and Carer Solutions takes care of the rest.

Partnering with Carer Solutions enabled Anne and John to ‘think outside the square’ when building Jo’s trusted team of support workers.

Carer Solutions CEO and founder, Jane Morrell said Carer Solutions has been providing an innovative solution for people with disability for over a decade now.

Anne & John Page with Jo

W

hen looking to bring on support workers for yourself or a family member, ability and availability are key, but finding someone you trust and genuinely connect with is equally important.

For Anne and John Page, raising their daughter with Down syndrome in a small regional town of 700 people, certainly came with challenges. As their daughter Jo grew older, they found finding support workers who they not only trusted, but who Jo genuinely enjoyed spending time with, had become almost impossible.

When they heard about Carer Solutions’ Direct Employ service from a friend, they immediately knew it was the solution they needed.

Ensuring that Jo had a connection with a potential support worker was the most important thing for Anne and John. They didn’t want strangers coming into their home, they wanted people who understood Jo, embraced

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her interests and who felt like part of the family.

“Whenever we went into the local post office, there was a lovely woman called Wendy, who took the time to engage with Jo, and Jo just loved going in to see her for a chat,” Anne said.

After noticing the strong connection between Wendy and Jo, Anne decided to ask Wendy if she would be interested in being employed by the Page family to be one of Jo’s support workers. She said yes without hesitation and has been with the family for over four years.

Carer Solutions remains the only organisation in Australia that supports people living with disability to employ support workers that they already know and trust. They partner with individuals and their support networks, to take care of all the complicated and time-consuming employer obligations including compliance, payroll (pay, super and tax) and WorkCover insurance.

“In 2012, a year before the NDIS was introduced, I created Carer Solutions.

I had worked in the disability sector for a number of years and had met with countless frustrated and exhausted families across Australia who were facing a significant lack of options when it came to finding suitable support workers.”

Carer Solutions’ unique direct employ model is especially helpful for those participants with specific cultural and linguistic barriers, or for those living in regional and remote areas, where accessing support is even more challenging.

You can learn more about Carer Solutions and their Direct Employ service by visiting: www.carersolutions.com.au or call: 1300 729 839.

CEO Jane Morrell

Frustrated by the lack of Support Workers in your area?

Jo and Wendy

Since 2011, we’ve helped thousands of Aussies employ people they already trust as their Support Workers.

How it works:

1. You find people suitable for your support needs and agree their pay rates.

2. We take care of all the compliance, such as police checks, and onboard them as your employees.

3. You simply approve and submit your Support Worker timesheets and we take care of the rest.

4. This includes insurance and all your payroll obligations, including super and tax.

Your Support Workers don’t even need an ABN!

Like to know more about how this could work for you?

Give us a call on

1300 729 839 or scan the QR code

Link to...Profile

Gerrard Gosens - a winning strategy for life Gerrard Gosens aims for the top. Besides embracing feats such as attempting to climb Mt Everest, preparing to be the first totally blind person to swim the English Channel he found time to tap into the chocolate business. to overcome, the lack of visual ‘keys’, that a baby learns from the facial expressions of their parents. When he took on the challenge, his dancing partner was brilliant at giving him verbal and tactile cues to the dance moves, but his facial expressions were a problem. “We danced the rhumba, and you have to look like its sexy and hot, but how would I know how to have a sexy face, I’ve never seen one, he told Link. Despite that drawback, he still made the finals!

After enjoying many European chocolates on his adventures, he became aware of his heightened sense of taste and smell and trained as a chocolatier in Paris.

he

Bo

ss ?

He creates new flavours and textures of handmade chocolates that are sold at his Chocolate Moments business in Brisbane.

t ’s ho W

T

he world has dramatically changed in the last century for people with vision impairment or who are blind, with various tools and technology, freeing them from a life of dependence and isolation to enjoy a full career and family life, like everyone else.

and encourages other sight impaired people to step outside their comfort zones. The 53-year-old married his wife Heather in 1993. They have a son Jordan and daughter Taylor, who was born with his congenital condition and has 4 per cent vision.

Gerrard Gosens is a man of huge and wide-ranging achievements. Born blind in Yeppoon, Queensland, he lives an action-packed life. An adventurer, businessman, philanthropist, athlete and chocolatier who leads the way in changing our perceptions of blindness

Gosens is highly accomplished, well known for his sporting pursuits including multiple swimming marathons, three Paralympics, piloting a glider, parachuting and a contestant on Dancing with the Stars. This venture provided another challenge for him

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Many guiding lights led the way Helen Keller was the one who really changed things for the blind, he said, “Of course the white cane, Braille and Guide Dogs were extremely important as tools to help us, but the deal breaker is what is happening in your head.

“You can have the latest in Bluetooth technology and iPhone apps, but unless you feel that you can do something, it won’t happen. It’s just the same for sighted people,” he said.

“When Helen came to Australia in 1948, she was feted as a celebrity, with crowds thronging to hear her speeches, amazed that a blind and deaf woman could achieve so much. Nothing stopped her, she just went ahead and achieved and is still a role model for the blind, years after her death.”

PROFILE

Blind from babyhood, Keller achieved a university education, wrote books and travelled the world changing the public perception of their way of life and was given civic receptions in town halls, toured schools, hospitals and libraries.

But even with the will, and modern tools, it is not easy, according to Gosens. When studying for his business degree at university, the textbooks weren’t in Braille, and he was dependent on well-meaning volunteers reading them onto a tape recorder. “Sometimes they were agonisingly slow, then not clear as the person wanders off to pat the cat, then the noise of birds, or a plane passing overhead. I probably spent triple the time of a sighted person to read one page,” he said.

How sweet it is

Then there are flat screens now with no texture to call up in lifts in office buildings, EFPOS machines and ATMs and all the visual bombardment of the world is out of reach.

Technology greatly improved the life of blind people, but the origins of assistance go back to the 18th century.

The system of raised dots on the page was invented during the Napoleonic Wars by a French soldier so the troops could see instructions in the dark.

Louis Braille, who was blinded at the age of three, adapted the system of embossing paper as a means of reading for the blind in 1824 while a student at the National Institute for Blind Children in Paris.

After World War 1 the number of blind people increased due to mustard gassing and injuries from shelling. The Red Cross and other organisations set up workshops for disabled veterans to learn skills that would return them to new and former professions. Braille Remington typewriters enabled them to get employment in professions like banking, accounting and management.

Then in 1921 the white cane, a simple but effective tool was invented by James Biggs, an English photographer who became blind following an accident. Because he was feeling uncomfortable with the amount of traffic around his home, he painted his walking stick white to be more easily visible.

The modern Guide Dog story also began due to First World War wounded veterans. A German doctor, Gerhard Stalling, noting how animals interacted with the blind, conceived the idea of training dogs to be the ‘eyes’ of the blind.

Guide Dogs for the Blind Association of Queensland was born when Hubie Morris, of Townsville, became the first person to receive a Guide Dog, Halda in 1960.

Gosens, then a 16-year-old high school student at Yeppoon and the youngest Queenslander to own a Guide Dog, has owned five dogs and his current companion Boss, aged eleven years, will be retiring this year. His fourlegged muses are inspiring him as he writes his book ‘My Eyes and a Wet Nose’ about the quirky and funny experiences with his dogs.

Channel swim next April to raise funds for Great Dreams, a charity that encourages young people to aim high.

He recently became the first totally blind swimmer to circumnavigate 2km around Queensland’s Great Keppel Island to prepare him for the channel swim. He is also involved in the launch of the new Willi Wonka prequel movie, with a stellar British cast including Hugh Grant and chocolates!

To order his chocolates with delivery nationally go to: chocolatemoments.com.au

One story that made the front pages was the news that he was the first blind person to drive a car with his dog. ‘One woof for turn right and two woofs for left,’ said the story. One woman rang the paper in a fury, and asked how he could reverse park?’ No one thought to check the calendar for the date…

April 1.

Apart from running the chocolate business, he will be tackling the English

In the swim

linkonline.com.au

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Link to...News

The Disability Royal Commission lands!

By Natalie Wade

O

n September 29, 2023 – an unassuming warm Spring Friday in Adelaide and the Friday before the Grand Final on the East Coast of Australia – the final report of the Royal Commission into the Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disabilities was made public by the Government.

After 4.5 years of inquiry, following over a decade of advocacy calling for the Royal Commission, it took 12 volumes, 222 recommendations and two Federal Ministers to reveal the roadmap to reform of disability rights in Australia.

The first two recommendations are to legislate for a Federal Disability Rights Act and with that Act, establish a National Disability Commission.

The National Disability Commission

would be empowered to conduct research, provide advice through voluntary compliance reviews, handling complaints and be able to intervene in court proceedings.

The National Disability Commission would also have coercive powers to conduct inquiries, enter enforceable undertakings, issue compliance notices, and seek injunctions to stop or prevent breaches of the Disability Rights Act. It would be chaired by a person with disability and comprise a small group of commissioners, the majority of which being people with disability and represent the diversity of people with disability. Australia has never had such a commission like the National Disability Commission. It would be a significant step toward realising

disability rights as articulated by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (UNCRPD).

At the time of writing, the Australian Government has announced an intergovernmental taskforce to review the recommendations and provide their response. There is great hope that the Disability Royal Commission will change the nation’s course toward greater inclusion of people with disabilities without significant delay.

We must do better and show clear leadership as a country by committing to the full realisation of the human rights of people with disabilities.

Natalie Wade, founder and director, Equality Lawyers – 08 7084 1190 or natalie@equalitylawyers.com.au

BRAILLE BOOK GIVEAWAY

V

ision Australia has three of the latest braille books to give away…Dressed for Success by Nikki Hind, the blind chef Craig Shanahan’s Cooking up a Storm and Surfing in the Dark by Matt Formston.

About the authors: Nikki Hind lost most of her eyesight after a stroke, but it did not stop her dream of becoming a fashion designer; Craig Shanahan is almost completely blind but this avid

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December/January 2024

foodie now runs a café in Penrith NSW; Paralympian and world champion surfer Matt Formston, almost completely blind since childhood, knows all about taking on the big waves.

TO ENTER: Tell us in a few words why you would like one of these books.

Send your name and contact details to kymberly@intermedia.com.au

by December 15, 2023. These books would make a lovely Christmas gift too!

Link to...Personal Care & Equipment

Simply Helping people with limited mobility said. “But we also might deliver social support, personal care, and more. For example, we support a young person who can walk independently, but only for short distances, so we help them take care of their home, looking after the gardening, lawn mowing, and general cleaning.

“We also support someone who is a wheelchair user, where we provide assistance with their entire daily routine, from dressing and hygiene to nutrition and grocery shopping.

The difference is that we take the time to sit down and understand the people we support, including their needs and their preferences, so we can provide customised assistance that suits them and their unique abilities.”

“Our job is to help people enjoy independence”

M

any of us don’t give our mobility a second thought.

We hop out of bed each morning with minimal effort, go about our routines with ease, and access our community without hesitation.

But for people with limited mobility, the daily experiences many of us take for granted might require some extra planning and support. This is where home support services can be instrumental; with the help of a home care provider, people with lower mobility are able to enjoy an independent and fulfilling life in the comfort of their homes.

Simply Helping director and founder, Angela Feery-Richards, spoke to Link about the home care providers approach to supporting people with lower mobility. “We proudly support many people with limited mobility,”

Feery-Richards said, “In some cases, we might only provide temporary support to someone who is recovering from illness or surgery, but we also provide regular support to people who live with lower mobility more permanently due to age or disability.

For us, support is about flexibility because no two people are the same, and we believe there’s no standard approach to supporting a person with lower mobility.”

Home care providers like Simply Helping offer a range of services that could benefit people with limited mobility, depending on their needs.

“Common services we might provide to someone with mobility concerns could be transport, taking them to and from appointments or family events, or domestic assistance, where we help with household chores,” she

People living with limited mobility should be able to enjoy life without compromise, she said. “Lower mobility might mean limited movement, but it shouldn’t mean limited lifestyle and quality of living. Our job is to help people enjoy independence and the freedom to live how they want to live, and I think we achieve that. If we can help you stay happy, healthy, and living life on your terms, then we’ve done what we need to do.”

Simply Helping is a registered NDIS and home care provider, servicing locations across Australia, including Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and Perth.

With flexible and tailored support options, Simply Helping enables people with disability to live happily and comfortably in their own homes.

Visit simplyhelping.com.au to learn more. linkonline.com.au

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Link to...Profile

Boxing Clever

By Roy Skillen

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A Brisbane boxer is breaking down the barriers for people with autism

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or many parents the thought of sending their kids to a boxing class can drum up all sorts of negative emotions and ideas. All they see is aggression, anger and injuries that will be carried over into day-to-day life, fighting with siblings or even bullying at school. When people think of boxers it tends to be Rocky with his swollen eyes and bloody nose or Mike Tyson and all the negativity that once surrounded his nature in the ring.

But boxing is of often overlooked for the good that it does around the world.

Boxing gets people off the streets, gives them a purpose and in some cases wealth, fame, and notoriety.

However, the teachings of trainers and coaches go far deeper than material possessions and championship belts.

As boxing, it’s training and its teachings can literally save lives and that reach is always expanding.

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Many sporting organisations are now creating All Abilities programs designed to give everybody the chance to train and compete in their chosen sport. For parents raising kids on the autism spectrum this offers them a great opportunity as studies show vigorous exercise can help children manage certain symptoms.

with ASD to let off steam, stay fit, develop confidence and improve other cognitive skills.

Exercise has long been seen as beneficial for your physical health and doctors are now more likely to prescribe a jog than medication for mild cases of depression and anxiety. But boxing brings something different to the table, and it isn’t just about getting fit. Boxing requires self-discipline, intense focus, mental fortitude, and good coordination, all of which are cognitive skills that children living on the autism spectrum tend to lack. A boxing gym offers a sensory wonderland for children living

“School bullies made me think about learning self-defence, I was a very shy farm boy and just wanted to be strong,” he said, talking about his early ventures into boxing. “They would knock me off my bike on my way home from school and tell me that I would have to give them all the coins in my pocket, or I would get a punch for every coin they found.”

Dundee Kim is a boxing trainer based in Brisbane. He grew up with what he now sees as undiagnosed autism and took up boxing to help build his self-confidence and fight off the local bullies.

Looking back on this time of his life, Dundee now thinks there could have been a reason for his severe shyness

PROFILE

and another reason he was targeted by the bullies that changed the course of his life.

“I think I was autistic when I was in primary school. “My wife went to the same school with me, and she says that I was exactly like kids with autism that we work with now. I didn’t make eye contact, I was shy, never talked to other people and was very behind in my academics.”

As Dundee improved his skills, he would quickly become a two-time amateur champion in his home state in South Korea before heading to Japan and China to study languages and hone his skills as a boxing trainer.

It was the move to Australia that would see him finally make a name for himself when he guided Jeff Horn to a historical victory over boxing legend Manny Pacquiao before helping Joe Camilleri become the WBC Australasian Welterweight Champion not once, but twice. However, despite reaching the pinnacle of the sport as a trainer, it’s his memories of growing up as that scared kid that saw him open his gym to children on the autism spectrum.

Making the right connections Michael is 21 and living with an ASD Level 2 diagnosis as well as other intellectual impairments. “He is not able to hold a full-time job because of this lack of constant concentration and struggles to get any kind of certification because of his intellectual impairment.

He had difficulties with fine and gross motor skills but has been able to overcome the gross motor skills but still struggles with the other,” his mother Marie said, when asked about his symptoms and how boxing has helped him manage them over the years.

“Michael started going to Dundee when he was about 10 years old,” she said. “I was looking for a sport that he could do to get exercise and build his confidence.

Because he finds team sports difficult, I needed to get something that he could do on his own.”

For Michael, the connection with the gym, the people, the training, and Dundee was instant. And it was the

improvement in the management of his symptoms and the growth in strength, overall mood and his new positive selfimage that excited Marie and Michael the most.

“Michael loved going to train at the gym. For the first year he trained with Dundee and nobody else and they built up a great relationship and friendship,” Marie said. “But that grew with the other trainers and members in the gym as well. He saw it as his gym family and was nicknamed Ninja by some of the other boxers. He loved building up his strength and being accepted for who he is and seeing what he could achieve daily. It really was the winning recipe for helping him socially and physically, developing his gross motor skills and building heaps of confidence for the outside world.”

“A winning recipe, socially and physically”.

With his simple philosophy of “it’s better to try than not,” while using fun sessions and incorporating specific numbering techniques to signify certain punches, Dundee has watched Michael and others overcome behavioural challenges, grow their confidence, improve their posture, and become stronger than ever.

And science is there to back up Dundee’s observations. A 2012 article published in Science Direct cites several scientific studies that suggest this type of vigorous exercise does more than just help keep children with ASD fit.* While the positives are there, there is still a stigma around the sport especially when it comes to potential injuries and in particular, head trauma.

However, fighting and sparring in the ring are not necessary to see the benefits. Instead, it’s the structured, skills-based training regime that hit’s the spot.

“He never wanted to box, so no contact,” Marie said referring to any concerns about Michael getting hurt.

“He does not like conflict or sparing with other people, or the trainer. For him it was only about the friendship in the gym. He is very social and loves being part of the gym family while getting fit and healthy.”

For more information on boxing programs contact: dundee@brisbaneboxinggym.com.au *https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/ abs/pii/S1750946711001516

“Because of the issues I had growing up I always want to help kids improve their self-esteem, self-confidence and their ability to communicate by building them up physically which helps them focus and reduces any anxiety,” Dundee said.

“I teach proper boxing techniques while utilising the body weight for the work out. But it’s important to make the sessions fun. I also use numbers when training. One is the jab, two might be a ducking move then I back it up with positive reinforcement, ’you can do it, well done, fantastic, you did really well,’ etc.

“The positive effects are numerous.

“Parents report better emotional regulation, improved fitness, sensory integration, and in the long run, happier more confident kids.”

Dundee Kim and Michael

Dundee Kim and Michael

linkonline.com.au

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Link to...Employment

Embracing Inclusivity: A Success Story from The Grand View Hotel of acknowledging and nurturing the potential within every individual.

Central to the success of this partnership was the unwavering support provided by NOVA Employment. The organisation not only carefully matches candidates to suitable jobs but also offers ongoing assistance to both the employee and the business. This level of dedication ensures a seamless integration and sustainable professional growth for the employees, creating a win-win situation for everyone involved.

…pride in fostering a fair and diverse workforce

The Grand View Hotel general manager, Brett Scheibel

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n the bustling world of hospitality, finding the right staff can be a challenge. But for The Grand View Hotel, the journey to a more inclusive workforce began when they partnered with NOVA Employment, a not-for-profit dedicated to connecting people with disability to suitable job opportunities. The Grand View Hotel’s general manager, Brett Scheibel, recently shared his experience about hiring a worker through NOVA. The collaboration between The Grand View Hotel and NOVA Employment materialised when NOVA approached Scheibel, offering a candidate perfectly suited for a hospitality role. Initially employed as a kitchen hand, the NOVA worker quickly proved his capabilities and positive attitude. Recognising his

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potential, the hotel promoted him to front-of-house duties, where he excelled.

Scheibel highlighted the worker’s strengths, emphasising his punctuality, willingness to go the extra mile, professionalism, and attention to detail.

According to Scheibel, “When you hire a prospective employee from NOVA you are getting someone who wants to work and wants to be a contributing member of society, not someone who has been sent to us to satisfy their Centrelink obligations.”

At the heart of The Grand View Hotel’s commitment to inclusivity lies the belief in providing equal opportunities. Scheibel expressed pride in fostering a fair and diverse workforce, emphasising the importance

Scheibel addressed common misconceptions about hiring individuals with disabilities. He urged employers not to underestimate their abilities, emphasising the importance of providing opportunities for personal and professional growth. He highlighted the transformative power of giving individuals a chance to learn, adapt, and highlight their talents.

The Grand View Hotel’s partnership with NOVA Employment displays the immense value of inclusivity in the workplace. By recognising and harnessing the potential of individuals with disability, businesses cannot only create a more diverse and vibrant workforce but also contribute significantly to societal progress.

The story of The Grand View Hotel and its NOVA worker serves as an inspiring example, reminding us that embracing inclusivity enriches lives, fosters growth, and creates a world where everyone has an opportunity to shine.

www.novaemployment.com.au

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Link to...Employment

Tyler continues to learn and thrive at Coles Tyler Cook’s pursuit of his dream job has paid off in more ways than just a pay packet.

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ix years into his role as retail assistant at Coles, Tyler continues to challenge himself to learn new skills, and enjoys connecting with customers from his local community.

“The thing I like the most, is the cash registers and working with the customers, they are kind,” Tyler said.

The MatchWorks team first met Tyler when he was 19 years old. He was highly motivated to find work, visiting local businesses to introduce himself. He had a clear picture of what he wanted from MatchWorks as his Disability Employment Services (DES) provider, with a job at his local Coles in Lara at the top of his wish list.

Tyler’s mother Sharon supported his career goals but was also acutely aware of the barriers that people living with

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disability can experience in their search for meaningful work.

“When he was younger, Tyler always wanted to work at Coles. And we used to say to him, ‘oh maybe one day mate, there’s plenty of other things out there to do’. We never thought that he would get a chance to do it,” she said.

MatchWorks employment engagement partner, Joanne Falcone worked closely with Coles, assisting with access to government funding, and providing recruitment and onboarding support.

Tyler was offered a position at Coles Lara, where he continues to be a valued team member.

“He has really come into his own, which is amazing, and he is a completely different person than I met all those years ago… there has been a huge turnaround in his demeanour,” she said.

“Tyler has year-on-year demonstrated that he’s productive, a value to the business and customers enjoy seeing him.”

MatchWorks post placement support officer, Katrina Gafa provides ongoing assistance to Tyler and the team at Coles to support his ongoing success.

“He provides the best customer service. Regular customers stop and see how Tyler has been or ask for help.

If he is unable to assist, he asks them to come with him and finds someone who can,” she said. “Tyler is constantly wanting to challenge himself and be delegated new tasks to keep learning at work. He has said he would like to work towards becoming an assistant department manager.”

Learn more about MatchWorks Disability Employment Services at: matchworks.com.au

Link to...Employment

Do you have a NDIS plan and are looking for a job?

AimBig Employment can help. to your individual needs. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach; instead, we focus on your strengths, aspirations, and challenges to provide personalised guidance that leads to long-lasting employment success.

We’re local with a national impact With over 130 offices strategically located across Australia, AimBig Employment ensures our services are accessible to job seekers in all states and territories.

Our nationwide presence creates more opportunities for you to find the perfect job fit as we partner with employers right across the country.

Our commitment to you: •

•

A

imBig Employment is proud of its commitment to serving and supporting people with disability, injury or illness into employment. With over 5,000 people placed into meaningful and on-going employment, we love to listen and work with you to ensure you find the right path. As one of Australia’s largest registered Disability Employment Services (DES) providers, we specialise in helping you find a job that works for best for you. AimBig Employment is here to help you make your difference.

A simplified journey to employment While the NDIS and DES are separate services, being on a NDIS plan does

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simplify the process of accessing employment support through DES. To start the process, all you need to do is contact AimBig Employment and we do the work for you. We’re dedicated to breaking down barriers and simplifying the process for you, so together we can focus on assisting you to get that job.

Expert guidance and support from job coaches At AimBig Employment, we understand that every job seeker is unique. Our dedicated team of highly specialised and experienced job coaches are committed to finding solutions tailored

•

•

No impact on your NDIS plan: The free support that AimBig Employment provides does not impact your NDIS plan.

Personalised support: We take the time to understand your skills, interests, and aspirations. Through this, we develop a tailored plan that aligns with your career goals.

Job matching: Our expert job coaches leverage their industry knowledge to connect you with employers who value diversity and inclusivity.

Ongoing assistance: Our support doesn’t end when you land a job.

We offer ongoing assistance to ensure your success and satisfaction in your new role.

Empowering lives together, at AimBig Employment, we don’t just find jobs; we create pathways to a brighter future.

To see how AimBig Employment can help, visit aimbigemployment.com.au or contact us on: 1300 034 997.

We’ve got you!

AimBig Employment is a registered Disability Employment Services (DES) provider that specialises in helping people with disability, injury or illness.

If you are aged 14-65 and on an NDIS plan, AimBig Employment can provide free support to find the right job for you.

To see how we can help call us on 1300 034 997 or visit us online at aimbigemployment.com.au.

Link to...Employment

Supporting autistic adults to achieve their career goals The participants are supported to gain skills and work experience, dependent on where they are at in their jobseeking journey.

Brittany said she enjoys serving customers. “It was a little nervewracking at first but I gained confidence quite quickly. Being behind the counter made me feel in charge.

I kept in mind that I was pleasing customers, so kept my smile going and would say ‘Have a great day’ as a leaving message.”

Her dream job is to be a barista, and she is currently participating in a hospitality course to help achieve this.

“Brittany has built good working relationships with employers and employees along the way. She’s oozed with confidence and self-belief over the past three months, it’s been a real joy to witness,” Jason said.

A

utism SA provides a range of supports that assist autistic adults to life the life they choose. This includes the School Leaver Employment Support offering Work My Way. The job-ready program offers preemployment skills, career exploration, and hands-on practical work experience for school leavers and adults who wish to get started on their employment journey.

Brittany is one of the participants and through the Work My Way program she secured work experience at a Copenhagen Ice Cream store.

“Participating in Work My Way has helped me tremendously to gain confidence and do work experience, as well as put my resume out to as many café businesses as possible.

That was the one thing I thought I would never be able to do a year or two ago, and yet here I am,” she said.

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And she has learnt a lot about herself since participating in the program.

“I have learnt that I am a visual and verbal learner and if you give me a job to do, I learn by being shown first, then I can give it a go. I am not super vocal if I’m not comfortable and I may get very tense in stressful situations. I am very kind, have a peaceful personality and am hardworking. I have fairly high standards.”

The Work My Way participants meet as a group once a week, plus have individual weekly sessions with Employment Pathways trainer, Jason Mason.

“It’s been a privilege to work with participants and see their growth socially and emotionally, and the confidence boost they’ve had with their interview skills and communication. The strength of character of the participants has been immense. They step out of their comfort zones to bust their goals and attain little wins,” he said.

Autistics’ Guide to Adulthood In addition to the Work My Way program, Autism SA launched the Autistics’ Guide to Adulthood earlier this year – a free, online life-skills resource, designed for autistic adults by autistic adults and professionals. Topics covered in the guide were selected through a national survey of over 400 autistic adults. Topics include communication, mental health, selfadvocacy and friendship. Employment is also covered and has been one of the most popular topics so far.

The Autistics’ Guide to Adulthood can be accessed at www.autisticsguide.org.au The free, online resource has been developed by Autism SA and funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.

To learn more about supports available to autistic adults at Autism SA visit www.autismsa.org.au

Link to...News

Embracing co-design A collaborative approach to disability services at Barkuma.

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n the ever-evolving landscape of service provision, co-design has emerged as a transformative approach, particularly in the realm of disability services. At the heart of codesign lies the principle of inclusivity, where service users actively participate in decision-making processes to shape the services and products that directly impact them. Barkuma has embraced co-design to revolutionise their offerings and enhance their clients’ experiences.

Co-design centres on placing individuals and service users as cocreators of their own support systems.

“Co-design puts service users at the centre of decision making and gives those individuals an opportunity to co-create services and products that will be useful to them,” Barkuma CEO Simon Rowberry said. “It’s broader than that as it also involves other

stakeholders, including peers. They come together and clearly define what issues they want resolved, and then they work collaboratively around developing potential solutions. It’s a very collaborative approach that hopefully results in programs, services and products that individuals want,” he said.

Unlike traditional models, co-design ensures that the offerings are aligned with the authentic needs and preferences of those they serve, transforming the service-user relationship from passive recipients to active contributors. Importantly, co-design transcends mere consultation and extends to the engagement of diverse stakeholders united in a common objective.

Despite its promise, Rowberry acknowledged that co-design entails patience. “The only real challenge is that

it takes a long time. Whilst the outcomes will be fantastic, the process to get true co-design can be lengthy. Changing the attitudes of stakeholders is vital to avoid a power imbalance,” he said.

“The shift from traditional hierarchical decision-making to inclusive collaboration demands a recalibration of attitudes and practices. This transition requires staff members to engage with service users as equals, eliminating power imbalances and ensuring a truly participatory approach.”

Barkuma’s dedication to co-design is exemplified by its recent projects. One noteworthy example is the development of a client-focused magazine, The Buzz, which emerged from a co-design process. Service users form a majority of the editorial committee, and actively participate in decisions related to content, layout and design.

EXPLORE YOUR WORK POTENTIAL WITH EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS

For South Australians with developmental disabilities who want to create their own future, Barkuma provides long term support, connection and belonging.

• • • •

Scan here

Transition from School Program (Year 12) School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) Supported Employment through our Commercial Services Disability Employment Service (DES) (08) 8414 7100

barkuma@barkuma.com.au

Link Half page Employment Supports.indd 1

Barkuma.com.au 16/10/2023 9:43:42 AM

linkonline.com.au

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Link to...News

How inclusive are we?

A new report has revealed that people with disability face many challenges when it comes to employment, education and healthcare.

Healthcare: When it came to the public healthcare system, people with disability often face difficulty when it comes to accessing sites.

The report recommends: Upskilling and providing genuine employment opportunities and pathways for people with disabilities; adequate wages to reflect the work and match inflation; that government policies and programs recognise the varying needs of people with disability so they can participate in education, training, and employment programs; supporting people with disability with training and resources on technology for special adjustments and personalisation; allowing flexibility for people with disability in the workforce and shifting focus from employee to employer in making workplaces inclusive and accessible.

…people with disability need to be paid a fair wage for their work

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he report Inclusion Compass 2022/23 by the Centre for Inclusive Design and The Lab Insight & Strategy used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to analyse more than 700,000 online conversations using AI-powered digital decoders. These conversations were then compared with six months of workshops with people from communities marginalised by current systems, including people with disability.

Key points that emerged from the report were: Employment: For successful employment to occur people with

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disability need to be paid a fair wage for their work. Disability employment payments do not match inflation while people with disability are often seen as less capable. People with disability and chronic health conditions can have variable levels of disability, making it difficult for employers needing certainty in the workforce.

Education: In many instances, standardised classrooms are failing students with disability who cannot keep up with the style of teaching often seen as ‘mainstream’. While technology can improve outcomes, sometimes technology was perceived as widening divisions between people.

Also, that inclusion be built into education systems and ensuring accessible avenues are available for people with disability to healthcare and information.

The report also revealed the need for inclusive design methodology to inform the way government makes decisions.

Inclusive Design methodology considers the full range of human diversity as part of the design process, and through inclusive design, government and industry connect with communities traditionally excluded from design processes.

To read Inclusion Compass report visit: www.cfid.org.au

Link to...News

Unlocking the Power of Recreational Therapy

I

n a world where the power of therapy often revolves around the clinical setting, it’s easy to forget the transformative impact of recreational therapy. This unique approach to healthcare recognises the potential for joy, healing and empowerment in activities and engagement. Recently, a groundbreaking conference took place, highlighting the theory and practice of recreational therapy, emphasising its application across a wide spectrum of settings, from healthcare institutions to communities and homes.

The ARTA Conference, spanning two enlightening days, was a celebration of the multifaceted nature of recreational therapy. Participants gathered to explore the theory and practice, delving deep into the various domains where it makes a tangible difference. The keynote address on day one was given

by Jason and Megan van Genderen, both passionate dementia advocates with ’Everybody’s Oma.’ The second day featured a keynote address by Dr Mark Cross, known for his role in the drama series ‘Wakefield’ and as the lead psychiatrist in the ABC series ‘Changing Minds.’ Both speakers were inspirational, underscoring the profound impact of recreational therapy.

A dive into practice-based presentations The conference had practical applications of recreational therapy. Presenters from diverse backgrounds and settings shared their experiences and knowledge, demonstrating the transformative power of recreational therapy in action. The presentations showcased success stories of individuals who, through recreational therapy, found a path to better health, both mentally and physically. It was a testament to the inclusivity and potential of this therapeutic approach, including a three-year case study of an Olympic hopeful, Kai Sakakibara, after a traumatic brain injury.

The audience was also treated to insights into how recreational therapy is implemented in various settings, such as hospitals, dementia care, disabilities services in the community, adolescent mental health, and even within the challenging environment of prisons. The versatility of recreational therapy shone through, demonstrating its adaptability to address the unique needs of individuals. The presentations reiterated the importance of this therapy in enhancing the quality of life and overall well-being of those living in these environments.

Theoretical underpinnings and innovation Participants heard a thought-provoking discussion on how advanced care planning can be seamlessly integrated into recreational therapy to provide the best possible care. Internships and job analysis studies were discussed, offering a unique opportunity for students in their final year of training to gain significant real-world experience and contribute to the field’s growth.

A job analysis study highlighted the critical aspects of professional practice, paving the way for future therapists.

Recreational therapy – a vital component of holistic healthcare Environmental sustainability was yet another facet of practice explored at the conference, with a focus on social prescribing and provisioning recreational therapy services in the general practice space. The discussions emphasised the need to measure the impact of services through data analysis, promoting best practices and reducing the profession’s carbon footprint. New restrictive practice laws and their application shed light on the evolving legal landscape and the ethical

considerations that professionals in this field must keep in mind.

Innovations and future directions The conference also provided a glimpse into the future of recreational therapy.

Sessions explored the application of recreational therapy in mental health services, emphasising the role it plays in improving the well-being of individuals facing mental health challenges. Humananimal bonds and their therapeutic benefits were another exciting topic, underscoring the profound connection between humans and animals.

Social prescribing in recreational therapy practice was also explored, connecting individuals to non-medical activities, resources and support networks to improve their mental and physical well-being. Recreational therapists collaborate with healthcare professionals to recommend and facilitate activities such as art, sports, and community engagement, addressing holistic health and quality of life.

In conclusion, the recreational therapy conference was a journey through the heart of this dynamic profession, demonstrating its diverse applications, innovative approaches, and potential for transformation. It served as a reminder that therapy goes beyond clinical settings and that healing and empowerment can be found in the simple joy of recreational activities.

As the field continues to evolve and adapt to the changing healthcare landscape, it promises a brighter and more inclusive future for individuals with disabilities and others seeking the benefits of recreational therapy.

The conference showcased the invaluable role recreational therapy plays in enhancing the well-being of individuals across a broad spectrum of settings, reaffirming its status as a vital component of holistic healthcare. linkonline.com.au

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Link to...Assistive Technology

Game ON Adam Wilson is a recreational therapist working at Royal Rehab in Sydney who has been exploring the opportunities gaming has shown in helping patients following a spinal cord injury. He spoke to Link at the ARTA National Conference.

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aming has become a valuable intervention in recreational rehab therapy as it allows people from around the world to connect socially, which is an important benefit for people with disability, Wilson said. “People with mobility issues face difficulties in the real world, so gaming is really breaking down barriers.”

The team of recreational therapists at Royal Rehab trialled games and equipment with patients from both the spinal cord injury unit as well as their Brain Injury Unit. “As part of this quality initiative, we evaluated the best adaptive gaming options and invested in a range of equipment to support our clients’ needs.”

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Wilson presented a case study, Mr M, a gamer pre-injury. The first thing was to set him up with a Quadstick FPS, a hands-free game controller that is operated entirely by the users’ mouth that drives the PWC via Chin Control.

Mr M chose his favorite game Dying Light, which is one of the hardest games to play and learn. “Because he was playing a racing game he had to steer, throttle and brake, which a took a bit of getting used to. It was also important not to set his expectations too high that he would be as good as he was pre-injury”.

After several months Mr M could control many basic functions by himself and is still learning when it comes to the parameters and the velocity of the game.

According to Wilson, interest in gaming and rehabilitation has gained in popularity globally in the past decade, not just for equipment but also in game design and accessibility options.

“E-Sports and the Adaptive Movement is quite large and has become a world championship event, connecting people to an instant community of friends.”

Accessing an adaptive gaming set-up including appropriate equipment as well as selecting the right game is complex and requires specialist knowledge to do so. “At Royal Rehab, we are working on meeting this need, and I hope in the future we will see our own Adaptive Sports Team come to life.”

Link to...Assistive Technology

Are you game for this?

– new gaming controller

S

ony will launch a versatile controller kit to make gaming easier for people with disability.

The Access controller is designed to meet player’s diverse needs and was developed with the accessibility community to make it easier to play games for longer.

The player does not have to hold the player to use it, it can be placed flat onto either a table or wheelchair tray where it should be fitted to prevent it falling, or the controller can be mounted on a tripod, and can play from any 360° orientation.

Button caps come in a kit with different shapes, sizes and textures and thumbsticks can be configured depending on what works best for the user.

To wrap up, the accessible packaging can be opened with one hand, with loops that can be pulled from left or right for easily removal of the controller.

There are various kit compartments to

hold the interchangeable button and stick caps.

The Access controller will be released in December.

Getting up close and personal with animals…in more ways than one

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nimal related engagement has applications to 93 per cent of the population, and it does not necessarily require an animal. It can be robotic, virtual, or as simple as looking at pictures of animals and applies to not just the aged care community but can promote a positive experience for people with disability, according to Ruth Morgan.

Sunshine Coast, was speaking at the Australian Recreational Therapy Association National Conference in Sydney where she presented an abstract on the human-animal bond.

“People think therapy dogs are all you can work with, but there are robotic pets with designs that are affordable and realistic. These can be motion activated and shut off when not in use.

For example, a cat can wake up with a meow, when someone walks into the room and just having the presence in the room can be reassuring,” she said.

Watching pet videos if used appropriately is not a waste of time. “If you spent 10 minutes a day with a support worker, watching cat videos and there are heaps on YouTube, you are starting off with a positive emotion. It creates a conversation that can continue throughout the day and may lead to visiting an animal shelter to do some volunteer work, knitting or sewing coats for dogs. You can find other points of contact with the person, who may have a physical or intellectual disability, but it does not have to include a real animal,” she said.

person, but virtual visits can still deliver the wellbeing benefits on a wider and more accessible scale than personal visits and research and experience gained during Covid showed this.”

Ruth, a recreation officer at Nambour General Hospital, on the Queensland

“People used to think the human/ animal bond could only occur in

The opportunities are endless and can be adapted to suit all ages and abilities.

Ruth Morgan with Jersey

linkonline.com.au

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Link to...ATSA

ATSA faces new rules of engagement

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ATSA CEO Serena Ovens delves into the changes that are taking place in the AT sector.

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erena Ovens was appointed ATSA chief executive officer in July, following in the footsteps of Chris Sparks and David Sinclair, that began with wheelchairs and progressed to assistive technology (AT), the latter that has elevated the organisation to becoming experts in the sector.

“Having gained charitable status, our requirement is to take things one step further towards ensuring that

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ATSA is the professional voice for both its members and the end user,” Ovens told Link. “It’s not a stretch, given AT suppliers are focused on ensuring the AT they supply promotes independence and is fit for purpose, however, educating people with disability and older persons about getting the best out of their AT is a large part of this work.”

But the landscape is changing as the Federal Government undertakes a

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NDIS review and a reform of Aged Care services.

ATSA recently surveyed its members about the proposed Aged Care and NDIS changes as industry concerns increase about how these reforms could affect some ATSA clients and the end user.

Ovens has no complaints with the NDIS and believes the upcoming review will lead to better outcomes

ATSA

for people with disabilities, however she has concerns when it comes to discussions about ‘preferred provider’ arrangements. This, she said, will restrict access for many people with disability, if they feel forced to purchase from a ‘list’ of preferred suppliers.

“This push towards a preferred list from which to purchase has the potential to limit their choice of product or device which might not be best suited to their specific needs. As for suppliers who do not make the list, for example, those in regional areas who are familiar with their local market, they run the risk of losing sales and if the business goes, on the ground local wrap around services such as regular maintenance, adjustments and quick response repairs go with them.”

Call for NDIS assistance When it comes to the aged care sector ATSA is calling for fairness for people with a disability aged over 65 who are outside the NDIS, that leaves them with limited access to the AT they need.

“This is a huge problem, and we believe there should be equity here.

For those in this age group who need specialised equipment they are only entitled to a maximum of around $2,000 a year under their current aged care arrangement. For someone who has a significant disability and missed the NDIS cutoff on roll out, this is unacceptable inequity compared to the NDIS level of provision,” she said. “We are not talking about huge numbers here, nor typical age-related disability, where the new aged care reforms should provide reasonable access to the AT they need, but a very small subset of people with a significant disability.”

Another area of focus is talk of a move back to government only loan pools for equipment supply in aged care including wheelchairs and other daily life supports. “Whilst this makes sense where the equipment requirement is short term, broader equipment supply should not be limited to government services, as you are cutting out an industry that is important. If you only have two or three suppliers in that

loan pool the critical infrastructure across states and territories will be lost, as again may be the customer’s ability for choice and control in the AT they are supplied with. Incorrect equipment supply leads to poor health outcomes, and just shifts costs back to the health system.”

Additionally, it is likely that this type of system leads to a monopoly that may drive up pricing, and it doesn’t allow for open market competition. There are government systems that have failed before with a lot of equipment sitting in warehouses going nowhere, she said.

“A robust AT sector will only work if there’s collaboration between the community, government and the business sector” The ability to reuse, reissue and recycle AT is one that needs planning, research and preparation for the long term, and ATSA are keen to lead on waste reduction, although much of this comes from ensuring that those scripting complex AT are well trained and take the time to get it right.

Another hot topic for discussion was artificial intelligence, Ovens acknowledged AI is already benefiting people with disability, for example from prosthetic limbs and robotics, while recognising the challenges AI posed, as more technologies enter the market. “The approval process for AI must be rigorous and meet Australian standards and keep those using it safe from harm. It’s exciting however, to see how AI is helping people with significant disability live independent lives, as home automation becomes more sophisticated.

Ahead is a strategy to build on opportunities in education across a broad range of fields by bringing more trained wheelchair technicians into the industry, skilling up new occupational therapists, with e- learning platforms and online programs tailored to the

specific needs of people with disability and consumers.

According to Ovens a robust AT sector will only work if there’s collaboration between the community, government and the business sector. “Providing people with what they need to be contributing community members has benefits far beyond the cost of the equipment and we need to recognise and account for the social and economic benefits when we measure the outcomes in any AT provision,” she said.

The way forward A visit to Canberra to attend a Government Relations Masterclass provided two days of ‘walking the halls of Parliament’ to build relationships, test our policy platform and meet with MPs and advisors, to “ensure our voice is in the tent when it comes to policy reforms.”

“There were good discussions with both MP’s and relevant Department personnel, assisting us to understand current approaches and call for codesign with the AT sector as they work on the details of AT supply in the reforms that are approaching.”

ATSA continue to work closely with Departments to ensure any changes are in the best interests of both the suppliers and particularly end users.

Ovens recently attended the first meeting of the Industry Chief Executive Forum that gives industry groups the opportunity to engage directly with the National Disability Insurance Agency CEO. “Members delivered feedback on the NDIS and other matters and what is happening from our side of the fence,” she said. “It’s a two-way street where we were able to raise issues, such as the new PACE payment system the agency is implementing that affects our clients.”

The forum will be held four times a year with the option to hold special meetings where extra expertise may be required around concerns on broader issues.

“It is important to have this direct line to the NDIA and an open conversation is certainly a step forward.” linkonline.com.au

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Link to...Mobility

Powering Employment Redefining accessibility and productivity for individuals with mobility challenges.

Constructed with ruggedness in mind, the Magic Mobility X8 is built to withstand most conditions. Its robust frame and specialised wheels provide stability and manoeuvrability on gravel paths, muddy fields, and even snowy landscapes, ensuring that no working environment is off-limits.

By providing access to previously inaccessible areas, the Magic Mobility X8 enables professionals to complete tasks more efficiently.

Whether it’s inspecting crops in a sprawling field or surveying construction sites in remote locations, this wheelchair ensures that the job gets done without compromising safety or quality.

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n today’s rapidly evolving professional landscape, inclusivity and accessibility have become paramount. For individuals with mobility challenges, finding the right tools to navigate the workplace can be a game-changer.

Enter the Amylior M3 Standing Wheelchair and the Magic Mobility X8, two revolutionary mobility solutions that are not only transforming lives but also redefining employment possibilities.

Amylior M3 Standing Wheelchair The Amylior M3 Standing Wheelchair represents a significant stride in assistive technology. This cutting-edge innovation combines functionality with style, offering individuals the freedom to stand and move effortlessly in their professional environments.

One of the key advantages of the Amylior M3 is its adaptability to various work settings. Prolonged periods of sitting can lead to a range of health issues.

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The M3 addresses this concern by providing users the option to transition from sitting to a standing position, promoting better circulation, reducing muscle stiffness, and alleviating pressure points. This enhanced comfort can contribute to increased productivity and overall well-being.

The ability to stand and engage eye-to-eye with colleagues can have a profound impact on an individual’s confidence. The M3 empowers users to participate fully in their professional lives, helping them to showcase their skills and talents with pride.

Magic Mobility X8 For professionals whose work takes them into rural or challenging outdoor environments, the Magic Mobility X8 is a game-changer.

This all-terrain wheelchair is designed to tackle the toughest terrains, making it an invaluable asset for individuals working in agriculture, forestry, or other outdoor industries.

The Magic Mobility X8 instils a sense of self-reliance in its users. Its intuitive controls and advanced positioning features empower individuals to take charge of their work, reducing the need for additional assistance and allowing them to focus on their tasks with confidence.

The Amylior M3 Standing Wheelchair and Magic Mobility Extreme represent a paradigm shift in accessibility, allowing individuals with mobility challenges to thrive in their professional lives. These innovative solutions not only enhance physical capabilities but also foster a sense of independence, confidence, and productivity.

As we move towards a more inclusive and diverse workforce, investing in technologies like the M3 and Extreme is not just a step towards accessibility, it’s a leap towards a future where every individual, regardless of their mobility challenges, can contribute their unique talents and skills to the workforce, unencumbered by physical limitations.

Contact us at Linds to find out more about these products on: 1800 501 601

LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN sales@lindsrehab.com.au 1800 501 60 1

Link to...Mobility

The most advanced Jazzy ever The Jazzy EVO 613 Li is the newest addition to the Jazzy family of power wheelchairs in Australia.

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his innovative new design is packed with exciting features that we’re confident both providers and consumers will love.

…consumers can enjoy greater access and a smoother, more comfortable ride…

Equipped with the freedom to navigate small spaces and tight corners, the Jazzy EVO 613 Li has been designed with a narrow base width of only 56cm making it an ideal powerchair for moving through your home.

It also offers Pride’s patented Active-Trac suspension and exclusive Mid-Wheel 6 technology, providing a smoother, more stable ride on uneven surfaces.

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Continuing to push the limits, the Jazzy EVO 613 Li boasts an impressive travel range of up to 27.5 km per charge thanks to its long-lasting, fast-charging, and lightweight lithium battery.

The Jazzy EVO 613 Li builds upon the ground-breaking designs of its predecessors.

“With so many innovative features, customers will enjoy all that the Jazzy EVO 613 Li has to offer,” Pride Mobility sales and marketing director, Matthew Herbert said. “Featuring new, stylish high-back memory foam seating that swivels, along with Pride’s Active-Trac suspension, and reaching speeds of up to 7.8 km/h, consumers can enjoy greater access and a smoother, more comfortable ride than ever before.”

Enhancing the rider’s experience was a primary focus during the development

of the Jazzy EVO 613 Li. Featuring a fully adjustable high-back seat, adjustable armrests, and a versatile foot platform, users can effortlessly tailor their power chair to their body’s unique dimensions, guaranteeing a consistently comfortable position.

The chair’s swivelling capability facilitates easy transfers and enables users to approach tables with greater ease.

Additionally, the controller and batteries can be conveniently accessed without the need to leave the seated position, adding to the overall user convenience.

To view the full range of Pride Mobility power wheelchairs, including the Jazzy EVO 613 Li, please visit www.pridemobility.com.au/powerchairs or view on the PQ365 app, available for download on the App Store or Google Play.

The Most Advanced Jazzy® Ever Height, width and angle adjustable armrests with a swing away controller mount Depth adjustable, limited recline, memory foam, high-back seat with swivel Convenient access to controller and batteries while the user remains seated

Narrow base width of 56 cm

Mid-Wheel 6® Technology provides maximum stability

<27.5 km Range per Charge 13” drive wheels

136 kg Weight Capacity 55.8 cm Turning Radius

Link to...Mobility

The ‘Wheelchair Guy’ Where design meets a good laugh

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aniel Laing calls himself the ‘Wheelchair Guy,’ who has created what he reckons is not one of your run-of-the-mill clothing gigs but “a fashion twist with a difference, that is not just turning heads but tickling funny bones”.

The 37-year- old who lives with spina bifida recently started his own business designing threads for a community that is all about breaking barriers and sharing laughter.

“I have taken a dive into the world of quirky designs and hilarious visuals, redefining fashion and inclusivity, and showcasing threads, one chuckle at a time,” he told Link.

“I design funny slogans for t-shirts, jumpers, stickers and mugs that shows how having a disability can have a fun side to it and does not have to

be serious. You can have a laugh at yourself, and hopefully remove the stigma that is often associated with having a disability.”

Logos are put on the clothes and uploaded to his Etsy store and the vinyl stickers can be attached to laptops and phones. He will create stickers and t-shirt logos on request.

Laing worked in childcare before setting up the ‘Wheelchair Guy’ and now works with BASC on the Mornington Peninsula where he lives with his wife Lauren and teenage son but hopes to eventually run the business fulltime.

T-shirts retail for $35 (sizes S to XL), stickers are $6.50, and mugs, $22.50.

He can be contacted at Etsy, Instagram @thewheelchairguy, or daniel12342011@live.com.au

FREE CALL 1800 672 437 OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.FREEDOMMOTORSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

NEW

INTRODUCING OUR

HY UNDA I S TARI A CONVERSION!

WE DELIVER FREEDOM YOU CHOOSE THE DESTINATION 40

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Link to...Mobility

New folding powered children’s chair – flexible and adaptable

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he latest addition to the Freedom Chair range is the children’s chair Mini Plus A11, a revolutionary lightweight electric folding powerchair adapts to the growing child’s requirements.

comfortable ride, both indoors and outdoors. Like all the other Freedom Chair models in the range, it folds in a second, is portable and compact.

The flip-up footplate is height adjustable and adjusts forwards and armrests adjust in height, width, forwards and backwards. The backrest is angle adjustable and the seat is electrically adjustable in height via the joystick controller panel. The Bluetooth console of comes with voice playback control. LED lighting and a USB port are also integrated into the console.

That’s a lot to pack into a lightweight portable folding powerchair!

The Freedom Chair Mini Plus A11 comes standard with rear pneumatic tyers and suspension, ensuring a

The chair uses powerful 250W motors, and the range can be extended to 30km by adding an extra lithium battery.

Freedom Chair Mini Plus A11 is also suitable for a short adult who requires flexible, customised adjustment to suit their individual needs.

The full range of Freedom Chairs comprise nine folding powerchair models, each purpose designed to meet various user requirements.

It is TGA registered and complies with Australian standard: AS 3695.2:2019.

Most Freedom Chair models are available for trial with your OT. Contact Portable Mobility on: 1300 760 071 for details regarding your local dealer and mention (LINK).

Go to: www.portablemobility.com.au for information and videos on the Freedom Chair range and portable folding mobility scooters.

A host of accessories are also available including a carer attendant control so the powerchair can be operated by a carer from behind, headrest, armrest widening kit, travel bag and more.

HAIR FREEDOM C ONLY 14KG d go

Easy fold an airs powered wheelch  Folds in a sec - Ideal for travel  Compact and Lightweight  Comfortable and Powerful  Nine models in the range to suit user’s needs  NDIS registered, TGA approved

TO LIFT INTO THE CAR!

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2 A11 Children’s Chair Mini Plus, Easy Split DE08L Premium Lite Sport, Titan A09 Bariatric.

More info or arrange a trial: 1300 760 071 info@portablemobility.com.au portablemobility.com.au

in Splitsnds! seco

linkonline.com.au

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Link to...Mobility

Achieving the most from two worlds: Mobility & Productivity facilitate communication and social engagement with others. Consider the scenario of an engineer needing to work above head height; here, utilising seat elevation can mitigate associated health risks. Furthermore, adjusting seat height to an optimal setting contributes to ergonomic workstations, promoting both physical health and effective communication and interaction with others.

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avigating the world varies from person to person, and is shaped by our aspirations, necessities, and the methods we choose to accomplish our objectives. For individuals facing mobility challenges, power wheelchairs can revolutionise possibilities and offer newfound freedom. However, with the array of mobility solutions on the market, finding the perfect fit for your lifestyle can be an overwhelming task. Furthermore, daily mobility can look very different within the dynamic contexts of the workplace or school environment.

A key question when trying to achieve desired outcomes is asking what potential a piece of assistive technology has in achieving goals. Just one type of mobility aid may not be able to facilitate all needs, and manual wheeled mobility may be required for home, along with powered mobility and powered seat functions for work or school. There is a lot of effort and energy needed to self-propel a manual

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wheelchair. Preserving some of this energy and shoulder health during the hours of work/school can mean less fatigue at the end of the day and less wear and tear on the shoulder and arms. Beyond managing energy levels, this promotes active engagement in the workplace or school, preventing potential fatigue or injury that might otherwise deter involvement.

A position paper by the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America in 2019 highlighted the important relationship between mobility and seating functions. The paper emphasised the multidimensional nature of our world, asserting that people require more than linear mobility—a simple journey from point A to point B. Power seat functions, such as seat elevate, introduce an additional dimension for individuals to interact and engage with their surroundings. These functions expand functional reach, enhance orientation to surroundings, and

Taking a closer look at the power mobility base, certain models can facilitate access to the most challenging work environments where traversing “off road” terrain is a necessity. For example, working on a semi-rural or rural farm or when needing to access locations through bush trails. All terrain power wheelchairs and centre, front or rear wheel drive all open access for mobility in various work and school environments. The integration of a power wheelchair can not only expand employment opportunities but also empower independent use of public transport, enhancing overall mobility for longer distances and providing additional benefits.

The challenges faced when finding solutions to suit individual lifestyles are unique to each person. When seeking a way to promote or maintain opportunities for occupation and productivity, using a power mobility base with powered seating options can offer many avenues to achieve this.

Some of the key considerations are optimising use of energy throughout the day, promoting healthy, longer distance mobility, using seat functions to optimise reach, ergonomics and interactions, and matching a power mobility base to the specific environment, be it “off road” or within an office setting.

For more information, contact Astris PME on: 1300 131 884 or email: clients@astris-pme.com.au.

Link to...Mobility

Versatile stroller that ran a marathon

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ogi is a specialised adaptive jogger designed for children who require extra support.

It’s unique 3-in-1 characteristics offer versatility, as it can be easily converted into a specialised bicycle trailer, a stroller, or a jogger. The Yogi is designed for children up to 130 cm tall, making it an ideal solution for a wide age range.

Safety is paramount when it comes to children, and the Yogi Stroller excels in this regard. Yogi boasts a 5-point belt system and includes pelvic stabilising belts, providing you with the peace of mind that the child is well supported whilst on the move.

The Yogi Stroller has exceptional manoeuvrability and a smooth ride.

The adjustable frame shock absorption allows the stroller to glide effortlessly over various terrains.

The Yogi Stroller also offers remarkable versatility to cater to evolving needs.

It features an adjustable angle of seat from 8 - 28 degrees, and allows for growth, with a depth-adjustable seat and independently adjustable hip and chest supports.

One family who have proved the worth of the Yogi stroller is Iggy Young’s family. Iggy and his twin brother were born in 2021 to Cameron and Olivia, and Iggy was diagnosed with cerebral palsy within the first few months of his life.

Cameron was inspired to run a marathon with Iggy to raise funds for Kids+ the foundation that has supported Iggy and his family with early intervention and ongoing therapy.

To make his 42.53 km marathon with Iggy possible Cameron used the Yogi stroller.

Read more about their story and watch the video of the marathon at: www.pushingforpurpose.com.au

Cameron Young with Iggy

linkonline.com.au

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Link to...Mobility

Magic Mobility - the company story possibilities of what aspirations a well scripted wheelchair can help a person achieve in life.

Sibbings went through some hard times and in 1994, which led Daff to start Magic Mobility with a small group of associates and took their first wheelchair order before they had officially opened.

Collaborating with the inventor of a patented steering system, they brought the first 4WD wheelchair, the Extreme Force to market and quickly gained a global reputation for performance, robustness and quality. Australian sales were focussed on daily living and improving the lives of people with disability by customising wheelchair options to empower independent living, social activities, and ultimately providing end users with a tool to live their best lives.

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agic Mobility has a proud Australian heritage dating back to 1994, that speaks to its passion for outdoors, adventure and rugged design. It started when a young Ashley Daff was given a newspaper cutting by his grandmother in the early 1990s. Daff took a year out during his prosthetics and orthotics degree to work for wheelchair manufacturer, Sibbings. He soon gained popularity among the therapists due to his problem-solving ideas and discovery techniques with end users. Daff was keen to ensure clients had both explored and understood all the

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It was in 2005 that Magic Mobility really started to scale up. The past 15 years has been a journey to define the company DNA so its culture can be magnified to attract new employees who are aligned to its values and purpose. The company culture is not something necessarily written down, but it is delivered in the quality of products and can be felt from the moment a client, visitor or employee walks, or rolls, through their doors.

The company was acquired by Sunrise Medical in 2018 but maintains and nurtures its identity as Australian-made, recently earning Australian-made accreditation. Nearly 30 years on and one of the original founders, Ashley Daff, is still working as head of research and development, with the same heart and love for the industry as 30 years ago.

Australia remains the home of the brand with a full engineering team dedicated to designing wheelchair products for global consumption.

Its headquarters in Melbourne, has full sales, service, design, manufacturing and assembly facilities to service the local market and beyond.

The site has expanded rapidly and continues to welcome end users through the doors for wheelchair fittings, servicing and modifications.

Meeting end users and their families remains a vital part of the innovation process and provides an opportunity for all employees to see how vitally important these life-changing wheelchairs are to its customers and their families.

The Melbourne site employs around 80 highly skilled workers and supports many jobs in Victoria in local supply chain and retail businesses associated with supplying or selling wheelchairs and their parts. In addition to increasing its Australian footprint, global markets have expanded with operational hubs located in Malsch, Germany and Nashville, Tennessee, so personalised final build configurations can be assembled as close to the customer as possible.

If you would like to learn more about Magic Mobility wheelchairs, or book a demonstration, make an appointment to attend our Melbourne showroom by completing the form on our contact page.

PROUDLY MADE IN MELBOURNE SINCE 1994.

Discover our range today at magicmobility.com.au Australian Designed

Australian Engineered

Australian Manufactured.

Link to...Personal Care & Equipment

Independence, passion and peace of mind: Leon’s journey with MePACS His advice is clear: “I would encourage anyone living with a disability like me to have a MePACS alarm because you just don’t want to take the risk if you are prone to falls.”

Leon’s friends share his sentiment, regarding MePACS as an excellent idea tailored to his specific needs. It offers the peace of mind they all want when it comes to his wellbeing.

At the local library, Leon facilitates an MS peer support group, which he refers to as his close-knit MS family. He takes it upon himself to host the group once a month, providing a welcoming and laid-back atmosphere for people to connect and support one another.

Leon said giving back is what keeps him going and that he has a good day when he has helped make someone else’s day a bit better.

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n a world where passions often define us, Leon stands as a testament to unwavering dedication, an individual who lives life with a happy-go-lucky spirit, cherishing the timeless appeal of classic rock bands, art and motorcycles. But what makes Leon’s story truly remarkable is the way he faces life’s challenges with grace and determination, for Leon is a fighter, living with secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (MS).

Living independently, Leon discovered a remarkable ally in MePACS, a personal alarm service that empowers him to maintain his autonomy and safety within the comfort of his own home and out in the community.

In his own words, he emphasises the significance of this life-changing device: “I live on my own and I have

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limited mobility due to MS, so I walk around the house with a walking frame, and I’ve got a wheelchair for when I go out. I can still do things quite safely, but having both a MePACS home and mobile alarm means I’ve got someone to call on immediately if I have a fall, no matter where I am and that’s a big reassurance.”

He knows that even if he hasn’t had a fall in a while, the potential is always there, so preparedness is key.

Much like how motorcycles have always revved through the lanes of Leon’s life, music is another constant and significant part of his journey. In the past, he shared the stage with his band, pouring his heart and soul into the music. Now, he’s traded in his leathers and the stage for a paintbrush and the world of watercolours. Art has become his new medium for self-expression and his works are frequently showcased at local exhibitions.

“It’s about being aware of my condition and how it impacts certain aspects of my life. Having the MePACS response team there for me 24/7 really gives you a great sense of calm.”

In a world where self-sufficiency is essential, MePACS supports individuals to live the life they choose. Just like Leon, they can continue with their passions whilst having assurance that if they need help that it is only a button press away.

As a former social worker, Leon understands the importance of personalised care and commitment.

Visit www.mepacs.com.au, or contact MePACS on: 1800 685 329 to find out more about our personal alarm service.

Link to...ATSA

Attaining industry excellence The benefits of becoming an ATSA member

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orking in the assistive technology (AT) industry, you’re a vital link for those who rely on your products and services for a better quality of life. But even vital links need reinforcement. That’s where the Assistive Technology Suppliers Association (ATSA) steps in. As the peak body for the industry, ATSA gives you a voice. More than that, it amplifies your voice to support both your business and the lives of your consumers. Discover how ATSA membership could be the missing piece in your business. ATSA offers professional resources, advocacy and membership of a community committed to excellence.

Who is ATSA? ATSA represents members in all facets of AT, including suppliers, manufacturers, service providers and individuals.

Founded in 2000 by dedicated AT experts, ATSA is the industry’s voice to government, allied health and other stakeholders. In a landscape that’s continuously evolving, ATSA offers a unified voice and a business edge that only a peak body can deliver.

Strengthen your voice to the government Having a voice to government is crucial for the AT industry. That’s because legislative changes can significantly impact both businesses and consumers.

Your business has a right to be heard in the decision-making process. When you join ATSA, you’re coming together with other AT businesses to become part of a collective voice to government.

ATSA’s advocacy ensures that the industry’s voice is heard at the highest levels. This allows for the development of consumer-centric policies that also make sense for business. Your membership amplifies this voice, making you an active participant in shaping a better future for your consumers.

As an ATSA member, you’ll receive concise briefings on policy shifts.

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These briefings will save you time and cut through the complexity. No more navigating intricate changes alone; we’ve got you covered.

Expand your network and knowledge ATSA is not just about advocacy; it’s a hub for industry-specific knowledge and networking. Members of ATSA have access to our network of industry specialists, such as advisors, insurers and quality-assured suppliers. We’ll help you collaborate effectively with others to benefit both your customers and your business.

major regional areas, ensuring that no one misses out on the life-changing potential of AT. It’s all part of our commitment to ensure that the benefits of our industry are accessible to the widest possible audience.

Leadership for the future Continuing on our path of growth and broader impact, this year, we welcomed Serena Ovens as our new CEO. With a vibrant career that spans education management, event coordination and her most recent role as CEO of the Physical Disability Council of NSW, Serena brings a wealth of experience to the table.

Navigating industry challenges together Just as the AT industry has weathered the COVID storm, it now faces new challenges like rising interest rates and inflation. What are our members’ primary concerns? A recent survey identified staffing, supply chain, and financial pressures. Now more than ever our members appreciate our network of trusted advisors, practical business mentoring and timely market insights. Additionally, our educational resources are designed to address your most pressing challenges.

Her immediate focus is on nurturing ATSA’s existing relationships with government bodies while also taking the association to new levels of influence and effectiveness. Serena is committed to understanding the unique challenges and opportunities that ATSA’s members face in today’s landscape.

Amplifying the impact: Raising public awareness with ATSA Consumers live better lives when they have access to the right AT. That’s why ATSA is committed to elevating public awareness about the crucial role of AT in enhancing quality of life.

Our ATSA Independent Living Expos allow members to not only showcase their innovations. The expos are also an opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue, share expertise, and forge valuable partnerships. As a member, you’ll enjoy substantial discounts on and priority selection of exhibition space.

Join us in making a difference If you’re an AT business committed to enhancing the quality of life for your consumers, ATSA is the association for you. Becoming a member signifies your dedication to delivering exceptional results for those who deserve the best our industry has to offer.

Under the leadership of our new CEO, Serena Ovens, ATSA is exploring avenues to broaden our reach. We’re considering expanding our expos to

One of her key objectives is to fortify partnerships with the NDIS and the Department of Aged Care. This is particularly crucial as the industry navigates upcoming changes in both the NDIS and aged care sectors.

Discover the benefits of membership on our website or experience the community firsthand at one of our ATSA Independent Living Expo in 2024 – Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane. We look forward to having you as part of our association.

Link to...News

Meet the Sanguine Crew

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anguine Crew is more than a clothing label. As Katherine Manneken told Link, it began when it was suggested their previously thriving eldest child was showing signs of ADHD and autism, as she entered her first year of primary school.

“We had no experience with neurodiversity and so began our learning journey. We have four amazing kids aged between 4 and 10; all have autism. “Sanguin’ means optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation and one of our major aims was to create a positive movement in what can be a very negative community.”

According to Manneken the clothing label was borne out of necessity, for reasons which many people can relate to as some of their kids’ meltdowns were caused by clothing issues. Tags, thick seams, itchy beanies and jumpers, tight necks on shirts and socks that did not feel right. “Bath and bedtime

could be derailed simply by trying to remove a top with a tight neckline. We searched the market for options for kids and it was limited, as most looked like undergarments or lacked colour and style. So, we created our own.”

Countless hours were spent researching the best fabrics, styles, seams, shapes, designs and colours to create a range of clothing people would love wearing both physically and aesthetically. It took three years to perfect the product. Almost all the clothing is made from bamboo, in factories that have ethical and sustainable certification.

The range is all inclusive and designs are unisex.

While the range has been designed with neurodivergent and sensory-sensitive friends front-of-mind, anyone can wear them with sizes starting at children’s 2-3 through to adults up to 5XL. For more details visit: www.sanguinecrew.com

And little details became a big focus.

Materials are all brushed to make them even softer, wool is washed before making the items, seams are on the outside, no tags (besides the warning labels on kids pants as per Australian regulations), sleeve design that don’t pull, wide neckline, side splits for more movement and different body shapes.

Make the most of your NDIS plan Fast payments to your chosen providers Up-to-date budget tracking Plan management at no cost to you

Support from our experienced team

1300 73 23 24 peakplanmanagement.com.au

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Link to...News

Telstra’s ‘Inclusive Tech Lab’ - charts a new way to help everyone thrive in cyberspace

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Telstra has developed a powerful new resource to help its frontline staff discover just what it’s like to navigate online with a disability.

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eing Australia’s largest telecommunications company comes with some weighty responsibilities. First, there’s the need to offer the best equipment when it comes to networks and coverage.

Then there’s the need for exceptional customer service, looking after your staff, and doing the right thing for the environment. And then, there’s the ultimate goal, or what should be the ultimate goal for Australian businesses: to make products and services that are useful and available to everyone.

This ‘holy grail’ is what drives the 20 members of Telstra’s Accessibility

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team. Launched in 2018, the team has become an exemplar of inclusivity, both in its mission and its day-to-day work.

Crucially, nearly half of the team have a lived experience of disability, including members who are blind, hard of hearing, have limited mobility, or are neurodiverse, giving them a unique perspective on the needs of their customers.

The Accessibility team is part of Telstra’s Digital Systems division and was set up to help the developers and designers who create its products and services make them more inclusive. But as the company has grown more aware of the disparate needs of its customers – socially, financially, and geographically,

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as well as physically and neurologically – so too has the need to encompass all aspects of accessibility, from compliance to communications, sales to customer care and recruitment to workplace operations.

In 2021, manager Ben Pintos-Oliver and specialist Brady March had a “brilliantly obvious” idea – to set up a space where product developers and designers could experience the challenges and frustrations of navigating online with different disabilities. “We quickly realised the benefits of providing the same exercises to all Telstra staff, as well as sharing what’s available in terms of assistive technologies from

NEWS

Microsoft, Google, Samsung, Apple and our other partners,” March said, who runs the Lab. “I feel that our Lab has helped to inspire hundreds of conversations, not just between development teams but across all our frontline staff, and these conversations are now extending to our suppliers, partners, and other industry advocates as well.”

An accessible showcase The first Tech Lab was held at Telstra’s Exhibition Street headquarters on Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) in May 2022, and was such a success it was mounted three months later at the company’s annual Frontline event for Consumer and Small Business staff. In August, it had its third major outing at Frontline 2023, where the Accessibility team linked up with Telstra’s Ruby Program team to put on their biggest showcase of accessible tech to date.

Five simulations were chosen to represent a spread of both customer needs and the expertise of the team members presenting them: • • • • •

Using the Tobii eye-tracker and voice control for low-mobility navigation of Telstra.com Using the Silktide plugin to navigate through various visionimpairment simulations Using Silktide to experience Telstra’s website in a similar way to people with dyslexia Filling out a registration form on a mobile using a stylus as a mouth-stick Completing a quiz with a time limit in a high-stimulation environment – and then redoing it untimed with no stimulations.

Breaking records

“With the technology we have today, nearly everyone should be able to communicate online”

his laptop and hearing aids, where he can hear online conversations.

“With the technology we have today, nearly everyone should be able to communicate online. The fact that thousands of Australians are still missing out should make us all want to take action.”

This article was written by Ralph Johnstone in collaboration with the Telstra Sustainability team.

“It was inspiring to compare the past two years and realise there were fewer people asking what accessibility means and many more asking what they can actually do,” Pintos-Oliver said. “People have read their inclusion strategies and listened to their customers – they want to know how they can use these technologies and strategies to build better products and support their customers.”

“Telstra’s purpose is building a connected future where everyone can thrive. Our goal to be an accessible telecommunications company means we are working to be inclusive for every single person.”

Telstra chief customer advocate, Teresa Corbin, saw the “massive demand” at the Frontline Lab as a reflection of a community shift.

“The switch to remote working during Covid partly levelled the online playing-field,” she said. “But while there are more opportunities for accessibility, there are so many new apps and tools around that many people are still missing out as businesses rush to deliver quick wins.”

– Teresa Corbin, chief customer advocate, Telstra

The challenges of accessibility were writ large above the Frontline Lab, where a series of videos showed Telstra staff using a variety of online tools with varied success rates.

March acknowledged it was a bit of an experiment, but for many visitors it literally stopped them in their tracks: watching deaf staff navigate through garbled captions, a coder using a combination of speech-to-text and eye-tracking, a blind employee swiping and sometimes losing his way through streaming services.

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“This is what people need to see, not just Telstra people, but anyone who’s engaged in developing, selling or using online tools,” March said, who after years of personal struggle has arrived at a place, courtesy of Bluetooth linking

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This year, the Lab was the best attended ever, with an estimated 400 people actively engaging in the simulations – although as Pintos-Oliver said, “nearly 1,000 people had eyeballs on us”. In addition to the simulations, the team ran a couple of competitions (registering with a Tobii eye-tracker) and handed out packs of its popular

‘Cards for Humanity’ – unique playingcards that help Telstra’s developers, call-centre and retail staff keep disability challenges front of mind.

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Head to the job and hobbies you love with an independent support worker.

Mable is where you can choose an independent support worker that fits your schedule.

Search from more than 13,000 profiles to find someone based on interests, skills and availability.

Find disability support on mable.com.au

Link to...Accommodation & Home Support

For Kat, support means family time is quality time How Kat found her kind of independence with Mable support workers to help her get to appointments, such as her specialists, physio and an exercise physiologist.

Support to do things that bring joy Aside from everyday tasks, Kat’s workers help her with the things she enjoys doing, like exercising, swimming, or going for a walk along the beach.

Getting support means Kat can stay independent and spend quality time with her family, which means she can separate family from support.

Building a support team on Mable

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at has been a Mable client for almost two years. She gets support for everyday things such as planning meals, but also for the things she loves to do. For Kat, a good support worker “has a happy, positive manner and shows respect”. She likes support workers to follow instructions and appreciates safe driving.

Signing up on Mable Kat’s first step after she signed up on Mable was to post a job ad. In it, she outlined the different kinds of support she needed. “I got so many responses,” she said. “I went to all their profiles and checked their background and experience and chose the ones I wanted to work with.”

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Support comes in different forms Kat gets support for household cleaning, cooking and transport to and from appointments. For Kat, who lives with asthma and hay fever, keeping a clean house is critical. She books a support worker weekly for deep cleaning. “They get into the corners and move the furniture to remove the dust, which helps me.”

Kat is also a foodie and to make sure she eats healthy as often as possible she enjoys support for meal preparation.

“My support worker takes me shopping for the ingredients. Then we come home and cook the recipe. Sometimes they help me prepare the food and they understand my nutritional needs and are good cooks.” Kat also engages

For Kat, it’s important to have a backup support worker in case someone is sick or goes on holidays. Following the pandemic, one of her support workers travelled overseas, so Kat searched for new workers to provide services in the meantime. She also likes to be able to find support workers to help if she has something specific to do and searches the profiles to find workers who are experienced in it. The search is ongoing, according to Kat. “I’m always searching for support workers. It’s good to be able to keep searching and meeting new people.”

Benefits of booking support on Mable By booking and managing support through Mable: • You have choice and control over who supports you, when and where they support you, and how much you pay for the support.

• You’re safeguarded by Mable’s strict approval and verification process, and the high-level suite of insurances arranged by Mable on behalf of support workers.

Find your kind of independence on Mable. Visit mable.com.au

Link to...Daily Living Products

Sacare and MediMap roll out new technology

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n innovative electronic medication management solution created by MediMap, recently trialled with SACARE, provides greater safety and quality to the disability sector. The pilot program proved significantly safer management of medication for patients by reducing the risk of errors and providing a more efficient process for staff.

SACARE Clinical Therapy Services general manager, Klade Thomas said Medi-Map has radically transformed its medication management processes.

“The greatest outcome from the pilot is the reduction in errors. By reducing errors, we reduce the risk of harm to people in our care,” Thomas said.

Medication management is a major issue for the disability sector, accounting for around 250,000

hospital admissions a year at a cost of around $1.4 billion, according to the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.

“Clients previously had multiple hand-written charts that included medication information, but these can be impossible to read and understand, raising a safety risk,” Thomas said.

“Medi-Map instead provides a clear and easy to read dispensing process and provides staff tips and helpful information.

It has in-built reporting mechanisms allowing for greater oversight and clarity of the clients’ medication information. It can also be used offline, which is integral if there is a power outage.”

SACARE has implemented the roll out of Medi-Map across its other accommodation sites and community clients, which will occur in the coming months.

Medi-Map makes medication management easy, and if something goes wrong, you can see it immediately and initiate risk management processes, Thomas said.

Medi-Map chief executive officer, Greg Garratt said they specifically designed the digital system for the healthcare sector where medications are administered, or where oversight was necessary to improve health outcomes.

“Medi-Map is leading the way in developing innovative technology that reduces risk and improves health outcomes to individuals in care,” he said.

For more information about the Medi-Map medication management solution, contact general manager, Christelle Ucinek at: office@medi-map.com.au

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Link to...Accommodation & Home Support

A free resource delivering expert advice on your accessibility needs telecommunications industry and lived experience with disability. We can help you maximise the potential of your current devices or guide you to new ones that fit your needs.

Plus, we can connect you to local or online training entities to deepen your understanding of your devices and the digital realm.

Explore easier communication with Accessible Telecoms today: • • • • • •

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ccessible Telecoms is an initiative of the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) to bridge the information gap concerning the accessibility features of telecommunications equipment available in Australia.

This free service is currently funded by a grant from the Commonwealth of Australia and is specifically geared towards people with disabilities, seniors, their families and carers, service providers and advocates - however anyone is welcome to get in touch!

The Accessible Telecoms Project is supervised by ACCAN’S Inclusion Team and has been developed with the input of an advisory committee formed by experts on disability matters. The input of this committee is reflected on the types of products listed on the website,

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the accessibility features included for each device and the accessibility of the webpage, among other topics.

The online platform offers information on accessibility features found in phones, tablets, accessories, and apps, that aid in communication. You can search for a specific model or device to find more information and detailed specifications, or search based on an individual’s specific accessibility needs, to narrow down a list of potential solutions.

Maybe you are wondering what accessibility features you could enable to enhance your current device, or perhaps are on the hunt for a new phone and want to be fully informed before you make that important purchase.

The team at Accessible Telecoms is equipped to offer tailored advice, our team has experience in the

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Home phones equipped with loud ringers, adjustable volume, or large buttons.

Mobile phones compatible with hearing aids Emergency alert pendants Mounting solutions for wheelchairs for phones and tablets Control accessories like eye gaze tools, switch buttons, prosthetics, and more for phones and tablets Apps for media captioning, voice-to-text, screen zoom, and enhancement.

Having trouble staying in touch with your service providers? Ask us about alternative options to contact your providers, or specialist helplines for accessibility.

Want to test a device before buying? Ask us to help you find a local provider with trial options.

Use our training search or ask a team member about training options to become an expert.

Accessible Telecoms is eager to discuss your requirements. Our dedicated team is ready to answer questions and guide you to the optimal solutions.

Why wait? Connect with us today.

Accessible Telecoms Contact Information: Helpline: 1800 442 300/ Text: 0438 454 413/ Email: accessible.telecoms@accan.org.au Website: www.accessibletelecoms.org.au (with Livechat)

www.accessibletelecoms.o rg.au

accessible.telecom s@accan.org.au

Link to...Accommodation & Home Support

Brandon’s empowering employment journey The journey to mainstream employment looks different for everyone. For Brandon Cheng, it was an internship with Endeavour Foundation that gave him the start he needed to achieve his goals. applied for an administrative assistant role through Endeavour Foundation’s Supported Independent Employment (SIE) program. This allowed Brandon to seek a job in mainstream employment, while still having the assistance of a support worker to accompany him.

“The two interviews that I did to land the role at Endeavour Foundation Support Centre are career highlights of mine. They opened me up to a whole new world. When I got the job, I knew I was ready.”

Brandon joined the payroll team in 2019, ready to expand his skills and knowledge. “I knew nothing about payroll at the beginning. My manager at the time was amazing and adapted to my learning style. I help with processing employees’ pay, doing roster changes, updating personal details and also create reports and timesheets.”

Brandon Cheng

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randon got his first job through the Endeavour Foundation Work Experience program. He started at the Wacol Social Enterprise while in year 12 and transitioned into a full-time role as line assistant after graduation.

It was there that Brandon was able to make friends and gain valuable skills, training and experience that would set him up for the future.

“I started at Wacol Social Enterprise on a work placement during high school. I remember feeling very welcomed and learnt many different tasks. Everyone was lovely. If I didn’t know something or know where something was, my

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teammates were very happy to help,” he said.

As Brandon’s skills and confidence grew, so did his responsibilities. It wasn’t long before he was stepping into his next role as team leader.

“I developed my social skills a lot during this time, and as my confidence and mindset grew, I knew I wanted to make the move to mainstream employment. I brought all those skills to my next role.”

With some experience under his belt, Brandon felt it was time to transition into mainstream employment. He

In 2023, Brandon knew it was time to spread his wings and achieve his goal of being fully independent in mainstream employment. He said he no longer needed a support worker by his side.

“I like to be independent and figure things out myself first. And if I need help, I know that I have the support of my manager and team. I am proud of the good friendships that I’ve made with my colleagues over the years. I love coming into the office to work.

And I also love working from home and my flexible work arrangement. It allows me to have a good work-life balance.”

Find a job that matches you and your skills with Endeavour Foundation, call us on: 1800 112 112 or learn more about our approach to work at endeavour.com.au.

Link to...Accommodation & Home Support

New SDA on the Central Coast

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ew state-of-the-art residences in Gorokan, on the NSW Central Coast, opened recently.

Designed by Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) provider Casa Capace, it provides Supported Independent Living (SIL) for six people in two high physical support, threebedroom villas.

Disability services provider Coastlink chair, John Mouland, said the residences set the benchmark for specialist disability accommodation in Australia.

“As the latest addition to the growing disability accommodation options for Coastlink clients, these residences deliver attractive, contemporary living for people of all abilities and signify a groundbreaking development for the Central Coast,” he said.

Opening day at Gorokan

Each villa is equipped with advanced assistive technology systems to ensure

all residents can live as independently as possible.

Respite service opens in Queensland

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new support service for people with disability has opened in South-East Queensland’s World Heritage Scenic Rim region.

Sunflower House in Kalbar is the latest in short-term accommodation from Carinity, formerly Queensland Baptists Care, that will offer up to 14 days support which can be funded by clients NDIS plan.

It includes around-the-clock support, personal care and nutritious meals, Carinity community services manager, Chris Shannon said.

There is also a fully accessible van available for trips to local attractions.

As well as supporting people with disability, Sunflower House has created new employment opportunities for disability care professionals. “It will generate a number of additional positions for support workers to meet the growing needs of Carinity’s disability services,” Carinity Bunderra client services coordinator, Phillip Fagg said.

Phillip Fagg with service user Rachael Brook

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Link to...Autism

Autism…from a dad’s perspective Autism Awareness Australia recently held a breakfast to celebrate dad’s and carers, as part of Father’s Day. It included a short documentary film followed by a panel discussion from three autism dads and an autism carer.

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he film, which was produced several years ago, still connects today with fathers in the autism community. Host was autism dad and broadcaster Ian Rogerson who was joined by autism dads, Dale Hurley and Ryan Gomes and autism carer, Tommy Trout.

Here are some highlights from the film.

“You are presented with a plethora of options from statistically proven references to the crazy stuff.

Some information is well meaning, and some is a bit opportunistic. Make sure to go to a reliable source but it can be like searching for a needle in haystack.”

“As parents you are looking for the silver bullet in OT therapy and every type of therapy. If your child likes visual stimulus give them lots of it, go for what works and strips away what doesn’t.”

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“The internet can be useful, and a lot of help was available from our local area health in the first few months, Facebook groups, research…do what works for your child.”

“If you are a dad and struggle to know what is going on, stay strong because it won’t be easy, and you don’t know that out of all of this you will meet some amazing people.”

“Share uncertainties and fears with others who have walked down that path. You can resolve some issues quickly, but some will take longer.”

“It’s been a privilege to go down this track with someone with a disability in our family. I wish our son did not have autism but am grateful for the fact that he is who he is.”

“Persevere, get involved and enjoy those baby steps along the way, and the reward you get is larger than you could possibly imagine.”

“Diagnose early…it crystallises things and helps you understand and be prepared to travel to find the professional help you need.”

“Your son or daughter did not ask to have a disability or autism… be conscious of that.”

“You need friends and loved ones, and if you can embrace the journey with that micro community of supporters and colleagues it bodes well for a healthy family, a healthy person and a stronger journey.”

“It comes back to accepting and understanding the diversity in this community. People with autism have a lot to offer and we are determined to get everything from them they have to offer.”

AUTISM

“It’s going to be challenging, but you signed up to be a dad or mum, and you can still be that and remember it is ok to show signs of weakness and have a bad day. Stick with it, show the love, show the support and the benefits will follow.”

Panel discussion In a panel discussion with Ian Rogerson was Dale Hurley with Tommy Trout and Ryan Gomes who shared their impressions from the film and their experiences of having a child or family member with autism.

“When we got the first diagnosis, I was fearful because I did not know much about autism. Seeing the video again, and the struggles we faced in the dark moments in this autism journey, it was good to share our experience with others and hear about their experiences,”...Dale Hurley.

“Remember that other people have been through this, and you go beyond that and it does get better,” …Tommy Trout.

“The film brings back moments in your life, the ups and downs, connecting with other dads, as we tend not to like talking about our feelings and what is going on in our lives, knowing there are other dads out there and talking through the same things is important,”…Ryan Gomes .

“My wife stepped up with our son, quit her corporate job did all the therapies and running around while I put my head in the sand,”…Dale Hurley.

“My wife is a speech pathologist, and she knew what was coming while I had absolutely no idea. She locked down all the therapies, the NDIS and carried out all the daily functions,”…Ryan Gomes.

“I ended up taking on a carer role for my brother and father and run the household,”…Tommy Trout.

“A lot of relationships break down and some just don’t make it, but for someone doing it single handedly it was something you just had to do,”…

Ian Rogerson.

“I grew up with autism from day one and for me it was meeting someone who wasn’t autistic and trying to navigate that world constantly contrasting between the different dynamics of a friend’s house that was different to what existed in our household,”...Tommy Trout.

“When you first get the diagnosis, you later realise that the diagnosis did not change the child, it is the same child before and after the diagnosis. What you do have is access to a world of support like the NDIS, the therapies, telling the school your child is on the spectrum and what they will need, what their strengths are,” … Dale Hurley.

“Your world is different. There will be things you cannot do with your child, like kick a football, but you will do other things. The quintessential things you look forward to as a parent or a carer are equally meaningful to me and their needs are special,”…Tommy Trout.

“When you find out your child has autism you go into a head spin about what you need to do and plan for. The first piece of advice I can give is don’t run away from it just lead into it as best you can. There will be moments when you break but that is normal and try and get in with early interventions.

You become so focused on planning you tend to forget to be in the moment with your family. As things move on you learn to have quality time with each other,”…Ryan Gomes.

“Prior to diagnosis, we would stress so much about when they have meltdowns going to parties, or sensory overload, and having a pre-plan to exit as soon as possible, but we just stopped caring about other people and what they thought as long as our child felt safe and supported.”...Dale Hurley.

“A Dad’s philosophy is to fix things, while the wife or partner wants to talk, my wife did not want me to fix things she just wanted to chat about it. Your response to this is to soften as you go, because you are not going to get immediate results,”…Ian Rogerson.

at the beginning as the parent of a child with autism is not ‘fixable’. There are therapies to help, learn and develop but it is a life journey. So, in those first few years, or at some point you ask yourself, is there a cure that can fix my child so she can sleep better or walk faster with you. All those simple things we take for granted that you try and accelerate for the autistic child takes time, therapy and patience. I was guilty of trying to fix things early and have learned to adapt to my child’s rhythm and her way of developing,”…Dale Hurley.

“A lot of action I had with Jack I believed was going to make it happen, but you learn to become adaptable and get a lot better at how you can make it happen. It can be humbling when you realise things won’t change, but I had to step back and learn how best to communicate with him, but it takes time. If I want Jack to do something I start six months early and gently introduce it into his life and work with it. You learn to break the mold and reach a point where you get very effective about understanding how to make that change happen. I wanted to take Jack to the gym, so for two months we drove past it…but we got there,”…Tommy Trout.

“Super powers are what you get when you become closely involved in autism,”…Ian Rogerson.

“You do change your behaviour, and as every dad in the video observed you do become significantly more compassionate, kinder and get a lot out of being a parent. You did not choose it but it has been given to you,”…Dale Hurley.

“Often people refer to us as super dads for what we do. I think it is more to do with when you are put in a situation you just do it. With all dads you have a responsibility and for us it just gets heightened. You do what you have to do to make it happen for your family,”…

Ryan Gomes.

“I am engineer and we try and find solutions and what you don’t realise linkonline.com.au

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Link to...News/Training

Supporting participants in the online world •

How to improve your digital wellbeing.

To equip parents, carers and educators, the training also provides information on: • • •

Understanding current online safety risks Enhancing connection, trust and partnerships with your child How to set up a cyber safe home.

The project, Online Safety Training for Young People with Disability and Their Support Networks, was funded and supported by The Office of the eSafety Commissioner.

Interaction’s Online Safety Training is self-paced and freely accessible on Interaction’s website at: www. interactionservices.org/online-safety.

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nteraction Disability Services has launched free Online Safety Training to empower people with intellectual disability to adopt safe online practices. The training also includes a series of modules aimed at those who care for people with disability to better understand how they can support responsible internet activity.

With this training, people with disability can participate in the rich, expansive world of the internet while better protecting themselves against the online risks that disproportionately harm them.

The training is available for free on a custom-built learning platform which includes accessibility features such as AUSLAN interpretation, closed captioning and audio-visual media to help users navigate and control their experience to suit their needs.

The program was developed with sector experts to create tailored

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content and practical resources for people with intellectual disability to safely use and access the internet.

Members of the disability community were consulted throughout the development of the training, enabling the voices of those with lived experience to help shape learning outcomes every step of the way.

With the internet being such a big part of our lives, it is vital that people with disability are empowered to understand the risks and challenges that go hand in hand with going online.

Topics for people with intellectual disability include: • • • •

Recognising and managing cyberbullying How to have safe online relationships Protecting personal and private information Understanding image-based abuse

Interaction Disability Services is a not-for-profit, NDIS-registered organisation committed to supporting and empowering people living with intellectual disability.

Interaction works with individuals and families across NSW including participants with intellectual and/ or physical disability, and families and carers of people with disability.

Our support services are available to people of any age, ability, need or background. We value diversity and understand that no two people are the same.

Interaction offers supported accommodation programs, Support Coordination, Behavioural and Allied Health Services including behaviour support and psychology, as well as Community Access and Self Care Supports.

For information on how our team can support you to achieve your goals, call: 1300 668 123 or visit: www.interactionservices.org.

Free Free Online Online Safety Safety Training Training Equipping people with Equipping Equipping people people with with disability with skills to identify disability disability with with skills skills to to identify identify and overcome online risks. and and overcome overcome online online risks. risks.

A free resource that empowers participants A free resource that empowers participants A free resource that empowers participants and their support networks to adopt safe online and their support networks to adopt safe online and their support networks to adopt safe online practices to minimise the online risks that practices to minimise the online risks that practices to minimise thethem. online risks that disproportionately harm disproportionately disproportionately harm harm them. them.

•• Recognise and manage cyberbullying, • Recognise Recognise and and manage manage cyberbullying, cyberbullying, •• Safe online relationships, Safe online relationships, • Safe online relationships, •• Protect personal private information, • Protect Protect personal personal private private information, information, •• Understand image-based abuse, Understand image-based • Understand image-based abuse, abuse, •• Improve digital wellbeing.

Improve digital wellbeing.

• Improve digital wellbeing.

Developed in collaboration with leading cyber Developed in with leading cyber Developed in collaboration collaboration with leading cyber safety experts, ySafe, thanks to funding from safety experts, ySafe, thanks to funding from safety experts, ySafe, thanks to funding from The Office of the eSafety Commissioner’s Online The Office of the eSafety Commissioner’s Online The Office of the eSafety Commissioner’s Online Safety Grants Program Safety Grants Program Safety Grants Program

Supports available in Greater Supports available in Greater Supports available inCoast Greater Sydney and Central Sydney and Central Coast Sydney and Central Coast Support Support Coordination Coordination Support Coordination Behaviour Behaviour and and Allied Allied Behaviour and Allied Health Services Health Services Health Services Accommodation Accommodation Accommodation Community Community Access Access and and Community Access and Self Care Self Care Self Care

Access the free training at www.interactionservices.org/online-safety Access Access the the free free training training at at www.interactionservices.org/online-safety www.interactionservices.org/online-safety Interaction Interaction Disability Disability Services Services is is aa not-for-profit, not-for-profit, NDIS-registered NDIS-registered organisation organisation Interaction Disability Services is a not-for-profit, NDIS-registered organisation committed to supporting and empowering people committed to supporting and empowering people living living with with intellectual intellectual disabilities. disabilities. committed to supporting and empowering people living with intellectual disabilities.

For For more more information information call call 1300 1300 668 668 123 123 or or visit visit www.interactionservices.org www.interactionservices.org For more information call 1300 668 123 or visit www.interactionservices.org

Link to...Travel & Leisure

The team behind the dreams

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Overseas travel always requires preparation, but rarely does it require 12 hours a week of intense therapy, unless you’re Allison Willcox.

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li sustained a spinal cord injury when she was 18 after the car, she was a passenger in, rolled 14 times. The driver was sending a text message.

The teenager from Port Macquarie on the New South Wales Central Coast was set to become a professional surfer and had been accepted to study forensic science when she embarked on a gap year that lasted just two months

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before her accident, followed by a yearlong stint in a Sydney hospital.

Now 32, Ali lives with quadriplegia, paralysed from the chest down with deficits in her hands.

“I want to take advantage of the movement I’ve got, while I’ve got it.” So, she made a ‘bucket list’ and plans on spending the next two years ticking it off.

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Enter Making Strides, a specialised rehabilitation centre that helps people maximise their functional potential, reduce pain and provide a supportive environment for people with neurological conditions, brain or spinal cord injuries.

When Ali first found Making Strides after moving to the Gold Coast eight years ago, her goal was to manage pain, but as her secondary conditions

TRAVEL & LEISURE

worsened, she had to start her rehabilitation again, as she tried to regain function between flare-ups.

“It’s awesome when someone has the potential to walk again or travel the world, but the goals of increasing independence and feeling confident are just as important and we get as much out of helping people achieve those than anything else.”

Now that time is ticking, Ali had to up the ante. She asked her Making Strides team to help with a new goal, to be strong and pain-free enough to travel the world, realising her dreams of scuba diving in Honduras, skiing on Vancouver Island and mountain biking down Whistler.

And the journey begins… …On September 12, Ali and her partner Brad flew to the US to begin their trip of a lifetime.

While Making Strides has been the single most effective thing for Ali’s pain, surpassing surgeries, medications and other therapies, she said it goes beyond the physical support, and she sees the positive impact it has on her mirrored on those around her. “I never have to explain anything to them, they understand me, my struggles, my injury, everything,” she said.

It’s a journey she told Link that was only possible because of her team at Making Strides who not only prepared her for the trip but will be with her every step of the way. “Making Strides is teaching Brad how to perform some of the therapies, and they have been in contact with spinal centres in the US to discuss my case and organise my visit and will be available via video-link should I need more support,” she said.

It’s a challenge Making Strides exercise physiologist Jack Jansson has personally invested in, but also feels the weight of.

Travelling as a wheelchair user you need to be proactive around research and organising and it took her five years to learn the ins and outs of travelling with a disability, with a few hiccups along the way, that included losing 10k, after arriving to

“Ali has had so many setbacks, but always bounces back and managed to achieve things that would terrify most people, like surfing and mountain biking. In my line of work, I meet a lot of resilient people, but Ali had to relive her spinal cord injury over and over again through secondary complications, forcing her to start her rehabilitation from scratch, and at times from a point of less function than her original injury,” he said.

“I am lucky to have my partner to help me get in and out of regular transport but there have been times when I had to use a wheelchair accessible taxi, which can make the trip a bit harder, and it can become a logistical nightmare. Even in some major cities, it can be difficult to get a accessible taxi to come on time or even at all.”

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“Some people have experienced catastrophic injuries, and they don’t have the recovery potential to achieve some of the goals they have in mind so we include things that will be beneficial to their health and wellbeing as they work towards their dreams,” he said.

“Others come to us with very modest goals like wanting to scratch their face or lift a cup to their mouth.

Accommodation however is the tricky part that required lots of research and similar to airlines it is best to book directly with the hotel and not a third-party site.” We booked the first 30 days in the US using Airbnb, and I messaged the host and asked an array of questions, like what’s the width of the doorway into the bathroom.

On the

While Ali’s goal is a big one, Jack and the team at Making Strides work towards reaching goals with clients every day. Some of them seem more modest but are equally as important, like helping a father move his arm so he can hug his child.

an inaccessible hotel and not getting a refund! When arranging flights, it is essential to call the airlines special needs hotline and book direct, as using a third party leads to miss communication or your wheelchair not being booked in, which has happened numerous times. “There have been instances when I arrived at the airport to be told I can’t get on the plane as it did not have a seat for a person with a disability. Her advice is to book a moderately good airline.

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She said travelling with a partner or friend makes a world of difference, and her partner receives a carers pension travelling in developing countries.

“He lifts me in and out of the water, buses me and up and down stairs and gutters. Having him being so great at advocating makes life physically much easier. We also love hanging out with each other, and just laugh a lot of the difficult situations off!

The couple recently spent 10 days in San Francisco before travelling onto Miami where they will stay for nine months, then onto Central America, using Miami as a base for medical care. A visit to Mexico and trekking through the mountains was on the schedule staying at a local’s house that was booked through an accessible travel agent, that made planning much easier. In November they join a 16-day cruise through the Panama Canal, with stop overs at a few islands in the Caribbean. “I’m pretty much living the dream for the next year. It’s epic and I feel extremely grateful to be healthy enough to do it at the moment.”

Wedding bells could be ringing After Miami will be a move to Canada to hopefully get married. “Come in Brad where is my engagement ring? If we aren’t busy having a fun wedding, we will be learning how to mountain bike, ski and relax. Brad and I are both workaholics, so our goal is to rent a cabin in the woods and learn to be a bit more peaceful.”

The couple did a trial trip to Lord Howe Island earlier this year, their first on the bucket list. “We didn’t kill each other which made us realise we could survive nine months together,” Ali said. “We flew to lord Howe with my beach wheelchair and firefly. This was difficult and we had to cancel flights as my beach wheelchair didn’t make it on the flight and it was stressful getting there but it was totally worth it. I hired a recreational carer, which is what we often do. She placed an ad on the local Facebook page, for someone fit and healthy, who loves the outdoors.

The job entailed helping her onto the beach, kayaking, snorkelling and hiking.

“We found a really cool dude called

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Cam, who took us all over the island and we felt like best mates. I swam with sharks, turtle and fish and hiked everywhere. In our downtime Brad and I sat in our room playing cards and soothing our sunburn. It was an active busy holiday which we both loved.”

The have flown all airlines, and booked their US flights with United. “When I don’t get drawn in by Jetstar sales, I fly Qantas and Virgin. Qantas has enough staff to make the trip less stressful, but it is more expensive. This year I’ve flown 12 times, which would be split between all the airlines.”

To wrap up so far, her travel companions, apart from Brad, are a shower bench, Rio Firefly and manual wheelchair. “Since I’ve had a few bad experiences with hotels I take my own shower bench, that allows me to shower in a bath, shower with a step or a roll in shower and gives me the ability to use most bathrooms.

“My Rio firefly is a power attachment for my wheelchair, it clips on and is the best piece of medical equipment I have bought. It allows me to keep up with friends and maintain energy all day, minimising upper body pain and fatigue, although it does make air travel a bit more difficult due to it having a battery, but is worth the extra organising.”

She is due for a new wheelchair but since travelling can be a bit rough but for the moment prefers that her old manual wheelchair gets smashed up than a new one.

The airline allows free medical supplies to be taken, but just in case she added three bags at 32kg, then the rest was free. ‘I only took 7kg in clothes as I had no room because of my 84kg supply of continence pads. Once we move to Canada we will ship my mountain bike over, after waiting for three years for it to be custom made.” So far it has not been necessary to hire any other equipment, but she has bought cheaper items online like a slide board or bath lift, to get in and out of a pool.

GP appointments are essential which she said has been the biggest barrier for planning this trip and her goal is

not to have a life that revolves around medical appointments, procedures and being sick.

“I am trying to see how my body goes, what the minimal amount of medical intervention I need to keep my quality of life, and as I suffer from chronic pain.

For Miami and Canada and any other base we organise a pain specialist, urologist and GP. I am feeling well at the moment which is a good sign.

Before leaving Australian I was doing 37 hours of appointments a week and 20 hours of insurance paperwork and arguing, and my life revolves around that. Now it’s time to relax, find hobbies that I enjoy and see the world and I feel so grateful I got here. The motto for the next 1-2 years is 10/10 fun only.

“I’m sitting in Miami writing this, and I have my first pain specialist appointment tomorrow and bladder botox procedure on Friday and around those two appointments, am going to swim at the beach and relax, plus edit videos.”

As for any further trips her answer is “I have the urge to go to every country.

I told Brad this is just a year trip, but I reckon we will keep travelling until we can no longer do it.”

Ali’s Instagram account is: Rampedupadventures.

Ali with Brad

Link to...Travel & Leisure

Licensed to travel and enjoy!

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ravel – the where, when, and how is a deeply personal decision.

Everybody has a favorite or dream destination, a preferred method of and style of travel.

An ideal holiday might be a brief getaway or a larger, grander adventure.

You may wish to travel alone or as part of a larger group of fellow travelers. All these questions form part of the holiday planning process which is an important component of the holiday itself.

Thorough, thoughtful and effective planning is what helps to turn your holiday into an unforgettable getaway.

The travel team at Leisure Options are well versed in making your travel dreams a reality, after all operating and managing supported travel experiences is their specialty and singular priority.

Unique to disability travel Leisure Options is a fully licensed travel agency whose core service is to provide

supported travel opportunities. With years of travel industry experience and direct connections to the medical and disability sectors the team at Leisure Options affords participants a comprehensive and considered process for the planning and conduct of your travel adventure.

Leisure Options offers small groups and bespoke personalised itineraries year-round to destinations around the globe. Aware that there may personal considerations regarding your support requirements during your holiday, the team will spend the time required to fully understand your support needs to ensure you select a holiday or destination that best suits your ideal getaway.

It’s never too early to start planning for your travel, and the earlier the better.

Planning ahead will enable you to fully explore the holiday opportunities available to you as well as allowing for any personal preparations you may also

need to make, perhaps even arranging your passport!

Contact the Leisure Options team to start planning your dream holiday.

PH: 03 9646 0666 or: 1300 363 713 or: mail@leisureoptions.com.au.

Great holidays and travel for people with disabilities With more than 30 years’ experience in both the travel and disability industries, Leisure Options is Australia’s only national award-winning, accredited travel agent specialising in supported travel for the disability sector.

• Focus on providing holidays that allow maximum choice, loads of fun, high staffing ratios, commitment to individual needs, and a supportive holiday environment • Choice of either group or individualised touring • Respite care offered in a stimulating and fun-filled environment • Over 80 departures annually to local, national and international destinations • Passionate, energetic, and professional tour leaders with extensive qualifications and a world of experience • Registered service provider with the NDIS

We support the

For more information call 1300 363 713 or visit our website www.leisureoptions.com.au linkonline.com.au

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Challenging the sex taboo

By Danielle Kutchel

at the existing market, and then using Play-Doh to mould the shape and size of the toy. From there, they began making 3D prints and models, modifying the shape as needed, then sent those to the manufacturer.

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ex. It’s taboo. No one likes to talk about it, usually not in polite conversation anyway. And you definitely do not think about people with disability as sexual beings capable, or deserving, of sexual pleasure. At least, that’s how the world has been so far.

But a team of innovators is challenging that taboo, starting conversations and shattering misconceptions about sex and disability.

Jasmine Nielsen, Robert Duff-Silsby and Zachary Nielsen are the people behind Luddi, which produces Ziggy, the world’s first sex toy for people of all abilities.

With backgrounds in the disability sector, the trio spotted a gap in the market: a lack of accessible sexual devices. The sexual wellness space seemed to overlook people with disability. So, they decided to do something about it.

But they quickly learned that “assistive tech development is really quite complex”. But that didn’t deter the team, which embarked on research about what an accessible sex toy should do.

“There’s such a huge spectrum of disability needs, Duff-Silsby told Link.

“We knew we had to make something more accessible, target a particular couple of needs and build something around that.”

This made the process of designing the product comparatively speedy.

It began with drawing shapes on a whiteboard, before moving to looking

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The final product, Ziggy, was created within 12 months of its initial conception, and preorder customers received the first devices last November. Duff-Silsby said the community has loved it so far, with the team receiving “positive feedback”.

The sex toy is highly visible in its bright orange and can’t be missed. It’s designed to be used in multiple ways: rubbed, stroked, humped, tucked into underwear, or even used between two bodies. It’s been made with sexual wellness and enjoyment in mind.

Sparking loud conversations. As well as being available for purchase with NDIS funds, Ziggy can be found at specialist mobility stores and is stocked in around 40 retailers around Australia.

Taking Ziggy to expos has helped raise discussion about the typically awkward topic. “We’re in a really unique position; we’re loud and proud about what we do,” he said. “It’s an outlet for health professionals to talk about their experiences and the participants they work with and what their needs are, or what level of education they missed out on when it comes to sexual health, because there’s a lack of confidence to talk about those things.”

“There’s no other government organisation in the world that I know if that will fund a sex toy or a sex worker.

That’s what I like about the NDIS, [that] at the moment they do fund all these things, which is a really positive sign going forward.”

An accessible future. The Luddi team has big plans for Ziggy, including possible modifications in the next few months.

“We hope that the Ziggy is almost like the electric toothbrush. The electric toothbrush was an accessible device designed for people with disabilities, but… it’s a super cool piece of technology that everyone can use. Our goal at Ziggy is just to make really cool products that are more accessible, but just as importantly, compete in the mainstream market,” Duff-Silsby said.

“We want to be that device that anyone can use, but it just so happens it’s a little bit more accessible.”

They also have plans to “reshape the assistive technology market”, by making well-designed, attractive and accessible products of all kinds, sold at a competitive price point.

In the short-term though, the team will continue “building out the Ziggy options” and focusing on sexual wellness, Duff-Silsby explained. This will mean more product options in future and different accessibility features, along with other types of sex toys “focused on bringing people together as much as anything else”.

He said conversations around sexual health and wellbeing are changing, especially with younger generations more exposed to the idea and more willing to talk about it.

He said the philosophy underpinning the product is “what do we need as human beings” – and that boils down to connection, and access to things that make life enjoyable and comfortable.

That’s not to say the taboo is completely dismantled yet, but it’s “hit the tipping point”. And he believes the NDIS has also helped open up conversations about sexual wellness for people with disability.

“A lot of products out there are solo toys, but with Ziggy, is that couples can use it. We really like the philosophy of having devices that people can share, and it can be something you can bring into a relationship.”

Link to...Vision Australia

Audio description: the best Christmas gift

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ould Christmas even be Christmas without Vision Australia’s Carol’s by Candlelight? This event is a concert and fundraiser held on Christmas Eve at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne.

While thousands attend in person or tune into watch many people also turn their dial onto Vision Australia Radio and its simulcast and audio description of the big show.

Audio description is also on offer to people attending at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl and VA is also offering unique commentary including all the behind-the-scenes action.

Through an additional narration track, audio description succinctly paints an image of transitions, movements and gestures, neatly woven between onstage dialogue. It allows people who

are blind or have low vision to enjoy the event with their sighted peers.

Vision Australia Radio network manager, Conrad Browne said it’s the perfect alternative to the broadcast on TV, or to complement it.

“Our audio described Carols by Candlelight across our radio is our favourite broadcasts of the year as it makes this Aussie tradition one of the most inclusive events of the festive season. Regardless of whether you are attending the carols in Melbourne, or listening from your home, our audio description service allows everyone to get involved and enjoy the event.

“Together with our range of local AM, FM, DAB+ and online streaming services across Australia, the event is accessible to more Australians via the

power of radio or the internet, than ever before, offering more choice and more access to those who need it”.

Those wanting to register their interest in using Vision Australia’s audio description service at this year’s event can visit carols.visionaustralia.org/ accessibility or call: 1300 84 74 66, or search for your local Vision Australia Radio station via www.varadio.org and remember to tune in at 8pm local time on Christmas eve.

Vision Australia Radio is a national print disability audio content provider, offering accessible news and information via radio and podcast.

Stream our live radio services on your smart device or via varadio.org.

Check out our range of disability focused podcasts on your favourite podcast app.

linkonline.com.au

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Disability community says ‘Let’s Talk’ A public Q&A panel discussion about intimacy and disability, that is helping to create connections between NDIS participants and community services, has been released in a series of videos by healthcare group, Feros Care.

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he purpose of the panel was to spark conversations and challenge conscious bias around intimacy for people with disability, by inviting them to share their experiences.

Intimacy is recognised as an integral part of overall health and wellbeing, and while it’s often viewed as a purely romantic experience, it takes many different forms. And for people living with disability, intimacy can have added degrees of difficulty.

Just ask Feros Care Intimacy and Inclusivity Q&A panellist, awardwinning human rights activist and TedX-speaker Khadija Gbla, how her journey to intimacy started with self-acceptance.

“For me it was acknowledging that I had a disability because I was raised not to think of myself that way, so I had to have the uncomfortable conversation with myself of ‘what am I then?’

“I knew what my body did and didn’t do, I knew what my limitations were, and there would be challenges to intimacy, but it felt like I was left alone to work it out,” she said. “I had to sit in the ugliness of knowing something was wrong with me, but also knowing that if I appeared disabled to the world, they would treat me a certain way.”

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Feros Care service area manager for the NDIS, Takara Hamill said the first step to improving relationships and intimacy for people with disability is by talking about it.

“We created these events to build a network of linkages to services and start the conversation for our participants and the broader

NEWS

community, so we can normalise the fact that people with disability need intimacy to thrive, just like anyone else,” she said. “Our role as Local Area Coordinators for the NDIS is to support participants to live healthy, connected lives and a big part of overall wellbeing is the quality and frequency of human connections and relationships.

“As was revealed in the Q&A panel, there are many barriers and challenges when it comes to intimacy for people with disability, not just physically, but mentally, emotionally and socially.

Some live with sexual trauma while others have become disabled later in life and are trying to navigate changes to existing relationships.

Some are ready and open for intimacy, but society is uncomfortable with those needs.”

“To do that requires a level of confidence, awareness and acknowledgement of oneself and some people need support in this area that could ultimately improve their quality of life.

Acceptance is crucial for two people to come together and have truth at the centre of their interaction, whether it’s an intimate partner, friends or family, but stigma is in the way.

“I think the disability community is saying ‘let’s talk’. We want to have

these conversations and I believe the general community is ready as well.”

Feros Care is hoping that these events are the beginning of other events that highlight the need for open, transparent conversations that bring awareness to intimacy and inclusivity within the disability space.

To see the videos of the Q&A event, or for more information visit: https://www.feroscare.com.au/ ndis/projects/intimacy-inclusivityrelationships-disability-qa Panellist Lauren Spear

One of the themes to emerge among the panellists was to learn to love and accept themselves before they could enjoy relationships with others, and this is one area where the role of NDIS Local Area Coordinators can make a real difference, Hamill said.

These challenges could be addressed by linking participants to the right services and building it into their NDIS plans, but it was often overlooked.

“The problem is, there is stigma around intimacy and disability so many people don’t feel comfortable asking for support in that area. It’s something we have worked on at Feros Care across the five regions we service, and we hope these events and the videos will start conversations across the country to give people the confidence to ask for what they need.”

Panellist Sheerna Townsend

According to Gbla the work Feros Care is doing to put these conversations at the fore was important and she hoped other organisations in the sector would follow suit.

“Intimacy is a basic human right and people with disability were every bit as entitled to it as everybody else. But by its very nature it comes back to truth, the ability to be truthful about who you are and show up as your authentic self,” she said. linkonline.com.au

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Model Mates on the catwalk Westfield Eastgardens in Sydney held a Model MATES fashion runway in collaboration with local nonprofit organisation Autism Mates, with young people autism appearing alongside professional models.

Pictured is Emilia Maria.

Adelaide makes a Confession An Adelaide hotspot has returned… permanently. Confession bar and nightclub is now open every Friday and Saturday for accessible and inclusive live entertainment, a bar, and neon-lit dance floor designed for universal enjoyment.

Art & Seoul Korean and South Australian performers, with and without disability, recently gathered in Seoul for an international arts program.

Dance theatre work Counterpoise featured nine artists from the Restless Dance Theatre and contemporary Korean 29Dong Dance Theatre, who were selected to represent Australia at ’Kore·A·Round Culture’.

Making soundwaves a Sweet Relief The Brisbane music scene came alive at Sweet Relief, a flagship event with some unique inclusions such as sensory silent disco (pictured, and an accessible viewing platform, all part of the Queensland Music Festival..

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Deaf artists in vibrant exhibition Deaf artists from South Australia and Victoria at a new art exhibition at the University of South Australia. The Deaf Gain display featured sculptures, photography and paintings.

Drisana Levitzke-Gray, Chelle Destefano, Kiara Murphy, Jas Shirrefs, William Maggs, Grace Marlow and Ravi Vasavan.

StepUP for fun & games Down Syndrome NSW held its annual StepUP event in the Sydney Domain. This annual fundraiser included a 2km walk, cooking demonstrations and activities. Pictured forever blowing bubbles is Alissa and friends.

SA DAL Expo attracts the entertainers

HAPPENINGS

Ready, Set, Run! A wheelchair rugby match, fitness program and a colour obstacle course, pictured, were the order of the day at the service provider Northcott’s inclusive sports gala for the Camden community in Sydney.

There was plenty to see at the DAL expo to draw in the crowd, hosted by the Catalyst Foundation.

The DanceAbility Stage showcased a variety of entertainment from artists impersonating Kiss, Freddie Mercury and Elvis to ethnic cultural dance groups with a guest appearance by event ambassador Rachael Leahcar. Pictured is the Spiderman and crew - Alice in Wonderland, Beauty & Beast and Cinderella.

An i-Caspa performer at the DAL Expo

More power to the Poweroos The Permobil Australia team were on hand to support the Poweroos and all the other teams participating in the FIPFA Power Chair World Cup held recently in Sydney. linkonline.com.au

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Ambassadors named for International Day of People with Disability 2023

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here will be 11 official ambassadors for this year’s International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD), the largest to date, reflecting not just the diversity, but the intersectionality of disability in Australia.

From filmmakers and writers to lawyers, actors, and athletes, the ambassadors will play an important role in demonstrating the strengths and intersecting experiences of people with disability, Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said.

“By accepting the invitation to become ambassadors, these 11 Australians are not just making disability more visible in the community but providing positive and honest representations of people with disability, as previous ambassadors have done.”

The IDPwD 2023 Ambassadors are: Anja Christofferson - international

model, author, disability advocate and entrepreneur; Ann-Mason Furmage - disability advocate, accountant and financial controller; Charlie and Lewis Smith – hosts of a podcast Twin Times where they discuss all things entertainment, filmmaking and sports; Giancarlo de Vera - lawyer and advocate for disability, multiculturalism, racial justice, LGBTQIA+ affairs and cultural diversity; Grace Edward - who spent time in a Kenya refugee camp and is a co-founder of Youth CALD Disability Collective (YCDC); Gretta Serov - motivational speaker, writer and founder ‘On Our Own Tracks’ blog; Hannah Diviney - writer, actor and advocate and co-founder of Missing Perspectives publication; Hugo Taheny - athlete and SA health ambassador for Down syndrome Australia; Michael Theo - actor and podcaster from ABC TV show ‘Love on the Spectrum’; and Dr Scott Avery - Indigenous disability researcher and senior lecturer at Western Sydney University.

IDPwD is a United Nations observed day held on December 3 each year that aims to increase public awareness, understanding and inclusion of people with disability. There are numerous opportunities to get involved, from school events, (complete with an Info Kit), to communities and workplaces.

For more information about the IDPwD and how to get involved visit: www.idpwd.com.au.

What’s On Calendar NOVEMBER:

DECEMBER:

November 21-23: Oceania Seating Symposium www.oceaniaseatingsymposium.com

December 1: Gold Coast Volunteer Awards www.volunteeringgc.org.au

November 22: Australian Access Awards www.accessibility.com.au

December 2: Minda Community Christmas Carols & Markets https://mindainc.com.au/your-events/community-christmascarols-and-markets

November 22-24: Destination Qld. Tourism Forum https://www.destq.com.au November 23: Australian Disability Service Conference & Awards https://adsca.com.au November 23: International Indigenous Disability Research Symposium: https://InternationalIndigenousDisabilityResearchSymposium. eventbrite.com.au November 26: Steps Autism Christmas Party www.stepsgroup.com.au

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December 2: Freedom Wheels Inclusion Classic www.playandgo.com.au December 3: International Day of People with Disability: www.idpwd.com.au.

December 3: National Awards for Disability Leadership: https://disabilityleaders.com.au/disability-leaders/nationalawards/ December 24: Vision Australia Christmas Eve Carols by Candlelight https://carols.visionaustralia.org/accessibility

So everyone can thrive We want to help every Australian build a connected future, including those who have difficulty using a standard home phone.

Telstra’s Disability Equipment Program offers a range of solutions to support customers who are older or have a disability.

www.telstra.com/disability

Visit telstra.com/disability, or call our Hotline 1800 068 424 (Voice), 133 677 (TTY).

FOCUS ON ABILITY

December/January 2024

FOCUSONABILITY