Region 16 Newsletters

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 Tips, Tools & Websites

What It’s Really Like To Live With A Disability

 A really good article by the Future for young Adults (fya).

http://www.fya.org.au/2015/11/18/what-its-really-like-to-live-with-a-disability/

SIMPLIFI is a new accessible app that can help people with disability find the planning support they need as they begin to plan to access the NDIS. SIMPLIFI contains prompter questions for people with disability and their carers, which can be used in support meetings, discussions and planning sessions.The app's intention is not to answer questions but rather build confidence in posing questions as part of the planning process.

The app features six domains that users can access to browse the database of questions. It is also possible to search by age, capture notes and save questions for future access.

http://communitynet.ngo/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=74456:simplifi-app-for-people-with-disability&catid=392:resources&utm_source=newsletter_1511&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=communitynet-sector-resources-publication-e-news-15-may-2017

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In the News

13 Reasons Why

This new TV show about youth suicide has become a hot topic around the world. This information sheet from Mental Health First Aid Australia outlines the plot, warnings and important points for discussion. 

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/bd618aab747cdfbc9535ac587/files/2393a6e7-42e3-432d-b867-ffbca62a9582/MHFA_Aus_13_Reasons_Why_plot_and_talking_points.pdf

Reports / Resources

The Higher Education Reform Package

The Australian Government has announced a range of reforms they say improve the higher education sector. The report states the reforms will deliver a more sustainable sector, more choices for students and increase transparency and accountability in higher education. To read the full report:

https://docs.education.gov.au/system/files/doc/other/ed17-0138_-_he_-_glossy_budget_report_acc.pdf

Mission Australia and the Black Dog Institute's joint youth report

A joint report recently released by Mission Australia and the Black Dog Institute shows nearly one in four young people in 2016 met the criteria for probable serious mental illness. To read the full report:

https://www.missionaustralia.com.au/news-blog/blog/the-five-year-youth-mental-health-report-has-launched

Foundation for Young Australasians (fya): The New Work Mindset

There is an urgent need to shift mindsets in our approach to jobs, careers and work. New big data analysis provides us with insights into the patterns of skills young people now require to navigate complex and uncertain working lives. We must act now to ensure young Australians can thrive in the new world of work. To read the full report:

http://www.fya.org.au/report/the-new-work-mindset-report/

Improving outcomes Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders with disability

An urgent call for a more just approach to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs. To read the full report:

http://janeprentice.dss.gov.au/media-releases/improving-outcomes-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander

Learning Difficulties Australia—Magazine

The Learning Difficulties Australia Bulletin is a magazine-style publication in the area of learning difficulties. For more information: https://www.ldaustralia.org/lda-publications.html

Working with interpreters  

This online learning resource aims to promote and enhance their work with interpreters. For more information: http://www.vtmh.org.au/education-and-training/learnonline

How to get the NDIS on track - NDS paper released

NDS has released the paper 'How to get the NDIS on track', as part of its push for the best National Disability Insurance Scheme possible. The paper details recommendations on the way forward for the scheme. It commends the NDIS as the right reform for Australia, but warns that the scale and complexity of implementation is placing great pressure on stakeholders, including service providers. To read the full paper:

https://www.nds.org.au/news/how-to-get-the-ndis-on-track-nds-paper-released

The Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET)

 ADCET has resources and tips for anyone working with people with disability in education and training settings.http://www.adcet.edu.au/

Research

Social Marketing Strategy for Low SES Communities

This report outlines the findings of a project ‘Social Marketing Strategy for low SES Communities Research and Strategy Phase’ which was commissioned and funded as part of the Australian Government Department of Education and Training’s National Priorities Pool 2014 round. The objective of the project was to ‘research and design an appropriate, cost effective national social marketing campaign targeted at low socio-economic status (SES) students and communities that will assist universities to increase awareness of, and raise aspiration to, higher education.’ To read the full report: https://www.ncsehe.edu.au/publications/social-marketing-strategy/

Conferences, Workshops, Forums and Training

Disability awareness is an important part of establishing real inclusion for people with disabilities. It is the first step in overcoming any concerns or stereotypes that you may have interacting with people who have a disability. Become more informed with this FREE, self-paced introduction to disability and discover inclusive practices for the workplace and the community. Start your FREE Disability Awareness Training today: www.disabilityawareness.com.au

Employment Support in the NDIS this workshop will provide a comprehensive overview of the emerging disability employment funding landscape, mapping where NDIS meets DES and exploring the emerging opportunities for truly innovative service design. Topics we will cover include:

•What the NDIS will fund in employment (and for whom)?

•Who can become a provider of NDIS employment supports?

•Addressing low expectations of employment outcomes for people with disability

•School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES)

•Global Best Practice & Case Studies

•Strategies for success and first mover advantage

•Marketing your service to NDIS participants and families

To register: http://www.disabilityservicesconsulting.com.au/register

Disability Employment Australia's Annual Conference 2017

Disability Employment Australia’s Annual Conference is Australasia’s premier conference for managers, practitioners, and academics working in or with the Disability Employment Services sector. This year’s conference will be held in Brisbane on the 6th and 7th of September 2017. For more information and to registrar

: http://dea.conferenceworks.com.au/

Strengthening Disability Advocacy Conference 2017      

Getting into gear for the NDIS journey will feature a keynote address and facilitated panel discussions looking back on the journey so far, how well the principles of choice and control are being embedded in NDIS policy and processes and what road blocks to avoid on the road ahead. The conference will be held at NAB – Docklands on Thursday 14th and 15^th September 2017. For more information and to register: http://www.daru.org.au/event/strengthening-disability-advocacy-conference-2017

Newsletters

Ticket to Work Newsletter

Ticket to Work is an initiative of National Disability Services (NDS). This Newsletter includes

•           Upcoming training in customised employment approach and discovery process

•           Ticket to Work outcomes

•           Our research and papers

•           New resources supporting school to work transition

http://www.tickettowork.org.au/ticket-work-news-may-2017/

PROGRAMS

Youth Mental Health Programs

Given that schools are recognised as a great facility for solutions in the of mental health area please note the following programs:

Mind Blank: is a not-for-profit organisation that generates awareness and innovative education of mental health topics in youth across Australia. http://www.mindblank.org.au/

 Batyr: is a for purpose organisation that focuses on preventative education in the area of youth mental health, batyr provides programs that train young people to speak about their personal experience with mental ill health and start a conversation in their community. batyr takes these speakers into schools, universities and corporate arenas to continue this conversation around mental health. The programs engage, educate and empower the audience to learn from the experiences of others and to reach out to the great services around them. http://www.batyr.com.au/

Drama for Emotional Health: uses drama as a vehicle to encourage thought, discussion and communication skills amongst students with low self-esteem, challenging behaviours, or mental health issues.

http://alysonevans.com/drama-for-emotional-health/Health

Victorian NDCO’s

The NDCO Program works strategically to assist people with disability access, and participate in ‘Tertiary Education’ and subsequent employment, through a national network of regionally based NDCOs. There are 31 NDCO regions in Australia with 7 in Victoria. Each NDCO region has an Advisory Committee with representation from key regional stakeholders. In Victoria the NDCO program has also established a state network to work on collaborative state priorities.  You can access contact to all Victorian NDCO’s via the state website: www.ndcovictoria.net.au