The Scene

Issue 15, 18 September 2006

Back to The Spastic Centre

Features

NSW Community & Disability Information Database
Finding services in your local area will be easier with The Spastic Centre’s Lincs database
of community services.

Lincs is a partnership between The Spastic Centre and local councils throughout Sydney, the IDEAS and DIRC disability information services, and Healthlink. With over 30,000 records, Lincs offers unprecedented access to information about local and state services, facilities and activities in NSW.

You can search Lincs by keyword, location or browse through the subjects – you never know what you will find!

Search the Lincs database

Performance

Unlock Your Creativity … and express your full creative potential
Join this inspiring series of performing arts workshops, which will develop your natural talents as a performer, musician dancer, artist – a creative being. The workshops include movement, music and drama. Experience being in a theatre, have fun and meet new people.

Adults 18 years and over experiencing a disability are welcome. All facilitators have extensive experience working with people with disabilities and a support worker will be provided at all workshops - however you are encouraged to attend with your carer.

Workshops are being held every Saturday, now until 11 November from 10am to 12 noon at the Redfern Community Centre, 29-53 Hugo Street, Redfern. Fully subsidised places are available. For further information and bookings contact Cali Vandyk-Dunlevy on 02 9449 3048, email cvandyk@tscnsw.org.au or visit the Unlock Your Creativity Web Page.

Dance Ability – a dance project for people with disabilities
Dance Ability is an eight week dance program for people 13 years and over with a disability to have the opportunity to access a variety of dance classes for fun, skill building, gentle exercise and to meet new people. At the end of each term, groups will present a short piece for family, friends and the local community.

The project will commence on 18 October with a term of belly dancing classes. Classes will be led by Ruby Biscuit – professional belly dancer and tutor who has experience working with people with special needs. The group will be also assisted by a support worker and volunteers.

The Dance Ability – Belly Dancing Classes with Ruby Biscuit will be on Wednesdays from 18 October to 6 December from 5pm to 6.30pm at the Rozelle Neighbourhood Centre, 665A Darling Street, Rozelle. The cost is $50 for 8 weeks of classes. For further information and to enrol contact Sue Johnston on 02 9555 8988 or email leisure@rnc.ngo.org.au

Parents

Raising Resilient Children – Positive Parenting Program
One of the most important tasks of parenting is helping children learn to deal with their emotions. Emotional resilience refers to the ability to manage and cope with day-to-day stresses as well as major life events. Presented by Elise Stumbles, Consultant Psychologist at the Spastic Centre, this free seminar offers parents a detailed outline of some of the key building blocks for developing emotional resilience including:
- Recognising and accepting feelings
- Expressing feelings appropriately
- Developing coping skills
- Dealing with negative feelings

Locations: The Spastic Centre
Ryde Monday 9 October 10am to 12 noon 3a Smalls Road
Allambie Hts Tuesday 17 October 7pm to 9pm 189 Allambie Road (Head Office Boardroom)
Prairiewood Monday 23 October 10am to 12 noon 224-244 Restwell Road.

Refreshments will be available. Childcare is available only on request – minimum 5 days notice please
Bookings are essential. RSVP to Penny Clarke at The Spastic Centre, phone 02 9975 8227 or email pclarke@tscnsw.org.au (Please advise Penny if you would like your name on the mailing list for future flyers).

Speciality Shoes for Orthotics – KPW95
Children who need speciality shoes want to be as fashionable as their peers. A new sports shoe can be worn with all types of orthoses – from a simple foot orthotic through to a full AFO.

The Keeping Pace KPW95 from Mason Grogan features a wider, deeper heel box to accommodate orthoses, adjustable depth, high abrasion resistant toe cap and lining for durability and speed lacing.

For more information and stockists, phone Mason Grogan on 02 9748 3838.

Travel & Transport

Getting About
Being able to get around by yourself is one of the keys to independence for teenagers and school-leavers. A useful factsheet on ‘getting about’ in Sydney has been developed by the staff at SEDS (The Spastic Centre’s employment service). It includes information and tips on using public transport, getting your driver’s licence and vehicle modifications.

View the Getting About factsheet.

Educating Primary School Students with Disabilities
A new report by the NSW Auditor General examines how well the NSW Department of Education and Training provides special education services to students with moderate and severe levels of disabilities in government primary schools. Its aim to establish whether the Department:
- meets the demand for special education
- provides services that meet their individual needs
- knows how successful its special education programs are.

View Educating Primary School Students with Disabilities.

Sports

Spring 2006 Sailing Days at Manly Sailability
People with any disability are invited to sail in specially constructed boats with volunteer crew. Sailors must wear a hat that stays on, good sunscreen and water to drink. Sailability provides the life-jackets.

This event will be held at the Manly Yacht Club, East Esplanade, Manly. General sailing on 23 September, 14 and 28 October, 11 and 25 November, with training and orientation on 9 September, and the Race Day with Picnic
on 9 December. Volunteers arrive 9am, sailors from 9:45am. Finish BBQ 1pm, pack by 2pm. The cost is $5 per sail or $25 per annum.

For further information contact Evelyn on 9976 2134. To sail, phone Eli on 02 9976 2747 at least 24 hour in advance.

[Source: Warringah Disability Information Service]

Arts

Boonah Creative Arts Centre Exhibition
This annual spring art exhibition and sale celebrates the work of the students of the Boonah Creative Arts Studio at West Pymble. The exhibition will be officially opened by International author Anne Rennie, who has been a long time supporter of Boonah and whose daughter is one of Boonah’s most talented artists.

The fair will be held from 22 to 27 September (Fri 6.30 to 8:30pm, Sat 10am to 3pm, Mon to Wed 9.30am to 4pm) at Shop 27, Phillip Mall, Kendall St, West Pymble. Accessible entry and ground floor toilets, accessible parking. Entry is by gold coin donation. For further information contact Boonah Creative Arts Centre on 02 9499 5675.

Gaudi's Gorgeous Garbage Exhibition
Inspired by Gaudi, Reverse Garbage, collage and digital images, the WERRP group of young people with disabilities presents photography, original mosaic work, painting, collage and clay work, after months of weekend workshops with professional graphic and fine artist Chris Newman.

The exhibition will be held on Saturday 23 September 2006 from 2.30pm at the Rozelle Neighbourhood Centre, 665A Darling St, Rozelle. Entry is free. For further information contact Sue Johnston, Rozelle Neighbourhood Centre on 02 9555 8988 or email leisure@rnc.ngo.org.au.

Money

New Tax Rulings
Two new interpretive decisions by the Australian Tax Office are worth noting:

ATO ID 2006/250 - accepts that the cost of purchasing and installing a folding ramp to allow wheelchair access to a car is a medical expense and able to be claimed as part of the medical expenses rebate for tax purposes.

ATO ID 2006/252 - allows the purchase and maintenance of a speech aid to be subject to the medical expenses rebate.

Please read the disclaimer by the ATO at the top of each summary and consult with your taxation adviser regarding the implications for your family.

[Source: Australian Association for Children with a Disability]

Conferences .. Workshops .. Forums (Service Providers)

Building Employment Futures – ‘Move the Players and not the Goalposts’
21 or 28 September 2006

SEDS (Sydney Employment Development Service), in conjunction with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, is delighted to invite you to attend a free business seminar addressing issues that are of importance to business today.

The International College of Management Sydney, 151 Darley Street, Manly on 21 September 2006 from 9am to 11.30am. Keynote speaker will be The Hon. Dr. Sharman Stone MP, Minister for Workforce Participation,
or,
Carlton Hotel Parramatta, 350 Church Street, Parramatta on 28 September 2006 from 2pm to 4pm. Keynote speaker will be The Hon Mr Joe Hockey MP, Minister for Human Services, Minister assisting the Minister for Workplace Relations.

The high calibre of speakers at the seminar will address issues such as skills shortages, variable working profiles, social responsibility and tapping into the greatest possible market, to maximise the bottom line. The seminar will also provide an excellent opportunity for networking with other employers across a wide range of business sectors.

Parking is available free of charge. Light refreshments will be served. For further information and to reserve your place contact Vivienne on 02 9413 3400 or vselwyn@tscnsw.org.au.

Social Discourse and Conversational Issues in Asphasia
24 October 2006

The workshop will provide an overview of current social approaches to aphasia, focusing on the Life Participation Approach to Aphasia (Chapey et al., 2000) and will discuss the importance of everyday discourse in the expression of the individual’s identity and participation in social life. Discourse across a variety of genres will be examined including personal recounts and casual conversation and participants will be given samples of each to analyse according to both conversation analysis (Whitworth, 1997; Wilkinson et al., 1998) and speech function principles (Halliday, 1994). Recent research in conversational therapy will be discussed and participants will use findings as the basis of treatment plans for workshop examples. Outcome measures will be an important focus.

Dr Elizabeth Armstrong will present the workshop on 24 October 2006 from 3pm to 8.30pm at the Macquarie Graduate School of Management 99 Talavera Road, Macquarie Park, North Ryde.

For further information phone Speech Pathology Australia on 02 9743 0013 or view the flyer on the Speech Pathology Australia website.

Technability [Advertisement]

Tech/128
The new Tech/128 is a simple-to-use speech generating device designed for
children and young teens.

With 128 message areas and 3 levels, the Tech/128 gives you ample space to record your messages and features a removable top grid for pictorial communication. Priced from just $1705, the Tech/128 is one of the most versatile and durable devices in its class.

For more information on Tech/128 visit the website of Technability, a division of The Spastic Centre.

For Sale

Murphy Series 9007 Electric Hi-Low Tilt Bed
The bed is in immaculate condition gently used by 2-year old girl for two years only. The bed has a comfort plus foam mattress - eggshell 1 side, soft blue waterproof cover, Queen Anne Headboard and foot panel, fold down side rails, electric backrest operation and Trendelenburg Adjustment.

Purchased for $2960 and asking $1250, all offers will be considered. The bed is located in Newcastle, NSW. For further information contact Sharon Waggstaffe on 02 4958 9825.

Convaide Cruiser CR11
Convaide Cruiser CR11 with many extras available and in immaculate condition. Asking $850, all offers will be considered. Located in Newcastle, NSW.

For further information contact Sharon Waggstaffe on 02 4958 9825.

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What would you like to see in "The Scene"? Email Robyn Cummins Information Manager at The Spastic Centre if you would like to contribute any ideas, advise of any future events or know of any websites that might be of interest to others.

Disclaimer
Opinions expressed in items of The Scene are the individual opinions of the respective authors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of The Spastic Centre or the editors. Products and companies featured in The Scene are not necessarily endorsed by The Spastic Centre. The Scene is intended to be informative only and should not be relied on as medical or other technical advice on any matter. The Spastic Centre and editor take no responsibility for the information published in this newsletter or any person's actions in reliance on that information.