The Scene

Issue 5, 20 March 2006

Back to The Spastic Centre

Features

New CP Research Grants
Research into constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) has been boosted with the awarding of the first Allergan Doctoral Research grant. The CP Foundation presented a cheque for $96,000 for the 3-year project to Margaret Wallen at the recent Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy Conference.

Margaret is the senior research occupational therapist at The Children’s Hospital Westmead and an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Sydney. With a career-long interest in research, Margaret’s PhD study for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy will explore if wearing a mitt on the dominant hand for daily therapy will facilitate children to use their non-dominant hand more proficiently.

The grant is part of a new CP Foundation program designed to stimulate cerebral palsy research in the epidemiological, behavioural and social sciences. The objective of the program is to contribute to:
- a greater understanding of the causal pathways to cerebral palsy;
- reducing the incidence of cerebral palsy;
- evaluating the effectiveness of therapeutic approaches;
- developing new therapeutic approaches; and
- understanding the psychosocial aspects of having cerebral palsy.

One, two and three-year grants will be awarded to support basic and clinical research. The program is designed to support researchers at all stages of a clinician/researcher career path.

Four grant categories are available for 2006:

Innovative Research Grants - (2) to facilitate researchers with diverse perspectives to participate in short-term projects;
§ $20,000 per year for a one or two year project
§ $40,000 per year for a one or two year project

Doctoral Research Grants - (3) to support cerebral palsy research, thus strengthening a career direction interest in cerebral palsy research;
§ $32,000 for three years to support PhD studies which has been generously sponsored by Allergan. The 2006 grant was awarded to Margaret Wallen.
§ $20,000 for one year to support PhD completion
§ $10,000 for one year to support data collection / analysis, etc

Emerging Researcher Grants - (2) for researchers in the early stages of their careers to support epidemiological or clinical research; and
§ $10,000 each for one year

Health Sciences Academic Excellence Grants - (6) for outstanding undergraduates demonstrating a career interest in cerebral palsy or rural health.

More details about the CP Foundation Grants program at www.cpfoundation.com.au

Young Adults

Y Connection Website
Y Connection is a group of 17-30 year olds with a physical disability, who have a fantastic Australian website www.yconnection.org.au

Y Connection was formed to give young people with disabilities the confidence to do what they want with their lives. The website is a way they can connect with one another as they move from school to work or further education.

The site includes information and advice on relationships, communication, conflict, sexuality, suicide, fitness, relaxation and attendants. All of the content has been written by young people and provides a revealing perspective that is not often documented.

A number of extraordinary images are also a feature of the website. These artworks have taken the scenes of everyday life for this age group – cafes, university, streetscapes and signs – and layered them to create striking signature pieces for each section. A disability-related image is hidden in each one, to signify that their disability is only part of who they are.

The site also features an up-to-date calendar of concerts and events around Australia, with specialist information on accessibility, transport and special needs bookings. Visitors to the site are encouraged to use discussion board to share their own experiences and ideas.

Check out www.yconnection.org.au

Health

Directory of Medical And Allied Health Practitioners
Last year, The Spastic Centre published a directory of medical and allied health practitioners who have accessible premises and an interest in the particular health needs of people with cerebral palsy.

The 2006 edition will be prepared mid year, but the CP Helpline are interested in feedback on how useful people found the 2005 directory and are keen to hear about other practitioners.

For a copy of the directory or to provide feedback, please phone the CP Helpline on
1300 30 29 20.

Parents and Carers

Workplace Tool Box
The Workplace Tool Box is being developed by the Working Carers website to assist working carers with information about workplace conditions and agreements. With the Federal Government’s new industrial relations system due to be implemented this year, understanding your rights and knowing how to negotiate a far and flexible workplace agreement with your employer can go a long way to making life as a busy working carer that little bit easier.

For more information visit www.workingcarers.org.au/workplace-tool-box/

National Parenting Website
A new national parenting information website has been developed by the Raising Children Network – funded by the Australian Government. The Network will be conducting a ten day trial of the Raising Children Network website and parents and stakeholders are invited to use and review the site, and provide comments and constructive criticism. It is expected that the trial will end 31 March 2006. Further information and registration for the trial is available at www.raisingchildren.net.au

Autism

Autism and Aspersers Support Group
The Autism and Aspergers Support Group was formed in 1998 by a group of parents and carers of individuals who had the diagnosis of either Autism or Aspergers Syndrome - both are forms of Autism known as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The original idea was for the parents or carers to come together to help and support each other by sharing stories and to give or seek advice.

The group runs a number of social events and these are in the ‘Activities/Social Groups’ section of the website.
For further information visit www.autismsupport.org.au

Arts

Drama Workshops for Women With Disabilities
Macarthur Disability Services has launched a new project aimed at involving women with a disability in drama therapy workshops. "A number of women with a disability have already embraced this opportunity to acquire new skills in drama. The project will prepare the women to deliver performances to over one hundred health services staff in an effort to increase their awareness of the issues that women with a disability face every day"
said Kylie Crnek, Coordinator of the project at Macarthur Disability Services.

A Drama Therapist will teach women the basic techniques of drama therapy while putting together a performance, which will eventually be delivered to local Area Health Service staff. Drama Workshops are free and are run at the Campbelltown City Art Gallery on Tuesdays. Further information can be obtained from KylieCrnek, phone 02 4621 8400 or email kyliec@mdservices.com.au or TTY 02 4621 8453.

[Source: Hunter Disability eNews]

Out & About

New Lift Access at Manly Oval
A new purpose-built lift will allow patrons with a mobility impairment to access the amenities building at Manly Oval on Sydney Road. The project, including two accessible parking spots next to the covered stadium, was undertaken by Manly Council at a cost of $230,000. The lift features two-sided opening panels for easy access by wheelchair users, people with restricted mobility, and parents with prams. It allows access to all three levels of the oval’s amenities building, including change-rooms, storerooms, toilets, canteen facilities and a function room. Now patrons with mobility difficulties can enjoy watching the cricket or football or participate in activities at the oval. The upper room is also available for hire for functions. For further information, phone 02 9976 1500.

[Source: Warringah Disability e-News]

Multicultural

Diversity Health Institute Clearinghouse
The Diversity Health Institute Clearinghouse is a central access point for information on multicultural health in Australia. Cultural competence, refugee health, nutrition, sexual health, drugs and alcohol, mental health, ageing, and disability are just some the issues encompassed by the Clearinghouse's brief. Priority listing is given to information that is relevant to a wide range of people, is publicly accessible, and produced by reputable organisations or individuals.

Visitors to the web-based clearinghouse can search by keyword, language, resource type or organisation, or just browse by topic. You can also sign up for email alerts to clearinghouse updates.

Find the Clearinghouse at www.dhi.gov.au/clearinghouse/

Research

Research Updates
Keep in touch with the latest research on cerebral palsy with a new email service from The Spastic Centre. The weekly update covers all PubMed indexed research on CP, including epidemiology, therapy and other interventions. The citation and abstract will be provided, but no full text articles can be supplied at this stage.

To join the list, email Michele Linney mlinney@tscnsw.org.au with ‘New Research Distribution List’ in the subject line and name and email address in the body of the email. Michele will send you a confirmation email and, once you reply, your name will be added to the list.

Service Providers

What Works for Children
What Works for Children is part of the ESRC funded EvidenceNetwork and is a joint initiative between Barnardo's, the University of York and City University. This is a three-year project looking at the levers and barriers for implementing research evidence in health and social care practice.

The team produces resources for practitioners wanting to use evidence in their work.The resources section of the website provides access to an evidence guide and EvidenceNuggets, which are summaries of research evidence.

View the What Works for Children website.

Best Practice in Services for People with Autism
The website of the Autism Society of Canada has links to a range of excellent resources, particularly regarding quality indicators of service delivery, clinical practice and program design.

Conferences .. Workshops .. Forums

Roundtable on Supported Accommodation
23 March 2006. Ryde

Jan Tossebro, the professor at the Department of Social Work and Health Science at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology will be the guest speaker at a roundtable on supported accommodation hosted by the Centre for Developmental Disability Studies (CDDS). For the last 15 years, Jan has been involved in disability research with a social science profile. One main area of interest has been research on the dismantling of institutions for people with intellectual disabilities, focusing particularly on living conditions. Has also been involved in research on special needs education - the inclusion of intellectually disabled children in regular schools and classes. Recently his research interests have been expanded from intellectual disabilities to disablement in general, and issues such as growing up with a disability, families and living conditions.

The workshop will be held on 23 March 2006 at Charles Blunt Conference Room, Royal Rehabilitation Centre Sydney, 59 Charles Street, Ryde, NSW.

More information on Roundtable on Supported Accommodation.

Sleep Problems in Children
11 April 2006. Randwick

Dr. Jim Papadopolous, Sleep Physician, will be speaking about common sleep problems in children on 11 April, 2006 at Tumbatin Clinic, Sydney Children’s Community Centre, Cnr. Avoca & Barker Streets, Randwick from 6.30-8.30pm.

For further information and to RSVP phone Lesley or Sandra on 02 9382 8189.

Guardianship Tribunal Information Seminars
12 April 2006. Newcastle

The Guardianship Tribunal is a legal tribunal whose function is to appoint substitute decision makers for people 16 years and over with a disability that affects their capacity to make informed decisions on financial, medical or lifestyle matters. A seminar, to be held on Wednesday 12th April 2006 at Newcastle City Hall, Hunter Room, Level 2, 290 King St Newcastle, will include an explanation of enduring power of attorney and enduring guardianship arrangements, as well as the appointment of substitute decision-maker, such as guardian or financial manager. Medical and dental consents will also be addressed.

The seminar will be held in two separate sessions:
- The morning session (9.30am-1pm) for professionals and service providers. $55 per person.
- The afternoon session (2.30pm-4pm) for carers, family members and /or friends of people with a disability. There is no fee for this session.

Both sessions will allow question time. Registration closes 5th April 2006. For further information contact the Guardianship Tribunal on Tel: 1800 463 928 or Email: gt@gt.nsw.gov.au or Website: www.gt.nsw.gov.au.

2006 National Conference on Ageing - Call for Presentations
11-12 May 2006. Melbourne

People with disabilities and people with intellectual disabilities in particular are living longer and increasingly are outliving their parents. The increasing longevity of people with disabilities is a cause for celebration. It also raises new and different issues and challenges for people with disabilities themselves, for their families, for service providers, for the community, for governments and policy makers. The ageing of people with disabilities is occurring in a broader context of ageing of the Australian population.

The 2006 Council of Intellectual Disability Agencies Conference will explore all aspects of the theme "Ageing" from the perspective of those with a particular interest in disability issues. The conference will be held in Melbourne on 11 and 12 May 2006.

Building Children's Resilience Workshops
19 April 2006. Terrigal | 20 April 2006. Sydney |

The Benevolent Society is holding two one-day workshops in April 2006 with Professor Brigid Daniel to explore the concept of building children's resilience.

Workshop 1 will be held on the Central Coast on 19 April 2006 from 9am- 4pm at the Country Comfort Terrigal (154 Terrigal Drive). The cost is $90.00 (includes GST) morning tea & lunch provided.

Workshop 2 will be held in Sydney on 20 April 2006 from 9.30am-4pm at the Y Hotel Conference Centre (5-11 Wentworth Avenue). The cost is $90.00 (includes GST) morning tea & lunch provided.

In these workshops, Professor Daniel will provide an overview of the concept of resilience and examples of ways in which it can be applied in practice with vulnerable children. Participants will be given the opportunity to apply the concept to their own work setting and to consider ways in which it may complement existing strategies for working positively with children to improve their well being.

Brigid Daniel is Professor of Child Care and Protection and Director of Studies of a range of post-qualifying child care and protection courses at the University of Dundee in Scotland. Prior to this, she was Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Stirling University and spent a year on secondment to the Scottish Executive to work on the Ministerial Audit and Review of Child Care and Protection which reported in 2002 in 'It's Everyone's Job to Make Sure I'm Alright.' With a background in social work, Professor Daniel's research interests and published books and journal articles are on child development, child neglect, work with fathers, assessment and resilience.

For more information and to register visit the Benevolent Society website.

For Sale

Columbia Car Seat
Near new Columbia Car Seat with adjustment position/sizing cushions and tether straps.

Would site a person sized approx 90kg/45" tall. You can use the orthopaedic posture cushions to help fit the child into the seat.

Asking $1000 ono.

Seller located in Wahroonga on Sydney’s North Shore.

For further information phone 02 9943 2235

Want to Buy

Second Hand Jenx Giraffe Chair
Do you have a second hand Jenx Giraffe chair?

A family in Lismore has received special funding to buy a chair for their child to use at family day care and is keen to find a second hand giraffe chair.

Please phone Linda on 02 6624 5517 or 0414 775 618.

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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.