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Welcome to our Summer 2018

Barwon disAbility

Resource Council

48 McKillop Street

Geelong Vic 3220

Ph: 03 5221 8011

Fax: 03 5229 5665

BDRC— Country Fire Authority FIRE DANGER PERIOD

It is important for all of us to be aware of High Fire Periods and be aware of

Incident warnings.

Assert 4 All, DSF and Greenpie may be subject to restrictions on travel, which may

result in cancellation of meetings.

We will give as much notice as possible if this occurs.

The CFA web site has a warning and incident page where you can follow the

progress of any warnings. www.cfa.vic.gov.au

Having A Say Conference 2018

BDRC has had a stand at the Having A Say Conference again this year.

The exhibition gives us a great

opportunity to speak with visitors

and delegates about what we can

offer in Advocacy, Greenpie plan

management and the

Disability Support Fund.

It also gives the visitors,

delegates and exhibitors an

opportunity to tell us what they

needed in the way of assistance.

Cont..page 9

Having A Say 2018

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Access Map is now on line with the

City of Greater Geelong

BDRC, in a joint project with the City of Greater Geelong have created an

online map.

The City have used our existing access map and overlaid it with google

maps.

The map covers Central Geelong and Waterfront and shows accessible

parking, gradients, seating, toilets and much more. Printed copies of the

map are available from BDRC. Please contact us to arrange to collect

some — info@bdrc.org.au or 03 52218011.

Updated map now available www.geelongaustralia.com.au/maps/cbdaccess.aspx

All you need to connect to the map is to search an app store and find a free QR

code Reader. Once you have this, you then scan the QR Code below and you have

access to our map. This is useful to have the map on line as it is full of detail. We

have to restrict the detail on our paper map so it remains easy to read and

accessible.

Please give it a try and let us know what you think.

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Geelong Awards for People with a Disability 2018

Article from genU website.

https://www.genu.org.au/news/awards-recognise-inspirational-locals/

BDRC is pleased to be a partner in these Awards.

Four outstanding local achievers were celebrated for their contributions to the community at the ceremony for the Geelong Awards for People with a Disability on Monday February 5 at the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre. This year’s honours went to Chris Hall for Achievement, Dr Melanie Thomson for Leadership, Kirrily Hayward for Advocacy, and Linda Stokoe for Volunteering and Employment. The awards event recognized the impressive achievements of people with a disability living in the Geelong region. The event doubled as the opening for the 2018 VALiD Having a Say conference. The awards have again shined a spotlight on the incredible contributions of people with a disability. The Geelong Awards for People with a Disability are supported by genU, City of Greater Geelong, the Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability (VALiD), Barwon Disability Resource Council (BDRC), K Rock, Bay 93.9, Geelong Advertiser and AdCell Group.

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Achievement Award – Chris Hall Leopold local Chris Hall barely knew anything about Motor Neurone Disease until he lost a dear friend to the debilitating condition in 2015.

After learning that there is no cure for the disease, it made Chris determined to raise money and support the cause. Over the past couple of years, Chris has wheeled up and down the waterfront of Eastern Beach, fundraising along the way through donations and live music events. This has helped him to build up his fitness while also drawing attention to his charity efforts. Chris has volunteered at a local aged care facility, Uniting Care facility, and primary school. His persistence throughout the last two years has been nothing short of inspirational. Congratulations, Chris.

Leadership Award – Dr Melanie Thomson Dr Melanie Thomson is an experienced medical research scientist who has worked and studied in her field for over 20 years. While running her own research lab at the Deakin Medical School, Melanie was diagnosed with tumefactive Multiple Sclerosis in 2014. Since her MS diagnosis, which is now treated and under control, Melanie’s skills have been utilised as a patient advocate – giving her the unique position of understanding the challenges of having a disability while being able to empathise with the difficulties faced by medical researchers.

After moving on from her role as a research scientist, Melanie has been a significant advocate for women in science and is now employed by a national not-for-profit medical company. This led her to meeting the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, in March 2017. Congratulations, Melanie.

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Advocacy Award – Kirrily Hayward

Kirrily Hayward is well-recognised in the Geelong community as a disability and equal rights advocate. An integral part of the Geelong campaign for marriage equality, Kirrily used her respected public standing to advocate for LGBTIQ people with a disability through the “In Bed Project”. Living in an aged care facility, Kirrily has turned a potential hindrance into a way to speak of on behalf of all young people living in nursing homes. Kirrily’s warm and inviting nature has led to her developing a huge friendship group and professional network. She volunteers for a number of organisations, is adept in social media management, and heavily promotes ‘rainbow’ rallies and LGBTIQ people with a disability. Congratulations, Kirrily.

Volunteering & Employment Award – Linda Stokoe

A leader in the Geelong region, Linda Stokoe is a peer educator and co-researcher on the Sexual Lives and Respectful Relationships program, employed by Deakin University as part of the initiative. Ran in collaboration with community organisations, the program advocates for the sexuality and respectful relationships rights for people with an intellectual disability. Further to this, Linda presented at the VALiD Having a Say Conference in February last year, and Melbourne University’s Sex, Sexuality and the Rights of People with Disability conference in April 2017. A strong leader, a great listener and a powerful advocate, Linda uses her own personal experiences to reflect with her peers on the best way to further the rights of people with a disability. Congratulations, Linda.

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Senate committee to investigate mobility scooter safety concerns

By political reporter Anna Henderson

Posted December 07, 2017 00:24:20 Story from https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Rural_and_Regional_Affairs_and_Transport/MobilityScooters

Photo: The probe will investigate the number of injuries and fatalities involving mobility scooters. (ABC News) A Senate committee will delve into the burgeoning mobility scooter industry to look at whether the use of the electric vehicles should be more tightly regulated. Nationals Senator John Williams and crossbench Senator Derryn Hinch have successfully referred the issue to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee. The probe will investigate the number of injuries and fatalities involving the popular form of transport, and the different ways the scooters are regulated across the country and the world. In Australia, riders do not require a licence, insurance or ongoing eyesight or other health checks to get behind the wheel. Senator Williams began advocating for tighter rules for the scooters after his wife Nancy was hit by one and sustained a serious hip injury.

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He said statistics collected by Monash University between 2000 and 2010 across the nation illustrate the potential dangers. "Sixty-two people killed in those ten years and 442 people hospitalised," he told the Upper House. "Of course it was very public when my wife got hit by one and she's all very good and

I'm pleased about that."

He said statistics collected by Monash University Senator Williams said he had been contacted by others once he raised his initial concerns, including a woman injured in similar circumstances. Photo: Senator Williams' wife was injured in a collision with a mobility scooter

last year. (AAP: Mick Tsikas) "She was walking down the street in Ballina and got hit from behind by a mobility scooter: multiple fractures to both legs, four months in hospital and has never recovered properly," he said.

"That is only one incident, there will be more of these." Senator Williams said the push for further scrutiny was not about outlawing mobility scooters. "They are an essential item, I have no intentions of ever pushing to ban them," he said. "I just think we need to have a good look at the industry, the circumstances, and see what we can do to make it safer for all Australians in the future."

HINCH SUPPORTS INQUIRY

Senator Hinch said he co-sponsored the motion to set up the inquiry because he could see a case for the weight and speed of the electric scooters to be checked in order to make them safer. "One of my staffers, her mother ended up in hospital with bad hip injuries because her partner — inadvertently I hasten to add — ran her over in one of these motorised scooters and he was in his 80s and legally blind still driving it," he said. Senator Hinch also stressed his support for the inquiry was not an attempt to have the scooters banned. "I wear a knee brace, I may need one of these things myself at some stage," he said. Senator Williams has previously secured support from his Nationals colleagues for a non-binding motion at the party's national conference this year to limit the speed of the scooters to 6 kilometres per hour. The senator has also suggested some scooters can reach top speeds of 35kph, a claim that has been queried by a leading retailer. or elderly and require mobility assistance," he said. The committee will report back next September. Topics: government-and-politics, federal-parliament, disabilities, australia

Contact Anna Henderson

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GREENS QUESTION WHETHER INQUIRY 'GENUINE'

New Greens Senator Jordan Steele-John was approached to support the inquiry but confirmed to the ABC that his party was not in favour of it. "The Australian Greens did not support Senator Williams' motion for an inquiry into mobility scooters because it does not come from a place of genuine concern for the safety of people who need mobility assistance," he said in a statement. Senator Steele-John has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. "An inquiry would look into regulations which may introduce further barriers to maintaining independence for people who journey with a disability, or are injured, frail or elderly and require mobility assistance," he said. The committee will report back next September. Topics: government-and-politics, federal-parliament, disabilities, australia

Contact Anna Henderson

EDITORIAL - from the Grampians disAbility Advocacy Newsletter—

December issue 2017

#Advocacy Matters Campaign

The future funding of independent advocacy agencies is uncertain in many Australian states, particularly Queensland and New South Wales. Victorian advocacy agencies have been assured of funding until mid -2019, but there are no guarantees beyond that time. Disability Advocacy Network Australia has responded to the situation by promoting the #Advocacy Matters campaign, designed to emphasizes the importance of independent disability advocacy to people with a disability. While some may have assumed the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme would provide for the needs of all people with a disability this will clearly not be the case. At full rollout the Scheme is expected to provide support for 460,000 Australians, leaving millions of people with a disability who will not be accepted as participants. This group will remain in need of other supports, including advocacy. In September DANA published a cost benefit analysis, led by Professor Anne Daly from the Discipline of Economics, University of Canberra which details the value of independent advocacy and shows that for every dollar invested by governments in advocacy, there is a saving of $3.50. This fact is one that the advocacy sector is keen to make known amongst political parties, community members and people with disability. It makes good economic sense to keep independent advocacy going.

Please support #Advocacy Matters Campaign

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Having A Say Conference 2018

Monday 5th, Tuesday 6th & Wednesday 7th February

The Having a Say conference is the largest conference for people with disabilities within Australia where people can find their voice, to speak up, to be heard and to be respected. This is the conference where people listen to each other, not just to the speakers on stage. This is the conference where people respect each other’s views and opinions, and celebrate their common cause.

People enjoy coming to the conference for a range of reasons. Some are keen advocates for people with disability and want to debate about issues, others find the whole environment empowering and some just want to have fun! Many people come to the conference to have a say, such as open microphone to present or perform. We often get comments on the Evaluation Forms saying things like “It was great I felt important because everyone listened to what I said”.

There is always be a need for people to get together to share experiences and to celebrate

achievements and from the inaugural Having a Say Conference, held in Maryborough in 2000,

where were almost 190 people attended the enthusiasm generated each year has inspired the

conference to grow so that now over 1,000 participants from across Australia, and often from the

international community, attending the conference each year.

Article from VALID website www.valid.org.au/having-say-2018

Assert 4 All

Our vital individual advocacy work continues in Bacchus Marsh and Golden Plains (in

partnership with Grampians Disability Advocacy—Gda and funded by Federal

Government.) And in Geelong, Queenscliff and Surfcoast (funded by Victorian

Government and Give Where You Live).

We are currently running a wait list in some areas as demand exceeds our funding.

Please phone our Intake Officer on 03 5221 8011 or 1300 942 773

and we will try to assist, particularly with urgent issues.

Greenpie plan management

assists with:

Co-ordination of supports

Support Connection

Financial intermediary

Please contact us if you would like further Information on our services.

1300 768 788

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SELF-ADVOCACY PLUS PROJECT

Barwon Disability Resource Council (BDRC) has implemented the Self-advocacy Plus

Project.

The Self-advocacy Plus Project provides advocacy support for individuals with

disabilities and their families to improve their quality of life.

Individuals involved within this project will receive timely, targeted and appropriate

support to self-advocate for themselves or their family members, with an emphasis on

those who are isolated.

“When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful”

- Malala Yousafzai

The Self-advocacy Plus project can help individuals with getting information, speaking

up and being heard. It can also help individuals to know their rights and to make

decisions.

If you would like to access this project or know of somebody who this could help

please contact:

Christina La Spada

Self-Advocacy Project Officer

Phone: 5221 8011

Mobile: 0427 080 007

Email: christina@bdrc.org.au The Self-advocacy Plus Project is supported by the Victorian Government.

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DISABILITY SUPPORT FUND

The Disability Support Fund (DSF) assists people with a

psychiatric disability access community based health, social

vocational and recreational options that would not otherwise

be available.

Some examples of things that have been funded are: Art

classes & equipment; Computer courses; Gym

memberships; Music lessons; Bicycles and safety

equipment; Cooking classes; Karate lessons; Driving

lessons and Musical instruments.

Applications will be accepted from or for individuals who do

not have a current National Disability Insurance Scheme

(NDIS) plan.

If you want to access the DSF and have a Psychiatric

disability, are a case manager, service provider or a carer of

a person with a psychiatric illness or simply want to get some more information call -

Carmel Hendriks on: 03 5221 8498 Mobile 0417 323 396

1800 626 724 (Toll Free from land lines and some mobiles).

While all reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content of this

newsletter. The content is to offer information and BDRC do not recommend one product

over another.

BDRC’s Board and staff will not be held responsible for any false or misleading

information supplied here in.

(ABN 83 121 194 660)

Access is always an important issue to everyday life.

If you have any stories of interest or any access issues you would like to bring to our

attention please send us an email.

info@bdrc.org.au