Disability no bar to good parenting

THE recent removal of a child from a young mother with a disability, reported in today's Saturday Age, is heart-wrenching and disturbing and leaves me and those involved in the case in emotional turmoil. Goodness knows, then, how the poor mother, ''Rebecca'', is coping, let alone her child.
It appears, however, that the removal of children from parents with a disability, basically because they have a disability, may be not so uncommon.

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/disability-no-bar-to-good-parenting-20121214-2bf75.html#ixzz2F4OwMSGk

Disability Standards for Education: Parent/Carer Survey

This survey asks you about the education of your child or children with a disability or medical condition. It covers birth to about 18 years (that is, until your child leaves schooling). It includes day care settings (in centres or paid Family Day Care), early intervention settings, early childhood settings or schools, primary schools and secondary schools (it does not include TAFE).
Please note, that in this survey, you are answering in relation to your child. If, for example, you are also a volunteer/staff in a school or learning setting, you are asked to respond from the perspective of a parent or carer.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DSEparents_carers

More included in Better Start

The Government will provide $10.8 million over four years to expand, from 1 January 2013, the Better Start for Children with Disability initiative to include children with Prader‑Willi, Williams, Angelman, Kabuki, CHARGE, Cornelia de Lange, Cri du Chat and Smith‑Magenis syndromes and microcephaly.

Better Start provides eligible children with access to up to $12,000 for early intervention services. A $2,000 one‑off tax exempt payment is also available to families living in outer regional, rural and remote areas to help meet some of the costs of accessing services.

This measure builds on the 2011‑12 Budget measure titled A Better Start for Children with Disability — Early intervention.

The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs will fund the costs of this measure through a redirection of resources.

http://www.budget.gov.au/2012-13/content/myefo/html/09_appendix_a_expense-07.htm

Andrew Leigh's Education Survey

have your say to Andrew Leigh about education in the ACT before the election.

http://www.andrewleigh.com/blog/?p=3174

Labor's promises to boost disability support

ACT Labor has pledged $15 million in support for people with a disability, their families and carers ahead of next month's election.

Part of the package includes the previously announced extra half-day of support per week for young people with a disability who have graduated from school, adding an extra $5,000 per person per year.
It would spend $1.5 million on payroll tax concessions to businesses employing school leavers with a disability.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-28/labor-promises-to-boost-disability-services/4286270

Rugby league great gets behind autism school

The Canberra Liberals have based their plan for an autism-specific school on a Queensland model that charges families fees in excess of $20,000 a year.
But the opposition, whose proposal was endorsed yesterday by former Canberra Raiders rugby league champion Ricky Stuart, said that they will be able to keep fees for their school lower than the $23,000 per year charged in Queensland.
The amount families pay for the Queensland schools, operated by the not-for-profit AEIOU Foundation, is higher than the fees charged at Canberra Grammar School.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/rugby-league-great-gets-behind-autism-school-20120926-26lvr.html

Discussion Point - Autism Specific School for Canberra

So the Libs have promised a 40 place Autism specific "school" for Canberra. There has been a lot of discussion all over facebook, twitter, and apparently websites such as the Riotact etc.

I rarely give any personal opinion on this blog, preferring to keep it to events, facts, and reporting only, however this seems to be such a huge issue in the ACT right now I think it's worth having a conversation over.

My thoughts are that :

• 40 places are not nearly enough given the rates of autism / disability (i would go so far as to say they are a token)
• the model requires the parents / centre to be fundraising to keep it going which is frankly crazy (lol)
• it's not a "school", it's an early intervention centre
• why is it autism only? why is it not a general early intervention centre for all children with disabilities, with autism streams within (but only where a specific autism stream is a necessity due to the needs of children with autism)
• it's a promise which is likely to backfire if generating votes was the main focus. while some people are excited by the idea the majority of people i see discussing it have major concerns about it.

Just reading the latest story to be posted on the Canberra Times about it and they predict fees will be less than $23000 pa per child - OMG! there is NO WAY on earth that we would have been able to afford that and no way on earth parents should have to pay that! what about parents on low incomes? what about parents who have autism (or other disabilities) themselves and are unable to work  due to their disability?

So what are your thoughts?

Ricky Stuart supporting Lib's promise of Autism School

ACT Opposition Leader Zed Seselja has welcomed today’s funding pledge from Ricky Stuart for the autism school that the Canberra Liberals have committed to if elected. The Ricky Stuart Foundation was established last year to help raise awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

http://www.canberraliberals.org.au/LATEST-NEWS/ZED-SESELJA-MLA/ZED-WELCOMES-RICKY-STUARTS-SUPPORT-FOR-LIBS-AUTISM-SCHOOL.asp

ACT Liberals pledge to build autism-specific school

The Canberra Liberals will officially launch their election campaign today with a promise to build Canberra's first autism-specific school.
The policy will be part of the Liberals' campaign launch at the National Convention Centre.
The 40-place early intervention centre would provide full-time intensive programs for children aged between 2½ and six years who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.


http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/act-liberals-pledge-to-build-autismspecific-school-20120921-26cpj.html

School Leaver Traineeships

CLOSES MONDAY!!!!

Applications for the 2013 School Leaver Traineeships open on Thursday 30 August and close on Monday 24 September 2012. There are up to 10 positions available. and students who are currently in Year 12 or who completed Year 12 in 2011 are eligible to apply.

If you are an Indigenous Australian, a person with disability or are from a culturally or linguistically diverse background we also encourage you to apply for our Traineeship Program.

http://www.environment.gov.au/about/jobs/traineeship/recruitment-2013.html

New homes offer independence - Canberra

A new housing project in Canberra is set to provide independent living for people with an intellectual disability.
The ACT Government is partnering with business to develop three specially designed Canberra share houses.
The houses are being built in Harrison and will home up to 10 people with an intellectual disability.
There will also be room on site for live-in carers or support workers. 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-13/new-act-homes-for-people-with-disability/4259642?section=act

I give a Gonski update

Hi,
Great news on school funding.
The Federal Government has finally agreed to act on the recommendations of the Gonski Review.
It has committed to changing the way schools are funded and increasing the resources for education and public schools.
The decision on Monday came after people around the country like you spoke up and joined the I give a Gonski campaign.
Here is a campaign update if you would like to read more about the Federal Government’s announcement.
We still have a long way to go though.
The Federal Government is now negotiating with state and territory leaders to see how much of the extra funding they will provide and over what time period.
There is no guarantee they will all come onboard.
That is why we must keep the pressure up.
Please help by emailing your state premier or territory chief minister to let them know how important it is that they act on school funding.
It will only take a minute to send the email via our website but it will make a difference.
The financial support of all state and territory leaders is vital if we are to ensure our children’s schools get additional resources.
Thank you,
The I Give a Gonski team
P.S. You can keep up with the latest news on the campaign via our facebook page.

further NDIS stories

Liberal premiers put politics before the disabled
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/liberal-premiers-put-politics-before-the-disabled-20120725-22r1n.html

Disability advocates hail NDIS breakthrough
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-27/disability-advocates-hail-ndis-breakthrough/4160616

Julia Gillard welcomes Victoria and NSW's increased funding for NDIS
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/julia-gillard-welcomes-victoria-and-nsws-funding-increases-for-ndis-trial/story-e6frf7jo-1226436411933

Australian Social Trends: Children with a disability

This article investigates the prevalence of disability among children aged 0-14 years, and the types of disability most common among children. It also examines the need for, and the accessibility of, assistance for children with a disability, both at home and at school.

http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4102.0Main+Features30Jun+2012

Centenary gift to Canberra kids

Centenary gift to Canberra kids: The initial concept plan for the ‘‘boundless’’ National Children’s Playground features a forest glade, embankment slide, a play sculpture including climbing wall and cubby, water play, sensory garden and a maze. However the community will get to have its say on the elements through a consultation phase. ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher announced $50,000 seed funding this morning for the project, which has been driven by volunteer public servants with private sector support. It will be accessible for children of all ages and abilities. Read more
To have your say about the project, visit the website www.nationalcapital.gov.au/haveyoursay 

$10,000 to keep my girl breathing

The parents of a young woman battling an extremely rare muscle disorder have been forced to raise $10,000 for a machine that will keep their girl alive.
Following a six-week stay in hospital, Michelle Davies has been allowed home on the proviso she has access to a machine to help her breathe.
But without any government funding available to her, the young Metford woman and her parents have had to foot the extortionate bill for a life saving cough assist machine.

http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/10000-to-keep-my-girl-breathing/2607078.aspx

2012 National Disability Research and Development Grants - closing soon

http://www.dprwg.gov.au/research-development/2012-national-disability-research-and-development-grants

2012 National Disability Research and Development Grants National Disability Research and Development grants will be awarded to researchers for research that supports the National Disability Agreement, the National Disability Strategy and future reforms such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

A total of $750,000 (ex GST) is available in 2012 for the open competitive funding round. A maximum amount of $100,000 per year will be available for each project (unless a compelling case is made to exceed this limit). Projects can run over more than one year. A proportion (approximately 20%) of the total funding can be approved for seed funding to prepare for grants applications through this funding or through other processes such as NHMRC and/or ARC Linkage grants.

Tears of joy as Federal Government intervenes to allow British police officer Peter Threlfall into South Australia

THE Immigration Minister has ordered his department to allow British policeman Peter Threlfall and his family into Australia. Chris Bowen's intervention followed revelations in The Advertiser yesterday that the family had been denied visas because Mr Threlfall's 25-year-old step-daughter, Sarah, has autism. Mr Threlfall last night likened the backflip to winning the lottery.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/tears-of-joy-as-federal-government-intervenes-to-allow-british-police-officer-peter-threlfall-into-south-australia/story-e6frea83-1226394892643

I give a gonski

http://igiveagonski.com.au/

online petition for the government to actually implement the gonski report.

Cybersecurity awareness session

How do you protect yourself online?

CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS WORKSHOP

Tuesday 29 May 10 am - 12 pm Belconnen Library Friday 1 June 10 am - 12
pm Kippax Library Tuesday 5 June 10 am - 12 pm Tuggeranong Library
Wednesday 20 June 10 am - 12 pm Gungahlin Library Wednesday 20 June 2 pm
- 4 pm Dickson Library Thursday 21 June 10 am - 12 pm Woden Library

The Australian Government is working towards helping Australians
understand that no matter where they are or what they are doing, they
need to protect themselves online - whether they are on their home
computer or laptop, iPad/tablet, smartphone, or even their gaming
console. They need to use safe and secure online practices.

This is a free interactive workshop on the simple steps Australians (and
older Australians) can take to protect themselves online, run by the
Australian Government in partnership with Libraries ACT.

Bookings are recommended

For more information contact:
Libraries ACT
www.library.act.gov.au
Phone 6205 9000