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Wish you luck Welcome to the Chinese year of the dog and here’s to a great year ahead for everyone at BigDog.
in the year of the dog
Lots of things happening this month commencing with our first cruise to the Whitsundays and Hamilton Island for 6 lucky young men and their support staff (wish I was going). There are some major improvements in how we will be operating our rostering and time sheets with an App on your phone that shows your current shifts and any shifts that are available that you can book and the App evens records your support times. Go technology!
Steven
In This Issue Year of the Dog In the world of DisAbility NDIS Updates PM visits Toowoomba BigDog Photograph Gallery Growth and Stability Day Service
Rockhampton Safety Matters Staff Information February Events BigDog Newsletter Privacy Notice: Please note that as a subscriber to our BigDog Newsletter which supplies news and events relevant to this organisation, your email address or any other personal information collected will only be used for the purpose for which you gave it to us and will not be disclosed to any other person, body or agency except where you have provided your consent or it is required or authorised by law. 2
Chinese New Year 2018 Unlike our New Year festivities, which always take place at midnight between December 31 and January 1, the Chinese version is a movable celebration - and the next one begins on Friday 16th February. Chinese New Year takes place on a different date each year because it is based on the lunar calendar. The global celebrations are an explosion of light and sound - involving bell ringing, lighting firecrackers, and watching traditional lion dances. Chinese families gather together for a reunion dinner and clean their houses to sweep away bad fortune on New Year's Day. Traditionally, kids would be given red envelopes stuffed with 'lucky money' and positive wishes on New Year's Day. The Chinese zodiac moves in a 12-year cycle, and those born in 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, and 2018 are also known as Dogs. According to the Asian astrology, your year of birth - and the animal this represents - determines a lot about your personality traits. Although each of the 12 animals gets an outing every dozen years, there are different varieties - and 2018 will be the first year of the earth dog since 1958. Anyone born in an earth dog year will be communicative, serious, and responsible in the workplace.
The Chinese Zodiac Story Legend has it that, back in the ancient days, the Jade Emperor ordered that animals would become part of the calendar - and that the 12 who arrived first would be selected.
At the time, the cat and the rat were good friends. When they heard the news, the cat said to the rat: "We should arrive early to sign up, but I usually get up late." The rat promised to wake his pal up so they could go together but, because he was so excited, forgot and went alone. On the way, the rat bumped into the tiger, ox, horse and other animals - who were all much faster than him.
He hatched a plan and convinced the ox to carry him on his back - on the condition that the rat sang throughout the journey. The ox arrived first, but the rat sneaked in front of him and became the first lucky animal. By the time the cat arrived, the selection was over - which is why the cat hates the rat and will always try to chase and kill him. 3
By Alyce Nelligan I always forget what it is like to go out as disabled person because I don't go clubbing for a while and then when we do it's like okay! I remember this is what happens *** I probably got mobbed by about 100 complete strangers over the course of the night on Saturday. I wonder if this qualifies me to start wearing shades inside like that Milo guy.. Anyway I need to make a disclaimer here. I love drunk helpers! There is no one more helpful, kind, complementary or caring than girls in public bars & bathrooms. I have had complete random ladies ask me do I need help to go to the toilet. Shout out to all the girls. You are amazing It is so awesome to be kind. I love get compliments on my dress or how pretty I look. I love when people ask me to dance because they want to be inclusive. I love when people try to be inclusive. It makes our lives so much easier and makes us feel welcome in public spaces that are not so friendly. I am looking at you Toowoomba with all your stairs!!!
me. People tell Brendan how great of a bloke he is for being with me. Then some guy will tell him he is lucky to have me. What a great gal they say. Someone of course will ask if Brendan is my brother. I will be stopped on the street by people so shocked and happy to see me out. Crying, hugging, yelling, squealing. At the end of the day I am fine with it. I am happy to educate and chat to people anytime. But I wonder how others without such a small personal space bubble might go? And for me it just reminds me of how we think disabled people act and how disabled people look. The sight of me out should not be a revelation to anyone. We are human. We just want to do what everyone else does. We have to work on visibility as a society. People should not cry because they see me in a club! I love people's kindness but I think it is time for the memo to be announced. The crips are out. We are living. We are loving. We have fun. Some of is like to wear glitter haha. All of us are like you. And fix up the f*** stairs! Now where are my sunnies for indoors‌.
But people say the strangest things on top of compliments and it just reminds you of the kind of stereotypes that get around about PWD's! It just reminds you of how far off those ideas are!! One young lady's Mum started to cry at the sight of Brendan and I. She was so utterly overwhelmed that I was out living my life. She was literally crying and say how beautiful it is. She wished she could have taken pictures of us. People tell me they would do anything for 4
Review of Decisions
Q&A
A reviewable decision is a decision made by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) which carries formal rights of review under the NDIS Act
I am hearing impaired in both ears and wearing a cochlear implant and working full time; am I entitled for exemption from paying NDIS through tax?
A person must make a request for an internal review within 3 months of receiving written notice of a reviewable decision from the NDIA (section 100(2)).
All income earners in Australia are required to pay the Medicare levy, no one is exempt.
What is reviewable and what is not? Decisions under the NDIS Act which can be reviewed are known as reviewable decisions. The majority of decisions made by the NDIA under the NDIS Act are reviewable decisions. Decisions that can be reviewed include those relating to access, plan reviews, plan nominees and plan decisions. Internal Review In an internal review an NDIA staff member (the reviewer) who was not involved in the making of the original decision re-considers the facts, law and policy aspects of a decision and determines what the correct or preferable decision is. The reviewer puts themselves in the shoes of the original decision maker and considers the decision from a fresh perspective. The reviewer is also able to consider any new information which has become available. When conducting the internal review, the reviewer will consider the same legal framework as the original decision maker (unless Parliament has changed the law and said that the changes apply to decisions that are being reviewed), and may exercise all the powers and discretions which were available to the original decision maker. This type of review is often referred to as 'merits review' or a 'de novo' appeal. Merits review differs from a judicial review where a judge in a court can consider only whether the decision was correct in law. In merits review the reviewer is able to change the decision if there is a preferable decision, even where the decision being reviewed is legally valid.
The Medicare levy provides peace of mind to all Australians that if they or a loved one acquire a disability, they will be supported. The modest increase in the Medicare levy will ensure we can deliver and sustainably fund the NDIS. Will those living with a permanent psychiatric condition find assistance through the NDIS? Yes. The Productivity Commission, who did the original estimates for the Scheme back in 2011, highlighted that around about 13-14% of people would enter the Scheme with what’s called a ‘psychosocial disability’. We have found that this representative of the number we have already in the Scheme. People with psychosocial disability have been recognised by the Scheme and are already receiving support. How is the NDIS going to be funded in years to come? The Productivity Commission estimated in 2011 that once fully operational in 2019-20, the cost of the NDIS would be about $22 billion a year. The NDIS is jointly funded by the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments, as outlined in the bilateral agreements for each jurisdiction. Why is every NDIS plan different? Every NDIS plan is different because every NDIS participant is unique, and no two peoples’ lives, goals and daily activities are exactly the same. 5
PM selects Toowoomba for his National Address on infrastructure development Mr Turnbull addressed a lunch for more than 250 people at the Empire Theatre - Armitage Auditorium with additional addresses from Deputy Prime Minister Hon Barnaby Joyce and Minister for Regional Development Hon John McVeigh. Mr Turnbull said his government was focused on jobs growth in regional areas and decentralisation and that the Garden City as the exception to the rule of how three levels of government had partnered to build a strong regional economy. "Decentralisation is really about ensuring every part of Australia benefits from the economic growth that we're seeing, and the jobs growth we're seeing," Mr Turnbull said. "With all the benefits of broadband, better telecommunications technology, your geography, where you're actually sitting, is less important that it used to be." The Pulse Data Centre and Wellcamp Airport, both driven by private enterprise, and the $1.6 billion Toowoomba Second Range Crossing's public-private funding split were exemplary developments, he said. The PM also spoke about the government’s success in job creation, the benefits to Australia of trade agreements including the TPP that has just been concluded, the benefits of small and medium size business from tax cuts and the predicted benefits of extending tax cuts to all businesses. 6
Having a Say Conference 2018
Learning disabilities and left-handedness
Monday 5th to Wednesday 7th February
What hand does your child write with? Researchers have started to recognize the connections between brain development, lefthandedness, and learning disabilities. It appears that the risk of developing learning disabilities, or mood disorders, has something to do with the way a person’s brain is wired.
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. Mitchell and Allycia our Mainstream and Me representatives at Having A Say Conference.
It has been estimated that around 10% of people are left-handed, and another 1% of the population is mixed-handed, (meaning that this group of people do not have a dominant hand). This means that the majority of people are right-handed. Most people write, eat, and do other daily tasks with their right hand. This is probably why the mouse attached to your computer is on the right hand side of your desk. What causes left-handedness? Some of it is due to genetics. Researchers have found that some of what makes a person left-handed has to do with environmental factors. Mothers who experienced a high level of stress during their pregnancy are more likely give birth to a child who is left-hand dominant. Babies who are born to older mothers, or who were born with a lower birth rate, are more likely to be lefthanded. To obtain a copy of WhatsUp in Disability magazine or to be an advertiser, please contact WhatsUp via: Office
4/33 Bell Street, Toowoomba
admin@whatsupindisability.org
Phone
4632 6678. 7
Brisbane National NDIS Provider Forum On February 15th Steven will be attending the Brisbane Forum which is one of a series of events that will deliver information and insights about the role of Providers in the growing NDIS market. The forums will provide an update on the Participant and Provider Pathway Review, the implementation of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and the Independent Pricing Review.
Congratulations to the following people who have signed their training contracts to commence Certificate III in Direct Support
Colin B
The forum is also an opportunity for registered providers to learn about improvements to the NDIS, their obligations and potential business opportunities.
Joel F
Juliette S
Karen C
There will be a followup webinar on 24th April 2018.
Kendall A
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Hamilton Island 4 Day Cruise
Supervision
Each day is a brand new adventure! From family fun to relaxing solo there are plenty of things to do onboard. The hardest part of cruising with P&O is choosing what to try first.
Steve Asgill will be the cruise coordinator with Jack to assist with personal support.
Itinerary Monday 26th
Tuesday 27th
As the tickets have been purchased there are no refunds and support costs will be charged to the participant NDIS plan.
BigDog Bus leaves 1000
Accommodation
Depart Brisbane 1600
Capacity
At sea
All of our rooms are on deck 6 with ocean view interconnecting cabins next to the elevators for easy access and easy to locate.
Wednesday 28th Hamilton Island full day
1260 guests
Tender - wheelchair limited
Travel Insurance
Thursday 1st
At sea
Friday 2nd
Arrive Brisbane 0600
By taking out travel insurance you are essentially covering yourself against travel risks such as lost or stolen luggage, cancellation cover (should you not be able to travel due to unexpected medical reasons) and most importantly, unexpected medical costs abroad.
BigDog Bus collects 1100
Pacific Aria Let your troubles float away on Pacific Aria. Dig in with sixteen dining experiences, catch a movie at the Premium Cinema and swim in the top deck pool – it’s open no matter the weather thanks to a climate controlled retractable roof! Head to the Blue Room for live music all day (and all night) long. With everything from Blues to R&B, jazz and funk, this isn’t your typical cruise music. It’s the perfect venue for a nightcap after one of our brand new production shows or themed parties.
Should you opt to decline travel insurance you may be required to sign a disclaimer Cost is $50 per passenger to be invoiced Motion Sickness Head down to Guest Services and ask about seasickness pills. Contacting the Ship
Calling from Australia: Telephone: 00 11 1 321 837 6315
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BigDog has grown rapidly over the past couple of years, and while growth is a good problem to have, it puts pressure on systems and processes that have worked well in a smaller business. I’ve come on board with a background in improving business systems and processes, and my role here at BigDog is to do just that. I’m excited to join the BigDog management team, and can see many opportunities to improve our systems and processes. My goal is simply to make life easier for our employees and to continually improve our service delivery to our participants. There are three key areas that I’m focusing on for improvement initially. Rosters first and foremost, and secondarily, vehicles and phones. Inevitably, innovating systems and processes brings about change and as we move forward we will all encounter various changes. I can’t promise that everything we do will be perfect from day one - there is always a period of adjustment and transition. What I can promise is that we are committed to improvement, and I want to invite you all to be a part of a positive, supportive environment to ensure that BigDog continues to grow and improve long into the future.
Some highlights of the rostering system are that you can use it on your phone or log in on the web. You are able to see your shifts well in advance. You can make shifts that you can’t work available for others to taken (and you can apply to take on available shifts if they suit your availability). You can submit your unavailabilities, or request leave. You can use the app to clock in and out for your shift - which we encourage you to do so as we would like to move towards phasing out paper based timesheets in the near future. That’s all for now, but I’ll leave you with a couple of screenshots of the Sling App. Feel free to get in touch with me at phill@bigdogsupport.com or at the office.
There will be more information coming soon, but we have been trialing an electronic rostering system with a few employees. Feedback has been positive, and Jeremy is excited at the prospect of a simpler rostering task going forward. 11
Important Note There has been an identified case of Scabies in the Day Service, your Child/Participant may have been exposed. Although Scabies are not usually a serious problem, scabies infestation is easily spread from person to person through close contact, particularly skin to skin. Scabies is a very itchy, contagious skin infection caused by microscopic mites that burrow into the skin’s upper layers and cause a rash. It is an infection that occurs not only in children, but in people of all ages. Scabies causes a rash that appears 2 to 4 weeks after the
mites enter the skin. It can be extremely itchy and become worse at night. Along with a rash, the burrowing mites can form threadlike grey or white lines on the skin that resemble irregular pencil marks. Anyone can be infested with Scabies. Scabies can occur in all socioeconomic levels without regard to age, sex or personal hygiene. Scabies is usually spread by direct prolonged skin to skin contact, with someone who is infested. Any person with scabies must be excluded from community activities until they return with a medical certificate. Day Service Coordinator Due to the growth within BigDog we are seeking an additional person. In this key role, you will work independently to coordinate, develop and grow all aspects of the Day Service. This will include rostering, supervising and supporting Day Service staff, liaising with Day Service participants and/ or their families or guardians, developing and implementing programs and activities that maximise the opportunities for our participants to engage socially within the community. You will also be responsible for the coordination and successful operation of a community bus service. You will work closely with a supportive management team to provide regular reports and updates. 12
Queensland Women’s Week
Valentines Trivia Night Wednesday 14th February Athelstane Bowls Clubhouse $20pp Come dressed in your Favourite red, white or pink colours. Day Service Address YWCA Sports Complex
Queensland Women’s Week recognises and celebrates the achievements of Queensland’s women and girls. Everyone has a role to play in creating a Queensland community that respects women, embraces gender equality, and promotes and protects the rights, interests and wellbeing of women and girls. This year Queensland Women's Week celebrations will be held from 3 to 11 March with the theme 'Celebrate wellbeing. Everybody wins'. The week will include a state-wide series of events and activities, offering something for everyone. The theme aims to encourage women and girls to celebrate their wellbeing which benefits not only individual women and girls, but the whole community. It also aligns with the health and wellbeing priority of the Queensland Women's Strategy which provides a framework for government, the private sector and the wider Queensland community to take significant action to achieve gender equality in Queensland.
125 Robinson Street, North Rockhampton 4701 Post Office address PO Box 9777 Frenchville 4701 Coordinator Suzanne Smith 0438 724 306 Suzanne@bigdogsupport.com
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Working in heat Safe Work Australia has published a Guide for managing the risks of working in heat. The guide provides practical guidance on how to manage the risks associated with working in heat, and information on what to do if a worker begins to suffer from a heat-related illness. “Heat is a hazard in many Australian workplaces, whether work is performed indoors or outdoors,� said Safe Work Australia CEO Michelle Baxter. Congratulations Well done Steve for achieving your certificate in Work Health and Safety.
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Time Sheets Please ensure that the totals of hours worked are recorded at the bottom of your time sheet. Incomplete time sheets are causing delays in processing the pays.
While we are progressing to the new rostering and time reporting software there will be some staff utilising the old system while others are trialling the new system. Not that there are any delays expected, there just might be. So please be patient while we work through these changes. Office Phones We are also updating some of our office phone settings including utilising an automated number extension system. This will be like the system used in larger organisations where a caller is answered with the option of speaking with the section that can best assist with their enquiry. For example press 1 for Service Coordination, press 2 for Accounts, press 3 for general enquiries etc.
February 4th 16th 17th 27th
Cooper W Amanda I Melissa D Warwick B
Have a great day!
This system will also incorporate a personal message bank for the intended recipient of the call if they are on another call or away from their desk rather than having a message with another person to have them call back.
Clair Watts
Tracey Utz
Lachlan Smit 15
Broncos v Titans NRL Trial
Highfields Fitness Expo
Clive Berghofer Stadium
Highfields Recreation Centre
Saturday 17th February 2018 6:30pm
Sunday 18th February 2018 8:00am–4:00pm Children’s activities, skating and scooter workshops, live music with DJ Krazy Kev, local emergency services and sporting groups stalls, Friends of the Library book sale, in-body scans, group fitness demos and much more! Entry cost: $10 (family) $4 (adult) $2 (student/ child) Entry fee includes the use of the aquatic centre so bring your togs.
Come along to the Stadium to enjoy this great event. Some of our local heroes will be in action. Broncos will be training on Friday afternoon and it is free to watch this session. Early bird tickets: Adults $17, $15 (concession) $10 (child U 12)
Chinese New Year
Cooee
Toowoomba Library
Cobb+Co Museum
Victoria Street Toowoomba Sunday 25th February 2018 10:00am–2:00pm
27 Lindsay Street Toowoomba Sunday 25th February 2018 2:00pm–6:00pm
Cooee is an official Mayoral welcome event for new and returning international students in our region. Cobb+Co Museum are proud to host this free event featuring an official welcome by Mayor Paul Antonio and free museum tours throughout the afternoon. Come and join the fun! Aussie BBQ, Cuddle a koala or pat a wallaby, working sheepdogs in action, carriage rides 16
Valentines Day Wednesday 14th February 2018 Every February chocolates, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. The history of Valentine’s Day — and its patron saint — is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition and recognises at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young, single men — his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages.
What’s on in February 1st February Thursday
Prime Minister in Toowoomba
7th February Tuesday
NDIS Plan Management NDIS Support Coordination
14th February Wednesday
TDSPN Meeting Mystery Bus Trip St Valentines Day
15th February Thursday
NDIS Forum Brisbane
17th February Saturday
Broncos vs Titans
18th February Sunday
Chinese New Year
Contact Us BigDog Support Services 232 Ruthven Street Toowoomba QLD 4350 PO Box 234 Harlaxton QLD 4350 YWCA Sports Complex 125 Robinson Street North Rockhampton
(07) 4632 9559
1800 22 44 32 0427 408 698 (On Call) admin@bigdogsupport.com Visit us on the web at 17
P&O
Hamilton Island
26/02/2018
4
20/04/2018
4
15/05/2018
4
25/05/2018
4
(Fully Booked) P&O
Hamilton Island
Wheelchair access
(Fully Booked)
P&O
Whitsundays For the ladies
P&O
Hamilton Island
Explore the world with us
For the guys
Group Holidays BigDog Support Services run an extensive range of group holidays catering for travellers with different interests, skills and abilities. We keep our groups small to provide the personal service, support and individualised attention that our travellers deserve. Smaller groups mean we can also respond to special interests or changing weather by altering our daily activities to suit the group
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