WhatsUp in Disability March/April 2020 Magazine by BigDog Support

Disability Information Services by People with Disability Toowoomba and Southern Queensland

Volume 2, Issue 93

Subscription $20 PA

Proudly supported and printed by ToowoombaWhatsUp Region in Disability

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WhatsUp

Highlights March/April 2020

03 10 13 19 25 28

Something about Bella

NDIS the final 20%

Coronavirus

Boomerang Bags Co-founder Visits

Stairs in a Wheelchair

My Community

Cover Page Manny in his yard maintenance uniform looking ahead to plenty of lawns to mow now that we have had rain Picture by Steven Paull

Liz Schneidewin Editor

Steven Paull JP (Qual) President Page 2

Something about Bella Join Billy Drury and his family and friends as they celebrate the life and legacy of his daughter Bella who sadly passed away from SIDS due to premature birth. Billy has chosen to make his daughter's birthday party a public event to help raise funds for the Toowoomba Hospitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Special Care Nursery.

and the joining Willowburn Park grounds to assist in this great community event. We will also have a sausage sizzle and community marques to provide awareness of community services in the Toowoomba Region. We will need lots of help on the day to man these sites and to also assist in directing cars into the designated place.

Bella Sky Drury was born on the 21st March 2017, 8 week premature and sadly passed away 4 weeks into her life from unclassified Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) due to premature birth.

If you would like to be a volunteer on the day please let us here at WhatsUp know so that we can assign you a job to do

During her life Bella was in the Special Care Nursery at the Toowoomba Hospital.

Tell your friends and family about this event and everyone come along and enjoy a great day in the park.

Funds raised will be used to purchase lifesaving/ life-changing medical equipment that will potentially save and improve lives of babies that need a little extra help. BigDog and WhatsUp in Disability will be opening the Paul Myatt Community Centre

Did you know... There is no way to prevent SIDS. However, it is known that babies sleep safer when placed on a firm surface on their back. The Back to Sleep Campaign was launched in 1994 to help inform parents and caregivers of the importance of back sleeping. Since the introduction of the Back to Sleep Campaign, the number of SIDS deaths has dropped by more than 50%. WhatsUp in Disability

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Council Elections

Saturday 28th March 2020 Local government elections throughout Queensland are held every four years. The role of a Councillor is a demanding one. It requires knowledge of local government systems, an interest in people and a willingness to invest time and energy in serving the needs and interests of the local community. So, who question? who have improving my picks.

to vote for, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the vexing There are so many great people contributed their valuable time in our community. Here are a few of

Incumbents Cr Paul Antonio Mayor is an inspirational speaker and a great leader, he should retain his role as Mayor with a clear majority of ticks from the voters. Cr Geoff McDonald with the portfolio of Environment and Community. A tireless worker who is not afraid to dress up to promote an event or cause. A surety to retain his seat. Cr Bill Cahill Water and Waste. Bill has always been ready to discuss matters of the

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heart and offer his advice when asked. However he may be an even bet this time rather than a sure winner.

Incumbents & Contenders Cr James O’Shea is Infrastructure. Although newly elected in 2016 and riding his media name at the time, James has been open in his dealings with the disability sector but hasn’t shown a great deal of initiative or drive in achieving outcomes.

Retiring Councillors

Some of the contenders

Cr Mike Williams—20 years Cambooya/TRC

Petria Grabham and I worked together for several years during the introduction of the NDIS into Queensland and following during her time as a LAC for Carers Queensland.

Cr Joe Ramia—24 years Toowoomba/TRC

As the bell tolls on 28th March a total of 90 years of local government experience will retire from the board room. Cr Anne Glasheen—29 years Clifton/TRC

Cr Chris Tait—17 years Jondaryan/TRC

Petria believes in inclusion. Our diverse society needs to work together and acknowledge that all the people in our community have the same rights. Petria promises that she will work to connect with all of the various communities. Kerry Shine is a man that I have high regard for. He worked tirelessly as the member for Toowoomba North and as the State Attorney General. He supported every school P&C, sporting club and community club with his presence and advice.

When I interviewed Kerry this week, he indicated that his main goal as councillor would be to ensure that our city on a mountain would be assured of a constant supply of water to meet our needs. Also high on his agenda is the fast rail to Ipswich and we discussed the building of the original rail line and the connection with Clydesdales which were widely used in transporting the rails and sleepers. The reason that the Toowoomba RLFC used the Clydesdale as its emblem. Joy Mingay is a successful recruitment business owner and past president of the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce with lots of experience in representing what Toowoomba businesses need from Council. Joy had let it be known that as a first step, she would like to see two Council portfolios be given for regional representation - in the same way as Planning, Finance etc... has a portfolio. This way, our region has designated, go-to people (perhaps split into north and south). This is something that could be done in the first sitting of the new Council, while the issue of divisions/wards is investigated.

L to R Cr Anne Glasheen, Cr Mike Williams, Cr Joe Ramia and Cr Chris Tait

You are all truly great people and you will all be dearly missed in the council chambers and in our region, doing the great work you do serving our amazing communities, that with your collective experience, you have had a hand in shaping! I would like to personally thank Joe Ramia for his strong support of Parent 2 Parent, BigDog Support Services and WhatsUp in Disability that has allowed us to operate out of the Paul Myatt Community Centre since 2011.

WhatsUp in Disability

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WhatsUp

Australia

Mannyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mowing Again... What an amazing country that we call home. In our previous magazine we wrote about how Australia seemed to be on fire, how record low rainfall contributed to a continent-scale emergency that was watched by the world and sorrow was felt for those who lost their lives, families, homes, pets or livestock. And then it rained, and it rained some more. The rain put out the fires and filled the dams and rivers. But what is really significant is that after months of our yards being the home of weeds, the grass is growing and lawns needs mowing. And that is why Manny is really happy about things because he just loves to mow lawns especially on a ride on mower.

Winton Queensland Picture by John Elliott

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RSPCA Opening Wellcamp Opened “With the building of our new facility, we’ve been able to transition from our old address without having to close our current operations within the region.” said RSPCA CEO Darren Maier. “The official opening of our new Campus was conducted by the Hon Dr John McVeigh MP, Federal Member for Groom.” Darren Maier says, “John McVeigh was very supportive of the work the RSPCA does in Queensland when he was the State Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. He continued to be supportive when he moved into the Federal Arena and for that, all of us at the RSPCA, are very grateful.”

Darren Maier with John McVeigh MP

“In 2019, 1,750 animals came through our doors in the Toowoomba region alone. Some of which required care from Animal Ambulance rescues and Inspectorate, cases along with unwanted litters, council animals, surrendered by their owners, and emergency boarding.” Darren Maier says, "We are really excited about the opening of this new Animal Care Centre at Wellcamp which will enable us to better care for the animals in the Toowoomba area.”

“The new RSPCA Toowoomba Animal Care Centre has been a long time coming and will drastically improve the care we can provide for animals in the Toowoomba region. With better resources and a focus on animal welfare, we will be able to house up to 200 animals on site in spacious kennels and condos, with the ability to also care for horses and small livestock.”

Member for Toowoomba North Trevor Watts MP

WhatsUp in Disability

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WhatsUp in Disability

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Royal Commission into Violence SBS NEWS By Laurie Lawira 'I was told to abort my son. People need to see disability is OK' Witnesses at Australia's Royal Commission have implicitly described an experience common to many with cognitive disabilities being treated as 'sub-human'. Attitudes need to change, they say.

We were warned that testimonies at the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability would be shocking, and none more so than this week. Toni Mitchell, from Toowoomba in Queensland, told the inquiry in Sydney on Wednesday that she has had to constantly justify her son’s life, even before his birth. She recounted how a radiologist revealed in a prenatal exam that her son, Joshy, was going to have Down Syndrome. “People were murmuring, and I was still crying, and then finally he turned around said, 'here's your appointment for a termination', gave me a piece of paper and walked out,” Ms Mitchell said, holding back tears.

“It set the whole tone for Joshy's life because in that moment, they completely disallowed his life. They said he wasn't worth living.” Ms Mitchell said abortion was never an option for her. “People need to be open; they need to see you don't need to be perfect, disability is ok,” she told SBS News after her testimony. “And that it makes our community richer with the different perspectives that people bring to it and the different experiences they have.” Joshy, now 19, sat next to her as she delivered her testimony.

National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (The Commission) will run for three years until 2022. For information about the work of the Commission, including attending public hearings or making a submission call 1800 517 199 Free counselling support from Blue Knot Foundation is now available for people with disability, their families and carers, and anyone affected by the Commission at 1800 421 468. A free legal advisory service from National Legal Aid and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services at 1800 771 800. WhatsUp in Disability

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WhatsUp NDIS NDIS the final 20% Honourable Stuart Robert MP, Minister of the NDIS and Minister for Government Services, released his plan to deliver the final 20% of the NDIS. He announced the plan in a speech at the National Press Club in Canberra.

3. Market technology

Updates innovation

and

improved

This swim lane is about delivering a seamless ICT experience for participants and providers. Planned initiatives include: Developing Application Programming Interfaces to enable integration with the NDIA Business System.

The Minister recognised that while the NDIS is changing lives, the roll out of the scheme has been difficult. He stated that delivering the final 20% of the plan will also be challenging. The plan intends to, in Robert's words, put the NDIS 'onto a business as usual even keel for the long term.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Enabling a Digital Market Service which will support the development of a vibrant digital market.

The NDIS plan has six core â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;swim lanes.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Each swim lane covers a different issue and seeks a specific outcome. Here is a summary of the six swim lanes and some of the promised actions for each one:

4. A financially sustainable scheme

1. Quicker access and quality decision making

This swim lane focuses on improving the quality of service, especially around wait times. Planned actions include: Resolving backlogs and delays through the new NDIS Participant Service Guarantee. This will set new service timeframes for NDIA service delivery. Providing a single point of contact for participants and encouraging longer duration plans. Longer plans benefit providers as well as participants because it will be easier to budget. Commencing the national roll out of joint planning meetings and the provision of draft plan summaries. The co-design of plans will ultimately lead to better plans and outcomes for participants. 2. Increased engagement and collaboration The second swim lane is about addressing inequality in the NDIS. There is an emphasis on providing more support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and culturally and linguistically diverse communities. The main measure is the expansion of the community connectors program for these groups. Page 10

Growing the current NDIS Workforce and finalising a national NDIS Workforce Strategy. There was no mention of the number of staff needed to roll out the plan. This swim lane is about making the scheme sustainable by integrating it with other mainstream service systems. The Minister has promised: The COAG Disability Reform Council will meet every 90 days to ensure the NDIS operates effectively with other mainstream service systems. An NDIS Reserve Fund will be established from the accumulated cash currently in the NDIS. 5. Equitable and consistent decisions The fifth lane focuses on addressing current inconsistencies regarding decision making. The planned changes could be extremely beneficial for participants and include: The implementation of independent functional assessments from 1 July 2020. These will be paid for by the NDIA.

The removal of the distinction between core and capacity building. This will enable plan funding to be used flexibly so participants can spend more of their budget. Extending plan duration even further so reviews are only initiated in line with significant life milestones. 6. Improve long term outcomes The final swim lane is about improving outcomes in areas such as employment and housing. Planned measures include:

Temporary Transformation Payment • Implementing the NDIS Participant Em-

Market benchmarking survey for TTP eligible providers

• Implementing further recommendations

The NDIA market benchmarking survey is open from Friday 21st February and will close at 11.59pm (AWST) on Sunday 8th March.

• Seeking to reduce the

number of younger people in residential aged care.

It will take approximately two hours to complete.

The NDIS plan will guide the scheme over the next 12 to 24 months and beyond. The Minister stated that there will be a flexible approach to its implementation. There will be guidance along the way from people with disability, their families, carers and other stakeholders.

That’s provided you have your complete 2019 financials in front of you! Editor Providers who have claimed, or intend to claim, the Temporary Transformation Payment (TTP) between 1st July 2019 and 30th June 2020 must fill in this survey to be eligible to claim for TTP.

The plan is welcome news and shows there are exciting times ahead for the disability sector. It is promising that the Government has listened to feedback about the NDIS and are striving to improve the scheme. While there is a strong vision behind the plan, its success will depend on effective implementation.

Providers who do not complete the survey should not claim TTP.

ployment Strategy. While this strategy is great and will ensure employment is a priority for the NDIS, change also needs to come from employers. around SDA such as allowing eligible SDA participants to live with families or friends who are not SDA eligible.

It will be interesting to see how the NDIS changes over the next 2 years with the plan.

Registered providers eligible to claim TTP have been sent a link to the survey through email. If you are eligible to claim TTP and have not received your survey, please check your junk and spam email folders. If you require assistance with the survey, please email ttpsurvey@deloitte.com.au and a Deloitte representative will respond to your query within three business days. For urgent assistance between 8.30am-5.00pm Monday to Friday (AEDT) please call 03 9667 5060. The survey is anonymous and conducted by Deloitte. The survey will collect:

• a range of financial and staffing data • a list of the Australian Business Numbers

(ABNs) of respondents to cross check against providers claiming TTP.

Every Australian Counts is the original grassroots campaign responsible for bringing the dream of the NDIS to life. They fought to get the scheme started and they are continuing the fight to get it working the way it was intended. www.everyaustraliancounts.com.au/

Responses from this survey will help shape future pricing decisions about the NDIA, and will give providers valuable insight into the market. A provider who has claimed TTP and fails to fill in this survey may be in breach of their responsibilities under the Provider Payment Assurance Program. Good luck! Editor WhatsUp in Disability

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Outbreaks History has shown that on a regular basis Pandemic outbreaks occur in which human lives become very vulnerable. 1. If you have a runny nose and sputum, you have a common cold 2. Coronavirus pneumonia is a dry cough with no runny nose. 3. This new virus is not heat-resistant and will be killed by a temperature of just 26/27 degrees. It hates the Sun. 4. If someone sneezes with it, it takes about 10 feet before it drops to the ground and is no longer airborne. 5. If it drops on a metal surface it will live for at least 12 hours - so if you come into contact with any metal surface - wash your hands as soon as you can with a bacterial soap. 6. On fabric it can survive for 6-12 hours. normal laundry detergent will kill it. 7. Drinking warm water is effective for all viruses. Try not to drink liquids with ice. 8. Wash your hands frequently as the virus can only live on your hands for 5-10 minutes, but - a lot can happen during that time - you can rub your eyes, pick your nose unwittingly and so on. 9. You should also gargle as a prevention. A simple solution of salt in warm water will suffice. We can't emphasise enough to drink plenty of water!

Home isolation, quarantine periods and/or the spread of COVID-19 can be stressful and may leave you feeling concerned. BigDog will assist participants and their families to connect with a range of support services available, including talking to a councillor or other mental health professional.

Toilet Paper wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help!

The Symptoms 1. It will first infect the throat, so you'll have a sore throat lasting 3/4 days 2. The virus then blends into a nasal fluid that enters the trachea and then the lungs, causing pneumonia. This takes about 5/6 days further. 3. With the pneumonia comes high fever and difficulty in breathing. 4. The nasal congestion is not like the normal kind. You feel like you're drowning. It's imperative you then seek immediate attention. WhatsUp in Disability

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WhatsUp

Transport

March Price Guide There have been some changes to the NDIS Price Guide and Support Catalogue 2019-20. These are effective 1st March 2020. The changes focus on giving participants more flexibility in accessing funding for transport services. This will impact the claims providers can make for participant transport. These changes are positive for participants. However, there have already been comments they will make things more complex. We have written a summary to help you understand participant transport and the changes. Updated mation

participant

transport

infor-

The Price Guide contains updated information about participant transport. There are now two distinct categories for participant transport: General Transport Supports This is a new category. General Transport Supports include instances where a participant pays a provider to transport them to: a) an activity that is not itself a support b) a support delivered by another provider. Providers registered for 'Assistance with Travel/Transport Arrangements' can make a claim against a participant’s transport budget for delivering General Transport Supports. Please note, this can only be used if participants have funding in their transport budget.

Activity Based Transport Community Participation Supports where providers of these supports may transport a participant: a) to or from a community participation support b) as a part of a community participation support. Capacity Building Supports is new to the participant transport section in the Price Page 14

Guide. Providers of certain types of capacity building supports can also claim for Activity Based Transport. Reasonable levels providers can claim for non-labour transport costs (Activity Based Transport) This is one of the most important changes for providers. The Price Guide now specifies the reasonable levels of costs providers can claim for non-labour transport costs. The NDIA considers the following would be reasonable:

• up to $0.85 a kilometre for a vehicle that is not modified for accessibility

• up to $2.40 a kilometre for a vehicle modified for accessibility (or a bus)

• other forms of transport or costs to the full amount (road tolls, parking, public transport fares).

These costs should be claimed against the relevant activity-based transport support item in the community participation support category. Please note these contributions are only suggestions made by the NDIA. Providers must come to an agreement with participants regarding how much they plan to charge. With these changes, providers need to be aware of how to make claims for participant transport. Overall however, these changes are positive for participants because they provide greater flexibility to use core funding for Activity Based Transport.

Supported Independent Living The Backlog Providers throughout Australia have just received this email from the NDIA. The NDIA is working to remediate a specific Supported Independent Living (SIL) payment issue: plans which have been approved and do not have a SIL Service Booking in place. Our primary objective in this process is to ensure all approved plans have Service Bookings, allowing providers such as you to be paid for their services. Attached to this email is a list of participants and plans, that according to our records, are in this situation. Based on these records we have included a payment offer for your consideration. If you believe there are other participants or plans which should be included in this process, we would welcome your input.

Details of this process have been provided recently through a number of briefings, a summary of which is also included in the attached presentation. A response to this offer is required by COB 16th March 2020. If you need additional time or have any questions, please contact sil@ndis.gov.au. Kind regards The National SIL Team Some of the facts from the briefings NDIA aim to clear current backlogs by April 2020 and provide providers with clear management pathways to address issues as they arise. Outstanding Payments

• Over 334 Providers are currently providing SIL services to participants without the ability to claim and be paid (Estimated $400m)

• Participants have approved plans but no bookings created

• Impacts around 3,066 participants

• Root cause is that most plans being approved before the provider and the NDIA reach an agreement on the SIL quote. Improving Quoting Process Over 40% of all quotes require resubmission Less than 10% of quotes are submitted on time

On average, 60% of quotes in progress are with providers Remediation Process

• National SIL team issues counter offers in bulk, to each provider from early March

• Accepted counter offers have service booking created (releasing funds within 2 days of acceptance

• Counter offers do not prejudice payment claims for prior plans or circumstances

• Protracted disagreements will be escalated and considered market failure. Potential for other providers to be requested to provide service to participants Oh my, what can be written in response to this shameful SIL program. I know one provider who is out of pocket over $80,000 because of delays in processing a SIL application. SIL quotes are submitted using NDIA approved spreadsheets that do the calculations so are why 40% wrong? Editor

WhatsUp in Disability

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Flexible Respite Options * Breakaway Guesthouse- Highfields. Offers short term respite to children and adults with a disability in a comfortable and relaxed environment which is fully staffed. * In-home and/or Community Access Support that is flexible and focused on meeting individual family needs. * Rural and Remote Offers respite support to people with disabilities and their families in rural and remote South West Queensland. * Vacation Care Respite support for children with disabilities and their families during school holidays.

27 Mort Street Toowoomba Telephone: (07) 4639 5100 Fax: (07) 4639 5079 Email: info@breakawaytmba.org

SLOW STARTERS TEN PIN BOWLING LEAGUE for Disabled

SUNSET SUPERBOWL 07 4634 0233

South & Greenwattle Toowoomba

10.00 am every Saturday $18 per session 3 games Sports Registration $50 (membership) Glenda (07) 4614 1136 Kathy (07) 4630 5221 Page 16

Sporting Moments Slow Starters win Challenge

All Abilities Touch Football

A group of dedicated bowlers travelled to Bundaberg to compete in competition with bowlers from throughout the state.

Our long-term goal is to develop a team/ teams in Toowoomba to play in the winter competition and perhaps even go down to the Brisbane competition later in the year.

You did us proud with your excellent sportsmanship, manners, behaviour and bowling. Well done Scott and Shirene for their individual wins.

AFL Bushfire Fundraiser

https://membership.sportstg.com/regoform.cgi? eventID=8813&formID=93478

The AFL donated $2.5 million to bushfire relief efforts including $1.5 million into a Community Relief Fund that will â&#x20AC;&#x153;support the local communities in fire affected areas to repair and rebuild their local football clubsâ&#x20AC;?.

Address: 108 Mort Street Toowoomba Telephone: (07) 4659 5476 Email: admin@qualitylifestylesupport.com Respite care, Community Access and In Home Care are provided to people in innovative and flexible ways working within the principles and guidelines of the Disability Services Act and NDIS guidelines Director: John Hart ABN: 43 092 474 872

We encourage client input and control over the service they request.

WhatsUp in Disability

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WhatsUp

Community

The Big Cow comes to Toowoomba Sunshine Coast residents have been left in udder shock after the iconic Big Cow at Kulangoor was removed. The statue was built in the 1970s to attract tourists to a working dairy farm on Ayrshire road. It was sculpted by Hugh Anderson who is also known for creating the Big Bulls in Rockhampton. Owners of Maritime Career Training Barry and Margaret Barnes donated the Big Cow to Highfields Pioneer Village on the 10th of January 2020 the Big Cow was moooved to Highfields thanks to start up finding from Clive Berghofer and the generous assistance of Universal Cranes, George's Loader Hire, Chetty's Excavations, Doug's Shade Sheds and Sugden Cranes. Due to it's massive size the cow had to be cut into two pieces. Funding is required to enable Volunteers to put the cow back together.

WhatsUp In Disability (the Magazine) First published in 1994 to give local people with disabilities and carers, information on a growing multitude of local disability services, local news and issues, with the purpose of not only supplying information to people with disabilities, but of giving choices to people and to give local services a specialist media outlet where they could give information on their services. To obtain a copy of WhatsUp in Disability magazine or to be an advertiser, please call in and see us at the WhatsUp in Disability office at 4/33 Bell Street or the Paul Myatt Community Centre 11-15 Alexander Street Toowoomba or call us on 4632 6678.

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Down Syndrome Support Group Inc. (Toowoomba & District)

Offers people with Down Syndrome and their families an opportunity to make contact with, and to meet other people in a friendly and inviting environment. Contact: President Kara Wren Mobile: 0439 661 349

Boomerang Bags Boomerang Bags Co-founder Visits

location

Tania Potts spent the morning with members of Boomerang Bags Toowoomba sharing her inspirational story about how Boomerang Bags became a global, grassroots movement. “In 2012 we watched a documentary called “Bag It” which was about plastic pollution and we thought that it would be a simply a behaviour change, we knew what the problem was and people would simply get rid of the plastic, but it turn out to be that simple.” “So we focussed on bags.” Tanya said. “Textile waste is a real problem, it is the second most polluting industry behind oil.” “We wanted to use material that would be destined for landfill, to create bags and we wanted to create a conversation in changing behaviour, and it has just snowballed from there.” Local Toowoomba coordinator Christie Rheeder admits that she doesn’t sew, but she does love community, connection, conversation and bringing people together for something larger than ourselves.

Tania Potts and Christie Rheeder

The group meet every 3rd Sunday of the month from noon until 3:00pm at the Paul Myatt Community Centre. Christie added “We have jobs for everyone, cutting, sewing, making cups of tea, having a chitchat and just belonging.” “If you would like to get in touch with us, we have a Facebook group or if you go to the Boomerang Bags website you will find our details under Toowoomba.” https://boomerangbags.org/

Boomerang Bags Toowoomba Group

Search by community

WhatsUp in Disability

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Warrina Services is a specialist support agency that has been providing individual support to people of the Darling Downs since 1986. We support people with a diverse range of needs and also provide mental health services to assist personal recovery. We can help you to achieve positive outcomes in your life. These may be related to choice and independence, education or training, attending social activities, increasing skills, getting a job or contributing to your community. If you would like further information please visit our website

www.warrinaservices.org.au Or contact us Phone: 07-46 380 399 Email: warrinas@warrinas.com.au or visit our office at

172 Bridge Street Toowoomba Office hours Mon-Fri 9-5pm

Employment Services Supporting people with a disability to gain and maintain employment that is valued by the client, the employer and the community. 3 Finchley Street PO Box 1715 Toowoomba QLD 4350 P: (07) 4688 3900 F: (07) 4688 3911 employment.toowoomba@uccommunity.org.au www.uccommunity.org.au/employmentservices

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Wise Words By Paulo Coelho A young couple moved into a new neighbourhood and the next morning while they were eating breakfast, the young woman saw her neighbour hanging the washing outside. “That laundry is not very clean; she doesn’t know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap.” Her husband looked on, remaining silent.

And so, it is with life… What we see when watching others depends on the clarity of the window through which we look. So, don’t be too quick to judge others, especially if your perspective of life is clouded by anger, jealousy, negativity or unfulfilled desires. “Judging a person does not define who they are. It defines who you are.”

Every time her neighbour hung her washing out to dry, the young woman made the same comment. A month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband, “Look, she’s finally learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this?” The husband replied, “I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows.”

WhatsUp in Disability

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Sharon Boyce Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction in Australia - DIDRR Australia

works in order to create real change and ensure lives will be saved.

Congratulations to our #DIDRR team and our collaborators across numerous QLD Communities who are working as Champions of Change!

Photo: Diana Young, Director Strategy and Engagement from Community Recovery at the QLD Department of Communities, Disabilities Services and Seniors pictured accepting the award on behalf of the QLD DIDRR Project team.

Wow! so glad to be part of this exciting project which is doing such amazing work and creating great solutions across communities. Let's keep sharing this across all our net-

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Also QDN talked about our peer network's plans for 2020, told our candidates about the issues facing our community.

International Events Actor Zack Gottsagen 1st person with Down Syndrome to present at the Oscars During the Oscars, Zack presented an award onstage with his “Peanut Butter Falcon” costar Shia LaBeouf. Zack is the first person with Down Syndrome in the Oscars’ 92-year history. The Oscar was for live-action short film, which went to “The Neighbour’s Window”. Zack read out the iconic, And the Oscar goes to…” line after being greeted by a standing ovation by the audience.

Target Stores in the US Aussie wheelchair tennis champion Dylan Alcott has marvelled at a new ad campaign at Target stores in the US which features kids with disabilities modelling clothes. He took to Twitter to praise the campaign. “LOVE THIS” the 29 year old wrote alongside a powerful image. “You cannot be what you cannot see. Society is definitely moving in the right direction— representation matters!!”

WhatsUp in Disability

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Stairs in a Wheelchair By Aidan Wilcock, Toowoomba

For many wheelchair-bound Australians, stairs are an obstacle they have to face on a daily basis. Thankfully there are currently options to assist those in need with even more options on the horizon. One of the options we have for manoeuvring staircases is a Platform lift. Platform lifts are great for making a staircase at home accessible without the need to install a ramp or a traditional Vertical lift. Platform lifts have made staircases at home easier to deal with, but what about when you’re out and about?

A more versatile option we have to climb stairs is a device simply called “stair climbers”. Stair Climbers are easy to use, smooth and portable however you will need assistance to use them. Stair climbers grant more freedom by allowing us to mount and smoothly climb large sets of stairs and traverse many different terrain types. The previous options I’ve discussed are great and can grant more freedom to their users, but none of them offer true independence. This is where I believe a stair climbing wheelchair can make a difference. Although they are not very common at the moment there are already several types on the market with more being developed by several companies. Stair climbing wheelchairs are able to navigate many terrain types and are able to climb stairs using the inbuilt engine without the need of any assistance greatly improving the lives of their users.

A duty to remove it By Campbell Matthies, Mildura

Portable Ramps are an option we have when not at home. Portable Ramps allow us to mount and climb small sets of stairs more easily with assistance which is great for when you want to visit anywhere with a small flight of stairs and no wheelchair access. Although Portable ramps are great for smaller flights of stairs they fall a little short if you want to visit anywhere with a more substantial set of stairs.

For many years, imported vehicles have been subjected to import duties. These taxes were implemented to provide a benefit to Australian car manufacturers by making imported vehicles more expensive. That in turn gave local manufacturers a benefit in what was a market too small to be sustainable. Now that we no longer have a motor vehicle manufacturing industry in Australia, why are we still being taxed to but imported motor vehicles? Despite one’s opinion about protectionism, surely it’s a moot point when we are paying to protect an industry that no longer exists. WhatsUp in Disability

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WhatsUp

in March

Sunday 15th March 8:00 am—1:00 pm Frog’s Hollow Queens Park All proceeds support WhatsUp in Disability

Black Dog Ride Sunday 15th March 2020 7:30 am—1:00 pm Toowoomba Showgrounds All proceeds to Black Dog mental health

Take a Hike Toowoomba Sunday 22nd March 2020

6:00 am—11:00 am Queens Park

Lego Fan Expo Toowoomba 28th—29th March 2020 Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre USQ Tickets through trybooking

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WhatsUp

Paul Myatt Community Centre

in April

Paul Myatt Community Centre

Sunday 19th April

8:00 amâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;1:00 pm Queens Park Lindsay Street Toowoomba

To spread the word about your next event contact WhatsUp on (07) 4632 6678 or email admin@whatsupindisability.org WhatsUp in Disability

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WhatsUp

mycommunity www.mycommunitydirectory.com.au

Toowoomba Community Nursery More than 700 green thumbs have signed a petition to keep the volunteer run Toowoomba Community Nursery open. TRC confirm that they are in the process of completing work on their Principal Depot in Charlton, with construction on track for completion in late April 2020. This new depot will replace ageing facilities at Harristown East and West, Oakey and the Toowoomba nursery. It will serve as the TRC commercial plant production premises. This nursery will focus on large scale plant production and provide support for the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers planting activities. TRC has now confirmed that they will not be closing any nurseries and will continue to provide ongoing support to their valued environmental volunteers.

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ANZAC Day Events ANZAC Day is a solemn and special day for Australia. It’s a time for us to reflect on the sacrifices made so we can enjoy the freedoms we have. It’s a time to pay our respect show our gratitude and remember those who have fought and continue to protect our country and our freedoms. “Lest we forget” They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. For details on services visit: www.tr.qld.gov.au/anzacday

WhatsUp

New to disability?

First Points of Contact Centrelink Payments and Services

132 468

Carers

132 717

Disability Support Pension

132 717

Health Care Card

132 490

Family Assistance

136 150

Indigenous Call Centre

1800 136 380

Emergency Crisis Payment

132 850

NDIS General Enquiries

1800 800 110

NDIA Toowoomba Office

07 4592 4057

Local Area Coordinator

07 4646 2800

Medicare General Enquiries

132 011

Pharmaceutical Benefits

132 290

MyGov Help Desk

132 307

Queensland Government

Toowoomba Disability Information Office

Child Safety

07 4699 4255

Disability Services

07 4615 3900

Toowoomba Hospital

07 4616 6000

Department Housing

07 4699 4400

Community Groups Carer Advisory Service

1800 242 636

Carer Respite

1800 059 059

Open Monday to Friday

Lifeline Darling Downs

1300 991 443

(core times 9:00am to 3.00pm)

Relationships Australia

1300 364 277

A question on disability or a service you require? Try us, most of our volunteers have a disability themselves and will be glad to assist you. If we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help, we will refer you elsewhere. JP services are also available 11-15 Alexander Street Toowoomba

There are a number of support groups for most disabilities available in this region. Contact WhatsUp in Disability on: Phone: 07 4632 6678 Email: admin@whatsupindisability.org

(07) 4632 6678 A volunteer disability service organisation run by people with disabilities

WhatsUp in Disability

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WhatsUp Executive Team

PUBLISHER: Disability Media Association Inc (Australia) (DMAA) TELEPHONE: (07) 4632 6678 OFFICE:

Paul Myatt Community Centre 11-15 Alexander Street Toowoomba (open Monday to Friday 9:00am-3:00 pm)

POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box 3621 Toowoomba Qld 4350 E-MAIL: admin@whatsupindisability.org MANAGEMENT BOARD: Steven Paull (President) Liz Schneidewin (Editor) Tasha Grundon (Secretary) Ann Paull (Treasurer) ADMINISTRATION: Tasha Grundon, Alyssa Storm and Bec McDermott CONTRIBUTORS: Liz Schneidewin, Bronwyn Herbertson, Sharon Boyce, Aidan Wilcock , Steven Paull and many more. PUBLISHED January/March/May/July/September/November ABN: 72 821 350 911

STEVEN PAULL President

PRINT POST APPROVED: PP 424022/ 1811 DISCLAIMER/INDEMNITY Articles and adverts reproduced on these pages are accepted and published in good faith. It is a condition of acceptance that advertisers and article writers accept full responsibility for their advertisements and articles, and will fully indemnify the producers in the event of any claims or legal proceedings against them. Articles published are not necessarily the view of the publishers. Advertisements are also accepted on the basis that they do not conflict with any discrimination laws or other laws currently in force. ADVERTISING

LIZ SCHNEIDEWIN Editor

Although we are a volunteer and non profit organisation, we are not funded in any way, and have to cover costs of this publication by charging for advertising. WWhatsUp reserves the right to adjust, resize or move advertisements when necessary to allow for editing

WhatsUp IS AVAILABLE FROM: 1) SUBSCRIPTION (In advance) $18 per year (includes postage). 2) A single edition of WhatsUp can be bought at the office and selected outlets. You may also subscribe by using the form on the outside cover. 3) Reference copies are held in the Tourist Office and Toowoomba Library. COPYRIGHT

TASHA GRUNDON Secretary

Copyright Protected. All pages are subject to copyright law and may be copied only with the permission of DMAA. Copies are not to be used commercially or for profit or for personal financial gain. Permission may be granted to copy only if the purpose is to give it away to others for their personal interest but not to any other organisation or service. DISCLAIMER

All articles are accepted in good faith and are not necessarily the view of the Editorial team or Management. Articles are accepted on the understanding that in the event of any claims against WhatsUp, the writer of the article will take full responsibility and indemnify WhatsUp in the event of legislation against it. Articles are also accepted on the understanding that the contents do not breach any Disability laws or other legislation currently in use. ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY/ COPYING

ANN PAULL Treasurer

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WhatsUp In Disability is provided as a Master Copy to individuals and organisations. We are environmental friendly, we do not print any more copies than is absolutely necessary. We prefer and encourage the practice of passing the magazine from person to person or copying the whole magazine to pass on to others. Permission is needed to copy (see Copyright above) When copying the magazine we require that the pages be marked â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;copyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.