WhatsUp in Disability Magazine September October 2020 by BigDog Support

Disability Information Services by People with Disability Toowoomba and Southern Queensland

Volume 5, Issue 96

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Proudly supported and printed by ToowoombaWhatsUp Region in Disability

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WhatsUp

Highlights September/October 2020

03 09 10 14 17 21

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

National Disability Strategy

NDIS Updates

Disability Support Worker Survey

COVID-19 Updates

Face Masks and other PPE

Cover Page John Elliott is silhouetted as the sun sets over the land that he loves

Steven Paull JP (Qual) President Page 2

Carnival of Flowers By Brendan Steinhardt TRC

The iconic Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is to go ahead, announcing that more than 170,000 blooms have been planted across the city’s major parks and public spaces to create a spectacular canvas of colour for much needed celebrations in September. In a year that has seen a raft of events cancelled due to COVID-19, the Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio confirmed the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers would bloom brightly again this September, as one of the first major events to be staged post-lockdown. The 2020 program features more than 30 events and activations with 48 local tour departures ready to go. All events, experiences and areas will be managed with COVID-19 safe plans in place. “Toowoomba is primed and ready to showcase it’s natural beauty. Nothing can stop the power of the flower and we’re inviting people from all over to come and play in the petals this Spring,” Mayor Antonio said. Mayor Antonio said the event would once again be the shining light for the Region. “The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers was established in 1949 to stimulate the economy after the war, and some 71 years later we see this iconic national event again stepping up to the task of celebrating community spirit, welcoming visitors to the city and flying the flag for our Region.”

Headlining the 2020 Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers are the parks and public spaces, including Laurel Bank Park and the Botanic Gardens of Queens Park, not affected by COVID-19 restrictions which will be left to self-distancing.. Floral displays, music and parkland entertainment, a ferris wheel, food trucks and twilight tours will all take place right across September in the parks. The Night Garden, powered by Ergon Energy, is being embedded into the Botanic Gardens and will become a free 10-day event. More than 106,000 people enjoyed the Botanic Gardens during the 10 days of Carnival in 2019. In a creative twist, the famous Grand Central Floral Parade will become a static installation of decorated floats throughout Grand Central shopping centre in the heart of the city. A new addition to the 2020 program is the Itty -Bitty Parade, a miniature-sized virtual parade that will air on big screens, websites and social media platforms at 3pm on 19th September. “After a spectacular 70th anniversary event in 2019, we were adamant that COVID-19 would not be stopping us,” Mayor Antonio said. “Every day we field emails and calls from people right across Australia asking if Carnival is on, and I’d like to thank all our supporters and stakeholders for their understanding as we worked through the health concerns and attendance restrictions of this new world. Mayor Antonio said “I encourage everyone to lock in their overnight stays in Toowoomba early, book your bed plus your dining locations now so you can be guaranteed a spot. There is so much to see and do with all the petals in our parks. Take a road trip around the region, buy a #trEAT or two and help local businesses get back on their feet.” See www.tcof.com.au more information WhatsUp in Disability

for

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WhatsUp

John Elliott By Steven Paull

A History in Pictures I first met John Elliott at Rendezvous on Ruthven while a member of a local group of people with strong opinions about our region and the fine coffee served by our host and friend, Tony Wigan. This group came to be known as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;International Men of Mysteryâ&#x20AC;? and still meets regularly, although less often due to COVID-19 and the fact that most of us are at the age where this is a pretty good reason to not meet every week. John Elliott (b. 1951), photographer, country music devotee, broadcaster and writer, grew up in Blackall in central western Queensland. Commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery to amass a collection of portraits of people of rural Australia, he spent much of 2004 travelling across the country photographing people he met and collecting their stories. Combining photographs from his road trips with many in his archive, he was able to select more than 80 images of drovers, stockmen, rodeo riders, fencers, singers and artists that were exhibited as Thousand Mile Stare at the NPG in 2005. Since then, John has been awarded a Churchill Fellowship to the USA, published the book Where Country Is (2006), exhibited works in Sydney and engaged in film and radio projects. His next film, exhibition and book, Duchess Road, will revisit a group of Aboriginal people he photographed as children in Mt Isa in 1988. John might have relocated to Winton at the end of 2014 but any fears that his work as a photographer would fade from view as a result were dismissed this week when he received news that three of his black and white portraits have been chosen to feature in different ways around the country. As well as a mural of Jimmy Little that will be painted on the Walgett water tower in western New South Wales, based on John's portrait, his famous image of Slim Dusty and Dame Edna Everage will be on permanent display in the foyer of the newly renovated Her Majesty's Theatre in Adelaide, while his portrait of Mandawuy Yunupingu will be used in a new video clip for The Black Rock Band in their song Red, Black and Yellow. Page 4

All three originally appeared in his 2005 Thousand Mile Stare exhibition of rural Australians commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery. John said he initially thought living in a remote part of Queensland may have impacted on his work as a well-known photographer. "Nothing could be further from the truth," he said. "I still have my work used in national publications and it is exhibited all over Australia". John is well known for his iconic photographs of Australian country music artists such as Slim Dusty, Keith Urban, Troy Cassar-Daley and many others. "I did these portraits because I admired the subjects as artists and loved them as human beings," he said. "It is a thrill to see all of them being honoured in different ways."

Dame Edna and Slim Dusty John Williamson

Chan Morgan Reg Lindsay WhatsUp in Disability

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WhatsUp Around Australia, more than 5 million people are affected by incontinence. Incontinence is the accidental or involuntary loss of:

• urine (wee) from the bladder – known as urinary incontinence

• faeces (poo) or flatus (wind) from the bowel – known as faecal incontinence

Incontinence can range in severity from a small leak to complete loss of bladder or bowel control. If you experience incontinence, you’re not alone. There is help available Have questions about bladder, bowel or pelvic health, or simply want more information? The Continence Foundation of Australia operates the free and confidential National Continence Helpline (1800 33 00 66). The Helpline is staffed by experienced Continence Nurse Consultants and operates Monday to Friday, 8am – 8pm AEST. They can help with questions about continence assessments, product information, treatment and health professionals in your local area.

Children and Young People with Disability Australia are excited to launch the first National Youth Disability Summit designed by young people with disability, for young people with disability. The Summit will run online from 29th September – 3rd October 2020 and is free for everyone. They will be announcing amazing speakers soon! The Summit is free for all young people with disability to attend, and given the ongoing complications from the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Youth Disability Summit CoDesign Committee (a group of 20 young people with disability from around Australia) made the choice that this year it will take place entirely online! This Summit will be a chance for young people with disability to get together and discuss their experiences, and the issues they are passionate about. The Co-Design Committee has identified five key themes which will guide each of the five days of the event:

1. Education 2. Employment 3. Mental health 4. The NDIS and housing

Financial assistance

5. Access, awareness and inclusion

You may be eligible for an annual payment to help with the cost of continence products. The Australian Government’s Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) assists people who have permanent and severe incontinence. Learn more about the eligibility criteria and application by phoning the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66 or visiting www.continence.org.au

The first four of these topics will be covered on dedicated ‘youth autonomous’ days – that is, days specifically for young people with disability to hear from, learn from and connect with other young people with disability from around Australia.

Did you know... • Incontinence is not an inevitable part of aging

• Without enough fluids, your urine •

gets too strong, which can irritate your bladder Exercise can help your bladder

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Thursday 1st October will be an ‘Open Day’ where they invite policy- and decisionmakers, non-young people with disability, advocacy organisations and the wider community to join us to consider the theme of Awareness, Access and Inclusion. This will be a unique opportunity for the wider community to hear from a range of young people with disability speaking about issues they care about. Do you know someone who’d love to join? Share the registration link! Everything is better with friends. Register at: www.cydayouth.events

Every Australian Counts “We feel forgotten. We need help. And we need things to be much, much easier”. They were the messages we took to the Disability Royal Commission. The Royal Commission into the Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability has been holding hearings in August looking at the experience of people with disability during the COVID19 pandemic. During this time they have heard evidence from people with disability, family members, advocates and researchers about what the challenges have been – and about how slow the government has been to respond. The hearings began with a damning opening statement from Senior Counsel Kate Eastman who noted that the government only released a plan for people with disability after more than 70 organisations released an open letter calling on the Federal government to take urgent action. On Wednesday it was our turn. Along with the CEO of Women with Disabilities Victoria and Chair of the National Disability and Carers Alliance, Leah van Poppel, we had just a brief time to explain the impact of the pan-

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/

demic and lockdown on people with disability and what else needed to be done to make sure people were not left behind as the crisis continues. We shared the findings from our recent report “Left out and locked down”. The report summarises the responses of more than 700 people with disability and their families who shared their stories about how they coped during the first wave of the pandemic in April and May. We told the Commission people with disability and their families felt forgotten and ignored. Despite the very real challenges they were facing people felt frustrated at how slow the government was to respond. People also told us they needed more help. Almost 50% of people with disability lived below the poverty line before the pandemic began. The extra costs they were juggling – important things like gloves and masks to keep themselves safe and well – were costs their budgets could not afford. People talked about going without food. And finally people told us they needed the NDIS to be more responsive – and much, much easier to navigate. Many people went to great lengths to express their gratitude for their NDIS funding and the difference it had made to their lives. And they told us that some of the changes made by the NDIS at this time had been helpful. But they also made it clear they were frustrated by confusing and inconsistent information, an inability to use their funds in a way that worked for them and a lack of support and help to navigate the changes the pandemic had made to their lives. You can watch the hearings on the Disability Royal Commission website. You can also watch recordings of previous hearings on this site. https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au/

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WhatsUp in Disability

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National Disability Strategy Stage 1 consultations asked about:

• the barriers people with disability face • what has improved, and what has not; and

• what is important for the next national disability strategy?

The position paper has been developed in partnership with the state, territory and local governments. It takes into account what people with disability told us in the first stage of consultations on the new Strategy, as well as the findings from several major reviews and inquiries into the current Strategy. Stage 2 Consultations The Department of Social Services is now undertaking the second stage of consultations on the new Strategy. The National Disability Strategy 20102020 (the current Strategy) is Australia’s overarching framework for disability reform and sets out a ten year national plan for improving the lives for Australians with disability, their families and carers. The current Strategy is about creating a more inclusive society that enables Australians with disability to fulfil their potential as equal citizens. It is also the main way Australia implements the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Australian Government is leading the development of a new National Disability Strategy (the new Strategy) for beyond 2020. Commonwealth, state, territory and local governments across Australia are working together in consultation with people with disability to develop the new Strategy. Stage 1 Consultations In 2019, around 3,000 people with disability, their families and carers, advocacy organisations, peak bodies and service providers took part in Stage 1 consultation and community engagement around Australia. Consultations included face-to-face community workshops, a public survey and an online forum, as well as targeted consultations for and led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

We are asking for your feedback on governments’ proposals for the next Strategy, as set out in the National Disability Strategy position paper. The proposals include:

• the vision, outcome areas and guiding principles for the new Strategy

• a stronger focus on improving community attitudes

• clearly describing roles and responsibilities of governments and the community

• regular

public reporting that shows whether the key outcomes for people with disability are improving

• developing targeted action plans to drive better implementation

• how people with disability can be engaged

in the delivery and monitoring of the next Strategy.

The new National Disability Strategy is a key opportunity for governments, private sector and the whole community to work collaboratively to improve outcomes for all people with disability. To achieve this, it is important to develop the architecture of the new Strategy

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WhatsUp Landmark Reforms Media Release from the Minister 28th August 2020

Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Stuart Robert today announced the most substantial package of reforms to the NDIS since its establishment. The package includes implementation of the Australian Government’s Response to the 2019 Independent Review of the NDIS Act (Tune Review) and the new NDIS Participant Service Guarantee. These reforms will help deliver on the promise of the NDIS – to provide people with a permanent and significant disability true choice and control over a flexible support package to achieve their goals. The Australian Government supports, or supports in principle, all of the recommendations of the Tune Review, completed by Mr David Tune AO PSM. Over the next six months, in line with public health advice, the Government will work in close collaboration with people with disability and the disability sector to implement these reforms, including consultation on any legislative changes required. ‘We acknowledge 2020 has been a challenging year for many people with disability. The Government has been focused on ensuring people with disability remain safe and continue to receive the essential disability supports they require,’ Minister Robert said. ‘At the same time we have continued to deliver significant improvements to the NDIS. We now have more than 400,000 participants in the world-leading NDIS – an increase of approximately 100,000 participants over the past 12 months – and with more than 175,000 receiving supports for the very first time. ‘While the new PSG will be set into law next year, we will deliver improvements to participants now. The latest Quarterly Report released today highlights significant improvements in the time taken for participants to access the scheme, develop a plan and undertake reviews,’ he said. Building on this momentum, the National Page 10

NDIS Updates Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) will today release a new Participant Service Charter and Participant Service Improvement Plan, which set out how the NDIA will deliver on the Participant Service Guarantee. These reforms set new services standards and clear timeframes for decision making by the NDIA, making it is easier for participants and their families to navigate the NDIS. In addition, new independent assessments, fully paid for by the NDIS, will be progressively rolled out. Independent assessments focus on the person – gathering accurate information about the individual’s support needs and the impact of their disability on their daily life. Minister Robert said independent assessments would deliver a simpler, faster and fairer approach for determining a person’s eligibility right through to developing more flexible and equitable support packages, and that he would ensure people with disability have a seat at the table when it comes to implementing these reforms. ‘The reforms announced today will build a better NDIS, ensuring it is here for generations of Australians to come and I look forward to working closely with the disability community to get these changes right.’ Minister Robert also today released the latest Quarterly Report. It found significant improvements in waiting times and the clearing of backlogs. In June 2020, access decisions on average took 10 days - 4 times faster than 12 months ago and six days for children 0-6 years old – seven times faster than 12 months ago. The average number of days to receive a first plan is 67 days – 50 per cent lower than 12 months ago. Wait times for children are even lower – at 42 days. The Australian Government’s formal response to the Tune Review can be found at www.dss.gov.au

WhatsUp Veteran Adaptive Sport Toowoomba Quinn MacDonald

VAST is a not-for-profit multi-adaptive sports group serving the Veteran community of currently serving and former-serving Australian Defence Force personnel (full-time and reserve) with or without operational experience, and their carers, family, war-widows and widowers of Toowoomba, the Darling Downs and surrounding regions.

Adaptive Sport “Our own experience with the whole process of the Invictus Games really showed us the healing power of sport, we felt there was a need for the local veterans in Toowoomba to experience that.” After a series of traumatic brain injuries, Mr Osborne was diagnosed with an incurable disease that effected his balance. Mr Osborne began archery after his military rehab program.

VAST facilitates adaptive and non-adaptive sports that are aligned with the Australian Defence Force Adaptive Sports Programme and the Invictus Games.

“Archery had such a positive impact on my recovery that we thought we could use the sport to help other veterans in their rehabilitation,” he said.

Mission: To form social connections and to use the “healing power of adaptive sport” to promote recovery and rehabilitation from physical and psychological injuries for members of the military veteran community and their families.

VAST core sport is archery, but it is hoping to branch into other sports such as multiadaptive cycling, park runs, walking group, sitting volleyball and wheelchair sports. Mr Osborne said sport was becoming a more common way to help veterans.

“During the Invictus Games, Prince Harry instructed all the athletes to take the Invictus spirit back to our local communities,” Mr Osborne said.

“We are always looking for more people to participate in our group.” “It’s good fun, and everyone, no matter what their abilities, can have some good fun.”

VAST President Stephen Osborne and Secretary Wendy-Leigh Osborne

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Queensland Government No Card, No Start New blue card system laws will take effect from Monday 31st August 2020. It is important that organisations engaging people (volunteers or paid employees) in child-related work know about the changes that are coming and prepare for them. In the past, paid employees have been allowed to start working with children while their blue card application was being processed. The new laws mean that paid workers must have a blue card (not a pending application) before they can work with children. Volunteers, trainee students and people operating a business are already subject to No Card, No Start laws. If your organisation employs blue card holders, this means that you will be prohibited from employing a person in childrelated work unless:

• the person holds a valid blue card and

days before their actual expiry date, we allow them to continue to work—even if we haven’t issued their new blue card by the time their previous card expires. Card holders will be able to continue to work in paid employment, volunteer, run a business or undertake a student placement as long as they submit a renewal application before their current card expires. If a card holder does not apply to renew their card before it expires, they will be subject to the No Card, No Start laws and will not be able to continue work until a new blue card has been issued. Exemption cards Another change is that exemption cards will now expire after 3 years and they will also carry a photo of the card holder. Existing exemption cards will remain valid until 31st August 2023 and can be renewed at any time until that date. If they are not renewed, they will be cancelled.

• you have linked the person’s blue card to

Exemption card holders can start working with your organisation as soon as you have linked them to your organisation.

Changes to the application process

Changes in criminal history

To support the introduction of the No Card, No Start laws, there are new online services available:

From 31st August, card holders will not be required to tell their organisation if there has been a change in their police information, and organisations will no longer need to tell us. Instead, card holders and applicants must immediately tell Blue Card Services or risk a maximum penalty of $13,345. We will continue to notify organisations of a change in police information, where appropriate.

your organisation.

• people will be able to apply for their blue or exemption cards online

• organisations can manage their blue card records more easily Organisation Portal.

through

the

Anyone who can't access the online systems can still apply using paper forms.

Restricted persons and restricted employment

Renewals

The new laws will restrict certain people from relying on current exemptions to work with children, in some circumstances.

Currently when a volunteer, student or business operator renews their blue card 30

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WhatsUp

Disability Support Work during COVID-19 The survey also found these workers face financial hardship. Of those who took time off due to illness, only 47%were paid, reflecting the workforceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s casual nature. Thirty-four per cent faced financial difficulties like not being able to pay an electricity, gas or phone bill on time or being unable to pay their rent.

This report describes the findings from a national survey of 357 disability support workers (DSWs) conducted online between May and June 2020. Respondents ranged from 18-75, 83% were women, and 31% were over 50. Support workers were asked about specific work issues such as; how they managed physical distancing, COVID-19 infection control training, access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), testing, who they worked with and where they provided support and, the financial and psychological impacts of working during COVID-19. Like health and aged-care workers, DSWs canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t physically distance given the close personal contact required in their job, and when they work with an average of six different clients a week.

The researchers have made recommendations, including updating PPE guidelines, proactively reaching out to DSWs so they can receive the required training, ensuring they have access to pandemic leave and making sure expert health staff can provide back-up if needed. The survey reflects the situation for workers when PPE was just being made available to workers after a marked shortage in March and April. With cases continuing to rise in Victoria, on 17th July PPE became compulsory for DSWs in hot spot areas. Further information about current public health directions and their implications for accommodation services for people with disability can be found on the Department of Health website. https://www.health.gov.au/ This includes useful reminders about appropriate physical distancing and good hygiene practices when accessing the community. Winton Queensland

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Survey Results

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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

COVID-19 Updates Pandemic Response Guidance Updates to Public Health Directions for Queensland The Queensland Government has provided disability accommodation service providers with guidance on using PPE in residential aged care and disability accommodation.

Key points

• The

Queensland Government has written to disability accommodation service providers with guidance on the use of PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Guidance

for the “moderate risk” category now applies to all healthcare facilities in the Gold Coast Local Government Area (LGA), including disability accommodation service providers and residential aged care facilities.

• LGAs in the Darling Downs Region have

now been added to the list of Queensland’s restricted areas, and must now follow certain Public Health Directions.

• Public Health Direction – Disability

Accommodation Services (No.3) takes effect from 12.00pm 31st August 2020.

It is a condition of registration with the NDIS Commission that NDIS providers comply with the laws of the state in which they operate, including Public Health Directions. Darling Downs Region added to list of COVID-19 restricted areas

Six LGAs in the Darling Downs Region have been added to the list of restricted areas for Queensland’s COVID-19 Restricted Areas Direction (No. 5). The full list of restricted areas is on the Queensland Government website. If you operate in any of these restricted areas, you must abide by the following Public Health Directions:

• Aged Care (No. 9) or its successor

• Hospital Visitors (No. 6) or its successor • Movement and Gathering (No. 3) or its successor

• Disability Accommodation Services (No. 2) or its successor

Full details of these Public Health Directions are on the Queensland Health website.

Disability Accommodation Services Direction (No.3) commences today Disability Accommodation Services Direction (No.3) takes effect. Under this update to the previous Disability Accommodation Services Direction:

• Students who are under the supervision of

an employee or contractor may enter a restricted shared disability accommodation service.

• People who have a temperature of 37.5

degrees or more, or symptoms consistent with COVID-19, cannot enter a disability accommodation service.

• Operators

of restricted disability accommodation services should ensure staff, contractors and volunteers do not work across multiple facilities, where possible.

NDIS Commission resource on outbreak prevention The Commission fact sheet on COVID-19 outbreak preparedness, prevention and management contains practical guidance to registered support providers to:

• ensure their workers take reasonable precautions to protect disability and themselves

people

with

• prepare for an outbreak of COVID-19 • respond to suspected or confirmed cases in different types of service settings

• manage an outbreak of COVID-19 The fact sheet is for all registered providers of NDIS supports and services, including those providing in home supports, as well as disability accommodation settings.

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WhatsUp

Community

CEO Announcement After five years as YellowBridge QLD CEO, Penny Hamilton has just announced her retirement at the end of this year - but her work is far from over. Penny has lead YellowBridge QLD from strength to strength and has been an incredible champion for her clients and the service sector during this time. She always had their clients and staff's best interests at heart and truly believed in Yellow Bridge QLD mission of helping people to live their best lives. Penny is their biggest fan and while everyone at YellowBridge QLD will miss her enormously they are in the best position they have ever been to welcome aboard a new CEO to continue the important work they do in our community. Penny said that leading the organisation was more than a job to her and although she is leaving the position she will be going into the volunteer sector to concentrate on youth homelessness.

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 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

Cars for a Cause An initiative of Toowoomba Kia Toowoomba Kiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cars for a Cause is a community-focused initiative which provides an uncapped opportunity to raise funds for selected partner support groups, teams and clubs. As a proud Toowoomba business, we are privileged to be able to work with other local organisations to provide one another with community support and awareness.

like to be, simply contact us to express an interest and find out more. *Terms and conditions apply. Referral of a Cars for a Cause partner organisation must be formally expressed to Toowoomba Kia prior to final sale. Vehicle sold must be a new or demonstrator vehicle to be eligible. For full terms and conditions contact Toowoomba Kia.

How does it work? Refer anyone (friend, family member, colleague, teammate) to Toowoomba Kia for their next new car, and if they purchase we will donate $200* towards your organisation. The referral must mention Cars for a Cause prior to delivery of their new vehicle and nominate one of the below partner organisations. Why choose Toowoomba Kia? With an exciting range of vehicles to choose from including Picanto, Rio, Cerato Hatch and Sedan, Seltos, Sportage, Sorento and Carnival, plus Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best 7 Year Warranty, Toowoomba Kia has something for just about everyone, so donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hesitate to refer your family and friends to us and receive this great incentive for your partner organisation. Want to become a Cars for a Cause partner organisation? If your support group, team or club is not yet a partner of Cars for a Cause, but would

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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.

(07) 4659 5662

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

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Face Masks and other PPE Face Masks and the Deaf Community

Guide to PPE for Support Workers

The mandatory face mask order has caused a lot of concerns for my fellow deaf community members. Deafness is invisible, and people will assume you can hear.

If you are confirmed or suspected of having coronavirus (COVID-19), you must isolate at home. You must not provide care to people with disability.

My sister and I ran some personal errands, and we appreciated the patience people displayed after we showed them our cards and they accommodated our needs.

To prevent the spread of coronavirus it is important to always practice good hygiene.

Here's our tip, make your own card, it will help you. And a huge thanks to Dan Andrews and all other Victorian members of parliament for acknowledging our community and for allowing the public to lower their mask while speaking to a Deaf person. We take this mask order seriously, so we'd encourage the public to only lower your mask if absolutely necessary. Using the Notes app on your phone helps.

• Stay home if you are sick; if you have cold or flu-like symptoms get tested

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitisers

• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow and then wash your hands

• Stay at least 1.5 metres away from others when not providing direct or personal care When providing support to a confirmed or suspected case:

• Wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitiser before you put on PPE Put on PPE in this order before you enter the room:

• gown or apron • surgical mask • eye protection • gloves Full PPE must be worn when providing direct or personal care and where contact with droplets or bodily fluids may occur. PPE is removed in this order:

• gloves – then clean hands • gown – then clean hands • eye protection - then clean hands • mask - then clean hands Wash your hands immediately after removing all PPE. WhatsUp in Disability

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8am to 1pm 3rd Sunday every month

Top Oval Lindsay Street Toowoomba Supporting WhatsUp in Disability

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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Dean’s Game Review Deadly Premonition 2 A Blessing in Disguise Review By Dean James Gill

Does anyone remember the first Deadly Premonition game? No? Well it’s out on Nintendo Switch now (the director’s cut version of the game I’ll add since the original game for the Xbox 360 was kind of a huge mess but still enjoyable) if you want to catch up for the sequel. Deadly Premonition directed by SWERY (real name Hidetaka Suehiro) is a cult classic along gamers for it’s great Twin Peaks inspired story but was hold back by the game’s mayor flaws and there were many. The Director’s cut solved most of the issues, but it made the game’s combat easier to say the least. After the commercial failure of D4 Dark Dreams Don’t Die despite positive reviews (no thanks to Microsoft forcing Kincet on the game which barely works when it wants to) SWERY left Access games and founded his own studio White Owls Inc. When it was announced during a Nintendo Direct, fans were excited to see that the sequel was being made (Jim Sterling being one of many since he enjoyed playing the first game, also I was excited too). So how the sequel/prequel (yes, it is also a prequel) hold up? Well that is why I am here, is it that right Zach? Story (Warning, some spoilers from the first game if you had not played it) The story set both in 2005 in the fictional town of Le Carre, Louisiana and in 2019 Thompsonville, Boston Massachusetts. In the 2019 parts of the game, you play as FBI Agent Aaliyah Davis (Voiced by Mela Lee, a newcomer to the series) who along with fellow FBI Agent Simon Jones (Voiced by Chris Corey Smith, another newcomer), interrogates a slowly dying Francis Zach Morgan (voiced by Jeff Kramer) about how he handled the Le Carre case back in 2005. For most the game in 2005 Le Carre, you play as everyone’s favourite FBI Agent Francis York Morgan (Zach’s other self. Oh and please call him York, it’s what everyone calls him. Also voiced by Jeff.) joined by Patricia Woods

(Voiced by Cassandra Lee Morris, also a newcomer) as they investigate the murder of Lise Clarkson. The story’s tone to me at lest feels like Twin Peaks: The Return and True Detective. Gameplay Hmmm, how should I describe the gameplay. It is a huge step-up from the first game, but it still carries some if not most of the issues from it too. The gunplay is like The Evil Within minus blind fire but in place of that York can use hand-to-hand combat (which critics say it’s what Resident Evil 5 should have been) and the open-world from the first game has been improved but lessen in scale. Instead of driving a car through out Le Carre, you ride on a stakeboard since someone stole York’s car but like the cars in first game, it can be damaged. There some light RPG elements that can improve health, concentration and more like using different ammo types for your gun (and yes you only have the one gun). The game’s graphics is a mix of the first game and D4 since it on the Unity engine. The huge turn off is the framerate for when you are outside exploring but thankfully it is getting fixed via patches. Soundtrack For those who are expecting for the original composers Riyou Kinugasa, Takuya Kobayashi and Hiromi Mizutani from the first coming back you are going to be disappointed but some of the tracks they did do appear in the game. New composer Satoshi Okubo did a great job to capturing not only the tone but feeling of being in Louisiana in tracks like Jazz Jam and the theme of Casa Pineapple hotel. The opening preformed by Cashell is not only a great song and opening but it is also setting the merging tone of both Twin Peaks and True Detective. Verdict Despite its technical short comings (with it being made on the Unity engine, I don’t blame SWERY but thankfully it been patched) and basic gameplay, Deadly Premonition 2 is a great story driven game with some very interesting twist along the way. I highly encourage to give both this game and the first a shot. WhatsUp in Disability

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New Eligibility Rules New Paralympic wheelchair basketball eligibility rules have ruined dreams, and raised significant questions By Simon Smale

In a parallel universe, disability athletes around the world would currently be preparing to make their bow at the Paralympic Games. Athletes who, for the past four years of qualification, training and sacrifice, had geared themselves up for a tilt at a gold medal in Tokyo. But while some have had to put their dreams on ice, other have had theirs shattered completely. Annabelle Lindsay is one of two Australian Gliders who recently had their hopes of competing dashed by a change in the classification rules for wheelchair athletes set to compete at the Games, being told they were now ineligible just weeks before the proposed start of the Games, had they taken place this year. It's the same change that saw British star George Bates claim he would need to amputate his leg in order to compete, after his complex regional pain syndrome was deemed an ineligible disability. For Lindsay, the decision means losing the chance to lead the team that she helped qualify in Tokyo. And losing her love of the sport. Wheelchair basketball has long been a pioneer for ensuring sport is available to all, allowing for players of mixed levels of disabilities — and even those without a disability at a domestic level in Australia — to compete alongside one another. Basketball Australia has said both Lindsay and her teammate Teisha Shadwell will both be permitted to continue playing in the domestic competition, but will not take the court in Tokyo — if the delayed Paralympics happen as scheduled.

Lindsay, one of the team's top scorers in qualification, said that fact has its own issues from a sporting integrity point of view. "I started and scored in every single game that qualified us for the Paralympics," Lindsay said. "What does this mean for the teams that didn't qualify for the Paralympics because they played against teams that had ineligible athletes? Do they get another opportunity to qualify against the teams with only eligible athletes?" The ruling does not just have sporting implications though. It means that Lindsay will not be able to take up her latest scholarship with the University of Texas at Arlington — the first ever awarded to an overseas wheelchair basketball player — beyond a one-year grace period. The other issue is funding. By being excluded from competing at Paralympic level, Lindsay worries some ineligible people will no longer be able to apply for funding to continue playing their sport. With basketball-specific chairs coming in at $4,000, that's an expensive call for those families.

"Playing sport has such physical and mental health benefits and there's a huge amount of people now that can't get that because we don't fit in a distinct category." WhatsUp in Disability

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3rd Sunday of the Month 8:00 am—1:00 pm Frog’s Hollow Queens Park All proceeds support WhatsUp in Disability

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WhatsUp

in October Carers Queensland’s Carer Friendly Business Awards (CFBA) recognise and celebrate employers, employees, and businesses that go the extra mile to make life better for carers. Each year, we invite carers to nominate businesses who deserve recognition for exceptional service or carer friendly employment practices. Nominations are for Queensland only, and made under the following three categories: • GREAT Employer • GREAT Employee • GREAT Business This is the opportunity to say “thank you” for making a positive difference to a carer’s life.

When are winners announced? State winners and the carers who nominated them will be announced as part of our Carers Week celebrations between 11 – 17 October 2020.

Nominate a business today! To nominate, please check out our website and complete the form at: carersqld.com.au/cfba Nominations close 25th September 2020

To spread the word about your next event contact WhatsUp on (07) 4632 9559 or email admin@whatsupindisability.org WhatsUp in Disability

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mycommunity www.mycommunitydirectory.com.au

By Andrew Spadbrow Community Development Officer TRC

Are you looking for a fun way to keep active and healthy over Spring? Toowoomba Regional Council and the CHANGE Project have just released the Spring/Summer 2020-21 edition of their Healthy & Active Directory. This booklet contains nearly 100 activities available across the region each week to help residents be active, eat well and live well, such as walking and running groups, group fitness classes, seniors exercise, nutrition workshops, yoga and kids activities. It also showcases other opportunities and ideas to be healthy and active such as online resources to provide additional support. All activities in this programme are low cost or free and are led by appropriately qualified personnel. You can access a digital copy of the Healthy & Active Directory on the CHANGE Project webpage, or you can pick up a hard copy from your closest Customer Service Centre, library or the Toowoomba Visitor Information Centre. If you would like to have a copy posted to you, contact Council on 131 872.

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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

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Help Desk

132 307

Queensland Government

Toowoomba Disability Information Office Open Monday to Friday (9:00am to 3.00pm) 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

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

Lifeline Darling Downs

1300 991 443

Relationships Australia

1300 364 277

There are a number of support groups for most disabilities available in this region. Contact WhatsUp in Disability on: Phone: 07 4632 9559 Email: admin@whatsupindisability.org

11-15 Alexander Street Toowoomba (07) 4632 9559 A volunteer disability service organisation run by people with a disability

WhatsUp in Disability

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WhatsUp Executive Team

PUBLISHER: Disability Media Association Inc (Australia) (DMAA) TELEPHONE: (07) 4632 9559 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) Courtney Carroll (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

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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

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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;.