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From the Editor
Our cover story in this spring issue will take you to new heights –where you can eat, drink and take in the Brisbane city view from four stories up. And if you use a wheelchair… as our cover shows…it is easy to access. Read more about this unique restaurant on pages 6-7.
It’s all happening in Brisbane. On pages 16-17 meet Olivia Brown, an inspiring 19-year-old who spoke at the inaugural World Down Syndrome Congress recently. Olivia is also a youth mentor at a playgroup and presents to councils and teachers about meeting the needs of young people with disability.
Moving south now for our Melbourne readers, Cost of Living is playing at Southbank Theatre until October 19. This Melbourne Theatre Company production is a must-see ensemble about the lives of four people, two with disability. Our interview with Dan Daw, who was in the Sydney Theatre Company production, is on page 58.
And it’s ‘Hello Sailors’ as Link follows the exploits of three blind sailors from Perth who participated in the Blind Racing Championships on Lake Geneva. Go to pages 52-53.
It’s that time of the year when many people think about holidays and travel. Our travel feature, beginning on page 46, starts with the AITCAP conference and efforts to make the industry more accessible and inclusive.
ATSA has taken training up another notch, with Certified AT assessor courses starting in November. All the details are on Page 45.
As this issue went to press NDIS Minister Bill Shorten announced he was leaving politics after 17 years in Parliament, to become vice-chancellor at Canberra University in February.
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Personal care is not just a routine, it is your pathway to independence. With NDIS funding, you can access Supported Independent Living (SIL) to help you with grooming, dressing, cooking and cleaning, making daily tasks fun and empowering.
Imagine a mini spa day, a fashion show or a cooking adventure –all in your own home!
Learn how to access SIL and live your
A Vertical dining experience
By Jayne Keogh
Vertigo; Alfred Hitchcock made a movie about it in 1958 with actor James Stewart playing a detective who was afraid of heights. Fear of heights is quite common, but plenty of people love to be high up to enjoy a view. The Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House roof, or the mast of the Cutty Sark. If it’s high, someone will want to climb it, so one Brisbane entrepreneur had an idea to flip acrophobia over and open Vertigo, Australia’s only vertical restaurant.
At the historic Brisbane Powerhouse, 17 metres or four stories above the Brisbane River and New Farm Park, diners are seated at tables for two strapped to the outside of the imposing building. Guests are escorted to the roof, lowered into their seats with a safety harness to an elegant setting with cutlery tethered to the table. They can enjoy brunch or a gourmet Italian dinner with wine while enjoying the atmosphere of this part of the city. Safety is primary, you are breathalysed for zero alcohol, but allowed one glass of wine until back on terra firma to celebrate.
Diners have the option for one more adrenaline surge and can abseil down the side of the building
afterwards to cap off the experience! Prior to their descent, a bell is rung, and a cheer roars up from the night markets below when they reach the ground!
Vertigo is a hit with gourmet adventure junkies and said
Dinesh Palipana and John Sharpe
In the US Workshop
to be the only restaurant of its kind globally. It is the brainchild of John Sharpe, founder of Riverlife which has brought fun and adventure to the Brisbane River. Set in the heritage listed Naval Stores at Kangaroo Point, guests can climb the Story Bridge, abseil down the cliffs or enjoy a kayak tour on the river. But Sharpe wanted to take the concept further and consulted with Brisbane Powerhouse CEO Kate Gould, Sporting Wheelies CEO Dane Cross and occupational therapist and wheelchair user Tim Lachlan.
“It all took two years to come to fruition,” Sharpe said, “and if it wasn’t for Kate Gould, it would have taken even longer, she was so committed and looked after all the approvals”. He also knew his way around ‘big things’, as before Riverlife was Brisbane City Council structures manager. His portfolio included the maintenance and safety testing of bridges and lamented that such a beautiful piece of engineering history as the Story Bridge was underutilised. Having this background helped him negotiate his way through council networks along with the support of Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner. After moving from metal tradie to tourism, Sharpe has never looked back.
Hang in there
into our regular seats. But that wasn’t allowed, due to safety, even though we have a failsafe backup system.” Not a man to give up easily, he moved on to ‘plan B’.
“I thought that we would just be able to source the wheelchair we needed from somewhere in the world, but no, we had to invent one. Our current model is prototype number five.”
This all sounded very expensive, and fortunately the Queensland Government Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport, with an eye on the Olympics in 2032, saw the potential and kicked in some funds to ease the $1.4 million needed to get to the point of launch, and according to Sharpe, “these are very expensive dining chairs”.
Enter Mike Box, wheelchair developer for the US Paralympic Team, and the mind behind the magic at Box Wheelchairs. He began building wheelchairs after his brother was involved in a motorcycle accident at the age of 17. When his brother couldn’t get cooperation from the manufacturer of his tennis wheelchair regarding adjustments, they decided to do it themselves. In 1992 after being in the aerospace industry, Box left his job, and they formed their own wheelchair company.
roof into their chairs, to add a bit more adventure to the experience.
Asked if fear of heights or vertigo is classed as a disability, Sharpe laughs. He is used to dealing with people afraid of heights, as he encourages people to fling themselves tethered off cliff tops, but you have to trust the system. “Most people push themselves to overcome any sort of climb, experience a great rush of adrenaline and then relish every moment of conquering a fear and living on the edge,” he said.
Tim Lachlan certainly has no fear of challenges, as a pioneer in the sport of Wheelchair Motorcross and the first Australian to perform a wheelchair backflip.
“This world first restaurant proves that valuing input from people with disability in design can create truly inclusive experiences. Vertigo challenges disability perceptions by transforming wheelchairs into tools for achieving the impossible.” He promotes the sports practical applications such as navigating curbs, stairs, and obstacles making daily life more accessible to wheelies.
Gold Coast resident Dr Dinesh Palipana also loved the Vertigo experience, “It’s like nothing I’ve ever done and was one of the best experiences of my life.” High praise from the quadriplegic who advocates for doctors with disabilities and works in the emergency room at the Gold Coast University Hospital.
Access Vertigo offers the same experience as Vertigo, but a specialised chair was designed using aircraft grade aluminum to winch thrill seekers to the dining platform. A special sling moves guests from their own chair to the Vertigo chair which is locked in place. Able bodied patrons and the menu items access the restaurant platform via steps from inside the Powerhouse.
“‘First, I thought we could just move people by slings from their wheelchairs
“We were proud to have worked on this world first engineering feat in Brisbane, which takes accessibility to the next level,” Box said.
A ’rush’ like no other
Vertigo is open to wheelchair users with a list of 18 different diagnoses from amputee to spina bifida and everything in between but the options keep upgrading as it evolves. For example, Sharpe is working on the idea of participants of all abilities being able to winch themselves up, instead of stepping over the low wall of the
What’s next for Sharpe, has he run out of his own adventure ideas? No way! He is currently working on brand new activities that will be more inclusive for the elderly, frail, or people with low fitness levels, and there is still much to be done to include those with disability before 2032.
As the CityCats glide up the river, passengers might glance up at the iconic Powerhouse, and do a double take on seeing people hanging on the outside. They would have no idea what it took in dollars and drive, initiated by one man with a mission to make it all happen.
And the cost for this experience: $250 inclusive.
Get Your Assistive Technology Faster!
Don’t let delays hold you back. Astris PME’s ‘Fast Supply’ range offers a wide selection of AT equipment in stock across Australia, ready to dispatch from our Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane warehouses—cutting weeks off wait times. Need it sooner? Ask about our hire and rent-to-own options. Free trials are available across NSW, ACT, VIC, QLD, and WA. Contact us today and get the equipment you need—without the wait.
A day in the life of Monaro Family Support Services
By Olivia Karaolis
Arecent visit to Cooma, to meet with Monaro Family Support Services (MFSS) highlighted the vast difference between the way children with a disability are supported growing up in a rural or remote area and children growing up with a disability the city.
Figures from the Australian Early Development Census (2021) tell us that: One in five children in rural and remote areas are developmentally vulnerable in two or more domains, compared to one in ten children in metropolitan areas; children living in rural and remote areas of Australia are twice as likely to start school developmentally vulnerable than city children; there are 2.5 times the number of medical professionals per developmentally vulnerable child in the major cities compared to remote areas and 7.5 more compared to very remote areas.
Despite the nationwide effort to address this gap and create greater access to services for children and their families in regional and remote areas, many children are missing out and not receiving the early intervention. A great deal of research and recommendations have been put forward to make sure that children with a disability or developmental vulnerability will get the support they and their families need, no matter where they live.
Some of these recommendations have been successful…others less so. *Research (Baulos et al., 2024) on early childhood development has changed the way we understand and approach early childhood intervention, we now know children grow within a context of relationships, in a community and their development is not fixed or genetically determined. Early childhood interventionists and service providers work with a family, not only with a child.
This understanding underpins the early years approach in the NDIS, intended to help both the child and family to build their capacity and support greater inclusion in everyday settings, and provide opportunities to grow and learn.
The NDIS is designed to give families who have children with disabilities choice and control over the service providers and supports they want, to empower them to make decisions about the best therapist or program that is a fit for their family. The lack of services, early childhood educators and allied health professionals in rural and remote areas leaves families without choice and very little control over the providers they can bring into their lives and the lives of their child. This also
means that are not getting the ‘equal chance to grow and learn”.
A day in the life of MFSS
Monaro Family Support Services addresses this inequity and offers families a choice of programs in the area, programs that respond to the immediate and long-term needs of families and add to sense of community. The organisation works with families to give them the knowledge they need for their child. This support is so much more than a weekly session of therapy, they attempt to reduce the “yawning gap” with a range of opportunities for the community. On any given Tuesday, this could look like:
• 8:45am: Joining other parents and an exercise specialist and either a family support worker or health worker for a one hour walk around Cooma. Here I meet mostly other mums with young kids, it is a fun chatty walk, with coffee and exercise stops along the way, a great way to meet other parents and speak to a health professional.
• 10am: A baby group meeting with parents of babies (0-12mths) as well as expecting parents join us until 11:30am. Here I find lots of donated clothes and baby items available for families to take as they want or hear a speaker each week – today it was the local NSW health women’s health nurse who discussed the free services available, including pap smears, contraception and testing services. The mothers asked lots of questions and many booked an appointment.
• If I was the parent of a school aged child, I could enrol my child in the next round of EquineAssisted learning, offered at their
local school. This is for families and young people with a range of learning goals that include social connections, problem solving skills, working as part of a team, communication skills and developing self-regulation and a sense of belonging. The service is free, with many referrals for the program, despite the fact that it has run four times this year.
• Year 5 and 6 students at a local public school could start the Rock and Water program today, that is run in class groups for all students. It supports them to stand strong in themselves to then be able to make positive decisions and avoid violence through balancing their rock and water (rock is strength, power and determination, while water is communication, connection and flexibility). Find out more about this evidenced informed program at https://www.rockandwater.com. au/. The program is run by MFSS staff with the classroom teacher joining in on all the activities. It is a series of games and activities with opportunities for conversations and reflections on learning between each activity. Like martial arts, students learn by doing and engage their bodies and minds in a way that is fun but also is showing fantastic results in building friendships, respect and self-control skills.
• The Navigate program is in Bombala today, running a free fitness session for young people in the youth hub. Lots of young people attend and share their ideas for future sessions as well as for getting more people involved. This community event is one of very few activities for young people to come to locally and lets MFSS spread the word about the many resources provided through Navigate for 15–25-year-olds. For those who want more support, they can book online and are paired with a worker who supports them in whatever way they require with their current needs.
• Today is also the day the mobile preschool team of three are in Jindabyne running their regular
preschool session to a group of 3-5-year-olds. Included in this class is a child with very high support needs and the team from MFSS are getting to know him and learn how to engage him with the rest of his peers and access the activities on the same basis as every other child.
• The toy library has a new selection of toys, with many new items dropped off and others taken as part of the toy library system. The library is open most days with a huge range of toys for children of all ages to access then return. MFSS offers this service as it reduces the cost for families to entertain their children, gives children a chance to try new toys, reduces waste and saves families storage space.
• A speech pathologist from MFSS has been seeing clients at school and in their homes today, between calling new referrals. The therapist supports children to meet a range of goals diverse that include articulation, literacy, feeding and key word sign to support communication. She is also setting up a new low-tech speech generating device (AAC) which she will trial and loan to clients to support their communication.
• Arranging placements for university students and finishing up on some work done by the last group of students completing their fieldwork. The last occupational therapy students supported some children with disabilities who do not qualify for NDIS, providing a range of strategies and recommendations for home and school to support each child. A counselling student will start with us in a few weeks. A local small school has asked for a practical parenting program which the student will co-deliver, discussing brain development, regulation and making a toolkit parents can take home and trail with their families.
• The case work team having appointments and phone calls with families they support – making referrals to other services, helping
with applications for schools/ preschool/Centrelink, teaching parenting skills, creating safety plans to escape domestic violence and anything else which comes up.
• MFSS is always looking at grants, with a few to consider today. These includes funding for an ongoing and successful women’s art therapy group which supports a range of women, particularly those who have experienced domestic abuse and others struggling to support kids with additional needs. Also, looking for ways to support more kids with early intervention supports. The Child and Family Programs manager recently finished a grant that applied to run a nature journalling club for families with mental health challenges.
Observing this organisation and the scope of all they do with families was a privilege. A day in the life of Monaro Family Support Services is a busy one, complicated by the challenges of insufficient staffing, their rural location and the scarcity of skilled professionals like therapists and early childhood educators. They respond by being available for families that goes beyond much more than scheduling a therapist, supporting the community in so many ways, through essential programs that contribute to the health, wellbeing and education of children and their families.
Capturing the Invisible Infrastructures of Monaro Family Support Services is part of The Sydney Social Sciences and Humanities Advanced Research Centre (SSSHARC). This year SSSHARC has launched the Research Impact Accelerator to enable teams of diverse experience and capability to collectively plan for the social impact of their research.
*Baulos, A., & Heckman, J. (2022). The importance of investing in early childhood development and the role of families. In Handbook of research on innovative approaches to early childhood development and school readiness (pp. 38-54). IGI Global.
Dr Olivia Karaolis, lecturer, Special & Inclusive Education, University of Sydney
Developing life skills through personal care
Personal care is more than just a daily routine for people with disability. It can be a vital lifeline and a ticket to independence.
Daily living tasks help you to learn valuable life skills that can make a big difference.
Regular routines like showering, brushing your teeth, using deodorant, getting dressed and combing your hair can positively impact how you feel about yourself. When you look good and feel fresh, your confidence gets a big boost. It can make you proud and help you to fit in easily with others.
The trick to personal care is making it a habit. And the good news? You do not have to do this alone.
Through NDIS funding, you can choose your own support worker and make it a team effort.
So, how can personal care help you to become more independent? Let’s dive into six fun and practical ways:
1. Personal grooming fun
Think of personal care as a mini spa day. Tasks like showering, brushing
teeth, shaving and applying makeup can be enjoyable.
Your support worker can help you with these tasks and teach you how to do them on your own.
2. Dress with ease
Learning to dress by yourself is like getting ready for a fashion show. It boosts your self-confidence and makes your daily routine run smoother.
Ask your support worker to help you to pick out clothes, button your shirts and put on shoes. You will then be a pro in no time!
3. Cook up a storm
Cooking can be a fun adventure. Imagine whipping up a delicious meal with a little help from your support worker?
You can learn how to chop vegetables, follow recipes and use those kitchen gadgets safely. Plus, you get to eat your tasty creations.
4. Tidy up time
Keeping your home clean and tidy is satisfying. Tasks like dusting, vacuuming and doing laundry can be enjoyable and give you a sense of responsibility.
Plus, a tidy space is always nice to live in.
5. Ultra organised
Think of time management as a game where you create your perfect schedule. Ask your support worker to help you to set up routines, make schedules and prioritise tasks.
You will soon become a timemanagement champion.
6. Boost social skills
Good communication is key to making friends and navigating life. Support workers can help you practise talking and listening, express yourself clearly and build your confidence in social situations. It is like having a personal coach.
Keen to embrace Supported Independent Living?
Supported Independent Living (SIL) uses NDIS funding to offer in-home support. You can have access to SIL in your own home or in one of our fun, purpose-built share homes.
Ready to start your independence journey?
Contact Endeavour Foundation on:1800 112 112 to make it happen.
For more information visit endeavour.com.au.
Exhibiting for the Future
My Future, My Choice Disability Expo program spans nine locations across Eastern Australia, making it the largest disability expo program in Australia. Discover a diverse range of exhibitors showcasing the latest products and services designed to improve the lives of people with disabilities. From cutting-edge technology and adaptive equipment to healthcare services and educational resources, there’s something for everyone.
Explore all you need in one place. The expos offer a wide array of exhibitors offering services such as mobility aids, home modifications, accessible travel options, financial advice, and more. It’s a one-stop shop for enhancing your quality of life.
Enjoy the ease of having everything under one roof so you can spend your day gathering information and making connections all in a single, convenient venue.
Experience an inclusive, welcoming atmosphere where everyone is valued and respected. The event is designed to be fully accessible, ensuring that all attendees can comfortably participate and engage with exhibitors and activities.
Navigating the complexities of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can be daunting, but the next expos, Brisbane Disability Expo (November 1-2) and Melbourne Disability Expo (November 22-23) has everybody covered. They offer comprehensive solutions to empower every person with a disability and their families.
”The transition to the NDIS has proven complex and challenging, and our disability expos serve as a crucial resource,” Impact Institute senior advisor, Kathryn Carey said. “By collaborating with local disability representatives, the expo ensures real, meaningful solutions to empower people with disabilities.
The 2024 My Future, My Choice Disability Expo program has two more Expos to go for the year. We are thrilled by the success of each event so far - Geelong, South West Sydney, Hunter, Gold Coast, Sydney & Canberra Expos have all seen record numbers of attendees, excellent Ambassadors and stage performers, and hundreds of sponsors & exhibitors. Our Expos aim to unite disability product and service providers with attendees while sparking creativity and empowering attendees for a brighter tomorrow.
Each Expo runs 9am-3pm over Friday & Saturday, and best of all, entry is FREE!
Attention Exhibitors! The 2025 Expo Program is now selling, so get in contact to secure your spot.
”We’ve noticed businesses increasingly offer innovative services in response to evolving needs. The expo has become an informative destination that allows people with disabilities and their families to interact directly with providers,” she said.
Attendees attest to the expo’s impact, with one first time visitor praising the expo. “My first disability expo and I was very impressed and will be back again.”
The expos implement Covid safety measures, provide on-site first aid, and offer quiet time sessions to support people with sensory sensitivities, creating a calmer, less overwhelming environment.
With interactive exhibits, engaging presentations, and opportunities to network with others in the disability community, the expo promises to be an inspiring and empowering experience. Join us and be part of a supportive community that celebrates diversity and inclusion.
Access N Equip joins Astris PME
Astris PME has acquired Access N Equip, the largest suppliers of paediatric and young adult assistive technology equipment in South-East Queensland.
Based in Bundaberg, it distributes brands such as Rifton, Schuchmann, Ormesa, CareFlex, Hoggi, Jenx, Hippocampe, Volter, xRover, Firefly, and more.
“By bringing Access N Equip into the Astris PME family, we’re able to pool our strengths and resources, allowing us to broaden our product offerings and better serve our clients,” Astris PME CEO Steve Joyce said.
“Over time, we plan to expand our local demonstration pool to include more equipment, such as manual and powered wheelchairs, adult equipment, and more.”
Astris PME offers clients free trials of scripted AT, provided a registered occupational therapist or physiotherapist is present. Trials can be conducted in the Bundaberg showroom, at the therapist’s clinic,
or at a location requested by the equipment user or their family.
The Bundaberg-based team services clients from the Sunshine Coast, including Gympie, Maryborough, and Hervey Bay, to the west in North and South Burnett, and regularly travels north to Gladstone, Rockhampton, and Mackay.
This expansion now allows Astris PME to provide coverage from Mackay in the north, down to Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Tweed Heads, Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong, Canberra, and through to Melbourne.
Astris PME will be opening a new location in Perth this spring, further extending its ability to serve clients across Australia.
Astris PME Bundaberg is currently recruiting AT consultants, customer service professionals, and workshop/ mobile mechanics. Industry experience is essential, including a NDIS Workers Check. Clinical certification is not required. For more information contact: hr@astris-pme.com.au.
Planned changes over the coming months include expanded and improved access to products and services; updates to systems and technologies; and a move to a larger location. to elevate the quality of service we deliver to our clients.
The business was founded by Georgina Neish in 2018 who said: “Our merger with Astris PME will significantly expand the range of products to our clients”.
VR headsets offer potential benefits
Immersive virtual reality could be life changing for people with intellectual disability, enabling them to learn practical skills faster without relying on caregivers.
Researchers from the University of South Australia and UNSW compared the effectiveness of immersive VR headsets and non-immersive virtual environments to teach 36 adults with an intellectual disability how to separate general waste from recycling, garden, and food organics.
Following 12 virtual training sessions, the VR group using the immersive headmounted displays scored significantly better in real life than those who used a tablet device for training.
UniSA associate professor Tobias Loetscher said that ‘learning by doing’,
otherwise known as ‘experiential learning’, seemed to be more effective for this group compared to passive methods of learning. “The VR group not only demonstrated real-world improvements in correctly sorting waste immediately after the VR training but were able to sustain this improvement up to a week afterwards, in comparison to the non-immersive group,” he said.
UNSW Research Fellow Dr Stegan Michalski said immersive virtual reality allows individuals to experience activities in a safe, controlled, and repeatable environment.
“Opportunities for people with an intellectual disability to participate in hands-on learning are often minimal due to concerns around risk of injury, time constraints and lack of staff training,” he said.
Most people with intellectual disability experience significant challenges in performing basic life skills such as cooking, showering, and cleaning without caregiver assistance.
While cybersickness has been flagged as a potential drawback of using 3D headsets for training, only one person in the VR group reported feeling dizzy, and their symptoms were short lived.
Most participants found the VR technology enjoyable, despite some hesitancy when using head-mounted displays for the first time.
The researchers said that immersive VR training could be used to teach other basic skills such as cooking and kitchen safety, personal hygiene, public transport navigation, and social skills.
Navigating NDIS plan management with nib Thrive
Navigating the NDIS can be tricky, but the team at nib Thrive is here to help. We offer supportive and accessible plan management services across Australia, making it easier for participants to manage budgets, make payments, and stay informed.
Vicky Roberts, nib Thrive operational quality and compliance manager and mother of five, is passionate about helping people with disabilities achieve their goals.
There are three ways to manage your NDIS plan: plan managed, selfmanaged, and agency managed.
Many families mix and match these options to suit their needs. No matter which option you choose, you have control over how and where your funds are spent.
With plan management, a provider like nib Thrive handles your NDIS funds on your behalf. More than half of all provider payments are made via plan managers, making it the most popular option. We take care of payments, track expenses, talk to providers, and help you budget, freeing up your time to focus on what matters most.
Self-management means you handle your NDIS funding, making payments, managing paperwork, and communicating with providers. You can use both registered and unregistered providers if you’re plan-managed and self-managed.
There is ‘agency-managed’, where your plan is managed by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). They manage your providers and financial records, so you don’t have to worry about any administrative tasks,
however, it means you can only use registered NDIS providers.
Plan management isn’t just about handling finances; it’s about supporting people to navigate their plans and focus on their goals.
If plan management isn’t currently included in your NDIS plan but you’d like to add it, you can contact the NDIS on 1800 800 110 to discuss your options. Plan-management is a great option if you’re looking for support to pay providers and increase your financial and plan management skills.
If you would like to learn more about nib Thrive’s plan management services, contact us on:1800 999 333 or visit nibthrive.com.au.
NDIS Quarterly Report to Disability Ministers Q3 2024
A role to PLAY
Olivia Brown spoke at the inaugural World Down Syndrome Congress held in Brisbane in July. In her presentation to around 1000 people from over 45 countries, the 19-year-old who lives with Down syndrome and co-facilitates a weekly volunteer playgroup with NFP Play Matters Australia in Brisbane, spoke about her dream of being an early childhood educator and role model.
“My family and I have had a vision for my life since I was a little girl, that means being around friends in regular settings, and enjoying a ‘good life’, not a ‘special life’. Having friends and family who support me is very important, also doing work I enjoy and having my own home one day.”
She also spoke about her role as youth mentor at Lemonade Kids where she helps with activities in the playgroup and working at the local op-shop that she described as “making me feel like a real adult!”.
“I have travelled on my own to Sydney to visit my grandparents and want to
go to Holland and Denmark next year for my 20th birthday.”
Olivia wrapped her presentation with the following: “If you are thinking about how to have a good life beyond school, then think about some of the things I have talked about here today. Have a vision, make a plan, include your friends and supports, believe in yourself, know your gifts and keep it fun.”
A goal-setter
Community development officer Nicole Walker told Link , Olivia’s role at Play Matters involves co-creating the weekly themes and activities. Her favourites are reading stories, setting up play
areas, singing songs and creating a movement-based playlist for the little ones to move their bodies to.
“She is also responsible for banking the playgroup monies each week and has built a lovely community relationship with Eddy at the NAB bank at Sunnybank Plaza.”
Another of her tasks entails visiting the library to borrow books for ‘story time’ that may be based on the theme for the week, or that young children will enjoy.
Without Olivia’s time, commitment and energy as playgroup facilitator, the Tarragindi playgroup would have ceased at the end of 2023.
Olivia Brown
“We couldn’t find any local volunteers to support the playgroup as families who attend are often caring for multiple young children, including babies, and are unable to commit to becoming a playgroup volunteer. Olivia demonstrates how important it is for all young people to set themselves goals for their life post-school and to have people in their life who support them to achieve their goals. The community has become her cheer squad,” Walker said.
Creating an inclusive environment
Her co-facilitator, Stacey Small said working together brings many benefits, such as making the playgroup a more inclusive environment. “It sends a powerful message to children and families that people with disabilities can actively contribute, and that Olivia brings value to her role as the facilitator. Olivia makes a great role model and having her here also brings about diverse perspectives, as well as her ideas, and that can only enrich the experiences of the children and the families that attend, along with my own.”
And the children’s response to having Olivia in the playgroup.
“I don’t think the children notice or pay that much attention to the fact Olivia has a disability. They are more focussed on the shared experience and it’s never too early to create an opportunity for understanding and empathy. Having her as the facilitator is helping shape positive attitudes towards disability and developing children with a more inclusive mindset,” she said.
adjustments she needed and what she enjoyed most about school.
For Olivia’s presentation on ‘Life Beyond School and the Power of Community’ visit: https://youtu.be/ enTfZFj0hOk?si=cppqjTVYtWVENRLO
Where play matters
Olivia’s presence as a presenter at the conference also sent a powerful message to a global audience.
“By showcasing her abilities and achievements, Olivia challenges stereotypes, and demonstrates that individuals with Down syndrome can excel and contribute to various fields. She has become a role model not only for individuals with Down syndrome
but for anyone facing challenges or limitations. Her determination, resilience, and success inspire others to believe in their own abilities and strive for their goals,” Small said.
Olivia recently spoke as a person living with disability to the ‘Active and Healthy’ Service providers at Logan City Council on how to ‘best include people with disability in the services they offer. She has also spoken to secondary preservice teachers on the “student perspective” and how high school teachers can meet the needs of students with disabilities, what worked well for her, what
Play Matters delivers programs to help children, parents and communities connect through play with a goal of having a playgroup in every postcode with over 500 playgroups affiliated with Play Matters Australia. It offers a free Inclusive Support program and resources with a number of specialised playgroups for families of children with a disability or delay, with a majority of playgroups in regional and remote areas.
The World Down Syndrome Congress is aimed primarily at people with Down syndrome, their families, as well as academics, support workers and health care professionals. It takes place every three years and the next congress will be held in Argentina in 2-27. For more information visit: https://wdsc2024.org.au/
resenting at the World Down SyndromeCongress
Getting out and about made easy with Apex Mobility
Being able to pop into the shops or enjoy a walk around the local park should be easy, right? But what if your child needs the support of a wheeled mobility device such as a stroller to manage distances and regular strollers are now too small? Or what if a young adult’s wheelchair meets their postural needs but doesn’t suit their lifestyle, transport needs, or the requirements of those involved in their care?
In these cases, getting out and about can become a daunting task, leaving you unsure where to start and possibly feeling isolated at home without a suitable solution. So, where do you begin?
Assessment is key
A thorough assessment with a therapist is a crucial first step, gathering the information required to be able to make the right decision for a suitable mobility device.
Key considerations:
• Posture and tone: Do they need support to sit symmetrically and
hold themselves in place? The level of postural support required along with the effects of high (spasticity) or low (floppy) tone indicate the range of suitable strollers. Remember support components add weight and impact on folding style, but both may be necessary for support and frame strength.
• Measurements: Are there any restrictions in joint movement that would need to be accommodated? What are their physical measurements, including limb lengths, trunk/hip widths, and back height? Consider both the user weight and the weight of essential items carried. These determine the user’s fit in the stroller and the overall weight the mobility device must carry. Remember, toiletries, medical devices, toys, and clothing all add weight, so consideration should be given to whether the proposed stroller has the capacity to carry it all.
• Pressure: Do they have any pressure relieving needs or skin integrity issues? Positional change
or other pressure relieving measures may need consideration.
• Transfers: Can they assist with transfers and how? Can they safely step over the middle wheel of a three wheeled stroller? Does seat to floor height impact the transfer (not forgetting the stability of the stroller during this transfer)?
• Managing day- to- day tasks: Is it for all day or occasional use? If sitting for extended periods, then prioritising cushioning comfort and positional change options becomes essential. Where does it need to take them? Considering the terrain of the intended environments of use is important. How far will you be travelling? This is about the robustness of the mobility device and its fitness for purpose. A superlight, compact stroller may be great for short urban trips but is likely to be unsuited to regular hard use.
• Transport: How and where will the device be transported in a vehicle? Consider the dimensions when folded, ease of handling, and weight for lifting.
• Additional needs: Are there sensory needs? Accessories like trays, liners, and fold-up speed can make a big difference.
With this detailed assessment, you’ll have a clear picture of what you and your child needs - a ‘script’ of physical requirements, essential features, and terrain capabilities. Now, you’re ready to make an informed choice.
Have fun out there!
For more information on strollers and pushchairs, or to connect with one of our distributers around Australia, contact the team at APEX Mobility on: 1300 212 192 or email sales@apexmobility.com.au.
Driving change: enhancing accessibility - one space at a time
People with both visible and invisible disabilities rely on accessible parking spaces. Being able to park close to the entrance with adequate space to get in and out of the car may be the difference between a successful outing and going home without completing an essential task, like visiting a doctor.
Parking in a regular spot may work for some people with disability, but end in disaster for others. Parking the car is one thing, getting out of it is another. Without adequate space it’s possible to become stuck, injured, or cause damage to another car when attempting to get out. Even if parking and exiting the car are successful, returning can become a problem if someone has parked too close, making the car inaccessible until they return and move.
According to Knowable Me’s recent survey there is little consistency around accessible parking. And there are places that go above and beyond:
“At the end of each row there is a well-defined, yellow walkway from the last aisle park all the way along to the lifts. It even has some tactile tiles at the driveway spaces too!”
The opposite is also true with accessible parking that barely meets the basic requirements. When other driver’s park illegally it becomes a problem to enforce as so many essential car parking spaces are managed by private companies who will defer to the council, who will invariably refer you back to the private operator.
In response to the feedback received, Knowable Me is engaging directly with councils and management
companies to not only amplify the voices of the community but to facilitate immediate and practical changes in how accessible parking is implemented and managed across venues, ensuring that your feedback leads to real-world improvements.
Knowable Me know that to truly understand the needs and wants of people with disability, we need to listen to people with disabilities, as well as their family members, carers, and support workers.
Be rewarded for your valuable insights while helping to create better products, services, and policies for people living with disability. Together, we can make things better for everyone.
Visit our website to sign up: knowable.me/signup
Six Feelings Framework for Autism*
Asense of belonging is an aspect of universal design not often discussed. However, including people with autism/autistic people in plans and designs, it’s a very important element. But what’s the best way to include this group in the planning process? An article in the American Planning Association magazine provides some answers based on the Six Feelings Framework.
• City and regional planners implement autism standards building on this 1.0 attempt into their zoning and design guidelines and consider policy changes.
Six Feelings Framework
1. Feel connected – because they are easily reached, entered, and/or lead to destinations.
2. Feel free – because they offer relative autonomy and the desired spectrum of independence.
3. Feel clear – because they make sense and do not confuse.
4. Feel private – because they offer boundaries and provides retreat.
5. Feel safe – because they diminish the risk of being injured.
6. Feel calm – because they mitigate physical sensory issues associated with autism.
The Autism Planning Design Guidelines covers urban design, retail, parks, campuses and more. It’s by the American Planning Association and it’s got everything in detail. There’s a webinar on the topic too (see below). The guide is underpinned with the Six Feelings Framework.
The guide is based on extensive research, and it is recommended that:
• City and regional planner activity accommodates people with autism in their public involvement process.
• Professionals in affiliated fields who have concern over the public realm test, retest, and improve the ideas in this toolkit.
• Civil engineers retrofit infrastructure around the Six Feelings Framework.
• Real estate developers who are designing master planned communities consider the Six Feelings Framework in their plans.
• Planning with people with autism.
There is also an article about planning for people with autism/autistic people. The first part of the article describes some of the everyday things that can cause anxiety. For example, waiting for a bus that doesn’t arrive on time, or two come at once. This can result in confusion followed by poor decisionmaking for a short time afterwards.
The article tells the story of a group of planners, researchers and community stakeholders working with people with autism/autistic people. People on the autism spectrum aren’t all alike so the group had to find a way to include as many people as possible.
Preparing and facilitating the event
The first step is to think carefully about how to facilitate more inclusive public meetings and workshops and hear
the voices of this overlooked group. Many people with autism process information differently to the neurotypical population and have different ways of expressing their thoughts.
Large public events can be loud, distracting with overlapping conversation and too many ideas to take in at once. Smaller focus groups are a better way to go with. The key points in the American Planning Association article, When Every Day is Sensory Overload are:
Preparation
• Learn about autism – ask professionals in the field.
• Choose the right venue – no flickering lights or unusual colour.
• Familiarise participants with the space before the event – photos, floor plans, directions, quiet spaces.
• Establish quiet rooms – signage to quiet rooms from the main meeting place.
At the meeting
• Keep visuals ready – photos help focus participants.
• Encourage a range of sharing methods – let participants share they ideas in their own way.
After the meeting
It is likely that some participants won’t be able to participate as much as they would like. Or they might come up with ideas after the event. Participants should be encouraged to connect with facilitators by email.
*This article appeared in the Centre for Universal Design Newsletter
Having a diverse workforce really creates an opportunity for everyone to collaborate their unique set of skills and experience that they bring into the team. NOVA have been fantastic.
Sarah - Head of People & Culture – Custom Denning
Connect with employers at the WorkAbility Expo
Imagine a world where every ability is celebrated. Welcome to the Workability Expos, where we connect employers and people with disability, including those with high needs.
WorkAbility Expos are funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services, and designed to help people with disability find meaningful employment.
The Expos are vibrant hubs designed to connect people with disability who want to work with employers. These events are not just job fairs; they are supportive environments where people with disability can make meaningful connections and find resources to help them succeed on their employment journey.
The welcoming atmosphere makes it easy to network and make friends, setting you up for success.
At a Workability Expo, you’ll find a variety of activities to support your employment journey. Here’s what you can expect:
• Workability employment zone: Meet potential employers who believe in inclusivity and are eager to discover your talents.
• Practical workshops: Participate in hands-on workshops designed to get you job-ready and provide advice on how to start your own business.
• Support services: Support services to help you get into the workforce. From training organisations to dedicated service providers, we provide you with the opportunity to find the help to support you on your employment journey.
• Networking opportunities: You’ll have the chance to connect with employers who are committed to inclusive hiring practices and support services to help you along the way.
• Learn from your peers: You will meet people with disability who have started their own business or who are already in the workforce.
• Workplace accommodations: Learn how to access workplace accommodations to ensure a safe and supportive work environment.
• Resources: Lots of resources to help you find and keep a job.
• Legal rights information: Knowledge about your rights in the workplace and how to advocate for yourself.
• Funding information: Knowledge about what funding is available to support you in the workplace.
Join us at our WorkAbility Expo’s and take the next step in your employment journey.
With a wealth of resources, support, and opportunities available, you can unlock your potential and achieve your goals.
If you are a job seeker or an employer wanting to be involved in WorkAbility Expo’s, visit our website for all information - www.workabilityexpo.com.au
Beyond Possible
The Victorian Disability Worker Commission
Helping people with disability spend their day, their way.
People with disability deserve services that best meet their needs and support their quality of life.
It’s your right to spend your day, your way, doing the things that interest you and help you achieve your goals. It could be learning how to cook so you can live more independently, going to the gym to increase your strength, or taking a dance class to improve your confidence.
During a disability worker’s first shift with you, it’s important to discuss these interests and activities with them. You can then work together to develop a support plan best suited to your needs and what you want out of your service. It’s a disability worker’s role to assist you to create a support plan and then follow that plan to enable you to achieve your goals.
The Victorian Disability Worker Commission (VDWC) assists people with disability to know about their rights and how to speak up if they have a concern about a disability worker or aren’t happy with the services they’re receiving. The VDWC provides an independent, free, and confidential complaints service that doesn’t require the involvement of a service provider.
Making a complaint can feel daunting but is a great way to improve services for everyone and can help disability workers to make positive changes in their work and practice. If you’re unsure whether your concern is something you can make a complaint about, you can always call the VDWC on 1800 497 132 to discuss.
A support plan not being developed or followed is an example of a complaint the VDWC can take. This was the case for Kim*, a person with disability who called the VDWC to discuss concerns she had about her disability worker not doing the activities she wanted to do. Kim was interested in learning about meal preparation and cooking, instead her worker would take her out for coffee every shift. She liked going for coffee, but learning how to cook would help her live more independently in the community.
with her during their first shift together that identified her goal of and interest in learning about meal preparation and cooking.
The complaint was settled by agreement with the disability worker, the agreement being they would need to develop a support plan with Kim and other people with disability they provide supports and services to. The worker was also provided with education about their obligations under the Disability Service Safeguards Code of Conduct.
Kim was asked whether the disability worker discussed what goals she wanted to achieve as part of the supports and services provided when they started. Kim advised the disability worker did not develop a support plan
All disability workers delivering disability services in Victoria must comply with the Code of Conduct (the Code), regardless of their funding source. The Code is a legal obligation underpinned by Respect, Quality and Safety and identifies the requirements disability workers must adhere to when providing supports or services to people with disability. The Code is in place so people with disability have choice and control, are not at risk of being hurt and receive the high-quality supports and services they deserve.
To learn more about the Code, complaints and how the VDWC works to ensure greater participation and inclusion of people with disability, visit vdwc.vic.gov.au.
*This case study shows one of the types of matters the VDWC often respond to. Pseudonyms are used and some details have been changed to protect the anonymity of the participants.
Aperson with disability enjoyingboxing.
If a disability worker does something that doesn’t feel right, we’re here for you.
The Victorian Disability Worker Commission can deal with your concerns about a disability worker’s behaviour or quality of their work. Our complaints service is confidential, and we can take action if something isn’t right. Because people with disability deserve to feel safe.
Finding your voice
By Roy Skillen
Most people love to sing. Whether it’s in the shower, in the car or showing off skills at a karaoke night, there is something special about being part of music. With a song that touches the soul comes a great sense of emotional freedom from connecting with the lyrics, the rhythm, or the melody. Studies show singing increases social bonding and a sense of community and social inclusion and singing in a group may help reduce different types of pain.
Everyone knows that singing feels good whether you’re in tune or not. And this is where The One Voice Choir enters the story.
It was started by social entrepreneur, Tania de Jong, as part of her Creativity Australia charity. De Jong knows all about the power of singing. The soprano has performed in 40 different countries in venues including the Sydney Opera House and Seoul Arts centre. However, it was her TED Talk
titled ‘How Singing Together Changes the Brain’ that really showed her passion for how singing can change people’s lives.
As de Jong sees it our society is fragmented and our ability to communicate with other people and express ourselves is limited. “This undermines our fundamental human values, sense of family and community. We need to build social capital and give everyone a voice, no matter
what their background,” she said. “Unlocking more of our human and creative potential will lead to greater productivity and innovation to enable us to solve the community and global challenges we face.”
It was armed with this message and her knowledge of the neuroscientific benefits of being part of a choir that she decided to set up a place where anyone could go and feel the freedom of singing without the nerves of
auditions and feelings of judgement that can put people off such groups and events.
The idea has been so successful that it now has 30 venues across Australia, in both city and regional areas, helping people with various disabilities and walks of life feel the power of music while being part of an inviting and supportive community. De Jong is still involved as the Board Chair of Creativity Australia and With One Voice Choirs are set for a big year with a new venue planned for The Sunshine Coast in Queensland while partnering with organisations to deliver choirs in residential care homes and increasing the diversity of their membership through partnerships and collaborations with NDIS providers.
Singing from the choir songbook
Annabel Carr lives with cerebral palsy and has felt the benefits of the With One Voice Choir. She had never shown any sign of singing talent or had any real desire to do so until she was invited to watch the choir by a friend.
“I attended With One Voice concerts in 2012 and 2013 at the Melbourne Town Hall, and I loved them, especially the audience participation,” she told Link .
Despite slight reservations Carr decided that she would like to be part of the community which has gone on to give her, what she calls, “a second family” and changed her life in ways she never thought possible.
“I was very nervous attending my first rehearsal, but everyone made me feel welcome and comfortable. After sessions we shared supper between choir members. This helped to break down barriers and builds a strong community feel.”
“Most people can learn to sing, and we accept people of all abilities.”
And there are the physical and emotional benefits that come with singing in a group.
“When I’m at choir, all my worries disappear for the hour or so that I’m singing. Endorphins flood my body and I get an incredible rush of happiness. It’s like I’m taking a drug, but I’m not. When a group of people sing together, their hearts beat as one and it really is amazing,” she said.
But beyond the community aspect and the feelgood factor of performing is something even more special that sets the With One Voice Choir apart.
“Something that makes attending the choir a unique and special experience is the wish list,” according to Carr.
“This enables choir members to stand up and wish for things they may want or need. I wished for assistance improving my resume and helping me find work
and I was fortunate that a woman in the choir that night was able to give me a job. The wish list is as simple as asking for what you need. If there is someone at choir who can help you, they will.”
So, do you need to be a great singer to become a member of the With One Voice Choir? “Definitely not. Anyone and everyone are welcome,” she said. “There are members who have been told they can’t sing or are tone deaf. Most people can learn to sing, and we accept people of all abilities.”
As to what advice she would you give to anyone who is unsure or embarrassed about signing up and singing in front of people they have never met before?
“Singing has helped with my confidence outside of choir and I now have a wider circle of friends who are incredibly supportive of me during my highs and lows. I have also taken on the role of volunteer coordinator, which means that, along with my conductor, I help run the rehearsals. It’s very fulfilling to be able to give back to an organisation that has given me so much joy and gain real life work experience.
“So, my advice is, just come and try it. You never know, you might find that you love it, and it might just change your life for the better.”
If you want to know more about the With One Voice Choirs and if there is a venue near you, visit www.withonevoice.org.au or call: 03 8679 6088.
Annabel Carr
Navigate a tight turn with ease - on the Go Go Elite Traveller 2
Introducing the latest travel scooter from Pride Mobility, the Go Go Elite Traveller 2. Designed for those constantly on the go, it offers effortless transportation and convenience.
What sets the Go Go Elite Traveller 2 apart from other travel mobility scooters is its EZ Turn Technology, providing a remarkable turning circle of just 94cm. This technology is enhanced by a turning speed sensor that automatically reduces speed during turns, guaranteeing safety and stability at all times. The Go Go Elite Traveller 2 combines the agility typical of a 3-wheel scooter with the stability associated with a 4-wheel model. This feature enables users to:
1. Execute U-turns effortlessly on narrow paths
2. Navigate through elevators with ease
3. Manoeuvre through crowded spaces like grocery stores or shopping centres.
EZ Turn Technology, developed by Pride Mobility, revolutionises the mobility scooter experience offering
the smallest turning radius amongst all four-wheel scooters. This patented innovation features a unique turning mechanism that allows the front wheels to pivot independently, significantly reducing the turning radius. This technology is particularly valuable for users who need to navigate tight spaces like narrow hallways, crowded shops, or small buildings, making daily tasks easier and more manageable.
The Go Go Elite Traveller 2 includes several standard features designed for comfort and convenience, such as a breathable mesh seat for warm climates, a front tiller basket, a set of interchangeable red and black panels, and an ergonomic wraparound delta tiller to keep your wrists comfortable during longer travel times. This portable travel scooter can be effortlessly disassembled into five lightweight pieces, making it easy to store and transport in the trunk of a car or other tight spaces. This is especially
useful for frequent travellers who need a convenient mode of transportation.
“The Elite Traveller 2 is revolutionising mobility with its EZ Turn Technology. The enhanced turning radius significantly improves users’ ability to navigate challenging or busy areas with ease and enjoyment,” Pride Mobility Products Australia sales and marketing director, Matthew Herbert said.
The Go Go Elite Traveller 2 is a highly recommended, reliable mobility scooter that offers safe and comfortable transportation. It empowers active individuals to overcome mobility limitations and maintain their quality of life.
To view the full range of Pride Mobility scooters, along with the Go Go Elite Traveller 2, visit www.pridemobility. com.au/scooters or view on the PQ365 app, which is available to - download on the App Store or Google Play.
Navigate Tight Turns with Ease
With a 94cm turning radius, this scooter enables you to execute a U-turn on a sidewalk, grocery store aisle, or in an elevator. It features a turning speed sensor to prevent turns at excessive speeds, combining the maneuverability of a 3-wheel scooter with the stability of a 4-wheel model.
Tiller-mounted front basket
Easy-grip tiller adjustment knob
Breathable, swivel mesh seat for greater comfort in warmer climates
Width adjustable armrests
Navigating vehicle modifications for wheelchair access: Insights from a Freedom mobility consultant*
In a world where mobility and independence are crucial, the right vehicle modification can make a profound difference in the lives of wheelchair users. Selecting an appropriate modification requires not only technical knowledge, but also a deep understanding of the unique needs and preferences of every individual. This is where the expertise of all Freedom Motors Australia’s representatives’ shines. We have eight mobility consultants across Australia with expertise spanning various industries, including engineering, vehicle modification, vehicle sales, disability and health.
Expertise and experience: the consultant’s role.
• Technical knowledge: Our consultants are well-versed in the various types of modifications available, such as lowered floors, ramps, and lifts. They understand the mechanical and structural requirements for each modification and how they affect a vehicle’s performance and safety.
• Customisation: We understand that everyone’s needs are unique, requiring a tailored approach. Our consultants assess the client’s specific requirements, including the type of wheelchair, user’s height, frequency of use, other passengers travelling in the vehicle, to recommend the most suitable modification and options.
• Regulatory understanding: Knowledge of legal and safety standards is crucial. Our consultants ensure that our modifications
comply with local regulations and industry standards, ensuring both safety and legality.
• Empathy and communication: Beyond technical know-how, our consultants empathise with clients and communicate efficiently. They listen carefully to understand clients’ preferences, lifestyle, and any potential challenges they face to offer the best experience possible.
The process of choosing the right modification
Choosing the right modification designed specifically for you involves several key steps:
1. Initial consultation: The process begins with a demonstration with the client, their family, and occupational therapist to trial a modified vehicle and in-depth consultation where our consultant gathers information about a client’s needs.
2. Assessment and recommendations: Based on this consultation, our consultant will evaluate which vehicle modification would be most suitable, which involves discussing various options such as manual or automatic ramps, lift systems, restraints or docking system.
3. Customisation and design: Once a modification is selected, our consultant works with the client to design a solution that suits their needs perfectly. This step may involve detailed discussion about the vehicle’s layout, the modifications integration, and aesthetic preferences.
4. Installation and testing: After finalisation of the design and the modification is complete, our consultants will ensure that the installation process is smooth, and the modification meets all required safety standards. Post-modification, the vehicle must pass quality and control requirements, test driving and certification by our engineer. Our consultants provide any necessary training to the client also.
5. Ongoing support: Our relationship doesn’t end with the modification. Freedom Motors will continue to provide ongoing support to address any issues that may arise and to ensure the client remains satisfied with their modified vehicle.
Selecting the appropriate vehicle modification for wheelchair access is a multifaceted process that requires a blend of technical expertise, personalised service, and a deep understanding of client needs. Freedom mobility consultants play a crucial role in navigating this process, ensuring that each modification not only meets practical requirements but also aligns with the client’s lifestyle and preferences. Their expertise transforms vehicles into vehicles of empowerment, making mobility, independence and freedom not just a possibility, but a reality for those who need it most.
For a personalised consultation and to explore your vehicle modification options, call: 1800 672 437 or email: sales@freedommotorsaustralia.com.au
*Cassidy Van Mullekom, Freedom Motors Australia operations manager.
Unleashing freedom & precision: robust power wheelchairs for the bariatric market
The bariatric power wheelchair, a power wheelchair that still had limitations for end users over 270kg, now has new boundaries with the introduction of the Big Bounder power wheelchair to the Australian market.
When performance, durability and reliability are in demand, the extremely durable Big Bounder Power Wheelchair is designed for the active individual.
The heavy-duty Big Bounder Power Wheelchair provides mobility for the bariatric market, with a real wheel drive platform that provides stable operation in all driving conditions where there are little limitations. The Big Bounder is available with a weight capacity of 272kg or 454kg. Each Big Bounder is custom made to fit the individual using it.
Special attention is given to maximising needed seat width while keeping
the overall width to a minimum for improved accessibility in the home.
For individuals whose weight is above the standard 120kg weight capacity, the Alltrack HD3 caters for weights up to 250kg in a mid-wheel drive configuration. The full-suspension HD3 is the smoothest ride in town. Purpose built to address the unique needs of larger users, the HD3 offers uncompromising performance and capability. Superior indoor manoeuvrability is possible due to the compact, mid-wheel drive footprint and excellent comfort and stability thanks to the patented dual-action suspension.
Other brands available on the market lack the ability to match the width of their heavy-duty mid-wheel drive power wheelchair bases to the width and changing mass of the individual, compromising lateral stability in the seating system felt by the end-user.
The bariatric market need not compromise on quality and mobility limitations any longer. Both the 21st century’s Big Bounder and Amylior’s Alltrack HD3 bring customisation to the industry and have excelled at listening to the end users experience. Do you require powered seat functions? No issue, with these brands individuals can experience powered tilt, recline and elevating legs to assist with their daily positioning needs.
Want to discuss bariatric powered mobility further? Contact Linds Rehabilitation Equipment to chat with one of their consultants to arrange a customised trial in your state or territory with one of their partnered suppliers.
Linds Rehabilitation Equipment can also support your seating and pressure care needs. Contact us on: 1800 501 601 and let the wheelchair people guide you.
DROVE: Unlock your independence
In the realm of assistive technology, Control Bionics has released its newest TGA-approved innovation, presenting a world-first approach to mobility for power wheelchair users. Designed for individuals who have limited to no control over their wheelchair’s joystick, DROVE offers a revolutionary solution that is not just functional but life changing.
Conditions such as motor neurone disease, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, and multiple sclerosis often make traditional joystick-operated wheelchairs difficult to use.
DROVE offers a high-tech alternative wheelchair control technology, enabling users to control their wheelchairs through access methods on their communication device tailored to their specific abilities. A few examples of access methods include: direct access (touch), switches, eye gaze, NeuroNode and head tracking.
Key Benefits
1. Regain independence:
DROVE gives users the freedom to move independently, drastically improving their quality of life. This newfound autonomy is about reclaiming independence, a significant shift for those who have relied heavily on caregivers.
2. Ease of use:
can quickly become a natural part of the user’s daily routine.
3. Enhanced safety:
Safety is a key concern for wheelchair users and DROVE addresses this with technology that ensures precise and reliable control over the wheelchair’s movements. Whether navigating tight spaces or avoiding obstacles, DROVE’s driving accuracy and obstacle
This results in less fatigue and a more comfortable experience, making daily tasks easier and more manageable for users.
Why is DROVE special?
DROVE’s standout feature is its advanced autonomous driving capability, which redefines mobility for power wheelchair users. This innovation provides users with unprecedented independence, enabling them to navigate their environments - whether at home without constant manual input. What truly sets DROVE apart is the combination of its autonomous driving system and integrated sensors, which work together to ensure a safe and reliable journey. This technology not only empowers users with newfound freedom but also offers peace of mind, knowing that their mobility is supported by cutting-edge safety measures. With DROVE, users are not just moving but are doing so on their own terms, redefining what it means to be independent.
detection sensors reduces the risk of accidents, providing users with peace of mind when driving.
DROVE is setting a new standard in assistive technology, offering power wheelchair users an unparalleled level of independence and control. As the disability community continues to push for greater inclusion and accessibility, innovations like DROVE are proving that with the right technology, everyone can enjoy the freedom of movement.
DROVE’s intuitive design ensures that it’s easy to learn and use, even for those who may find technology challenging. Select where you want to go, and DROVE will take you there. This focus on simplicity means that DROVE
4. Comfort-focused design:
DROVE reduces the physical strain associated with traditional joystick operation by allowing control through less physically demanding methods.
Where can you try it?
Contact Control Bionics at drove@controlbionics.com to learn more about the product and where your closest NDIS trial facility is.
DROVE is a world first, Australian made autonomous wheelchair module that enhances mobility for power wheelchair users with limited joystick control. Experience increased independence and safety with our innovative in-home solution that autonomously drives your wheelchair to the chosen destination.
Features
- Safe, reliable navigation to multiple destinations within the home
- Ability to precisely traverse through doorways in the home
- SAFETRAK obstacle detection safety system
Benefits
- Provides you the independence to take yourself where you want to go
- Use your existing speech generating device to control DROVE
- Simple and easy to use interface
- Promotes active movement and engagement with surroundings
“Brodie was more relaxed than we have seen her in such a long time.”
Donna Shaw, Mother of Brodie Shaw, DROVE case study
see it in action
No ordinary call centre
By Ralph Johnstone in collaboration with the Telstra Sustainability team.
Endless waiting on the phone for an operator, authentications that require two devices, chatbots that give you the wrong answer… we’ve all suffered the exasperating frustrations and onerous delays of the telecommunications customer-care circus.
But imagine how much more frustrating, if not fearful, it can be for someone like Pamela,* who doesn’t just live with cognitive and memory conditions, but struggles to express herself, and is understandably suspicious of anyone asking for her personal details.
Or Billy,* who is autistic, and calls in every week to check his bills and contract details, and cannot understand why his carer won’t let him have the latest smartphone.
In a world in which the internet has become critical for staying in touch with family and colleagues, let alone for anyone who uses a remote health monitor, lives alone or in vulnerable circumstances, it’s never been more important to have informed and trustworthy support when your connections go down.
“When you’re dealing with people who are particularly vulnerable, you have to start listening with a different set of ears,” said Tracie Redding, a manager in Team Ruby, which supports customers with “vulnerabilities” at Telstra. “It’s a different kind of care, which focuses on hearing beyond what people are saying to other needs they may not be so comfortable talking about,” she said.
Intersectional needs
Redding, a 30-year Telstra veteran, embodies this new empathy and compassion, which is so critical for the growing number of people who are recognised as having multiple needs, be they physical, cognitive, or related to illnesses, income, location, or family circumstances.
Telstra has long prioritised vulnerable callers, running a much-valued Priority Assist line for customers with lifethreatening illnesses, a specially trained team advising victims of domestic violence, and a bereavement support service for those who’ve recently lost loves ones. But still vulnerable callers can fall through the cracks as the business discovered last year, when it
undertook a survey that showed 93 per cent of its priority callers had multiple “intersectional needs”.
As a result, Telstra decided to appoint and train its first team of “enhanced care agents,” a handpicked group of 20-30 seasoned agents with a strong desire to support people with intersectional needs or vulnerabilities.
The team come from a variety of backgrounds, some long-term customer care agents, others technical or field services personnel, and all have undergone a rigorous training, learning the principles of Telstra’s “TLC model”, technical solutions and workarounds for customers in different circumstances, and – always first among their principles – the sensitive art of “active listening”.
Digging deeper
“Our motto is finding the need behind the need,” said Roanna Stedman, who leads Team Ruby’s Enhanced Care Service. “We try to dig a bit deeper to see what works for a customer and find a suitable outcome, whether it’s education, a new accessibility product, or going through a different service,” she said.
Telstra Ruby team in training
This can require a lot of calls, as many of Team Ruby’s clients are referred to them as they have called Telstra hundreds of times. This may be because they have dementia or have had their service limited by their family or a trustee. But equally, it can be because previous interactions have simply not answered their needs.
“Our agents have to be exceptionally calm, patient, and dedicated,” Steadman said, “It’s about active listening, eking out the challenges that people face – learning from the cadences and nuances in their conversation, the pauses that suggest other issues they may also be facing.”
While some clients may have obvious needs – an online health monitor for an illness, for example, or Braille billing for a blind customer – most situations are far less clearcut. There are customers with “stacked needs” related to their physical, medical, financial or travel situations. People who need tailored payment plans or financial support; public and medical trustees seeking special solutions for people in their care; and, always among the toughest calls, referrals to family violence advocacy groups.
“Our agents listen differently, so they can hear between the questions, and find out what people’s day-to-day lives are really like,” Redding said. “If they say they can’t get to a Telstra store, for example, do they have a mobility issue, or another issue that prevents them from using public transport?”
Business-wide sharing
Both Ruby teams are constantly gathering technical insights and recommendations on the best ways to support people with specific combinations of needs. Through an intranet ‘chatter’ page, they share tips with teammates, technicians, and other departments, as well as maintaining careful records on regular customers to ensure they’re getting the best support possible.
For Ben Pintos-Oliver, who runs Telstra’s Digital Systems and Accessibility team, it’s this business-
wide sharing that holds the key to Team Ruby’s long-term success.
“Support for people with disability can’t come from only one place in the business, it needs to be woven into the many ways that customers can interact with us,” he said. “Team Ruby has people who understand the needs of people with various disabilities, which makes people feel more comfortable discussing their needs, and removes the barrier of the customer having to explain their
disability in great detail to someone who doesn’t quite understand.”
For the agents themselves, it’s this level of personal connection, and the gratitude of their customers, that makes Team Ruby the best place to work in Australian telecommunications.
Inspiration from home
Many of the team’s members have personal lives that are driven and enriched by care. Several have children with autism or look after elderly parents at home; one even claims his own autism helps him better support his clients. And according to Stedman, “he has the patience of a saint”.
John Stephenson, a founding member of the Enhanced Care Service, said his work is both informed and inspired by living with his 89-year-old mother, whose restricted mobility keeps her largely at home.
“Living with my mother has made me very aware of how difficult the barriers of technology can be to elderly people and other vulnerable customers, who rely on our services to stay connected to the world,” he said.
“I find myself being that extra bit slower with my conversation, and trying to really assist people to negotiate the bumps in the road and I am proud to be part of a team that goes above and beyond to help customers who may face individual challenges in their day-to-day lives. I try to treat every customer with the respect and dignity that I’d like my own mother to be treated with if she had to call Telstra.”
Ana Badgujar, another Ruby agent, said the level of personal involvement makes the work “incredibly fulfilling”. “We offer compassionate support and help to make a positive difference in the lives of those facing physical and cognitive challenges,” she said. “It’s about helping them feel valued, understood, and included.”
“We don’t always get it completely right,” admits Roanna Stedman. “We are humans working with humans, after all. But we try our best, and it’s only going to get better as we keep sharing the lessons we’re learning across the business.”
* Names have been changed to protect individual identities.
USEFUL CONTACTS AT TELSTRA:
Disability Enquiry Hotline: 1800 068 424 or 13 22 00
Domestic and family violence (Telstra SAFE Team): 1800 452 566
Sally Wernham and Kye Williams representing team Ruby at Telstra’s Frontline conference
Discover personal care essentials and travel-friendly equipment at Chooze
At Chooze, we know that living with a disability is a journey many of you have been on for a long time. Over the years, you’ve learned what works best for you in your daily life. We’re here to make it easier to find the products you know and love, and to help you discover new ones that might make your daily tasks easier or your next adventure less stressful. At Chooze, you’ll find assistive technology and daily living essentials that help you live life your way.
Live comfortably, live confidently
Everyone deserves to feel comfortable and confident in their daily routines. At Chooze, we have products to support your everyday activities and a wide range of personal care essentials.
Adjustable shower chairs are a great choice if you want to feel safe and comfortable while bathing. These chairs can be adjusted to the height you need and give you sturdy support during your shower.
If you spend a lot of time sitting, whether in a wheelchair or at a desk, contoured cushions can make a big difference. They help reduce pressure and keep you comfortable, so you can focus on what you enjoy doing. We also have incontinence products that are discreet and reliable.
These products help you stay confident and comfortable throughout the day, so you can focus on what’s important to you. Adaptive clothing is another
practical option. It’s easy to put on and take off, designed to be stylish as well as comfortable. This makes dressing simpler and quicker, so you can get ready for your day with ease.
Travel with confidence
Travelling should be fun and stressfree. The right equipment can help make your trips a bit easier, giving you the tools you need to navigate your journey with more confidence.
Portable ramps are handy when you need to access different places while you’re out and about. They’re lightweight and foldable, so you can take them with you and explore new places without any hassle. And if you need extra support when walking,
foldable mobility aids are perfect
They are easy to carry and stable and can help make your journey smoother and more enjoyable.
Travel-friendly toileting solutions like compact commodes or portable toilet seat raisers can also be a big help. They’re easy to set up and use, ensuring you can manage your needs comfortably wherever you are.
Lastly, portable grab bars with suction cups are great for adding safety to unfamiliar bathrooms. They are easy to install and remove, giving you a reliable handhold whenever you need it.
Why Chooze Shop is your go-to for personal care and travel needs
Chooze is your one-stop online store for thousands of products from trusted Australian sellers, designed to make daily living easier. Whether you’re looking for the latest assistive technology to enhance your independence, personal care items, or medical supplies, we’ve got you covered. Our accessible platform allows you to easily compare products, create wish lists, and enjoy a seamless checkout process. For NDIS participants, we offer automatic invoicing to your plan manager and the convenience of unlimited free shipping with the Chooze Freedom Pass. Plus, you’ll receive a single combined invoice for all your purchases.
At Chooze, we’re here to help you find the products you need with ease.
One combined invoice. All the Assistive Technology you need.
The Chooze Shop makes it easy to find all the assistive technology you need. From mobility aids to personal care and household tools, we have it all.
Why Choose Chooze?
• One combined NDIS-friendly invoice for all your items
• Send invoices straight to your Plan Manager
• Create and share wishlists
• Compare products side by side from over 150
• Australian sellers
Chooze Freedom Pass
Get all your AT and daily essentials delivered straight to your door with free shipping for a whole year.
Chooze Freedom Pass
Stay connected – with this free service
A
In today’s fast-paced world, staying connected empowers you to be independent and navigate the demands of daily life with ease.
Accessible Telecoms is a free, confidential and independent service that helps people with disability, seniors, and their caregivers find personalised information on devices, apps, accessories, and tech training.
We are dedicated to ensuring everyone, regardless of their abilities, can access the technology and devices that suit them.
Personal care and equipment
We provide tailored information on a range of assistive technologies that can help you or the people you care for maintain their independence. Some examples include:
• Adaptive communication tools: such as hands-free devices, to help you keep in touch and complete
everyday tasks.
• Wheelchair phone and tablet mount systems: which are assembled onto your wheelchair and include phone or tablet grips, supporting arms, and clamps or other parts that secure the mount to your wheelchair.
• Bluetooth and cellular smartwatches: these watches have features including pre-set emergency call contacts, locationtracking, fall detection, medication and appointment reminders.
• Pneumatic, breath-activated and sip puff switches: when connected to a Bluetooth switch interface, these allow you to activate assistive technology and mainstream devices that can communicate with a phone, tablet or computer.
How Accessible Telecoms can support you:
• Accessibility First: Our website has a user-friendly interface that is easy for everyone to navigate,
Accessible Telecoms is a FREE and independent service that provides information on the accessibility of telecommunications equipment in Australia.
The service is an initiative of the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) and is funded by the Commonwealth of Australia.
Accessible Telecoms is specifically designed to cater to individuals with disabilities, seniors, their families and caregivers, as well as service providers and advocates. Our services are free and available to anyone who would like assistance.
including those with visual, auditory, cognitive, or mobility impairments.
• Personalised information: Whether you’re looking for mobile apps to make your device easier to use, assistive technology to help with communication, or new hearing aids, our team provides one-to-one support to help you find what you’re after.
• Expert support: Our team are experts on accessible technologies and can help you navigate a myriad of options available. From initial consultation to ongoing support, we’re with you every step of the way, ensuring you can get connected and stay connected.
Check out our technology, aids, and apps search on our website or reach out to one of our team today for assistance tailored just for you.
Accessible Telecoms is your go-to resource to support your telecommunications experience. Our free service helps people with disabilities and seniors find phones, apps, accessories, and training tailored to their needs.
Search for assistive and mainstream telecommunication tech or find digital training providers on our new website!
New hearing device with AI chip
For people with hearing loss being able to understand speech in noisy environments is a huge challenge. To address this, Swiss company Phonak has launched its latest innovation in hearing technology, the Audéo Sphere Infinio, which carries a unique artificial intelligence chip, developed to make conversations amidst noisy surroundings from any direction much clearer.
The new suite of Phonak Infinio hearing aids comes in four different levels and four different price points, from an entry-level device to a premium model. This gives people with different budgets the opportunity to access these AI-powered devices. Audéo Sphere is available in the top two tech levels, Sonova Australia managing director Aaron Thomson told Link .
Among the advanced features in the Audéo Sphere is the proprietary chip called DEEPSONIC, featuring Spheric Speech Clarity that, according to Phonak, improves up to 10dB SNR, that allows clear speech from any direction. The chip also includes Deep Neural Network (DNN) technology that mimics how the brain interprets sound.
According to Thompson, hearing aids are different to glasses, “because when you put on a pair of glasses, sight instantly improves, but with hearing, brain training is involved. The AI chip separates the noise and speech, essentially reducing noise down and speech up. The audiologist can add more programs into the device with more aggressive noise cancelling if required,” he said.
And this is where the skill of the audiologist is critical “We are lucky in Australia to have a very high skill set in this profession”. “Once the device is customised, to suit the preferences and listening environment of the user, nothing more is required, “and that is the beauty of the technology”.
“The purpose of a hearing aid is to bring a person back into the conversation. This huge improvement in speech versus noise is the biggest
jump for the hearing impaired for many years, and the first device from Sonova to feature AI to this degree,” he said.
Phonak Infinio is rechargeable, and easy for most people to use, even those with poor dexterity. The hearing aids are magnetised and simply slide into place in the charger.
“AI is always improving, and this is just the tip of the iceberg, we are starting a new frontier across many different industries, and this is the start of a very exciting journey. It’s all about the miniaturisation and improving the performance of the technology.”
He said Sonova is in the early stages of NDIS discussions for the new devices.
One in six Australians is estimated to suffer from hearing loss, and this is predicted to increase to one in four by 2050.
Certified AT technician training and assessment comes to Australia!
As demand for assistive technology continues to grow (through the ability to fund AT in a NDIS package, and as our population ages and requires this amazing tech) our industry at times struggles to find qualified and skilled technicians to employ to meet this growing need.
Additionally, feedback from the sector was that employees often come from other industries (mechanics, etc) and may have no formally recognised qualification in the AT they work on, which can be highly specialised and vary to the area in which they gained their initial training.
ATSA felt that this was an opportunity to both better support the AT industry and show funders (ie: NDIS/DVA/Aged Care) that ATSA members are willing to ‘lift the bar’ on the way we work, plus recognise the skills and value of these indispensable technicians.
To this end ATSA has recently partnered with ATLAS FIOS USA and MySKill NZ to deliver the accredited AT Technician Level 1, 2 and AT assessor assessments in Australia and will run its first assessments in Sydney in the third week of November this year.
ATSA hopes their members, and the broader AT industry will support this endeavour and look to put technicians through the course and practical assessments.
To undertake the practical assessment for each level, technicians will firstly need to complete the online training modules through MySkill NZ (or if they have significant experience they can sit the online exam for each level.)
Once either has been completed successfully, they can then undertake the practical (face to face) assessments to finalise their qualification through ATSA.
Course content
The Level 1 eLearning provides the basic skills for new technicians and takes 10-20 hours to complete. The 12 modules and theory exam, cover repairs and adjustments to basic disability equipment including:
• walking aids
• manual wheelchairs
• hospital beds
• scooters
• standard power wheelchairs
The Level 2 eLearning is aimed at technicians with some experience and takes 10-20 hours to complete. The eight modules and theory exam, cover the following:
• seating and positioning basics for technicians
• high end rigid manual wheelchairs
• styles of powerchair seating actuators
• complex rehab powerchair programming
Course costs:
Level 1 online training including online theory exam $900 NZ; Level 1 exam only $200 NZ; (Delivered through MySkill NZ).
Level 1 practical assessment (1/2 day)
$750.00 AUD ex GST; (Delivered by ATSA).
Level 2 online training including online theory exam $900 NZ; Level 2 exam only $200 NZ; (Delivered through MySkill NZ).
Level 2 practical assessment (1/2 day)
$750.00 AUD ex GST; (Delivered by ATSA).
Assessor training – two-day course $1500 AUD ex GST; (Delivered by ATSA).
Assessor Training
Assessor training is exclusively for experienced technicians. Once trained, assessors will be able to run practical examinations and assess the skills of technicians for Level 1 and 2 exams.
As ATSA has exclusive rights to deliver the assessments in Australia all assessors would need to deliver any Level 1 and 2 assessments through ATSA. We note that we are looking to train up three to four assessors, paid to deliver ongoing assessments as needed throughout Australia. Let us know if you have an experienced AT tech who would be interested in becoming an assessor for this course.
To find out more about the online Level 1 and 2 courses visit: https://myskill. co.nz/wheelchair-and-disabilityequipment-technician-training/
To register for Level 1, 2 or assessor practical assessments this November (and for future assessment dates,) visit https://atsa.org.au/educationalresources/assistive-technologyrepairs-and-maintenance/
For further information about the courses and assessment, contact the ATSA team at: info@atsa.org.au\
Accessible Tourism - make it happen!
By Danielle Kutchel
Business, government, advocates and clients came together for the 2024 Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Conference, (AITCAP) held in Melbourne in late August. A packed conference hall at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre played host to hundreds, all there to understand what’s being done right, and what still needs to be fixed, in the accessible tourism sector.
The conference brought together lived experience and success stories from major businesses from across the sector to share tools, resources and ideas.
The overwhelming message out of the event was to just do it: to take up the mantle of accessibility and drive inclusion across tourism, not just because it’s the right thing to do for people with disability, but also because it makes good business sense. Attendees also heard about how important it is to use lived experience to inform what’s needed.
Opening the conference, Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos told attendees there are more than 100,000 tourism businesses in Victoria, and that they could all play a role in making the
sector more inclusive for the one in six Australians who have a disability.
He called for barriers to inclusion to be dismantled to create equal opportunities for the disability community to enjoy exploring the world around them and acknowledged tourism operators that have already made the shift to more inclusive and accessible products.
Showcasing accessibility
A major focus on this year’s conference was highlighting where tourism businesses and operators are already being accessible and inclusive. The morning’s Melbourne Accessibility Showcase did just that, putting the spotlight on three organisations that have implemented inclusive initiatives to find out what has worked for them.
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre head of Advocacy, Impact and Reputation, explained how the organisation has recently redesigned its website, centring the customer experience to enhance accessibility.
Accessibility was incorporated from the outset of the redesign, with the centre aiming for a minimum AA conformance
with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. The team worked with a website creator who had experience in this space and looked for other resources online to support their learning in this space. Alt text, colour contrast, the use of bold text, accessible writing and bringing content out of PDFs and onto webpages for screen reader accessibility were all considered as part of the redesign. Astley advised the audience to seek progress over perfection and to get started on accessibility initiatives as soon as possible.
Brady Hotels and Apartments strategic sales and key account manager, Alexandra Rolton shared her organisation’s accessibility journey, noting that accessibility and inclusion are core values for the company. She said businesses should consider just how important accessibility is for those who need it and ensure that staff understand why it matters to equip them with the knowledge to answer queries from customers.
She said the accommodation business had recognised that it needed to elevate its approach beyond mere basic compliance with standards, and feedback from guests with disability indicated that what the business has done so far is making a difference. She agreed with Astley that businesses should just get started on inclusion and accessibility initiatives, adding that information sessions and seminars could provide useful insights alongside those provided by end users.
Representing the Melbourne Cricket Club, whose venues host major events in Victoria, was diversity and inclusion lead, Asher Nowlan, who explained an interesting step the organisation had taken ahead of hosting the Taylor Swift Eras Tour earlier this year. It held an accessibility
Photo Credit. Michelle McFarlane
familiarisation day for guests with disability to come and visit and experience the venue before the concert, without the pressure of the crowd. Tour guides received extra training and ran bespoke tours of the MCG. There were two weeks between the familiarisation day and the concert itself to allow for the club to make any changes necessary to the venue’s accessibility.
Like her fellow panel members, Nowland said it was imperative for businesses to get moving on inclusion. She recommended they start with the one thing that would have the biggest impact for customers.
All three agreed that feedback is vital to informing progress and success while underscoring the importance of including the disability community in inclusion and accessibility initiatives.
Co-design for success
A second panel looked at how to co-design accessible and inclusive experiences alongside people with disability.
Adelaide Fringe operations and finance executive director, Tara MacLeod, told the audience that the impact that could be made by enhancing accessibility is “significant”. Fellow panel member Accessible Beachers, beach project officer Bern Walker, reminded the audience that basic box-ticking is not enough. As an example, she explained that some venues will install accessible
car parking spaces without considering the space needed for a person in a wheelchair to comfortably get in and out of the space. This is the sort of thing that a person with disability, properly consulted and included in the project build, could have explained based on their lived experience. Allowing for co-design with people with disability can ensure that the travel experience is enjoyable for everyone, Walker said.
And co-design can look like different things for different organisations, according to Cocky Guides Australia founder, James (Buck) McFarlane. For Cocky Guides, co-design involved engaging a community group of people with disability and running trial trips for them to collect feedback on its product offerings. These products were adjusted in line with that feedback. He added that Cocky Guides is now focused on continuous improvement and adapting to the needs of its clients.
For MacLeod, co-design involves surveying the festival’s audience to help inform the following year’s event. Roundtables and forums, held after each festival, help to bring in a range of different voices.
Walker added that businesses always be up front about their accessibility or even their inaccessibility, to help people with disability to make informed choices about their travel plans.
Airport’s accessibility under the microscope
Melbourne Airport, head of Travellers Experience, Wendi Pearce gave a much-anticipated address about what the transport hub is doing to improve its accessibility for patrons.
AITCAP was held hot on the heels of the Federal Government’s release of its Aviation White Paper, which includes a number of accessibility pledges aimed at addressing the concerns of the disability community around discrimination and lack of access when flying.
Pearce said the airport had completed a full audit of its organisation, as well as a review of all complaints received over
the previous 12 months, in an effort to understand how it could improve. She said the biggest area of complaint was accessibility. Pearce acknowledged this, and said the airport is currently working through 50 recommendations that came out of its review. She said enhancing accessibility is not just the right thing to do, but also a good opportunity to grow business as people with disability choose to travel thanks to the improvements.
Some of the improvements that Melbourne Airport is looking to implement include quiet rooms, something that a survey or airport visitors identified as a high priority; an online mobility hub to give travellers an overview of what their experience will look like; and working with partner organisations, like those that manage security, to improve inclusion and accessibility.
The importance of communication
Accessibility in communication was highlighted as being just as important as physical accessibility. In an afternoon session, Nicola Hamilton and Brandon Tomlin from Scope Business Solutions stressed that hundreds of thousands of Australians have communication differences. Tomlin shared his personal experience of being unable to communicate with a café worker to order a coffee, ending in his being taken to hospital in an ambulance. The pair explained different communication tools that can be used to make the experience more accessible, including using communication boards, pointing to objects when referring to them in speech, and speaking directly to people with communication differences rather than to their carer or friend.
Metro Trains general manager of corporate responsibility Jenny Odgers, and Metro Trains Melbourne Accessibility Reference Group chair, Stephen Jolley provided another reallife case study of how the company had invested in communication training to enhance its accessibility and inclusion for travellers with disability. Odgers said partnering with external organisations, including Scope, had helped, along with allowing their processes to be informed by lived experience.
Victorian Minister for Tourism Steve Dimopoulos
Travel at your Leisure
Travelling with a disability might seem daunting, but it can be a rewarding and empowering experience. With the right support and planning travel can open new opportunities, foster independence and enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities.
Travelling can be an excellent way for people with disabilities to break out of their comfort zones and build confidence. Experiencing new environments, cultures and situations can challenge individuals to overcome obstacles they may not come across in their day-to-day lives. Each successful journey helps build selfesteem and reinforces the belief they can navigate the world independently.
When travelling, unexpected situations may arise that call for quick thinking and problem-solving. For people with disabilities, these situations might involve finding accessible routes, dealing with travel delays, or communicating with people who don’t speak the same language. Overcoming these challenges enhances problem-solving skills and builds resilience which are valuable traits for fostering independence.
Travelling often involves meeting new people and forming connections, and for people with disabilities this can be an excellent opportunity to improve
social skills and build a support network. Interacting with fellow travellers, engaging with locals or seeking assistance from travel staff can increase confidence in communicating needs and preferences which are
Understanding and navigating accessibility is a critical aspect of travelling with a disability as planning a trip involves researching accessible accommodation, transport and attractions. It helps individuals to better understand their own needs and preferences that can be applied to everyday life.
While the idea of travelling alone can be empowering, supported travel is essential for many people with disabilities. It means having access to assistance and resources that ensure a safe and comfortable experience. This includes travelling with a companion or support person, using services that cater to travellers with disabilities, or choosing destinations
The role of travel companions
A supported travel agency can research and select destinations known for their accessibility. Travellers can use resources such as travel blogs, websites, forums and expert agencies dedicated to accessible travel, to find the best destinations.
Inspiring stories of independence
Inspiring travel stories demonstrate that travel can foster independence. For example, wheelchair traveller Cory Lee has explored numerous countries, sharing his experiences and tips through his blog, Curb Free with Cory . His adventures highlight that with determination and the right support, the world is accessible to everyone.
Having a support person or travel companion can provide reassurance and practical assistance to help with navigating airports, handling luggage, or providing physical support when it comes to personal care, meals, money and behaviour. These companions also offer emotional support, which can make the whole experience more enjoyable and less stressful. For those new to travelling, starting with a support person can build the confidence needed to consider more independent travel in the future.
Choosing accessible destinations
Not all destinations are accessible, so selecting the right destination is important for a successful trip.
Travel influencer Tony Giles, who is blind and partially deaf, has visited over 100 countries independently. His journeys showcase the possibilities of solo travel for people with disabilities, emphasising that independence is achievable with proper planning and
available resources and maintaining a flexible attitude, people with disabilities can explore the world and gain a greater sense of independence and self-reliance.
Pack your bags, plan your tripindependence is waiting
Travelling with a disability can be a transformative experience. While challenges may arise, supported travel ensures that individuals have all the resources and assistance they need to confidently travel. By planning ahead,
Travel is not just about seeing new places; it’s about experiencing life in new ways, building confidence and proving to oneself that anything is possible.
Organisations and travel agencies, such as Leisure Options, offer supported travel for people with disabilities, with services that include accessible tour packages and accommodation, support persons, and activities in foreign countries.
Leisure Options understand the importance of fostering independence through travel while providing the right levels of support . It offers a range of supported travel services tailored to meet each individual traveller’s needs from small group travel, individual holidays and respite care. Every holiday is categorised to help you choose the most suitable option for your capability and needs.
Taking a holiday at risk from proposed NDIS changes
Leisure Option manager Gary Elliott said current legislation before Federal Parliament could severely impact a person with a disability to choose their own holiday and utilise NDIS funding for the support component.
“There is confusion for both registered providers and participants around the NDIS guidelines and what they will and won’t cover, what is a holiday and what is respite. Sensationalised headlines and rhetoric are damaging businesses and negatively impacting the lives of people with disabilities,” he told Link .
Elliott said under current legislation, the NDIS is clear that it does not fund holidays, however participants can choose their own holiday destination and utilise their funding to cover the support costs of a carer to enable them to have a holiday. “The proposed new legislation will continue with this model but there is increasing uncertainty as
clients are concerned that their funding is going to be cut to claw back money for the NDIS.”
Public transport still has a way to go to meet the needs of people with a disability despite more modified vehicles available for hire. Flying is a different story as airlines can only take two wheelchairs per flight with very tight dimensions and no accessible toilets on aircraft. “Getting wheelchair taxis can be difficult too, and on many occasions, just don’t arrive,” he said.
“If you look at travel as a service being provided to our most vulnerable in the community I am surprised by the lack of financial authority and zero criteria for entry to the NDIS. At least using someone like Leisure Options, you are dealing with experienced and qualified travel professionals who are licensed and regulated by the peak body ATIA (Australian Tourism Industry
Association) for travel businesses. With over 30 years of service exclusively to the disability sector, we’ve seen what can go wrong.
“It is alarming that support workers and disability companies are suddenly becoming travel providers with no experience, expertise or governance. There is no protection for participants when things go awry. You wouldn’t see a medical professional without an AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) qualification registration so it’s a concern that people can book a holiday with a company that doesn’t have ATIA qualifications.”
Elliott said the introduction of the NDIS in 2016 marked the biggest change for his business. “Over time we have upgraded internal systems, custom built new travel platforms and increased office personnel. Covid also created some changes to our business operating model.”
Rights on flights – why are barriers to air travel so difficult to overcome?
By Natalie Wade
Air travel has been a common, even predominant, way for people to travel for decades. Used for business, travel and life many people take air travel for granted with the most concern given to the price of flights or baggage size constraints.
However, for people with disability and in particular, people who use wheelchairs, air travel can be at best potluck as to whether you’ll be able to get to your destination or at worst, a flawing experience of disability discrimination. We could dedicate this whole magazine to the barriers facing people with disability in travel and still not get through it all, so for the purposes of this article, I will focus only on the issues facing people who use wheelchairs. That is not to diminish the other barriers facing people with
disability more broadly. Much work is needed to address these, and that work cannot come to fruition soon enough.
For people in wheelchairs, barriers to air travel are a blend of physical, policy and attitudinal. Aircrafts have not been designed with wheelchair users in mind so there is no chance of taking your wheelchair onboard to sit safely and comfortably and there are all sorts of constraints on the size of wheelchair that fits in the cargo hold. These constraints are somewhat arbitrary and sometimes linked to features of the aircraft which have not been designed to accommodate wheelchairs. There are policies which do not allow more than two electric wheelchairs at one time or people with certain transfer needs to use the aircraft. For example, only certain airlines have an Eagle
hoist available for passengers who cannot weight bare or self-transfer. The inaccessible aircrafts and discriminatory policies set staff up to often not have inclusive attitudes and inconsistent approaches to passengers can be confusing and even unsafe.
The design and approach of air travel for wheelchair users is a human rights issue. Being denied the right to move around freely, to be treated on equal basis as others and to access services equally all come into play here. We must call for a redesign and overhaul of aircrafts and airlines to support people with disability to access air travel equally and safely. This may be argued to be expensive but that is only so because it was not done in the first place. It is time to bring air travel into the modern era and ensure that it is available to all.
Great holidays and travel for people with disabilities
With more than 30 years’ experience in both the travel and disability industries, Leisure Options is Australia’s only national award-winning, accredited travel agent specialising in supported travel for the disability sector.
Focus on providing holidays that allow maximum choice, loads of fun, high staffing ratios, commitment to individual needs, and a supportive holiday environment
• Choice of either group or individualised touring
• Respite care offered in a stimulating and fun-filled environment
• Over 80 departures annually to local, national and international destinations
• Passionate, energetic, and professional tour leaders with extensive qualifications and a world of experience
• Registered service provider with the NDIS
For more information call
or visit our website www.leisureoptions.com.au
Three blind sailors ‘Lost at See’
By Sally White
Competitive sailing is both exhilarating and challenging. Nothing compares to being out on the open water, hoisting, trimming and jibing, as the wind whistles through the sail sheets. With adrenaline pumping, the skipper and crew feel the anticipation: will they be the first to cross the finish line?
But imagine competitive sailing if you are blind. How difficult would that be? In June this year, three blind and low vision sailors did just that and participated in the 2024 World Blind Match Racing Championships on Lake Geneva in South-Eastern France.
Skipper Kylie Forth, jib hand Erin McGlew and main trimmer Eric Seery, all from Perth, make up ‘Lost at See’. Their enthusiasm and dedication match the humour in the team’s name.
On the biggest lake in Western Europe, ‘Lost at See’ competed against eight teams from five countries in blind match racing. This unique sport relies on acoustic buoys and audible tack indicators to provide the cues sailors need to make tactical decisions and navigate to success.
Skipper, Kylie Forth, told Link it’s not for the faint-hearted. “It’s noisy, chaotic and invigorating. Sailing with sighted support is great fun but there’s a safety net.
However, sailing independently makes you more vulnerable. It pushes you to step out of your comfort zone and when you do this, it’s incredibly satisfying.”
The 38-year-old lost her sight to a rare form of eye cancer, retinoblastoma, when she was three. At age nine, she lost a leg to cancer when the disease returned. For close to 20 years now she has been sailing competitively and for the last ten years with her friend Erin McGlew, who has retinitis pigmentosa.
Erin McGlew, Kylie Forth and Eric Seery outside the Royal Perth Yacht Club with Nora
With Forth at the helm as skipper, it’s left to her team mates to follow instructions.
“We know each other’s strengths. We listen to her commands and need to act quickly, as the wind may pick up or change direction while sailing along at fifteen knots,” McGlew, said.
Each match in the four-day championships takes around 20 minutes, with one team of three pitted against another.
For Seery, the newest recruit, his first competitive match was a baptism of fire, one that even 19 practice sessions and two-on land sessions couldn’t fully prepare him for.
“It can be overwhelming. You’ve got sirens emitting different noises and you have to acknowledge what each one means in your head. Add to that, sails are flapping about and there’s water lapping against the hull. There’s a heck of a lot of audible stimuli. It is taxing both mentally and physically,” he said.
Navigating to success
‘Lost at See’ put in a respectable performance, placing fifth out of eight teams with England coming first.
“We beat the US and Italy. But Australia is a vast country which makes it harder to get a team together and train, but I was pleased with our overall result,” Forth said.
Once the event was over, Forth and McGlew explored Europe before heading back to Western Australia. Seery returned straight home to his wife and Guide Dog Nora, and because Nora doesn’t like sailing, stayed behind in Perth.
Now that they’re home with their feet firmly on dry land, what now for the trio?
And, as with any competitive race, accidents can happen.
“When racing against the Italians, we had two collisions. One made an almighty bang, and you have no idea how it happened, and you feel vulnerable. The Italians were at fault and were penalised,” he said.
After this race, Australian team coach and professional sailor, Adam BrenzVerca simulated the accident for the team using two small model boats in a so-called tactile debrief.
All three team members agree that the championships bring everyone together, while also encouraging social connections and camaraderie. An added bonus was a VIP invitation to the Olympic Torch procession in a nearby village, ahead of the Olympic Games.
As with any international competition, there are always financial hurdles to overcome. ‘Lost at See’ received financial support from Sailability WA, the Ron Tough Yachting Foundation and the Royal Perth Yacht Club. A fundraiser dinner and auction at the yacht club attracted nearly 200 people.
The next Blind Match Racing Championship is scheduled for 2026. While nothing’s official yet, it’s likely that next year’s World Fleet racing Championship will take place in England. Fleet racing differs from match racing because a sighted jib and tactician join two blind or low vision sailors on board. As a result, ‘Lost at See’ will need an extra person to complete their two teams, with Forth hoping her love of sailing will inspire others.
“Blind, or sighted, racing is always gruelling. But for me, sailing as a blind person is totally exhilarating, you have that mixture of sirens, sonars, water splashing against the hull and the distant roar of the crowd as wind power takes you forward. There’s nothing quite like it.”
The three sailors with coach Adam Brenz-Verca
Sailing on Lake Geneva
ARATA’s 2024 Australian Assistive Technology Conference
The Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association (ARATA) will host the Australian Assistive Technology Conference at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre November 6-8, 2024. The conference aligns with the 30th anniversary of the incorporation of ARATA, the national non-profit peak body for assistive technology stakeholders.
Dr Desleigh De Jonge, a past ARATA president and life member, will convene the conference this year, demonstrating the long-standing volunteer commitment that ARATA members offer assistive technology stakeholders in Australia. She leads an extensive and multi skilled conference committee including Dr Michele Verdonck (ARATA board representative) and AT stakeholders across all of the ARATA member pillars, including AT users, advisors, suppliers, developers, researchers and educators.
The 2024 Australian Assistive Technology Conference will be a celebration of ARATA’s extensive AT
community of practice, building on the various online events that ARATA hosts throughout the year.
The conference will offer educational and practical content on all things AT, and an extensive product exhibition. The exhibition will be open to students studying in fields directly related to, or aligned with AT, from 3.15pm-5.00pm Thursday, November 7 and to consumer groups from 9.00am-12.00pm Friday, November 8, (both at no cost for entrance).
An evening member network event with a light supper and drinks is included in the registration. The breaks between conference sessions provide opportunities to connect with various stakeholders, including AT users, advisors, suppliers, developers, researchers, educators, policy makers and funders.
ARATA had an incredible response to the call for submissions for the conference. On the first day there will be optional workshops available for deep exploration and practical
experience with AT. These workshops will last for two to three hours.
Two full days of conference activity, with keynote presentations, will follow, including short oral papers, and posters. Conference presentation topics will cover practice and policy across health, disability, and aged care. The AT exhibition will showcase emerging technologies and traditional approaches to meet the goals and needs of people of all ages and stages of life.
This year, long-standing ARATA member and rehabilitation engineer, Peter Slattery, will deliver the Barry Seeger Oration, acknowledging one of ARATA’s founding members, Dr Barry Seeger.
For registration, exhibition and sponsorship opportunities go to: https://aatc2024.com
For workshop and conference program details, go to: https://aatc2024.com/ wp-content/uploads/2024/08/AATC2024_Website-Program-V1.pdf
VIP Portable Bathroom in pod design
The VIP Portable Bathroom offers a convenient and innovative solution, designed for easy delivery and installation right to your home in Brisbane, Ipswich and the Gold Coast.
With its unique pod design and portability, the VIP team can set it up quickly without sacrificing comfort, convenience, or safety. VIP understand the importance of maintaining accessibility and mobility, while adhering to design standards that make daily life easier. Whether you’re staying home during renovations or returning from the hospital, our solution ensures you can fully enjoy your home with ease.
All VIP portable bathrooms are fitted with the necessary adaptions to simplify toileting and showering for those with physical challenges. The VIP Portable Bathroom is safe, easy to clean and conforms to relevant Australian plumbing and electrical standards and can be supplied with
an optional self-contained thermostat controlled hot water service.
• VIP Portable Bathroom is completely self-contained, simply placed on the floor of your garage or patio and connected to the closest power, water and sewer points.
• Full wet floor including toilet, adjustable height hand basin and 1.2m x 1.8m walk in shower area.
• Enclosure provides a warm area to shower and dress in, even in the middle of winter with the internal heater.
• We can design and deliver a custom ramped access to the VIP Portable Bathroom safely.
The VIP Portable Bathroom can solve many issues
• Not needing to leave home, and possibly entering respite care, while a bathroom renovation is undertaken.
• Unnecessarily staying in hospital while the renovation work is being completed.
• Unnecessarily long stays in hospital whilst you are waiting on funding for home modifications.
• Palliative care solution.
• People living in rental properties who cannot modify the bathroom.
What are the advantages?
• Plumbing and electrical compliant.
• The units can be installed quickly in the garage, carport or patio.
• Conventional flushable toilet.
• Designed for disabled access.
• Technical specifications and requirements
• 3m long x 2.2m wide x 2.3m high.
• Allow 300mm at rear for plumbing services.
• 10amp - 240 V power point.
• Access to garden tap and sewer gull trap.
You can visit our website at: www.vipaccess.net.au or give us a call at: 07 3807 4309.
INTRODUCING OUR VIP PORTABLE BATHROOM
The VIP Portable Bathroom is a spacious, accessible bathroom solution that accommodates larger commodes & tilt commodes. Designed for ease of delivery and installation, this innovative Portable Bathroom can be seamlessly integrated into your home in Brisbane, Ipswich, & Gold Coast. This solution ensures that you can enjoy full access and comfort in your home with ease without compromising on comfort, convenience, or safety.
Muscular Dystrophy Australia launches new fishing program
Are you keen to try your hand at fishing? Then here is your chance if you live in Melbourne, because the Muscular Dystrophy Australia’s (MDA) ‘Wheels & Reels’ accessible-friendly, monthly fishing series is back.
Co-funded by Fisheries Victoria and hosted by fisherman and radio host Neofitos Constantinides, known as Fid, who has lived experience with neuromuscular disease (NMD), the program is designed to encourage participants to connect with peers and share in their interest of fishing.
“Our Wheels & Reels event is a fantastic opportunity for the MDA community to try their hand at fishing at some of Victoria’s best waterways,” Fid said. “Fishing is also about the sense of accomplishment, the therapeutic nature of being by the water, and the opportunity to unwind and simply enjoy fishing.”
From the Kerferd Road Pier in Port Melbourne to the Mordialloc Pier, all locations are wheelchair and toilet accessible with fishing rods, bait and tea and coffee provided.
Wheels & Reels will be held on the first Wednesday of each month (excluding
Upcoming dates and locations:
October 2: Mornington Pier, Mornington
November 6: Lagoon Pier, Port Melbourne
December 4: Launching Way, Patterson River
2025 dates:
February 5: Mornington Pier, Mornington
March 5: Lagoon Pier, Port Melbourne
January) from 10.00am – 12.00pm from September 2024 to May 2025.
The April session will be on the second Wednesday to coincide with school holidays. If the weather turns sour, the event will move indoors to a nearby café.
April 9: Launching Way, Patterson River
May 7: Mordialloc Pier, Mordialloc
A fishing licence is required for all participants aged 18-70 years. You can apply for a licence online at Service Victoria. Options include a 3-day licence for $10.00, a 28-day licence for $23.40, a 1-year licence for $41.00, or a 3-year licence for $110.00.
For more details and to sign on: https://www.mda.org.au/ upcomingevents
Fid Constantinides with MD CEO Catherine Stace
Press Play for Mindful Minutes
Vision Australia has introduced a new seven-episode wellbeing podcast, Mindful Minutes.
Created by Vision Australia’s Check in and Chat team and produced by Vision Australia Radio, this podcast is a valuable resource designed to support the wellbeing of people living with vision loss. It’s not just educational and inspiring, Mindful Minutes is a tool for anyone seeking to enhance their physical and emotional wellbeing.
Listeners will gain insights into maintaining emotional balance, navigating the journey of a vision loss diagnosis and discovering inspiring personal stories of resilience. The series underscores the importance of social connections, adaptive exercises and self-care to manage stress effectively.
Mindful Minutes also delves into the stages of grief, offering guidance on managing emotions, with expert contributions from the CEOs of
MindSpot and Grief Australia, as well as the broader Vision Australia team. The result is a comforting and informative space where people who are blind, or have low vision, can feel heard and supported.
The podcast demonstrates that while the journey through vision loss may be difficult, it is also filled with hope, strength and community.
Through inspiring stories and valuable insights, Vision Australia’s aim was to create a warm and supportive environment that empowers listeners to embrace life fully and live their lives with confidence.
You can listen by searching for ‘Vision Australia Mindful Minutes podcast’ wherever you stream your podcasts, or by visiting varadio.org
Exclusive: Q&A with actor/director Dan Daw.
Dan Daw recently performed in the Pulitzer prize-winning play, Cost of Living . He spoke to Kymberly Martin at the Sydney Theatre Company.
Q: The first big break in your career?
A South Australian collaboration between the Australian Dance Theatre and the Restless Dance Theatre 2005, in a show called Vocabulary.
Q: Why did you choose this career path?
When I was 12 years old, I enrolled in a series of workshops in Whyalla when a theatre director, voice coach and writer, would fly up weekly from Adelaide to deliver the workshops. It was at a time when the arts in South Australia was getting a big push.
Q: Highlight of your career so far?
I would have to say Cost of Living with the Queensland Theatre and Sydney Theatre Company. I trained at the Flinders University drama school acting course and was told by one of my lecturers that I would never work on or with a mainstage theatre company in Australia, and here I am.
Q: You are not afraid of being controversial.
Nothing stops me… society to some extent is scared of the disabled body and I would like to encourage people to think it is not scary and that we all have bodies, we can be naked, desired, sexy and this is not usually portrayed by someone with a disability. I suppose I am breaking new ground, but it is very sad to me that seeing a naked, disabled person on stage should be presented as ‘breaking new ground’.
Q: Describe yourself?
I am very proud of who I am and have done a lot of work to get to this point
in my life but there is a lot of shame that comes with living as a disabled, queer man in the world. I’ve had to work through this, and it has taken a lot of work and bravery. People may be uncomfortable with it but it’s who I am. As a 14-year-old with cerebral palsy this worried me, but as a 40-year-old I don’t really care what others might think of me. It feels nice and liberating to say what I want without being concerned it could be the wrong thing. There has been a shift in society about this for sure.
Q: Why did you choose to set up home in the UK?
Because opportunities in Australia back in 2009 were drying up and it was soul destroying to go from doing amazing jobs with director Kate Champion in Force Majeure which I performed at the Opera House… and then it stopped, and it was signing onto the dole again. By not having that constancy of work
I went to the UK which was quite progressive when it came to employing disabled writers and I auditioned with the Candoco Dance Company that put me on the path to the career I have now.
Q: Has Australia changed its attitude towards disability?
That I was able to do this production is proof that attitudes are changing. Cost of Living is the first main stage production to have 50/50 representation of people with disability and without.
It’s quite monumental for the Australian arts landscape and certainly marks a big move and this momentum must continue, and I would hate to see us go back. The play gave me a beautiful and cohesive opportunity that marked my debut as an actor/co-director and meeting director Priscilla Jackman. I would like every theatre in Australia to commit to a 50/50 production every year.
Dan Daw
Q: Your next gig?
I am writing a work about impostor syndrome that deals with self-worth and the value people place on me and the value I place on myself. It includes research on theatre and activism, which is really where our work sits.
Q: What else do you like doing?
I love catching up with friends,
especially while in Australia and reconnecting with people I have not seen for a long while. My life is around the theatre, and I am a bit of a workaholic – but love it, and I have been known to sit down with a good book.
Q: Influencers in your life?
My grandmother was a very strong influence in my early years and a theatre director, James Winter,
who I really looked up to. He was monumental in helping me tap into my talent and navigate being a queer man. He is a director of Brand X in Sydney, a platform space for artists.
Another guide was one my teachers at high school, Lisa Meek, who taught me how to stand up for myself and not take any silly business from other students and give back as good as I got, which I did.
The Future of Disability Storytelling
An Accessible Arts panel discussion that explored ‘The Future of Disability Storytelling’ was held recently at the Sydney Theatre Company. Joining the panel were director and performer Dan Daw, SBS head of creative diversity Michelle Cheng, and writer and art critic Fiona Murphy. The event MC was actor and playwright Ryan Enniss.
Responding to the first question which was how storytelling in the arts has evolved over the past decade, Fiona Murphy said the power of social media for good and bad has created a sense of connectivity that might not have been there previously. She found her experiences as a deaf woman going to a mainstream school and not having any social connections with the community “incredibly isolating”.
Discovering Twitter and entering the deaf and disabled community gave a sense of rocket fuel to the creative sector, evidence of how much disabled people were doing to establish things. “We have a lot further to go but would get there a faster if there was more funding in place.”
According to Michelle Cheng the goal at SBS is to increase representations for people with disability. There is a growing awareness amongst broadcasters about their responsibilities in the accessible space, and more importantly who has the right to tell certain stories. When it comes to people
with disability we look very carefully about the key creatives and cast.”
As to what trends are shaping the future of disability storytelling in Australian film and TV? “Sex, because everyone loves it,” Cheng said. “We want to push the boundaries of representation with the experience of people with disability and make great content that people want to watch.”
Another question was how artificial intelligence could impact storytelling in the Australian arts scene, and according to Cheng: “AI can be your friend, suggest structures and help you out with certain things but I don’t think it will ever replace a role in creativity because it cannot predict the future and the creative genius that life experiences evoke, so robots will not take our jobs just yet”.
However, Murphy wondered about disability information in AI algorithms and if it is being pulled from medical literature, “which is alarming and if that is the source then it is an unfortunate pathway we could be going down. Where AI leads to in terms of creativity is probably no risk at this stage, but we need to take collective action to ensure intellectual property is safeguarded”.
Daw believes AI has the potential to create disability ‘erasure’. “Because we are doing so much work in this sphere around diversity and intersectionality my worry is that we will go back to
people in wheelchairs without including the nuance and vibrancy within our culture that we are comfortable with.” However, he is excited about the potential AI offers around developing more accessible systems, “and who builds them and who they are for, which is a part of storytelling”.
Call for a new funding model
In the UK there are no funding rounds, you can submit your application at any time with no disability specific rounds. “It is an all-in-one application system,” Daw said. “Australia should consider this UK option because it makes it more accessible. We can keep plodding away at the application, submit it when ready with time to fine tune it if the landscape changes.”
Murphy said in terms of literature, the network support system has shifted a lot over the years and Victoria is leading the way with Writers Victoria developing literature opportunities that has created a wellspring of writers with disability. However, she would like to see Auslan with its own channel.
“Australia is decades behind the UK and the US and the only time we see Auslan on TV is when there is a crisis. We don’t get that representation of people just conversing in sign language, it’s always the mode of communication outwards which does not show the dimensionality of the language and is a massive gap in Australian TV.”
Research centre opens at Macquarie University
People with hearing and vision loss nationally will benefit from a new state-of-the-art facility in Sydney. The NextSense centre will be sharing research and knowledge here and globally and scale up the growing need for in-person and remote hearing and vision services across Australia.
Cost of Living gets Sydney premiere
PrimeMinisterAnthony Albanese, NextSensepresident DavidDinke and MP JeromeLaxale
A rtist Victoria Atkinson was among the guests at the Wharf Theatre for the opening night of the Pulitzer prize-winning play Cost of Living. Atkinson is pictured beneath a row of banners displaying her mixed media artwork printed on chiffon, that hang along the entrance to the theatre.
Having a Ball
S TEPS Pathway College recently held its annual fundraiser, the Grand Winter Ball on the Queensland Sunshine Coast. All funds raised go to the college that offers a unique and independent education program for young adults with autism and disability.
T his new social enterprise on the Sunshine Coast employs people with disabilities to create handmade, high-quality products and develop essential work skills along the way. Food products use locally sourced season produce. And look out for a pet pantry range arriving soon.
Blind surfer takes to the road
Blind Para surfer and former Paralympic cyclist Matt Formston went on a national tour for the premiere of his new documentary film, The Blind Surfer.
Butterflies staff and supported employment members
Astris PME acquires Access N Equip
AT provider Astris PME has merged with paediatric and young adult AT equipment supplier Access N Equip.
Pictured at the Access N Equip Bundaberg showroom was Astris PME CEO Steve Joyce with Access N Equip founder, Georgina Neish.
South Australian Community Bridging Services held an open day for the opening of its new NDIS Warradale office. Pictured at the gathering were: Craig Love (NDIS executive manager),Freddie Brincat (founder & executive director), Abby McKay (executive manager Corporate Services and Projects), Claude Bruno (chair), Louise Miller-Frost MP (Member for Boothby), Fabien Clark (NDIS Coordinator-Warradale) and Aimee Ricketts (senior recreation officer).
Guided by Dogs
Guide Dogs Victoria has opened a new sensory campus in Kew that supports a training centre, veterinary clinic and community hub all designed with full accessibility in mind. It has a dedicated puppy courtyard for visitors to watch during scheduled times.
A mong the guests were Victorian Disability Minister Lizzie Blandthorn, NDIS Minister Bill Shorten, Guide Dogs Victoria CEO Nicky Long and Elly Desmarchelier.
An Open Day Hearing is believing with AI
Swiss company Phonak launched its groundbreaking new range of Sonova hearing aids, powered by artificial intelligence, to a packed room of audiologists at the Sheraton Hotel in Sydney.
NOVA focuses on films
he NOVA 2024 Film Festival has celebrated the stories of individuals with disability with national screenings. Pictured in Adelaide was finalist James Ball with NOVA Employment media manager, Ryan Goodwin.
Q&A: Tracey Corbin-Matchett
The inaugural Driving Change Summit will be held in Sydney on November 18-19 arriving with a bus load of prominent speakers at the Bondi Pavilion. Bus Stop Films CEO spoke to Kymberly Martin .
Q: You collected some impressive speakers for the summit –government, film, media and advertising… what pulled them in?
Everyone said yes. I think it reflects the commitment from the sector to gain a better understanding of disability employment in the industry. We have so many brilliant speakers, Hannah Diviney, Nas Campanella, Paul Nunnari and Ellie Cole alongside allies like Leigh Sales, Kyas Hepworth and Liana Dubois… so many amazing finds.
Q: Is this a first for the disability sector and the film industry in Australia?
Both… never has anyone convened a summit solely focused on disability employment across film, TV and commercial production. We have had employment summits, disability expos, screen industry events, but this is a first for Australia.
Q: What needs to be done to elevate the talents of people across film?
Provide more opportunities for open casting of people with disability in any role, not just the “disabled person” role.
Q: These conversations have been going on for some time – what are your expectations from this event?
Elevating the impact of our amazing cast and crew, celebrating our contribution and making connections, after all this is an industry built on relationships. Additionally, we will be writing an impact report based on the Driving Change summit discussions, focus groups and a survey to inform industry policy and practice into the future.
Alliance, which Bus Stop Films is an ally member of in Australia. The UnStereotype Alliance is supporting our panel on disability and advertising. Dana Cadden, Unilever global head of production is a massive supporter of inclusive production practice.
Q: I guess there will be some new ideas tossed around at the summit –AI for instance…comments on this, or others, and their impact on the industry?
We hope for robust discussions on a lot of topics and new ideas to assist inclusion. Tech and access go hand in hand, new ideas and innovation often stem from conversations and connections.
Q: You mention ‘content’ is the biggest driver of ‘change’… can you expand on this?
Q: Details on the Unilever connection and their involvement?
Bus Stop Films has been working with Unilever for almost three years, in the development of their global, ‘inclusive set commitment’ to have a person with disability employed on all productions. We worked with them to develop resources and pilot the strategy in Australia on a TVC for Rexona in partnership with the Dylan Alcott Foundation. Unilever is also the founding partner of the UnStereotype
We eat content 24/7 – it’s constantly on our phones and screens and it is the strongest and most powerful tool to enact strong social change, connect, learn and grow. If we want to really shift attitudes on disability, we need to ensure people with disability are on our screens, in our creative teams and crews.
For summit details and ticket purchase visit: www.drivingchangesummit.com
Anew guide intended to increase participation in sport for Australians living with disability has been launched by Paralympics Australia and NDSP Plan Managers.
‘Get Active. Stay Involved!’ is a 76-page interactive book designed to foster greater inclusivity in sports through community. It showcases inspiring stories of Australian Paralympians in Paris and covers inclusive sports, programs, goal setting and assistive tech, with helpful links and ideas to get started.
“We hope people use this book to keep the buzz from the Paris Paralympics alive long after
What’s On Calendar
OCTOBER
October 4: Toowoomba Disability Expo https://disabilityexposc/com.au/visit/
October 11-12: Disability, Ageing and Lifestyle ExpoAdelaide www.dalexpo.com.au
October 17: Sunshine Coast Disability Expo https://disabilityexposc/com.au/visit/
NOVEMBER
November 1: Workability Expo – Brisbane www.workabilityexpo.com.au
November 1-2: Brisbane Disability Expo www.brisbanedisabilityexpo.com.au
November 5-6: Leading AI Summit Sydney; November 7-8: Melbourne info@theleadershipinstitute.com.au
November 6-8: Australian Rehabilitation & Assistive Technology Conference – Gold Coast www.arata.org.au
the Games,” according to Cameron Murray from Paralympics Australia.
Around 2.2 million Australians living with disability want to participate in sports but aren’t regularly active.
They often lack the same sporting opportunities as their non-disabled peers, yet the need to engage in physical activity is far greater.
For a Free download of the book go to: https://ndsp.com.au/downloadyour-copy-of-get-active-stay-involved/
Download your copy of Get Active, Stay Involved! - NDSP Plan Managers
November 8: Aged & Disability Expo – Newcastle https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/aged-disability-expo-newcastle-tickets-929112970907?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
November 15: Care Expo Sydney https://careexposyd.com.au
November 18-19: Disability Employment Summit – Sydney www.drivingchangessummit.com
November 19-20: Children and Young People at Risk Summit www.informa.com.au/C&YPARSUMMIT
November 22: Workability Expo – Melbourne www.workabilityexpo.com.au
November 22: Melbourne Disability Expo www.melbournedisabilityexpo.com.au
November 26: National Leadership Oration – Canberra engage@disabilityleaders.com.au
DECEMBER
December 3: International Day of People with Disability www.idpwd.com.au
December 3: Workability Expo – Wollongong www.workabilityexpo.com.au
