E Bulletin June 22 2010

AAACT NEWS AND EVENTS                                                               

• Fundraising

Rain Man Fundraiser at the Canberra Theatre.  Host, David Kilby of 666 ABC Canberra.

We are delighted that tickets are selling well but we still have a number of seats left for our great fundraiser at the Canberra Theatre on 14^th July.  Join us for drinks, canapés and a great night out with friends (please see booking form attached). 

• Friendship skills Group for Children with ASD

Spectrum Connections –Circle of Friends is part-sponsored by Autism Asperger ACT and run out of our new offices in Chifley.  Please read the attached flyer and contact us with your expression of interest if you wish your child to join the group next term – please note numbers are limited, and this group will focus on children in the 8 – 12 years age group (please see flyer attached).

• Grandparents Group

We are pleased to announced that the next Grandparents Group will be on Friday 6 August  2010 (10.00 am - 12.00pm).Come and have a cuppa and a chat and meet with other grandparents involved with family members/friends who have either an Autistic Disorder or Asperger Syndrome diagnosis. NewLocation: Chifley Community Hub (see attachment for all the details)

STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION                                                                                     

• New Disability Service Standards

The Commonwealth, State and Territory governments want to hear from people about what rules (standards) should be in place for disability services.  This consultation is currently underway.  These rules will be used by disability service providers all over Australia. Governments are setting the rules to make sure all people who use disability services have the same idea about what a good quality service means. In the ACT feedback is being facilitated through the national survey and written submissions.  Your participation is encouraged via either of these avenues. To assist you Disability ACT has established a project website. The website contains a link to the national survey and information about how to lodge a written submission. Information regarding the National Quality Framework and Information Bulletins are also available.  The website address is http://www.dhcs.act.gov.au/disability_act/national_quality_framework.  For further information please contact the Disability ACT Information Service on
6207 1086 or by email at disabilityact@act.gov.au <mailto:disabilityact@act.gov.au%20>.  Please see above attachment ‘Have your say about new rules for disability services’.
 

TELEVISION SHOWS AND PRINT ARTICLCES                                                         

The Brain That Changes Itself - Dr. Doidge (a founder of Fast ForWord) – aired on SBS Tuesday 15 March 2010 (Kathy Blair-Lewis highly recommends taking the time to view this program!).

http://player.sbs.com.au/programs#/programs_08/fullepisodes/latestepisodes/playlist/The-Brain-that-Changes-Itself-Full-Ep/

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY SECTOR    

• Autism Spectrum Australia (ASPECT) Siblings Group

Applications are now open for the Aspect Siblings camps-three day retreats for children who have a sibling on the autism spectrum.  Please see attached flyer (Autism Spectrum Australia Siblings Camp) for further details.

• The ACT Leadership Development Group presents…..TOWARDS A BETTER LIFE: AN EXPLORATION OF THE SOCIAL ROLE VALORISATION FRAMEWORK WITH REGARD TO PEOPLE WHO ARE MARGINALISEDConducted by John Armstrong

What is this workshop about?

This 2 day event is for anyone who is serious about improving the lives of marginalised and disadvantaged people such as people with a mental illness, people with disabilities, frail aged and people experiencing poverty or homelessness.

Using the core themes and principles of Social Role Valorization theory this 2 day workshop is designed to assist participants to:

• Understand social devaluation and its consequences for people who are marginalised;
• Learn about SRV as a means of addressing those experiences of devaluation;
• Strengthen ones motivation to counteract devaluation in the lives of people one knows and supports; and
• Clarify the features of a good life and the essential means of obtaining that good life.

Thursday 19 & Friday 20 August, 2010 - 9:00am till 5:00pm

Registration on both days available from 8:45am

VENUE:  The Hellenic Club Canberra, Matilda Street Woden ACT 2606

• The ACT Disability Professionals Learning Network Presents “Improving the quality of life for clients with challenging behaviours”(See attachment)

Friday 13^th July 2010   9.00am – 4.00pm

Registration from 8.45am

For more information please contact

Lyn Bottles:  Ph: 6207 2323  Fax: 6205 3522

Email: lyn.bottles@act.gov.au

Doris Campbell: Ph: 6205 2412

Email: doris.campbell@act.gov.au.

WORKSHOP NOTES                                                                                        

Liz Mellor from FAHCSIA attended a presentation last week with representatives from the by the ACT Dept of Education and Training; the Catholic Education Office and the Association of Independent Schools re primary school options for children with additional needs.  She thought that our members might find the powerpoint notes of interest (please see attachment Primary School Options-Children with Additional Needs).