Feature
CP Australia (ACPA) National Conference 2005
Stay in touch with news and events influencing people with cerebral palsy and the disability service sector in Australia.
CP Australia Submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Funding and Operation of the CSTDA
Cerebral Palsy Australia (CP Australia), as a member of ACROD, fully supports that organisation’s submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Funding and Operation of the Commonwealth State and Territory Disability Agreement (CSTDA).
However, CP Australia believes there are three critical areas of interest to our membership that require further emphasis because these issues have the greatest potential to ensure greater participation of people with disabilities in community life:
• Provision of therapy and professional services, including early intervention;
• Provision of equipment and technology to maintain and maximise individual independence; and
• Research at all levels and in particular research into the causal pathways of disability.
CP Australia has engaged the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) to conduct a project “Therapy and Equipment in Australia: The needs of people with cerebral palsy and like disabilities”.The report will be available later in the year and it is strongly recommended that the Senate Inquiry avail itself of this project’s findings to guide the operations of a future CSTDA.
Read CP Australia's full Submission to the Senate Inquiry the Funding and Operation of the CSTDA.
Changes to the Disability Support Pension
Centrelink has published a factsheet on the changes to the DSP for customers granted after 10 May 2005. The changes will apply from 1 July 2006. The booklet is available in English and 26 community languages. Find out more on the Centrelink website.
SA Supported Accommodation Task Force
The South Australian Government has appointed a task force to examine all aspects of supported accommodation including supply and demand, vacancy management and eligibility. Public submissions are invited. Find out more on the Novita website...
Libraries for All
Communication Boards are now available for people with communication difficulties in all public libraries in Victoria. Find out more on the Scope website...
International Classification of Functioning and Health
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) recently hosted a forum on the International Classification of Functioning and Health. Distinguished speakers included Dr Bedirhan Üstün, WHO Secretariat Co-ordinator, World Health Organization and Dr Rune Simeonsson, University of North Carolina (on ICF for Children and Youth).
The papers are now available on the AIHW website and include a number of presentations on the practical application of the ICF for research, surveillance and reporting. The paper by David Stokes will be of interest to allied health staff, as will some of the case studies.
Young People in Nursing Homes
On 10 February 2006, the Commonwealth, state and territory governments agreed to jointly fund and develop a new program to address the issue of young people with disabilities living in residential aged care facilities. It will contribute up to $122 million over five years, focusing mainly on people aged 50 years and under.
Under the program, younger people with disability currently living in residential aged care will be offered a care needs assessment, and where appropriate, alternative accommodation and care options can be made available. Those who wish to stay in their current accommodation will benefit from a range of age-appropriate services. Read the report on the Disability InfoXchange website.
Disability and Barriers to Working
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has estimated that 1.8 million people in Australia wanted to work or work extra hours, but faced a range of barriers to achieve this. More details in a report on the Novita website.
Human Resources in the Disability Sector
Recruitment and retention of staff is a national issue of concern to all employers in the disability sector. A discussion by John Knowles, President CP Australia.
Scope 1-in-4 Poll Update
Several times a year, Scope in Victoria conducts a national 1-in-4 Poll to provide valuable data and opinions direct from people with disability, their families and carers about key issues that directly impact their daily lives. Recent findings show that there is a strong correlation between disability and economic hardship. This, in turn, limits social participation of people with a disability, including participation in employment, education and training, social and recreational activities, and health services. More details about these finding on the Scope website.
Emerging Issues in Service Provision
The ACROD CEOs meeting in November 2005 highlighted a number of emerging issues for disability service providers, including a presentation from Liz Forsyth from KPMG on 'How Government's Expectations of Disability Services Are Changing'. Full reports can be found on the ACROD website (member-only access).
AusACPDM Mealtime Study Day Report
Report from the March 2005 Mealtime Study Day, supported by the Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM).
Scope 1 in 4 poll
The Scope 1-in-4 Poll aims to create a panel of over 1000 people with disability and their family members from all parts of Australia. These households will be surveyed several times a year on a wide range of issues. Through the poll, it is planned to give people with disability, their families and carers, a direct voice and to ensure that their voice is heard by key decision-makers.
More details on the Scope website