Disability Update
Issue 60 Autumn 2014
About disAbility Update
disAbility Update is published quarterly in autumn, winter, spring and summer by the
Disability Services Commission.
Neither the Commission nor the State of Western Australia shall be responsible for the
reliability, usefulness or the accuracy of the content of this publication.
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any loss, damage or liability incurred by anyone relying on the content.
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Contact:
The Editor
disAbility Update
Disability Services Commission
PO Box 441
West Perth WA 6872
Phone: 9426 9311
Fax: 9481 6808
TTY: 9426 9315
ISSN: 1442-343X
Email: media@dsc.wa.gov.au
Website: www.disability.wa.gov.au
Chair’s column
This is a time of great change in disability services across Australia, with a common
objective in both State and national reforms. More information on these changes appear
throughout this edition of disAbility Update.
Each reform will, in its own way, improve the experience for individual people, whether
through changes to funding approaches, service delivery or the types of services
provided.
The commitment to person-centred, individualised approaches is echoed in the
directions identified in the Count Me In strategy. Count Me In was developed by the
Disability Services Commission nearly five years ago to give a collective voice to West
Australians with disability, their families and carers.
It is timely that in this environment of the National Disability Insurance Scheme,
procurement reform and improved quality systems, we consider the impacts these
changes may have on the way we continuously improve the inclusion of people with
disability in all areas of the WA community.
I’m referring to the good work of public authorities in State and local government
through their disability access and inclusion plans, the endeavours of not-for profit
organisations to ensure welcoming communities for all people and, of course, the Count
Me In strategy.
While important and necessary reviews of supports and services are being undertaken,
we also need to maintain our focus on participation in the WA community and seek new
opportunities to expand our efforts.
Community connections provide important natural supports to individuals and carers.
The vision of a fair go for everyone needs to continue to energise us into action in our
neighbourhoods, community, region and State.
In the next few months, the Commission will consider the continued implementation of
Count Me In and the role of our valued Count Me In Ambassadors. As well, there will be
more work on the broader issue of participation, in the context of changes at every level
of the sector and the impact on people who use disability supports and the services.
With some strategic planning, we can make the most of the opportunities being
presented by reforms to the sector.
Bruce Langoulant
Chairperson
Disability Services Commission
WA NDIS My Way trial set to begin
Preparations are well underway for the WA NDIS My Way trial – and Western Australia
is ready for the July 1 start.
WA NDIS My Way builds on the State Government’s well-regarded and longestablished disability services model and will be trialled in the Lower South West region
from 1 July 2014. The Cockburn-Kwinana area will join in July 2015.
In addition, a trial of the Commonwealth’s model will commence in the Perth Hills area
on 1 July 2014.
Disability Services Commission Disability Reform Executive Director Robyn Massey
said the Commission was ready for the WA NDIS My Way trial and that participants
could expect a smooth transition to the new model.
“People with disability receiving services from the Commission in the Lower South West
are already using the My Way model,” Ms Massey said.
“We have been working hard to ensure that when people join the WA NDIS My Way trial
it’s a straightforward process for them.”
This preparation has included the formation of the WA NDIS My Way Reference Group,
and the first meeting was held on 22 January.
The group aims to bring together representatives from the WA disability community to
provide high-level advice and input to the Commission and State Government on the
development and implementation of the WA NDIS My Way trial.
In another significant development, a Bill seeking to amend the Disability Services Act
has been passed by the Legislative Assembly in the WA Parliament.
The amendments will allow for both the State’s existing and new WA NDIS My Way
disability service delivery systems to operate with appropriate legal standing.
“These trials will enable people with disability, their families and carers to exercise
greater choice and control over their lives and access more individualised supports and
services,” Ms Massey said.
“At the end of the two-year trial period, the State and Federal models will be
independently assessed to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each system.
“The results will inform the way disability supports and services are provided through an
NDIS into the future.”
For more information about the WA NDIS My Way trial, visit www.disability.wa.gov.au >
WA NDIS My Way.
Bounce down for Count Me In
The WA Football League (WAFL) will be kicking goals for access and inclusion at
Round 21 of this year’s local football league season on Saturday, 16 August.
The Disability Services Commission will promote the State Government’s Count Me In
vision at four WAFL games in a partnership with the WA Football Commission and the
Department of Sport and Recreation.
Commission Director General Ron Chalmers said the Count Me In message was being
promoted at the football to highlight the need for community facilities being accessible
and inclusive for everyone.
“It is important that everyone has the opportunity to participate in sport and recreation,
and there are many ways people can do that,” Dr Chalmers said
“In football clubs that could mean involvement as a member, player, supporter or
volunteer, in tasks like scorekeeper, runner or ticket seller.
“The Count Me In vision is that we live in welcoming communities that provide
environments we can all use and enjoy.
“Round 21 will put the spotlight on that aspiration and we encourage everyone to
celebrate Count Me In by coming to the footy on 16 August.
“Entry will be free for people with Companion Cards and their companions that day, and
there will be giveaways to spread the Count Me In vision.”
Players from the Integrated Football League, an Australian Rules football league
established for people with intellectual disability, will also play a demonstration game at
one of the matches.
In 2013, the Dr Louisa Alessandri Award for Excellence at the Count Me In awards was
won by Fremantle CBC’s integrated football team.
For more about the Count Me In WAFL round, visit www.disability.wa.gov.au > About us
> Count Me In or www.wafootball.com.au .
Board welcomes members
Count Me In Ambassador Melissa Northcott has been appointed to the Disability
Services Commission Board along with three new members, Gavin Robins, Julie Carr
and Dr Rachel Skoss.
A strong advocate for creating accessible communities, Ms Northcott who is an
Armadale City Councillor, fundraises for the Centre for Cerebral Palsy, Multiple
Sclerosis Society of WA and Telethon.
Mr Robins is the principal of Sovereign Health Care, an organisation that provides
health consulting services to the Australian and State governments and United Nations
agencies.
Ms Carr has worked as an occupational therapist in remote Indigenous communities in
the Kimberley and North Queensland, as well as local hospitals and aged care facilities.
Dr Skoss, the Ministerial Advisory Council on Disability Chairperson, is a passionate
advocate for children with additional needs, holds a neuromuscular biomechanics
doctorate and works in applied research at the Telethon Institute for Child Health
Research.
China–WA friendship continues
China’s Zhejiang Province and Western Australia renewed an agreement for a ‘friendly
exchange’ of information about disability services recently.
In February, a delegation of five members of the Zhejiang Provincial Disabled Persons
Federation visited the Disability Services Commission to sign the agreement for another
four years as well as learn more about employment options for people with disability.
Commission Director General Ron Chalmers and Zhejiang Provincial Disabled Person’s
Labor and Employment Service Centre Deputy Director and delegation leader Xu Jun
signed the agreement for 2015–2019.
Dr Chalmers said the Commission had enjoyed a strong and productive relationship
with the federation since 2009.
“I look forward to continuing this valuable and important relationship with the federation,
and thank them for their willingness to share information with us,” he said.
Mobility technology developer Dreamfit and disability employment providers Westcare,
Workpower and The Centre for Cerebral Palsy’s Goodwill Industries, hosted information
sessions for the delegation to broaden their understanding of the WA approach.
The Department of State Development supported the visit, as part of the WA
Government’s wider commitment to an information exchange relationship with the
Zhejiang Province.
Justice project on track
The development of a Disability Justice Centre in Lord Street, Caversham, on the
border of Lockridge, is now progressing to the construction stage.
Building of the 10-person centre is expected to be completed by May 2015.
Legislation has been drafted to allow the Disability Services Commission to operate
disability justice centres and is scheduled for debate in State Parliament.
Disability Justice Service Manager Megan Barnett has been appointed by the
Commission to operate the service.
The former primary school principal and community-based project manager has
experience working in the community on a range of justice projects.
The project’s Local Community Liaison Group continues to meet monthly, providing the
community with an opportunity to contribute feedback to the project.
For more, go to www.disability.wa.gov.au > Reform > Disability justice centres.
Commission accommodates choices
The transition of about 60 per cent of the Commission’s accommodation services to the
non-government sector is now underway, with people with disability and their families
considering their choices for future supports and services.
Commission Accommodation Services Directorate Executive Director Wendy Cox said
that for the first time, people in Commission accommodation were able to look at
options for their living arrangements.
“This process affords people the opportunity to choose a service provider that best suits
their needs,” Ms Cox said.
“Individuals can stay in their existing home with their housemates, or move elsewhere.
“There is no rush – each transition will take the time it takes, and be at a pace that suits
the individuals in Commission accommodation as well as the alternative service
providers, who will provide detailed information to ensure they are offering the highest
quality of service.”
The first group of people began discussions in January to consider which of the 40 plus
providers would best suit their needs, and the second transition group has commenced
the same process.
“A Commission Transition Team is facilitating meetings with affected individuals and
families to work through what their future supported accommodation arrangements will
be,” Ms Cox said.
For more information, visit www.disability.wa.gov.au > Reform > Accommodation
services transition or email dsc@dsc.wa.gov.au .
The Ride drives safety message home
A documentary about road accidents that changed lives has toured Western Australia to
promote road safety, while also showing the impacts of living with disability.
The film, The Ride, tells the story of four men who swap their wheelchairs for quad
bikes and ride 5,000 km across Australia to visit the various sites where their lives
changed forever as a result of a serious accident.
From October through to December, The Ride screened in 45 towns across WA and
audiences were able to talk to the film’s executive producer Jim Cairns. The Disability
Services Commission Count Me In Ambassador is also one of the men whose story is
told in the film.
Mr Cairns recounted his experiences at a showcase event in Midland in March, which
aimed to raise the profiles of people with disability and the issues that impact on their
daily lives.
Mr Cairns talked about the positive outcomes of the regional screenings before a
screening of the film. Representatives from the City of Swan, Fairholme Disability
Support Group, the Commission and Mr Cairns’ fellow Ambassadors attended the
event.
Youth Ambassador promotes employment for people with disability
Improving open employment prospects for people with disability is one of the key goals
for Western Australia’s first female Count Me In Youth Ambassador.
Sarah Wardle, 21, of Rossmoyne, is the newest of the 33 Ambassadors who spread the
Count Me In message across WA.
Miss Wardle, who has Down Syndrome, was inducted as a Count Me In Ambassador at
an event held at Piney Lakes, Murdoch, in February.
Local mayors, fellow Ambassadors, disability employment agencies, Down Syndrome
WA patron Professor Fiona Stanley and Count Me In Ambassador patron Bruce
Langoulant were also at the event.
Miss Wardle, with the support of the Commission’s Riverton Local Area Coordinator
Janet Parker, has been liaising with a contractor to employ non-clinical workers at the
Fiona Stanley Hospital.
“It would be great if Serco can employ people with disability to work in the hospital,”
Miss Wardle said.
“I know just how hard it is for people with an intellectual disability to get a job. As an
Ambassador, I can promote to employers the skills and talents that people with disability
can bring to a workplace.”
Mr Langoulant said Miss Wardle was passionate about improving employment options
for people with disability after facing barriers when she was seeking work in her area of
interest.
“She recognises that people with disability are often not recognised for their skills,
talents and commitment because many potential employers don’t look beyond their
disability,” he said.
“Sarah is therefore very passionate about improving employment opportunities for
people with intellectual disability.”
Miss Wardle is studying music and computing at Challenger TAFE. She is also a keen
fundraiser, and volunteers at Manna Assist, a charity in Victoria Park.
Earlier this year, she went to Bali to deliver money raising in a fundraising event to the
Kupu Kupu Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation provides support for people with
disability.
The Count Me In Ambassador program was launched four years ago, and
Ambassadors are chosen for their influential nature and their passion to improve access
and inclusion for people with disability in WA communities.
The Ambassadors champion the Count Me In vision that all people live in welcoming
communities that facilitate citizenship, friendship, mutual support and a fair go for
everyone.
For more on the Ambassadors, visit www.disability.wa.gov.au > About us > Count Me In
> Count Me In Ambassadors.
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Young analyst treasures job and family support
Self-determination and family support have been crucial in assisting Robert Kett to
achieve his goals, and he is now reaping the rewards of his commitment to having a
good life.
The 21-year-old, who has autism, is now a contract analyst with the State Government’s
Department of Treasury, after gaining a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from
Murdoch University.
“I give full credit to my family, especially my dad for the help he’s given me,” he said.
“This job at Treasury was my first choice because it’s the best place for me to apply my
maths skills.
“It represents everything I’d worked hard for over the past decade. It is also important to
me because of the regular social contact I get from it, and that is a stepping stone to
living independently.”
Mr Kett’s previous Disability Services Commission Local Area Coordinators (LACs)
Janelle Cooper and Michelle Lyall identified his life goals and helped him take
incremental steps to achieve them.
Current LAC Edgar Ruiz will continue to work with Mr Kett to support him in various
ways, such as socialising with other young people with disability who live in the
Rockingham area, via the Young Adults Rockingham Network (YARN).
“YARN has helped me make new friends and expand my social network in the past
three years,” he said.
Mr Kett also received support from Edge Employment Solutions during his first week at
work in January.
Robert’s father John said his son recognised symbols and numbers as a toddler and
was diagnosed with autism when he was three years old.
“We bought Robert a computer on which he ran maths programs and it had a large ballshaped mouse because he had fine motor skills problems,” John Kett said.
Robert Kett’s family said they were thankful for the dedicated attention he received at
Malibu Specialist School. This enabled him to enter mainstream school in Year 5 and
then complete secondary studies at Shenton College, where he achieved a TER score
of 99.5 and won the Applicable Maths prize.
Mr Kett failed his TER English yet there was a silver lining— Murdoch University
accepted him as an equity student as part of their commitment to inclusion and diversity
within the student community.
He has this advice to other families in similar situations: “Just work hard. If you get a
roadblock, keep plugging away until you get through it. I feel lucky to have such loving
parents who pushed me to do well and I think basically parents should look to
encourage their children to be the best they can be.”
My Way plan supports a good life
My Way planning and support is assisting Cowaramup woman Teneal Duggan, 30, to
enjoy a range of social, recreational and employment-related activities in her local
community.
Ms Duggan’s mother Trina said planning is crucial because it gives her daughter
choices and opportunities in life.
“These opportunities help ensure she is included in our local community and has an
active role,” Mrs Duggan said.
In 2001 when Ms Duggan left school, the Commission worked with her to look at ways
for her to participate in alternative activities rather than employment.
Mrs Duggan manages her daughter’s funding arrangements because there are no local
service providers.
“Teneal works part-time at the Augusta Margaret River Shire Council, and also helps
out at the local Flight Centre and First National Real Estate offices,” Mrs Duggan said.
“Having a healthy lifestyle is important and Teneal’s interests include attending the
Count Me In gym and dance sessions and swimming held at the local recreation
centre.”
My Way Coordinator Valerie Mansfield said Mrs Duggan was aware that young people
needed to have social opportunities with their peers.
“Trina was one of the driving forces behind Margaret River’s highly successful Artzability
program established five years ago,” Ms Mansfield said.
“Teneal still meets up with her friends at the Monday art sessions.”
Ms Mansfield said with flexible funding, activities and opportunities that reflected Ms
Duggan’s interests, My Way support planning was paying dividends for the entire family.
“For example, as funding contributed towards the costs of Teneal’s tandem bike, the
whole family is now enjoy riding activities together,” she said.
“My Way planning has also enabled Teneal to have regular weekend visits with friends
in Busselton.”
Ms Duggan has also taken part in cooking sessions so she can build on her
independent living skills as well as contribute to the family’s meal planning and
preparation.
Mrs Duggan said the next big step in her daughter’s transition planning is looking at
longer-term sustainable housing options.
“Teneal is a young woman now and when the time is right, the family want to make sure
that she is safe and secure, living happily and independently in her own home.”
Enhanced quality system prepares for rollout
The Disability Services Commission’s quality assurance system is being enhanced to
align with the new National Standards for Disability and the National Disability Insurance
Scheme from July 2014.
The Commission’s quality policy has been updated and more policy guidelines are
being developed to support disability service providers, users and independent
evaluators who will undertake the quality assessments.
Key components of the upgraded quality system include independent evaluation, selfassessments, safeguarding, serious incident reporting, complaints, referrals and
reporting.
The Commission is collaborating with service providers and users in the development of
the new processes and procedures that will support the enhanced system. Their
involvement is critical to ensure effective, quality assurance for disability services in
Western Australia.
The Commission will continue to raise awareness, provide information about the revised
approach and will offer customised training to service providers as they approach their
evaluation period.
For details and updates, visit www.disability.wa.gov.au > Disability service providers >
Quality System.
Josh’s House cements reputation
ABC TV gardening presenter Josh Byrne’s liveable home won three awards at the 2014
Master Builders WA Housing Excellence Awards in February.
Mr Byrne’s home won awards in the Most Liveable Home, Waterwise Home and
Excellence in Energy Efficiency categories. The Solar Dwellings-designed and Highbury
Homes-built house in Perth’s Hilton suburb also incorporates universal design.
Pictured are Solar Dwellings Director and Count Me In Ambassador Griff Morris, Mr
Byrne and Highbury Homes’ Jim De Baughan at the awards.
Mr Byrne’s house will be monitored over the next three years as part of a Curtin
University research project through the Cooperative Research Centres Program for Low
Carbon Living.
For more, visit www.joshshouse.com.au or www.liveablehomes.net.au .
Free clinic puts best foot forward
People with disability who previously received podiatry services from the Disability
Services Commission can now access a free podiatry service at a clinic at the
University of Western Australia, in Crawley.
The clinic, which opened in March and is funded by the Commission for the next two
years, waives consultation fees for people with disability who qualified for free treatment
at previous Commission clinics in Joondalup and Myaree.
The Commission has been gradually transitioning its medical and specialist services to
mainstream service providers since the late 1990s and its podiatry services closed in
November 2013.
Commission Statewide Specialist Services Acting Regional Manager Calina Montebello
said the approach of the UWA clinic reflected the State Government’s Count Me In
vision, which is that we all live in welcoming communities that facilitate citizenship,
friendship, mutual support and a fair go for everyone.
“The clinic reflects our aspiration that everyone, including people with disability, can
access quality and skilled services from mainstream providers,” Ms Montebello said.
To find out if you are eligible to receive this service, phone 6488 4522. For details,
contact 0403 331 575 or calina.montebello@dsc.wa.gov.au .
Network marks first anniversary with good health
A Disability Health Framework is a key project the WA Disability Health Network, which
celebrated its first anniversary in December, is developing this year.
The network – a partnership between WA Health and the Disability Services
Commission – guides improvement in health experiences and outcomes for people with
disability in Western Australia.
This year, the network’s continuing projects include the development of the Disability
Health, Stakeholder Engagement and Communication, and Disability Health Capability
frameworks. The network will also continue to develop a disability liaison officer pilot
project.
At the December anniversary celebrations hosted by Health Network co-leads Andrew
Heath and Fiona Payne, about 100 attendees heard presentations on the network’s
developments and milestones.
For more information, contact the Commission’s Principal Disability Health Coordinator
Tricia Dewar on 6104 9509 or tricia.dewar@dsc.wa.gov.au or go to
www.healthnetworks.health.wa.gov.au > Disability > Disability Health Network.
Family leadership shows there is a better way
Families involved in the Side by Side project and Is There A Better Way training are
now feeling more able to support a family member with challenging behaviour.
The Disability Services Commission has been working with Developmental Disability
WA and Youniverse to develop and deliver the Side by Side project and Is There A
Better Way training, respectively.
These projects have been running for two years to assist families to develop effective
strategies and responses to challenging behaviour by their family member.
Side by Side was developed to provide peer support to people who experience
challenging behaviour in their family through their family member’s disability.
Is There a Better Way is a family-led workshop which uses real life situations and
presenters’ experiences to explore the reasons for challenging behaviours and to build
families and carers’ confidence and understanding when responding to challenging
behaviours.
Commission Behaviour Support Consultation Manager Mike Cubbage said one of the
enduring outcomes of this approach had been that families and service providers now
work together more effectively.
Is There a Better Way facilitators Jaquie Mills, Joanne Nunn, Jenny Jay, Gillian Rainer
and Susan Stanford said that when families used planned strategies, they found their
family member was less likely to use challenging behaviour to express themselves, or to
get what they needed or wanted.
“This has led to challenging behaviours diminishing and, in turn, these families are now
more confident of a better future,” Ms Mills said.
The Commission’s Positive Behaviour Framework initiative funds the Side By Side
project and the Is There A Better Way training sessions. Last year, 14 training sessions
were held around WA.
A Commission grant will support further development of the project and training
sessions over the next two years.
For more information, contact 9301 3841 or michael.cubbage@dsc.wa.gov.au .
Tri-state strategy addresses remote dilemma
A nine-year partnership between Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern
Territory to provide disability services to indigenous people living in Australia’s remote
central regions continues to gather strength under the 2013–2015 strategic plan.
The three jurisdictions have been using an agreed framework since July 2005 to fund
and deliver disability services while acknowledging the cultural, social, economic and
family links between people in the communities that form the Ngaanyatjarra,
Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Lands region.
The NPY Lands region is about 350,000 sq km and spreads across the three
jurisdictions. The framework recognises that state and territory borders should not
impede people from accessing disability services.
“The Tri-State Disability Services Group which includes the Disability Services
Commission, oversees the framework and adopts a strategic planning approach to
achieve its key goals to coordinate disability services across the NPY Lands,”
Commission Operations Executive Director Chris Yates said.
“The group facilitates effective relationships with non-government service providers to
achieve better outcomes for people living with disability and their families in the
Lands.”
Mr Yates said the third strategic plan has incorporated input from the National
Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), because the National Disability Insurance
Scheme (NDIS) will operate in the NPY Lands from 1 July 2015 as part of the South
Australian NDIS trial for children from birth to 14 years.
“Remote service provision is extremely complex so it’s good to know that the three
states and the NDIA are working together to address this,” he said.
Award honours Eddie Bartnik
Former Disability Services Commission director and Mental Health Commissioner Eddie
Bartnik has been recognised for his contribution to an inclusive society.
Perth-based non-government organisation Foundation for Social Inclusion presented Mr
Bartnik with its third annual Inclusion Award in February.
The award commended Mr Bartnik’s outstanding contribution through instilling strong
inclusive values and principles during his tenure at both commissions, his consultative
and voluntary work, writings, and national and international presentations.
The award also acknowledged Mr Bartnik’s role in innovative community changes.
Grants program improves inclusion
Representatives from more than 20 local government authorities (LGAs) attended a
forum in April to discuss the progress of projects funded by the Disability Services
Commission’s Count Me In inclusion grants.
LGA chief executives and senior officers learnt how these projects have facilitated
better inclusion and participation by people with disability in a range of local community
settings.
The inclusion grants were awarded to 20 LGAs in July 2012 to develop initiatives in
areas such as arts and culture, sport and recreation, and learning and development
projects. The grant period concludes on 30 June.
For more visit www.disabilty.wa.gov.au > About us > Count Me In > Projects and
partnerships > Count Me In Local Government Inclusion Grants.
Director General’s Column
Reforms in progress to transform the sector
The disability sector is on the brink of transformational change. Never before have we
seen so many reforms and changes competing for our time and attention.
In this edition, we are providing an update on the progress we are making on some of
the major challenges we are facing together.
High on this list is the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) My Way trials, a
new approach in disability justice, the transfer of some of the Disability Services
Commission’s accommodation services to alternative service providers, reforms to
the quality system, disability health projects and a raft of Count Me In initiatives.
Each of these reforms is challenging in its own right; collectively they constitute a very
large mountain to climb.
Fortunately, there is strong interest and enthusiasm across the disability sector and the
wider community to progress these reforms and to come out the other side with a
bigger, better and more sustainable support system for West Australians with disability.
There is a genuine preparedness to get involved in shaping the system we will need for
the future.
In my role as Director General, I have been particularly pleased with the willingness of
our partner disability sector organisations to embrace the potential in these reforms and
to get involved in shaping the future.
The recent signing of agreements by the Prime Minister and the WA Premier for a
unique trial of the NDIS in Western Australia should instil confidence that the disability
service system in this State will continue to grow and develop to suit our local context.
I am pleased and enthusiastic about the opportunity to demonstrate the appropriateness
of the WA NDIS My Way model for the WA community.
This model will deliver all the benefits of the national scheme by building upon the
positive features of the existing disability services system in WA.
Like never before, we will seek to capitalise on the strength of the partnership between
the Commission and disability sector organisations to shape and develop the service
system during the NDIS trial period and beyond.
I am also proud of the work being done by the staff and management of the
Commission to support the reform program.
All parts of the Commission are involved, in one way or another, in the changes that are
taking place across the sector. The achievements of our staff are especially significant
given the structural changes that are taking place within the organisation.
Major changes have been made to the functions and structure of the Commission to
ensure that we have the capacity to administer disability services into the future.
These are daunting but very exciting times.
Dr Ron Chalmers
Director General
Disability Services Commission
Dates for your diary

Macular Degeneration Awareness Week, 25-31 May – visit
www.mdfoundation.com.au .

World MS Day Street Appeal, 28 May – visit www.mswa.org.au > Fundraising
and Events.

Sector and across-government forum on Positive Behaviour Framework, 29 May
– Contact Behaviour Support Consultation Manager Mike Cubbage 9301 3841 or
michael.cubbage@dsc.wa.gov.au .

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Awareness Month, 1–30 June – visit www.stopcmv.org .

9th National Deafblind Conference “Access to my World”, 6–8 June – visit
www.nds.org.au > Events.

Motor Neurone Disease Global Day, 21 June – visit www.mndaust.asn.au > Get
involved > Global Day.
Schedule set for network meetings
Dates for the Disability Services Commission’s Reference Network Meetings have been
set for 2014.
In Perth, meetings will be held from 10am to 1pm at held at the Barry MacKinnon Room
at the Commission’s West Perth office, on 3 July and 30 October.
Country meetings are scheduled to be held 16–17 June (Kimberley), 20 August
(Goldfields/Esperance) and 12–13 December (Lower South West).
These meetings give people with disability, their families, carers and service providers
the opportunity to raise issues directly with Commission board members.
For more information, contact Denise Berry on 9426 9263, country callers 1800 998
214, TTY 9426 9321 or email denise.berry@dsc.wa.gov.au .
All aboard for this year’s ASID conference
The Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability (ASID) will hold its 2014 conference
at the Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle, from 5–7 November.
International, interstate and local presenters and associated social events and activities
will comprise the conference.
The conference theme All Aboard reflects ASID’S vision for an inclusive society.
Participants will be able to share ideas, present research findings and learn about
sector innovations.
Participants will also be able to ensure the voices of people with intellectual disability
are heard as part of the discussions about the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
For more, visit www.asid.asn.au or contact Regional President Chris Yates on 9426
9200.