The fast-approaching May Budget will tell us how committed the Gillard Government really is to the NDIS, writes Senator Mitch Fifield.

Conversations about short statured people in the media too often reveal society's underlying contempt and ignorance. Rosie O'Donnell and Chelsea Handler's discussion last week was no exception.

Download this flyer as a PDF.

Special Education and Disability Services are offering the following professional development workshops.

Managing Challenging Behaviour Clive Dennis – RN, B of App. Sci., Masters od Spec Ed.

Topics to be covered include:

• Types of Challenging Behaviour
• What is Challenging Behaviour? – A General Definition
• Understanding Behaviour – Why we behave the way we do!
• Describing Aggressive Behaviour – A Behavioural Model
• Designing a Formal Positive Programme
• Positive Strategies – Using the 14 point Holistic Approach

To be held at 2 times and locations:

Monday 19 March 2012, 9.30am to 12.30pm.
Burragah Recreation Centre, 140 Kelly Rd, Modbury Nth.

and

Monday 26 March 2012, 9.30am to 12.30pm
Marion Hotel, 849 Marion Rd, Mitchell Park

Preventing Stress and Burnout Cherene Wessels – CEGW CBS Member: CMACA-NALAG

Topics to be covered:

• Recognising your needs and the needs of others
• Understanding others and self
• Communicating at a deeper level
• Using your strengths to achieve your goals
• Developing more confidence

Monday 19 March 2012, 9.30am to 12.30pm.
Burragah Recreation Centre, 140 Kelly Rd, Modbury Nth.

Turning Weaknesses into Strengths Clive Dennis – RN, B of App. Sci., Masters od Spec Ed.

Topics to be covered:

• Identifying the “stressor’s in your life”
• Recognising the stages of stress
• Strategies to alleviate stress and burnout
• Taking control of negative thought patterns
• The importance of laughter

Monday 26 March 2012, 1.30pm to 4.30pm.
Marion Hotel, 849 Marion Rd, Mitchell Park.

To book, download a registration form from http://www.educonsult.biz/workshops.php.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association invites you to a Twilight Walk.

Sunday the 26th February 2012

Ozone Reserve – Henley Beach South, Cnr Seaview Rd and Ozone St

A lovely coastal walk followed by wine, jazz music and a casual meal while watching the sunset.

Members: $15.00 (includes Walk, Food and Entertainment)

Non Members: $20.00 (includes Walk, Food and Entertainment)

Children Under 12 free: Includes sausage sizzle

Click here to pay online

For further information call the MDSA office on 08 82345266 or email jklar@mdasa.org.au.

Exploring social enterprise, social capital, and community building through sport NATIONAL CONFERENCE Melbourne 26-27 March 2012 Call for Papers and Contributions

This conference will bring together community building and social enterprise initiatives in sport from around Australia. It will explore pioneering approaches to the building of community and social capital, and examine new developments which link Australia’s strong sporting tradition with the search for solutions to emerging social challenges.

Papers and contributions are invited which address these themes, in particular papers and contributions in the following areas:

• Case studies and analysis in the role of sport in community building, social capital development and social inclusion.
• Initiatives and case studies in the strengthening of local communities and local economies through sport.
• Case studies in the integration of sport and education to achieve good educational and social outcomes.
• Social enterprise initiatives and prospects in sport.
• Spectator sport, fans and clubs – initiatives in building community and participation.
• Commercialisation, sport and community – initiatives in resisting the corporatisation of sport.
• Sport and culture in Australia – initiatives towards change
• International initiatives and case studies in these areas.

Expressions of interest in presenting a paper or workshop or display should be forwarded by email, in no more than 300 words, by 29 February 2012 to:

Vern Hughes
Conference Convenor
vern@civilsociety.org.au
03 5629 8400
0425 722 890

The conference venue is Angliss Conference Centre, on the corner of King and LaTrobe Streets in Melbourne’s CBD.

Register Here

Further information on the conference

About the Community Building National Network

The next MusicWorks on Tuesday March 6th will feature great music from The Jam The Mix and The Gig music and mental health project.

First up the JMG Band followed by JMG Acoustic. The final act is Matt Davies who is a regular working support worker at the MusicWorks.

Matt will be doing a mixture of well-known popular songs and some originals.

The Governor Hindmarsh Hotel
59 Port Road
Hindmarsh

Tuesday March 6th, 10.30am to 2pm

Extra parking is available behind DK fabrics, one block away on Port Road.

Check out the new MusicWorks flyer.

The Cerebral Palsy Alliance misses the mark when it comes to disability advocacy, favouring a "cure it" message over supporting the rights of people with Cerebral Palsy, writes Sue O'Reilly.

In order to achieve social change for people with disability, non-disabled people are going to have to step up and be a critical part of the journey, writes Weh Yeoh.

The media reporting of the case of Dr. Heather Hunter should cause outrage and alarm, especially for people with disability, writes Dr. Kathryn Irving.

View this information in a PDF.

Below you’ll find the podcast of the DIRC Disability Forum on Post School Options which was held on Thursday February 2nd 2012.

This was a panel presentation with Bedford, Phoenix Society Inc and SA Career Consultants. Unfortunately Personnel Employment were unable to attend due to illness.

Discover how the most popular form of technology, the iPad/iPod Touch can make a difference in supporting a child with autism to learn. Discuss how to apply current research in autism to this new technology.

Evaluate apps for their quality, flexibility, motivation and suitability to teach:

Social and Emotional: Video Modeling, Social Stories, Comic Strip Conversations, Joint Attention, Self-Monitoring, Scripting, Story Boards. Emotional Vocabulary, Emotional Toolboxes, Emotional Regulation, Storyboards.

Behaviour and Sensory: Schedules, First-Then, Preparation and Priming, Rewards, Rating Scales, Timers, Choice Making, Visual Calendars, Activities of Daily Living, Discrete Trials, Modeling, Sensory Regulation, Visual Cues.

Language and Literacy: Vocabulary and Sight Words, Grammar and Parts of Speech, Sentences, Conversation, Speech Sounds, Imitation, Semantics, Oral and Reading Comprehension, Answering Questions, Non Literal Language, Story Telling, Phonological Awareness, Phonics and Spelling.

Date: Tuesday 27 March, 2012

Read more here.

Registration: Register online at www.suttonspeech.com.au.

The Autism & Special Needs Library Collection is a joint initiative between Autism Rainbow Day, Rainbowland Autism Services Inc. and the Campbelltown City Council.

This collection of resources will soon be available at the Campbelltown City Council and includes:

• General books about autism and other conditions
• Teaching resources
• Educational resources
• CD Roms – learning tools
• DVD’s – lectures, educational & movies
• Self help books for parents and individuals
• Resources for professionals
• Advocacy books
• Autobiographies & much more

Read more information here.

While people with disability in all parts of the world face barriers, they are steepest in developing countries, writes Lucy Daniel.

The February 2012 edition of the Adelaide Autism Adventures newsletter is now available. Also available this month is the Visual Resource “I want to play”.

The Adelaide Festival is offering accessible opportunitities to support the participation of disabled audiences to the various Festival shows. Offering Audio Description, Assistive Listening, AUSLAN interpreted shows and accessible venues, there are so many ways for disabled theatre goers to enjoy this years Adelaide Festival.

For more info visit http://www.adelaidefestival.com.au/.

Be a part of Adelaide City Council’s Disability Access Committee

Would you like to advocate for residents with a disability living, working or visiting in the Adelaide City Council area (CBD and North Adelaide)?

Adelaide City Council currently has a vacancy for a community member to join its Access Committee.

If you have a disability yourself or you have special knowledge or interest in disability issues and are able to commit to attending six meetings in the CBD per year, Council would love to hear from you.

They are especially keen to hear from people who have special interest in those issues facing younger people with disability.

To apply for the Access Committee vacancy, please contact Council’s Community Planner, Pauline Zanet, on 8203 7779 or by email p.zanet@adelaidecitycouncil.com.

The SoundWaves project has a new venue for the SoundWaves workshops and monthly events in 2012.

The new venue is named “Guthrie’s” and is located at Prospect Town Hall, 126 Prospect Road, Prospect.

Car Parking

There is car parking at the rear of the Town Hall and also in Vine Street which runs along the southern side of the Town Hall building. Vine Street is blocked off at the Prospect Road end. There are very good “drop off” areas at the top of Vine Street if required.

Bus travel from city

Catch the G10 bus from stop X1 near the Transport Information Centre at the corner of King William St & Currie St.

Get off at stop 11 on Prospect Road. It is only a short walk from there to the Town Hall.

Workshop Dates

Instrumental and Vocals performance workshop, tutored by Musician, Composer Robert Petchell, will be held on Thursday the 16th February from 11am till 1pm at “Guthrie’s” (Prospect Town Hall)

On the same day Thursday 16th February there will be a hip-hop session tutored by Chris Koufolas from 12 noon till 1pm at the Irish Harp Room at Prospect Town Hall.

Hand Drumming Workshops will commence on Saturday 18th February from 11am till 12.30pm and will be held in the Irish Harp Room at Prospect Town Hall. These Drumming Workshops will then be held every fortnight, the second one being on Saturday March 3rd. These workshops are tutored by Andrew Ellis and will focus on traditional styles of African Drumming. The number of places is limited so it’s essential to phone Andrew to discuss your participation on 0419 821 985.

SoundWaves Monthly Event

The first SoundWaves monthly event will be held on Thursday February 23rd from 11am till 2pm at “Guthrie’s” located at Prospect Town Hall. There will be lots of exciting performances and food and drinks will be available. Come and checkout the new venue and its facilities.

Further information is available in this flyer.

A new support group for support workers has been formed, named the Support Workers Support Group (SWSG). All support workers are invited to the first meeting of the SWSG on Friday February 24th.

This will be an opportunity for support workers across all organisations to liaise with one another and create supportive social networks.

RSVP by February 10th.

Full details are here.