Access and Inclusion Advisory Group

LEEUWIN'S ULTIMATE CHALLENGE 2024

We are THRILLED to announce Leeuwin's Ultimate Challenge for 2024!

Voyage Ultimate Challenge

Fremantle -Fremantle 2^nd - 6^th Feb 2024

The Ultimate Challenge is a highlight of Leeuwin's annual sailing schedule and we know, you've been waiting in anticipation for the voyage to be announced...

STS Leeuwin II is proud to be the only tall ship in Australia to offer an ocean adventure voyage specifically designed for young people with disabilities. Participants have the opportunity to experience the thrill of tall ship sailing in a safe and supportive environment. Participants meet new friends, learn new skills and increase their self-confidence on this exciting 6-day adventure.

Let’s set sail!

APPLICATION PRIORITY

It Is a priority that you submit your checked and signed application by your doctor, for the ships doctors to review medical conditions and suitability for your participation in Ultimate Challenge Voyage ASAP.

We apologise for the short lead time for preparation, our organisation has undergone a complete restructure in the past six months and are now positively sailing into 2024.

The link provides all the information for the voyage, trainee and support person application. Please feel free to call the office with any queries or for assistance in your applications or support for NDIS case manager.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard the STS Leeuwin II, for the sailing adventure of a lifetime!

Call for further details or assistance (08) 9430 4105

Developmental Disability WA (DDWA) are hosting a Living After Loss (grief support) get together

Friday 16 February 2024

9:30 - 11:30am

In person only

The death of your adult (or younger) child with disability who you have cared for long-term is an isolating experience.

It often feels like friends don’t understand what you’re going through or how to best support you through the huge gap that’s now opened in your life.

At this get together, you may share and learn helpful strategies to lighten your loss. No matter how long ago - or recent - it has been since your loved one has passed away, the grief may be ongoing in cycles. Join us to sit, listen, share your story (or not) and know that we'll support each other.

Living After Loss is a casual, welcoming get-together to support yourself and others in grief and bereavement after losing someone you cared for who had disability.

DDWA's inaugural “Living After Loss” get-together was held late 2023. The rollercoaster of ongoing grief and heartfelt memories was shared around tissues, as well as loving laughter and warm cuppas.

It went so well that they are holding regular gatherings like this. All are welcome.

Darrin Brandis (psychologist) is experienced with grief and bereavement and will lead the discussion. You can share as much or as little as you like.

This is a free in-person session with morning tea provided.

Register here

If you would like to know more, please contact Lydia Gallant:

(08) 9420 7203 or Lydia.Gallant@ddwa.org.au

There are several ways to get involved and contribute to consultation. You can:

• attend a workshop and talk directly to the department about what is important to you

• complete a survey online or call 1800 318 209 to have your say

• email - AgedCareLegislativeReform@health.gov.au.

Register for a workshop or access the online survey

Consultation will close on Friday 16 February 2024.

Your feedback will help to shape the Bill for the new Act before it is introduced in Parliament in 2024.

See the department website for more information:

• read the detailed exposure draft consultation paper or the plain English summary

• attend an online webinar and ask questions

• explore information and stories on how the new Act will impact older people, their families and carers including those with a First Nations or culturally and linguistically diverse background, and aged care providers and workers

• review the frequently asked questions.

Exciting News for Our Community!

We're thrilled to announce that the NDIS has given the green light for driving lessons to be included in a training course.

Good news – you can now use your NDIS plans to cover the cost of driving lessons! However, it's essential to purchase them as part of a skilling & training course, not as standalone driving lessons.

This groundbreaking development means participants and their families no longer have to worry about funding driving lessons privately to secure their driver's license. The course goes above and beyond by not only alleviating financial stress but also offering tailored support and online resources to navigate every stage of the intricate licensing process. We take care of coordinating and booking all lessons and tests for you (course outline attached).

Operating nationally and collaborating locally with driving instructors, our focus, besides mandatory government testing, is solely on preparing you for license attainment without imposing any extra tests.

Spread the word within your community! Share this fantastic news and empower others to take advantage of this opportunity.

Those interested in enrolling in the Driver Licence course can register here to ensure that 2024 is their most independent and exciting year yet.

Book a time to chat here, you can also check out the NDIS Driver Licence Support Program on Facebook and Instagram.

🎉 EasyBeatz🎉

The Easy Beats Inclusive Social Event was a dancing success! Some of our attendees even let us know:

• "You're awesome!"
  "Loved DJ Incredable"
  "Bigger dance floor next time!"
  "Such a fun night; more please"

This event served as a welcoming pathway for individuals with disabilities seeking social connections within their local community. The dancefloor was filled with the 78 participants that attended. So, as positive feedback flooded in, the warmth and inclusivity experienced at EasyBeatz was reflected.

A special shoutout to The Country Club for their unwavering support—providing staffing assistance, complimentary refreshments, and actively adapting the venue based on valuable feedback. They also generously contributed to the door prize, a delightful bottle of wine that added to the evening's joy.

EasyBeatz Byford is roudy suported by;

• Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale
• Maxima
• Byford Districts Country Club
• APM Communities
• 4LifeSkills
• City of Armadale

Cheers to more memorable moments ahead!.... 🌟

GET EXCITED FOR MORE BEATZ

FREE TO ATTEND

@ Byford Country Club featuring DJ Incredable

18+ only event

1st Feb 2024

6 - 9pm

BOOKINGS REQUIRED VIA

https://bdcclub.com.au/bdccevents/shop/project-disco-easy-beatz-feb-1/

Hiking & Adventure wins GOLD in the 2023 WA Tourism Awards for Excellence in Accessible Tourism.

The Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards recognise tourism operators across 27 categories for their commitment to excellence.

Off The Beaten Track WA (OTBT), a local hiking & adventure tour operator took home the inaugural Excellence in Accessible Tourism Award highlighting their commitment to inclusion and accessibility.

With over two years of dedicated work with Western Australians living with disabilities, OTBT has witnessed remarkable improvements in both the physical and mental well-being of its participants and guests. Their Hike-Ability program, designed to empower individuals through outdoor exploration, has become a catalyst for personal growth and transformation.

Hike-Ability is a tailored 1:1 program where hiking, movement and nature connection are used to work towards achieving rehabilitation goals.

As a recognised industry leader, OTBT has set new standards in accessibility and inclusion within the Western Australian tourism sector.

Off The Beaten Track WA will now represent WA in the Australian Tourism Awards in Darwin in March 2024.

Hike-Ability

The Hike-Ability program, with its focus on outdoor adventure and personal growth, showcases OTBT's dedication to providing accessible and life-enhancing experiences. Through their unwavering support and innovative approach, OTBT continues to uplift and empower individuals with disabilities, making a meaningful difference in their lives.

To learn more about OTBT's Hike-Ability program and their commitment to accessibility, visit their website at https://offthebeatentrackwa.com.au/hike-ability-ndis/

Off The Beaten Track WA were also awarded the Silver Medal in Adventure Tourism & Bronze in Tour & Transport Operator in the 2023 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards on Saturday evening.

Off the Beaten Track take out Gold, Silver and Bronze at the Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards

The Lives We Lead is a social media project to influence the community to better understand the contributions that people with disability are making economically, socially, culturally and politically.

The project captures and shares video and photo stories of people with disability living in their own homes. A reference group of people with disability use a co-design approach to curate their stories.

This brand new chapter of the The Lives We Lead, Homelife shows what kind of a good life is possible with the right support and a home of your own. We have a new logo and its symbolic thumbprint; our homes and lives are as individual and unique as our fingerprints.

See Gareth's story below and visit https://theliveswelead.com.au/series/tlwl/ to enjoy more meaningful and uplifting experiences of those living with a disability.

Dive in. Enjoy. Be provoked. Get thoughtful. Share these stories. Start a conversation.

The Lives We Lead is a project by WA's Individualised Services, funded by Department of Communities and Department of Social Services.

Let The Lives We Lead be your guide to a world of endless inspiration and hope.

Gareth: "Since I've moved into my own house, my life has gotten a whole lot bigger and more interesting"

Click here to watch Gareth's Video Story

Introducing 2023 Blind Australian of the Year FINALIST… Ayesha Patterson from WA

Grass roots Community Development. Ayesha Patterson lives and breathes community! Making life better where the rubber hits the road – capacity building in the community environment, workplaces, and social settings.

Ayesha’s mission is clear: to make Mandurah more accessible to all its residents, regardless of their abilities.

Ayesha is an integral member of the community development team at APM Communities in Mandurah. Her dedication to creating and strengthening community connections has had and will continue to have a profound impact on this regional city.

One of Ayesha’s passion projects, a socially inclusive event called Easybeatz, held at a local pub, supports over 100 attendees bi-monthly, to participate in a comfortable and welcoming space. Ayesha heads the working group, supporting her fellow members to build their own capacity as well as that of the host venue.
See the news post below for details on EasyBeatz coming to Byford!

Ayesha is a powerful advocate and facilitator of inclusive workplaces. This comes from an all-too-common experience for those living with blindness – the challenge of getting a job. APM Communities provided that opportunity and Ayesha has proved that her skills and capacity have nothing to do with her condition.

Ayesha works to effectively connect people living with disability to their community. She works with employers that are committed to providing inclusive environments, ones that create a pathway for progression for their staff with diverse skills and experiences.

Ayesha is an active fundraiser for a range of assistance animal related organizations. She takes every opportunity to educate and empower those around her, with or without lived experience of disability. She is an avid user of assistive technology and brings her understanding of the tools and strategies for living a full life independently to all around her.

Congratulations Ayesha on becoming a Finalist for the 2023 Blind Australian of the Year!

APM Communities Youtube video that talks about Ayesha’s Customised Employment Journey with us. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jb5Ia6aR1YI

Get ready to groove and mingle at the Byford and Districts Country Club!

Join us for a night of disco and dancing, where we create a safe and inclusive space for people with disabilities to come together, make new friends, and enjoy the best music, delicious food, and fantastic company.

Inspired by the success of EasyBeatz Mandurah, this event is proudly supported by the Byford and Districts Country Club, the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale, the City of Armadale, Maxima, 4LifeSkills, and APM Communities.

Event Details

Date: Thursday 30 November 2023
Time: 6pm - 9pm
Location: Byford and Districts Country Club, 88 Linton Street North, Byford
Registrations: Click here to book

Registrations are FREE however space is limited, please book a ticket for all attendees and include carer details where relevant.

What is Included

Dance the night away with beatz from DJ Incredable (pictured below).

The Byford and Districts Country Club has kindly offered to supply free soft drink and finger food for this launch event, please note this is a limited assortment of food that may not meet all dietary requirements. The dining room will also be open for those who wish to purchase food and the bar is open for those who would like to purchase alternate drinks.

There is ample on-site parking with a small number of ACROD bays and a large drop off area at the front door.
The venue is fully accessible with ambulant bathrooms. There is no adult changing facility.
This event includes loud music and bright flashing lighting. There is seating around the dance area, in the dining room and outdoors for those who might want to take a break.

DJ Incredable, a young woman with disability and pink hair wearing a sparkling top, gives the peace sign. She is standing with a man in an EasyBeatz t-shirt in a disco venue.

Abilities Unleashed Adults is a free, fun, and inclusive day of activities connecting people with disabilities to local sport and active recreation opportunities.

The Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale and the City of Armadale have teamed up with Disability Sports Australia to bring this event focused on promoting active pathways for people with disabilities to our local community.

The program provides a platform for local inclusive program and disability service providers to collaborate and connect to people with disabilities in their area.

The venue is accessibility friendly and has a cafe on site for light refreshments. There is a medium amount of parking available at the venue, to discuss alternate transport options see the details below.

Benefits of attending the day:

• physical and mental health benefits of exercise
• social wellbeing, friendships, and community connection
• strengthening balance, coordination and mobility skills
• teamwork, collaboration and planning
• increased self-esteem through a sense of achievement

Event Details

Date: Monday 20 November 2023
Time: 10am - 1pm
Location: Serpentine Jarrahdale Recreation Centre, 38 Mead Street, Byford
Bookings: The event is free, but bookings are essential, register by clicking this link Armadale/Serpentine Jarrahdale Abilities Unleashed- Adults | Humanitix

To discuss transport options, contact the Access and Inclusion Officer at the City of Armadale on 9394 5629