Office for Disability Issues: Email Update

On this page:

Part 1: Office for Disability Issues and government news
Flexible work -Department of Labour consultation document
Disability allowance for people in community residential services
Mainstream awards

Part 2: Sector news
Travellers: Helping Year 9 pupils explore life’s journey
ASENZ Board members announced
Safe Relationships, Safer Sex – A resource for disabled people
Post Graduate Diploma in Arts (Disability Studies) Applications

Part 3: Events and conferences
Connecting community groups and government using online groups
Coming Home-International conference on family group conference
Association for Supported Employment (ASENZ) training courses
International Day of Disabled Persons
New Zealand Rehabilitation Research Institute of New Zealand and New Zealand Rehabilitation Association conference
Certificated Behaviour Training available
Social Policy, Research and Evaluation (SPRE) conference 2007
Alzheimers New Zealand national conference

Part 1: Office for Disability Issues and government news

01: Flexible Work-Department of Labour consultation document

Quality flexible work is about people having the opportunity to make changes to the hours or times they work and where they work. It is also about how careers are organised, how transitions in and out of work are managed and how flexible work is managed in the workplace so that employees and businesses benefit.

The Department of Labour has been asked by the Transport and Industrial Relations Committee of Parliament to consult widely on the mechanisms to deliver flexible working hours. They have also been working with the business sector, unions and workplace leaders to come up with practical ways to introduce and manage flexible work in workplaces. Your views on what works, what doesn’t, the reasons why and what would help will be important to guide future decisions.

The Department has released a discussion paper "Quality Flexible Work: increasing availability and take up in New Zealand"outlining the key issues and possible approaches for quality flexible work. The deadline for responses on the paper is 15 December 2006.

You can download the paper and response form from the department's website and complete a submission on line or send by post, fax or email to

Cath Edmondson
Workplace Practices
Department of Labour
PO Box 3805
Wellington.
Fax: 04 915 4710

If you have any questions about the consultation, or would like hard copies of the discussion paper, please contact Cath Edmondson on Tel. (04) 915 4692 or or by email, or Deborah Tucker on Tel (04) 915 4376 (Monday and Tuesday).

02: Disability Allowance for people in community residential services

In Budget 2006, the Government announced funding of $60.5 million over five years for Disability Allowance for disabled people living in community residential services, such as IDEA Services group homes. People living in these services and receiving Residential Support Subsidy can now receive Disability Allowance on the same basis as others in the community.

On 21 November 2006, the Social Security Act was amended so that people living in these services who qualify for Disability Allowance can receive payments from 18 May 2006 (or when they become eligible if later), if they apply within twelve months of that date. This is to ensure that people receive their full entitlement, even if they take some time to apply.

Please phone Work and Income on 0800 999 779 (toll free) for more information.

03: Mainstream awards

In July 2006, Mainstream celebrated 30 years of operation with the launch of a book "Real Work for Real Pay". The book was launched by the Rt Hon Helen Clark at a function at the State Services Commission. Mainstream is a scheme to employ disabled people within Public Service departments. The scheme operates a salary subsidy programme, and research shows that around 69 percent of the 2000 people who been on the scheme have been retained in employment on merit.

Read more about the book on the State Services Commission website.

Mainstream annually awards employers who have been nominated by their employees for the Employer of the Year award.

For information about the Mainstream Placement Awards 2006 go to the Mainstream website and follow the links to the Mainstream Placement Awards for 2006.

Part 2: Sector news

04: Travellers: Helping Year 9 pupils explore life’s journey

Year nine pupils who have participated in Travellers in their school have found it particularly beneficial in helping them cope with change, loss and transition, such as loss of important friendships, death of someone close, disability/illness of someone close.

Travellers is an innovative school-based support group programme. It is run by Skylight, a national non-profit charitable trust that provides support to children, young people and their families dealing with tough times.

By next year it will be running in over 50 secondary schools in the Auckland/Northland region through a contract funded by the Ministry of Health. Travellers aims to foster the healthy development of young people by:

• Exploring their change, loss and transition experiences
• Developing ways to navigate their movement through change, loss and transition in safe and adaptive ways
• Supporting young people in exploring links between how they think and feel about change, loss and transition situations and how their thoughts and feelings influence how they cope and respond
• Enhancing supportive environments for young people experiencing change, loss and transitions, and thereby improving their learning outcomes.

The name Travellers reflects the idea that “life is a journey”, a metaphor young people related to well. The programme is also now being run internationally.

Skylight chief executive, Bice Awan, says the challenge now is to expand Travellers’ reach.

“Young people all over New Zealand will benefit from the programme and we are very keen to obtain the funding necessary to see Travellers making a difference in the lives of year nine students in as many secondary schools as possible.”

For more information visit the Travellers website or call Skylight on (04) 939-6767.

05: ASENZ Board members announced

Warren Elwin (Workwise Trust) e-mail Warren.Elwin@workwisetrust.co.nz

Jackie Hart (Walsh Trust Auckland) e-mail: jhart@walsh.org.nz

Philip Kohanui (Mahitahi Trust. Otahuho, Auckland) e-mail: phillip@mahitahi.co.nz

David Corner (DPA / IHC Dunedin)

Lachlan Keating (Deaf Association of NZ- Christchurch) e-mail: lachlan.keating@deaf.co.nz

Thomas Bryan (Royal NZ Foundation of the Blind - Wellington) e-mail: tbryan@rnzfb.org.nz

Les Gilsenan (WDRC - Wanganui) e-mail: lesg@whanganuidrc.org.nz

Magdel Hammond (Edge Employment - Auckland) e-mail: magdel@amhs.org.nz

Kervin Farr (Wellington After-Care Association) e-mail: manager@wgtnaftercare.org.nz

Peter Gibson (IHC Tauranga) e-mail: peter.gibson@idea.org.nz

06: Safe Relationships, Safer Sex – A resource for disabled people

Family Planning has developed a resource for use with people with mild to moderate learning disabilities. ‘Safe Relationships, Safer Sex’ covers a range of sexuality related issues including public/private places, public/private body parts, relationships and keeping sexually safe.

The 26 page booklet includes question and answer prompts as well as ‘real life’ scenarios to encourage discussion around its key messages. It is a highly visual resource and aims to educate young people about how to keep themselves safe when it comes to sex and sexuality.

A range of groups including providers, young adults with disabilities and parents were consulted during the resource’s creation and feedback received was very positive. Many commented on the lack of such a resource in New Zealand and the importance of this kind of information being made available to young people with disabilities. “Disabled people often get overlooked when it comes to sexuality” commented Jennie Down, Family Planning Association (FPA) Wellington Education Team Leader. “This resource acknowledges the real needs of young disabled people and supports them in making sensible, responsible decisions. It enables them to better understand sexuality using a clear, easy to read layout.”

Funded by the Ministry of Health, this booklet will be available at no cost. Those interested in obtaining a copy can send an A4 self addressed envelope to the resource unit, PO Box 11515, Wellington or contact the Family Planning Resource Unit on (04) 384 4349.

In addition to the resource, Family Planning also runs sexuality workshops for parents of disabled youth. These are delivered in the Christchurch, Wellington and Hamilton regions and interested parents should contact their local office or refer the website for further information.

07: Post Graduate Diploma in Arts (Disability Studies) Applications

Post Graduate Diploma in Arts (Disability Studies) Applications: Now Being Accepted

Applications for entry to the 2007 session of the Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Disability Studies) program at Massey University are now being accepted. The program is offered extramurally and can be completed part time. The application deadline is 31 January 2007; however, prospective students are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Information and admission details are outlined on the program website. An Application Form can be linked to from this page.

For more information contact:
Dr Martin Sullivan
Senior Lecturer
School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work
Massey University
PB 11-222
Palmerston North
Phone: 0800Massey (627739) ext. 2833
Email: M.J.Sullivan@massey.ac.nz.

Section 3: Events and conferences

November 2006

08: Connecting Community Groups and government Using Online Groups: beyond Email

A workshop is being held on 23 November 2006 at the Betty Campbell Centre, Harbour City Towers level 2, 40 Panama St, Wellington.

The purpose of the group is to encourage increased cooperation in the development of online group activity for and in the community and government sectors.

For more information contact:
Jan Symington commotion@paradise.net.nz
Phone: 021 331022
Website: www.publichealth.org.nz

December 2006

09: ‘Coming Home - Te Hokinga Mai’, Wellington on 27 – 29 November 2006, International conference on the family group conference

The family group conference model was conceived 18 years ago in New Zealand, and has been adopted in many western countries including Ireland, Canada, UK, Australia and the Netherlands.

Now it’s coming home. The conference is an opportunity to examine how the family group conference model is working both in New Zealand and overseas.

For more information contact:
Krystina Johnstone, Child Youth and Family
Email: krystina.johnstone004@cyf.govt.nz
Fax: 916 0222

10: Association for Supported Employment (ASENZ) training courses

Programme: Strategic Planning
Date: 4 December 2006. Presenter: Ian Harper.
Suited to: Managers, Team Leaders, Board Members.
Venue: Royal N.Z. Foundation of the Blind. 121 Adelaide Road. Newtown, Wellington.
Costs: See below.

Programme: Marketing Supported Employment (One day)
Date: 11 December 2006. Presenter: Pam Lockwood.
Suited to: All Supported Employment Practitioners.
Venue: Waiora House (Totara Room) 129 Spa Road, Taupo.
Costs: See below

Programme: Career Planning (One day)
Date: 12 December 2006. Presenter: Pam Lockwood.
Suited to: All SE Practitioners.
Venue: Waiora House (Totara Room) 129 Spa Road, Taupo. Costs: See Below.

The cost for each 1 day workshop per person is:

• Full Members = $200:00 + GST = $225:00
• Associate Members = $225:00 + GST = $253:12
• Non-Members = $250:00 + GST = $281:25

For more information contact:
Ian Harper
Phone: (06) 342 3899
Mobile: 0274 574 744
Email: asenz@xtra.co.nz

11: International Day of Disabled Persons 2006: E-Accessibility

The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons, 3 December, aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the inclusion of disabled people in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. The theme of the Day is based on the goal of full and equal enjoyment of human rights and participation in society.

The theme for this year’s International Day of Disabled Persons (3 December 2006) is accessibility to information technologies, and the day will be referred to as E-Accessibility Day. Through its efforts, and collaboration with others, the United Nations aims to raise appreciation among Governments, private entities and the public of the significant benefits to disabled people and society when they are empowered with increased access to information technologies.

For more information visit the website.

Some of the events planned in New Zealand around this International Day are:

• Auckland City Council, 24 November 2006 "Innovation Unleashed". The event will showcase the business opportunity represented by disabled people as skilled workers, customers and consumers. Auckland City Council is hosting the event with input from IBM, Vodafone, Auckland University of Technology Vodafone, IBM, AUT, and Waitemata District Health Board.
  
  The event will be held at:
  
  Vodafone building
  20 Viaduct Harbour Avenue, Auckland
  
  9am - 12.30pm (session)
  1pm - 2.30pm executive lunch
  
  For more information contact:
  Minnie Baragwanath
  Strategic Disability Advisor, Auckland City Council.
  Phone: 09 307 7260
  Email: minnie.baragwanath@aucklandcity.govt.nz
• Manaukau City Council - December 2006. The Mayor Sir Barry Curtis will host an evening to celebrate the achievements of disabled people in the Manukau area.
  
  For more information contact:
  Raewyn Stone, Senior Planner, Community Development
  Manukau City Council
  Phone: 09 262 8900 ext 8787
  Mobile: 027 464 2919
  Email: raewyn.stone@manukau.govt.nz
• Pacific Information Advocacy Support Services Trust (PIASS) will be holding an event on 8 December 2006.
  
  For more information contact:
  Augustine Carpentier
  Nikau House - Ground Floor, 19 Charles St
  Hunters Cnr, PAPATOETOE
  Phone: 09 2786340
  Fax: 09 2786342
  Website: www.piass.org.nz
• Wellington City Council - 4 December 2006. The Mayor Kerry Prendergast and the Chief Executive Garry Poole are hosting an Accessible Wellington Forum. the forum will focus on new technology. The event will be held at Te Papa. The display of technology starts at 9.30am and the forum begins at 11am.
  
  For more information contact:
  Ross Livingstone, Mobility Advisor, Community Services
  Phone: 04 801 3134
  Mobile: 027 413 3071
  Fax: 04 801 3124
• Christchurch - 3 December 2006. DPA Christchurch and Districts is holding a function - meal and entertainment by disabled artists. There will be a display on accessible.
  
  For more information contact:
  Mary Stott
  Disabled Persons' Assembly - Christchurch & Districts
  Co ordinator
  Christchurch Community House
  Te Whakaruruhau ki Otautahi
  141 Hereford Street
  CHRISTCHURCH
  Phone: 03 379 8525
  Fax: 03 366 8535
  Website: www.dpa.org.nz
• Franklin – on December 3 the IDEA Drama Group (Idea Services and IHC) will be presenting their 6th original show at Harrington Hall, Harrington Ave, Pukekohe, at 2.00PM. The story is one of hopes and dreams with a little hint of murder. The cast is supported by a 14 piece orchestra. See attachment or for additional information please contact:
  
  Bob Bettison
  President, Franklin Branch IHC New Zealand Inc.
  Phone: (09) 235 7823
  Email: bettison@ps.gen.nz
  Postal: PO Box 136, Waiuku 2341

February 2007

12: New Zealand Rehabilitation Research Institute of New Zealand and New Zealand Rehabilitation Association Conference 16 – 18 February 2007, Roturua: Innovation in Rehabilitation-applying theory to practice

For more information contact:
suzanne@creative-events.co.nz
Phone: 09 420 4045
Fax: 09 420 3071
Website: http://www.rehabilitation.org.nz

March 2007

13: Certificated Behaviour Training available February/March 2007

Team Teach are providing 6 and 12 hour behaviour training in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington in late February and early March 2007. Autism Queensland have chosen Team Teach as their approach. Their key message is that 95% or more of all incidents should be managed without recourse to physical intervention. The emphasis is on protecting and promoting positive relationships.

Early bird registration ends on 17 November 2006.

For more information contact:
Nick Burnett
Director Team Teach Australia
Phone: 0405 411 871
Fax: 07 3203 7052
22 Kristen Court
Redcliffe
Queensland 4020
Email: nick@team-teach.com.au
Website: www.team-teach.com.au

April 2007

14: Social Policy, Research and Evaluation (SPRE) Conference 2007, to be held at the Wellington Convention Centre, Wellington, New Zealand on 3 – 5 April 2007

The Social Policy, Research and Evaluation Conference 2007 is being hosted by the Ministry of Social Development. This conference will provide a forum for a diverse audience of policy practitioners, non government organisations, researchers and evaluators, and the wider community to come together to discuss and debate the landscape of social policy in New Zealand in an open, engaging and innovative way. For more information on how to submit an abstract visit the website.

15: Alzheimers New Zealand National Conference: 26 – 28 April 2007 Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington

The theme for the conference is "Dementia Across the Ages". This looks at dementia across time (past, present and future) and dementia across different age groups (such as how children are affected and younger-onset dementia).

For more information on the Alzheimers conference visit the website for up-to-date information on the keynote speakers, accommodation, the conference programme and registration.

Helen Galloway
Administration Coordinator
Alzheimers New Zealand National Office
Phone: (04) 381 2364
Fax: (04) 381 2365
Website: www.alzheimers.org.nz