Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Let's Talk About Rights!



. . . The UN charter of human right tells us that all humans are born 'free and equal'. When we think of failure to ensure human rights Australia is no thought to be high on the list of countries that are neglected  this area
 
 Unless your a member of the UN humane rights committee.

I am tired of hearing minority groups being referred to as a hindrance, resource drain on society and a social issue that will not go away. Whether your indigenous, refugee, long-term unemployed, have disabilities, or just growing older some members of society see you as a drain on the public purse.  

And we know there are a minority that cheat the system, just as there are tax cheats.  Many in these minorities are tax payers and do not rely on welfare.  Welfare reform does not address the issues of injustices faced by these groups and the structures of society that continue to create barriers to economic security, housing, education, employment, well being and access to having a legal voice. 

Women with intellectual disabilities are twice as likely to be assaulted, if they are also indigenous it becomes 4  in 5 women.   Victims with intellectual disabilities are often not believe or there evidence or testimony is not usable in court of law.  I know this first hand having gained the courage to go to the police I was encouraged not to make a formal complaint due to perpetrator  potentially having denature.  Being intellectually incompasiated makes  you unable to defend yourself.  You are neither guilty or not guilty.

No body choses to be born with a disability, escape a war-torn  country, their heritage or to grow old. Luckily involuntary euthanasia is illegal. Yet it you lucky enough not to be born into what is considered to be the norm, you can help shape this great nation and strengthen the structures that continue to segregate people and limit their choices and their say that no access to the justice system is a cruel natural fact of life. I hope you never become disabled or develop dementure where you will experience the reality of living life without any restrictions on your choices. Loss of mobility and reduction in intellectual functioning can be  cruel. 

Even lost of the ability to drive means a limit of independence and loss of choice.  Many of us will need some level of care as we age. This will result in others advising us on our health needs and care needs.  At times it will seem like our rights are taken away.  These same rights which have never been granted to minority groups in Australia.
 
 
We have bought the lie of uniformity and the way of the majority rules. We have allowed some to have more of a say in determining what is right and who can have access to things like education, affordable housing, employment, health service and access to the justice system itself.
 
I hope we to who are often denied our rights or told to conform never stop using our voices so we are overshadowed  by small minded people who can't bothered doing their research before making a public speech.  
 
How we access education, employment and the legal system despite our disabilities are human rights Sentior Hansion


Monday, June 12, 2017

Building Ignite Artists Network

Understanding the Community Needs . . .
 
As we grow we want to provide
 
services currently not available in
 
the Ipswich region.
 
Ipswich is home to over 100
 
different armature arts & craft groups.
 
 
Most disabilities support providers
 
engage in art programs for
 
both leisure and skills development.
 
 
As well as opportunities to
exhibit and sell artwork. 
 
What people tell us . . .
 
 
Did you know artists are unable to up skill in the
Ipswich Region itself.
 
 
 
 
Did you know access issues are not isolated to those with disability.
 
 
 
Young mums can experience access issues to education
due to children needs.
 
 
 
Access to transport can be an issue for those
living in remote areas.
Not just those with disabilities.
 
 
 
A person's impairment is not
detected in their artwork.
 
 
 
 
Ignite Artists Network
 
Seeks to increase learning opportunities
 
through peer mentoring.
 
 
 
Workshops and peer development programs.
 
 
 
Support artists to exhibit their artwork.
 
 
 
Assisting with access needs of all
Artists living in the region.
 
 
 
for more information.

Saturday, June 10, 2017

Towards a bright tomorrow

 

 
The open of the National Disability Insurance Agency Ipswich Area office this week singles an end of a medical care model of support.  Support under the NDIS is based on the hopes and dreams of people with disabilities, their carers, families and supporters. It recognises not two people are the same and just as we choose our own pathways they people with disabilities have that same right. 
 
Some will choose centred based programs and others will opt for individual styled supports. Supports are now around your goals. If you want to learn to be more independent and catch public transport by yourself then support could be around traveling on transport to gain you independence. 
 
 
 
 Support under the NDIS should be about your lifestyle and the activities you and your family want to enjoy.  One of my goals is not to have the leave the opening of my next art exhibition because supports ends at 8pm.
 
Many people believe we will be looking for bells and whistles support.  Myself,  I just want to stop playing Cinderella.
 
At the opening I had the opportunity to share what my like looks like now, and the juggling act of accessing 4 services to provide my daily direct support needs like personal care, meal preparation and transport.  Each service has its own policies and procedures, finish by 8pm so we're not paying higher rates of pay or be unable to travel in staff cars.  Life gets confusing.
 
When a service needs to change a time... umm is it week one or two or I am simply wanting to make an appointment, life gets complicated. Not only am I not in control, most service rely on a roster team for smooth delivery of services, people who often don't know me Some tell me about changes others don't.
 
The NDIS gives me control to chose who will deliver what service, workers of choice and what time service will be delivered. For me the NDIS is not about bells and whistles it about my right to live a life reflective of my peers.  My peers are artists and we don't work 9 to 5.  We start work as others head home or to our openings or workshops.
 
   
Us creative misfits are initial to be supported in our roles.  What a waste of talent if we are not supported in the right way.  Here's some of the work from our mini exhibition at the NDIS office.
 





 

Thursday, June 8, 2017

NDIS Office Open for business


On 26 May, participants began transitioning to being supported by the NDIS in Ipswich.  I was privileged to speak at the official opening on Wednesday.

Above I am photographed the area coordinator Fran Vicary and Peter Tully from Queensland Disability Network/ Able Australia/ Disability Community Awareness.

The opening and open day focused on ability not disability. With members of the Ipswich Art Community hosting an exhibition. What a great success!

 
Achieving Sales


I was able to share about life . . . with 16 support works with 4 services, with 4 different sets of policies and procedures. How's your maths? 

That's right more than one per day and someday's there are 3 different staff from 3 different services.  Mostly I remember who is knocking at my door.  That is . . . if all goes according to plan and we all know life never conforms to our plans.

Right now life feels beyond control with not all support workers wanting to follow support plans I help developed.  I still cringe at being classed as 'less fortunate' - maybe one day we will stop labelling people. 
 
We are Australians and we all count.  Today, I was empowered to say NO NEW SUPPORT WORKERS.  16 is more than enough.  I am eagerly antispatipating the day 16 becomes 6 or less.  


the day when I will transition to the NDIS.  Meanwhile my bank account got a boost too!

I look forward to sharing more with my ndis journey with you.