EBL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER • AUTUMN EDITION • MARCH 2016

Welcome to 2016!“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even

touched - they must be felt with the heart.” – Helen Keller

A t a time where life seems to be passing by so quickly, this quote by Helen

Keller reminds us all that the most beautiful things in the world must

indeed be felt with the heart. It is our hope that

2016 brings you courage, strength and the most

beautiful things for you and your family.

As always, thank you so much for your

continued support, all that you do and for being

part of the EBL family.

Here’s to you and a fantastic 2016!“ ”Our vision is to passionately support individuals and their families to lead

fulfilled lives.

In this edition

A Word from Wendy .............................................2

EBL Carer Advisory Group .................................2

Remembering Rachel and Jolene ...................3

Yarnbrook cottages ................................................3

Older Carers ............................................................... 4

Day Options ............................................................... 4

Major Highlights ........................................................5

Assisted Holidays ....................................................6

Out and About ..........................................................7

Disability and Sexual Intimacy ..........................7

NDIS Updates ...........................................................8

Upcoming Events ....................................................8

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EBL Carer Advisory GroupHave your say...

The Carers Advisory Group will be

asking you to complete the 2016

EBL Carer Questionnaire shortly. The

confidentiality of any information you

provide is guaranteed.

Your feedback is invaluable to help

EBL look at ways to improve their

services and to plan for the future.

Please take time to tell us what you

think.

Betsy TangCo-Convenor

EBL Carers Advisory Group

A Word from Wendy

Hello from all of us here at EBL.

I hope you’re enjoying the warm

dry end to summer as we transition

into lovely autumn. As they say,

‘autumn carries more gold in its

pocket than all the other seasons’.

Having said that, it’s hard to believe

the hot cross buns, chocolate eggs,

bilbies and bunnies the Easter holiday

brings has already passed us by!

As the seasons change, we also

continue to transform in preparation

for the new way of operating under

the National Disability Insurance

Scheme (NDIS). We’ve been talking

about this imminent change for many

seasons, but now it is becoming a

reality with full scheme roll out just

around the corner.

Since our last newsletter, we have

been in consultation with the National

Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA),

peak disability agencies and key

stakeholders to better understand

the major changes ahead of us. We

will need to be responsive to these

changes when the NDIS is rolled out

in full. We’re constantly learning

about individualised funding

packages and how this approach

impacts people living with a disability

and their families. We will endeavour

to keep you informed as we learn

more.

Here at EBL we are committed to

thriving in the new world and feel

optimistic about our future. We

completely support the NDIS concept

of people with a disability to have

complete choice and control – it is a

welcome move. As always, we remain

committed to safeguarding people

with a disability by keeping them at

the forefront of everything we do. If

you are grappling with what this all

means for you, please don’t hesitate

to contact us and we will do our best

to support you through the change.

I know it’s a lot to contend with at the

moment, but I’m confident that

together we will get there as we

better understand how it all works.

In the pages that follow we share EBL

stories, NDIS updates and personal

highlights. Regretfully, we also share

with you the passing of two best

friends Rachel and Jolene who died

exactly four weeks apart to the day in

the lead up to Christmas. Rachel and

Jolene were two beautiful young

women who were loved by all and

who are greatly missed by so many.

We extend our sincere love and

sympathy to their family and friends.

Wendy Warren Chief Executive

EBL Disability Services

“

”

Our mission is to provide

quality lifestyle support and

accommodation services to

enable people with disabilities to enjoy active

fulfilled lives.

Late last year, it was with a heavy heart we said goodbye to two beautiful

souls and best friends, Rachel and Jolene.

Rachel, who had been coming to

EBL for respite since 1994, was

a cherished member of the children’s

group in the early days and later

when she moved across to adult

services. Loved by everyone, Rachel’s

warm, bubbly and friendly character

will be dearly missed.

Like Rachel, everyone loved Jolene.

She too had also been coming to EBL

for many years. Always with a smile

to share, this beautiful woman who

brought sunshine to every life she

touched, will also be deeply missed.

Although it is always hard to say

goodbye, today we celebrate the

wonderful women Rachel and Jolene

were and feel great gratitude for

having them as a part of our lives.

We extend our love to the families

of both Rachel and Jolene and thank

them so much for being part of the

EBL family now and always.

“”

Seashells remind us that every passing life leaves something beautiful behind.– Unknown

Remembering Rachel and Jolene

Yarnbrook Cottages Thank you Angela and Welcome Emily!

For the past three years, House

Manager Angela Deas has

dedicated her time to service users

and their families through mentoring

and leadership. The time has now

come for Angela to take up a new

challenge in the area of law. The

EBL community would like to thank

Angela Deas for her hard work and

commitment over the years and we

wish her all the very best with this

new venture. We will of course still

get to see her smiling face from time

to time when she does the odd shift.

After running through the

recruitment process, we are now

extremely happy to welcome Emily

Baird to the team who has taken up

the offer of House Manager. Having

worked with EBL since May 2015 and

with a skill-set and knowledge that

was second to none,

Emily was the ideal

candidate for the

role. Emily is very

excited to take on

this challenge and

we wish her all the

best with her new

role.

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“”

Major HighlightsA consistent approach for early childhood early intervention has

been established

A nationally consistent approach

to supporting children with

developmental delay or disability

has now been established and will

exist with the release of the National

Disability Insurance Scheme’s (NDIS)

Early Childhood Early Intervention

(ECEI).

This best-practice approach is family-

centred and supports children to

achieve good results on a case-by-

case basis.

Furthermore, evidence has shown

that well-timed support for children

with developmental delay before

the age of six can significantly

change that child’s developmental

progression and overall quality of life.

The NDIS ECEI Approach will focus

on inclusion, with children supported

in a range of early childhood settings

such as preschool and playgroup,

allowing for increased opportunities

to learn and develop positive social

relationships.

Upon referral to a specialist early

childhood access partner, support

may include information services,

emotional support or referral to

mainstream services and/or longer-

term more intensive supports as part

of a funded NDIS plan for a child and

their family.

More information about the NDIS

ECEI approach visit: www.bit.ly/

NDIS-ECEI-Approach

We lead by example, treating all in our community with genuine respect and equity.

Older CarersAre you:

• The parent carer of an adult son or

daughter with intellectual disability?

• Is your adult son or daughter living

in the family home?

• Are you aged 55 years or over?

• Able to complete an interview in

English?

If so, we would like to interview you

for a research project investigating

older carers’ future planning for the

care, support and accommodation

needs of their adult child as they age

together.

Some parents may already have

plans, some may still be considering

their options, others may not have

thought about it too much yet.

Wherever you are in your planning

for your adult child with ID, we would

like to interview you.

Interviews are expected to last

approximately 60 mins and can

be conducted in a location of your

choice.

This research is being conducted

by researchers at the Disability and

Community Inclusion Unit at Flinders

University and has received ethics

approval from the Flinders University

Social and Behavioural Ethics

Committee.

To register your interest, or

find out more, please contact

Claire Hutchinson, Disability and

Community Inclusion Unit on 8201

7674 or email claire.hutchinson@

flinders.edu.au

Day Options

The EBL group has been enjoying many activities at the EBL Day Program.

Each week members of the team have chosen a new recipe that has been

brought to life with many helpful hands.

With everyone getting involved, the feedback from the parents and carers has

been very positive.

The team has especially been enjoying the Magical Mystery Tour and

Soundwaves programs held at the Enfield Community Centre and Thebarton

Community Centre where everyone enjoys live singing, music, dressing up and

dancing to all their favourite songs!

The team has also been raising seedlings in our very own vegetable garden,

watching them transform into healthy looking plants.

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Assisted Holidays Coming up!

March 2016 has been a big month

for Assisted Holidays with the

Harrow Holiday to Middleton on 14-

15th March and the Queensland Camp

kicking off on March 29th.

We look forward to sharing more

about our holiday adventures in the

next edition of the newsletter!

Out and About!Windmill Hill Salvage and Save

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” – Helen Keller

A fter recently receiving a $50 gift

voucher, EBL Chief Executive

Wendy Warren visited a store with a

cause at Mount Barker’s Windmill Hill

Salvage and Save.

Located at Nixon Road, Hahndorf,

Windmill Hill Salvage and Save

accepts a range of salvageable

goods, stopping them from ending

up in landfill and harming the

environment.

In operation since March 2008 and

run by Finding Workable Solutions

(FWS), the salvage yard offers a huge

range of furniture, building materials,

bric-a-brac and other goods for sale

with all money raised goes towards

funding the FWS organisation and its

services.

Windmill Hill Salvage and Save

accepts anything from old furniture,

lounge suites, dining tables, chairs,

kitchenware, building supplies, toys,

ornaments, garden equipment,

trampolines, firewood and more!

Open from 10am – 4.30pm Tuesday

to Friday, from 9.00am – 4.30pm

on Saturdays, Salvage and Save is

closed on Sundays, Mondays and

public holidays.

For more details visit:

www.mountbarker.sa.gov.au/

salvageandsave or contact the FWS

on 8388 1837 or Victor Harbor 8552

7654.

Wallaroo Camp Review

For this year’s annual camp we

embarked on a seaside adventure

to Wallaroo to experience some of

the gorgeous summer weather, clear

water and soft sand. With a jetty to

do a spot of fishing and friends to

spend time with, the Wallaroo camp

really was the perfect combination.

Following a long bus ride, catching

up with friends and picking our dorm

rooms for the stay, we grabbed our

towels and headed straight for the

beach!

After a lovely swim and playing

around on the sand and in the

water, we headed back to our

accommodation to settle in for

dinner and a movie.

The next morning

we went back to the

beach again with some

choosing to play in

the water, others in

the sand and some

choosing to kickback,

relax and take in

the view. There

was something for

everyone!

But it didn’t stop there! Next

we played a friendly game of

international beach cricket with New

Zealand (Lynda) v England (Ozzie) v

Australia (everyone else). Safe to say

Australia brought it home yet again

with more excitement than a 20/20

match!

After an action packed afternoon,

we then split into smaller groups

with some of us heading off to enjoy

ice-creams, others to splash around

in the free water park, with the rest

of us playing games and watching

movies.

With the day drawing to a close,

those that wanted to went fishing.

Clint even caught a fish! As it was

undersized, we returned it to the

water to grow bigger for next time!

The next day was the final day of our

camp, which meant it was time to

head home. We all had such a great

time but didn’t mind coming home

as we were all very tired from our

awesome trip!

“”

We encourage people to believe in their ability to achieve

independence, with support and

individual choices“

”

We partner and advocate for our community to overcome challenges to fulfill aspirations and provide peace of mind

Disability and Sexual Intimacy

Whilst not at the top of the list

when it comes to enquiries, a

subject sometimes seen as taboo is

being talked about. In recent article

published on www.thestar.com

entitled ‘Surprise! Disabled people

have sex’, husband and wife team,

Rose and Tim highlight the need to

normalize the conversation around

disability and sexuality.

On a mission to empower others with

the confidence to discuss the subject

matter, Rose and Tim’s story also

exposes a gap of information in this

area.

Dr. Miriam Kaufman, pediatrician

and division head of adolescent

medicine at Toronto’s Hospital for

Sick Children, co-authored a book

with Cory Silverberg and Fran Odette

called ‘The Ultimate Guide to Sex and

Disability’. She is a huge supporter

of the vision Rose and Tim have to

share information and make it more

readily available to the public. The

book itself has been a very useful

tool for Tim and Rose in both their

personal lives and in talks via their

business, The Rose Centre.

For more information about

this article, head to: www.bit.ly/

DisabledPeopleHaveSex

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NDIS Updates

The NDIS is providing assistance

to more than 22,000 Australians

with disability according to their

latest quarterly report that uses

data from the report to the COAG

Disability Reform Council.

To date, more than $1.5 billion has

been invested when it comes to

services and equipment Australians

with disability need to live more

independent lives.

Other key findings include:

• 22,281 people with disability had an

approved NDIS plan, at a total cost

of $1,521 million

• The cost of the average package

(excluding residents of large

institutions) is $35,450. This remains

below the expected full Scheme

average of $38,600

• Participant satisfaction levels with

the NDIS remain high.

For further information visit: www.bit.

ly/NDIS-Quarterly-Report

“ ”We deliver quality service options that support the individual to make a positive difference in their health and wellbeing

Upcoming events AprilSCIA Independence Expo

Friday 15 – Saturday 16 April 2016 | 10am – 4pm

Australian Technology Park, Sydney

The SCIA Independence Expo is the premier Expo for

people with physical disabilities. There will be amazing

products, equipment and technology on display and

information packed workshops. People can explore

lifestyle options like travel, sport, art and music. There

will also be opportunities to socialise and enjoy fun

activities over the Expo’s two days.

Entry is free for everyone - people with physical

disabilities, their family and carers, professionals and

students in the sector. Funding will be available for to

help people with physical disabilities attend the Expo.

Register to attend at scia.org.au/expo or 1800 819 775

and go into the draw to win a $500 gift card.

NDS SA Disability Sector Awards

Friday, 29 April 2016 | 12.30 – 3.30pm

Belair Park Country Club, Upper Sturt Road, Belair

Ticket sales are now open for the NDS SA Disability

Sector Awards. The Awards ceremony offers an

opportunity for members to recognise the work being

undertaken in the non-government disability sector

and network with others within the sector.

This year, attendees will hear from high profile guest

speakers including the Hon Tony Piccolo MP, Minister

for Disabilities.

Cost: $75 per person | Register online at:

www.bit.ly/NDS-Awards

For more info head to: www.bit.ly/More-Info-NDS

MayDisability at Work 2016 | Framing the Future

Monday, 30 – Tuesday 31 May

National Convention Centre, Canberra

The Disability at Work conference will focus on

developing employment options for people with

disability. It is designed for employment service

providers (open and supported and social enterprises)

and professionals interested in promoting a broad

range of employment opportunities for people with

disability.

The Federal Government will soon make decisions on

a new disability employment framework that should

provide increased choice for people with disability and

scope for innovation by providers. Implementing this

framework will require rethinking some key aspects of

disability employment support.

Registrations are due to open in late March 2016.

For more information contact:

alyssa.mason@nds.org.au or phone 02 9256 3133.

Contact details t (08) 8252 1000 f (08) 8255 1066

w ebldisabilityservices.org.au

e admin@ebldisabilityservices.org.au

EBL Disability Services Endeavour House, Module 3,

11 – 15 Fourth Avenue, Mawson Lakes SA 5095