Archive for October, 2014

EXAMS EXAMS EXAMS

Thursday, October 16th, 2014

With exams only only two weeks away, it’s time to start thinking about some self-care strategies to support your mental health and well-being and  carry you through to exam success!

The Victorian Department of Education has put together a Strategies for Students document with some handy hints on looking after yourself under stress.

ALSO – did you know that Monash Counselling Services are now available online??

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10 Top Tips for Getting a Job by Graeme Innes

Monday, October 13th, 2014

Former Federal Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes was a significant driver behind some of the most significant reforms in human rights and disability advocacy both nationally and internationally.

Mr Innes qualified as a lawyer, and then spent a year attending thirty job interviews without success. He took a job as a clerical assistant in the public service, and recently ended a nine year term as a Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Read his top ten tips for getting a job for people with disabilities.

Young Carer Bursary Programme: Applications open soon!

Friday, October 10th, 2014

The young carer bursary programme application open SOON on Monday 13th October. These bursaries will assist young carers in greatest need, to continue to study and to relieve the financial pressure for them to undertake part-time work while studying and caring.

Who is eligible?

Young carers aged 25 years and under (born in 1990 or later), may apply for a 2015 bursary if they are:

  • studying an approved course either full-time or part-time during 2015 at:
  • secondary school
  • TAFE
  • an apprenticeship, or
  • an undergraduate course at university.
  • an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident
  • not receiving another bursary or scholarship

Young carers may also be eligible if they are not currently enrolled in study or training in 2015 but can prove enrolment if granted the bursary.

How do you apply?

Applications for 2015 bursaries will open on the Monday 13 October 2014 and close on Sunday 9 November 2014. An on-line application form will be available from 13 October which is linked to the Young Carer website. An independent selection panel will assess applications and select recipients based on greatest need.

For more information visit www.youngcarers.net.au ; email ycbursaries@carersaustralia.com.au or ring 1800 756 238.

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Friday Disability Services Link Roundup!

Friday, October 10th, 2014

Good morning everybody! It’s Friday, the sun is (kind of) shining and spring is in the air! Here’s some disability news links to take you into the weekend.

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Patrick Smith’s Striking Minimalist Posters Reveal What It’s Like To Live With A Mental Health Condition

Mental As in Rockhampton

Tuesday, October 7th, 2014

The ABC’s Q&A program tackled the topic of mental health this week as part of their Mental Health Week.

You can watch the program here.

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A message from our friends at the I CAN Network

Monday, October 6th, 2014

Dear friends,

We are so proud to share with you that I CAN Network has turned one year old! We have YOU to thank for all your support helping us spread the ‘I CAN’ attitude and promote the fruits of AWEtism.

In a little over a fortnight we run our first-ever I CAN Teens Camp (17-19 October, Doxa Youth Camp, Malmsbury) in partnership with Doxa Youth Foundation and UN Youth Australia. This camp is all about connecting 15-18-year-olds with Asperger’s or high-functioning Autism and giving them opportunities to have fun, make new friends and build their social confidence.

The camp will be run by a team of mentors from I CAN Network who are either young adults on the Autism Spectrum or who work with/ are family to a teenager on the Spectrum. All mentors have Working With Children Checks, have been trained in duty of care and several have been trained in first aid. We will have a registered psychologist available for all participants during the entire camp.

This camp is the perfect opportunity for any Aspie or high-functioning teens out there who want to share their interests, talents and quirks from being on the Autism Spectrum and also empower themselves with the ‘I CAN’ attitude.

Here’s a snapshot of what teenagers will get up to on the I CAN Camp (flyer also attached):

  • Games, fun and making new friends
  • Team building activities
  • Outdoor activities
  • Expressing ‘I CAN’ workshop – show what an ‘I CAN’ belief means to you through writing, drawing, music, performance and construction
  • ‘Dress to Obsess’ – dress up on Saturday night in your favourite obsession
  • ‘I CAN’ talks from speakers including Chris Varney (I CAN Founder) and Tim Chan (19-year-old I CAN Advocate)

This camp will be an awesome experience for Aspie or high-functioning teens. We only have 10 spots left so get in quick! We cannot take any more registrations after Friday 10 October.

We have a simple two-step process to register:

1. Register your interest here and one of our Camp Organisers will give you a call

2. After the call, you can send in the attached registration form and pay the $100 camp fee via http://www.trybooking.com/99628. Note the password is TeensCamp (no space between ‘Teens’ and ‘Camp’)

Your booking will be confirmed once you have returned the registration form electronically and provided a copy of the receipt of payment. Please retain a hard copy of the registration form for the participant to bring to the camp.

For more detail on what’s happening with the Teens Camp, check out this video made by Penny (All Round I CAN Guru) and see the attached info sheet. If you’ve got any queries, please contact Jackie Chanzi (Camp Organiser) on 0403-067-533.

To give you some inspiration, see our #AWEtismRethink video made at our I CAN Camp in April. This is what participant Daniel Giles had to say:

‘The I Can Camp gave people on the Autism Spectrum an opportunity to learn about their strengths and realise that Autism can be used as a strength. The camp also enabled people on the Autism Spectrum to enable others to say ‘I Can’ to life’s opportunities, all from the horse’s mouth!’

Thanks for your support!

I CAN’s Core Enabler’s

Mental Health Week at Monash and on the ABC

Monday, October 6th, 2014

It’s Mental Health Week!

There are a bunch of activities on all campuses, from physical activities, seminars, meditation and relaxation programs, presentations to exhibitions. It is open to Monash staff and students.

The ABC are also celebrating Mental Health week by screening documentaries and raising funds for mental health research.

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Disability Services Friday Round Up!

Friday, October 3rd, 2014

Hope every one is enjoying their holiday break! It’s that time of the week for disability related news from around the world.

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Q&A on Mental Health

Thursday, October 2nd, 2014

For this year’s Mental Health Week, the ABC’s Q and A program will broadcast live from the Pilbeam Theatre in Rockhampton, Queensland and will feature:

  • Mental Health Advocate, Patrick McGorry
  • Comedian and Actor, Josh Thomas
  • Lived Experience Practitioner, Louise Byrne
  • Rural and Remote Mental Health Centre, Jennifer Bowers
  • Rural Queensland MP, Bob Katter

Please register for the audience now or submit a video question by 9am Friday.

Watch Q&A Monday 9.35pm on ABC, live 9.35pm AEDT on ABC News 24 or stream it on our website http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/

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