Some of Our Parts

From our friends at the I CAN Network:

Dear Friends,

At the I CAN Network, we’re all about recognising and celebrating the many gifts that people on the Autism spectrum have to offer.

Our blog, Grapevine, offers a sampling of these ‘fruits of AWEtism’ in our I Can stories, as well as a look at what the network has been up to, what we have planned for the future, and how we can work with you to support people on the spectrum. You can also learn more via our video.

Our vineyards await; come and taste the rainbow!

Max
Grapevine Editor

UPCOMING I CAN NETWORK EVENTS

‘We Can’ Gathering:

A gathering for anyone wanting to help lead a rethink of Autism, away from ‘I Can’t’ to ‘I CAN’
When: Saturday 30 August, 2pm (for 2.15pm) – 4.30pm
Where: Vincent 2, 349 Lt Bourke St, Melbourne (contact 0432 405 384 if you need help with directions)
RSVP to hello@icannetwork.com.au
*Light refreshments provided
**Please note the program will be available closer to the date via our Facebook

Worlds of Work Program (WOW, presented by Foundation for Young Australians)

A week for Year 10 students with Asperger’s that will focus on making successful transitions to work and life beyond school through exploring topics such as personal development, capabilities and self-confidence in the workplace, work-life balance, etc.
When: Monday 15 September – Thursday 18 September
Where: Melbourne CBD
Contact hello@icannetwork.com.au for queries

The Vision Australia Further Education Bursary 2015 is now open for Applications

In 2015, Vision Australia will award Further Education Bursaries to a select number of students who are blind or have low vision. The Bursaries provide adaptive technology to help ensure that these students can fully participate and succeed in their chosen studies.

Eligibility Criteria

Students of any age can apply for a Vision Australia Further Education Bursary.

Applicants must:

• Be or become, a client of Vision Australia
• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• Be living or moving to Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, the Northern Territory or Tasmania
• Be enrolling to study at an institution in Victoria, ACT, NSW, Queensland, the Northern Territory or Tasmania
• Be enrolling to study in at least Certificate IV or higher accredited courses including undergraduate and postgraduate degrees (not a Foundation or Enabling course) at the start of the year or be already enrolled in such a course (preference may be given to those in the early stages of a course).

Each year a Victorian Bursary recipient selected by our committee to have best met these criteria will also receive the Fairhall Memorial Scholarship of $150.

See the Vision Australia website for more information regarding the bursary and applications.

‘A Voice for People with Disabilities’ is a campaign aimed at giving people with disabilities a voice again following the closure of ABC’s Ramp Up. It was announced in the Federal government budget that funding for ABC’s disability news and opinion website, Ramp Up, was discontinued. Sadly, the ABC decided not to incorporate Ramp Up into their core operations. Therefore, Australia’s only legitimate media outlet for the Voices of people with disabilities has been axed.

This project will take action to give people with disabilities a voice again by creating a news and opinion website that will continue the important work of Ramp Up. It will also create employment opportunities for people with disabilities by paying for content and engaging people with disabilities in editorial and marketing roles.

See more on the A Voice for People with Disabilities campaign website.

Do you know a woman with a disability or a group of women with disabilities who have inspired you, or provided and enhanced opportunities for women with disabilities to participate in a safer and more inclusive community in some way?

Women with Disabilities Victoria is proud to offer the Brenda Gabe Leadership Award again this year. The award recognises and celebrates the contribution that women with disabilities make to improve the status of women with disabilities, with a secondary focus on their contribution to their local and/or wider community.

Eligibility:

• Individual women being nominated for this award must have a disability and be a resident of Victoria.
• Groups nominated for this award must have a majority membership of women with disabilities and be residents of Victoria.

Selection Criteria:

• The contribution the woman with a disability or group has made to improve the individual or group status of women with disabilities.
• Secondary selection criterion The contribution the woman with a disability or group has made to their local and/or the wider community.

Nominators are welcome to represent their nominees from last year. Their nominations will be viewed favourably.

We encourage women from diverse backgrounds and/or life experiences to be nominated.

The winner of the award receives $2000 toward a capacity building project or professional development.

Battle of the Brains is Employment and Career Development’s brand new showcase event for Semester 2, 2014. Not only will students have the opportunity to network with employers and build their employability, but as a team, have the opportunity to win up to $4000 in prize money!

It is a competition through which student teams will compete against one another in a set of two challenges designed to build employability skills, including innovation, problem solving, team work, communication and resilience. Top teams are invited to take part in the final assessment centre style battle attended by employers and followed by a networking hour.

Further details about the competition can be found online and on the Facebook competition page.

Leadership training helps to unlock your potential – enhancing your ability to have a positive influence on your peers and on the world. We seek participation from students who come from a diverse range of backgrounds, interests and courses, who wish to improve their community and their own leadership skills. If you are a first year student who has a vision for constructive change in society, then we encourage  you to apply.

Applications for positions in the Vice-Chancellor’s 2015 Ancora Imparo Student Leadership Program are now open and close on Monday 4th August 2014.

The Ancora Imparo Student Leadership Program kicks off with a three-day residential in mid-February 2015 followed by eight evening seminars spread over the academic year and a graduation ceremony in mid-October 2015. Commitment to each of these events is compulsory but other events such as attending lectures, forums and social events are optional. Best of all there are no exams or assignments to complete!

Visit our website to apply and to find out more about the Ancora Imparo Student Leadership Program.

See our profile of Shaz Sturk, Ancora Imparo alumni and Disability Services student on our website.

Hope everyone’s enjoying their (cold) holiday break! Here’s a little disability-related reading to read under while snuggling under your blankets.

• 4 Wheel City – rapping their way through rehab
• Solving the Beauty Equation – Wendy Crawford’s TEDx talk
• Nordstrom seems to be taking on Crawford’s message in their new campaign
• Thinking about travelling to New York one day? Wheely is a new app being developed to a provide a wheelchair accessible guide to the Big Apple

Happy Friday!

School’s out! Hope everyone is having a wonderful break (except you hard working postgrads!).

Here’s some disability-related news around the world to keep you warm:

• Can you spot the guide dog?
• How do you feel about feel good films about people with disability? Inspiration or inspiration porn?
• An appreciation of bodies
• Are you an artist or arts worker with disability?
• Verizon, the internet and accessibility

And your weekly dose of disability-related cuteness!

With changing landscapes and new horizons, Victoria’s premier Autism event is coming to you on the 6th, 7th and 8th of August. This year, Etihad Stadium will play host to the Victorian Autism Conference with state-of-the-art facilities, easy access to public transport and parking for 2500 vehicles. This year, delegates will have the opportunity to take part in Masterclasses, hear over 40 speakers across two days and attend the first ever Amaze Gala Dinner.

See the VAC website for more information, the program and registration details.

Hello holiday break! Hope everyone did well in exams and final assessments and are now enjoying a well deserved rest (with lots of blankets and tea of course!).

Here’s a couple of disability-related links to keep you warm.

• Woman Living With Crohn’s and Colostomy Bag Pursues Modeling Career
• Holy Floating Wheelchairs!
• Hunger Games fans should check out some of the artwork paying tribute to District heroes.
• It’s my body, and I’ll bloody well dance if I want to.
• Meet Australia’s new acting Disability Discrimination Commissioner
• Light, sound, smell and Bounce!

Happy holidays every body!