Welcome to Advokit Update #6  - all about the NDIS, information and advocacy, and related events and projects.

We hope you find this a useful resource. Please feel free to share your thoughts and comments by using the Provide Feedback button on the Advokit: www.advokit.org.au.   

The evaluation of the trial of the NDIS that is being conducted by the National Institute of Labour Studies at Flinders University is entering . Letters inviting people with disability to register for the NDIS Survey are being sent out to several thousands of people who are already in the NDIS and to others who may join the NDIS in the future asking them about their experiences.

The Evaluation team would like information about the NDIS Survey to be as widely available and taking part in the survey to be as accessible as possible, so that as many people with disability as possible can make their views known.

If you know someone who has received a registration pack, please encourage them to take part and, if needed, support them to register.  The voice of every single person with disability that your help could encourage to respond to the survey matters! 

For more information about participating in the survey explore the NDIS Evaluation website: www.ndisevaluation.net.au.

Over 350 members of the intellectual disability sector from around Australia, including 45 people with intellectual disability, met in Newcastle over two days to discuss the implemention of the NDIS, in August 2014. 

The need for access to advocacy featured prominently in discussions, and Conference participants saw many issues that need action if the scheme is to work for people with intellectual disability. These action items are set out in the Conference Report. You can also find copies of some of the presentation slides on the NSWCID website. www.nswcid.org.au.

Check out www.ndisrights.org.au. Three community legal centres joined forces to create this great new resource for NDIS participants to access and navigate the NDIS National Disability Insurance Scheme and know their legal rights.

These factsheets were created by Fitzroy Legal Service, Redfern Legal Centre & Hobart Community Legal Service - and are beautifully presented on an accessible website made by Wasabi Creative (who are also responsible for building the Advokit site!) We hope to gradually incorporate links to relevant pages into DANA's Advokit: www.advokit.org.au.  

The NDIA wants know what you think of the NDIS website and how they can improve - so they're running a short online survey.

Federally: Latest Updates on the NDIS Website - Watch past NDIS webinars online

Australian Capital Territory: Disability ACT E-News (October 2014 Newsletter)

New South Wales: NDIS enters next phase in NSW (September 2014 Media Release from the Minister for Disability Services and Ageing) 

Northern Territory: Northern Territory links page on the NDIS website

Queensland: NDIS Updates and E-blasts 

South Australia:  NDIS Roll Out in SA and Disability Information Update 

Tasmania: Disability and Community Services News and Announcements (September 2014)  

Victoria: NDIS E-Bulletins from the Minister for Disability Services and Reform (2013-2014)

Western Australia: NDIS WA My Way news and media

Many of the events listed below are free to attend, yet timely registration is often vital to secure a place. We endeavour to include the most relevant, accurate information about events (including the price range). To confirm details, find out more, and/or register to attend the event, please follow the link included below, and if necessary, contact the organiser.

Australian Capital Territory 

Canberra:

20, 27 Nov - Mental health Consumer Representation course (ACTMHCN)  

26 Nov - Supporting Self-advocacy workshop (Advocacy for Inclusion) $139-$192

27 Nov - Self-Managing under the NDIS workshop (Imagine More)

29 Nov - How to make the most of NDIS opportunities workshop (Disability ACT)

3 Dec - Bunch of Mates workshop (Imagine More)

4 Dec - Circles of Support workshop (Imagine More)

 

New South Wales

Sydney:

19 Nov - Get More Skills workshop in Mount Druitt (My Choice Matters)

25 Nov - Get More Skills workshop in West Ryde (My Choice Matters)

25-26 Nov - Transitioning  to the NDIS conference (Criterion) $2308

27-28 Nov - Integrating Mental Health into the NDIS conference (Informa) $1315

28 Nov - Side By Side Advocacy Cocktail Party

3 Dec - Picnic in the Park with My Choice Matters

4 Dec - Mental health & disability seminar (Companion Card)

 

Newcastle: 

19 Nov - Direct your support information session on the NDIS (In Charge, CDAH, MtG) $20

3 Dec - Newcastle Community forum (NDIA) 

 

Armidale: 19 Nov - Developing Community Connections workshop (Resourcing Families) 

Wollongong: 21 Nov - Get More Skills workshop (My Choice Matters)

Dubbo: 24 Nov - Get More Skills workshop (My Choice Matters) 

Cowra: 25 Nov - Get More Skills workshop (My Choice Matters)

Bega: 27  Nov - Get More Skills  workshop (My Choice Matters)

Lake Macquarie: 2 Dec - Belmont Community forum (NDIA) 

Maitland: 4 Dec - East Maitland Community forum (NDIA) 

Broken Hill: 11 Dec -  A practical pathway to a better life workshop (Resourcing Families)

 

Queensland

Brisbane:

24 Nov & 1 Dec - Plan Ahead workshops (Queenslanders with Disability)  

8 Dec - NDIS Symposium (Griffith University) $65-$150

Logan: 6 Dec - Get Ready information forum (YFS) 

Redland City:

26 Nov - Get Ready forums in Cleveland (YFS)

8 Dec - Get Ready information forum, Victoria Point (YFS)

Cairns:

24 Nov - Paving the Way to the NDIS workshop (Pave the Way) 

27 Nov - Paving the Way to the NDIS workshop (Pave the Way) 

Gympie:

22 Nov - Planning for Now and the Future presentation (Pave the Way) 

24 Nov - NDIS readiness workshop for older carers (Parent 2 Parent) 

Gold Coast: 

19 Nov - Planning for Now and the Future presentation (Pave the Way) 

27 Nov & 4 Dec - Plan Ahead  workshops (Queenslanders with Disability) 

3 Dec - Get Ready information forum, Palm Beach (YFS)  

10 Dec - Get Ready information forum, Nerang (YFS)

 

Goondiwindi: 18 Nov - NDIS Information session (NDIA)

Thursday Island: 18 Nov - NDIS Readiness workshop for older carers (Parent 2 Parent) 

Worre: 19 Nov - NDIS Readiness workshop for older carers (Parent 2 Parent)

Emerald: 24 Nov - NDIS Readiness workshop for older carers (Parent 2 Parent) 

Atherton: 25 Nov - Paving the Way to the NDIS workshop (Pave the Way)

Moreton Bay: 25 Nov - Get Ready forums in Cleveland (YFS) 

Mareeba: 25 Nov - Paving the Way to the NDIS workshop (Pave the Way) 

Innisfail: 26 Nov - Paving the Way to the NDIS workshop (Pave the Way)

Sunshine Coast: 26 Nov - NDIS readiness workshop for older carers (Parent 2 Parent) 

Ipswich: 27 Nov & 4 Dec - Plan Ahead workshops (Quenslanders with Disability) 

Caboolture: 28 Nov & 5 Dec - Plan Ahead workshops (Queenslanders with Disability)  

 

South Australia

Adelaide:

18 Nov - NDIS Community information session (NDIA)

18 Nov - Youth mentoring information session on friendship (JFA Purple Orange)

18 Nov - Creating great lives through unconventional thinking workshop (JFA Purple Orange) $2

24 Nov - Safeguarding for a Good Life workshop (JFA Purple Orange) 

25 Nov - NDIS Family Pre-Planning workshop (NDIA)

25 Nov - Yourth mentoring information session on being independent (JFA Purple Orange) 

26 Nov - NDIS Community information session (NDIA)

2 Dec - Youth mentoring information session on careers (JFA Purple Orange)

8 Dec - NDIS Community Information Session (NDIA) 

9 Dec - Youth mentoring information session on driving and travelling (JFA Purple Orange)

10 Dec - NDIS Community information session (NDIA)

16 Dec - Youth mentoring information session on health (JFA Purple Orange)

 

Tasmania

Launceston: 20 Nov -  NDIS Planning and the role of family/carers session- Path-maker network

Devonport: 27 Nov - NDIS Planning and the role of family/carers session- Path-maker network

 

Victoria

Melbourne:

20 Nov - Models of Disability: Implications for Disability Policy seminar (MSEI)

3-7 Dec - The Other Film Festival (Arts Access Victoria)

10 Dec - Human rights in mental health screening & panel (MSEI)

Geelong:

3 Dec - NDIA Open day to celebrate IDPwD (NDIS)

4 Dec - NDIS and Advocacy conference (BDAN)

 

Western Australia 

Fremantle:

2 Dec - Pre-conference workshops (ATEND) $88-$176

3-5 Dec - Pathways12 Conference - Navigating New Frontiers (ATEND) $445-940

Mandurah: 

5 Dec - Preparing your son or daughter with disability for employment workshop (DDWA) $20

Broome:

9 Dec - Preparing your son or daughter with disability for employment workshop (DDWA) $20