Upcoming Events
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Seniors Short Story Writing Competition
We invite all members of the senior community to participate in this project by sharing their life stories. This competition is a way of recognising and valuing the experiences of seniors. This is an opportunity to impart knowledge and wisdom to younger generations.
Submissions now being accepted. Competition closes 31 May.
Selected stories will be published in our Senior’s Short Stories book to be distributed to the authors and amongst the community. Entries will go in the draw to win 1 of 20 $50 gift cards
All entries are to be emailed to jessy.byrnes@ableaustralia.org.au.
So, what’s your story?
For more information about the terms and conditions, please click here.
If you have any questions, please contact Jessy at Able Australia on 5600 0733 or 0427 211 816
Deafblind Communications Guide Training Program
Able Australia is offering FREE Deafblind Communication Guide Training Program, starting March 2020!
In this program, you will learn how to provide one to one support to people who are deafblind. After successful completion of the training course, you will be eligible to be a Communication Guide for deafblind clients.
The Deafblind Communication Guide Training Program is located in Adelaide and offered on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:00pm to 9:00pm during March 2020.
If you are interested in helping people living with deafblindness to communicate and meet their individual goals and needs, this is the program for you!
For more information and to register, please click on this link, or contact:
Karen Coutts
Program Support Officer – TAFE SA Auslan
Alisha Hill
Community Development Worker – Able Australia
M: 0424 372 846 (SMS only)
Able Australia Hearing Assistance Group
Meet others who are hearing impaired or cochlear implant users. Learn new hearing management skills.
Weekly classes in hearing loss management cover:
- Using captions
- Using your ‘T’ Switch
- Communication skills and strategies
- Speech reading
Date: Every Thursday
Time: 9:30am – 12:00pm
Morning Tea included
Location: Able Australia Southport, 13 Sykes Court Southport
For more information, please contact the Able Australia Southport Office on (07) 5600 0700 or volunteer.southport@ableaustralia.org.au
Gold Coast CICADA Queensland Monthly Meet Up
People with a cochlear impact or thinking about getting a cochlear implant can meet others in similar circumstances, share stories and obtain impartial advice.
Date: The first Wednesday of every month
Time: 10:00am
Location: Able Australia Southport, 13 Sykes Court Southport
For more information, please contact the Able Australia Southport Office on (07) 5600 0700 or volunteer.southport@ableaustralia.org.au
PAST EVENTS
Workshop Series: Working with People with Deafblindness
Join Able Australia as we deliver a series of free interactive workshops on deafblindness in Mount Gambier, South Australia from Tuesday 29th – Thursday 31st October.
Through attending the workshops, participants will develop a broad understanding of deafblindness, its causes and implications, and how to work confidently and safely in the areas of communication, mobility, access and inclusion.
The training consists of six individual half-day workshops across three consecutive days. Each workshop has its own distinct focus and have been developed for employees working in the health, ageing and disability sectors to better support people who experience deafblindness/dual sensory loss. Students studying in these fields with an interest in deafblindness are also welcome to attend.
The Working with people with deafblindness’ workshop series includes:
Workshop 1: Walk in my Shoes – Deafblind Awareness
Workshop 2: Show Me The Way – Guiding a Deafblind Person
Workshop 3: Communication Methods for Acquired Deafblindness
Workshop 4: Communication Methods for Congenital Deafblindness
Workshop 5: Deafblindness and the NDIS
Workshop 6: Count me in! Technology for Deafblind People
Click above to secure your place.
For information about the available workshops and what is required to receive a Certificate of Completion of the Deafblind Communication and Guiding training, please click here or email Alisha.hill@ableaustralia.org.au.
COST: FREE
THE FACILITATORS
Dr Meredith Prain has over 20 years’ experience working together with people with deafblindness as a speech pathologist, researcher and project manager.
Alisha Hill works as a community development worker supporting people who are deafblind in Adelaide. Having rebuilt her life after losing her vision and hearing eight years ago, Alisha has lived experience of acquired deafblindness.
VENUE
All workshops will be held in the conference room at Regional Development Australia, Limestone Coast, 152 Jubilee Hwy E, Mount Gambier SA.
Please note that Able Australia is not an ASQA registered training organisation (RTO) and this workshop series is not accredited or regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).
Any questions?
For more information please contact Alisha Hill by email alisha.hill@ableaustralia.org.au.
Deafblind Awareness Week Celebration
Celebrating Deafblind Awareness Week (24 – 30 June) with an event at Ross House in Melbourne!
Level 4, Room Hayden Raysmith
247-252 Flinders Lane
Melbourne, Victoria
17th Deafblind International World Conference 2019.
Hosted by Able Australia, the 17th Deafblind International World Conference will be held on the Gold Coast. The conference will offer the most up to date information on Accessibility, Communication & Technology.
Early bird registrations – 1st December 2018 to 28th February 2019.
Full registrations – 1st March to 30th June 2019.
Deafblind Camp 2019 - Applications Closed.
Our annual Deafblind Camp has been a huge success in years past. For 2019, the camp will be held in Phillip Island. We are busy organising some wonderful activities for you to enjoy.
We hope you register to attend so we can create memories with you.
NDIS for Deafblind: Information Session
Join Justin Elks Senior Support Coordinator from Able Australia as he talks to us about NDIS for Deafblind persons.
Justin will help you understand the NDIS better and he will talk about:
- NDIS and housing/ accommodation
- Technology and equipment
- Transport
- Your everyday needs and the NDIS
- Types of support some Deafblind are using NDIS funds for
- What does ‘reasonable and necessary’ mean
- Getting the most out of your planning session
- How to prepare for meetings with the NDIA (NDIS planner or other staff)
Bring along your Questions about the NDIS to ask Justin and share in this discussion to help you better understand the NDIS and how it can benefit you.
Event Date: Thursday 14 March 2019, 9.00 AM to 12.00 pm
Event Location: Northgate Hall, 71 Scott Street, Northgate
RSVP: 1 March 2019
Please contact Danielle at danielle.vicary@ableaustralia.org.au to RSVP and provide your communication needs for the session.
If you are able to attend but you would be interested in participating via Zoom, please let me know so we can make arrangements to make this available for you.
International Women's Day Morning Tea - Lowood, Queensland
International Women’s Day is a global event to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. What better way to celebrate than to indulge in a delicious community morning tea? There will be a guest speaker and entertainment to mark the occasion.
Event Date: Friday 8 March 2019
Location: Able Australia Lowood Office, 43 Park St Lowood
No cost, morning tea included
GUEST SPEAKER: Jean Bray
Ex-Mayor of Somerset Regional Council, committee member of Bendigo Bank, Director/Treasurer of Folk Art Cooperative Society Ltd, Secretary of West Moreton Landcare Group Inc. and well known community leader.
For more information, contact Jessy on 07 3812 3437.
To download a flyer about this event, click here.
Communication Guide Training Program - South Australia - Applications Closed.
Able Australia is looking for enthusiastic and dedicated individuals to take part in a FREE* Deafblind Communication Guide Training Program in Adelaide, SA.
Deafblind Communication Guides provide direct one to one support to participants in a way that is tailored to meet their individual needs and goals.
The Communication Guide Training Program consists of classroom based training, site visits, guest speakers and a hands-on opportunity to support people who are deafblind in their communities.
By completing the Communication Guide Program, you will learn:
- What it means to be deafblind.
- Deafblind communication methods.
- Adaptive and assistive technology.
- Sighted guide training.
- What makes a good Communication Guide.
What we need from you:
- Proficient Auslan skills (desirable).
- Enthusiasm, dedication and flexibility.
- Good organisational and time management skills.
- Current Senior First Aid Certificate or willingness to obtain one.
- Current Police Check or willingness to obtain one.
- Commitments to the rights of people with disabilities.
- Availability to attend an interview on 10 -11 December 2018.
- Availability to attend a full-time 5 day training program from Monday 18 February to Friday 22 February 2019.
- Availability to complete 20 hours of Communication Guide Placement from 25 February to 19 March 2019.
For further details, please contact Alisha Hill at alisha.hill@ableaustralia.org.au.