At 19, David Johnson’s life took a dramatic turn when a friend pulled up in his dad’s new car.
“I told mum I’d be going for a quick ride, I’d be back in five minutes,” David, known as DJ recalls. “I came home twelve months later, minus a bit.” The ‘bit’ DJ is referring to is his leg.
“It was dumb. We were going too fast, racing another car.”
Fast forward 31 years and DJ has three World Cups, two Silver World Cups, two Bronze World Cups and an Olympic silver medal after representing Australia in wheelchair tennis around the globe, including at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
Today, DJ has found a new way to pass on not just his love of tennis, but also his message of inclusion and belonging for people of all abilities.
DJ works for Social Futures as a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Local Area Coordinator and supports others to access and understand the NDIS, and to get the most out of their NDIS plan.
“It is like winning the lotto,” he said. “I get up in the morning and look forward to coming to work, to getting out and making a difference, and doing something meaningful. This job has changed my world. I’m so happy.”
It’s the inclusion awareness program he delivers to schools, Sports Ability, which really gets DJ excited.
Sports Ability teaches children how to play games and include everybody. It also showcases specific Paralympic games and various wheelchair sports, including wheelchair tennis, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair AFL.
Programs aimed at young people, like Sports Ability, have been shown to foster inclusion, increase awareness and improve attitudes toward disability.
“I don’t just impart pro tips for sports – though I do throw them in too! We also talk about disability, about my experiences and about the achievements of people with disability as well as some of the challenges.
“I encourage all the young people I talk to, to ask questions and to be curious – through asking questions comes understanding, and through understanding comes inclusion.
“Sports Ability is all about inclusion so maybe if these young people have a friend who has a disability, they can modify the game, or choose another to include everyone from the start.”
DJ said we have come a long way, but more education is needed.
“Children learn so much from speaking with someone who has a disability. They can find out all the things they’ve been able to achieve in their lives, and not be so quick to judge and make generalisations when they next see or meet people with a disability.
“My kids don’t look at people with disability any different. They’ve always been around them.
“When we’re out sometimes my kids will say, ‘Dad! They’re all looking! Why are they looking at you?’ I say, ‘it’s ‘cos I’m good looking!’” DJ said with a laugh.
Sports Ability is a free program being delivered to schools in Northern NSW.
If your school is interested in participating in the Sports Ability program, contact Social Futures on 1800 522 679.
This program is funded through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and delivered by Social Futures.
Social Futures is a social justice organisation delivering Local Area Coordination services for the NDIS across more than 50% of regional NSW. It also delivers inclusion awareness programs, including Sports Ability for schools.
To talk to a Local Area Coordinator about the NDIS, or to find out how your school can take part in inclusion awareness programs, email [email protected] or call our LAC Hotline on 1800 522 679 (Mon-Fri 8:30am – 4:30pm).
‘Different on the Outside, Same on the Inside’ is a free program for primary school aged children aimed at breaking down misconceptions and social barriers and encouraging awareness and inclusion for people with disability.
This program is facilitated by Social Futures Local Area Coordinator for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Maree Jenner.
As a person of short stature, Maree engages young people and speaks to her own experience of difference and the challenges she faced “growing up little” in a world built for average height people.
“I am so passionate about this program because I have a physical disability. I am different,” says Maree.
“It is such a good opportunity to go in and talk to children because they notice things, they are learning, and the earlier you talk to young people, the better.
“Young people have questions about disability, they are curious about differences. They want to know why that is, and to understand.
“Having contact with me and becoming familiar with disability helps to remove awkwardness. Through this program we support young people to feel comfortable with difference and open avenues toward understanding and respect.”
Maree says children with disability, whether physical, developmental, intellectual, emotional, or sensory, are at increased risk of being bullied, which can result in poor mental health, anxiety, depression and even suicide.
“Sadly, bullying happens frequently in our country, but often it occurs as a result of ignorance and misunderstanding, and this program wants to rectify that,” she explains.
National President of Short Statured People of Australia, Sam Millard says he supports Maree and the work she’s about to embark on.
“The work Social Futures will do through this program will give short statured people, of all ages, a greater opportunity to participate freely in the community without feelings of isolation and angst that a lack of understanding can cause,” he says.
“We also hope the focus on school-aged children will allow us to continue to tackle the complex issue of bullying together as an organisation and as a community.”
Central Coast Member for Parliament, Leisl Tesch, is also enthusiastic about the program.
“As a wheelchair user and a Member of Parliament, I expect to be included in all aspects of our community, and I’m determined to help Social Futures to make inclusion for all a reality across the Central Coast and beyond,” says Leisl.
If your Central Coast primary school is interested in participating in the Different on the Outside, Same on the Inside program, contact Social Futures on 1800 522 679.
This program is funded through the NDIS and delivered by Social Futures
Looking for work? Check out the flyer below for some options.
NEED HELP TO FIND A JOB OR TRAINING?
Opportunity Pathways is a free employment and training program for people receiving social housing assistance. We work with you to create a plan based on your situation and goals. If you want help on your journey to enter into the workforce, contact us today.
Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP, has launched the second stage of the Indigenous Voice co-design process, inviting all Australians to provide their feedback and comments on the proposals.
Consultation will run over the next four months, with many ways for people to have their say. “Today marks a significant milestone in the very important process to consult on a Voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Minister Wyatt said.
“Over the last 12 months, more than 52 members across three co-design groups have worked through options for what the Indigenous Voice might look like and how it might operate.
“Together with group members, we are now seeking feedback so they can refine their final recommendations to Government. All Australians are invited to have their say and further shape the proposals.
“I want to ensure the voices of all 800,000 Indigenous Australians can be heard. The more people that provide their feedback, the greater chance we have to refine the best possible options and set up structures that enjoy long-term success.”
The proposals presented to Government for an Indigenous voice will provide a mechanism for Indigenous Australians in communities around the country to have a direct say on matters to improve their lives.
Co-Chairs of the Indigenous Voice Senior Advisory Group, Professor Dr Marcia Langton AO and Professor Tom Calma AO said it’s important that all Australians be given the opportunity to engage in the process.
“These proposals are not finished. Now it’s time for everyone to consider them and provide comment so that we can put a well consulted final proposal to Government. Your feedback will help us make sure the final proposal is one that can work for all Australians,” Professor Langton said.
“There’s lots of ways to engage in the process over the coming months. We’ll deliver consultations flexibly, adapting to COVID-19 restrictions as needed to ensure safe discussions are held across the country. The Interim Report to the Australian Government, a discussion paper and other resources are now available online, and community consultations will be held this year,” Professor Calma said.
Minister Wyatt said that the Government is delivering on its election commitment to co-design options for an Indigenous Voice and improve local and regional decision-making.
“The Government has not reached any conclusions around the options presented in the report and is conscious that the consultation period is an important component of the process.
“The Government is particularly interested in ensuring that any Voice structure in its final form leads to a greater say for Indigenous Australians on matters that affect them and real changes on the ground. It will also ensure there is a shared responsibility for dealing with these matters – not only with jurisdictions but with Indigenous Australians as well.”
Re-posted from National Disability Insurance Agency.
We’re changing the way we support young children and their families – our early childhood early intervention (ECEI) approach
We developed our ECEI approach in 2016. It was the first national approach to early childhood intervention, supporting children with developmental delay and disability, and their families to achieve their best outcomes.
In November last year the Minister for the NDIS, Stuart Robert released the NDIS Reforms – Information Paper which provides information on changes to improve the NDIS. A key part of that paper was a review of the Scheme’s early childhood early intervention approach to determine how we can continue to improve the way we support young children and families.
Early consultation found some children weren’t receiving early childhood intervention support early enough. We also found that families were unsure about how early childhood intervention could help them.
As a result, we’re making some changes. We have released two papers that set out 23 recommendations to reset the implementation of our early childhood early intervention approach. You can read more about what’s proposed to change and what will remain the same on our website.
Your feedback is important and will help us shape the new early childhood early intervention approach. We want to hear from you. You can provide feedback on the recommendations by going to the have your say page on our NDIS website.
The 2021 State of Reconciliation in Australia Report assesses the current status of reconciliation and outlines some practical actions that need to be taken if we are to continue to progress the reconciliation process.
Reconciliation Australia, CEO Karen Mundine says the report shows the reconciliation movement is at a tipping point.
“Reconciliation must be about more than raising awareness and knowledge. The skills and knowledge gained must now motivate us to braver action. Actions must involve truth-telling, and actively addressing issues of inequality, systemic racism and instances where the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are ignored, denied or reduced.” The State of Reconciliation report’s focus of moving from safe to brave is supported by the year’s theme, “More than a word. Reconciliation takes Action” which urges the reconciliation movement towards braver and more impactful action.
SERVICE PROVIDERS WORKSHOP Working with adult male survivors of child sexual abuse
Please see the attached flyer and the below link to register for this free workshop for service providers on working with male survivors of childhood sexual abuse in Lismore offered by SAMSN – Survivors and Mates Support Network on 4th February 2021. https://www.samsn.org.au/
Australia urged to raise age of criminal responsibility at UN meeting. 31 countries have pressured Australia to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14 at a United Nations meeting overnight.
