tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72463558196559852902012-02-03T09:52:12.436+10:30Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.comBlogger481100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-28324326394713562032011-12-23T12:12:00.000+10:302011-12-23T12:12:03.601+10:30

Take part in our taxi survey - the link is at the end of this posting. Folk tuning in to the South Australia media in the last few weeks will be aware of coverage on accessible taxis.  Once again stories emerged about people having to wait an age before their cab shows up, with Christmas again the number one hotspot where people have to join a waiting list to see if they can get to Christmas

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-33453143178801638982011-12-21T17:30:00.002+10:302011-12-22T09:08:38.382+10:30

This week has seen two stories emerge in the South Australia media relating to disability and justice. One was about murder charges laid against a couple who are alleged to have intentionally neglected to death their adult daughter living with disability. The second story was about the dismissal of criminal charges against a bus driver accused of sexually assaulting two child passengers living

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-64951537075222521802011-12-12T17:07:00.000+10:302011-12-12T17:07:08.521+10:30

Add caption Last week Purple Orange participated in an ABC television story about people living with disability moving into open employment (i.e. employment with mainstream employers). The story, which focused on some examples of success in mainstream work, was relatively brief, and our appearance more so.  The ABC's interest in this topic prompted us to update our understanding of the world of

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-27581127361241504822011-12-02T16:54:00.000+10:302011-12-02T16:56:40.262+10:30

First, apologies for the long absence.  I've been away, and now I'm back. image from website www.idpwd.com.au/ Tomorrow (3 December) is the annual International Day of People with Disability (IDPWD).   I won't be observing it. IDPWD was established in 1992 by the United Nations General Assembly, at the conclusion of the United Nations’ Decade of Disabled Persons (1983-1992), to

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-31087062487298206202011-07-19T16:56:00.003+09:302011-07-21T16:00:37.277+09:30

Photo by Sebastian Fissore http://www.sebafissore.com.ar/ accessed via http://www.sxc.hu/ This is the second of two posts on the topic of abuse and safeguards. Safety and safeguards are rarely far from people's thoughts about supports for people who live with additional vulnerability.  Interest is heightened when dreadful things happen, be it at home, on the street, or in the arms of a service

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-37951949421897942752011-07-13T12:19:00.004+09:302011-07-13T16:42:14.935+09:30

image by Sanja Gjenero, accessed via http://www.sxc.hu Recent media coverage on issues of justice and mistreatment triggered the next two blog postings.  This first posting, below, was published earlier this week on The Punch and on the ABC's Ramp Up.  A second posting, looking at measures such as regulators and mandatory reporting, will be out soon. The Adelaide Advertiser story (Monday 27

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-13825208498719403502011-07-08T14:42:00.001+09:302011-07-08T15:20:47.037+09:30

As many readers of this blog might know, Individualised Funding has been gaining momentum, among other places, in the United Kingdom.  having had the chance to see the methodology road-tested in a number of areas around the country, the UK Government made a strategic commitment to Personal Budgets and there is an expectation all local authorities in England transform their social services

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-54153770104754589362011-06-03T13:40:00.000+09:302011-06-03T17:39:14.349+09:30

In South Australia there has been media attention on the living conditions at the Strathmont Centre, one of the few remaining 'older-style' congregate support facilities in South Australia (as distinct from 'newer style' congregate support facilities such as community-based group homes).  Following this attention, the SA Government minister for disability, the Social Inclusion Commissioner, and

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-4954220436615922392011-05-03T00:23:00.000+09:302011-05-03T00:24:27.829+09:30

The National Disability & Carers Alliance is currently holding its two-day conference in Melbourne. The Alliance, comprising service agency peak body National Disability Services, Carers Australia and the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO), is running this event to further the conversation about the proposed National Disability Insurance Scheme.With an attendance

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-18320288018589360042011-04-13T17:46:00.017+09:302011-04-17T13:35:14.942+09:30

First, apologies for the long lay-off from the blog, which was caused by a perfect storm of annual leave, crushing deadlines and miscellaneous turbulence.  Normal service has been resumed. The Productivity Commission released its draft report here on the future of disability care and support. The full report is two volumes of around 800 pages and reading it is a formidable task. Even the short

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-39959942723621320342011-01-07T17:40:00.001+10:302011-01-08T18:16:16.363+10:30

I've been away from work these past few weeks and will be away for a little longer so this blog has been quiet.  However I am moved to write something today to honour the memory of Suzanne Carman, who passed away on 30 December. Coming away from Suzanne's funeral today, I suspect I was the person at the funeral service who knew Suzanne the least.  Our connections were limited to the several

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-11578814173686507712010-11-30T16:40:00.013+10:302011-12-02T17:12:40.694+10:30

This week in South Australia the media has reported the difficulties that many South Australians living with disability encounter when trying to book an accessible taxi, especially at peak times such as Christmas.  The debate has now extended to include problems of finding enough accessible car parking. At JFA we support the concerns that have been raised in the media by people living with

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-42496062284346325782010-11-23T11:34:00.000+10:302010-11-23T11:41:46.162+10:30

In a recent blog posting I talked about the problematic nature of congregate supports.  Among other comments, I received one from a parent, Ronni, who said this: “Yes Robbi you are missing something. You have not asked those dedicated parents who provide the day to day care for the severely disabled. As much as we love our children we will wear out eventually and like you we deserve a holiday

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-25034372412110743452010-10-07T19:19:00.001+10:302010-10-15T10:56:45.065+10:30

TheSuperheroes While overseas recently I got the chance to watch a couple of bands at a gig in Glasgow.  First up were TheSuperheroes, whose members include both disabled and non-disabled people.  All band members played instruments, and these guys rocked.  They are still building their songlist, so their set was frustratingly brief but very impressive. TheSuperheroes They were followed by

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-48645220070553103572010-10-06T15:43:00.001+10:302010-10-07T09:51:24.392+10:30

Mindful that a number of the over 2,500 readers of this blog will have previously reflected on the issue of group living, I think it important to regularly reflect on its problematic nature. So stay with me on this, and do post your comments if I’m missing something here. The problem with congregated support is that the very nature of it makes it much harder to achieve authentic choice for people

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-48151962104551703332010-09-27T21:41:00.000+09:302010-09-27T21:41:00.368+09:30

Continuing the In Control International theme of my previous posting, the two-day international meeting covered topics that are relevant across a range of cultures. Amongst other things, the meeting covered: cultural change (in terms of service planners, agency staff and the broader community) planning and renewal safeguards the connection between rights and responsibilities in people's lives

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-85248877972801929902010-09-23T04:11:00.000+09:302010-10-11T09:57:11.590+10:30

In Control International is an international community of interest on the topic of self-direction in disability support. I’ve just attended the latest meeting, an opportunity to share ideas and experiences that can assist the momentum for helpful change in people’s lives. The meeting covers ideas ranging from the personal to the national. Participants in these conversations (not limited to these

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-31335025025181916052010-09-09T10:07:00.060+09:302010-09-09T15:04:45.008+09:30

Now that the identity of the new Australian government has finally been resolved, I'm sorely tempted to break into a rendition of The Seekers' hit, 'The Carnival Is Over'.  It's been page-turning stuff, and we have been regularly reminded that the election has come down to handfuls of votes.  This has included some comments about the number of 'informal votes' that were cast, where some people

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-23564268800308130382010-08-09T16:34:00.002+09:302010-08-10T00:13:56.974+09:30

On 29 July the Australian Labor Party announced $60m capital funding to create up to 150 additional accommodation or respite places for people living with disability, signalling this was a modest increase on current arrangements.  Click here for the announcement. If the policy is implemented by the next government, community organisations can apply directly to the Commonwealth government

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-71559704460495479792010-08-06T11:57:00.002+09:302010-08-06T13:29:18.496+09:30

Early Intervention is an important principle, even though I’m not a big fan of the word ‘intervention’ and would prefer something like ‘Early Investment’.  If delivered well it in can assist children living with disability and their families to establish and build critical capacity, get on the ‘front foot’ in life, and move towards a hopeful future.   To which, on 29 July the Australian

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-3981044763681020822010-08-03T14:20:00.003+09:302010-08-03T18:57:34.957+09:30

Public policy conversations about disability are many and varied at the moment, and perhaps like me, you are finding it a challenge to keep up.  The Productivity Commission is continuing its work regarding the future arrangements for disability support, and hopefully you have had a chance to make your views known.  Meanwhile the Labor government recently released its draft National Disability

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-29217914765075125922010-07-15T12:59:00.000+09:302010-07-15T12:59:22.358+09:30

This blog posting is the third instalment relating to the current review in Australia of the National Standards for Disability Services.  This posting looks at a second big example of problematic language within the current Standards - the phrase ‘least restrictive way’.   The Standards say that:  Each person with a disability receives a service which is designed to meet...his or her

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-87437338716216298382010-07-06T13:42:00.000+09:302010-07-06T16:16:44.924+09:30

This is the second instalment looking at the review of the National Standards for Disability Services.  The first instalment asserted that the updated Standards (given that the current ones have failed) be anchored upon the goal of citizenhood.  This blog posting (the second of at least three instalments) looks at the language of the Standards.  For as long as I can remember there has been a

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-54506627835997600612010-07-02T16:10:00.000+09:302010-07-02T16:10:56.099+09:30

As you may know, there is currently a review of the National Standards for Disability Services. The current Standards are: 1) service access, 2) individual needs, 3) decision making and choice, 4) privacy, dignity and confidentiality, 5) participation and integration, 6) valued status, 7) complaints and disputes, and 8) service management. The Standards ( click here to read more about them)

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-56372181198264263222010-05-20T13:49:00.000+09:302010-05-20T13:50:46.925+09:30

Active Support is a methodology for supporting people in their daily lives.  A number of Australian organisations are now using it, including in South Australia where it came to my attention.  Based on the delivery of a boxful of staff training and organisational supports, Active Support appears to have brought more direct personal support to people living with disability and correspondingly

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-9095609210909358772010-05-03T15:45:00.000+09:302010-05-03T16:28:07.243+09:30

My apologies for the time gap between recent blogs.  I’m very late in posting the next blog so, just like the school student whose homework is late, I’ve brought a note. I share the following 'Julia Farr update' with you because we value your feedback on the work we are doing, and because I want to assure you, the twelve hundred (and counting)  readers of Purple Orange, that there's much more

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-74791781995156393202010-03-17T11:06:00.000+10:302010-03-17T15:23:27.585+10:30

The state elections in Tasmania and South Australia are nearly here.  By this time next week (or maybe a little longer if there is a hung Parliament) we will know who will be leading the decision-making in each of these state's public policy for the next four years.  In the case of people living with disability, indeed anyone living with additional vulnerability, this is particularly important.

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-90960329836938429182010-03-11T18:49:00.000+10:302010-03-11T18:49:43.360+10:30

Shortly after I arrived in South Australia in 2004, I was introduced to Dr Paul Collier.  My first impressions were that this was a man with a very deep personal experience of disability, having lived with quadriplegia for over twenty years.  That this was a man who had a clear sense of what was possible (for example he had been supported via individualised funding when he was living and studying

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-86424352042794611582010-03-11T15:42:00.002+10:302010-03-11T15:53:25.684+10:30

The ABC's New Inventors show (for their website, click here) was on last night, and this week they were running a 'special', funnily enough on the topic of disability.  For the uninitiated, the New Inventors format is a studio show where three different inventions are showcased each week before a panel of three judges.  At the close of the program the judges do what they're there to do, which is

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-81854477619219838802010-03-04T12:44:00.000+10:302010-03-04T12:50:31.502+10:30

This the second of two related blog postings arising out of my attendance last week at the 'Future of Not-For-Profits' forum organised by Anglicare SA and Flinders University.  In the first posting, I focused on the 'who', by talking about the beneficiaries of not-for-profits, and the importance of ensuring that any conversation about the future of a not-for-profit entity should involve those

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-5613167743101650032010-02-26T16:23:00.005+10:302010-03-02T14:06:24.014+10:30

Yesterday I had the good fortune to be involved in a forum, organised by Anglicare SA and Flinders University, that explored what the future might hold for Not-For-Profit organisations (from here on referred as NFPs). It was a day rich with perspective and discussion, including speakers with local, national and international experience.  People had the opportunity to consider where not-for-profit

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-53022221092598527832010-01-29T15:56:00.000+10:302010-01-29T15:58:52.763+10:30

My last blog entry was adorned with a santa hat.  It's nearly February now so Purple Orange is really overdue for a fresh posting.  This lapse reflects the apparent fact that all of Australia goes into summer hibernation from Christmas through to late January (this of course would be the optimal time for New Zealand to come in and take over the country while no one's looking, but for the fact

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-76147501717598271702009-12-23T18:03:00.000+10:302009-12-23T18:03:50.162+10:30

It's that time of year again, where many of those who can afford it go out and buy a truckload of stuff that they or the recipients don't need, while those who can't afford it become more acutely aware of that fact.  Blessed by social networks, people come together to celebrate, though sometimes this is accompanied by intense planning because folk want things to be 'just right'.  This of course

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-73614645693810104012009-12-10T17:18:00.000+10:302009-12-10T17:19:21.359+10:30

The South Australia government announced today that there will be a whole-of-government reform of disability.  According to the official media release, the Premier and the Minister for Disability have "asked the Social Inclusion Board to develop a blueprint for long-term reform - to join up services between Health Education, and the Department for Families and Communities". Sounds jolly

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-25548242884572339832009-12-07T00:31:00.001+10:302009-12-07T15:37:06.353+10:30

In Transit Have been on the road the last few days with a dodgy laptop, so no blogging. I am still in transit but have some time at this airport to go blogabout - the free internet access terminal gives me 15 minutes only so I'd better get to it. I finished out the UK trip with a couple of meetings, the first about the role of social workers/case workers in the world of personalised support,

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-81324085471184572382009-12-03T05:07:00.000+10:302009-12-03T05:07:26.757+10:30

Wigan, UK It may not surprise you to learn that it has rained somewhat during the time I've been in the UK.  In fact, since I got here on the 18th november, not one day has passed when there hasn't been rain.  This is something of a novelty given that I live in South Australia, which is generally drier than a wafer.  However, the novelty soon wears off once you're driving in the stuff, upon

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-91577980231411381792009-12-02T10:31:00.001+10:302009-12-02T11:13:31.053+10:30

Birmingham UK As increasing numbers of people now understand, and regardless of the extent of availability of Individualised Funding, there is nothing stopping any service provider, better termed 'support agencies', from moving towards genuinely personalised services.  Nothing. I've spent a fair bit of time in the UK talking with various support agencies who are currently working out how best

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-38130268782960081532009-12-01T11:10:00.000+10:302011-12-22T09:08:38.383+10:30

I was at a meeting recently that, among other things, explored the topic of 'disability hate crime'.  The presenter outlined a number of crimes over the past few years, sometimes involving fatalities.  The common strands were that the victim was often an adult man living with with intellectual disability, living relatively independently but vulnerable to being exploited.  It wasn't easy to

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-89748104256069196472009-11-30T10:05:00.000+10:302009-11-30T10:05:13.548+10:30

Another anonymous local authority, UK For the first time since my arrival in the UK, it wasn't raining, and the town I was in looked great.  I can't tell you where the place was because I was attending a confidential meeting and it seems I am sworn to secrecy.  Such intrigue!  To be fair, it was arranged this way because of the desire that those present would be honest with each other about

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-29990122124829329182009-11-27T10:44:00.000+10:302009-11-27T10:44:50.073+10:30

Nottingham, UK Before I left Australia for this trip I was in Hobart for a meeting on safeguards and restrictive practice (which I subsequently blogged on this site).  While it was good to meet with folk with shared concerns about restrictive practices and their impact on vulnerable people, I was surprised and disappointed that there was not a greater contextual focus on getting a good life as

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-71740856896669738842009-11-26T05:47:00.000+10:302009-11-26T05:47:32.144+10:30

Anonymous local authority, UK Oh how things can change.  Some folk may be aware that I was in the UK a little over a year ago, and was very enthusiastic about a certain local authority that was rolling out Individualised Funding, known in these here parts as 'Self-Directed Support' and 'Individual Budgets'. What marked it out for me?  For starters I like the coherent, thoughtful approach to

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-74492493601854571322009-11-25T03:03:00.000+10:302009-11-25T03:03:11.903+10:30

Weston-Super-Mare, UK I've just spent the day with a community organisation that oversees a range of community and health services from a purpose-built centre in the heart of a high-deprivation housing estate.  I went there because I wanted to see what impact this sort of investment has in the lives of local people, including people living with disability. The first thing I noticed was the

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-39743587114058512662009-11-23T21:02:00.000+10:302009-11-23T21:03:12.910+10:30

Rural Warwickshire, England I've just come /away from an impressive capacity-building event for family members with an adult son or daughter living with disability and who want to plan for their son/daughter's future. This two-day event (I attended most of the second day), run by Our Futures,  was aimed at families who are taking a leadership role in their local communities, connecting with

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-33449945259617733892009-11-21T18:55:00.003+10:302009-11-22T23:48:41.855+10:30

I'm on the road now, and for the next couple of weeks, in the UK, to see what's going on for the disability community.  I'll try and post to this blog as much as possible, though of course this means you may be exposed to thoughts that haven't been fully thought through, if you know what I mean.  Indeed, my previous blog posting was done while I was sleepless in Singapore, waiting for my next

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-59195397945726384962009-11-19T01:22:00.002+10:302009-11-20T06:15:21.894+10:30

On 16 November Prime Minister Kevin Rudd issued an apology to the Forgotten Australians.  As reported on the ABC, his apology noted how there were Australians who had been housed in institutions, and how many of them were treated badly, carrying scars that will never heal.  There was reference to their lack of consent, and how their lives were changed irrevocably. Minister Jenny Macklin said it

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-32236261923215920432009-11-17T14:28:00.002+10:302009-11-22T23:52:08.922+10:30

As many people will know, there is a growing conversation in Australia about a National Disability Insurance Scheme.  Basically, the idea is that the government collects money from citizens through a tax or levy, and this money is then used to pay for the support needed by people living with disability. There are attractive benefits.  First, as with all good insurance schemes,  the arrangement

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-54589546653736786432009-11-09T10:50:00.002+10:302009-11-22T23:51:22.998+10:30

I was in Hobart last week, including attending a meeting on 'restrictive practices'.  The meeting was part of the ASSID (Australian Society for the Study of Intellectual Disability) 2009 conference program . The meeting was intended to be a small committee-style meeting but the room soon got overrun by the sheer numbers of people wanting to be involved in the discussion.  This is obviously a

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246355819655985290.post-12338536404280813792009-10-30T15:42:00.003+10:302009-11-22T23:50:44.578+10:30

On 28 October the South Australia government announced its arrangements for a cautious introduction of Individualised Funding (also known as self-directed funding). Unfortunately, despite the wealth of experience and wisdom elsewhere, the SA trial is steeped in caution and constraint and is unlikely to make that much of a positive difference in the lives of the 50 people lucky enough to be

Robbihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00997030494556421786noreply@blogger.com6