Attention UniSA students!!

Please re-subscribe to the D-Blog with your new student email address.
You will have received information from the University with details of the new student email system, which explains your new email address... if you don't update this with the D-Blog you will miss out on updates once your old email address is closed.

Thanks and Merry Christmas!
Disability Services team.
disability@unisa.edu.au

Women With Disabilities South Australia

There is a meeting to plan the establishment of a

‘Women With Disabilities Network for South Australia’.

So, if you are a woman with a disability and are interested in the idea of a Network, please come along and share your thoughts!


Where: Disability Information and Resource Centre, 195 Gilles Street, Adelaide, SA
When: Saturday, 27th November 2010
Time: 1.30pm – 3pm


For more information contact: Shirley or Carolyn at the National WWDA Office
Phone: 03 6244 8288           Email: wwda@wwda.org.au

My Career Success

The Disability Service and National Disability Coordination Officer Program

is pleased to invite you to the 'My Career Success' free lunch

Date:   Friday, 15th October 2010
Time:   11:45am - 2:00pm
Venue:  5th Floor Hawke Building, City West Campus, UniSA
            Wheelchair access via lift
RSVP:   7th October
https://mycareerplan.unisa.edu.au/ViewEvent.chpx?id=77341

Find out how to give your job applications an 'edge' and ask questions to industry representatives from BT Finance (Westpac) and SA Water.


For more information contact Disability Services: disability@unisa.edu.au
Please indicate any special dietary requirements or other access related requests

CLUB COOL - The Pirates of the Caribbean

This Sunday 19th September, 12 to 3:30pm is heating up with The Pirates of the Caribbean theme! At the Governor Hindmarsh, 51 Port Road, Hindmarsh.
So get your dancing shoes on with the Weekend Warriors band - The Jackets will be playing the hottest music live!
DJ FROST and DJ DUBARAMA will be keeping the grooves so come and listen to their tunes!
Doors open at 12pm - Band starts at 12:30pm, Delicious meals at 1pm!
GOLD COIN ENTRY, door prize for the best dressed pirate! Ahoy pirates! Don't miss out!
For further details about CLUB COOL and future events contact DIRC on 8236 0555.

Positive Vibe


Forum
Be inspired
Be motivated Be empowered Be heard
The Positive Vibe forum is open to young people aged 12¬25 years in the Marion Council area. Come to have your say on issues that concern you as a young person with a disability. Hear motivating stories from other young people who have a disability on their positive experiences.
When: Saturday 2nd October 2010
Time: 1pm – 4pm (Afternoon tea will be provided)
Where: Cooinda Neighbourhood Centre, corner Sturt and Diagonal Road, adjacent to Marion Council Chambers carpark

RSVP by 20th September 2010 to Cove Youth Service on 8321 0600 or email marionyac@gmail.com

ABC launching new Disability website

The ABC is building a website for people whose lives are touched by disability, a place for their issues and stories.

It will be provocative, celebratory, challenging and supportive.

Everyday will feature news and views from those who meet disability head-on in their lives, their work, their community and family.
We expect serious insights and sharp humour - a site with plenty of attitude. We will also be paying close attention to website ‘accessibility’.
http://www.abc.net.au/disability/

Welcome to SP5 - Get Organised Now!

Don't forget to grab a new SP5 Study Planner from your campus Learning and Teaching Unit to make sure you get organised and submit your assessements in on time! Or you can download from the LTU website.

Unlocking the Secret to Academic Success - A Workshops

Are you looking for ways to enhance your academic success? Then you should consider attending an interactive 2 hour workshop which will provide you with useful tools and knowledge, which are keys to developing the skills necessary to meet the demands of study. The information provided will help you to manage your study, get on top of your workload and make it a more enjoyable experience. The workshops will be facilitiated by LTU Counsellors and Learning Advisers and held on each campus on various times. Bookings are required.

Mind Mapping Workshop

Make the most of your mid-year break and learn how to mind map and why it is such an effective technique. Find out how to apply this skill to help you learn and study more effectively. This session has several activities where you will be able to practise your mind mapping skills.

The workshop will be held on Monday 19th July 10am to 12pm at the Learning and Teaching Unit, Room P2-40, Level 2, Playford Building, City East. Please register for this workshop .

Career Mentor Program

Want to become more competitive in the challenging transition from study to career?
Here is your opportunity…
UniSA Disability Services will fund 15 places in the Willing and Able Mentoring (WAM) Program in 2010


WAM is a career mentoring program for tertiary students who have a disability. WAM was started in response to many people with a disability being overlooked for career opportunities, despite being as talented as their peers.


The (WAM) Program matches tertiary students who have a disability with Mentors in leading organisations in the students' field of interest.


Applicants must be available for a training workshop, then six to eight mentor sessions at the mentor's workplace, and a debriefing and certificate presentation event at the end of the program.

Meetings with the Mentor are focussed on:
• Gathering information about the career environment you are heading towards
• Refining interview skills
• Experiencing the workplace culture (eg. staff meetings)
• Developing better skills in presenting a professional profile
• Disclosure and demystifying disability and related workplace issues (eg. workplace modifications)

How Do I apply??
Simply write a statement in 100 words or less why it would be useful for you to join the WAM program. Email your statement or any queries to disability@unisa.edu.au before Wed 7th July, 2010.

Positive Futures Expo 2010

IF YOU ARE A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY, LEARNING DIFFICULTY
MEDICAL or MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION…COME ALONG & JOIN IN

22 June 2010             10am – 5pm

The Playford Civic Centre
10 Playford Boulevard, Elizabeth

• Guest Speaker – the Hon Kelly Vincent MLC
• Information stalls on Education, Employment and Training Opportunities
• Entertainment from ‘The Harmony of Hearts and Minds Choir'
• Free BBQ Lunch, morning tea and water
• Workshops to assist people access further Education & Employment opportunities, and what you need to know about future prospects.

 Please let us know if you have any access requirements, such as Assistive hearing devices;

Auslan Interpreters; large print, Braille and electronic versions of resources etc available upon request.

RSVP by Friday June 11th 2010

Contact:
Jenny - (08) 8302 5444
Maria - (08) 8256 0183

Thinking about exams??

It's week 10 and the countdown to exams is on...

• Make sure you look up your exams on the exam timetable,
• Check out this link for tips on succeeding in exams.
• Experiencing exam anxiety or depression? Then have a read here...

Do you need Alternative Exam Arrangements for Mid- Year Exams?

If yes, and you DO NOT have an Access Plan in place or it is not current, please note that the final date for agreed exam adjustments is Wednesday 19th May 2010. In order to develop your Access Plan you will need to provide appropriate documentation from your treating practitioner and then schedule an appointment with a Disability Adviser in the Learning and Teaching Unit on your campus.
If yes, and you have a CURRENT Access Plan with exam arrangements that have been agreed then this information will be automatically forwarded to the Exams Office and arranged. If you need any changes to your Access Plan or exam adjustments please contact the LTU no later than Wednesday 19th May.

Regards,
Disability Services

Mental illness @ Uni - A Survey

Do you have a psychotic, mood or anxiety disorder that has been diagnosed by your GP or Psychiatrist?

Have you completed or currently completing at least one course in either study period 2 or 5?


Are you over the age of 18?


Research is being undertaken by a UniSA Doctoral Student into the experiences of university students with mental illnesses. It is hoped that this research will provide information to further assist students to succeed in higher education where a mental illness is present.

I am seeking students to complete an online survey about their university experiences. If you are willing to complete the survey, please use the following hyperlink http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/TellUS2/SurveyForm.asp?ID=7212.

If you wish to enquire further about this research please email Naomi Blake on naomi.blake@unisa.edu.au .

Should you wish to discuss the research project further you can contact: Dr Helen Cameron by email Helen.Cameron@unisa.edu.au or Dr Nicole Moulding on Nicole.Moulding@unisa.edu.au

This project has been approved by the University of South Australia’s Human Research Ethics Committee. If you have any ethical concerns about the project or questions about your rights as a participant please contact the Executive Officer of this Committee. Tel: +61 8 8302 3118; Email: vicki.allen@unisa.edu.au

Schizophrenia Awareness Week, 16 - 22 May 2010

Mental Illness Fellowship South Australia Events

Each year our national organisation, the Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia
(MIFA), organises Schizophrenia Awareness Week to highlight issues that affect
people living with a mental illness, their families and friends. Member organisations
of MIFA celebrate the week with a diverse range of awareness raising activities.
Locally we hope you will join us at an education session with our own ever popular Medical Advisor Dr Harry Hustig, or maybe we will see you or your work at our Art Exhibition or perhaps an afternoon tea with our international guest speaker.
Art Exhibition
The annual MIFSA Schizophrenia Awareness Week (SAW) Art Exhibition is shaping up for
2010. Please follow the links at www.mifsa.org to find entry details and forms. Alternatively, please phone MIFSA Wayville Activity Programs staff on 8378 4100 for more information.
The SAW Art Exhibition will be held at 11 Nile Street Port Adelaide from 18 - 22 May; 10am - 5pm.
The Launch will take place on 18 May; 6-9pm.
Entries of artwork from members of the mental health community are welcome and we are
looking forward to enjoying some exciting artwork again this year.
Education Forum
Doctor Harry Hustig, respected and International Speaker from Glenside Hospital is the Special Guest Speaker at the Education Forum to be held on 18 May, 2pm at Goodwood Community Centre, Banquet Hall, 32-34 Rosa Street Goodwood.
Are you trying to understand anxiety or withdrawing behaviours, depression or psychotic symptoms of a mental illness?
Learn about diagnosis and treatments to increase your knowledge and understanding.
This free Forum will provide a great opportunity for all people including family and friends to have many of those personal questions answered.
Please RSVP by 15 May 2010.
Public Forum - National Speaker Tour
MIFA's guest speaker for Schizophrenia Awareness Week 2010 will be a visiting US expert with more than 40 years’ experience in the field of families and mental health: Professor Joanne Nicholson. Prior to Professor Nicholson’s presentation there will be a theatrical reading of the play ‘Inside Out’, written by Mary Rachel Brown. ‘A pocket rocket of meaningful, gutsy, important theatre .... inspiring, illuminating, entertaining.’ (Stagenoise).
Professor Nicholson, is Professor of Psychiatry and Associate Director of the Centre for Mental Health Services Research at the University of Massachusetts medical school’s department of psychiatry. She will be discussing issues around people living with a mental illness and the role that family members play in recovery.
The Public forum will be held at the Adelaide Pavilion Veale Gardens, South Terrace Adelaide,
20 May; 2-5pm.
Please RSVP by Friday, 30 April 2010.
To RSVP your attendance at the Education Forum or Public Forum, please phone MIFSA
Wayville Reception, 8378 4100 by the dates shown above.

Career mentoring program

The Willing and Able Mentoring (WAM) Program matches job seekers or tertiary students who have a disability with Mentors in leading organisations in the job seekers/students' field of interest for a series of approximately eight one to two-hour discussion meetings.


It is a great way to learn about the career your heading towards, network, experience workplace culture and become more competitive in the challenging transition from study to career.

UniSA is funding a maximum of 15 students (in their last or second last year of study) to be part of WAM in 2010.

Interested?? Simply email disability@unisa.edu.au before 9th April and ask for an application form to be sent to you.

Need assistance with Reading and Writing?

The Disability Services will be conducting Adaptive Technology Workshops for students with a disability. A workshop will be held on each campus over the Teaching Break to demonstrate the different software and hardware that is available to support students with their reading and writing. Students are encouraged to attend a workshop on any of the campuses which will be held in the Adaptive Technology Suite in each of the metropolitan libraries between 10am to 12 noon on the following days:

Wednesday 14th April, Magill, A2-15

Thursday 15th April, City East, B4-15

Tuesday 20th April, Mawson Lakes, C1-28

Wednesday 21st April, City West, CS3-10

Please email disability@unisa.edu.au if you would like to attend and indicate which campus. Any questions please contact your campus Disability Adviser via the LTU Office. Check out the Adaptive Technology Website for information about the Suites.

Get Study Savvy

It's the end of week 3 and I am sure that you are all getting into the swing of things with your studies - new and continuing students! At this stage you should know what is expected of you in each of your courses. You can do this by making sure that you have read your Course Information Booklet.

It is really important to make sure that you are organised and there are no surprise assessments coming your way. So if you haven't already picked up a 2010 Study Planner or Weekly Planner then pop into your campus Learning and Teaching Unit to grab a copy or you can print these off the web.

Not quite sure about how to go about your studies or a particular assessment, then you can check out the Study Strategies website for students with disabilities as well as the Studying at UniSA website which has lots of information about assessment, reading, writing, online learning and much much more.

Happy studying.

ABCTV - The New Inventors Presents ‘Access and Ability Special’Wednesday 10th March on ABC1 at 8:00pm.
Featuring inventions by, and for people with a disability, they will look at some of the ingenious ways inventors are helping to ensure everyone has equal access to life, work and fun. To celebrate these important innovations, James will be joined by a special panel of experts living with a disability: paralympian Kurt Fearnley, filmmaker and presenter Sofya Gollan, and Federal Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes. The show will also include an Auslan sign language interpreter, Jemina Napier, translating for hearing impaired viewers throughout the program, a first for The New Inventors. For more info contact: Rosanna Ixer, ABC TV Publicity on http://ixer.rosanna@abc.net.au or 02 8333 3831/0403 625711.

Adelaide Festival - A little more light

Be part of the first Australian outdoor spectacular to be audio described and witness the largest pyrotechnic display ever performed in South Australia!
Where: Victoria Park Racecourse (Southern End)
When: 27 February 8.45pm

A Little More Light will be audio described and include an accessible viewing area with electric wheelchair charging points, water for guide dogs and some seating.
The Audio Description will enhance the experience giving the visual details of the performance by Groupe F; the people who lit up the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 1998 French World Cup. All you need is a small radio receiver to listen to the description which will also be broadcast live on Radio Adelaide 101.5FM.

For more information about accessibility services at the Adelaide Festival visit:
http://www.adelaidefestival.com.au/servlet/Web?s=2290869&p=AF_Access_Information

Four Corners Monday February 15.

MEDIA RELEASE February 12th 2010


Breaking Point” -- Four Corners, 15th February at 8.30 pm on ABC TV.

This week on Four Corners, “Breaking Point”. The heart-rending story that tells what it’s like to live with a disability, or to care for someone who is disabled, in Australia today. Reporter Wendy Carlisle meets the families the nation has neglected.
The system of assistance for people with a disability in Australia is broken. Carers know it, charitable organisations know it and so do the governments. Now the federal government says something must be done. It’s holding an Inquiry, with the intention of creating a new and fairer system. It’s even considering a national disability insurance scheme. But will the system be reformed in time to save the families now at breaking point?
***********

Richard Llewellyn Art Grants

ART SA Disability Grant
Individulas can apply for grants of up to $10,000 to support their artistic aspirations. Details and are available on the Grant booklet at
http://www.arts.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=285

or call Art SA on 8463 5424

Closing date March 31st

Cheers
Stephen

UNIFEM Gender Analysis Workshop for Women with Disabilities

PILOT GENDER ANALYSIS WORKSHOPS WITH
WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES
2 DAY TRAINING WORKSHOPS
WHY ATTEND A WORKSHOP ON GENDER ANALYSIS?
The pilot workshops will provide women with disabilities attending with an introduction to gender
analysis: consider key concepts and a selection of gender analysis frameworks,
approaches, tools and questions. Opportunities will be provided for participants to apply and
further develop their gender analysis skills through the application of selected tools to policy,
project, service delivery and community related case studies.

HOW MUCH DO THE WORKSHOPS COST?
Registration is free and will include a light morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. Participants must
meet their own travel and accommodation expenses.

WHO WILL DELIVER THE WORKSHOPS?
The workshops will be facilitated by the Gender Consortium, Centre for Development Studies,
Flinders University (GC) training team.

ABOUT UNIFEM AUSTRALIA?
UNIFEM is the United Nations Development Fund for Women. It provides financial and technical
assistance to innovative programs and strategies that promote women’s human rights, political
participation and economic security in more than 100 developing countries.

Grants for students

Cowan Ability Grant
Two grants valued at $2,000 each are available to assist students who have a disabilities to manage the additional expenses associated with studying with a disability. The Cowan Ability Grants targets recent school leavers who have successfully completed a year of university study.
Value: $2,000

Disability Equipment Grant Scheme
The Disability Equipment Grant scheme will assist UniSA students, with disabilities, to purchase equipment and/or software which will assist them with their studies.
Value: Up to $1,000 based on quoted value of equipment

For both grants:
Application Opening Date: 15th Feb. 2010
Apply online through: myScholarships

For more information or to request a hard copy of the application form, contact:
Learning & Teaching Unit Disability Service
Email: disability@unisa.edu.au

Welcome to a new year with UniSA...

I would like to introduce UniSA's Disability Advisers for 2010 - come and see us for a confidential chat. You will find us on campus in the Learning and Teaching Unit:

• Stephen Manson, Team Leader, City East
• Kirsten Read, City East
• Dallas Dunn, City West
• Jayne Ayliffe, Magill
• Carolyn Donlan, Mawson Lakes

What we do...

• Provide information and advice
• Develop individual Disability Access Plans
• Provide a range of services and equipment
• Support your negotiations with academic staff
• Deal with sensitive and personal information in a confidential manner.

For more information, see our website or email disability@unisa.edu.au