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    E-News Issue 13, Summer 2016
Our mission is to guide people’s choices to access assistive technology
and services for independence and wellbeing.

Merry Christmas from ILC CEO Gerri Clay


As we bring you this Summer edition of our newsletter I wanted to take the opportunity to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year.
 
As always, 2016 has flown by in a flash and when I take a minute to reflect on our achievements and how the ILC has changed and grown throughout the year I feel proud of what our organisation has achieved.
Perhaps more importantly I feel happy about what this means for the people we have provided a service for.

Whether you’ve accessed our community allied health services in your own home, received advice from one of our occupational therapists or speech pathologists about equipment or technology, obtained some respite from your role as a carer, borrowed toys from our Noah’s Ark toy library, been able to commence or return to driving, obtained funding for a piece of equipment or hired equipment from us, I do hope that this has made an impact on your independence and wellbeing.
 
At the ILC we strive to improve access to, and the quality of, our services and always welcome feedback which you can do through many ways outlined on the feedback section of our website.
 
In the year ahead I look forward to continuing to provide better services for people and to working with my colleagues, the people who use our services, our funders, suppliers and other service providers with the aim of improving people’s independence, safety and wellbeing.
 
Gerri Clay
Chief Executive Officer
Hal Finkelstein and Freda Jacob seated beside each other under a tree
Video features NDIS participant Paul Gray achieving his goals with assistive equipment
The Independent Living Centre WA has released a short video featuring NDIS Perth Hills participant Paul Gray who shares his story about how he gets the most out of life with the use of assistive equipment. Paul and his wife Paula live on a five acre property with three horses, three dogs and their daughter Brenna. Paul, a father, husband and retired Country Ambulance Services Manager, has paraplegia, a condition which restricts his ability to move his legs. Through the use of assistive equipment specifically prescribed for him, including a wheelchair and scooter, Paul is able to participate in life and his community the way he wants to. This includes undertaking tasks around his property, taking his dogs for a walk, getting out and about in his community and participating in archery.  Watch Paul’s story here.

To find out more about the services of the ILC you may also be interested in the video How could Independent Living Centre WA help me?
Improved assistive equipment service for south west residents

Due to a growing demand for its allied health services the Independent Living Centre WA (ILC) has set up a new base in Busselton to provide a better service for people living in the lower south west region of WA.
 
Locally based occupational therapist Jessica Mahon has been assisting locals with their assistive equipment, technology and
home modification needs within their homes since 2015, however until now she hasn’t had a base where people can visit her.

Jessica said one of the big advantages of the service she provides is that she can visit people within the community, however as she has seen the service grow it became clear that if would be beneficial to have a base where people can visit her.
 
“I assist a range of people, from NDIS participants to older people who are wanting to remain independent in their home,” said Jessica.  Read the full story here about our new base in the LSW...
Assistive technologies help Tayla to 'Be Me'
Tayla, who shares her story in the Equip Myself app, recently featured in The West Australian International Day of People with a Disability lift out.

Her story is a great example of how people can use innovative assistive technology in their life to do the things they love. Read Tayla’s story here...
New web address for NED - the Australian National Equipment Database
www.askned.com.au is the place to start your search for assistive equipment and technology products.

Thanks to support from the National Disability Insurance Agency and The Ian Potter Foundation, a range of improvements have recently been made to NED making it an even better place to start searching. These include:
  • Supplier information, current pricing and item availability;
  • Accessible and easy to navigate database;
  • Compare and explore equipment and technology options; and
  • Set up your own profile and save your searches.
Whether you have a disability, are ageing or are providing care for someone, make an informed choice about assistive equipment and technology options suitable for your individual circumstances and goals. Start your search with NED.
Hal Finkelstein and Freda Jacob seated beside each other under a tree
ILC Elves create the 'Ideal Christmas present' list for 2017

With a hohoho and a jingle of bells, it’s that time of year again - a time to find the perfect Christmas present for those you care about.  Determining who is on the “naughty” and “nice” list can be quite challenging. On top on that you need to find the time to hunt for the perfect present and to consider each person’s interests and individual needs.

Our elf experts at the Independent Living Centre WA have tinkered away to create the ideal Christmas top 10 present shortlist to make sure that you find the perfect Christmas present to show that you really care and to make Christmas 2016 a truly memorable one... Find out what our Occupational Therapists suggest here...  If you're into smart technology to help you keep fit and are looking for something different read our 'A Wearable Christmas' blog here...

Anna seated at her computer at her home
Innovation Minister launches new free app for Australians with disability


The ILC has released a new free app, Equip Myself, that aims to empower Australians with disability by supporting them to identify assistive equipment and technology options that could assist them in their lives.

Officially launched by Innovation Minister Bill Marmion on 25 November 2016, Equip Myself provides users with easy access to information about the range of equipment and technology options available that could assist with their independence, safety and wellbeing. Read more here about the app including Anna's story, who features in the app,

ILC OT seated beside an older lady in her home and looking at a remote controle
New HACC Allied Health Service

 


1 November saw the Independent Living Centre WA announce the introduction of our new Community Allied Health Service funded by the WA Home and Community Care (HACC) Program.

Find out about how our allied health professionals can provide short term occupational therapy and physiotherapy services in your home, with a focus on regaining or maintaining your physical, functional and cognitive abilities, which support your safety and maximise your independence and quality of life.
Read more about this new service here

LGBTI Carer Support
The ILC Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre has partnered with MIFWA (Mental Illness Fellowship of WA) to provide an education program for LGBTI people who are providing ongoing support to a friend, partner or family member who lives with mental illness.

Titled Well Ways Building a Future, the 12 session education program has been designed to assist family members and carers maintain their own wellness and support recovery of their family member or friend with mental illness.

MIFWA are seeking expressions of interest from those in the LGBTI communities that identify in the caring or support role for someone with mental illness to participate in Well Ways Building a Future commencing in 2017.
 
This initiative is for carers living in the north metropolitan area of Perth and is proudly supported by Independent Living Centre WA.
 
To express your interest or for more information in this program please contact Trudy or Sam at MIFWA on (08) 9237 8900 or trudy.young@mifwa.com.au or samantha.scott@mifwa.org.au.
 ILC Speechie featured on Perth Speechies
At the Independent Living Centre WA we greatly value the experienced speech pathologists who choose to work with us.  We often receive feedback about the high level of knowledge and skill they have when it comes to working with the latest assistive technologies and communication aids.

Through their work they help people day in and day out to communicate, learn, work and enjoy recreation activities, as well as to be more independent and safer.
It was great to see one of our speech pathologists Tanith Brien featured on the Perth Speechie’s website throughout November. Read about Tanith and why she loves being a speech pathologist here.
New Year, New Skills, New Professional Development Possibilities
What will the new year bring for you? Possibly some new knowledge and skills?
The ILC offers a range of interesting and diverse training topics that are relevant to the health, disability, community, aged care and education sectors.
 
Our health professionals are qualified to deliver training on a range of topics covering the areas of assistive equipment and technology, home modifications and assistive learning technologies in education.

Throughout 2017 we will be hosting a range of exciting workshops which we promote on our What’s On page, or if you would like to keep up to date with ILC’s training opportunities join our mailing list and choose the interest category ‘Training, Workshops and Events’.

Our training team also works closely with organisations and schools to design customised training based on your priorities and desired learning outcomes for staff. To find out more contact ILC Training on 08 9381 0600 or email training@ilc.com.au
AAC in Practice - Hit the ground running!
Are you new to working with AAC? Are you starting to work in the disability sector? Are you getting more referrals for clients with little or no speech?
We are offering a practical workshop series for speech pathologists new to the field of AAC and speech pathology graduates.

The six week workshop series is designed to give you confidence, practical strategies and resources to work with clients with AAC needs and their support teams.
You have the option of registering to a Monday evening series OR a Thursday morning series. Please note minimum attendance is required to run both sessions.  Find out further information or register now here
Powered Mobility Device Workshop - Assessment for Scooters & Powered Wheelchairs
Following a popular and successful workshop in September this year, we are pleased to announce that Kathryn Townsend will be running another workshop at ILC Nedlands on Thursday 2 March 2017.

The workshop will introduce and explore the Powered Mobility Device Assessment Training Tool (PoMoDATT) developed by Kathryn Townsend and Carolyn Unsworth. This workshop is suitable for occupational therapists with all levels of experience.  At the workshop, attendees will:
  • Learn to identify skills required for safe scooter and powered wheelchair use;
  • Engage in discussion around a range of topics for therapists and client considerations during assessment for scooters;
  • Gain practical experience in using the Powered Mobility Device Assessment Training Tool; and
  • Increase their knowledge.
 For further details and to register your attendance visit our What’s On page.
Visit our website for more information about our services
ILC Head Office
The Niche, Suite A, 11 Aberdare Road, Nedlands WA 6009
Phone: (08) 9381 0600 or 1300 885 886 (the cost of a local call from anywhere in WA)
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