THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 ‒ 33

V1 - MERE01Z01MA

WITH 70 years of experienceproviding disability supportservices in northern Tasmania,Eskleigh Foundation Inc. nowcares for NDIS and private cli-ents on the North-West Coastand in Hobart.

The non-for-profit organis-ation is committed to provid-ing quality, individual supportthrough group home, attend-ant care and community-ac-cess programs.

Chief executive Dale Lut-trell said the introduction ofthe NDIS was reshaping thedisability service sector andEskleigh was meeting the chal-lenge with new facilities andnew services.

“We support people withvarying levels of physical andintellectual disability includingspinal injury, acquired braininjury, aneurysm and stroke,”Mr Luttrell said.

Eskleigh has an energeticand caring workforce that isprofessionally trained and ded-icated to working collabora-tively with clients and theirfamilies to achieve positiveoutcomes.

Maintaining social connec-tions and social engagement isimportant and at Eskleigh’sCommunity Access Centresand activities are designed

Catering for a new era in care

SUPPORTIVE: Eskleigh Foundation provides quality services to those with disabilities.

around personal interests andneeds.

Transport to social activi-ties and other events can beprovided and Community Ac-cess Centre programs are re-viewed regularly.

The organisation’s GroupHomes offer active and per-son-centred support 24 hours aday, seven days a week in four-six bedroom contemporaryresidential homes.

“Being part of a functioning

and co-operative group of peo-ple can be extremely import-ant in having a meaningful,active and fulfilling lifestyle,”Mr Luttrell said.

The Group Homes are lo-cated in Mornington, Mon-trose, Longford andLaunceston.

For clients able to stay intheir own home Eskleigh’sstatewide Attendant Care pro-gram offers a wide range of in-home support services.

The type of care to be pro-vided is determined after thor-ough consultation withrelevant medical practitioners,the client and family.

Trained nurses and quali-fied support workers can pro-vide in-home medicalsupervision, personal care andcan facilitate community inte-gration.Call 6398 7100 for inquiries about Eskleigh services or email office@eskleigh.com.au

PROJECT ReachABLE isan initiative supportingTasmanians experiencingall forms of disability, to en-gage with the NDIS, par-ticularly those who haveexperienced barriers to en-gaging with services or theNDIS in the past.

The statewide outreachservice is delivered in part-nership through RichmondFellowship Tasmania, Col-ony 47, The Link Youth Ser-vices and Family andCommunity Connections.

Project manager, Mi-chael Douglas, said, “Ourprimary focus is to supportour consumers to access anNDIS plan or provide link-ages with other appropriatesupports if the NDIS is notan option”.

People in contact withProject Reachable are livingwith physical and/or psy-chosocial challenges and fora range of reasons have notyet connected with supportor struggled to remain withexisting supports.

Many have already ap-plied for the NDIS and havebeen unsuccessful, or areliving through other chal-lenges in life such as home-lessness, relationship orfamily breakdown, dom-estic violence, involvementwith the justice system, ad-diction or other issues that

have created extra chal-lenges to engaging withsupports.

“One of the principal is-sues we have heard fromour consumers is that theyhave found entering theNDIS and disability supportsystem for the first timeoverwhelming,” Mr Doug-las said.

One client said “There isso much information outthere to access; it’s hard toknow where to start.

“Once you think youhave found the informationyou need, there is often notenough practical detail for itto be useful.”

Similar feedback hasbeen provided to us by ourconsumers’ family mem-bers, carers and supportworkers.

“This has led us to designour service in a way that isaccessible, provides clearand accurate information,and enables us to supportpeople through each step ofthe NDIS application pro-cess,” Mr Douglas said.

The project is supportedby the Australian Govern-ment Department of SocialServices and the TasmanianGovernment Departmentof Health and Human Ser-vices. For more information phone 6228 3344

Breaking down the barriers

FESTIVALS are usually joyfulcommunity occasions but Fes-tival of Smiles hosted by Tas-care Society for Children takesthe fun and cheerful spirit toanother level.

Everyone is welcome to at-tend today’s free family eventcelebrating International Dayof People with Disability atBellerive Beach Park.

The day celebrates themany contributions peoplewith disability make to ourcommunity and it’s also a funday out for families.

Getting involved in celebra-tions for this UN-sanctionedevent is a chance to challengemyths, improve awareness andtake positive action to change

inclusion and accessibility forpeople with disability.

Tascare together with Glen-orchy, Hobart, Clarence andKingborough councils, willwelcome people of all ages tocelebrate International Day ofPeople with Disability.

The event will bring togeth-er families and the wider com-munity with the aim to breakdown barriers and increase in-clusion for all.

Tascare executive officer,Megan Cunningham said,“Help us strengthen our com-munity by shared experience,by participating in an event forpeople of all ages and all abil-ities.”

The event will include a free

barbecue, a range of activitiesfrom drumming, hip hop danc-ing, live music, big outdoorgames, and Freedom Wheelsbikes to massages.

“There will be plenty ofstalls with information and ac-tivities on offer and we encour-age all families to attend,” MrsCunningham said.

The Festival of Smiles com-munity art work will belaunched at the event, which isa collaborative art piece cele-brating the things that makepeople smile. The temporaryinstallation will add colour anda strong community voice tothe event.

Today’s festival will runfrom 11am-2pm.

Event to produce miles of smiles

HAPPY DAYS: The festival is sure to put smiles on dials.

YEARS

CE

LEB

RATING

70

All-new centre now

open in Bellerive

Celebrating 70 years of service, Eskleigh offers a state wide service for people with a disability with an all-new Bellerive centre

• Community Access and Community Attendant Care Service Programmes

• Respite Care, Residential disability care in your home.

• NDIS registered provider and provides services to DHHS and private clients

A New Era in Care for Hobart

South: 2/120 Cambridge Road, Bellerive, 7018 (adjacent to Eastlands) Phone: 03 6244 6661

North: Eskleigh Home, 16087 Midlands Highway, Perth, 7300 Phone: 03 6398 7100

North-West: Unit 5, Columnar Court, 4-22 Wilmot Street, Burnie, 7320 Phone: 03 6432 1776

www.eskleigh.com.au

A New Era in Disability Care

Tasmanian NDIS Provider

Caring for people with disabilities

1 Bowen Rd, Moonah TAS 7009 P 03 6228 9099W langford.org.au @langfordsupportservices

CELEBRATING YOUR LIFE YOUR WAY

34 ‒ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

MERE01Z01MA - V1

TO help connect people withdisability with potential em-ployers, National DisabilityServices Provider Lifestyle So-lutions, is hosting an AccessA-bility Day event next Tuesday.

The AccessAbility Day is anew government initiative thatpromotes understanding andacceptance of people with dis-ability in the Australian work-force.

To facilitate this the Life-style Solutions’ Disability Em-ployment Services’ team ishosting a breakfast for regis-tered job seekers supported byLifestyle Solutions and poten-tial employers interested inlearning more about workingwith people with disabilities atthe White Wall Kitchen inHobart’s RACT Building.

DES coordinator at Life-style Solutions, Louise Arnoldsaid: “We are encouraging em-ployers to provide a workplacement opportunity for ourjobseekers over the coming

months and will be providingsupport to participating busi-nesses and job seekersthroughout their work experi-ence placements.

“We are expecting morethan 20 employers to attendthe event to meet with our jobready clients, and with the as-sistance of the TasmanianHospitality Association, wehope to continue to run theseevents every four months.”

Lifestyle Solutions has re-ceived commitments from sev-eral businesses in the Hobartarea with RACV/RACT Hob-art Apartment Hotel commit-ted to providing numerouswork placements for job seek-ers.

Mornington Park WasteTransfer Station, Fresh Cut,Westland’s Nursery, The OldWoolstore Apartment Hoteland Vos Construction are alsodedicating their time to attendthe event and have arrange-ments in place to provide work

placement opportunities forparticipants.

“We are encouraging po-tential employers to get on-board the AccessAbility Dayinitiative to learn more aboutthe talent of people we sup-port, promote an inclusiveworkplace and better under-stand the value they couldbring to their organisation,”Louise said.

“We hope that this eventwill enable people with disabil-ity to experience and learnabout a new workplace, broad-en their professional networksand build confidence.”

AccessAbility Day is ex-pected to be implemented na-tionally in 2018 and willcoincide with InternationalDay of People with Disability.

To find out more about the event, contact Louise Arnold on 6222 4300 or email louise.arnold@lifestylesolutions.org.au

BROADENING HORIZONS: Lifestyle Solutions is helping those with disability find work.

Solutions that work for all

Tasmania’s leading linen service

Your life, your way, every dayAnglicare can support you to achieve your goals:• Over 30 years supporting Tasmanians• Part of the NDIS since the start• Providing one of the broadest range of services

Stop by and talk to our friendly, professionalteam on the day or give us a call today.

Celebrate with us at theFestival of SmilesBellerive Beach Park3rd December, 11am - 2pm

1800 243 232anglicare-tas.org.au

Supporting people to achieve their best

Life’s possibilities are endless with Lifestyle Solutions

Find out how Lifestyle Solutions can make a positive difference in your life or the life of someone in your care.

We offer a comprehensive range of supports and services:

We can also advise on funding options for one-on-one support.

Contact us for more information.

1800 NDIS 4 U (1800 634 748) enquiry@lifestylesolutions.org.au

Lifestyle Solutions is a registered NDIS service provider.

• Community Outreach Program• Disability Employment Service• Specialised Accommodation

Service

• In-home Support Service• Community Access Service• Beating the Odds Program

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 ‒ 35

V1 - MERE01Z01MA

DEDICATED to giving people with a disability greater choice, control and freedom, House with No Steps helps people with disability live a great life.

Assistance to help schoolleavers find meaningful employment is among the many services provided by our organisation.

Unfortunately, close to half of Australians of working age with a disability don’t have a job.

As well as providing independence and a source of income, having a job is a major driver of positive physical and mental wellbeing.

It gives people with a disability the ability to connect with their community, develop new skills and gain experience in the workplace.

The prospect of lookingfor work can be quite daunting for many school leavers with a disability, and that’s where our School Leaver Employment Supports can help.

We are dedicated to helping school leavers develop social and employment-related skills and build confidence to find the right job.

In our first 12 months inHobart, we’ve helped our

school-leaver customers achieve many of their goals.

More than 80 per cent ofcustomers achieved a Certificate I in Work Education and 100 per cent have completed at least two work placements.

To find out more about the support House with No Steps offers and meet their friendly team, including its NDIS Community Engagement and Local Area coordinators, get along to one of their open days.

These will be held on December 8, from 10am-3pm and December 9, from 10am-2pm, at Level 1, 132 Liverpool St, Hobart.

Steps towards a better life

DISABILITY service providerPossability is proving what’spossible for people living withdisability.

The organisation has beenworking with Tasmanianswith disability to develop theirindependence and confidence.

With assistance from Pos-sability, Huon Valley womanPania has been able to over-come shyness and becomemore involved in her localcommunity.

Pania has lived with threeother women in the Huon Val-ley in Southern Tasmaniasince 2012.

“When I first moved in Iwas shy. I wanted to get outand about a bit more and getinto the community,” Paniasaid.

Since identifying thesegoals in her support plan with

Possability, Pania now enga-ges with her local communityin many ways.

She has holidayed in NewZealand, joined a theatregroup, volunteered in com-munity events and currentlytakes weekly singing lessons.

“Going to different thingshas helped me to open up,” shesaid.

She also expressed a desireto improve her literacy andnumeracy and has now com-pleted a Certificate II in retail.

Pania currently volunteersat a local charity shop one daya week to continue developingher workplace skills while sheseeks employment.

“Staff helped me along theway, they got me motivatedand encouraged me,” she said.

Working hard to overcomeher shyness, Pania achieved a

milestone last year when sheaddressed a group of Year 7students about her experien-ces of discrimination and di-versity.

Her presentation was en-thusiastically received and thishas encouraged her to go on tomake further presentations.

“That is not something Iwould have been able to do afew years ago,” she said.

“I feel like I have come along way, I feel good and I ammore open than I was.

“I have changed over thelast few years, I have got moreconfidence and I am not shynow.”

Possability chief executive,Drew Beswick, said Pania’s ex-perience highlights how im-portant it is for people withdisability to be supported toparticipate in the community.

CONFIDENT: Possability has helped Pania overcome shyness and become more engaged.

Pania proves anything is possible

Supporting people with a disability

Local and Tasmanian.Large enough to support you,Small enough to care.

• Individual and group support• Life skills development• Recreation and Leisure• Supported holidays• School and holiday programs• Respite – evening and overnight

weekend• Coordination of supports –

improving life choices

For further informationPhone 03 6243 6044

Email enquiries@parkside.org.auwww.parksidefoundation.org.au

| |

ParaQuad Association of Tasmania Inc. celebrates the 25th

International Day of People With Disability

- Advocacy and information services - Access Auditing - Bodysafe Education Program- Glenn Moore Units Accessible Accommodation- PQ Tasmania Healthcare Supplies - NDIS approved provider- Peer support - Physical Disability Sports - Wheelchair Sports in Schools

P: (03) 6272 8816 W: www.paraquadtas.org.au

Serving TasmanianÕs with Physical Disability since 1990

36 ‒ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

MERE01Z01MA - V1

SENSITIVE ISSUE: Li-Ve Tasmania is open to conversations about the end of life for people living with disabilities.

LOCAL service provider,Li-Ve Tasmania, has lifted thelid on the way people in thecommunity and medical sec-tors traditionally approachpeople living with disability atthe end of their lives and whenthey’re grieving.

After two years of research,the organisation is generatinga systemic transformation, na-tionally, by providing a voicefor people living with disabili-ty.

Li-Ve Tasmania chiefexecutive Paul Byrne said:“Until now, Tasmanians living

with disability have not beenasked about their thoughts andneeds around death, and yetthey have an enormous contri-bution to make to this conver-sation.”

With a grant from PalliativeCare Tasmania and Better Ac-cess to Palliative Care, Li-VeTasmania spoke to partici-pants, their friends and familyand other service providers.

“When we asked themabout death, dying and end-of-life care, it was clear that peo-ple living with disability wantto have a say,” Mr Byrne said.

“It’s been an emotional ex-perience, hearing their insightsand perspectives and particu-larly humbling is their willing-ness to share their experiencesof grief.”

One participant in the studysaid: “I was confused aboutwhy Mum had left me, theyjust said ‘she’s gone’.”

Many others echoed thefeelings of bewilderment andexclusion.

“Everybody else talkedaround me but no-one talkedto me,” another person said.

One participant said: “Notone person has talked to meabout Mum since she died; no-one says her name.

“I can’t talk to anyone abouther anymore.”

Mr Byrne said: “Death is a

sensitive and complex topic, sowe started with a small study toopen up a discussion that islong overdue and interest hasgrown exponentially.

“On a national scale, we’rechanging the interactions be-tween family members, sup-port staff, participants, doctorsand patients.

All people living with dis-ability deserve to be valuedand included when someonedies, and when it comes totheir own lives they must havethe same rights and opportun-ities as everyone else to voicetheir wishes and preferences,and even plan for their ownfinal supports and life celebra-tions. “That’s why we’re com-mitted to reshaping the wholesystem,” he said.

Offering support with a tough topic

NOT just a state-of-the art environ-mentally friendly laundry service,Blueline Laundry provides peoplewith disabilities with personalisedsupport and opportunities for stable,rewarding employment.

One employee supported byBlueline is 24-year-old Joel Bray-bon.

Blueline is enabling Joel to accessprofessional supports and appropri-ate technology to assist him with hisdiminished hearing.

Using an iPad app, Joel is increas-ing his learning capabilities and de-veloping his communication skills.

Blueline has partnered with St Gilesstaff to provide professional supportto Joel and his communicationneeds.

With the support, Joel has devel-oped a confident voice, and the iPadtechnology provides him the abilityto communicate should his hearingdeteriorate further.

His mother, Jo-Anne Plunkett,and staff at Blueline are delightedwith his progress.

“It’s absolutely wonderful,” MrsPlunkett said.

“I see a change in my son.”Joel was born with a chromo-

some disorder and his mother wastold he would never walk or talk.

Thankfully that did not eventuatebut Joel has lived with a range ofhealth issues.

Joel works five days a week at thelaundry, where he is a valued staffmember.

“He really loves it at Blueline,”Mrs Plunkett said.

“He’s a happier person and reallytakes pride in his work.”

Blueline’s Services co-ordinator,Ron Di Felice, said Joel wants toachieve his goals of being indepen-dent and develop work skills to im-

prove the quality of his life. “Blueline’s integrated and diverse

workforce has allowed Joel the op-portunity to work with others anddevelop his communication skills ina supportive environment,” he said.

“He has proven himself as a dedi-cated employee, willing to learn newthings and help his fellow work-mates as well.”

Blueline, operates under the aus-pices of the Archdiocese of Hobart,is an Australian Disability Enter-prise and a National Disability In-surance Scheme provider with sitesat New Town and Kings Meadows.0

A rewarding line of work

VALUED: Joel Braybon is rapt with his role at Blueline Laundry.

Are you finding the NDIS overwhelming?Do you need support to access the scheme?Project reachABLE can help you to access the support you need, regardless of the challenges you are experiencing.

FIND OUT MORE

www.facebook.com/projectreachable

P 03 6228 3344 E projectreachable@rftas.org.au

Sunday 3rd December

Bellerive Beach Park

11am - 2pm

FREEEVENT

Celebrating International Day of People with Disability

• FREE BBQ and LARGE OUTDOOR GAMES

• DRUMMING and HIP-HOP DANCING

• FACE PAINTING and THE IMAGINATION PLAYGROUND

• MASSAGES and CHILL OUT ZONE

• LIVE PERFORMANCES and MORE!

More informationPhone 6272 8265

Or follow us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/tascaresocietyforchildren

For supportat any life stage,call us on 6227 6400.

www.facebook.com/LiVeTassie