Independence Australia in West Footscray, Victoria | Charitable organisation

Independence Australia

Locality: West Footscray, Victoria

Phone: +61 1300 704 456

Address: Building 1, 9 Ashley Street 3012 West Footscray, VIC, Australia

Website: http://independenceaustralia.com.au

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• Medical and health
• Non-profit organisation
• Charitable organisation
• Disability service

25.01.2022 Have you subscribed to our monthly Inform newsletter? Inform is our online platform that explores a vast range of disability related content through our podcast and article hub for people living with a disability, their peers, support workers and family Get all the latest on our NDIS 101’s, lived experience stories, information and insights, as well as services and supports in the community ... Sign up to our monthly newsletter here - http://ow.ly/ZmV550DqT9i

24.01.2022 The spring season has well and truly arrived here in Victoria, have you noticed any changes in your skin? In this article, we chat about accommodating your skincare routine for every season

23.01.2022 Today is World Kindness Day World Kindness Day is all about acceptance, diversity and love, a perfect opportunity for us to encourage and perform acts of kindness towards others Random acts of kindness can vary from helping someone cross the street, letting someone else go in front of you in a line or simply complimenting someone. ... We would love to know in the comments below what random acts of kindness you will do today. Remember, a smile can stretch miles

23.01.2022 To help us raise awareness for National EB Awareness Week, we want to help you learn a little more about EB! We’ll be asking you some EB trivia questions as the week progresses. Simply post your answer in the comments and we will announce the correct answer in the headline of the next trivia question. Here’s your first question

21.01.2022 The beginning of a new school year brings excitement and new adventures for children The year ahead could be filled with new experiences; a first sleep over or first school camp both of which could be potentially challenging if your child wets the bed at night. We take you through some tips and resources to help your child prepare to confidently head off to school camp and sleep-overs when the time comes.... https://www.independenceaustralia.com.au//bedwetting-and-/

21.01.2022 What a throwback! 20 years ago, DEBRA ambassador Dean Clifford who lives with EB, held the Olympic torch as part of the 2000 Olympic relay in Sydney! What an amazing moment

21.01.2022 Today marks International Day of People with Disability We hear from Inform writer, Fiona Murphy on Deaf culture, identity and why accessibility matters The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified pre-existing inequalities for those of us who having hearing loss. As face masks and social distancing has become part of the ‘new normal’, communication has been difficult.... Since interpreters have been consistently included in Australia’s media coverage of the pandemic, The Canberra Times reported that ‘there has been a 1000 per cent surge in the number of enrolments to take part in Auslan classes’. Read the full article here - https://www.informonline.org.au/hello-im-deaf/

20.01.2022 ‘Living your best life’ is a saying we hear thrown around these days. But for people living with a disability this is a particularly meaningful phrase. Carolyn Campbell-McLean lives with spinal muscular atrophy, she speaks to Inform about her pursuit of independence and her mission to help others with disabilities follow their dreams. https://www.informonline.org.au/leaping-to-independence-li/

19.01.2022 2020 has been the unofficial year of video calls! Over this year, we've increased our one-on-one counselling sessions by 76%, all thanks to the accessibility that telehealth provides us. Video calls have given us the opportunity to keep connected over a period where physical interaction has been impossible, but have you ever wondered if your video call etiquette is up to date?... We've put together our best pointers to ensure that your video call and telehealth skills are up to scratch! https://www.independenceaustralia.com.au//telehealth-etiq/

19.01.2022 Access to mental health support has never been more important than this year The unpredictability of COVID has caused a shift in accessibility to health and mental health professionals, many having moved to providing telehealth services via phone and video calls. But what options are available for those who experience video or phone call anxiety, or those who find it difficult to find a quiet space to have a private conversation? ... Inform explore some alternative ways you can seek help, without having to step outside your comfort zone. https://www.informonline.org.au/5-ways-to-get-mental-healt/

17.01.2022 REMINDER: Pre-Christmas order delivery cut off is this Wednesday!! Make sure you get your orders in by this Wednesday 9th December to receive your order before the Christmas break! Shop now! Our online store is open 24/7 https://store.independenceaustralia.com/

17.01.2022 The Australian Psychological Society have released their handy factsheet this week on coping with change during the uncertain period of COVID-19 and beyond

17.01.2022 Well, hasn't that summer feeling come around the corner fast! With temperatures rising across Australia this past week, we see the welcome of the lesser-liked components of this warmer weather - scorched feet from stinking pavement, spiders in parades and a few sneaky sunburns or two. So we've rounded up the top 3 common summer health hazards and how you can avoid them

15.01.2022 Navigating the pathway to the right NDIS plan for you can be tricky. At Independence Australia, customer flexibility, education and choice is essential to us. Since beginning in 1957, our services and programs have impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands of Victorians. Our key questions to ask while navigating the NDIS will help to guide you through your some of the essential aspects of the NDIS and how they could apply to you ... https://www.independenceaustralia.com.au//key-questions-t/

15.01.2022 This week from the 11th - 17th of October is National Carers Week We want to thank all carers, support workers and nurses for the incredible work that they continue to provide as frontline essential service workers in these challenging and uncertain times of Covid-19. In this video, some of our beautiful customers have shared with us why their carers are so essential to them.... This year, more than any other year, we thank all carers, support workers and nurses for going above and beyond to provide a safe and supportive environment for all of our customers and clients #nationalcarersday #disabilitysupportworkers #essentialworkers

14.01.2022 We were so excited to read the announcement that Tim McCallum will be performing this years national anthem at the AFL Grand Final Tim started his career in music and theatre before a life-changing accident left him as a quadriplegic, with his future music career in doubt. "I want my performance at the Toyota AFL Grand Final to show people out there no matter what obstacles life throws at you - that you too can be centre-stage."... We cant wait to watch https://www.afl.com.au//classical-singer-from-the-voice-to

14.01.2022 It’s time for EB Trivia again! If you guessed a. Skin, in our first trivia question, you were correct! EB primarily affects the skin and the glue that holds our skin cells together. Do you know the answer to today’s question? Let us know your answer in the comments and we will announce the correct answer on Friday, along with our last trivia question!

13.01.2022 We've given our A - Z of Disability Etiquette infographic a brand new face to match the new A - Z animation video We hope that this resource will help people to adjust their language and actions in order to move towards to a more inclusive and equal society for everyone! What is the most important letter to you when it comes to disability etiquette

13.01.2022 Aussie tech genius and scientist, Dr Jordan Nguyen, has been working on mind and eye control devices that will revolutionise the lives of those living with disabilities in the not so distant future His refreshing and caring approach to change the lives of the people behind the devices he creates, is what takes his incredible creations to the next level. A truly inspiring watch ... https://10play.com.au//n/2020/mind-controll/tpv200929kvyts

12.01.2022 Think you know your sports? Think again. Inform takes a look at three emerging sports that are being developed in Victoria right now, with support from VicHealth so that more people can get active. Have you heard of or played these before? ... www.informonline.org.au/three-sports-youve-probably-never-/

12.01.2022 Penguin Bloom is currently playing in cinemas around the world, but have you familiarised yourself with the real story behind this fantastic adaptation? When a horrific and life changing incident affected Sam Bloom and her family while on holidays, she never expected her story to unfold like it did. Will you be catching Penguin Bloom in cinemas? Get to know the Bloom families real story below

11.01.2022 This year in place of a morning tea at our head office, we held a virtual Bake-Off to celebrate International Day of People with Disability Well done to our winner, Alicia! Don’t these gingerbread Christmas cookies look just delicious? The bonus was that she got to have her cookies AND eat them too!

10.01.2022 "The support that they give us helps us live with a great quality of life." Support workers and carers have made a huge impact in Jess' life. How has a carer or support worker made a difference in your life? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLbi61BAdJ8&feature=youtu.be... #thankyoucarers #nationalcarersweek

10.01.2022 This week is #NAIDOCWeek, where we unite across our country to recognise, embrace and celebrate the true history, culture and achievements of our first nations people, spanning back over 65,000 years. Always Was, Always Will Be. recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were Australia’s first explorers, first navigators, first engineers, first farmers, first botanists, first scientists, first diplomats, first astronomers and first artists. Independence Australia would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation who are the traditional custodians of this land. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and the Aboriginal Elders of other communities who may be here today.

10.01.2022 One of our team members shared this quote with us, a small conversation that turned to a powerful takeaway from a customer at a previous work place. When asked what his secret to life was, the positively glowing gentleman in his late 90’s shared this advice with them, leaving a profound impact on their perspective on life, happiness and dealing with the curveballs that life throws us What’s the best advice that you’ve ever received?

09.01.2022 According to Carers Australia, there are approximately 272,000 young carers across the country Young carers like Bridget and Jasmine became carers for their family members, both at very young ages. In this article they discuss how being a young carer has taught them valuable life skills, the social affect it can have on their schooling and social lives and learning when it's time to take a step back, and care for themselves. ... How amazing are carers?

09.01.2022 This Saturday the 10th of October marks World Mental Health Day, however this topic is a focus for our organisation year-round. Things have been difficult, we’ve been pushed outside of our comfort zones and had to think on our feet, all whilst dealing with some form of isolation. We send our love and strength to all Australians, especially metro Melbourne, we can get through this together We’ve collated some of our team’s favourite life quotes to share with you all, we’ll be posting these throughout the rest of this week

08.01.2022 Collingwood wheelchair football captain/coach Beau Vernon and wheelchair sportsman and coach Brendan Stroud suffered spinal cord injuries as young men. Tune in to hear our health psychologist, Dr Andrew Sinclair chat with ABC interviewer Michael Mackenzie, Brendan and Beau about the life changing effects of living with a spinal cord injury https://www.abc.net.au//spinal-cord-injury-and-th/10961776

06.01.2022 Uber has now been approved to offer subsidised trips through the Multi-Purpose Taxi Program for Victorians living with disability and accessibility needs. The subsidy will now cover 50 per cent of the cost of eligible participants’ trips, for up to $60. Click the link below to see how eligible participants can access this subsidy!... https://www.uber.com/en-AU/newsroom/mptp/

06.01.2022 In this episode of the Inform podcast, we talk to Kylie Maslen, the author of Show Me Where It Hurts: Living With Invisible Illness. We discuss the value of online communities, why we should be talking about sex and dating for people with disabilities and Kylie’s hope that readers who are disabled or living with chronic pain and invisible illness can find a form of kinship in the pages of Show Me Where It Hurts. Tune in now ... https://www.informonline.org.au/episode-13-show-me-where-i/ See more

06.01.2022 Want to achieve more with your NDIS plan? Your NDIS plan is unique to you and we know that flexibility, education and choice is essential to enable you to create the right NDIS program tailored to your needs. We take you through some tips and tricks to make sure you get the most out of your NDIS plan ... https://www.independenceaustralia.com.au//achieve-more-wi/

06.01.2022 With fully accessible packaging, re-texturised foods for easier chewing and braille packaging, Dylan Alcott's new venture, Able Foods, provides great quality, ready-made meal kits to help people with disability lead healthier lives! We can't wait to try!

05.01.2022 We we're so lucky to have our story on Alexis Gordon and her family featured in this months edition of LINK DisAbility Magazine Visit the link below to read the full story - http://ow.ly/VKDd50C8FNq

05.01.2022 We’re Hiring! We currently have a number of roles for support workers located across Victoria with varying hours and times available. Roles are available as far and wide as Warrnambool, Rye, Mount Evelyn and Croydon.... Find out more at the below link - https://www.independenceaustralia.com.au/careers/

05.01.2022 In August, we introduced you to Alexis and her wonderful parents Alarna and Harley To mark National EB Awareness Week - October 25th 31st, we wanted to share more of their beautiful story with you. Currently there is no known cure for Epidermolysis Bullosa, so raising awareness of this rare disease and the emotional toll that it can have on families is very important to us ... Along with some more clips from Alexis’ story, we will be asking you some trivia questions through the week to test your knowledge and get you more familiar with EB. #nationalebawarenessweek

05.01.2022 Another beautiful quote shared by a team member, this is one of those life quotes that contributes to shaping who we become Lately, some of us have been left feeling not quite like ourselves, what has been your best mental health tips and routines for dealing with the effects of isolation? Some of our favourites are the Awareness Body Scan and Breathing for Relaxation techniques. ... You can find these on our YouTube Psychology Mindfulness Techniques playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist

05.01.2022 Today is World Mental Health Day Looking after your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Although we are slowly staring to close the gap on the stigma surrounding mental illness, we’re not quite there yet.... Almost half of the Australian population will experience some form of a mental illness in their lifetime. But it’s said that over 50% of people with some form of mental illness do not access any treatment, a scary figure in the grand scheme of things. If you are feeling overwhelmed or struggling to cope, pick up the phone and call a friend, a family member or one of the many fantastic mental health hotlines It all starts with a conversation

04.01.2022 Psychology Week, 8 - 14 November, is an annual initiative of the Australian Psychological Society that aims to increase public awareness of how psychology can help Australians lead healthier, happier and more meaningful lives. At Independence Australia we run psychology programs that help people achieve just this People just like Dr. Andrew Browne, a retired veterinarian and passionate bird photographer who spent his 65th birthday at the Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre a...fter sustaining fractures in the vertebrae of his neck as the result of an awkward fall. Andrew believes that everyone with an ongoing spinal injury needs to participate in ongoing support. Read more about Andrew’s story and the people that your purchase helps in the link below. It is because of your support that we can provide free access to these psychology and counselling programs for people living with a spinal cord injury and their families https://www.independenceaustralia.com.au//dr-andrew-brown/

03.01.2022 Are you ready to get moving this week? AJ, a dance instructor who runs Diva - a para-dance class in London, UK has joined forces with DANCE & ROLL in Melbourne for a collaboration dance session this Thursday the 19th at 6pm! Check the DANCE & ROLL Facebook page to see the details and to register. Get in quick as spots are limited!

03.01.2022 The National Epidermolysis Bullosa Dressings Scheme is the only subsidised wound care and dressing scheme in the world specifically targeted for people living with EB Without the NEBDS, the monthly cost of dressings needed to manage EB can reach into the thousands of dollars. The NEBDS has provided financial relief for Alexis and her family, by significantly reducing the burden of the cost of dressings to manage this chronic and rare disease.... #nationalebawarenessweek

01.01.2022 Are you a diabetes educator or interested in the relationship between #continence and Diabetes management? Join the free Australian Diabetes Educators Association's Webinar on Diabetes, Medications and Continence with Michelle Robins as she explores common causes of incontinence in people living with diabetes. Click the link below to register for tomorrow’s webinar