WA's Individualised Services Inc. | Community organisation

WA's Individualised Services Inc.

Phone: 94810101

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25.01.2022 Here is a snippet from a video in our online Be a Boss resource about the importance of recruiting based on expectations and vision. You can find the full video and more here https://waindividualisedservices.org.au//finding-workers-/

25.01.2022 Many people, in WA, privately employ their own support workers. Some of these workers fall outside the WA State Industrial Relations system. This is because they are providing a domestic service in a private home. The WA government is proposing that the WA Industrial Relations law that allows this, be changed to remove this as an option. If you would like more information about the proposed changes and why, please click here https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au//New-...laws-to-bolster WAiS has been working with Minister Bill Johnston’s office exploring the impact of these changes on people and families employing their own workers and, in particular, on co-residency arrangements. The Minister’s office understands our concerns and is open to continuing these discussions. WAiS deeply understands the impact, especially to individualised living (co-residency) and will be keeping a keen watching brief over the progress of the Bill through Parliament and will update you as it progresses. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you would like to read the Bill and it’s Explanatory Memorandum please click here https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au//bills/BillProgressPopup

25.01.2022 You can find a range of resources about the NDIS like this on our website. See them here https://waindividualisedservices.org.au/national-disabilit/ Image description: WAiS designed resource titled NDIS Reasonable and Necessary. Subheadings say visions and goals, good practice, social and economic participation, value for money, Also takes into account: Informal Supports - my familym my friends and my community networks, Formal supports - health, education and other community supports. On a brown, yellow and black dot patterned background.

25.01.2022 Not everyone celebrates Christmas for religious and/or other personal reasons. Sometimes this can be a very hard time of the year for many people. Look out for each other, stay in touch, and reach out if you need help. From all our WAiS team, we wish you all well, and if/however you celebrate, we hope you get some time to spend with those you love. Here is a short video of some photos of our WAiS team played as a video with background christmas song music playing

25.01.2022 Self Direction is for everyone See all of our WAiS values here https://waindividualisedservices.org.au/

25.01.2022 Thanks UWA Research for sharing!

24.01.2022 WAiS are very proud to let you know that we now have our full range of 8 Steps to Starting Your Business resources available on our website. The new ones are Step 4 Choosing the legal structure of my business, Step 5 Legal Responsibilities and Step 7 Finances. You can find them all here http://waindividualisedservices.org.au//starting-a-small-/... This is part of an Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) grant that WAiS received to provide information and support to people and their families in relation to starting a small business, to support them with their entrepreneurial goals. WAiS are collaborating with the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) in delivering this information. Please contact us if you have any queries about this project or want to meet with WAiS for support in relation to starting a small business or to talk through these resources.

24.01.2022 The Lives We Lead - Workforce has input from people with lived experience from around the state, including Sandy Dann one of our reference group members. Read h...er words describing her background and why she’s joined us. I have been a part of Indigenous Media as a Broadcaster Journalist for the last 28 years. Media is an occupation where you do not know what will happen from day to day and I have trained, worked with and met many interesting people. My favourite part of the job is meeting all the everyday people that contribute so much and pass on community information. When I first started out, Indigenous Media was just beginning around the country with BRACKS remote broadcasting in the bush and some town radio stations growing legs as well. Back then equipment was heavy to carry, there was a lot of time editing and putting programmes together and even CDs with aboriginal music were hard to get. Now, most of the information is digital and programs are put together on the computer. The rush one gets from meeting people along with feeling creative, with touching and smelling creativity in what you are doing, is largely gone because of social media. I do four days of the week on The National Indigenous Radio Service, live around the nation, and we also have a National Indigenous Television Service out there too. I accepted the invite to be a part of the Lives We Lead reference group because media has given me the tools to continue challenging myself and it encourages others to do the same. If you think you have a story to tell or know someone in the regions who does please get in touch with Geraldine Mellet, the Project Coordinator: [email protected] Image Description: Photo of Sandy Dann in the radio studio, with a microphone up to her face and headphones on. An orange border, with The Lives We Lead web address in the right corner. Across the image the words 'Consistent, Committed, Courageous' are written.

23.01.2022 When hiring your own workers it is important to know the differences between an employee and a contractor. You can learn more about it in our Be a Boss online course here https://waindividualisedservices.org.au//deciding-whether/

23.01.2022 Invest in yourself in 2021 by learning new skills. Please check out our brand new training calendar and take advantage of the 10% discount if you book during 2020! https://events.humanitix.com/organ/5f0fd70ab1f4d80007325abb

23.01.2022 We have just released another round of this workshop for 1st and 8th of October. This will fill up quickly! Register here https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/sexuality-and-people-with-a

22.01.2022 Disability Services Minister Stephen Dawson has today launched the McGowan Government's State Disability Strategy. A Western Australia for Everyone - State Disability Strategy 2020-2030 - launched at Kings Park on the UN International Day of People with Disability - sets the vision and direction for the next 10 years of a more inclusive Western Australia that acknowledges and responds to the value of diversity in our community. See the full media statement here https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au//State-Disability-St

21.01.2022 You can hear from more self managers in our online course, Be a Boss https://waindividualisedservices.org.au/online-c/be-a-boss/

20.01.2022 We have the equal right to work, and to earn a decent living. Everyone can work and how it looks can be very different for different people. In this planning area, you will explore the sorts of things you would like to do for work. You will have the opportunity to create some next steps and also think about the support you will need to take these steps. See the full video in our online PLanning for a Good Life resource here https://waindividualisedservices.org.au//planning-area-5-/

20.01.2022 Some breaking news about new NDIS assessments ... The Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS have just announced they WILL conduct an inquiry into the use of ind...ependent assessments in the NDIS. The inquiry will look into: the development, modelling, reasons and justifications for the introduction of independent assessments into the NDIS; the impact of similar policies in other jurisdictions and in the provision of other government services; the human and financial resources needed to effectively implement independent assessments; the independence, qualifications, training, expertise and quality assurance of assessors; the appropriateness of the assessment tools selected for use in independent assessments to determine plan funding; the implications of independent assessments for access to and eligibility for the NDIS; the implications of independent assessments for NDIS planning, including decisions related to funding reasonable and necessary supports; the circumstances in which a person may not be required to complete an independent assessment; opportunities to review or challenge the outcomes of independent assessments; the appropriateness of independent assessments for particular cohorts of people with disability, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from regional, rural and remote areas, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; the appropriateness of independent assessments for people with particular disability types, including psychosocial disability; and any other related matters The inquiry is now open and will close on March 31. Anyone can make a submission to the inquiry. It doesn't have to be long or formal - a letter or an email will do the trick. We will also be making a submission - we will tell you how you get can get involved really soon. So stay tuned. If you are worried about what these assessments will mean for you or your family member here is an important chance to have your say. Now is the time to speak up. And please share and help us spread the word. It is important that the committee hears from as many people as possible. You can read about the inquiry here - https://www.aph.gov.au//National_Di/IndependentAssessments #NDIS #NDISMakeItWork (Image description: A red rectangle with the words "Breaking News" in white capital letters. Underneath the words you can see the Every Australian Counts logo and the words "NDIS: Make It Work)

20.01.2022 The ABC are looking for writers with a disability from across Australia to write a series of articles that will be published online. To get involved you need to pitch an idea for an article about disability - it just needs to be non-fiction and your original idea. It could be your lived experienced, an issue you see affecting your community, a stereotype you want to dispel or a celebration of life as a person with a disability. For more information and to submit your idea cl...ick the link below. Submissions close midnight on October 18. https://mobile.abc.net.au//callout-for-writers-w/12731676

20.01.2022 Here is a small taste of what can be found in our Be a Boss online resource. A discussion on how to problem solve and have difficult conversations as issues may arise. See the full video https://waindividualisedservices.org.au//managing-your-te/

20.01.2022 "Creating Home" is the term used to describe a range of ways that people can have 'live in' companionship and support in their home. There is no 'one size fits all' as each person is unique, and so are the people they want to be supported by. You can download our Creating Home guide from our website here https://waindividualisedservices.org.au//my-life-your-lif/. We also have a plain language and easy read version available. ... [Image Description: Front cover of WAiS designed resource called 'My Life, Your Life, Our Life - A guide to Flat mates, Homeshares & Co-Residents'.]

20.01.2022 My Planning Experience You can hear more about this and learn more about Planning for a Good Life here https://waindividualisedservices.org.au//planning-for-a-g/

19.01.2022 WA’s Individualised Services (WAiS) is looking for expressions of interest for the role of an Individualised Services Advisor, in WA, who would be providing information and support to people and their families to build their confidence and capacity to self-manage, in particular, their understanding of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards framework. This position requires passion and commitment to WAiS vision of people living their lives, their way, with choice and control over th...eir supports and services. WAiS supports people, families and service providers in understanding, designing and developing individualised, self-directed supports and services through providing information, support, mentoring and coaching. The successful applicant will: Have a deep understanding of and commitment to Human Rights. Be committed to the principles of Self-Management. Be confident and have a desire to support others to Self-Manage. Understand, or be willing to learn about, what is required when people hire their own support workers. Understand, or be willing to learn about, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards framework. This includes positive behaviour support and restrictive practices. Interact with people over the phone, in person, and in small groups; in and out of the office. Work with a small, self-driven team of people who are dedicated to supporting people to have greater autonomy in their lives. Possibly travel within Western Australia. Full time or Part time. Hours can be negotiated, with flexible working arrangements. WAiS strongly encourages people who are currently self-managing to apply. If you would like further information or to send in your expression of interest, please contact Su-Hsien Lee on 0499 747 404 or [email protected], by 30 December 2020.

19.01.2022 Planning for a Good Life Planning Resource is a comprehensive person-centred document that covers all areas of planning for either yourself and your loved one. Download the full resource here http://waindividualisedservices.org.au/resources/planning/

18.01.2022 YSDLS is a free national legal service offering legal information and advice to people about safely sharing their story with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. The purpose of the Disability Royal Commission is to improve the lives of people with disability through the sharing of experiences of violence, neglect, abuse or exploitation. The YSDLS is independent from the Disability Royal Commission. YSDLS is delivered b...y National Legal Aid and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services. They are able to support people with a disability, their families, carers, supporters and advocates to share their stories. They have a range of easy read resources on their site here https://yourstorydisabilitylegal.org.au/Resources For more information about the service, please contact Megan McCormack, Legal Coordinator & Lawyer via telephone on (08) 9261 6356 or email at [email protected].

18.01.2022 Here is a snippet of a video in our Be a Boss online course. Hope Leet Dittmeier talks about having a clear picture of who you want to support you. See the full video here https://waindividualisedservices.org.au//finding-workers-/

17.01.2022 Here is a short clip of Medjee and Susan using the Braille version of our planning card sets. You can see the full video in our Planning for a Good Life online resource here https://waindividualisedservices.org.au//planning-for-a-g/ If you would like a copy of the planning card sets in Braille please give us a call on 9481 0101.

17.01.2022 Home is a place where there is privacy and safety. It’s important that you think about what is important to and for you at home and how you would like your home to be. You can explore more about home in the Planning area on our website here https://waindividualisedservices.org.au//planning-area-4-/

16.01.2022 In this video from our Be a Boss online course we give tips on how you can make sure that as a self manager you are receiving high quality supports. See the full video here https://waindividualisedservices.org.au//being-and-keepin/

16.01.2022 Shannon's Story is a planning activity book for Aboriginal young people and their families to help prepare for the National Disability Insurance Scheme. It is has been co-designed with and by aboriginal people. It is hard copy activity book, in which young people can write, draw, and place stickers. You can learn more about Shannon's story here http://waindividualisedservices.org.au/shannons-story/

16.01.2022 Our Be a Boss module called Being and Keeping Safe has some great tips for self managers who are engaging their own supports. You can learn more about it here https://waindividualisedservices.org.au//being-and-keepin/

15.01.2022 In the 2020 Federal Budget, it was announced that the number of Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions Australians can access each year will be doubled from 10 to 20. https://www.ruok.org.au/how-to-access-a-mental-health-care-

14.01.2022 WAiS, together with organisations such as People with Disabilities WA, have been working with the WA Department of Communities, Housing, over a number of years, seeking a workable and positive Rent Setting Policy for Co-residents who are supporting people with disability living in a social housing rental property. In March, a media release by Ministers Dawson and Tinley announced a policy change that was due to take effect July 2020. https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au//Af...fordable-rent-cap Under the new policy, for rent calculation purposes, where a co-resident has an assessable income that is more than the full rate of the Carer Payment (including the Pension Supplement and the Energy Supplement), they will instead be treated as if their income is only the full rate of the Carer Payment (including supplements). This policy reduces the amount of rent that then needs to be paid for the property as social housing rent is the lesser of: a) 25 percent of weekly assessable household income (with the co-resident carer being treated as earning the full rate of the Carer Payment if their actual income exceeds this amount) ; or b) the market rent of the property. Unfortunately, due to COVID this policy did not take effect in July as anticipated. We have now been advised that Ministers Dawson and Tinley have signed off for this policy change to go live from 7 December 2020. More information is to be released shortly on the Housing Authority website.

13.01.2022 In this video from our Be a Boss online course Davina and Su give some tips for interviewing new workers. You can get more tips like this from our website here http://waindividualisedservices.org.au/online-co/be-a-boss/

13.01.2022 This activity is a great way to remind ourselves about the gifts others see in us, which we often overlook or forget about in ourselves! You can download these resources, along with a filled in example from our website here http://waindividualisedservices.org.au/resources/planning/

13.01.2022 Join us to celebrate microenterprise/small business owners on International Day of People with Disbaility. An opportunity to shop, eat and be entertained There are still some spaces left for stall holders, if you are interested email Jordyn at [email protected]

13.01.2022 Supported decision-making is when people with disability get support to make or act on their own decisions. Having choice and control means your decisions are heard and respected. This is a basic human right and it’s the foundation of self-direction. This is just one resource we have developed to help people with supported decision making. You can find this and many more resources on our website here http://waindividualisedservices.org.au//supported-decisio/ Image descript...ion: WAiS designed, Indigenous style, template for Recording Supported Decision Making. A table with headings that say, What is the decision? Who are the right people to assist? Where is the right place? Whats the right way to present the information? How can we assist the person to weigh it up? How do we hear the person's decision? How do we support the person to act on their decision? Frame around the table has brown, yellow, black and white dot painting. See more

12.01.2022 The McGowan Government has launched its Safer WA for Children and Young People online resource. The online resource is designed to be an all-purpose child safety hub, combining relevant safety tips and key information about keeping children and young people safe. The online resource will be continually updated as recommendations continue to be made by the landmark Royal Commission into Institutional Reponses to Child Sexual Abuse. There is a page with information specifical...ly for children and young people about online safety, effective ways to find help and how they can report allegations of abuse. The online resource also has information on support services for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse. Full media statement here https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au//New-Royal-Commissio https://www.wa.gov.au/go/safer-wa-children-and-young-people

12.01.2022 Since filming his video story Junior has made the big move to Kununurra! He now lives independently in his own home. At the moment Junior is riding his bike to work, but his next goal is to buy a car You can see all of The Lives We Lead stories here http://theliveswelead.com.au/

10.01.2022 This resource helps you to reflect on those things that are important to and for you when planning for a good life You can find more resources like this here https://waindividualisedservices.org.au/resources/planning/ [Image description: WAiS designed resource. Scales with boxes to fill in, one side says 'important to' the other says 'important for']

10.01.2022 The Disability Royal Commission is looking at ways to prevent people with disability from experiencing violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation in the future. Five Western Australian advocacy organisations you may know, have received funding to provide free and independent advocacy support for people engaging with or affected by the Disability Royal Commission. People With Disabilities WA (PWdWA), Ethnic Disability Advocacy Centre (EDAC), Midland Information, Debt & Legal Ad...vocacy Service (Midlas), Sussex Street Community Law Service and Advocacy WA are working together to help Western Australians with disability, their family members or carers acting on their behalf to put in submissions and share their stories. Read more about it here http://www.shareyourstoryshapeourfuture.org/

10.01.2022 It is important to be a good leader for your team when hiring your own supports. To see the full video on leadership go to http://waindividualisedservices.org.au//managing-your-tea/

10.01.2022 Topics to discuss with your planner You can download this resource from our website here http://waindividualisedservices.org.au/resources/planning/

09.01.2022 You can hear from more self managers on why they chose to self manage in our Be a Boss online course Check it out here https://waindividualisedservices.org.au/online-c/be-a-boss/

09.01.2022 Here is another self manager talking about the benefits! See the full video in our Be a Boss online course here https://waindividualisedservices.org.au/online-c/be-a-boss/

09.01.2022 The Disability Justice Service Portal is a simple, secure way to request services from the Disability Justice Service online 24/7. The Disability Justice Service Portal allows you to: - submit general enquiries - provide general feedback... - request training - request training feedback - submit Disability Justice Service referral forms online. https://www.communities.wa.gov.au//disability-justice-ser/

09.01.2022 Citizenship is based on the human rights of people. We believe citizenship is about what people can offer each other and the community. You can see the full video here https://waindividualisedservices.org.au/

08.01.2022 Understanding a Person's Communication See more about Supported Decision Making here https://waindividualisedservices.org.au//supported-decisi/

08.01.2022 Wanted: An Individualised Living Advisor to join our WAiS team! (Western Australia) WA’s Individualised Services (WAiS) is looking for expressions of interest for the role of an Individualised Living Advisor, in WA, who would be supporting people to explore more individualised living arrangements in partnership with their family, friends, allies and providers. This position requires passion and commitment to WAiS vision of people living their lives, their way, in their commun...ity, with choice and control over their supports and services. The successful applicant will: Have a deep understanding and commitment to Human Rights. Be confident and competent, in understanding person centred, culturally appropriate planning and how this links with individually designed living arrangements. Be confident and competent, in supporting people, families and providers in understanding, designing and delivering contemporary and innovative, individualised living arrangements. Have an awareness of or willingness to learn about the legal and technical underpinnings of individualised living arrangements. Engage with people over the phone, in person, and in small groups; in and out of the office (subject to Covid-19 restrictions) Work within a small self-driven team of people who are dedicated to supporting people to have greater autonomy in their lives. Part time. Hours can be negotiated, with flexible working arrangements. With your expression of interest, please tell us what your experience is in relation to the points above. If you would like further information or to send in your expression of interest, please contact Leanne Pearman on 0408 672 205 or [email protected] by Friday 14 August 2020.

08.01.2022 The NDIS is looking for your feedback to shape the future of the NDIS through their Participant First Engagement Initiative to connect with people, families and carers. They want to get your ideas on creating a better experience for people To sign up go to https://bit.ly/2UTQHVC

07.01.2022 WAiS are proud to let you know that we have two more Starting a Small Business resources available on our website! The new resources are Step 2: Think About My Business Idea and Step 6: Build My Support Team. This is part of an Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) grant that WAiS received to provide information and support to people and their families in relation to starting a small business, to support them with their entrepreneurial goals. WAiS are collabora...ting with the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) in delivering this information. Please contact us if you have any queries about this project or want to meet with WAiS for support in relation to starting a small business or to talk through these resources. To see the new resources click here http://waindividualisedservices.org.au//starting-a-small-/

07.01.2022 Due to a high demand WAiS are hosting a third Sexuality and People with an Intellectual Disability Workshop presented by Lud Allen. This workshop is for anyone who is interested in providing positive support to people with an intellectual disability about sex, sexuality and relationships. This includes, family members, carers, support workers, co-ordinators etc. It will explore the meanings that you give to sexuality and specifically the meaning you give to sexual education... for people you support. You will identify barriers that exist for people being able to have their sexual health and relationship education needs met. You will use and critique resources specifically made for sexual health education of people with an intellectual disability and explore the benefits of 1:1 education vs small group education and hear how this has been applied successfully in real life scenarios. This is a fully interactive online course. Participants will have the opportunity to watch video clips, complete exercises, view PowerPoint slides speak to each other and the facilitator. Each participant will be able to send questions into the facilitator in the time between each session if desired. This workshop will consist of 2 x three hour online sessions. You will need: 1. Access to the internet 2. Access to a laptop/desktop/tablet that has camera and microphone 3. Online meeting software ‘ZOOM 4. Quiet space 5. Handouts and other items as provided pre course When: Tuesday 23rd and 30th September 2020, 9:30am 12:30pm Where: Zoom Online platform (A meeting link will be sent to you via email) *There is no cost, but registration is essential For any further queries contact Jordyn at [email protected] or call 9481 0101 Register here https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/sexuality-and-people-with-a

05.01.2022 Due to planned maintenance, please note the NDIS myplace and participant portals will not be available from 8pm Saturday 18 July to 2am Sunday 19 July (Australian Western Standard Time).

05.01.2022 WAiS have put together a short survey for people who live in WA and are self or plan managing. The information we would like to gather from you is about: - how you self manage - what support you have to self manage... - what support you still might need to self manage - what support you might need with the introduction of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. The survey should take you about 5 minutes to complete. It is completely anonymous. Please complete it by COB Friday 3 July 2020 Click here for the survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/57LQ52C We have also developed an easy read version https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/57XMH5N

05.01.2022 Have you seen our easy read sample service agreement? You can find the full version here https://waindividualisedservices.org.au//plans-and-servic/ Image description: Front cover of the WAiS designed Sample Service Agreement document.

05.01.2022 The Microenterprise Marketplace is coming up tomorrow the 3rd of December to celebrate International Day of People with Disability There will be stalls to shop from, food and entertainment so come on down to East Perth Football Club, 246 Vincent Street, Leederville, from 11am til 2:30pm. Davina Paul spoke more about the Marketplace on ABC radio on Saturday morning, hear her full interview here https://www.abc.net.au//saturday/davinas-candles/12931260... EDAC Valued Lives Microenterprise Project

05.01.2022 We’re here when you need to talk #firstnations #suicideprevention

05.01.2022 On December 1st 2020, the registration and regulation of NDIS service providers in WA will formally transition from the Department of Communities to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission in the final stage of the national rollout. Disability sector organisations will need to align their organisational culture, policies and practices to meet the mandatory quality and safety compliance requirements under the NDIS Commission Quality & Safety Framework. At no cost to eligibl...e organisations, WAiS is available to provide innovative and tailored support to assist WA regional and remote disability service providers who are currently registered to deliver NDIS funded supports, to meet the NDIS Commission requirements and Practice Standards. To complement this project, National Disability Services (NDS) are providing support to all disability sector organisations in metropolitan Perth and Western Australian Association for Mental Health (WAAMH) are assisting psychosocial disability service providers across WA. The support offered by WAiS, NDS and WAAMH is funded by the Department of Communities, Disability Services. WAiS support may include: A collaborative analysis of where your organisation is currently at and what is needed to align with the Quality and Safeguards requirements. To co-design a capacity building program to ensure that the people you support are able to lead good lives in a quality service in a way which is aligned with the Quality & Safeguards practice standards, including workforce screening, complaints and incident management and the NDIS code of conduct. To discuss how WAiS can support your organisation or to receive updates about this project, please contact WAiS, 9481 0101 or [email protected] Key Resources NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission website https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/ NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/document/986 NDIS Code of Conduct https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/document/566

04.01.2022 Meet Dan Russell, a proud Goldfields resident, whose insights from his own lived experience will be an asset in showcasing employment and disability in the WA r...egions through The Lives We Lead- Worklife. Dan is well known around his hometown of Kalgoorlie where he works for a wholesale food distributor. It’s an active job in the warehouse which he enjoys, along with the sense that he is doing something for the community. In addition, he believes he has brought an awareness of disability and ability to his colleagues, through his own focus and persistence in getting the job done. About joining the Lives We Lead Reference Group he says I thought it would be a good idea to go out of my comfort zone and do something I haven’t done before. It will bring neurodiversity to the group and show it’s not difficult to communicate with someone on the spectrum. Dan is a very involved family member who plays a crucial role particularly with his younger sister who also has autism. Image description: A photo of young man, Dan Russell standing London, in front of a sign that says 'Portobello Road'. There is an orange frame around the image and the lives we lead worklife logo on the top left corner. Across the image words are written, it says, 'International Traveller, Aspie Role Model, Communicator, History Buff, Car Driver'.

04.01.2022 As some of you may remember, WAiS has been working in partnership with UWA, as part of a research project developing ‘Comic Contracts’. This project is being overseen by UWA Professor Camilla Baasch Andersen. The idea of Comic Contracts is to use images, or even comic strips, in legal contracts to make them easier to understand and more inviting to people to read. These Comic Contracts have attracted interest all over the world, in the business and corporate sectors. Needle...ss to say, this is actually a very challenging idea to many lawyers! The research project has been sponsored by a variety of organisations, including an international engineering company. WAiS wanted to explore with UWA, how this business and corporate comic contract approach could work in the disability and human services sector. We are very excited to announce that we have two visual contracts now available for people who are directly engaging their own supports, as an alternative to written text contracts. These are employment contracts (casual and part time/full time) for people who are directly employing their own support workers to use and based on the WA State Industrial Relations system. If you would like a copy of these visual contracts, please contact Su-Hsien Lee, [email protected] or 0499 747 404.

04.01.2022 WAiS is keen to hear from people who have an interest in being a Network Facilitator as part of our ‘Decision Making Possibilities’ project. Are you interested in supporting people to enact their right to self determination and decision making? Are you skilled at bringing a group of people together, facilitating and supporting them to work together towards shared goals using consensus-building approaches? ... As a member of the project team, Network Facilitators will work directly with one or more people who need support with communication and decision making. The focus of the role is to create, if necessary, and facilitate a network of Decision Supporters who support a Decision Maker through supported decision making. Training and support will be provided as part of the role. If this is you, and you are interested in finding out more, please contact Susan Stanford, [email protected] 9481 01010 or 0408 921 374 Image description: Illustration of Decision Maker and Decision Supporters. Under the illustration is text saying "My Decisions. My Rights. My Supporters. Decision Making Possibilities."

04.01.2022 We can finally share details with you about our new The Lives We Lead project

04.01.2022 Our Deadly Me resource gives you, and the people around you, an opportunity to think about all the great things about you, your gifts of the heart, gifts of the head and gifts of the body You can download this, along with filled in examples here https://waindividualisedservices.org.au/resources/planning/ Image Description: WAiS designed Indigenous style resource, title 'Deadly Me!' at the top. A page split into three sections, gifts of the head, gifts of the spirit and gifts of the body. The background is brown, yellow, black and white dot painting pattern.

03.01.2022 Minister Dawson announced yesterday afternoon that the NDIS Worker Screening Bill has passed through parliament. This new screening process will come into force 1 February 2021. The new screening process will make sure that individuals looking to work with people with disability through disability providers or directly engaged do not pose a risk. It will also determine whether or not they can work in certain roles. Once this begins in February 2021, all new workers must tak...e the check and existing workers will phase-in over time. For more information you can visit the NDIS Check website http://www.ndiswsu.wa.gov.au For Minister Dawson's full statement https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au//New-NDIS-worker-scr

03.01.2022 Macmillan Cancer Support are an organisation based in the UK. They have a great website with a huge range of free to download easy read resources about cancer. Ranging from how to get the right checks, the different treatments and side effects, things you can do to stay healthy and so much more. . It is so important that these types of resources are made accessible to everyone. See them all here https://be.macmillan.org.uk/be/s-428-easy-read-titles.aspx

03.01.2022 For employers and employees who fall under the WA State industrial relations system and are Award free, the minimum rates of pay will increase by 1.75% from 1 January 2021. For further information on what the new minimum rates of pay are, please go to: https://www.commerce.wa.gov.au//minimum-pay-rates-award-fr... This may be of particular relevance to people in WA who are privately employing their own support workers.

03.01.2022 Our Lives We Lead reference group know a lot about employment and disability personally and professionally. Meet Jos Franciscus, Community Awareness Strategist..., and hear why the focus on work is so important to her: I’m excited to be invited back this year to be a reference group member of this very exciting project and to witness it evolving. This year’s focus of employment and regional is very important to me on a personal level as someone who spent high school in Port Hedland, and before that regional Queensland. I’ve been a strong advocate of employment for people with disability who for many years have been overlooked for work roles. I believe community perspectives need to change with a better understanding of the considerable skills and knowledge people with disability can contribute to a workplace. Jos is Community Awareness Strategist at National Disability Services ACROD Parking Campaign ‘This Bay is Someone’s Day’ and Changing Places ‘Have You Got Your Key campaign. If you think you have a story to tell or know someone in the regions who does please get in touch with Geraldine Mellet, the Project Coordinator: [email protected] [Image Description: Image of Jos looking off to the left smiling. There is a burnt orange coloured frame around the image. The Lives We Lead Worklife logo is on the top right corner underneath the webpage link www.theliveswelead.com.au. Across the bottom left of the page the words ‘Mum,Wife, Juggler of Projects, Advocate & Campaigner, Social Butterfly’ are written.]

03.01.2022 It is very important as a foundation to planning that the way you communicate is understood See more about this planning area here https://waindividualisedservices.org.au//planning-area-2-/

03.01.2022 Urgent feedback sought on accessible housing (closes on Wednesday 26th August): https://melbourneuni.au1.qualtrics.com//form/SV_ai6nqENSX9 The federal governm...ent is currently looking at the standards that exist for new houses that are being built, and this includes the accessibility standards. These new standards will be legislated, which means that all new construction must meet these standards. Currently the standards around accessibility are voluntary, so this is an important opportunity to increase the number of accessible homes being built in Australia. The Australian Network for Universal Housing Design is working with the Melbourne Disability Institute (The University of Melbourne) to survey individuals with disability about their experiences of housing and the impact of accessibility (or lack thereof) on their quality of life, well-being, independence, mental health and autonomy. The results of this survey will contribute to the federal government review in to housing standards. This is an important opportunity to influence government policy that really makes a difference to the quality of life of people with disability, so we encourage you to complete the survey and ask that you share it within your networks. If you want to give feedback directly to government you can do that via: https://consultation.abcb.gov.au//consult-ris-accessible-/

03.01.2022 All people have the right to live in an inclusive society that values and supports diversity. Disability is part of human diversity

02.01.2022 Ways People Live is an easy read document focussing on questions about 'home' and where you might like to live. This can be found in the Home section of our Planning for a Good Life resource here https://waindividualisedservices.org.au//planning-area-4-/ Image description: WAiS designed resource titled 'Ways people live factsheet'. Below is an image of a man with his arm on a lady's shoulder, they are both smiling.

01.01.2022 In this video, from our online Be a Boss course, Leighton talks about the process of hiring support workers with his son Paul. You can learn more about this here https://waindividualisedservices.org.au/online-c/be-a-boss/ Dont forget you can always give us a call at the WAiS office on 9481 0101 if you would like some more support in self managing.

01.01.2022 Julia Hales is an artist, performer and disability advocate and a new member of the Reference Group advising The Lives We Lead social media project. She has wor...ked for over 20 years on arts projects, including the short film Finding Love and her own play You Know We Belong Together, in collaboration with DADAA and Black Swan at the Perth Festival. Here’s why she agreed to join the group: I thought it would be a good chance to meet new people and share my experiences with them, and to learn their experiences. I think it’s important for people with disabilities to be represented fairly, and to follow their career goals & dreams. Our aim is to feature the work lives of West Australians with disabilities right around the state. If that sounds like you, or someone you know, please contact our coordinator Geraldine Mellet [email protected] Image Description: Photo of Julia Hales smiling, wearing a red dress. An orange border, with The Lives We Lead web address in the right corner. 'Actor, Role model, Independent woman, Adocate for people with disabilities, A leader in the Down Syndrome community' is written across the image.

01.01.2022 One of our WAiS guiding values is Human Rights You can see videos of our other guiding values at the bottom of our website https://waindividualisedservices.org.au/

01.01.2022 It is important for all of us to be safe. Feeling safe means feeling good, calm and happy at home, at the places we go, and with the people we see. In this planning area, you can make a plan for your safety. Planning for safety helps you and the people who care about you, feel better. For more on this planning area click here https://waindividualisedservices.org.au//planning-area-11/