BREAKING NEWS!! WEST AUSTRALIAN DEAFBLIND CAMP 2020

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Senses Australia is thrilled to announce that funding through NDIS, Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) has been secured to host the 4th West Australian Deafblind Camp
November 19th – 22nd, 2020
Woodman Point, Coogee- South of Fremantle, Western Australia.

The cost will be $150.00 per person, this will cover: accommodation, activities, all meals and transport from Senses Australia, Burswood to the camp site, if required.

If you are an NDIS participant please ask for funding in your next plan to cover cost of camp and your communication guide support in your plan. Volunteers will provide support with communication and sighted guide where funded support is not available.

Senses Australia is now calling for Expressions of Interest from Deafblind and Volunteers, please contact Karen Wickham
Mobile: 0424 900 788, Email: karen.wickham@senses.org.au

Videos about the National Disability Insurance Scheme on the deafblind information hub

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The deafblind information hub has released a set of videos about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) they are available in two different formats. Auslan with captions matching the Auslan, and Auslan with audio, including audio description with the captions matching the spoken English.

You can access them here: videos about the National Disability Insurance Scheme

What is Deafblindness?

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What is Deafblindness?

Deafblindness is a unique and isolating sensory disability resulting from the combination of both hearing and vision loss or impairment with significant impacts on communication, socialisation, mobility and daily living.

Causes of Deafblindness

There are over 70 known causes of deafblindness. Causes can be categorised into two groups: acquired (loss is acquired later in life) or congenital (child is born deafblind for example: prenatal infection, genetic/ chromosomal syndromes or birth trauma). When people hear the word “deafblind” they often think it means seeing and hearing nothing at all – but it doesn’t have to. Some deafblind people are totally blind and profoundly deaf, but most have some useful vision, hearing or both.

History of Deafblind West Australians

The Usher syndrome (a cause of deafblindness) Support Group was established by Senses Australia in 2007 to provide support for people who have Usher syndrome, their families, carers and friends. The group was renamed in 2015 to encompass the entire West Australians deafblind community.
The group meets regularly to provide information, education, advocacy, recreation opportunities and to establish fun, supportive social networks for people living with deafblindness.

To get involved and find out more

Visit our website:

www.dbwa.org.au

Join the Deafblind West Australians Facebook Page:

DBWA Facebook

Send us an email:

info@dbwa.org.au

Events and activities we’ve organised and participated in include:

  • Recreation activities e.g. water-skiing, canoeing, bushwalking, rock climbing, camps
  • Information sessions e.g. mini conference on deafblindness, assistive technology, guide dogs, genetic testing
  • Social networking e.g. Christmas picnic, dinners, pub catch ups, community events
  • Advocacy e.g. meeting with and writing to politicians, raising community awareness

17th International Deafblind Conference 2019

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17th International Deafblind Conference

It is never too early to start saving!

Hosted by Able Australia, the 17th Deafblind International World Conference will be held on the Gold Coast, Australia on 12-16 August 2019.

Italian Deafblind group showing what Deafblindness can be - one eye and one ear

Save this date in your diary and watch this space as we continue to add more information about what’s on, where to go and what to expect.

For further details – Keep your eyes open for the information from Australian Deafblind Council and/or Able Australia newsletter.

Deafblind West Australians Christmas Party 2017

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You’re invited!!

Deafblind West Australians Christmas Party

Funded by “Lets Connect”

Come along for a delicious Spit Roast

Christmas Picnic and Ice-cream!!!!

When:    Sunday December 3rd, 2017

Time:     11.00am to 3.00pm

Where:   Bardon Park – Corner Fourth Ave East and Bardon Place, Maylands

!!! BYO Cold Drinks !!!

!!! BYO Chairs and/or Rugs !!!

BYO Games: Football, Cricket, Bocce, Frisbee etc

 RSVP: 28th November 2017 Sharyn sharyn.m1964@gmail.com

Discussion with Colin Barnett MLA

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Calling Deafblind West Australians

Discussion with Colin Barnett MLA

Member for Cottesloe, former Premier of West Australia

 

 

Eddie Szczpanik Chairperson of DBWA has arranged a meeting with former West Australian Premier Colin Barnett.  Purpose of this meeting is to raise awareness and advocate for the needs of people living with deafblindness in Western Australia.  How can the Liberal Party support deafblind?  Come along and have your say.

 

When:           Thursday the 26th of October, 2017

10.00 am – 12.00 noon

 

Where:          Senses Australia, 11 Kitchener Avenue,

Victoria Park

 

R.S.V.P:         Numbers are limited so please RSVP by

Tuesday 24th of October

Eddie Szczepanik  eddie.szczepanik@gmail.com

04397 494 464  Text only

DeafBlind Awareness Week MINI CONFERENCE

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Deafblind Awareness Week is celebrated internationally each year to coincide with Helen Keller’s birthday on 27 June.

Take a moment and think of all the things you see and hear each day. Whether it is news headlines, accessing the internet, a loved one’s smile, your favorite song on the radio or a conversation with a colleague – these seemingly incidental exchanges can be frustratingly out of reach for people who have a combined loss of hearing and vision.

To recognize this unique dual disability and to celebrate Deafblind Awareness Week this year Senses Australia is hosting a Mini Conference showcasing presentations from the recent National Australian Deafblind Conference plus presentations which are to be delivered at the upcoming DbI European Deafblind Conference in Aalborg, Denmark, September 2017.

When: Thursday the 29th June, 2017

Where: VisAbility 61 Kitchener ave, Burswood. Western Australia

Time: 9am – 1pm

RSVP: To Karen.wickham@senses.org.au by Friday 23rd of June, 2017.

Everyone is welcome: Deafblind, Blind, Hearing impaired, Deaf, service providers, family, educators, support staff etc.

Morning tea will be provided

Platform interpreters will be provided

Come Celebrate Deafblind Awareness Week 26th June – 2nd July, 2017

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Celebrate Deafblind Awareness Week by joining us on a historical ‘Walking Tour’ in Perth City.

We want to make Deafblind people visible in our community and help raise awareness that people who are deafblind can, with the right support, access the world around them.

The tour will be run by the “Two feet and a heartbeat” tour company. The tour will last two hours, visiting interesting historical sites and will include morning tea. We will finish at Supreme Court Gardens, weather permitting bring your own picnic lunch.

Where: Meet at Perth Town Hall

When: Saturday the 2nd of July, 2017

Time: 10.30 am sharp

Numbers are limited please RSVP by 23rd of June:
Phone: 0424 900 788
Email: karen.wickham@senses.org.au