Providing Support for West Australian's who are Deafblind
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?
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: https://www.facebook.com/groups/364764059137/
Email: info@dbwa.org.au
Deafblind West Australians
Enabling Enriching Empowering
Deafblind West Australians
• Support
• Information
• Advocacy
• Raising Awareness
• Connection
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
Meet George as he uses the facilities at the Belmont Oasis Leisure Centre
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.
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.
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
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
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
Imagine for a moment that you’re unable to see and hear the world around you. That’s the reality for hundreds of thousands of Australians currently living deafblind.
Go here to access the Channel 10 “The Project” recent showing Imagine for a Moment you’re Unable to…
The Qantas Carer Concession Card is issued to people with disability and high level support needs who require the full-time assistance of a carer whilst they are on the aircraft. A person is eligible if they need to have one-on-one support when seated on the aircraft for assistance with meals/drinks, transferring to the bathroom, orientation, communicating with the flight staff etc. A person is not eligible if they only need assistance boarding the aircraft, or when they arrive at their destination.
Qantas Carer Concession cardholders and their nominated carer will receive the following discounts for Qantas domestic travel within Australia.
Economy Travel for Qantas Carer Concession Cardholders:
10% discount on Domestic Red e-Deal and Flex Economy Class fares
For Nominated Carers:
50% discount on Domestic Red e-Deal and Flex Economy Class fares
Business Class Travel For Qantas Carer Concession Cardholders:
50% off Full Cost Domestic Business Class Fares (subject to availability)
For Nominated Carers:
50% off Full Cost Domestic Business Class Fares (subject to availability)
Notes:
All discounts are subject to booking class availability.
Bookings for the cardholder and their nominated carer must be made at the same time and both bookings must be made using the Card in order to obtain the discount. The Qantas Booking Fee is not payable on bookings made using the Qantas Carer Concession Card.
Fare conditions apply.
Discounts are not available:
This card is a photo ID card which is valid for three years and has an administration fee of $49.50 including GST.
you can Download the application form here: Qantas Carer Concession Card Application Form (PDF 155kb)