The University of Sydney

Centre for Disability Studies

Article on the NSW / ACT Conference - reproduced from Intellectual Disability Australia (IDA) magazine, followed by

Tweaking the Future
“Small Changes Big Outcomes”

The program aimed to provide a variety of topics designed to challenge attendees to review their practice and adopt a ‘research to practice’ attitude in all that they do.
The theme of Tweaking the Future recognised that it is the often small things that we do on a daily basis, when based on sound research, can make substantial contributions to the lives of people with disabilities and the professional satisfaction of support staff.
The Conference got off to a lively start with an engaging presentation by Bob Bowen CEO The Mandt System®. Bob explained his theories around the impact of trauma and practice designed to prevent, de-escalate and, if necessary, intervene in the prevention of aggression.
“Bob’s session blew me away, it was a great start to a great day – what an eye opener”
A deliberate focus for all activities of ASID NSW / ACT is the involvement of people with disabilities. This includes as regular presenters at our Conferences and support for people with disabilities as researchers. Again this year, these sessions were well received and enlightening. ASID NSW / ACT will continue to support involvement of people with disabilities as researchers and presenters of their research and information.
The program covered a broad range of topics and this was well received by attendees -
‘Great variety of presentations”
“Excellent day (to be able) to get involved and share info with other people and organisations”
“Great to see the involvement of people with disabilities”
“Thank you for a diverse range of speakers and topics. Well considered and well received”
Tom Tutton challenged the work practice of all in attendance when his bio introduced him relating to his challenging behaviours and support needs. His presentation then discussed addressing behaviour support plans within a ‘person-centred’ context.
Evaluations also presented us with a number of challenges for improvements for next year including ensuring that we provide more detail in information about the program prior to the event, how to balance the provision of paper handouts / access to electronic versions and meet everyone’s needs around information and environmental sustainability,  and as with all events, how to give sufficient time to all presenters and still present a variety of topics within the time frame available – maybe next year we will need to extend the one day format or offer concurrent sessions!?
On behalf of the NSW / ACT Committee and all conference attendees, we thank all presenters for their efforts and acknowledge their contribution to the success of this event.
A highlight of the day was the announcement of the ASID NSW / ACT Disability Support Professional Recognition Awards. The Award ceremony was preceded with a presentation by Lynanne Leahy – our 2010 Award recipient and Warwick  Brown as they spoke about the work that they do together.
ASID NSW / ACT introduced the Disability Support Professional Recognition Award in 2010 and this year expanded to include a category for a Disability Support Professional new to the role. The calibre of entries in the main Award was outstanding and selection of the Award recipient was difficult. To ensure transparency the Award recipients were selected by a panel from CDS and the University of Sydney.
(If you need to fill space then you may like to include the info below re the selection criteria and eligibility – otherwise it can be left out. I just sent it for you to decide what you want the article to look like. The rest of the article continues after the italics)
Nominations for both categories were assessed against the following criteria;
•    The Disability Support Professional is a frontline Champion in the sector in NSW. The nominee is dedicated, innovative and compassionate. The nominee is able to work well within their team and able to take initiative and worked effectively as an individual. The nominee is well respected by peers and people with a disability and is deemed to be an outstanding performer.
•    The Disability Support Professional has made a positive difference in the lives of a person/s with a disability.
•    The Disability Support Professional behaves ethically and in a professional manner at all times. The nominee is respectful to all others, adheres to and promotes the ASID Code of Ethics (A Summary of the Code of Ethics follows the Nomination Form. Full copies of the Code can be purchased at www.asid.asn.au ) and understands and applies the Disability Services Standards at all times. The nominee values and respects positive relationships with people with a disability.
•    The Disability Support Professional recognises the value of professional development and ensures that they take advantage of training opportunities available to them. Professional knowledge is then applied when responding to the specific individual needs of people with a disability.
•    The nominee encourages people with a disability to learn and develop new skills and competencies. Informal learning opportunities as well as formal learning opportunities are recognised and promoted.
•    The nominee is able to motivate others to achieve. The work environment benefits from the presence of the nominee.
•    The information in the nomination is current and relates to the activities of the nominee in 2010 and 2011. The nominee has contributed positively and made a substantial difference to the lives of a person/s with a disability. In addition, the Disability Support Professional may have been achieving great things over many years and this information should also be included in the nomination.

Eligibility
The following eligibility requirements apply;
•    The nominee must work with people with a disability in NSW or ACT and their outstanding contribution to the lives of people with a disability must be in NSW or ACT.
•    The nominee must support people with a disability as a paid worker for a Government operated or funded disability service (NGO).   
•    The nominee must be a frontline worker, whose main responsibility is to work ‘hands on’ with people with disabilities

End of info re the selection criteria and eligibility)


All entries were judged against the rigorous selection criteria and the content of their Nominations. The Panel reported that due to the high standard of entries it was a very difficult decision and we are very pleased to announce the 2011 Award recipients ;
Please insert the photo of the Award winners
Pictured are (L –R) the 2010 ASID NSW / ACT Disability Support Professional – Lynanne Leahy with the 2011 Award recipients, Hayley Purdon and Samantha Nelson.
1.    An outstanding Disability Support Professional who has been working in the sector for at least 3 years – Awarded to Hayley Purdon.
Hayley was nominated by Civic Disability Services in Sydney, in recognition of her dedication to the people she supports. Her nomination begins “Hayley is a frontline champion because she brings to all her work a positive, can-do attitude. This is portrayed in all aspects of her work, both in relation to the people she supports and also to her colleagues. Hayley is an excellent role model, demonstrating a calm enthusiasm towards all aspects of her work and has also dedication and determination to attempt to bring out the best in both people with disabilities and other team members”.

2.    A Disability Support Professional who has been employed in the sector for less than 3 years and who has made a significant contribution during this time – Awarded to Samantha Nelson.
Samantha’s was nominated by her Supervisor at The Ascent Group in Armidale “due to her willingness to contribute 200% to the work that she does”.
This Award aims to recognise and encourage new employees to the disability sector .

CONGRATULATIONS to both Hayley and Samantha for the high standard of the work they do and for being our 2011 Award recipients!

We also acknowledge the work of all Disability Support Professionals and thank our sponsors for making these Awards possible.

By holding the AGM at the Conference it was hoped that this would assist to raise interest in attendees to look at becoming involved with ASID in their State or Territory. We were pleased to have received a number of Nominations from new and returning Committee Members and look forward to working together over the next 12 months. Details of the Committee can be found in the State Report.

This will be a particularly important 12 months for NSW / ACT as we commence the preparations for the 2013 Australiasian Conference. With a completely new Committee, since the last time NSW / ACT hosted this event we have much to learn and do, to bring together an event on par with those over the last few years. Planning for this event is sure to be a focus of the Strategic Planning Workshop in December and we look forward with enthusiasm to the challenges and activities ahead!




ASID NSW / ACT State Committee Report

November 2011

As the year draws to a close, we look to our activities throughout the last 12 months and measure our success against what we set out to achieve.
Almost 150 people attended the 2011 NSW / ACT Conference on the 12th September to hear from a range of very interesting speakers, witness the announcement  of the ASID Disability Support Professional Award recipients and have the opportunity to participate in the AGM. We are happy to share some of the highlights from the Conference in this edition of IDA.
Since the Special General Meeting in January 2008, ASID has continued to grow and strengthen in NSW / ACT. Throughout this time, Tony Harman has been the Committee President, supported by active and dedicated Executive and General Committee Members. On behalf of all ASID members, the Committee extends sincere thanks to Tony for his leadership and guidance throughout this period of growth and change. Much has been achieved during this period with Tony at the helm and the efforts of all are acknowledged.
At the 2011 AGM, we welcomed a new Executive with Vivienne Riches as President, Dennis Robson as Vice President, Sam Arnold as Treasurer and we thank Linda Ward for continuing in the role of Secretary.
I addition we welcome new Committee Members Gail Jeltes, Edward Birt, Laura Hogan and Michelle Weise (it is great to see Michelle and Laura back after a short absence) as well as all those who were re-elected. It is pleasing to again note that regional representation grows each year. With the inclusion of Edward we now have Committee Members from the Hunter, Western and New England regions as well as across the Sydney metropolitan area.
We would however welcome representation from ACT and encourage ACT members to please contact the Secretary to discuss their interest in joining the Committee. Linda Ward This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
We start the year with a large, strong and enthusiastic Committee and look forward to our annual Strategic Planning workshop this year set for 12th December.
The ASID NSW / ACT Committee acknowledges the efforts of our South Australian colleagues with the Australasian Conference and thanks all for a terrific, well run and informative event.
We wish all ASID members a safe and happy Christmas and we look forward to sharing the journey with you again in 2012.