Through The Maze
An information and support handbook for parents and carers of children and young people with a disability in New South Wales
Table of Contents
Foreword	2
Making It Happen	3
How To Find Out About the Things You Don't Know	4
National Disability Insurance Scheme - the NDIS	8
Planning for Self-Managed Funding	9
Medical and Health Issues	12
Feeding and Nutrition	23
Counselling and Support	26
Early Childhood Services and Supports	37
Therapy	43
Childcare & Preschool Services	49
School Options	53
Transition to Secondary School	61
Helping Your Child Through Adolescence	64
Moving from School to Adulthood - Further Education and Employment	67
Accommodation	76
Daily Living Aids	79
Communication	82
Continence	87
Equipment	90
Assistance Animals	96

1. Foreword
Over the course of the last decade, the Association for Children with a Disability NSW (ACD NSW) created a remarkably comprehensive and detailed directory of information, guidance and advice for parents, carers and disability service providers in NSW, entitled – accurately enough - Through The Maze.
In an environment marked by constant change to government policies and services, non-government organisations and myriad commercial businesses in the disability field, ACD NSW ended up producing, over the course of that decade, no fewer than four painstakingly researched and carefully revised editions of the original publication so as to ensure the information contained within remained as up-to-date and accurate as possible.
 
With great pride, ACD NSW published the 5th edition of Through The Maze in June 2014.Sadly however, the 5th edition would be the last.  In 2015, faced with an end to the modest NSW government funding which had helped keep the Association afloat and with sufficient alternative sources of revenue unable to be found, the decision was made to close ACD NSW down.
In part however, and far more cheerfully, this decision also reflected the fact that fundamental and very welcome changes, reform and improvements to Australia’s disability care and support system – changes and improvements for which ACD NSW members fought long and hard – were at long last are finally underway. 
With the gradual rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the introduction of individualised funding packages and the development of far better personal planning, guidance and linking services for Australians with disabilities and their families, the hope for ACD NSW members is that perhaps at some future point, a publication like Through The Maze will no longer be needed - because families of children with disabilities will no longer be faced with a maze to navigate in the first place. 
 
But that day is still, for now, in the future. And in the meantime, ACD NSW members were determined to find a way to keep the remarkable source of information and guidance that is Through The Maze available for parents and carers of children with disabilities in NSW, even though ACD NSW itself was ceasing to operate. 
The very real need that ACD NSW members identified some years ago - to find a way of helping parents through the unknown that confronts them when it first becomes apparent their child has a disability – still exists. And of course, everything still changes with every new stage in a child’s life: transition from infancy to preschool, from preschool to school, from primary to high school, then a completely different system that comes into place when a child turns 16, and so on. 
So while we await the promise of fundamental improvements to the way in which disability services and supports are delivered in this country, shining a path through the maze by providing parents with all the information they need to support their child, we have taken steps to ensure that Through The Maze might continue to be available in electronic format for as long as the information it contains remains relevant and of use.
 
An enormous collective effort went into creating and revising this unique guide, and we hope the information it contains will be as helpful to you in finding your way through the maze of services available to you and your child as it has been to so many others over past years.
Tim Smith
President,  ACD NSW 2013-15

2. Making It Happen
Parents of children and young people with a disability share many emotions and experiences, yet each of our children is an individual with specific needs. We all need the information and support that is relevant to the age and developmental stage of our child. However, one of the frustrations we face is finding that vital information and support in the first place. It is when we don’t know where to start or what's available that we are often unable to get the help we need. 
 As parents of children with disabilities ourselves, we have written this handbook to help you ‘through the maze’, to identify some of the services most helpful for your child and family irrespective of the nature of your child’s disability. As a parent, you will probably need to work with a variety of service providers to co-ordinate support for your child, and while this handbook won’t answer every question you may have, it will at least point you in the right direction.
When you first start looking for help, it can be a bit daunting. Many service providers use disability jargon and acronyms that can sound like a whole new language - so don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need. 
It is important to know that each service has its own eligibility criteria and that it’s entirely possible the demand for the service might mean there is a waiting list. In negotiating access to a service, never understate your situation. Service providers make decisions based on the information you give them and the level and degree of need. So tell it like it is, and it helps to be calm but assertive!
 
Services in NSW are currently undergoing a period of  major change and reform in preparation for the full roll-out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) by 2018 (visit  www.ndis.gov.au or www.everyaustraliancounts.com.au for more information about the NDIS). 
The changes underway represent a monumental shift in how disability services are designed and accessed, and will directly influence the way services are delivered in the future. 
In a person-centred, individually funded disability system, access to disability services and supports will be through a personal plan. So even if the NDIS roll-out has not yet reached your area of NSW, it's a good idea to start thinking now about what supports would best meet your child’s and family’s needs, how you might access them, and what your child’s personal plan may look like. 
Try not to limit the plan according to the constraints that exist currently within the disability system. Remember that all of this will change! A person-centred system will be much more flexible, responsive and allow for far greater choice, innovation and flexibility. This handbook is a general information guide that can help you design your child’s personal plan.

3. How To Find Out About the Things You Don't Know
Don’t assume that because certain information is important to your child that someone will tell you about it. You will often need to research it for yourself!
 
As parents, the more we know, the better equipped we are to help our children – knowledge is empowering. And often we don’t access services, or obtain financial help and other support, simply because we don’t know what exists. We need to ask lots of questions. Below are some ways to go about doing that.
 
Medical Appointments
 
•	Ask lots of questions - it may be useful to prepare your questions in writing to remind you of what you need to know.
 
•	Maximise every contact you have with professionals. Find out as much as you can.
 
•	Network - go to meetings for the groups with which you are involved. You will often find out what is happening and how it will affect you and your child.
 
•	Find a key person. In most services there are some really knowledgeable people with whom you can consult. 
 
•	Use opportunities to meet other parents of children with disabilities; people often find out new things this way. There are many opportunities for this, such as school P&C meetings and support groups.
 
•	Your local council has a disability officer (sometimes a joint aged care/disability representative) who can provide information and assist you with issues requiring action. Staff are familiar with legislation, receive newsletters and communication regarding disability issues, and are involved in the council’s disability action plan legally required to outline accessibility and disability awareness within council and the broader community. Most councils also have a Community and Disability Information directory of services on their website with a link to the LINCS database - visit www.lincs.com.au for your closest council.
 
Browse  (remember you are looking for something you don’t already know)
 
•	The IDEAS website provides a high quality accessible portal for people with disability, their families, carers and other supporters to access and search for information that promotes  independence - visit www.ideas.org.au 
 
•	Disability Directory is a searchable database for all things disability-related. The site is regularly updated with disability-related news and stories, new products and useful information - visit www.disabilitydirectory.net.au
 
•	There are a number of different online groups for parents of children with disabilities. One example is CPecialparents, a Yahoo group for parents of children with cerebral palsy (CP). CPecialparents also has a Facebook page, as do many other disability-related parent and community groups.
 
•	Our Community is a search engine of community organisations and disability services in your area. Simply put your location and postcode in the search bar - visit www.ourcommunity.com.au/directories/disability
 
•	Resourcing Parents is a website providing information on a wide range of parenting events and workshops throughout NSW - visit www.resourcingparents.nsw.gov.au
 
•	Service Seeker Community Directory is Australia’s most extensive electronic health and welfare directory, with over 300,000 agencies and services listed - visit www.serviceseeker.com.au
 
•	Many Minds Link is an app designed to enable people with disability to access information easily and quickly via a search engine that provides directions to, and information about, a variety of different agencies, services and businesses within the local area. Visit www.mmlink.com.au
 
•	Browse through parent libraries. Lots of Early Intervention services have parent libraries  as do children's hospitals.  Make use of your local council’s library and enlist the help of the librarian to find information that may be available from other libraries or online.
 
•	When searching the internet, use keywords together such as ‘disability’ and ‘child’. Local community and disability service directories are often available on the internet. Check the website of your local library or view all the links at www.lincs.com.au
 
•	Electronic newsletters: many e-newsletters produced by disability service providers are free. Just register your email address on the service provider's website to receive.
 
•	Independent Living is the quarterly journal of the Independent Living Centre of NSW. The journal publishes articles on a variety of topics such as assistive technology, home modifications, communication and product reviews. To subscribe phone (02) 9912 5800 or visit www.ilcnsw.asn.au
 
•	Link magazine is Australia’s leading disability news magazine, featuring opinions and perspectives from people with a disability and family members. Link covers a diverse range of topics including news, art, sport, travel, health, advocacy, products and people in the disability sector. To subscribe, phone (08) 8201 3223 or visit www.linkonline.com.au
 
•	Starecase is a free magazine produced by people with a disability for people with a disability. To download a copy or to view online, go to www.starecase.weebly.com
 
•	Don’t DIS my ABILITY is a NSW Government initiative aimed at people with disability and their carers as well as the wider community across NSW. The event program is designed to provide inclusive and entertaining experiences for people with disability and their carers and are held around November/December each year, with the main focus on International Day of People with Disability. Made You Look is the official magazine of the campaign and can be downloaded from the website. Visit www.dontdismyability.com.au
 
•	Disability & Media Matters is an informative website by a former journalist who is the parent of a young child with a disability. The website highlights stories that feature people with a disability and the issues that impact their lives and their families. Visit www.disabilitymediamatters.me
 
•	ABC’s Ramp Up, though no longer an active site, is where you will find stories, interviews and videos aired by the ABC on the subject of disability. The links will take you to stories as they appeared in their original context. Visit www.abc.net.au/rampup/
 
•	The ‘Diversity, Difference and Diagnosis’ (D3) edition of the magazine Sydney's Child is published annually in October. The magazine is distributed wherever parents and children go – primarily schools, education and health centres, playgroups and businesses that cater to families. The D3 edition contains stories of inspiration, as well as resource guides and details of appropriate books and websites. Phone (02) 8876 4800 or visit www.webchild.com.au 
 
•	Disability Horizons is a free online magazine featuring articles on a broad range of disability-related topics, such as technology, travel and the arts. Visit www.disabilityhorizons.com
 
•	Autism World is an online magazine supporting the global autism and Asperger’s community. Visit www.autismworldmagazine.com
 
•	Netbuddy is a very helpful site aimed at swapping practical tips and information on all aspects of supporting people with disabilities. Visit www.netbuddy.org.uk
 
•	Disability Online is a hub for finding out information about different disability resources such as aids and equipment, sport and the arts, social events, advocacy and accommodation. Visit www.disabilityonline.org.au
 
•	Ollibean is a disability-centric community that unites news and editorial-led content with social conversations. There is information available about different types of disability and tips written by parents for parents. Visit www.ollibean.com
 
•	www.info4carers.com is a website dedicated to providing information to carers on a variety of topics including travel, equipment, advocacy and funding.
 
Conferences, Expos and Seminars
 
•	These events usually have information stands that provide useful materials.
 
•	Talk to other people at the conference or seminar. Ask questions to find out what services they are accessing or know of to see if they are appropriate sources of information for you. 
 
•	You can find out about upcoming conferences, expos and seminars from newsletters. 
 
Information Packs, Brochures
 
•	Actively read brochures and information packs and highlight useful information.
 
•	Read any information you are given. If you are suffering information overload at the time, come back to it when you are ready.
 
•	Revisit your information. Look over it regularly. It is amazing what you will pick up that you didn’t notice before or that you had forgotten. Sometimes information may become more relevant at a later date.
 
Libraries Australia
 
Anyone with an internet connection can select from more than 40 million items held in over 800 libraries across Australia. Many online items are digitised images, and full-text government publications can also be accessed online. This database is constantly growing and items for loan are regularly being added. Check the fee charged by your library for inter-library loans. 
 
The State Library of NSW is also funded by the NSW Government to provide a disability access/information service which is able to track down information for you about particular conditions and health issues using Australian and international resources.

4. National Disability Insurance Scheme - the NDIS
The NDIS is administered by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), an independent statutory agency whose role is to offer support to Australians with a significant and permanent disability, their families and carers. The NDIS is a new way of funding individualised support for people with disability that involves more choice and control and that takes a whole-of-life approach to each individual's support needs.
 
The NDIA will ensure that people with disability are given every opportunity to make their own decisions and exercise choice and control. The NDIA will also provide information, referral and linkage to ensure families and carers are able to access supports in the community to assist them in their role. 
 
The changes that are required to existing disability support systems are significant and so the scheme is being rolled out gradually, beginning in NSW in the Hunter region in July 2013. 
 
You can stay up-to-date with the progress of the scheme by visiting the NDIS website, at www.ndis.gov.au, where you will find fact sheets and other resources, along with a forum where you can contribute your thoughts and ideas. You can also subscribe to receive regular updates about the NDIS.  
 
My Choice Matters (the NSW Consumer Development Fund)
 
My Choice Matters is a consumer development fund set up by the NSW Government to support people with a disability aged from 0–65 years of age and their families to get the most out of the changes towards self-directed supports and individualised budgets. My Choice Matters will work with people with a disability to build the skills and abilities required to make the most of the changes. 
 
The fund will also provide opportunities for learning through events, training and information sessions, workshops, peer support, mentoring, leadership development and more. In addition, My Choice Matters will bring people together to share their experiences and to collect ideas and information that everyone can use. Phone 1800 144 653 or visit www.mychoicematters.org.au

5. Planning for Self-Managed Funding
As part of transitioning to the NDIS, the NSW Government has committed to expanding opportunities for people with disabilities to exercise choice, flexibility andcontrol over their supports, to build the skills necessary to plan and negotiate howtheir supports are delivered, and to use and self-manage their own supports throughindividualised funding arrangements (see the Living Life My Way framework at www.www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0007/271843/Living_Life_My_Way_Framework.pdf).
 
 This commitment represents a much-needed shift in policy that will give people greater opportunity to choose the supports and services that best meet their needs. For decades, governments allocated block funding to disability service providers under contracts specifying how funding should be used and for how many people. With these service providers then determining how services were delivered within those contractual arrangements, there was  very limited if any scope or opportunity for people with disability and their families to have a say in the services available. 
 
 Under the self-directed funding model however, people with disability, their families or carers will have far more choice in deciding what services are delivered to them, how often and by whom. One option involves funding being paid directly to the person with the disability, family or carer to then administer themselves (known as ‘self-managed funding’). Another option under this new model gives individuals the opportunity to choose the service provider to which they want their funding allocated, to administer on their behalf. However, experience in other countries where this model of funding has been introduced shows this model alone does not guarantee a ‘good life’ for a person with a disability. Significant thought and planning also needs to go into meeting the needs of that person and of family members and carers. 
 
 Building an inclusive life for a person with a disability involves:
 
 •	First, discussion amongst the immediate family. Where possible, seek multi-generational input from family and close friends.
 
 •	Having a vision, whilst recognising that it’s OK for the vision to be vague and only partly formed to begin with, and even a little ambiguous.
 
 •	The process can start at any time in the life of a person with a disability – the person is never too old or too young to start thinking this through.
 
 •	To formulate your vision, you might try to map out a pathway which looks much like the pathway would be for a person without a disability of the same age and with the same interests.
 
 •	The vision should aim to promote independence, wellbeing and community participation.
 
 •	Planning will be an ongoing dialogue, based on an understanding of your child’s life stage, support needs, the family as a whole, care and support networks, cultural background, personal goals and preferences.
 
 •	The vision should not be entirely dependent on government funding or policies of the day. Where possible, it should include ‘natural supports’ in the community. Heavy dependence on government-funded supports puts people in a weak position.
 
 Some people may need support to participate in personalised planning and for some, a personal funding package may be managed by someone else on their behalf (an organisation or broker). Other people may choose to manage their package themselves. Whichever method is used, the same principles of choice and control will apply.
 
 Personalised funding has been available in other jurisdictions, both here and overseas, for several years. To learn more, visit:
 
 •      www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/pca to read more about the NSW Government’s vision for a person-centred disability system
 
 •	www.in-control.org.au to find links to information on other jurisdictions that are already providing self-directed funding for people with a disability
 
 •      www.allowance.org.au for practical information on how to entirely self-manage a funding package, including directly employing your own care and support staff.
 
 Self-Managed Funding Consultancy Services 
 
 Consultancy services provide information on self-managed funding and offer advice on the best way to implement a package to suit the needs of a person with disability.  For example:
 
 InCharge is a social enterprise that offers different programs and learning experiences for people with a disability to self-direct their support networks and take charge of their existing supports and services. Workshops, training and information about how to build meaningful and potentially life-changing relationships with ordinary community members, and how to use these relationships to complement paid support, are offered. Visit www.incharge.net.au.
 
 My Voice is a private training and consultancy company based in Sydney that aims to equip people with disabilities, their families, carers and decision-makers with the skills to manage individual funding budgets. Visit www.myvoice.net.au.
 
 Pathways to Leadership is a not-for-profit organisation whose aim is to support people with disabilities to lead inclusive, self-directed lives. Pathways provide peer support, skill enhancement, coaching, mentoring and leadership opportunities for individuals with a disability and their families in partnership with professionals. Phone 0409 646 665 or visit www.pathwaystoleadership.com.au
 
 Online Resources
 
 •	Picture My Future is an online training module and toolkit that can be used in the process of planning person-centred services and supports. It was developed by a research team from Deakin University who worked with people with disability to develop an approach that supports individuals to talk to planners about what is important to them so that they have meaningful involvement in the service-planning process. The training module and toolkit can be used for people with any kind of disability, including those who are non-verbal. Visit www.picturemyfuture.com
 
 •	Advokit (at www.advokit.org.au) is a website developed by the organisation Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA) ghat aims to arm advocates, including people with disabilities, their families and friends, with the knowledge needed to achieve good outcomes when engaging with the NDIS. Specifically targeted to provide detailed information about the NDIS, Advokit:
 
 * provides information about the entitlements of people with disabilities under the NDIS
 
 * outlines advocacy services directed to ensuring that people with disabilities get support through the NDIS that suits their wishes and circumstances
 
 * showcases success stories of individuals who have accessed support that makes a valuable contribution to their lives.
 
 •	Resourcing Families provides information and ideas for families, friends and allies of people with disability so they have the knowledge, skills, confidence and networks to plan a good life for and with a person with disability. There is a wealth of information available about self-managed funding on the Resourcing Families website along with stories from families, fact sheets, articles and links to resources that will help you to both plan and implement ideas. There are also a range of events you can attend, including information sessions, workshops, webinars, and guest speaker presentations. Phone (02) 9869 7753 or visit www.resourcingfamilies.org.au
 
Books
 
 A Little Book About Person Centered Planning, by J & C O'Brien, Inclusion Press, Toronto 2000 - describes person-centred planning, its limitations and the right conditions for its success. Available from www.inclusion.com
 
 All My Life’s a Circle, by M Falvey, M Forest, J Pearpoint and R Rosenberg, Inclusion Press, Toronto 1997 - an introduction to three ‘person-centred planning’ tools called Circles, Maps and PATH used to support children and families in educational settings. Available from www.inclusion.com
 
 Living Your Own Life With People You Can Count On, by P Scott & K Jupp, Highland Park, New Jersey 2000 - describes a variety of roles and responsibilities a person with a disability can adopt to make it possible to be supported while staying in control of their lives. Available from www.inclusion.com

6. Medical and Health Issues
When consulting doctors, it is important to establish good communication. You should be able to talk freely about your child’s condition and needs, about your needs and feelings, and about the situation for the family as a whole. The doctor or specialist should be able to explain things in detail and in words that you can understand.
 
Before any consultation, make a list of the things that are concerning you about your child,  write down questions, and take the list with you when you see the doctor. If you feel you need support, take your partner, a friend or relative to the appointment with you. 
 
A helpful website which contains links to many other consumer health websites is at library.scgh.health.wa.gov.au/consumer.aspx. If you want further information about the medications that may be prescribed by your child’s doctor, visit www.medicines.org.au
 
Local General Practitioners (GPs)
 
As part of the ongoing medical care of your child, it is important to have a good local GP with whom you feel comfortable, and who listens to you and your family. GPs make referrals, when necessary, to specialists. If you have a concern about your child’s development, you have the right to be referred to a specialist. 
 
Paediatricians
 
Many families who have a child with a disability or developmental delay find it helpful to regularly see a paediatrician, a doctor who specialises in caring for children and can advise  about the nature, severity, long-term outlook and causes of disability in children, as well as  managing any complications that may arise. Access to paediatricians is via referral from your local GP.
 
Hospitals
 
Hospitals throughout NSW, including the Children’s Hospital at Westmead and the Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick, offer many different services and clinics. To access the services or clinics in a hospital, you usually need to be a patient of the hospital or referred by a GP or paediatrician. Many children receive services as outpatients, without being admitted to the hospital.
 
Following Surgery
 
‘ComPacks’ is a package of support in the home (such as personal care, domestic tasks, transport to medical appointments) that is available for up to six weeks for a person discharged from a participating public hospital. A contribution towards costs and an income assessment may apply. For more information, visit www.communityoptions.net.au/programs/compacks or phone 1300 136 606. 
 
Hospital Ward Grandparents Scheme
 
The Australian Association for the Wellbeing of Children in Healthcare (AWCH) is a voluntary organisation with the aim of ensuring the needs of hospitalised children and their parents are met. AWCH services and programs include: advocacy and information; resources and publications; policies and guidelines; education and consultation; a library; and the Hospital Ward Grandparents Scheme, in which a volunteer spends time with a child in hospital when the parents cannot be there. To contact the AWCH, phone 1800 244 396 (parent line), or visit www.awch.org.au
 
Paediatric Support Link Service
 
This is a national service supporting families caring for a chronically ill child, a child with a syndrome or disability. The service, also operated by AWCH, works by linking individual families who wish to provide support to one another. A list of support groups for your child’s particular need can be obtained by phoning the AWCH parent line on 1800 244 396 or at www.awch.org.au
 
Searching for a Diagnosis
 
Some conditions are evident at birth or soon after, while others can occur as a result of an accident or sudden onset of illness. For many families, the identification of a child’s disability is a gradual process that occurs over many months or years. For some children, a clear diagnosis of a specific condition or disability (or multiple disabilities) is possible. For others, the diagnosis of a specific condition may not be possible or may be reliant on further tests and observations in future years.
 
If a genetic issue is involved, it is often wise to have further genetic assessments as your child grows, given that technology and expertise are constantly advancing. Keep a diary or log of your child’s development and behavioural characteristics, as over time it becomes difficult to remember and report things accurately at future medical appointments.
 
The EarlyStart Diagnosis Support Program 
 
This program, a NSW Government-funded service operated by Learning Links, provides free information, support and counselling to families whose child has just been diagnosed with a disability or who are seeking a diagnosis for their child. Families can access up to eight sessions with Learning Links if their child is aged between birth and six years, and the family  lives in the St George, Sutherland, Eastern, Inner West and South West Sydney regions. 
 
Learning Links can help you by providing:
 
•	emotional support and counselling
 
•	information about your child’s diagnosis
 
•	a review of your family’s goals and dreams for the future
 
•	information about early intervention services you can access
 
•	referrals to community support groups
 
•	assistance with building your communication and problem-solving skills
 
•	assistance with developing your family’s resources to deal with the change.
 
For more information, phone (02) 8568 8200 or visit www.learninglinks.org.au/index.php/services/parents-carers-families/earlystart-diagnosis-support.
 
Health Advisory Services
 
My Personal Health Record
 
My Personal Health Record (known as the ‘Blue Book’) is a free resource developed by NSW Health to keep the health information of your child organised, available, and in the one place,  recording your child’s health, illnesses, injuries, vaccinations and growth and development. You can download it from the website www.health.nsw.gov.au/Kids/Publications/my-personal-health-record.pdf
 
 Healthdirect Australia
 
Healthdirect Australia is a free 24-hour telephone health advice line staffed by registered nurses to provide expert health advice. Phone 1800 022 222 or visit www.healthdirect.org.au 
 
The National Health Services Directory
 
The NHSD is a convenient, accessible and free online resource that provides detailed information on health-related services, including public and private health service providers across the nation, compiled by Healthdirect Australia on behalf of all Australian governments. The NHSD will initially provide information on GPs, pharmacies, hospitals and emergency departments and then be extended to include allied health providers and human services. Information provided will include: service types and location; opening hours; languages spoken; access to bulk billing and supported types of communication. Visit www.nhsd.com.au. There is also a free app available.
 
Medication
 
Check with your GP or pharmacist before giving your child any supplements or medications, because some may cause unexpected side effects or affect the efficacy of medications your child is already taking. For example, iron supplements can cause constipation.
 
Immunisation
 
NSW Health has a comprehensive website about immunisation including the immunisation schedule, myths and facts of immunisation, and when and where your child can be immunised. There is also an app available called Save the Date which calculates your child’s next immunisation due date and sends a series of reminders to book an appointment with your GP. Visit www.immunisation.health.nsw.gov.au 
 
Pain Management
 
Recognising Pain in Your Child 
 
Young children with disabilities cannot always tell you when they are experiencing pain, or where. Parents and carers are usually most familiar with their child’s common reactions and behaviours, so trust your instincts. Listen to what your child is trying to say, and look for non-verbal cues such as crying, facial changes or pulling of face or limbs, changes in sleeping or eating patterns, becoming quiet and withdrawn, refusing to move, rash or redness, and fever.
 
Although parents and carers often feel helpless when their child is in pain, there are practical things you can do to comfort your child, such as providing music or a favourite toy, speaking calmly and reassuringly, cuddling your child or just sitting nearby, massage if this is appropriate, and offering a drink or snacks if not contrary to medical instructions at the time.
 
What is the Difference Between Acute Pain and Chronic Pain? 
 
The term acute pain refers to pain that is not long-lasting, while chronic pain lasts for a longer period of time. This pain can be constant or come and go at different times of the day. It is sometimes difficult to find a cause for chronic pain. However, there are treatments and special programs that can help you and your child cope better, so ask your GP.
 
Also, check with your GP or pharmacist before giving your child any pain medication, because even the most common medications may cause unexpected side effects. For example, Nurofen can cause reflux.
 
Dentistry
 
Oral problems for a child with a disability can vary greatly. It can be difficult just cleaning your child’s teeth, and teaching your child to care for his or her own teeth can take many years of perseverance. However, the benefits of good dental care make such perseverance worthwhile.
 
Contact your local hospital or children’s hospital to see if they can help you locate a paediatric dentist in your area. It can be a challenging experience getting your child examined by a dentist, but the sooner regular visits begin, the easier it will become for both you and your child. It may take you several visits before your child will even sit in the dentist’s examination chair! 
 
Remember too that if your child has difficulty in communicating, it will be hard for you to know if there is pain caused by a toothache. 
 
Diet can play a role in dental disease and tooth decay. Limiting the frequency and overall amount of sugar and simple carbohydrates consumed by your child can help to reduce the risk of dental decay.
 
For information about dental services under Medicare, see section 27 of this guide, Financial Assistance.
 
Specialised Dental Services
 
•	The Cerebral Palsy Alliance Dental Clinic offers dental services to adults, teenagers and children with cerebral palsy. Priority is given to people who, because of the severity of their disability, cannot access dentists within the community. Phone (02) 9975 8454 or visit www.cerebralpalsy.org.au
 
•	The Specialist Paediatric Dental Practice is Sydney-based and offers a full range of dental services for adolescents and adults with special needs. Phone (02) 9955 5622 or visit www.toothdoctor.net.au/spdp
 
  •	The Paediatric Dental Centre operates in several locations across Sydney and offers specialist dental care for children with disability. Phone (02) 9680 8368 or visit www.smilegroup.com.au
 
  •	Norwest Special Needs Dentistry is a specialist practice dedicated to providing oral health management to individuals with special needs. Phone (02) 8814 7945 or visit www.nsnd.com.au
 
 Vision
 
VisionCare NSW
 
VisionCare NSW is administered by the NSW Government for recipients of full rate Centrelink pensions, benefits and allowances, or very low-income earners. Applicants receive a free pair of frames and lenses from a list of approved frames and lens types. Low vision aids may be supplied if appropriate. Phone (02) 9344 4122 or 1800 806 851 (non-metro) or visit www.visioncarensw.com.au
 
  Vision Australia
 
Provides blindness and low vision services. Phone 1300 847 466 or 133 677 (TTY) or visit www.visionaustralia.org.au
 
  Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Low Vision Services
 
This service teaches people with impaired vision how to use their residual vision or a low-vision aid in everyday situations. Their Orientation and Mobility Instructors develop training programs that are tailored to the specific needs of each person. For more information visit www.guidedogs.com.au or phone (02) 9412 9300.
 
The Australian Childhood Vision Impairment Register (ACVIR)
 
This program collects information on children living with vision impairment. The register can help you with information to support your child’s health, education and social development, including helping to find information on specialised services your child may need now or in the future. To register your child, phone (02) 9872 0303 or visit www.ridbc.org.au/renwick/australian-childhood-vision-impairment-register-acvir
 
  The Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children
 
Provides educational services to children who have significant hearing and/or vision impairment. Phone (02) 9871 1233 or visit www.ridbc.org.au
 
  Blind Citizens Australia
 
Represents the interests of people with a vision or print disability by providing individual advocacy, systemic advocacy, information and peer support. All advocacy, peer support and information services are provided at no cost to blind or vision-impaired people. Phone 1800 033 660 or visit www.bca.org.au
 
 The Association of Blind Citizens of NSW Inc 
 
Provides services and support to people with a vision impairment or blindness living in NSW. The services offered include advocacy, promotion of recreation, educational and vocational opportunities and technology training using assistive technology. Phone (02) 9744 1516 or visit www.asnblind-nsw.org.au  QuantumProvides products and services to people with a print disability (low vision, blindness or learning difficulty) including a wide range of software, training courses and workshops. Second-hand equipment is also available. Phone 1300 883 853 or visit www.quantumrlv.com.au
 
 Audible.com
 
Has a wide selection of audio books available for download, including a wide selection of children’s books. Visit www.audible.com
 
 Project Gutenberg
 
Provides a range of free audio books including a range of children’s books. Books can be downloaded to a computer or other devices such as iPods or iPads. Visit www.gutenberg.org
 
  Books
 
Finding a New Path: Guidance for parents of young children who are visually impaired or blind, Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Toronto 2002
 
 Hearing
 
Australian Hearing
 
For assessment and details about services for children with a hearing impairment, phone Australian Hearing on 1300 412 512 or (02) 9412 6800 or visit www.hearing.com.au
 
 Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre
 
For children, adolescents and adults who are considering or who have received cochlear implants. SCIC offers a diagnostic service, assessment for cochlear implant suitability and long-term management support services. Phone 1300 658 981 or visit www.scic.nsw.gov.au
 
  The Shepherd Centre
 
Provides a range of different services to deaf and hearing-impaired children including an early intervention program, cochlear implant program and residential workshops for families living in remote areas. Family support services such as counselling are also available. Phone (02) 9370 4400 or visit www.shepherdcentre.com.au 
 
Deaf Australia Inc
 
A national peak organisation for deaf people in Australia, representing people who use Auslan (Australian Sign Language). . They also sell Auslan-based materials such as dictionaries, children’s books, CDs, DVDs and games, which can be posted to any state in Australia. Phone (07) 3357 8266 or visit www.deafau.org.au
 
Deafness Forum
 
Another peak body, representing the interests and viewpoints of deaf and hearing-impaired Australians, including people who are deaf-blind. Phone (02) 6262 7808 or TTY (02) 6262 7809 or visit www.deafnessforum.org.au
 
The Deaf Society of NSW
 
Provides information and resources to deaf and hearing-impaired people and their families. The society's hearing-accessible website provides information about communication, support, sign language courses and how to access an interpreter. Phone (02) 8833 3600 or (02) 8833 3691 (TTY) or visit www.deafsocietynsw.org.au
 
 Raising Deaf Kids
 
An American-based website that offers information on communication, technology and growing up with a hearing loss. Visit www.raisingdeafkids.org
 
 Aussie Deaf Kids
 
An online resource for families raising a deaf child, this website provides comprehensive information from birth to post-school. Visit www.aussiedeafkids.org.au
 
  Sign Planet
 
Provides information about Auslan courses, flashcards, activities, games and communication resources, at www.signplanet.net
 
 Hands Can Talk
 
Provides Auslan resources and runs sign workshops. Phone (02) 9824 8332 or visit www.handscantalk.com.au
 
 Bilby
 
Provides sign language resources for teaching and learning, including children’s storybooks, home learning courses, DVD resources, flashcards, games and teaching guides. Visit www.bilby.net
 
 Australian Communication Exchange (ACE)
 
Offers communication products and services to deaf, communication- or hearing-impaired people, including smartphone apps. Visit www.aceinfo.net.au
 
ABC Splash
 
A free educational website offering a range of multimedia resources including captioned content, articles, videos, audio clips and games linked to the new Australian curriculum. The online library covers maths, English, history and science for primary and secondary students up to Year 10. The site also gives teachers topic collections and ideas for the classroom and useful tips for parents. Visit www.splash.abc.net.au
 
 Visual Smoke Alarm Scheme
 
The NSW Government provides free specialised smoke alarms for people with a hearing impairment. Phone (02) 8833 3600 or (02) 8833 3691 (TTY) or visit www.deafsocietynsw.org.au
 
  Mental Health
 
  The range of people who can be assisted through the mental health system includes children with major behavioural problems who have not yet been diagnosed, and children who may have mental health issues as well as other disabilities. 
 
Families who have a child with severe behavioural difficulties who have not yet been diagnosed should consider requesting a CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) assessment. 
 
CAMHS offers specialised mental health services for children and adolescents up to the age of 18 years experiencing behavioural problems or learning difficulties.
 
  MH-Kids is the child and adolescent mental health policy, service development and service planning unit of NSW Health. MH-Kids, based at Gladesville, is responsible for developing and supporting the implementation of consistent CAMHS plans and policies. To find out more about CAMHS, phone MH-Kids at (02) 9816 0397 or visit www.health.nsw.gov.au 
 
For parents concerned about their own mental health, see the Counselling and Support section in this guide.
 
Mental Health Association NSW (MHA) 
 
  This organisation promotes mental health and wellbeing through systemic advocacy, providing information, fact sheets and seminars on mental health as well as referrals to local mental health support services across NSW. A telephone information and referral service for crisis intervention, accommodation services, family services, legal and advocacy services is provided. MHA also run support groups and courses for people with an anxiety disorder. Phone 1300 794 991 or visit www.mentalhealth.asn.au. For the Mental Health and Anxiety Helpline, phone 1300 794 992. 
 
Association of Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill (ARAFMI)
 
ARAFMI provides information about mental illness and a 24-hour helpline of support and referral services for family, friends and carers of those with a mental illness. Emotional support is available through self-help and mutual support groups in different city and country areas in NSW. There is also a drop-in centre. Phone (02) 9332 0700 (helpline) or 1800 655 198 (regional NSW) or visit www.arafmi.org 
 
Transcultural Mental Health Centre
 
This organisation provides mental health care for people from non-English speaking backgrounds, and has a list of bilingual mental health providers. Phone 1800 648 911 or visit www.dhi.health.nsw.gov.au/DHI-Transcultural-Mental-Health-Centre
 
CAN
 
Mental health support group that provides resources, reports and articles; useful links are also available online. Visit www.canmentalhealth.org.au
 
SANE
 
A mental illness helpline, SANE is also developing an online community service for carers and for people living with mental illness. Phone 1800 187 263 or visit www.sane.org
 
Anxiety Online
 
A comprehensive online mental health service offering information, assessment and online diagnosis and treatment programs for anxiety disorders. Visit www.anxietyonline.org.au
 
NSW Mental Health Line
 
A 24-hour telephone service for anyone with a mental health issue living in NSW. A mental health professional provides advice and directs the caller to appropriate care. Carers, other health professionals and emergency workers can also use this service for advice about a person’s clinical symptoms, the urgency of the need for care and local treatment options. Phone 1800 011 511.
 
GROW
 
A national organisation providing peer support programs for people with a mental illness or experiencing difficulty in coping with life’s challenges, to help people take back control of their lives. GROW groups offer the opportunity for people to share challenges and solutions for recovery in a supportive and structured way. Participants are also able to attend education and training sessions and social activities. GROW is free to join and you do not need a referral or diagnosis. Phone 1800 558 268 or visit www.grow.net.au
 
CARE for Families
 
Provides case management, psycho-education and a range of other services to people with a mental illness and their families, with offices throughout Sydney. Phone (02)9505 8400 or visit www.breakthru.org.au
 
beyondblue
 
This service provides information on depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders. Specific information is also available for carers. The beyondblue Guide for Carers: Supporting and caring for a person with anxiety and depression is available free to order or download. The 40-page guide is divided into two parts: caring for others and caring for yourself. This unique resource provides carers with practical strategies, advice and guidance on approaches to deal with the range of situations they might face. The second part of the guide focuses on the carer looking after their health and acknowledges the impact that the caring experience may have on them.The guide also contains anecdotes from carers across Australia, allowing others to draw support, knowledge and wisdom from their experiences. Phone 1300 22 4636 or visit www.beyondblue.org.au
 
Headspace 
 
Headspace’s website provides access to mental health information and links to local services to inform and support young people, professionals, families, and those who are concerned about the wellbeing of children and young people. Visit www.headspace.org.au 
 
Mind Health Connect
 
The mindhealthconnect website is part of the Australian Government’s National E-Mental Health Strategy. The site is a gateway to issues surrounding mental healthcare and may assist people in finding relevant support and resources, including online programs and fact sheets. Visit www.mindhealthconnect.org.au
 
ReachOut.com
 
An online youth mental health service that provides information and support for young people. The website has forums, feature stories and downloadable fact sheets on a range of topics including ‘Living with a Physical Disability’. Visit www.reachout.com
 
Sleep Disorders
 
Some children with a disability suffer from erratic sleep patterns. Sometimes this is a behavioural problem that may be improved with good pre-bedtime practises. However, the problem can also be due to the medications the child is on or to the body’s failure to release the sleep-inducing hormone, melatonin, at the appropriate time. If your child suffers (and therefore the family suffers) from this problem, help is available.
 
First focus on the pre-bedtime routine. The pre-bedtime routine should aim to accentuate the three physical cues for sleep: darkness; a drop in body temperature; and elevation of melatonin level. During that period, you could try these techniques:
 
•	use non-physical cues for sleep such as warm milk (not flavoured) and relaxation techniques such as breathing, meditation and quiet music
 
•	avoid caffeine (e.g. cola drinks) and high doses of sugars (e.g. sweets and chocolate)
 
•	avoid activities that stimulate the brain (e.g. TV, computer games, loud music)
 
•	enhance a drop in body temperature by giving your child a warm bath or shower within half an hour of bedtime
 
•	keep the bedroom cool and don’t overdress your child or apply too many bed covers
 
•	avoid non-sleep-related activities in bed (e.g. eating, watching television)
 
•	try to keep the room as dark as possible; keeping a night-light on all night can interfere with melatonin production.
 
Your child should go to bed and rise at much the same time each day to help the body to establish a good sleeping pattern. Also, exposure to sunlight for 10–15 minutes early in the day will help boost the natural melatonin production later in the evening.
 
If you see no improvement after about six weeks, you may need to consult your GP, paediatrician or a specialist in sleep disorders. Sleep clinics are available in some public and private hospitals (e.g. The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and Sydney Adventist Hospital). A sleep study is undertaken to determine the reasons why your child’s sleep is disturbed. Urge your GP or paediatrician to conduct a sleep study if your child is still unsettled.
 
Discuss with your child’s doctor appropriate medications to help with your child’s sleeping problems. Depending on the nature of your child’s sleep disorder, the doctor may prescribe melatonin. This can be purchased under prescription from a compounding chemist (See the Yellow Pages directory under Pharmacies). 
 
Tresillian Family Care Centres will provide advice to parents with a child 0–5 years and offer residential units to parents of children up to 2–3 years. Phone the 24-hour Parent’s Help Line on 1800 637 357 or (02) 9787 0855, or visit www.tresillian.net 
 
Karitane also helps parents with children from 0–5 years of age, phone (02) 9794 2300 or visit www.karitane.com.au
 
Whispers Cottage is a private nursing practice caring for mothers and babies with feeding problems, sleep and settling issues, and postnatal depression. It is run by midwives, child and family health nurses and lactation consultants. Phone (02) 8536 9655 or visit www.whisperscottage.com.au
 
The Sleep Store provides information on infant sleep and the best products on the market to help children (and therefore you) get a good night’s sleep. Their website has articles covering a variety of techniques on all aspects of infant and child sleeping habits. Although the products are aimed at babies and infants, they may be suitable for older children with sleep difficulties. Visit www.thesleepstore.com.au
 
Further Reading
 
Sleep Better! A guide to improving sleep for children with special needs, by V Durand, Brookes Publishing Baltimore, 1998.

7. Feeding and Nutrition
Children with a disability can often experience difficulty with feeding and nutritional intake, which can be very stressful for both the parents and the child. It can be helpful to obtain advice from your child’s paediatrician or other healthcare professionals, and some children’s hospitals have a dysphagia clinic specifically for dealing with feeding problems.
 
It can also be helpful to seek advice from a dietitian who may be able to offer advice and tips about how to manage your child’s diet and nutritional intake. Most children’s hospitals have a dietetics department where you can make an appointment with a dietitian. The Dietitians Association of Australia (www.daa.asn.au) is the national association for dietitians and the website has a page about how to find a dietitian.
 
Speech therapists also see children for feeding and swallowing issues. Referrals to a speech therapist can be made through your regional ADHC Information, Referral and Intake service. In addition, most children’s hospitals have a speech pathology department where you can make an appointment with a speech therapist. 
 
Dietary Support and Advisory Services
 
Gastrostomies 
 
Sometimes children with a disability who cannot swallow safely or are unable to eat or drink enough are fed fluids and nutrition via a feeding tube placed in their stomach or small intestine. Gastrostomy feeding tubes allow special formula and fluids to be delivered directly into the stomach. The most common feeding tube is the Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy tube (PEG), which is placed by a trained medical practitioner. There are many types of feeding tubes and different ways of inserting them. Feeding equipment such as replacement gastrostomy tubes, feeding pumps and feeding sets are supplied through Enable. Information on who is eligible, and how to access Enable is available at www.enable.health.nsw.gov.au/services/padp. 
 
Tummy Tunnels are iron-on fabric patches that provide access to gastrostomies without damage to clothing. They are available via mail order from www.tummytunnels.com. JJ’s Tube Feeding Creations supply a range of products for children who are tube-fed including tube covers, belly wraps and insulated bottle covers. They are available via mail order from www.tubefeedingcreations.com.au/store/index.php.
 
A DVD called This is My Button is available to purchase if your child will be having a gastrostomy or stomach surgery called fundoplication performed.Visit www.kidshealth.schn.health.nsw.gov.au/book-shop/view/584/. 
 
Most children’s hospitals have a specialist nurse whose role is to see young patients who have feeding tubes such as gastrostomies. In some hospitals this is the stomal nurse, gastroenterology nurse, surgical nurse or nutrition support nurse. For a comprehensive list of stomal therapy nurses in NSW, visit www.stomaltherapy.com/map_nsw.php
 
The US-based Feeding Tube Awareness Foundation has some really useful information about gastronomies, at www.feedingtubeawareness.org.
 
The HEN Program
 
NSW Health's Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) program aims to improve access to affordable formula and feeding equipment to people who require nutrition support at home. Phone (02) 9464 4666 or visit www.aci.health.nsw.gov.au. 
 
Special Diets
 
There are several different companies that provide a telephone ordering service for special dietary needs such as thickened drinks, high calorie puddings and special formulas. The dietetics department at your local hospital will be able to assist you in finding where you can purchase formula and equipment. Some hospitals have subsidy schemes for HEN. Companies that supply to the public include:
 
•	Nutricia at Home, phone 1800 884 367 or visit www.nutriciaathome.com.au
 
•	Brightsky, phone 1300 886 601 or visit www.brightsky.com.au
 
•	Axcess Home Health, phone 1800 817 017 or visit www.axcessnutrition.com.au
 
(Note: Powdered thickeners can sometimes cause constipation. If this occurs see your pharmacist, doctor and/or dietitian for advice.)
 
Dietary Interventions for Autism
 
There are many dietary interventions used in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). The most popular are the:
 
•	Gluten-free/casein-free diet (GFCF)
 
•	Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD)
 
•	Body Ecology Diet (BED).
 
Some useful resources on dietary intervention for autism can be found at Generation Rescue (www.generationrescue.org/assets/Published-Science/Autism-Diets-The-First-Step-to-Biomedical-Intervention-and-Autism-Recovery.pdf) and The Autism Network for Dietary Intervention (www.autismndi.com). Please consult with a qualified dietitian before undertaking any specialised diet with your child.
 
In addition to dietary interventions, there are biomedical approaches used to treat various aspects of ASD including sleep issues (melatonin), nutritional deficiencies and oxidative stress (omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin and mineral supplements) and gastrointestinal distress (probiotics). Any biomedical interventions should be undertaken in consultation with a doctor.
 
Equipment for Feeding 
 
Specially designed Maroon Spoons are often recommended by speech therapists for children and adults who have feeding difficulties, as the design of the spoon makes it easier to take food off the spoon compared to traditional spoons. They are available from www.senseabilities.com.au. 
 
Cut-out cups or tumblers are often recommended by speech therapists for use when cup feeding. They are sometimes available to purchase from children’s hospitals or from www.hospital-at-home.com.au. Look in the ‘Daily Living’ section of this website, where a wide range of other feeding equipment is available.
 
For people on puréed diets a good blender is a worthwhile investment. There are several on the market – Vitamix, Living Juicer and Thermomix, to name just a few.
 
Books
 
Good Looking, Easy Swallowing: Creative catering for modified texture diets, MS McLeod Benevolent Fund. Available from www.shop.service.sa.gov.au.
 
Finicky Eaters: What to do when kids won’t eat, by L Ernsperger and T Stegen-Hanson, Future Horizons 2005
 
Can’t Eat, Won’t Eat: Dietary difficulties and autistic spectrum disorders, B Legge, Jessica Kingsley 2001
 
The Fun with Food Programme, A McCurtin, Speechmark 2007 
 
Poor Eaters: Helping children who refuse to eat, J Macht, De Capo Press 1990 

8. Counselling and Support
8.1. Disability Advisory and Support Services
Pregnancy, Birth & Baby
 
Pregnancy, Birth & Baby is a phone and online service providing information, advice and counselling about pregnancy, childbirth and your baby’s first year. An initiative of the Australian Government, it offers free and confidential information and counselling to women and their partners. You can access a wide range of resources online, such as settling your baby, breastfeeding and coping with a crying baby. The helpline is available 24/7. Phone 1800 882 436 or visit www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au 
 
Association of Genetic Support Australasia
 
Provides support for those affected directly or indirectly by genetic conditions, with a  contact register of over 750 genetic conditions and over 200 chromosomal abnormalities and details of relevant support groups. AGSA also provides a forum for the exchange of information between support groups regarding available community services; a rural carers program that includes tele-group counselling; face-to-face counselling; and sibling workshops. For information, phone (02) 9211 1462 or visit www.agsa-geneticsupport.org.au
 
Genetic Counselling
 
If you wish to see a genetic counsellor, your GP should be able to refer you to a specialist at  one of NSW's two children’s hospitals, at Randwick or Westmead.
 
Ability Links NSW 
 
Ability Links NSW is a new way to support people with disability, their families and carers, introduced by the NSW government as part of ongoing reforms of the state's disability services system and providing people with a locally based first point of contact to help them access supports and services in their local communities.
 
Ability Links Coordinators, or “linkers”, work with people with disability aged 9-64 years, their families and carers to help them plan for their future, build on their strengths and skills, and develop networks in their own communities outside of the traditional disability service system. Linkers also work with local communities to help them become more welcoming and inclusive of people with disability.
 
Families in every part of NSW now have access to a linker, including a number of Aboriginal- identified positions. Linkers will meet with people in their homes, in the community or in a range of office and community locations across NSW, For more information, contact your regional ADHC Information, Referral and Intake service or visit www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/individuals/inclusion_and_participation/ability_links_nsw
 
ASD Advisory and Support Services
 
Aspect Early Days Workshops
 
Early Days Workshops are part of the Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) program, providing free support and information to parents and carers of children with an autism spectrum disorder aged 0–7 years. Workshops are run by professionals with extensive experience and knowledge in working with children on the autism spectrum. Phone 1800 277 328 or visit www.autismspectrum.org.au/earlydaysworkshops 
 
Autism Advisory and Support Service
 
A not-for-profit charity run by parents of children with autism, this organisation provides a range of services to support, advocate, educate and guide families who have a family member with autism as well as the greater community. AASS run a 24-hour autism hotline, support groups, social groups and parent workshops. Phone 1300 222 777 or visit www.aass.org.au 
 
For Teenagers with a Physical Disability
 
Mentors Matter
 
A support program for high school students with a physical disability operated by the Physical Disability Council of NSW. Participant students are mentored by young adults with a physical disability. Phone (02) 9552 1606 or visit www.pdcnsw.org.au
 
For Carers
 
Network of Carer Associations
 
In each State and Territory there is a carers association working to bring the needs, views and concerns of carers to the attention of the community as a whole. Each association is a member of the national organisation, Carers Australia, and operates independently. Carers NSW offers:
 
•	information and referral services
 
•	carer support services such as counselling, carer support groups and friendship groups
 
•	research, policy advice and systemic advocacy for issues affecting carers
 
•	carer newsletters.
 
Carers NSW produce a range of fact sheets with information about support for carers, many of which have been translated into other languages. Phone 1800 242 636 or visit www.carersnsw.org.au
 
Young Carers (Carers NSW)
 
The Young Carer Program at Carers NSW was developed to make a positive difference to the lives of young carers (25 years and under) and their families.
 
Young Carers are children and young people who care for and support a family member who has a long-term physical illness, mental illness, disability, drug or alcohol problem.
 
The program aims to promote the issues and needs of young carers, and also offers telephone group counselling, face-to-face counselling and provides information and referrals to other services. Phone (02) 9280 4744 or visit www.youngcarersnsw.asn.au
 
 Interrelate
 
Interrelate is funded to assist parents, carers and other family members reach agreement on important issues such as:
 
•	arrangements for future financial management
 
•	concerns about the capacity of parents to maintain a caring role
 
•	conflict or disagreement associated with relationship breakdown, cultural or generational differences.
 
Phone (02) 8882 7800 or 1300 736 966 or visit www.interrelate.org.au
 
Gowrie Child Care and Family Infoline
 
A telephone information and referral service for parents and carers of children 0–13 years in NSW, this Infoline provides information on child care services, parent support groups, services for families of a child with a disability and children with health and behaviour problems. Phone (02) 8571 9783 or visit www.gowrie-sydney.com.au
 
My Time – Peer Support Group
 
An Australian Government initiative co-ordinated nationally by the Parenting Research Centre,  My Time groups provide facilitated peer support for mums, dads, grandparents and anyone caring for a child with a disability, developmental delay or chronic medical condition. Meeting with others who are in a similar situation to share information ideas and experiences can be very helpful. Phone 1800 889 997 or visit www.mytime.net.au
 
Further Reading
 
What About Me… A Guide for Caring: Managing the challenges of caring for a person with a disability, by T Ryan & C Ryan, David Lovell Publishing, Kew East, Vic 2009.
 
For Families
 
Intensive Family Support Program 
 
A support service funded by ADHC for families who have a child 0–18 years with a diagnosed physical, intellectual or sensory disability, and who are experiencing a high level of stress or are in crisis. This program is particularly designed for families who are at risk of requiring a out-of-home placement for their child or where there are child protection or safety issues. There are also services of this kind specifically supporting Aboriginal families and families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. For information, contact your regional ADHC Information, Referral and Intake service.
 
Extended Family Support (EFS)
 
This ADHC program expands existing levels of support for some families who are experiencing significant stress and are at very high risk of requiring alternative placement, so that families can continue to care for their child. For more information, speak to your child’s case manager or your regional ADHC Information, Referral and Intake service.
 
Family Choices
 
The Family Choices program supports a small number of families seeking short- or long-term out-of-home placement for their child or young person while retaining guardianship. Family Choices is currently available through Life Without Barriers in the Northern Region of NSW, and CareSouth in both the Southern and Western regions of NSW. For more information, go to www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/individuals/caring_for_someone/caring_for_a_child_with_disability/support_for_families
 
Working Carers Gateway
 
Informative website designed to help people trying to juggle the responsibilities of paid employment with a caring role. Visit www.workingcarers.org.au
 
Livewire
 
Livewire is an online community where parents and carers of people living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability can support and connect with one another. It’s free to join. Phone (02) 8425 5971 or visit www.livewire.org.au 
 
Junaya Family Development Services
 
Located in Western Sydney, Junaya provides community-based support groups, workshops, a referral and information service and telephone support for families/carers of children with learning difficulties and associated disorders such as ADHD and Aspergers Syndrome. Phone (02) 9621 3922 or visit www.junaya.org.au
 
 Defence Special Needs Support Group 
 
Provides support, information and assistance to Australian Defence Force families who have a family member with special needs in Australia or overseas. There are several groups across NSW and the organisation provides a range of services, including advocacy, peer support, information equipment, and host family and respite programs. Visit www.dsnsg.org.au
 
Sutherland Shire Carer Support Service
 
Provides assistance to carers by organising support groups and educational programs for carers and providing information about respite and other services in the Sutherland region. Phone (02) 9542 6292 or visit www.sscss.org.au 
 
Help with Learning Difficulties
 
 SPELD (Specific Learning Difficulties Association)
 
A non-profit association of parents and professionals interested and involved in advancing the education and general wellbeing of children and adults with learning difficulties. Services include systemic advocacy, information and referral, counselling, organising and sponsoring seminars, regular meetings, professional courses, community education and access to a large library. Phone (02) 9739 6277 or visit www.speldnsw.org.au 
 
 Learning Difficulties Coalition
 
This is a coalition of individuals and parent support groups providing support and information about children (5–18 years) with learning difficulties and related conditions. They also operate a parent helpline. Phone (02) 9806 9960 or visit www.ldc.org.au
8.2. Family and Relationship Counselling
The following services are not specific to people with disability; they are general counselling and/or support services:
 
Family Relationship Centres
 
Family Relationship Centres provide information, referral and individual sessions free of charge. Call the Family Relationship Advice Line on 1800 050 321 or visit www.familyrelationships.gov.au, where a brochure explaining family counselling and how to access it can be downloaded.
 
NSW Family Services Inc
 
  This association has information on organisations that operate family support services throughout NSW. It provides personal support, counselling and education for families at risk; their aim is to prevent family breakdown. Phone (02) 9692 9999 or visit www.nswfamilyservices.asn.au 
 
Raising Children Network
 
A parenting website, focusing on children 0–8 years. The website includes a disability section which covers common issues and concerns for parents, with topics that include choosing child care and schools, routines, play, health, siblings, as well as working with professionals and service providers. Visit www.raisingchildren.net.au
 
Parent Line
 
Parent Line provides telephone advice and information for parents about relevant issues and services for a wide range of parenting situations. These include behaviour and emotional problems, discipline, adolescent issues, family relationships, sole parent issues, school problems, child care and juvenile justice. The service is for parents and carers of children 0–18 years old living in NSW. Phone 1300 130 052 or visit www.parentline.org.au
 
MensLine Australia
 
A national telephone support, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns. The service is staffed by professional counsellors and is available anywhere in Australia 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the cost of a local call. MensLine also offers video counselling via Skype. Phone 1300 789 978 or visit www.mensline.org.au
 
 ‘My Child’ Website
 
An initiative of the Australian Government, this is a website about children with the main focus being on early childhood learning and child care, with helpful links to other information for families. There is some information for children with special needs. Visit www.mychild.gov.au/pages/FamiliesSupportFamsCarersChild
 
  Child Abuse Prevention Service
 
A 24-hour telephone service providing information, referral and support. Phone (02) 9716 8000 or 1800 668 009 or visit www.childabuseprevention.com.au
 
 KidsMatter
 
An Australian mental health and wellbeing initiative set in primary schools and early childhood education and care services. It’s not a program but a framework that helps these places take care of children’s mental health needs by focusing on:
 
•	creating positive school and early childhood communities
 
•	teaching children skills for good social and emotional development
 
•	working together with families
 
•	recognising and getting help for children with mental health problems.
 
KidsMatter is funded by the Australian Government and beyondblue, and is a partnership between education and health sectors. It was developed by mental health, education and child care professionals in response to the high rates of school-age children with mental health difficulties and the problems they face getting help. Visit www.kidsmatter.edu.au
 
 Newpin
 
Newpin (New Parent and Infant Network) is a Western Sydney-based intensive child protection and parent education program that works with families under stress to break the cycle of destructive family behaviour and enhance parent–child relationships. Visit www.newpin.org.au
 
 Salvo Care Line
 
The Salvation Army’s counselling service offers trained counsellors to provide support, guidance and counselling to individuals, couples and families. Phone 1300 363 622 or visit www.salvos.org.au
 
 Dial-a-Mum
 
A telephone support service operated and funded by trained volunteer mothers for people needing support, understanding or just someone to talk to. The service is available 8am–11pm, 7 days a week. Phone (02) 9477 6777 or visit www.dialamum.com.au
 
Lifeline
 
Counselling services are available to people in crisis 24 hours a day. Phone 131 114 or visit www.lifeline.org.au
 
 Blueboard
 
An online community for people suffering from depression and anxiety, their friends and carers, and for those who are concerned that they may have depression or anxiety and want some support. Visit www.blueboard.anu.edu.au
 
 myCompass
 
An Australian Government-funded website offering tools and tips to those suffering from stress, depression or anxiety who lack the time to seek help, or don't have access to face-to-face services. The website provides an interactive program that includes online psychological tools, round-the-clock monitoring of moods and behaviours and motivational tips via email or SMS. Visit www.mycompass.org.au
 
Centrelink
 
Social Work services in Centrelink customer service centres and call centres provide social workers who are available to assist clients. Phone 132 850 or visit www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/social-work-services
8.3. Kids' Counselling Services
All government schools in NSW have access to school counsellors who can provide counselling support to children and their families, as do most Catholic and Independent schools. Ask your school principal for assistance in contacting a school counsellor. 
 
Kids Helpline 
 
Provides a professional counselling service based on the principles of empowerment and child-centred practice, available 24 hours a day for children and young people 5–25 years. Also offers web and email counselling. Phone 1800 55 1800 or visit www.kidshelp.com.au
 
Siblings
 
Illness and disability within a family affects the lives of all family members, including siblings. Brothers and sisters of children with disabilities sometimes live with significant stress and can feel isolated and confused; they need to learn coping skills in order to deal with these experiences. 
 
Nowadays there are a range of different support services available for siblings of children with a disability; there are support groups where sibs can get together in person or online, to socialise with others in the same situation and maybe talk about their experiences and learn coping strategies from one another. Services include:
 
Livewire 
 
A free, supportive online community for young people aged 10–21 years who have a brother or sister living with a disability, serious illness or chronic health condition. It is a place for them to meet other siblings, share experiences with people who understand what they are going through, and gain the skills and knowledge necessary in order to help them feel more in control of their situation. Phone (02) 8425 5971 or visit www.livewire.org.au 
 
Siblings Australia 
 
Facilitates forums for young, teen and adult siblings. Young siblings need parental consent prior to participating in the forums. Visit www.siblingsaustralia.org.au
 
Siblink 
 
A website for kids in primary school that have a brother or sister with a disability or chronic illness. The website is a place where siblings can meet other siblings, play games and find out where to get more information about disabilities. Visit www.siblink.org.au
 
 The Association for Children with a Disability in Victoria also produces fact sheets and a publication called Growing Together, downloadable at www.acd.org.au
 
Books 
 
Side by Side is a booklet that discusses the concerns siblings may have, how these concerns might show in their behaviour, and how siblings can be supported. Available from www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0005/239819/SidebySide_Sibling_Support_Booklet.pdf
 
Oh Brother! Growing up with a Special Needs Sibling, by Natalie Hale, Magination Press, Washington, 2004) - the story of a girl’s journey through the emotions of growing up with a special needs sibling, providing self-help tips and coping strategies to deal with day-to-day life.
8.4. Support Services for Aboriginal Families
First Peoples Disability Network Australia
 
The national peak disability organisation representing Aboriginal people with disabilities and their families. Phone (02) 8399 0882 or visit www.fpdn.org.au
 
Aboriginal Disability Network NSW (ADN NSW) 
 
Brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with a disability to provide opportunities for supporting each other and a place to share information and find advocacy help within Aboriginal communities in NSW. ADN NSW is a non-profit, non-government organisation. Phone (02) 8399 0881 or visit www.adnnsw.org.au
 
Aboriginal Services Directory
 
A 60-page directory of Aboriginal services in the Northern Sydney area, such as the KU Children’s Services Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Playgroup. For information, phone (02) 9847 6611 or download at www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/media/documents/our-community/aboriginal-services/Directory-of-Aboriginal-Services.pdf 
 
Carers NSW
 
Runs training workshops for service providers and carers in Aboriginal communities, and also provides various support guides and resources. Phone 1800 242 636 or visit www.carersnsw.org.au
 
NSW Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC)
 
The Aboriginal Advisory Committee can provide information on the services that ADHC has for Aboriginal communities in NSW. Phone 1300 555 727 or TTY 133 677. ADHC has developed a booklet and DVD called Shoulder to Shoulder: Information for Aboriginal families who have a child or young person with a disability that provides information on where you can get help, and stories about Aboriginal families caring for a child with a disability. A copy of the booklet is available at www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0003/228675/Shoulder_to_Shoulder_Booklet_1-8-08.pdf
 
The Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO)
 
Provides housing assistance to Aboriginal people, including those with a disability. Phone (02) 8836 9444, 1800 727 555 or visit www.aho.nsw.gov.au
 
The Deadly Tots Project
 
Provides information on children’s social, emotional and intellectual development to families and communities of Aboriginal children aged 0–5 years. Visit www.deadlytots.com.au
8.5. Support Services for Families from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds
There are support groups available for carers for whom English is not their first language. Places to contact include:
 
•	Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW (MDAA) is the peak group and the only advocacy service specifically for people with a disability from a non-English speaking background (NESB) and their families and carers in NSW, aiming to promote, protect and secure their rights and interests. Phone (02) 9891 6400 or 1800 629 072 or visit www.mdaa.org.au 
 
 •	Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre on 1800 052 222 or visit www.health.gov.au/ccsd/index.cfm 
 
 •	Your local council 
 
•	Multicultural Resource Centres (MRCs), Migrant Resource Centres and community organisations for specific groups/languages also provide general support services.
 
 For example, the St George Migrant Resource Centre has the CALD Community Care Program, phone (02) 9597 5455. A list of organisations is available from the website of the Community Relations Commission for a Multicultural NSW. Visit www.crc.nsw.gov.au/communities/NSW_Community_Organisations
 
•	Ethnic Child Care Family and Community Services Co-operative offers a range of services for families and carers of culturally diverse backgrounds. Phone (02) 9569 1288.
 
•	National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) is the peak organisation representing the rights and interests of people from non-English speaking backgrounds with disability, their families and carers throughout Australia. It is a community-based, non-government organisation and is governed by a council of state and territory representatives. Phone (02) 6262 6867 or visit www.neda.org.au
 
•	The Chinese Parents Association – Children with Disabilities (CPA) was established by a group of Chinese parents with children with disabilities in Australia to provide a range of services specifically needed by people with disabilities and their families. CPA also aims to promote a caring community for people with disabilities. Phone (02) 9784 8120 or visit www.chineseparents.org.au
 
•	Handital is an association for Italian families and friends of people with disabilities. The group is able to provide support and assistance, as well as some social activities. Phone (02) 9712 8150.
 
•	Carers NSW produces information for carers of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in 16 languages. Available from Carers NSW and ADHC websites. Phone 1800 242 636 or visit www.carersnsw.org.au or www.adhc.nsw.gov.au
 
Language Assistance
 
Interpreting and Translation Services
 
Interpreters and translators are available to help carers and families who require assistance. (Carers/families will need to ask for an interpreter or translated material when they are dealing with an organisation.)
 
Interpreters and translators are provided by several government agencies and private organisations.
 
For assistance from the federal government's Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS), phone 131 450 from anywhere in Australia for the price of a local call. TIS offers language services in over 100 languages, with telephone interpreting available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
 
•	For on-site interpreting services from TIS, phone 1300 655 082.
 
•	TIS provides free interpreting services to medical practitioners for matters that are not legal or insurance-related, and a limited free document translation service (e.g. of settlement-related documents) to permanent residents or Australian citizens within their first two years in Australia. Holders of 309, 310, 820 or 826 visas are also entitled to free translation services.
 
•	The Community Relations Commission (CRC) for a Multicultural NSW provides translation and on-site interpreting services in NSW. Phone 1300 651 500 or (02) 8255 6767. The CRC also provides a counter service from 8am–5pm Monday to Friday at Level 8, 175 Castlereagh Street, Sydney. 
 
•	Health Care Interpreter Services (HCIS) are provided throughout NSW. HCIS interpreters and translators are highly trained, understand medical terminology and are NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters) accredited. Your GP or healthcare provider will know who to contact to obtain a trained healthcare interpreter.
 
Disability Terms in Community Languages
 
Fact sheets explaining disability terms are available online in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Dari, Dinka, Farsi, Hindi, Indonesian, Korean, Macedonian, Serbian, Spanish, Turkish and Vietnamese. The fact sheets can be viewed and downloaded at: www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/individuals/help_at_home/home_care_service/who_we_help/disability_terms_fact_sheet

9. Early Childhood Services and Supports
Throughout NSW there are many services to support families of young children with a disability aged 0–6 years (some services cater up to 8 years of age).
 
Some services available to all children and families also provide specific support for children with disability, such as child care and preschool, hospitals and health services. Others focus solely on supporting the needs of children living with disability, their families and community. The latter, called Early Childhood Intervention services, provide support for infants and young children who have a developmental delay or a disability. The focus is on promoting the child’s development and their inclusion in the community from birth to school entry and supporting families.
 
"Developmental delay" describes a young child who is not achieving new skills within the expected age range, while "disability" is a physical, sensory, social, language, intellectual or behavioural impairment that affects a child’s development. 
 
The type and style of early childhood intervention services available vary. Some are centre-based, where the child and parent attend a program based outside the home, while some  involve home visits, where a professional visits the family at home to provide support, advice or therapy services.
 
Services can also be provided in early childhood centres, preschools, long day care centres, hospitals or at community activities. Support can be given in these settings to build knowledge, skills and capacity which facilitates positive inclusion.
 
Some associations or organisations provide early childhood intervention services for children with specific disabilities such as autism (e.g. Aspect and ABi), cerebral palsy (e.g. the Cerebral Palsy Alliance of NSW) or vision and hearing impairment (Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children). 
 
Early intervention services involve a mixture of specialist teaching, therapy and other support programs for your child, as well as providing information and support for parents and the whole family.

 
Early Childhood Health Centres
 
Attending an Early Childhood Health Centre, where a clinic nurse will regularly check your child’s progress free of charge, is a good way to check if your child is meeting expected developmental milestones. 
 
If you feel your child is not meeting milestones, start asking questions. Find an early childhood health nurse who listens to your concerns. Ask the nurse about the implications, and ask to be referred to a GP, paediatrician or therapist.
 
Early Childhood Health Centres are a good source of information. Collect any relevant brochures and find out as much as you can from the clinic nurse about local services. The nurse in your local Health Centre can also provide links to a range of additional services and support, including playgroups and parent groups, therapy and hospital services. 
 
Early Childhood Intervention Services
 
Every child, regardless of their needs, has the right to participate fully in their community and to have the same choices, opportunities and experiences as other children. Additional supports may be provided to children with disability and their families to help them participate in an inclusive society that enables them to fulfil their potential. Research shows that providing support early is linked with improved outcomes for children with disability, particularly when support is provided in the child’s natural environments.
 
Diagnosis Support Workers provide a range of supports for families of children with disability or developmental delay during the time of diagnosis or while awaiting diagnosis, including information and assistance to access mainstream and specialist services that are best suited to achieving your family’s goals.
 
The first place to contact for information on services available in your area is the Early Childhood Intervention Infoline on 1300 130 052, run by Parent Line.
 
Other avenues for accessing Diagnosis Support Workers for your child include:
 
•	Area Health Services – usually hospital-based therapy
 
•	non-government organisations (e.g. Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, Northcott, CareWest, Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect), The Shepherd Centre, Lifestart, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT etc)
 
•	local councils
 
•	playgroups
 
•	early childhood intervention programs offered in some schools. Call the Department of Education and Communities in your area and ask to speak with the Disability Programs Consultant.
 
•	visit Preschools NSW at www.preschoolsnsw.org.au
 
Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC)
 
A NSW Government agency, ADHC is changing the way it supports children with disability and their families. Through a series of reforms, children with disability aged 0–8 years and their families will receive supports that address their needs in a stronger and more integrated way. ‘Strengthening supports for children and families 0–8 years’ is a commitment under the Government's Stronger Together 2 initiative to improve the way services are provided for children with disability and their families. Every child, regardless of their needs, has the right to participate fully in their community and to have the same choices, opportunities and experiences as other children. For more information visit www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/about_us/news/strengthening_supports_for_children_and_families
 
Non-government organisations are using the increased funding for the 0–8 age group to help further build and expand capacity. Both mainstream and non-government sectors will have: greater opportunities to work with the 0–8 age group and build new partnerships and; more flexibility to develop innovative and dynamic models of practice 
 
Mainstream services and local communities will also be supported by the specialist disability service system to provide supportive and therapeutic environments for children with disability and their families/carers, and to build resilience, capacity and social inclusion within these environments.
 
NSW Area Health Services
 
Area Health Services administer the hospitals and community health centres within NSW Health, and within each Area Health Service there is a team of therapists. Services vary from area to area. To find out the contact details of your local Area Health Service, visit www.health.nsw.gov.au.
 
Non-government Organisations (NGOs)
 
Apart from the NGOs mentioned earlier, some additional examples of services available follow.
 
STaR Inclusive Early Childhood Project
 
STaR provides research-based education and support to children with disabilities and/or special learning needs within mainstream child-care centres across Sydney. Children can be referred if they are between 0–5 years of age with a diagnosed disability/developmental delay. Children are enrolled in the STaR program based on a centre’s ability to cater for the child’s individual needs, the level of support required and the mix of disabilities within the group at the centre.
 
STaR also offers other programs including SchoolSTaRT, STaR Outreach and family support and is an approved provider under the Federal Government's Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) and BetterStart initiatives. Phone (02) 8850 1269 or visit www.star.org.au.
 
EarlyEd
 
EarlyEd provides flexible, family-centred early intervention for children with developmental delays or disability aged 0–8 years and their families. EarlyEd therapy and education staff support families across all of northern and western Sydney. Working in partnership with families and mainstream services, children are supported to fully participate in all family life and early childhood settings, and to transition successfully to school and be included in their local communities. Services can support children with a developmental delay or disability and also the needs of the whole family. Phone (02) 99232727 or visit www.earlyed.com.au
 
Lifestart
 
Lifestart provides early childhood intervention and school-aged services for children with additional needs across several regions of NSW and for children with a wide range of disabilities including Down syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, global developmental delay and rare genetic disorders. Lifestart provides a family-centred approach to meeting the needs of children with disability and their families, based on the concept of partnership with children, families and carers to assist and empower them to participate meaningfully and inclusively in the community. Phone (02) 9364 0111 or visit www.lifestart.org.au 
 
Sylvanvale Education and Early Learning Service
 
This service provides a broad spectrum of support and services for children with a disability aged 0–6 years and their families through the provision of therapies, early intervention, education and play-based activities. Services also support and empower families through training, information, referral and support. Phone (02) 8536 0100 or visit www.sylvanvalefoundation.com.au 
 
 CareWest
 
CareWest is a community-based organisation which provides early intervention and support services to children with disability aged 0–9 years and their families in the Central West, Orana Far West and Riverina Murray areas of NSW. The Early Start Diagnosis Support program offers short-term support for parents and carers of a child who has been recently diagnosed with a disability or in the process of obtaining a diagnosis. The Early Intervention Therapies service provides a range of therapists to help children to develop their skills and language. The Aboriginal Language Support unit provides local Aboriginal people with training to develop the speech and English language skills of children in their community. Phone 1300 227 393 or visit www.cw.org.au
 
Learning Links
 
Learning Links is located in six regions across NSW. Services include assessments and early intervention for children 0–18 years. Phone (02) 8568 8200 or visit www.learninglinks.org.au
 
Mission Australia
 
Mission Australia provides specialist support programs for children with a disability, chronic health condition or learning difficulties throughout NSW via specialist early childhood educators, therapists and family support workers who tailor programs to meet the unique needs of each child and their family. Mission Australia community workers also link parents and carers with specialised programs, local support groups, Transition To School programs and home-based interventions. Facilities include Early Learning Services centres as well as select preschools that specialise in teaching and caring for children with disabilities or developmental delays. Phone 1800 888 868 or visit www.missionaustralia.com.au 
 
Assessments and Behaviour Interventions (ABi)
 
ABi provides family-focused intervention programs for young people with a disability and their families. The programs are founded on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and include a Life Skills Program, Transition to School Program and Literacy programs all delivered to suit individual family needs. Phone (02) 9797 0406 or visit www.abinsw.org.au 
 
Connect
 
Offers a suite of early childhood intervention programs across the Blue Mountains, Nepean and Hawkesbury regions to children with disabilities and their families. Services include a screening and assessment service, early learning program, playgroups and inclusion support. Phone (02) 4758 9966 or visit www.connect.asn.au
 
 Northcott EarlyStart Diagnosis Support Service (NEDS)
 
An early intervention program for families with a child under 6 who has a developmental concern or a recently diagnosed disability. NEDS operates in eight regions across Metropolitan North and Northern NSW. Staffed with Family Support Workers, NEDS offers information and referral, group work and family support options around the pre-assessment, assessment and diagnosis periods, with the aim of providing emotional and practical support, linking families in with their communities and developing their skills in self-advocacy and self-determination. Phone 1800 818 286 or visit www.northcott.org.au
 
Hawkesbury Early Childhood Intervention Service (HECIS)
 
Community-based education and support service for children with additional needs (0–6) and their families in the Hawkesbury area. Phone (02) 4587 7277 or visit www.hecis.org.au
 
 Local Councils
 
Most local councils have a Disability Support Worker or Children’s Services Officer who has information about local services. Ask if there is a disability services directory or a community health directory that has a disability section. Many of these local directories are linked to the council’s website.
 
Playgroups
 
There are different types of playgroups:
 
•	open playgroups run by a facilitator (e.g. therapist) where children with a disability and other children can attend together
 
•	playgroups for children with a disability only, involving parents, staff such as educators, therapists (occupational therapist, speech pathologist and physiotherapist) and volunteers
 
•	regular playgroups where children with a disability attend with other children; therapists would probably not be present.
 
For more information on playgroups, contact the Playgroup Association Early Intervention Co-ordinator. Phone 1800 171 882 or visit www.playgroupnsw.com.au (note: not all playgroups come under the umbrella of the Playgroup Association). 
 
PlayConnect 
 
The PlayConnect Playgroups program is funded by the Australian Government as part of its Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) program. PlayConnect is not a specialist therapy provider but a playgroup tailored to the needs of children with ASD aged 0–6 years, with government funding enabling families to participate at minimal cost. Playgroup Australia is the national provider of the program and works in partnership with State and Territory playgroup associations. During each weekly two-hour session, parents, carers and children participate in a number of activities and experiences with an ASD professional. PlayConnect also provides families with information about specialist services in their local area. Phone 1800 171 882 or visit www.playgroupaustralia.com.au
 
My Time 
 
Parents, grandparents and carers can meet at a My Time group to socialise and share ideas. The aim of the group is to assist families to understand and share the rewards and intensity of the caring role. 
 
A group leader facilitates each group. Topics that may be discussed include taking care of yourself, getting the right support, your child’s development and play ideas. A play helper is employed as part of the program and will engage the children in a range of activities such as singing, dancing, games, dressing up and drawing. Parents and carers of preschoolers in receipt of Carers Allowance can attend My Time groups, which generally meet once a week for 2 hours during the school term. 
 
In NSW, three lead agencies provide My Time groups – Tresillian Family Care Centres, Playgroup NSW and Cerebral Palsy Alliance. To locate a My Time group in your area, phone 1800 889 997 or visit www.mytime.net.au
 
Private Providers 
 
For a list of providers in your local area, access the following professional association websites:
 
 •	Speech Pathology Australia (www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au) 
 
•	Occupational Therapy Australia (www.otaus.com.au)
 
•	Australian Physiotherapy Association (www.physiotherapy.asn.au)
 
•	Australian Psychological Society (www.psychology.org.au)
 
For children with autism:
 
•	www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/disability-and-carers/program-services/for-people-with-disability/helping-children-with-autism

10. Therapy
Therapy includes physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychology and behaviour support. Access to therapy services depends on the needs of your child and family, the life stage of your child, his/her disability and the availability of services in your area. Often when it comes to therapy, you need to investigate the benefits to the child, the options, and also research the costs involved.
 
It is important to invest time in helping your child to develop skills in the early years. In many instances, the longer the instruction and practising of the skill is left, the harder it will be for a child to master. This principle also applies to developing age-appropriate social skills.
 
However, it is easy to wear yourself out visiting different specialists and carrying out all of the activities required by the therapists at home. Running your child from one appointment to another can almost become a full-time job. So remember that the time you spend on your child with a disability needs to be balanced with the time required for the rest of your family, and the time you need to set aside for yourself. 
 
Therapy services can be provided by the following healthcare workers:
 
•	A physiotherapist provides advice and practical support for mobility issues, gross motor skill development, equipment needs, positioning and respiratory/fitness
 
•	An occupational therapist provides advice and practical support for fine motor skills, sensory processing and everyday activities such as dressing, eating, playing, and seating
 
•	A speech pathologist provides advice and support for difficulties in relation to eating and drinking, communication, and communication-based behavioural problems
 
•	A psychologist provides assessment of general developmental and intellectual abilities and behavioural programming support.
 
Points of Access
 
Disability Support Organisations
 
Some non-government organisations receive government funding to provide therapy services to people with a disability, including:
 
 •	Cerebral Palsy Alliance 
 
 •	Northcott 
 
•	The Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children
 
•	Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect).
 
Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC) Community Support Teams
 
ADHC provides funding to a range of agencies to deliver specialist supports such as therapy, community nursing, case management, behaviour support and dietetics. ADHC also provides a range of these services directly through Community Support Teams, located throughout rural and metropolitan NSW. Each team has knowledge of the local community and its services. Community Support Teams work with the person with disability and their support networks to identify individual priorities, develop a plan to promote their independence, and support the person with disability to be a part of their community. Contact the ADHC Information, Referral and Intake service (IRI) in your region or visit www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/individuals/support/everyday_living_support/community_support_teams
 
School
 
Therapists from disability specific services may provide support to your child and their teacher in the school environment to complement the educational support being received at school. Independent and Catholic schools may have access to their own therapists or may be able to use some of the funding that they receive to organise therapy services for children with a disability in their care. 
 
NSW Health
 
Therapy support may be available from children’s hospitals and/or local community health services. 
 
Private Providers
 
For a list of private providers in your area, you can access the following professional association websites: 
 
•	Speech Pathology Australia (www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au) 
 
•	Occupational Therapy Australia (www.otaus.com.au)
 
•	Australian Physiotherapy Association (www.physiotherapy.asn.au)
 
•	Australian Psychological Society (www.psychology.org.au).
 
Private health insurance will cover some of the cost of certain therapies. However, as each insurer is different in the type and amount of cover offered, you will need to investigate thoroughly before committing to a service. You may be able to access financial support through Medicare (see Section 27: Financial Assistance)
 
Sometimes it is difficult for parents and families to know how to make a good choice when seeking support from private providers. All occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech pathologists and psychologists are trained professionals but not all will have the experience, skills or resources necessary to work with children with disabilities. All therapists and psychologists (providers) working in private practice need to be eligible for membership of their professional associations. When choosing a provider it is important that you check these matters to ensure they are suitable. 
 
As many children with disability have individualised learning needs and require specific therapy intervention and support to meet these needs, providers with the skills and experience working with children like or similar to your child will find it easier to address your child’s needs.
 
To determine what is best for your child, discuss with your provider the best service delivery option for your child and consider this in the context of what also meets your family needs. Most children will perform better in an environment that they are familiar with such as home, preschool or playgroup. It may be more beneficial for the provider to assess or observe your child in these environments rather than an unfamiliar one such as the clinic.
 
Children benefit most from having opportunities to practise skills they learn in therapy within daily routines and in the everyday settings of home, school and in the community. Your therapist will give you ideas about how to incorporate these skill-building activities into your routine.
 
Some children with disabilities will require the use of augmentative or alternative communication strategies. Some examples of these include the use of photos or picture symbols, use of Boardmaker software to develop these communication systems, or use of key word signing. 
 
When attending therapy services, some therapists may need to be familiar with using the alternative communication systems as well. Ask the therapist if they have had experience and if they have the skills or resources required to do this.
 
Non-traditional Therapy
 
In addition to the more traditional modes of therapy, there are many other types of therapy available. We have included only a few examples of these. The inclusion of any mode of therapy is not an endorsement of its effectiveness. We leave it up to you to make decisions as to the benefits and suitability for your child and recommend you research any therapeutic treatment thoroughly before beginning a program of treatment, including the costs involved.
 
Hydrotherapy
 
Hydrotherapy refers to the medicinal use of water. It is thought to have many benefits including increased blood circulation, muscular relaxation and pain relief. Hydrotherapy is thought to strengthen muscles and allow greater mobilisation of joints as well as improving co-ordination and balance. There are a number of hydrotherapy pools across NSW. Your local hospital may have a hydrotherapy pool or may be able to advise where the closest pool is located.
 
The MOVE Program
 
MOVE (Mobility Opportunities via Education) helps children and adults with severe disabilities acquire more independence to sit, stand, walk and transition through instruction and adaptive equipment. The program is based on the natural movements of babies and toddlers and addresses the underlying functional deficits that children with various motor difficulties have shown. Comprising of 10 movement sequences, it covers all the essentials to establish an effective foundation for academic learning, stimulating the body’s senses (including the vestibular) and firing up the nervous system. The program is used around the world both at home and in the classroom. Visit www.move-international.org. For more information about training packages and MOVE seminars in NSW phone (02) 9029 0081 or visit www.movetolearn.com.au
 
Sound Therapy
 
The Tomatis Method is based on the relationship which exists between the ear and the voice, between listening or auditory processing and communication. It involves a specially designed listening program. Visit www.tomatis.com.au
 
 Behavioural Optometry
 
The Australasian College of Behavioural Optometrists (ACBO) provides education in the fields of developmental and functional optometry. Behavioural optometrists have a special interest in patients with learning difficulties, traumatic brain injury, and binocular vision dysfunction. Visit www.acbo.org.au
 
 Autism Movement Therapy
 
Autism Movement Therapy is a sensory integration technique incorporating movement and music together with behavioural support strategies to assist individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders in meeting and achieving speech and language, social and academic goals. Visit www.autismmovementtherapy.com
 
 Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD) Australia
 
This organisation provides information, support and advocacy on behalf of people with sensory processing disorders. Visit www.spdaustralia.com.au
 
Music Therapy
 
Music therapy can be both therapeutic and fun, using music as a tool for communication, change and transformation. Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy is based at The Golden Stave Music Therapy Centre at the Penrith campus of the University of Western Sydney in Kingswood. Phone (02) 4736 0240 or visit www.nordoff-robbins.com.au.
 
In addition, Music Therapy Harmony works across Sydney. Phone 0407 990 351.
 
 Pets as Therapy
 
See Section 21: Assistance Animals
 
Books
 
Yoga for the Special Child: A therapeutic approach for infants and children with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and learning disabilities, by S Sumar, Special Yoga Publications, Pennsylvania - a step-by-step, integrated system of yoga designed to increase cognitive and motor skills in children with developmental disabilities.
 
The Natural Therapy Pages -contains information about natural therapies that are available and contact details for practitioners. Visit www.naturaltherapypages.com.au 
 
 Toys and Play
 
Due to the individual needs of children with a disability it can be difficult to find toys for their specific needs, yet children with disabilities have the same need for stimulation, play and fun as other children. Special needs toys can sometimes be expensive too, particularly switch-adapted ones. A less expensive option can be purchasing toys and having them switch-adapted by an organisation such as TAD (Technical Aid to the Disabled) NSW (see Section 17: Daily Living Aids).
 
Toy libraries are another good option. Some local libraries have a toy lending section. There is usually a charge for this but there are special rates for families who have a child with a disability. Phone your local council for details.
 
	Noah’s Ark Toy Library is a service for children with special needs. Borrowing locations are Artarmon, Baulkham Hills, Ryde, Thornleigh and Wahroonga. Phone (02) 9411 4429 or visit www.toys4specialneeds.org.au
 
Cubby House Toy Library is a toy library for children with additional needs living on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Phone (02) 9971 7006 or visit www.cubbyhouse.org.au
 
There are several companies in Australia and overseas that specialise in play, sensory and therapeutic play equipment for children with special needs:
 
•	Special Needs Toys Australia provide toys, equipment and aids for parents, teachers and therapists. Products are specially selected to assist in the development of a wide range of skills, whilst at the same time being fun and engaging. Visit www.specialneedstoys.com.au
 
 •	My Diffability Australia stock a variety of toys, books, equipment and aids for people with different abilities. They also provide free downloadable activity tip sheets on their website. Phone (03) 8456 6613 or visit www.mydiffability.com.au
 
•	Co-ordinates Therapy Services is a Victorian-based company that stocks books, sensory toys and therapy equipment for all ages. Phone (03) 9380 1127 or visit www.therapytoyshop.com
 
 •	Technical Solutions stock a large range of switch-adapted toys and provide a service adapting toys, computers and other devices to improve accessibility. Phone (03) 9737 9000 or visit www.tecsol.com.au
 
 •	3 Plus Educational Equipment is an educational equipment manufacturer that produces items such as hammocks and other vestibular equipment. They will also make specific one-off items suited to individual needs. Phone (03) 9435 2565 or visit www.3-plus.com.au
 
 •	Senseabilities provide equipment and resources designed to assist with the sensory motor development of children. Phone (03) 9728 3739 or visit www.senseabilities.com.au
 
 •	Pocket Full of Therapy is an American company that provides unique products for fun, therapy and learning. The online catalogue is filled with paediatric and school-based products. Visit www.pfot.com
 
 •	SensoryTools.net stock a range of sensory merchandise and resources. Phone (02) 4578 6123 or visit www.shopau.sensorytools.net. They also have a shop in Hobartville (Richmond), NSW
 
•	The Therapy Shoppe is an occupational therapist owned and operated company that stocks a large assortment of therapy merchandise including specialty toys and games, sensory items and assistive technology. Visit www.therapyshoppe.com
 
 •	The Teach Me How shop is an online store that stocks a variety of special needs resources. Visit www.teachmehowshop.com.au
 
 •	Autism Advisory and Support Service has an online shop that stocks different types of toys and sensory products for children with special needs. Visit www.aass.org.au and click ‘Shop’.
 
•	Alexander’s Toybox is an online store run by a parent of a child with disability. Visit www.alexanderstoybox.com.au
 
 •	Skillbuilders stock a range of sensory toys and therapy equipment. Phone 1300 132 785 or visit www.skillbuilders.com.au
 
•	Educational Experience supply a range of special needs toys, books and resources. Visit www.edex.com.au
 
•	One Stop Sensory Shop sells a range of toys, Auslan resources, books, games and other special needs resources. Phone 0435 806 026 or visit www.onestopsensoryshop.com.au 
 
•	Prompt Education stock various communication aids including Auslan and sign language resources, hand cards, sensory aids and puzzles. Phone 0415 945 422 or visit www.prompteducation.com
 
•	Resources at Hand supply a range of resources targeted towards children on the Autism Spectrum and with sensory processing disorders. Visit www.resourcesathand.com.au 
 
•	SensaMart is run by a paediatric occupational therapist and supplies a range of sensory products for children with special needs. Visit www.sensamart.com.au
 
•	Windmill stock a range of toys and equipment for children with special needs. Visit www.windmill.net.au/special-needs
 
Books
 
Creative Play Activities for Children with Disabilities, by M Rappaport & L Schultz, Human Kinetics, Illinois 1989 - contains 250 games and activities designed to help infants to 8-year-olds with all types of disabilities grow through play.
 
Inclusive Games, by S Kasser, Human Kinetics, Illinois 1995 - an easy-to-follow, hands-on guide featuring more than 50 inclusive games and examples of adapting games to include children with different abilities.

11. Childcare & Preschool Services
Government Support Services
 
Child Care Access Hotline
 
Provides up-to-date information and contact details for approved child care services throughout Australia. For information on programs that support the inclusion of children with a disability or developmental delay, accredited centres and vacancies, phone 1800 670 305.
 
NSW Department of Education and Communities SCAN Program
 
The Supporting Children with Additional Needs (SCAN) program enables preschools to better include children with additional needs, both educationally and physically (nb: this program is not available for children in long daycare centres). 
 
SCAN provides funding for children with delayed development, specifically diagnosed disabilities, severe behavioural or social/emotional problems, moderate to severe language delays and severe chronic health conditions. Children must be 3 years old on or before 31 July or at least 4 years old on or before 31 July in that preschool year and not yet in compulsory schooling to be eligible. Children in the SCAN program will have tailored learning programs to ensure their needs are being met and that they can effectively participate in early childhood education, with their personal education program developed in consultation with the child’s family and other relevant professionals. Visit www.det.nsw.edu.au/media/downloads/what-we-offer/early-childhood-education-and-care/funding-information/9448_SCAN_Fact_sheet.pdf or phone 1800 064 767.
 
NSW Department of Education and Communities Intervention Support Program (ISP)
 
This program provides supplementary support to child care centres and preschools for children with a disability aged 0–6 years. The program supports learning and educational development opportunities for children with a disability attending non-government, not-for-profit early childhood settings, to prepare them for entry into regular preschools and schools. Phone 1800 064 767 or visit www.det.nsw.edu.au/eas/isp 
 
Inclusion Support Agencies 
 
Through the Inclusion Support Subsidy, Federal funding is available for children with a disability to access various forms of childcare, including childcare centres, out-of-school hours services, preschools, and family daycare, occasional care and vacation care centres. For a child with high support needs, funding may be allocated for special staff training or employing an additional worker. This worker does not work one-to-one with your child, but is there to increase the adult/child staff ratio to support an inclusive service. 
 
Assistance may also include audio, visual and print resources, and specialised resources such as toys and equipment. The program also provides parents and carers with information to help them make a more informed decision about child care. You can either talk to your childcare service provider, contact your nearest Inclusion Support Agency, or phone Children’s Services Central on 1800 157 818. To find your nearest ISA, visit www.cscentral.org.au/support/inclusion-support-agencies
 
 Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate
 
See Section 27: Financial Assistance, for options available in obtaining government assistance with the cost of care.
 
Preschools and Long Day Care Centres
 
Most childcare services have a waiting list, especially those that are non-profit, so it’s a good idea to put your child’s name down as early as possible. This is particularly the case in relation to a child with special needs. Services have limited ability to enrol children with high support needs and may need to plan ahead by applying for additional government funding, as referred to above. It is a good idea to regularly phone the service whilst on the waiting list to check on the progress of your child’s placement. 
 
To discuss your childcare options, contact your local council and ask for the Children’s Services Officer or Disability Support Worker.
 
Preschools
 
Preschool programs are designed to stimulate a child’s thinking, communicating, investigating, exploring and problem-solving skills. Children are encouraged to join in physical activities and to develop health and safety habits, and play-based activities teach children how to positively interact with others.
 
Preschools generally operate from 9am-3pm during school terms, although some have extended hours. They provide services to children aged from 3–6, with some preschools giving priority to children the year before they commence school. Preschools are either:
 
•	community-based (non-profit)
 
•	operated by the local council 
 
•	private (for profit)
 
•	government (NSW Department of Education and Communities).
 
The website of the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) lists all non-government preschools and childcare centres licensed by the government. ACECQA is an independent authority that monitors national quality standards for early childhood education and care services, assessing every service in Australia to make sure it meets these standards. For more information, visit www.acecqa.gov.au or phone (02) 8571 9783. 
 
Private Preschools
 
Varying fees are charged by private preschools, which can generally apply for additional government funding to assist them in enrolling children with a disability or other additional needs.
 
First up though, you need to find a service that will welcome your child. Non-profit, community-based services generally welcome children with special needs, but a private preschool may have a different policy. It is often good to ask: "Do you currently have any children with special needs enrolled, or have you recently?" You also need to ask what support the centre can provide for your child. 
 
Government Preschools 
 
The NSW Department of Education and Communities operates preschools in approximately 100 public schools across the state, providing educational programs for children for one year prior to starting school. A child may be eligible for enrolment in preschool from the beginning of the school year if they turn four on or before 31 July that year.
 
Preschools operate during school hours generally, with attendance patterns varying depending on the needs of families. Some preschools offer a half-day session, with children attending either five mornings or five afternoons each week, while others provide full-day attendance for 2-5 days each school week. 
 
Children with disability are able to attend NSW Education Department preschools. Programs for children with disability are also available in some 50 Early Intervention (EI) support classes. Decisions about the most appropriate placement for a young child with additional support needs are made in consultation with parents/carers, principals, and any relevant EI support or preschool teachers. Regional departmental support staff are also available to assist parents/carers with decision-making.
 
 Early Intervention classes, consisting of between five and eight children, provide preschool programs for children with a confirmed disability from 3 years of age to school entry. For more information about EI classes, contact the NSW Education Department's Child and Family Information Referral Service on (02)8594 4244 or 1800 803 820.
 
 Long Day Care Centres
 
Long Day Care Centres provide centre-based childcare for children aged 0–6 years, and operate for 8 or more hours a day 48–52 weeks per year. These centres can be:
 
 •	operated by local councils
 
 •	community based (non-profit)
 
 •	based at workplaces or educational facilities (e.g. hospitals, large companies, universities, colleges), with preference given to children of employees or students 
 
 •	private (for profit).
 
 Provided the centre is government-accredited, you will have access to the Inclusion Support Subsidy and Child Care Benefit.
 
 Family Day Care
 
Family day carers care for small groups of children in the carer’s own home. This type of child care is supported by the Australian Government and co-ordinated by sponsoring organisations such as local councils, churches and community groups. Family day care can be full- or part-time. Although designed for children under school age, it is also available to primary school-aged children before and after school and during school holidays. Almost all schemes attract the Child Care Benefit. Family Day Care services are also able to access the Inclusion Support Subsidy for children with a disability. Phone 1800 621 218 or visit www.familydaycare.com.au
 
  NSW In-home Child Care Services
 
In-home care, which provides care in your own home, is designed for families whose circumstances mean an existing child care service cannot meet their needs. You need to meet the eligibility criteria to access this service. Children with an illness or disability, or children with a sibling with an illness or disability, may be eligible. Families using NSW In-home Child Care Services may apply for the Child Care Benefit to help pay a portion of their fees. Phone (02) 9779 9999 or visit www.nswfdc.org.au/nswihcs 
 
 Occasional Care Centres
 
Centre-based Occasional Care is provided for children 0–6 years, with centres usually run by local councils or non-profit groups. Children may be offered a short number of hours on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis, depending on demand. Some Occasional Care centres cater for children with a disability, and some offer the Child Care Benefit.
 
 Vacation Care
 
In this type of service, centre-based care is combined with outings for primary school-aged children during school holidays. Generally, this service is for children up to the age of 12 years, or up until they start secondary school, and is often run by local councils or local children’s services. Vacation Care centres generally welcome and accommodate children with  disability and support children’s participation with the Inclusion Support Subsidy. Vacation Care centres can also be approved for the Child Care Benefit if registered. 
 
 (See Section 23: Respite for more information on Vacation Care, and earlier in this section for information on Inclusion Support Agencies and the Inclusion Support Subsidy).
 
 Network of Community Activities (NCA)
 
NCA acts as a link for community activities and for out-of-school hours care services run by autonomous community groups and local councils, and is committed to helping promote quality community-based services for all school-aged children including those with a disability. It provides information, advocacy and support for out-of-school and vacation care centres, advice on funding/management, community arts and activities, and community education and skills exchange. Phone (02)9212 3244 or visit www.networkofcommunityactivities.org.au 
 
 Inclusion Tip Sheets
 
The Association for Children with a Disability in Victoria has developed a range of useful tip sheets in an easy-to-read format for parents with a child about to attend kindergarten/preschool. For a free copy call 1800 654 013 or download from the ACD Victoria website at www.acd.org.au. Remember though that references to funding options may not be applicable to NSW residents.

12. School Options
The term ‘children with special learning needs’ refers to children with learning difficulties, a behaviour disorder and/or a disability. These children tend to have diverse abilities and learning needs and often experience problems with learning in one or more areas of the curriculum. These difficulties may vary in cause, nature, intensity or duration. 
 
If you believe your child has special learning needs that require additional assistance at school, contact the principal at your child’s school. 
 
The principal of a government (Department of Education and Communities) school will consider your child’s needs in consultation with the school’s Learning and Support Team, which assists classroom teachers to address the educational needs of students with a disability, learning difficulty or behaviour disorder.
 
Parents or carers have a vital role to play in the work of the Learning and Support Team through discussing and planning for their child’s needs. The Learning and Support Team’s composition  depends upon the background and needs of the individual student, with core members being you, the principal or executive staff, the classroom teacher or Year advisor, and the school counsellor. 
 
The Learning and Support Team, including you, work together to plan and monitor supports for your child. Teachers are responsible for implementing the curriculum for their students, including your child, but you can provide valuable information to make the plan specific to your child. Medical and therapy reports may also provide valuable information in this process.
 
Choosing A School
 
There are a number of different options available when it comes to choosing a school for your child. It is a good idea to spend some time, well in advance, planning for your child to start school. Have a look at all of the available options and visit all available options so that you know exactly what they are offering and can get a feel as to whether the school is the right one for your child.
 
One of the things you are looking for is how the school supports children with a disability. You also need to assess the school’s capacity to work with you and your child, and the way the school will use the disability funding it receives to support your child.
 
Parents or carers of children from kindergarten to Year 12 are responsible for ensuring their child attends school every day. This means all children between the age of six and the minimum school leaving age of 17 are legally required to attend school. After Year 10, and until they turn 17, students must be in school, registered for home schooling, in approved education or training (such as TAFE or traineeships), or in a combination of work, education and training. 
 
Every child has the right to attend a mainstream school. Your child may also be eligible to attend a special school or a support unit within a mainstream school. It may also be possible to have an enrolment at a special school that participates in an integration program at a mainstream government or independent school. 
 
There are three sectors providing educational facilities in NSW: Government schools (run by the NSW Department of Education and Communities, or DEC), Catholic schools (Catholic Education Commission NSW) and Independent schools. 
 
The NSW Board of Studies, Teaching & Educational Standards serves government and non-government schools alike in the development of school education for Years K–12 in NSW, setting the core curriculum, developing syllabuses and providing support material for teachers and parents. Further information is available on the Board's website, at www.bostes.nsw.edu.au 
 
Disability Standards for Education have been formulated under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. These Standards seek to ensure that students with a disability can access and participate in education on the same basis as other students. The Standards and accompanying guidance notes can be found at www.education.gov.au/disability-standards-education
 
The ‘My School’ Website
 
This government website promotes greater transparency within the education system by enabling parents to search the profiles of over 10,000 schools across Australia and providing detailed information about each school, enabling you to quickly locate and compare statistical and contextual information about schools in your community.Visit www.myschool.edu.au
 
 The Australian Schools Directory
 
A website listing all government and private schools in Australia, including special needs schools, at www.australianschoolsdirectory.com.au
 
Supports for Students with Special Learning Needs
 
The process for providing disability support services or funding to schools is different for government (State) and non-government (Catholic and Independent) schools. 
 
State Schools
 
Students with a confirmed disability may be enrolled in any one of the following:
 
•	regular (‘mainstream’) classes (subject to standard enrolment procedures)
 
•	support classes in regular schools (subject to placement panel procedures)
 
•	special schools (subject to placement panel procedures).
 
The school principal, in consultation with the school’s Learning and Support Team, will assist you to find the right schooling option for your child, taking into account your choice, your child’s specific additional learning and support needs, and proximity to any local specialist services.
 
In addition to support classes and special schools, the following services are available in all public schools:
 
•	students who experience difficulties in basic areas of learning and behaviour are supported through learning and support programs in their own school
 
•	the integration funding support program is a targeted support program for eligible school-aged children with confirmed disabilities enrolled in a regular class and attending on a full-time basis
 
•	itinerant support teachers provide support for students with hearing and/or vision impairment and their teachers.
 
The decision about where to enrol a student with a disability and with what level of support will depend on a number of factors, one of these being parental choice of educational setting. DEC is responsible for ensuring that all students in government schools have access to the services and resources deemed necessary, and the Department's Local Learning and Support Co-ordinators are just some of the specialist staff who can assist you with queries about enrolment, transport, specialist support, healthcare procedures and many other issues. Questions about enrolment issues can be directed to your local regional office. Phone 1300 679 332 or visit www.dec.nsw.edu.au
 
Regular or ‘Mainstream’ Schooling
 
Successful integration of students with disabilities in a regular school usually relies on effective learning and support systems, based on a strong relationship between the school and the family. Learning and Support Teams - the members of which should include both the school principal and parents - are responsible for ensuring quality teaching and learning for all students, but with a particular focus on those with additional learning needs.  
 
Government policy very clearly states that all children with disability (including those with a severe disability) have the choice of attending their local neighbourhood school, which means your child can attend their local school in a regular class if you so choose. 
 
Enrolment in a regular class is done through the school itself, as is enrolment in a special school, or a special class in a regular school. The school you choose will help you by completing the online application (the Access Request form) with you, which is then processed by a local placement panel. For more information, contact your local NSW Education Department office on 1300 679 332 or visit www.dec.nsw.edu.au
 
Funding for additional support (e.g. teacher time, School Learning Support Officers (SLSOs), equipment, building modifications) is available to schools, with the amount of funding provided  depending on the level of support deemed necessary. 
 
Your school’s Learning and Support Team, in collaboration with you, will then develop a personalised learning plan for your child. The role of these teams is to assist teachers to plan class programs which meet the specific learning needs of all students, including those experiencing difficulties in learning and/or behaviour. 
 
Factors to consider when choosing a school for your child include:
 
•	Physical access issues: How your child will move around the school if he or she has a physical disability? Does the school have ramps? Are there any other modifications that need to be made to the classroom or other rooms your child may be using? DEC recommends that you make initial contact with your local school or local DEC office two years prior to starting school if there are property works to consider. This will allow time to ensure your schooling options are identified and any infrastructure is ready when your child starts school.
 
 DEC has funds available specifically for building modifications to help with access issues and is responsible for ensuring the public school you choose is accessible for your child. 
 
•	Time needed to implement plans for enrolment: Sometimes those within a school find it difficult to facilitate the changes that are needed, but school staff are supported by the Learning and Support Team from the local DEC office and you can speak to the Learning and Support Officer in your local DEC office and organise a meeting of all involved at the school. Sometimes it can seem difficult, but working together with the relevant people helps find solutions. 
 
•	Healthcare support for a child at school: Schools can apply for additional funding to help support students with specific healthcare needs. This extra funding may be used by the school to provide a School Learning Support Officer (or teacher’s aide) to support access to learning in the classroom or playground. The amount of funding the school will receive for extra help depends on the specific needs of the student. Some of the issues that the Learning and Support Team will consider when deciding how the funding should be used to support your child include whether your child has high medical support needs, whether he/she is continent, and whether your child can independently find his/her school bag and lunch. 
 
•	Equipment for school: The school can access funding to purchase specialised technology and equipment your child may need to fully participate in class. Your child’s Learning and Support Team (which includes you) will discuss options and consider recommendations from therapists for specific items. The Learning and Support Team will apply for the equipment, or funds to purchase it if not available in the Support Technology and Equipment Pool already. 
 
Every DEC school has a specialist teacher for part of every week and flexible funding to support students with lower-level additional learning and support needs. This flexible funding may be used to employ School Learning Support Officers, or teachers on a part-time or short-term basis. Support provided includes essential professional learning for classroom teachers and teachers' aides to ensure that every child is supported in every classroom, not just when a visiting specialist is available.
 
Support Class within a Regular School
 
Many mainstream schools have a support class or classes located within the school, some of which cater for children with specific disabilities such as autism, physical disability or mild intellectual disability. Support classes have a smaller number of children than regular classes  and their teachers are supported by School Learning Support Officers. Support classes offer the opportunity for children to integrate with the whole school at different times during the school day.
 
Special Schools (School for Specific Purpose)
 
DEC funds a range of special schools, including some that focus on particular disabilities - e.g. physical disability, emotional disturbances, behavioural difficulties, intellectual disability - that provide access to specialist resources.
 
For some students with disabilities, the type and nature of their disability needs to be initially assessed and confirmed through the school's counselling service, with which you will need to discuss your child’s strengths and needs and share any recent reports (within the last two years) outlining the nature of your child’s special needs.
 
Once confirmed, the school will then help you apply for enrolment through the online application process called an Access Request. Special schools have significantly smaller class sizes, support staff, and access to a range of external support services, such as therapists, as needed. There may also be opportunities for some integration into regular local schools at different times of the day or week.
 
Learning and Support Teams
 
Specialist staff in the areas of special education, student welfare and counselling are available to support and guide state schools to accommodate students with disabilities, learning difficulties and challenging behaviours. Learning and Support Officers, based in local DEC offices, are members of this team. Their role is to provide support to parents and schools, and they can assist with enquiries about enrolment, transport, specialist support, healthcare procedures and other issues concerning students with additional support needs. 
 
Independent Schools
 
Independent or private schools have a range of options for children with special needs, with each school individually determining the resources that can be provided. Most children with special needs in independent schools are enrolled with their peers in the mainstream. Only a small number of these schools have special classes, but there are a number of special schools in the private sector across NSW.
 
Independent schools are a diverse group of schools serving a range of different communities. Many provide a religious or values-based education, while others promote a particular educational philosophy or support specific communities. 
 
The Association of Independent Schools (AIS) can provide a listing of all independent schools and advice on government funding available to support students with special needs in independent schools. Phone (02) 9299 2845 or visit www.aisnsw.edu.au 
 
Catholic Schools
 
Within the Catholic education system, resources for children with special needs are directed primarily to support children's integration into regular classes. Support for the implementation of your child’s individual planning is provided by special education teachers and itinerant specialist teachers, and/or School Learning Support Officers. All dioceses have Education Officers, Guidance Officers and/or itinerant support services.
 
The State Co-ordinator of Special Learning Needs at the Catholic Education Commission of NSW will be able to provide contacts for Catholic special schools within NSW. Phone (02) 9287 1555 or visit www.cecnsw.catholic.edu.au
 
 Autism-Specific Schools
 
Schools are located in the Central Coast, Hunter and South Coast areas, in south-east and western Sydney, and in the northern Sydney suburb of Forestville. For more infomation, visit www.autismspectrum.org.au
 
 Home Schooling
 
Some parents choose to educate their child at home but can legally only do so if accredited, a process that involves an interview and assessment by staff of NSW's Board of Studies, Teaching & Educational Standards. Phone (02) 9367 8149 or visit www.bostes.nsw.edu.au
 
Assisted School Travel Program
 
This service assists eligible students with a disability to travel to and from government and non-government schools in NSW when parents or caregivers are unable to provide transport. It's not an automatic service however; the child’s school will need to complete a request form and you need to write a letter stating why transport should be provided and why you are not in a position to transport your child to and from school yourself. Your school principal will advise you, and you can contact the Assisted School Travel Program on 1300 338 278, visit www.schools.nsw.edu.au/studentsupport/programs/astp/index.php or email parent.astp@det.nsw.edu.au
 
School Sport/Excursions
 
If your child uses a wheelchair or otherwise has mobility problems, talk to the school about ensuring suitable transport arrangements are made for excursions and other school events. It is possible to book wheelchair-accessible buses through local councils or community transport organisations.
 
 Advocacy and Schools
 
Sometimes you may need an advocate to speak on your behalf or help you access the support  your child needs to attend a particular school. There are a number of advocacy bodies that you can approach (see Section 30:Advocacy). Some advocacy organisations deal specifically with education issues, such as The Australian Association of Special Education (AASE). There are also a variety of complaint-handling bodies (see Section 30:Complaints). In certain circumstances, health professionals or support workers may also be able to help. 
 
Tips for getting the most from your school
 
 •	Speak to the school's Learning and Support Team about someone addressing the staff at the school about your child’s particular disability, as it's helpful for all staff - including for example playground staff and relief teachers - to be aware of your child’s specific needs.
 
  •	Have regular meetings with all staff involved in your child’s education (teachers, aides and therapists), so that any new issues can be discussed. In government schools this is called an Individual Learning and Support Team meeting, designed to plan, monitor and evaluate support strategies to ensure your child gets the most out of his/her school experience.
 
 •	Meet with the school each year to work through issues for your child. Ask about transition plans at an individual Learning and Support Team meeting in Term 3, so that your child is prepared for the changes a new year brings and teachers can share information with new staff. Don’t assume the school will automatically remember to take your child’s specific needs into account, and don’t assume the previous teacher will give a thorough handover to any new teacher - you will probably need to do this. So ask for an appointment to meet with new teaching staff. 
 
 •	If you have any assessments undertaken or therapy programs outside the school, it is a good idea to share the information with the Learning and Support Team, as they can provide valuable details to personalise learning at school. Occupational therapists for example can help with access issues.
 
 Books and Other Resources
 
 •	Getting Ready for School: A Guide for Parents of a Child with Disability, NSW Department of Education and Communities - provides information for parents about the way children with special learning needs are supported in NSW Government schools and can be downloaded from the DEC website at www.dec.nsw.edu.au, or use the link www.schools.nsw.edu.au/media/downloads/schoolsweb/studentsupport/programs/disabilityprograms/grfs-childwithdisability.pdf
 
  •	Transition to School for Young Children with Special Learning Needs, NSW Department of Education and Communities. Contains guidelines for families, early childhood services and primary schools. Available from local regional offices or DEC Disability Programs Directorate.
 
 •	One of the Kids: Educating children with and without disabilities in the same classrooms and school, Disability Council of NSW. This booklet covers all three school systems and is available through Family Advocacy. Phone (02) 9869 0866, or 1800 620 588 for non-metro callers.
 
 •	Queensland Parents for People with a Disability (QPPD) publish an interactive guide, called I Choose Inclusion, for parents in search of an inclusive education for their child. Although some of it is Queensland-specific, the guide provides a lot of helpful tips for parents who wish to enrol their child in a mainstream school. The guide can be downloaded at www.qppd.org/images/docs/2011_ichooseinclusion.pdf
 
  •	Starting School: Stories from parents of children with a disability - a DVD providing practical advice on the transition to school for children with developmental delays or disabilities, showing how families have worked with schools to ease children’s transition to a mainstream school environment in a respectful and appropriate way. To enquire about ordering a copy, call (02) 8571 9700.
 
 •	The School A–Z website has information on different topics for children starting or already attending school, at www.schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au/wellbeing/development/a-happy-start-to-school-for-kids-with-special-needs 
 
 •	The Count Us In! curriculum support package, developed by the Disability Services Commission of Western Australia, is a resource for teachers to use to enhance their pupils' knowledge and understanding of disability and provide them with the skills to create a welcoming community. The information in this package is suitable for teachers across Australia who want to help their students develop positive attitudes towards all members of the community, both within and outside of the school environment. Visit www.disability.wa.gov.au/understanding-disability1/understanding-disability/teaching-resource-package-booklets
 
 •	The Jill Sherlock Memorial Learning Assistance Library provides resources to teachers, allied professionals and parents to support the teaching and learning needs of students with learning difficulties, particularly syllabus and curriculum requirements. Phone (02)9630 8684 or visit www.sherlocklibrary.det.nsw.edu.au 
 
 •	Silvereye Educational Publications provides books, assessment materials and other resources to assist with special education, learning difficulties, behaviour management, social development and counselling. Their range includes a variety of materials to help children with a disability to develop language, communication, reading and social skills. They also carry an extensive range of resources written to help those with specific disabilities including autism, Aspergers, Down syndrome, ADHD and dyslexia. Phone (02)8090 5395 or visit www.silvereye.com.au

13. Transition to Secondary School
Transitioning from primary to secondary school can be a stressful move for a child with a disability, from a safe, familiar place with considerable individual attention to a seemingly impersonal and intimidating new environment. 
 
For most children, the transition creates new issues for parents and carers that need to be considered. There are many challenges: different teachers; moving from class to class; new peer groups; study demands; and puberty. The move needs to be carefully planned, and you will need to be well organised.
 
Carefully planned transitions relieve much of the natural anxiety experienced by most families as they change schools, and even more so when their child is moving from a highly supportive specialist setting with a small student–teacher ratio to a regular mainstream class. Learning and Support Team planning, expectations of success and a positive school culture underpin the work of all teachers, so aim to work together with your child's school to achieve good outcomes.
 
In choosing a school, and when the team is writing your child’s transition plan, some of the questions you need to ask include:
 
•	What will the transition plan look like? When will it take place? Who will be involved?
 
•	What can the secondary school offer? How can the primary school support this?
 
•	How many students are enrolled at the school? How many students have a disability?
 
•	Will my child be placed in every mainstream class, or will some time be spent in an alternate setting/learning centre? Can my child be eased into mainstream classes with ongoing support?
 
•	How will extra funding be used to support my child?
 
•	Who will transport my child?
 
Take your child on many orientation visits to the new school, identify key people and introduce them on these visits, and perhaps even make a photo album for your child.
 
If there are access issues, these should be raised at the transition planning meeting, where you could suggest that the school consider timetable variations so that the needs of your child can be accommodated. It is important to consider details such as the height of tables in science labs and design and technology rooms, the width of doorframes if your child is a wheelchair user, and using classrooms within close proximity of each other. Does the school have ramps? Remember to allow adequate time for funding of building modifications to be approved and any necessary construction work to be completed.
 
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) recognises the importance of primary and secondary education, providing funding for supports additional to those not traditionally provided by the education system and/or the family. NDIS financial supports for students may include meeting the costs of:
 
•	Assistance with self-care at school, such as assistance with eating or mobility 
 
•	Any specialist transport required
 
•	Equipment that is transportable such as a wheelchair, personal communication device or a hearing aid 
 
•	Specialised or intensive support to transition between schools, or from school to post-school options.
 
Programs such as ‘Mentors Matter’, conducted by the Physical Disability Council of NSW, are aimed at assisting secondary school students with physical disability to overcome barriers and obstacles that may hinder completion of their secondary education. This four-month program provides students with the opportunity to share good and bad experiences with a mentor who may have had similar experiences whilst attending school.
 
Other sources of information aimed at promoting educational opportunities include the Australian Tertiary Education Network on Disability (ATEND), the objectives of which are to influence policy through lobbying and advocacy, improve and maintain professional standards and provide and promote professional development. Visit www.atend.com.au
 
Communication
 
Whole-school communication facilitates joint responsibility for all students, and the Learning and Support system contributes to whole-school professional learning plans for teachers.
 
Your child's transition plan needs to give consideration to developing systems for communicating with all class teachers. There needs to be a team where all members interact as equals and where participation is encouraged and supported. Initially, the team is likely to include a staff member from the primary school your child is attending. At a government secondary school, the team supporting your child usually consists of the Learning and Support Team Co-ordinator, Learning and Support Teacher, Year Advisor and other identified key people responsible for your child at school, parents and any advocate you may take along to meetings for support. 
 
It is important for parents to develop a good relationship with at least one hands-on staff member (a teacher or Year co-ordinator) who is prepared to facilitate communication with other teachers and is a strong advocate for your child. A daily communication diary for some students with high support needs may be beneficial. 
 
Don’t feel too shy to call a Learning and Support Team meeting if you feel there are problems or issues affecting your child that need to be addressed immediately. When team meetings about your child’s progress are convened at the school, take notes and confirm deadlines for evaluation and review of the programs and supports that have been established. Help to determine what has worked and what needs to be changed. This is a collaborative process. 
 
A helpful information booklet, Making the Move is available to download at http://ecite.utas.edu.au/65242
 
Leaving School
 
The transition from school to post-school options is a planned, outcome-oriented process that enables students with disabilities or difficulties in learning or behaviour to make a smooth passage from school to community living and adult roles. It is a process which focuses on the student’s future needs so as to enable them to participate in all aspects of community life and to become as independent as possible.
 
Assistance is available in NSW government schools, with information available from your child’s school or a Learning and Support Officer in your local Education Department office. The transition process emphasises the need for students to concentrate on:
 
•	developing skills considered fundamental for later success
 
•	preparing students during secondary schooling for the post-school environment
 
 •	assisting students through interagency planning and co-operation to transfer smoothly into further education, training and/or employment.
 
Stepping Out is an ADHC guide that includes information for families of young people with a disability moving from secondary school to adult life. You can download the document at: www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0018/234117/410_Stepping_out_A4_ART2_25-5-2010.pdf

14. Helping Your Child Through Adolescence
As children grow they have different needs, particularly when experiencing puberty. It is important to be prepared for changes that occur and to talk to someone about how best to communicate with your child about issues such as sexuality and family planning.
 
Sexual expression is a natural part of life and as children become teenagers they generally need to receive appropriate sex education and information about sexual health. 
 
For all children, preparation for adolescence involves teaching them about appropriate responses to the changes that are happening to them and will happen in future. Many children with a disability become anxious and resist change, so it is wise to prepare your child well for puberty, with an emphasis on teaching practical coping skills.
 
It can be challenging to realise that your child is going to have an adult body, but that he or she may not have an understanding of the implications of these changes. Even if you feel shy or have concerns about the changes happening to your child, talk with your GP or paediatrician, Family Planning NSW, disability specific organisations, and of course, where possible, with your child. 
 
Information and Advice
 
•	For advice concerning your child’s sexuality and sexual health, contact Family Planning NSW. This organisation provides training programs for people to increase their awareness and knowledge of sexuality issues relating to people with a disability. They also publish a number of resources related to disability including DVDs, books and fact sheets. Phone 1300 658 886 (Healthline) or visit www.fpnsw.org.au
 
•	Some information will be general while other information will relate to a specific syndrome or disability. For example, for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder there are two helpful books available: Aspergers Syndrome and Sexuality from Adolescence to Adulthood, by I Henault (published by Jessica Kingsley, 2006), and Sexuality and Relationship Education for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders, by D Hartman (Jessica Kingsley, 2013). Both are available from Resources At Hand -Autism and Aspergers resources and supplies. Visit www.resourcesathand.com.au
 
 •	If your son or daughter has a diagnosed syndrome, it would be beneficial to contact the syndrome association to see if they produce any information for families on adolescence specific to your child’s disability. For example, Talk to Me is a publication produced by Down Syndrome NSW. A personal development manual for females with Down syndrome and their parents, it covers topics ranging from self-esteem, menstruation, relationships, and protective behaviours to deal with unwanted advances. Visit www.downsyndromensw.org.au
 
•	The Better Health Victoria website contains comprehensive information on adolescent sexuality and disabilities, at www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
 
 •	The Intake, Information and Referral service provided by your local ADHC regional office should also be able to provide you with information about local services that can support you in this matter
 
 •	Relationships and Private Stuff is a Sydney-based counselling service run by Liz Dore, a counsellor and educator who provides services for people with disabilities, individual counselling and group education sessions on subjects such as ‘Friendship and Dating Skills’ and ‘Friendships and Puberty Stuff’. Phone 0416 122 634 or visit www.relationshipsandprivatestuff.com
 
 TURNING 16
 
Centrelink
 
When your child turns 16, the payment system administered by Centrelink changes. About six months before your child’s 16th birthday, you need to talk to Centrelink about the following:
 
•	assessment for the Adult Carer Allowance
 
•	your child’s eligibility for the Disability Support Pension
 
•	eligibility for the Youth Allowance if your child does not qualify for the Disability Support Pension
 
•	eligibility for a Mobility Allowance to help with travel to training or work 
 
•	other allowances such as Education Entry Payments, Pensioner Education Supplements or Rent Assistance. 
 
Application forms for many of these payments are not available on Centrelink's website. To obtain the form, you must call Centrelink on 132 717 or visit a Centrelink office. Locations are listed at www.humanservices.gov.au. Preferably phone, because queues at Centrelink offices can be very long. If you must attend in person, arrive early in the morning. Your child does not need to attend.
 
When the application form is ready for lodgement, it will need to be accompanied by various supporting documents. Unless you have a passport for your child, it can be difficult to find enough documentation to satisfy Centrelink’s ID requirements. You must have original documents (copies are not acceptable). Some of the more common documents you might have available or be able to obtain are:
 
•	birth certificate
 
•	current passport
 
•	Medicare card
 
•	private healthcare card
 
•	recent bank statements in the name of your child
 
•	Mobility Parking Card 
 
•	NSW Photo Card (see below)
 
•	Health Care Card in your child’s name (from the Department of Human Services)
 
•	up to three school reports signed by the principal (note that each report is worth 20 out of the required 100 points)
 
•	up to three school certificates showing your child has achieved a certain level of education (e.g. finished primary school). Each of these is worth 40 points.
 
If your child is unable to complete the forms due to his or her disability, you will need an original letter from your GP explaining this to be the case. 
 
It is recommended that you also complete a form entitled ‘Authorising a person or organisation to enquire or act on your behalf’ so that you can continue to represent and receive information concerning your child.
 
If your child has serious vision problems, ask for a form entitled ‘Request for Ophthalmologist Report’. Means testing does not apply to a Disability Support Pension based on ‘permanent blindness’ as defined in the Social Security Act 1991, and it also avoids the need to complete a separate Medical Report form which otherwise must accompany an application for the Disability Support Pension. 
 
Certain other illnesses and diagnoses allow for ‘fast tracking’ of your application. Go to www.dss.gov.au and follow the links under Our Responsibilities for disability and carers. In relation to any Centrelink payments made to you or your child, it is important that you notify Centrelink if or when circumstances change.
 
Other Financial Issues
 
Prior to your child turning 16, also consider:
 
•	obtaining a Tax File Number (TFN) for your child 
 
•	opening a bank account for your child if you have not already done so 
 
as the identification requirements for both these processes are less stringent for a child under 16 years of age.
 
NSW Photo Card 
 
NSW's Roads and Maritime Service provides a Photo Card for people who are unable to obtain a driver’s licence but need proof of identity in order to use everyday services. It has the same security features as a NSW driver’s licence. For information visit www.rms.nsw.gov.au/licensing/photocard.html or contact your closest NSW Motor Registry. People in receipt of a pension or a carer allowance are not charged a fee for their card.

15. Moving from School to Adulthood - Further Education and Employment
All young people and their parents are faced with important decisions about the directions their lives will take after they complete secondary education. In addition to the range of opportunities for further learning open to school leavers, such as studying at TAFE or  university, there are some options that have been designed particularly for students with a disability. To assist your child and to assist you in giving them informed guidance, there are also a number of government and non-government support services, ranging from school-based careers advisers and counsellors to advisory services related particularly to post-school learning and employment.
 
Post-school Options – NSW Government
 
NSW Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC) funds two post-school programs for school leavers with a disability: the Transition to Work (TTW) and Community Participation (CP) programs.
 
A student in Year 12 who wants to be considered for either of these two post-school programs needs to be assessed by education staff who are familiar with the young person’s needs.Assessments are conducted for ADHC each year by teachers from the NSW Education Department, the NSW Catholic Education Commission and the Association of Independent Schools NSW, with each report then forwarded by ADHC to the University of Wollongong for analysis.
 
Before an assessment can be conducted, written consent from the young person, their parent or guardian is required. Interpreter services are available. 
 
Transition to Work (TTW)
 
This program aims to develop work-related skills over a period of two years (with the potential for a further six-month extension) that may assist a school leaver to gain paid employment, vocational education or training. TTW provides services to young people with a range of support needs but is primarily targeted to young people with moderate to high needs who are unable to immediately access employment or attend TAFE or university due to their support needs. This program typically provides three days of support each week to school leavers. The family chooses the funding from the available service providers.
 
Community Participation (CP) 
 
This program teaches life skills and facilitates community involvement as an alternative to paid employment for young people with moderate to very high support needs who require such an alternative in the longer term. CP programs are usually provided in a group environment.
 
Funding for both of the programs is portable (i.e. the young person can select and move between service providers if they wish), and each young person has an individual plan. Funding amounts are allocated according to the individual’s assessed needs. 
 
The CP program provides a minimum of 24 hours of support each week to those with moderate to high support needs and up to 30 hours a week if the person is assessed as having very high or exceptional support needs. Service providers deliver both this and the TTW programs across NSW. Booklets with details of service providers are published annually by ADHC in print and on the ADHC website. 
 
Eligible school leavers will receive information on service providers in their area when they are advised of the outcome of their assessment. 
 
Information on both of ADHC’s post-school programs is also available on the Post-school Programs information line. Phone 1800 761 030 or visit www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/individuals/support/learning_new_skills/for_school_leavers_-_Post_School_Programs
 
 An information kit, available at www.adhc.nsw.gov.au and titled Stepping Out, provides information for families of young people with a disability moving from secondary school to adult life.
 
Post-school Options – Australian Government
 
National Disability Co-ordination Officer Program
 
Through a comprehensive network of 31 national disability co-ordination officers, this government program targets the barriers that people with a disability face in gaining access to, and successfully completing, post-school education and training. 
 
The program provides information to assist people with a disability to move from school into training and/or higher education, and then into their chosen career, including information and advice on:
 
•	post-school options
 
•	support and services
 
•	scholarships, apprenticeships and traineeships
 
•	assistance in understanding the transition to post-school education, training and employment
 
•	links with appropriate people to plan and make a successful entry into further study and employment.
 
Accessing this service is free. To find your nearest NDCO, phone 133 873 or visit www.education.gov.au/national-disability-coordination-officer-program
 
 TAFE NSW
 
TAFE NSW employs specialist staff, known as Teacher/Consultants for Students with Disabilities, to ensure students have equal access to training. Each Teacher/Consultant has expertise in a specific disability area. Teacher/Consultants may provide:
 
•	pre-course counselling
 
•	assistance with course selection and enrolment
 
•	assistance to identify the most appropriate classroom supports and modifications 
 
•	access to tutorial support, adaptive technologies, sign language interpreters, note takers or disability assistants.
 
Students with disabilities may also be eligible for TAFE fee exemptions or concessions. To find out more, contact a Teacher/Consultant for Students with Disabilities at your local TAFE NSW Institute or campus, or visit www.tafensw.edu.au/services/disability 
 
University
 
University Disability Advisors
 
All universities have a Disability Advisor who can support and advise students with a disability attending the university. Assistance may include enrolment assistance, arrangement of access to buildings, provision of note-taking support, volunteer readers, equipment loans, letters of support to lecturers, issue of access cards to service areas, issue of parking permits, special exam conditions, mentoring, information directories, consulting advice to teaching and administrative staff. Contact the Disability Advisor at your university.
 
Employment Programs
 
Many people with a disability work successfully in a wide range of jobs and industries. With appropriate supports, people with a disability, even many with high support needs, are able to find meaningful employment. In fact, the majority of Australians with a disability who are employed work at productivity levels equivalent to their co-workers and receive a full award wage.
 
For those people whose disability makes it difficult to work at full productivity or within the mainstream workforce, there are additional arrangements (such as the Supported Wage System) available to assist with vocational options.
 
A range of employment services and employment incentive programs have been set up to support people with a disability to gain and maintain employment. Specialist employment agencies, funded by the Australian Government, aim to match the right person to the right job. At first it can be very confusing and overwhelming when making decisions as to suitable employment options, vocational services and incentive programs. The type of employment assistance required and which services are most appropriate will largely depend on the level of support needed by the individual. 
 
Vocational Assistance Available Through Centrelink
 
Centrelink can be a good starting point when deciding which services and types of assistance may be most appropriate. Centrelink will register the person with disability as looking for work and organise a Job Capacity Assessment, which determines which service best meets the job seeker’s needs. The assessment identifies any barriers to work and the interventions that may be needed to help overcome those barriers. The Job Capacity Assessment provider (either Centrelink or a local employment service) will then refer the job seeker to the most appropriate employment or employment-related service. If job seekers and their families are not happy with the employment service, they should go back to Centrelink for a referral to another agency or service. All job seekers have the right to be treated on an individual case-management basis. Contact Centrelink Employment Services on 13 28 50 or visit www.jobaccess.gov.au
 
 The types of vocational assistance provided by Centrelink include:
 
•	referrals to non-government job networks
 
•	advice on eligibility for Disability Support Pension and other disability and carer-related payments
 
•	information about employment services in the local area and referral to appropriate services.
 
Centrelink also has a range of other vocational services to assist people with a disability, including:
 
•	self-help facilities in most of its offices such as computers, photocopiers and JobSearch touchscreens
 
•	assistance for parents and carers to enter or re-enter the workforce
 
•	referral to language, literacy and numeracy programs to assist people to improve these skills in order to enhance their chance of employment.
 
NSW Department of Education and Communities Apprenticeship and Traineeship Program
 
This program provides on-the-job trade training opportunities in State Government departments and statutory authorities, providing opportunities for career development and offering a work environment that encourages people with a disability to function at their full potential. The program encourages departments and authorities to recruit people with a disability. To be connected to the Apprenticeship and Traineeship program in your local region phone 132 811. For general information visit www.training.nsw.gov.au
 
  Disability Employment Services 
 
The Australian Government funds an employment service called Disability Employment Services (DES) which assists people with disability to receive employment support and work in the open labour market. The DES has two programs — the Employment Support Service and Disability Management Services — for job seekers with disability. If you are seeking a referral to either program, you should contact Centrelink or visit your local DES provider. Most applicants with a disability, injury or health condition must undergo a Job Capacity Assessment through Centrelink to determine their eligibility for DES. All eligible participants are able to choose their DES provider. 
 
The Employment Support Service provides specialist assistance to job seekers with a permanent disability who require ongoing, long-term support to find and maintain employment, while Disability Management Services (DMS) helps people with disability, an injury or a health condition who are not expected to need long-term or regular support in the workplace, providing interventions over 6-12 months that build on the person’s skills and strengths to reduce any workplace barriers. 
 
The DES is delivered by a network of organisations around Australia. For more information visit www.jobsearch.gov.au
 
The Australian Government also provides financial incentives for employment in the open labour market, including the wage subsidy scheme, the supported wage system and the workplace modifications and adjustments scheme.
 
In addition, the Australian Government funds a network of business services outlets that provide supported employment services. These services provide training and employment placement, with ongoing support where needed, in mainstream or ‘open’ employment. Some of these agencies specialise in assisting job seekers with a particular disability (e.g. a physical disability or a psychiatric disability). If this is the case, this will be listed in the service’s eligibility criteria. 
 
To support job seekers, these agencies will generally provide: information and education for employers about employing people with disability, such as helping employers make ‘reasonable adjustments’ and avoid disability discrimination; and advice and assistance with accessing employment incentives schemes and subsidies, such as:
 
•	workplace modifications and wage subsidies
 
•	assessment of the job seeker’s skills and aptitudes
 
•	assistance with development of a résumé and completing job applications
 
•	advice on likely employment opportunities and suitable job vacancies
 
•	training or retraining to increase job readiness, e.g. training in office skills and travel training
 
•	assistance to help the job seeker market themselves to potential employers and assistance with interview skills
 
•	job placement
 
•	ongoing support and training in the workplace once the person is employed
 
•	assistance with setting up traineeships or apprenticeships to enable job seekers with disability to receive extra supports so that they can learn their trade and earn their certificates and so that employers can access additional financial subsidies (subject to eligibility).
 
Following are some of the agencies that assist people with a disability to gain and maintain employment:
 
•	Job Services Australia – This is a national network of private, community and government employment services which offer a range of services such as job matching, job search training and individually tailored intensive assistance for disadvantaged people. To register for Job Services Australia, you need to visit your local Centrelink office. If a person is registered as requiring ‘intensive assistance’ (Stream 4), this generally means they are eligible to receive a higher level of assistance from the Job Services agency than other job seekers. If a person with disability requires a higher level of support and training than that provided through ‘Intensive Assistance’ providers, higher levels of assistance are available through specialist ‘disability employment services’. Visit Australian JobSearch at www.jobsearch.gov.au 
 
•	JobAccess is an information and advice service funded by the Australian Government to support the employment of people with disability, offering help and workplace solutions for people with disability and employers. JobAccess includes a comprehensive, user-friendly website and a free telephone information and advice service where you can access confidential, expert advice on the employment of people with disability. Visit www.jobaccess.gov.au or phone 1800 464 800.
 
•	Disability Employment Australia (DEA) is a peak body for Australia’s Disability Employment Services. Visit www.disabilityemployment.org.au
 
 •	Department of Employment customer service line (1800 805 260) and the Department of Social Services customer service line(1300 653 227). 
 
•	DES info line, on 1800 805 260, to find out about various services or visit www.jobsearch.gov.au. (All Disability Employment Services are free to job seekers and employers alike.)
 
 In addition:
 
•	The Deaf Society of NSW offers a free service that directs specialised employment assistance to hearing-impaired people. Phone (02) 8833 3600 or (02) 8833 3691 (TTY) or visit www.deafsocietynsw.org.au
 
•	Job Centre Australia – Specialise in intellectual and some physical disability. Phone 1800 466 046.
 
•	Cerebral Palsy Alliance Employment Solutions – Specialise in neurological, acquired brain injury, cerebral palsy, physical and multiple disability. Visit https://disabilityemployment.services
 
•	NOVA Employment have several branches throughout NSW. Phone 1300 224 548 or visit www.novaemployment.com.au
 
•	Northcott runs a Transition To Work and employment service. Visit www.northcott.com.au/services/employment-services
 
 •	Wise Employment operate in several different areas in NSW. Phone 1800 685 105 or visit www.wiseemployment.com.au
 
•	Job Support – Specialise in intellectual disability. Visit www.jobsupport.org.au
 
•	Sunnyfield – Specialise in intellectual disability. Visit www.sunnyfield.com.au
 
•	Pioneer Clubhouse – Specialise in mental health disability. Phone (02) 9907 9999.
 
•	Campbell Page – general Disability Employment Service. Visit www.campbellpage.com.au
 
•	Australian JobSearch is Australia’s largest free online employment website. It is funded and operated by the Australian Government. Visit www.jobsearch.gov.au 
 
•	Break Thru People Solutions is an Australian Government-funded service that provides training and assists people with a disability to find employment. Visit www.breakthru.org.au
 
Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs)
 
Australian Disability Enterprises (formerly known as "sheltered workshops") are funded by the Australian Government to provide employment to people who are unable to work in the open labour market, but are able to work for at least eight hours per week in a supported environment. 
 
ADEs offer support to job seekers who are in their own business workplace, in work crews or in contract-labour arrangements. Support is generally provided for more than 24 months and can continue for as long as the job seeker remains employed by the service. ADEs generally provides work-site training to workers with a disability, and so may be considered the most appropriate vocational option for those workers who have high support needs and who are not ready to work within the mainstream workforce. Sometimes workers with a disability employed within an ADE may move into open employment at a later stage.
 
 The type of work undertaken by these businesses and the wages and conditions of employment can vary greatly from service to service. It is also worth noting that wages and conditions of employment within some of these services differ from industry standards (i.e. they may not be in line with the relevant industry award or agreement) so it is advisable to find out all the details of employment first from any potential employer. 
 
For information about working in an ADE, you should contact your local Centrelink office or alternatively contact an Australian Disability Enterprise in your local area directly, which can be found at www.australiandisabilityenterprises.com.au
 
Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service (CRS) 
 
The CRS is a national provider of rehabilitation, injury and disability management services,  providing vocational rehabilitation and ‘return to work’ support. The CRS employs a cross-section of professional staff including job placement specialists, marketers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech therapists and social workers, but the CRS does not provide the same level of on-the-job training and support as Open Employment Services. If a job seeker requires extensive workplace support, CRS will work in conjunction with an Open Employment Service to ensure this occurs.
 
CRS also offers a range of free and fee-for-service consultancies, including workplace assessments, staff training on WHS, as well as rehabilitation and placement services for insurers. Phone 1800 277 277 or visit www.crsaustralia.gov.au
 
Industrial Rights
 
Disability Inclusion Act 
 
In 2014, the NSW Disability Services Act and Disability Services Standards were replaced by the Disability Inclusion Act. The aim of the new Act is to better recognise the human rights of people with disability and help people move to the new NDIS funding arrangements. The Act also applies to all disability employment services. It is important to be aware that service quality is measured against standards set out in the Act, and any potential service user can ask the service about its compliance with the Act. All workers, regardless of whether they have a disability or not, have industrial rights relating to wages and conditions of employment. Relevant legislation and regulations that can protect the rights of workers with a disability includes:
 
•	Workplace Relations Act (Commonwealth)
 
•	NSW Industrial Relations Act (including Section 125 relating to Special Wage Permits) 
 
•	Disability Discrimination Act (Commonwealth) 
 
•	Disability Inclusion Act (NSW)
 
•	Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Act (Commonwealth) 
 
•	Occupational Health and Safety Act (NSW)
 
•	Anti-Discrimination Act (NSW). 
 
For all workplace matters, visit www.awna.com.au. Advocates and mediators of disputes can contact 1300 766 700 for free advice. 
 
The Australian Human Rights Commission 
 
The Australian Human Rights Commission website contains practical advice and resources from State/Territory equal opportunity bodies and information on discrimination issues relating to employment. Visit www.humanrights.gov.au or phone 1300 656 419 or (02) 9284 9600.
 
Job Applications and Interviews
 
In terms of disclosure of information about a person’s disability to an employer, the following general points should be noted:
 
•	during a job interview, questions should be framed as for any other job applicant to ascertain the individual’s ability to perform the essential requirements of the job
 
•	questions relating to disability should only be asked in order to identify whether any adjustments will be required to assist the person to do the job
 
•	inappropriate and unnecessary questioning about a person’s disability (i.e. that are not about the person’s ability to perform the essential elements of the job) may be in breach of the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act or the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act.
 
Publications
 
Careers for Graduates with Disability provides information on graduates with disability in the Australian workforce. Visit www.graduatecareers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/gca001248.pdf
 
The National Disability Co-ordination Officer Program at the University of Western Sydney assists people with a disability to participate in post-school education training and employment, and publishes a number of resources about life after school. Visit www.uws.edu.au/ndco/getreadytoptips

16. Accommodation
Supported Accommodation
 
In NSW there is a range of Government-funded models designed to support people with a disability to live in their local community, but availability is extremely limited. The level and type of support provided varies from drop-in support every few days in the family home, to group home accommodation which offers 24-hour support, 7 days a week. Other models being implemented include alternative family placements, villas and apartments, cluster models and villages.
 
For a person with a physical disability, there are some support packages available where the person involved can directly contract the type of personal care and domestic support they require to live independently in their own home.
 
The most common out-of-home model of supported accommodation is the group home,  generally accessed by people with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities. As of 2015  there are approximately 600 group homes in NSW, providing 24/7 support for four to six people. Some group homes are for particular groups of individuals with particular needs such as for people with complex healthcare requirements. Some houses are designed with modifications to make the houses accessible for people who may have a physical disability. Most resemble a family home in a suburban setting.
 
Due to the lack of long-term supported accommodation places available in NSW and, indeed, across Australia, there is no automatic right of access to accommodation as there is in many  other developed countries. If you are seeking supported accommodation for your son or daughter, ring your regional ADHC Information, Referral and Intake service. ADHC will record a future need (which is not an immediate need) without the need for an assessment but your child must be over 16 years of age. For children under 16, there is a strong preference for providing additional supports in the family home or finding a foster home for the child, rather than placing the child in supported accommodation.
 
If your need is immediate, ADHC will conduct an assessment and, if they consider your situation eligible, will place your child on the Register of Requests for Supported Accommodation.
 
Neither the recording of a future need nor registration on this Register guarantees a place. With far greater demand for supported accommodation than places available, Regional Allocation Committees have been formed to ensure individuals are best matched to available vacancies. Individuals on the Register of Requests for Supported Accommodation whose profiles match an available vacancy are prioritised according to their circumstances, irrespective of what period of time they have been on the Register or recorded as having a future need. Priority of access is provided to people who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, which is why carers sometimes resort to leaving their son or daughter in a respite centre or hospital to ensure priority. ADHC has information on supported accommodation available at www.adhc.nsw.gov.au/sp/delivering_disability_services/ supported_accommodation
 
Supported Living
 
‘Supported living’ is the term used to describe arrangements that a person with a disability or their family puts in place themselves to enable the person to live outside the family home in an environment of their choosing, with support and services provided as needed.
 
Supported living is based on the following values and principles:
 
•	Every person is unique and the supports that a person with disability may need must be flexible and suit their individual needs, goals and interests. People are entitled to have control over their own lives and all planning should put the person at the centre, making choices about their home and their goals. 
 
•	Within a supported living framework, the person with disability is not a passive care recipient but an individual with the right to self-determination.
 
•	All people with disability contribute to society. Some people with disability need support to find opportunities to contribute through their work, leisure and relationships.
 
•	People with disability are entitled to secure funding, and the supports necessary to enable them to live a full life should be guaranteed for life.
 
Until recently, the NSW Government offered funding of up to $50,000 under a program known as the Supported Living Fund. Although this program has ended, some good experience has been gained in the use of individualised funding for this purpose, particularly in how to involve family and friends in the planning and transition process and in how to incorporate informal (i.e. unpaid) supports within the plan. Visit www.resourcingfamilies.org.au for more information.
 
An accommodation funding package still currently available through ADHC is the Individual Accommodation Support Package (IASP) . This package is targeted to people with moderate to high needs, but is not intended for people who need continuous or complex formal support (i.e. 24-hour or overnight support). Like the Supported Living Fund, this package relies on a mix of informal/unpaid supports provided by family, friends and the community, as well as paid supports. It complements existing services people may be receiving outside the home (e.g. day program funding) but replaces any existing government-subsidised or funded services related to accommodation and in-home support (i.e. Home Care and respite). These services would instead need to be paid for with IASP funds, or people may choose to use their IASP funds to purchase an alternate service. One of the key benefits of the program is that the person with a disability, their family,carers and case manager work with an IASP provider to directly plan, manage and monitor the support package. For more information, contact your ADHC regional office.
 
The NDIS will provide funding for support services for people with disability to live independently outside the family home, but it will not provide funding for the "bricks and mortar"; this responsibility will fall almost entirely on families. Although the NSW Housing Department will continue to play a role, funds and public housing places are extremely limited, with lengthy waiting lists, and this will not change with the introduction of the NDIS.
 
Some not-for-profit organisations have received ‘incentive allocations’ under a Commonwealth scheme called the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS). This scheme encourages the building of disability-accessible accommodation and assists in reducing the rent charged to tenants of those properties by guaranteeing the developer $1,000 a year per property once the property is built. A list of the most recently approved participants of these incentives can be found in the NRAS Monthly Performance Reports listed on the Commonwealth Department of Social Services website. Visit www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/housing-support/programs-services/national-rental-affordability-scheme

17. Daily Living Aids
Many people enhance their daily living and independence by using different types of disability aids and equipment, such as wheelchairs, walking frames, communication devices, special eating utensils, artificial foot orthoses (AFOs), oxygen, continence aids, hoists, swings, protective clothing such as helmets, and wheelchair-accessible vehicles.Advisory, Sales and Support Services for Daily Living Aids
 
Independent Living Centre (ILC)
 
The ILC provides information, advice and sells all types of equipment, aids and appliances, and can advise on home design to maximise independence and accessibility. ILC also has a Sydney-based showroom with many different products on display so you can ‘try before you buy'. 
 
Architectural drawings and building plans can also be checked for accessibility and functionality, although this may incur a fee.
 
In addition, ILC has a searchable database of new and second-hand equipment from Australia and overseas with over 6,000 items on its website, and offers publications such as a guide to kitchen and bathroom planning. Phone (02)9912 5800 or 1300 452 679 (info line) or visit www.ilcnsw.asn.au. The Sydney office and display centre is located at Westpoint Blacktown (Shop 4019, Level 4, 17 Patrick St, Blacktown). Appointments necessary.
 
IDEAS
 
The IDEAS website provides a high quality accessible portal for people with disability, their families, carers and professionals to access and search for information on services and resources that promote independence. Databases on services, equipment suppliers and travel options, Infobyte fact sheets and newsletters can be found on the IDEAS website, as well as a blog, events diary and links to other disability services. Phone 1800 029 904 or (02)6947 3377 (TTY) or visit www.ideas.org.au
 
  TAD (Technical Aid to the Disabled) NSW
 
Develops specific aids to suit individual needs, particularly for people finding it difficult to locate an item commercially. TAD is a charitable organisation that uses the services of volunteers. Phone (02)9912 3400 or 1300 663 243 or visit www.tadnsw.org.au
 
Ability Technology
 
A non-profit organisation based in Sydney that aims to increase the independence of people with disability through the use of assistive technology. The organisation specialises in home control technology that enables people with disability to control the phone, TV, lights, doors, fans, heaters and other devices, as well as providing specialist devices and software to allow greater access to computers and other technology. Phone (02) 9907 9736 or visit www.ability.org.au
 
Red Button
 
A personal emergency alert that works on any mobile phone or fixed phone line when a particular key on the phone is held down, which then activates the Assure Connect service and calls your chosen contact person, or 000 in an emergency. Phone 1300 968 841 or visit www.redbutton.com.au
 
IndiPendant
 
Worn as a pendant or wristband, this personal alarm is monitored by a security response centre 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In the event of an emergency, the wearer simply presses a button for assistance. Phone 131 238 or visit www.indipendant.com.au
 
Clothing
 
Depending on your child’s disability, it may at times be difficult to find suitable clothing. Listed below are some ideas and companies that may be able to assist you in your search for suitable clothing for your child.
 
Bibs and Neck Scarves
 
Some children with disability continue to need clothing protection for feeding and dribbling, but it is difficult to find bibs that are appropriate as children grow. Some options to consider are:
 
•	‘Love Libby’ will make up bibs for your child in any number of fabric designs, available for viewing at www.lovelibby.com or phone 0413 616 515.
 
•	‘Drybib’ sell large and small bandanas (neck scarves) with a thin layer of fleece covered with 100% cotton. The fleece absorbs moisture throughout the day. Available in a range of colours. Phone 0432 684 605 or visit www.bigbandanabibs.com.au
 
 •	Adaptive Clothing Company has information on clothing, bibs, footwear and healthcare apparel for children and adults. Visit www.makoa.org/clothing.htm
 
 Clothing for Wheelchair Users
 
•	Fashion Freaks has patterns for downloading, simple sewing instructions, tips and other useful information for wheelchair users who have problems with the fit of clothing (e.g. pants too tight at crotch, skirts too short at the back). Visit ww.independentliving.org/fashionfreaks/ introeng.html 
 
•	Waterproof rain and winter fleece ponchos specially designed for wheelchair users are available from www.armbraces.com
 
•	Megalong Positioning Service in Leura, NSW, stocks specially designed raincoats for wheelchair users. Visit www.megalongpositioning.com.au
 
Clothing for Sensitive Children
 
•	Seams Away is an online clothing store for children with sensory or tactile sensitivities, at www.seamsaway.com.au
 
 •	It Makes Sense supply clothing and products for children with sensitivities. Visit www.itmakessense.com.au
 
•	Cloth for Comfort supplies a range of handmade sensory products including weighted blankets and lap bags. Phone 0419 523 704 or visit www.clothforcomfort.com
 
 All-in-one Pyjamas
 
•	Night ‘n’ Day sell all-in-one pyjama suits. Phone (02) 9531 2011 or visit www.nightnday-minappi.com
 
Keeping Cool
 
Some people with disability have difficulty regulating their body temperature and may overheat easily. Personal Cooling Products sells special cooling hats and neck ties containing non-toxic, water-activated crystals which help cool the body and which are re-usable. Visit www.coolhats.com.au
 
 Socks
 
•	Socks for Orthotics are designed for use with ankle-foot orthotics (AFOs). Phone (02) 9748 3838 or visit www.grogangroup.com
 
  Orthopaedic Footwear
 
•	Keeping Pace stock a range of shoes specially designed to wear with AFOs. Visit www.keepingpace.comwww.rch.org.au/orthotic/clinical_services/#AFO 
 
•	Hatchbacks are shoes with a rear-entry hinge system designed to facilitate ease of entry. Visit www.hatchbacksfootwear.com
 
 •	Wide Shoes stocks children’s orthopaedic shoes with cushioned inserts, made to be worn with AFOs. Visit www.thewideshoes.comwww.rch.org.au/orthotic/clinical_services/#AFO 
 
•	Shoby Shoes supply custom-made shoes for individual needs, at www.shobyshoes.com
 
Splints
 
•	If your occupational therapist advises that your child would benefit from arm splints,  the Alimed Comfy Goniometer-Elbow Orthosis available from Lenjoy Medical Engineering in the US may be useful. Lenjoy designs and produces a range of various types of splints and orthoses. Visit www.comfysplints.com
 
•	The children’s hospital your child attends may have an Orthotic department that make splints.

18. Communication
If your child is eligible for ADHC services and uses pictures to communicate and you want to update their pictures or communication system, you can visit your local Inclusive Communication and Behaviour Support, or iCABS, library, accessible through your regional ADHC Information, Referral and Intake service.
 
Here, you will have access, free of any charge, to a computer with Boardmaker software, a colour printer and laminator. A speech pathologist can also be available on drop-in days to help if required. 
 
Commercially available communication aids include the following:
 
•	Inekards flashcards and visual schedules, developed to help with communication and language difficulties. The Inekards system of comprehensive visual supports are clear, consistent, photographic images printed in full colour and laminated. The visual supports were primarily designed for children with autism, but can also be used as a teaching tool across a broad range of disabilities and in many educational and therapy settings. Visit www.inekards.com 
 
•	See-n-Speak supplies a range of communication tools such as photographic cards, weekly calendars and timetables. Phone (02) 9899 9293 or visit www.seeandspeak.com.au
 
 •	Chew Chew Chatter is a series of educational DVDs developed by a paediatric speech pathologist to promote children’s communication through music and video modelling. Visit www.chewchewchatter.com.au
 
•	Think in Pictures supplies visual communication aids such as choice boards, visual timetables, calendars and basic visuals. Visit www.thinkinpictures.com.au
 
 •	Life Skills 4 Kids offers an assortment of resources designed to help children develop important skills such as communication, concentration, relaxation and behaviour management. The resources are suited to children with a range of needs including ADHD, autism, sensory processing difficulties and anxiety disorders. Phone (02) 6555 9877 or visit www.lifeskills4kids.com.au
 
•	Model Me Kids supplies a range of DVDs aimed at teaching social skills to children of all ages. The DVDs demonstrate social skills by modelling peer behaviour in different situations: children model and narrate each skill. Visit www.modelmekids-store.com
 
AGOSCI
 
AGOSCI is an organisation representing people with complex communication needs, as well as those who live, know or work with them. Membership includes people with complex communication needs, teachers, speech pathologists and other professionals. AGOSCI provides education on communication access, so people can understand and express themselves using methods of communication that suit their individual needs. 
 
Some key areas of interest for AGOSCI are augmentative and alternative communication, sign and gesture systems, mealtime assistance, saliva control, voice output communication aids, research and problem solving in severe communication impairment. AGOSCI holds a biennial conference with keynote speakers on the latest communication topics. Visit www.agosci.org.au
 
Assistive Technology
 
Thanks to modern technology, there are lots of ways to help children communicate and improve their quality of life. 
 
Northcott CATS
 
In the Sydney metropolitan area, the Northcott Society’s Computer Assistive Technology Service (CATS) provides advice on computers, communication options, switches and other related equipment. CATS also have a very handy hire service available, so you can try out what is often very costly equipment to see if it works for your child before buying. Phone (02) 9890 0100 or go to www.northcottcats.com.au 
 
(Note: There is an agreement between the NSW Education Department and Northcott that if a public school student requires a Technology Assessment, the Department will fund.)
 
TAD’s Computer Support Service
 
This service refurbishes donated computers and provides these at affordable rates to people with disability. TADNSW is a Community Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher, and computers can be purchased by anyone on a Centrelink or Veterans Affairs benefit. Phone (02) 9912 3400 or 1300 663 243 or download an application form online at www.tadnsw.org.au
 
Make It Mine
 
People in receipt of certain types of Centrelink payments or benefits can apply to have the cost of a computer deducted from their fortnightly payments over a 12-month period. Phone 1300 625 348 or visit www.makeitmine.com.au
 
 Work Ventures
 
Work Ventures is a not-for-profit social enterprise that provides low cost PCs through the Connect IT Program. This program offers quality, refurbished PCs at affordable prices to people on Centrelink benefits or low income earners. Phone 1800 112 205 or visit www.workventures.com.au
 
 HumanWare Guide
 
The free HumanWare Guide of Low Vision, Blindness and Learning Disability Products allows you to interact in virtual demonstrations, and provides product information as well as reviews of product applications. It is an ideal resource for anyone looking for assistive products for the home, school or office. Visit www.humanware.com
 
 Telstra Services
 
Telstra’s Disability Equipment Program provides a range of specialised telephone products for people with disability. For more information phone Telstra’s Disability Enquiry Hotline 1800 068 424 or TTY 1800 808 981, or visit www.telstra.com.au/disability/catalogue
 
National Relay Service
 
The National Relay Service assists with phone calls for people who are deaf or have a speech or hearing impairment. Phone 133 677 (TTY/voice calls) or 1300 555 727 (speak and listen). You can also make internet calls via the website at www.relayservice.com.au
 
Jeenee
 
Jeenee is a division of Community Connections Australia, a not-for-profit disability service provider, which offers a range of mobile phone plans that, when used in conjunction with smartphone apps, are designed to provide greater independence for people with disability. The android-based app provides access to a 24/7 Help Centre that was created to offer assistance to people with disability who may get into difficulty when out in the community. Phone 1300 054 631 or visit www.jeenee.org.au
 
iPads
 
Touchscreen devices and tablet computers are becoming increasingly popular due to their portability and ease of use for kids with disability.Lots of fun and educational apps are now available for the iPad that are suitable for kids with varying levels of ability. There are for instance ‘talking books’ that have an automatic page turn feature, games, and music apps that allow kids to play music by swiping their hand across the screen. For wheelchair users, mounting devices are available that allow the iPad to be mounted to a wheelchair, wall or piece of furniture.
 
There are several websites dedicated to apps for children with disability: 
 
•	AppAbled.com provides comprehensive information on apps for children with special needs including reviews and recommended educational apps. Visit www.appabled.com
 
 •	Apps for Children with Special Needs provides information about apps and accessories such as iPad cases. Visit www.a4cwsn.com
 
 •	Friendship Circle has a comprehensive list of apps in different categories such as Communication and Behaviour. Visit www.friendshipcircle.org/apps
 
 •	Ian Bean offers a range of free apps to teach skills to children with disability, including switch skills. Visit www.ianbean.co.uk
 
iPad Mounts
 
Various types of iPad mounts are available including: 
 
•	The Wallee is a wall-mountable hard case and modular accessories designed specially for an iPad, visit www.studioproper.com.au
 
•	Camzilla stock suction and clamp mounts for the iPad and iPhone, at www.camzilla.com.au
 
•	CaseBuddy stock various accessories for iPads including mounting systems, at  www.casebuddy.com.au
 
•	DAESSY stock several different options for mounting an iPad, laptop and other communication device to a wheelchair or desk, at www.daessy.com
 
•	Enabling Devices stock several different mounting devices, visit www.enablingdevices.com
 
 •	iMount stock different mounts for the iPad and other mobile devices. Visit www.imount.com.au
 
•	ModulR stock a wall-mountable case, visit www.modulrcase.com
 
 •	RAM stock iPad mounts that can be used in the car, on walls and attached to a wheelchair, visit www.ram-mount.com
 
 Some specialist camera shops may also carry mounting devices that are usually used to secure a camera and may be used to mount an iPad.
 
The Switchamajig Controller for iPads
 
This device allows you to use the iPad’s touchscreen to control anything that is switch-adapted. It enables you to use up to six switch-adapted power outlets to control anything electric including kitchen appliances and complex toys. Phone Spectronics on (07) 3808 6833 or visit www.spectronicsinoz.com
 
Eye-Gaze Technology
 
Operating a computer or communication device using eye-gaze technology offers a new range of options for education, communication, work and leisure for people of all ages and types of disability. The Independent Living Centre provides information on a range of different eye- gaze technologies and run regular eye-gaze days where you can trial devices. Zytec is one of the suppliers of eye-gaze technology in Australia. For information about a trial visit www.zyteq.com.au/services/eye_gaze_days, or contact the Independent Living Centre on 1300 452 679 or its website at www.ilcnsw.asn.au
 
 Suppliers of Accessible Technology 
 
There are a number of companies that supply communication aids, audio and vision technology and computer technology, including:
 
•	Ability Technology offers a range of communication devices, software and environmental controls. Phone (02) 9907 9736 or visit www.ability.org.au
 
 •	Communicate AT supplies a range of assistive technology, software, environmental control devices, communication devices and mounting systems. Phone (02) 9948 2665 or visit www.communicateat.com.au
 
•	Honeycom Solutions provides assessment, advice, training and products for communication and interaction, audio and vision. Phone (02) 9997 5313 or visit www.honeycom.com.au
 
•	Dragon Naturally Speaking offers a range of voice-recognition software for people with certain disabilities to use a computer. The software works by using voice command and makes allowances for speech and language impairments, enabling the user to work hands-free. The speech-output capability allows users to have any dictated text read back to them. Visit www.naturallyspeaking.biz
 
•	Spectronics' wide variety of assistive technology includes software, switches and communication systems. Phone (07) 3808 6833 or visit www.spectronicsinoz.com
 
 •	NovitaTech (in South Australia) supplies communication devices, computer technology and books. Phone 1300 855 585 or visit www.novitatech.org.au
 
  •	Technical Solutions Australia (Victoria) designs, manufactures and sources equipment for people with disability. Phone (03) 9737 9000 or visit www.tecsol.com.au
 
•	Liberator (South Australia) offers a range of communication resources including eye-gaze systems, switch-adapted toys, low tech and high tech communication systems and mounting systems. Phone (08) 8431 5478 or visit www.liberator.net.au
 
•	The Brainary supply a range of special needs educational resources including the Tap It interactive touch accessible platform (similar to a SMART Board) and The Skoog interactive music maker. Phone 1300 931 664 or visit www.thebrainary.com
 
•	RJ Cooper & Associates make specialised software and specialised hardware that includes special input devices, switch-adapted MP3 players, iPods, DVD players, environmental controls, and other unique offerings. The company's website also offers try-before-you-buy downloads of all of their software, including ‘access’ software that allows people with different abilities to access computers using whatever abilities they have. Visit www.rjcooper.com
 
 •	Ian Bean is a special needs inclusive technology consultant based in the UK. His website has free downloadable games and activities, resources about inclusive technology and a free newsletter you can subscribe to. Visit www.ianbean.co.uk

19. Continence
Advisory and Support Services
 
EnableNSW
 
Provides continence aids to children from 3–15 years who have a permanent or indefinite disability. Contact EnableNSW on 1800 ENABLE (1800 362 253) or visit www.enable.health.nsw.gov.au 
 
CAPS (Continence Aids Payments Scheme)
 
Eligible CAPS clients receive an annual government subsidy of approximately $500 a year (indexed annually) for continence products. This subsidy is available to people aged 5 and over with permanent and severe incontinence due to:
 
•	neurological conditions such as paraplegia, cerebral palsy, dementia, multiple sclerosis or spina bifida
 
•	permanent and severe intellectual impairment or autism
 
•	non-neurological conditions such as cancer or prostate disease (as long as the person  has a Pensioner Concession Card or, if under 16, their parent/guardian has a Pensioner Concession Card.) 
 
Applicants for CAPS funding will need to provide a health report from an appropriate health professional such as a GP or continence nurse advisor. Phone 1800 807 487 or visit www.bladderbowel.gov.au
 
 Continence Advisory Service, BrightSky
 
A registered charity, BrightSky provides continence aids, disability aids and equipment, information, peer support, counselling, occupational therapy and attendant care, and has a continence/spinal care nurse available who can offer advice on the management of bowel and bladder conditions and provide information on management plans, aids and appliances. The nurse is available for face-to-face advice at the organisation's Sydney office, but BrightSky does not offer an actual treatment service. Phone 1300 886 601 or (02) 8741 5674 or visit www.brightsky.com.au 
 
Continence Foundation of Australia
 
Provides continence information and can give you the contact number of your nearest continence nurse. Phone the National Continence Helpline on 1800 330 066 or visit www.continence.org.au
 
Suppliers
 
The companies listed below sell most major brands of nappies and nappy wipes in bulk and will deliver in the metropolitan area. 
 
•	Toilet Paper Man. Phone 0412 976 917 or visit www.toiletpaper.com.au
 
•	Eenee specialise in eco bio-degradable products. Visit www.eenee.com
 
 •	Cello Paper. Phone 1300 654 525 or visit www.cellopaper.com.au
 
•	Sanicare. Phone (02) 9737 2099 or visit www.sanicare.com.au
 
•	Independence Australia. Phone 1300 788 855 or visit www.independenceaustralia.com
 
•	Night ‘n’ Day Comfort supply re-washable nappies, swim pants, pads and bed protectors. Phone (02) 9531 2011 or visit www.nightnday-minappi.com
 
 •	Aidacare stock shower aids, toilet chairs and continence products. Phone 1300 133 120 or visit www.aidacare.com.au
 
•	Tena supply continence products. Phone 1800 623 347 or visit www.tena.com.au
 
•	Lille Healthcare supply a variety of continence aids. Phone 1300 788 872
 
•	Kimberly Clark. Phone 1800 028 334 or visit www.kca.com.au
 
•	Intouch Direct. Phone 1300 134 260 or visit www.intouchdirect.com.au
 
. •	Conni supplies bed and chair pads specially designed for kids. Phone 1300 721 710 or visit www.conni.com.au
 
•	Brightsky supply continence products. Phone 1300 886 601 or visit www.brightsky.com.au
 
Other Resources
 
Teach Toileting: A revolutionary approach for children with autism spectrum disorders and other special needs by Deborah Bialer is a book aimed at toilet training children with special needs using a special training system. Visit www.teachtoileting.com
 
Overpants
 
Melbourne's Royal Children’s Hospital has designed a variety of overpants for incontinent children and adults, to be used in conjunction with either disposable or reusable nappies or pads. The overpants are available with fixed or velcro sides and in a variety of colours. Phone (03) 9345 5325 or order online at www.rch.org.au/edc/catalogue/index.cfm
 
Swimmers
 
•	The Royal Children’s Hospital has also designed reusable swimmers for incontinent children and adults. Phone (03) 9345 5325 or order at www.rch.org.au/edc/catalogue/index.cfm
 
•	See the special needs section of www.mypoolpal.com
 
 •	Night ‘n’ Day Pool Containment Pants. Visit www.nightnday-minappi.com
 
•	Eenee Swimmers are available in five sizes, designed and made in Australia. Visit www.eenee.com
 
 •	Little Toggs supply reuseable swim nappies, flotation suits and vests for children, teenagers and adults with disabilities. Visit www.littletoggs.com.au
 
Location of Public Toilets
 
The Commonwealth Department of Social Services has a website with information for people affected by incontinence. The National Public Toilet Map – www.toiletmap.gov.au – provides details on the location, opening hours and wheelchair accessibility to more than 14,000 public toilets nationally.
 
Wheelchair Accessible Toilets and the Access Key System
 
The Master Locksmith Access Key (MLAK) is a universal access key used to operate public toilets, some elevators at railway stations, and some wheelchair accessible playground equipment (ie. Liberty Swings). The keys are available to people with disability who have mobility difficulties and have a referral from their doctor, a disability organisation, local council or community health centre. The key can be purchased from your local Master Locksmith for around $10–$20. For locksmith locations contact the Master Locksmith’s Association of Australasia on (03) 9645 9995 or visit www.masterlocksmiths.com.au
 
 Contact Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA) on (02) 9661 8855 or 1800 819 775 (outside Sydney) or visit www.scia.org.au for a list of accessible toilets in NSW.
 
Each local council should also have a list of wheelchair accessible toilets in their local government area.

20. Equipment
Sometimes it is helpful to know the sort of equipment that is available before you need it, and where you can obtain professional advice to help you make the right decisions. This helps you to know in advance what it is you’re asking for and if there is a better way of doing it. One of the frustrations parents have is to feel as though they are always on the back foot, only finding a solution for a problem long after the problem arises. Being proactive and having aids and equipment already in place when they are needed can make life a lot easier.
 
Showering and Toileting
 
There are numerous chairs, commodes, toilet seat aids and bath aids available. Speak to your child’s occupational therapist (OT) before you buy anything, in order to ensure the product is suitable for your child. Ideally, and if you are able, try it out with your child before buying.
 
 Your child’s OT should be able to help with advice and guidance on how to solve any problems you have with bathing, showering or toileting your child, and can also advise on possible funding sources. 
 
Financial assistance may also be available to carry out any necessary bathroom modifications, such as adapting shower recesses to fit large shower chairs, or installing safety railings. (See "Home Modifications" section in this guide.)
 
Advisory and Support Services 
 
Northcott Equipment and Technology provides services and products to meet all mobility and rehabilitation needs. Services such as those listed below are available to Northcott clients and the general public:
 
*    Wheelchair maintenance and repairs for mobility equipment, including manual and power drive wheelchairs, hoists and scooters. A mobile repair unit is also available throughout the Sydney, Central Coast, Hunter and Illawarra areas.
 
*    Orthotics and custom-made footwear can be supplied, including assessment and manufacture of specialised footwear and shoe inserts, as well as splints, callipers and braces. Shoes can also be modified for orthotics and callipers. 
 
*    The Custom Seating section of Northcott Equipment Solutions caters for hundreds of clients each year who require enhanced postural support due to severe spinal deformity, low muscle tone and weakness. 
 
For all these services, phone 1800 818 286 or visit www.northcott.com.au/nes.php 
 
TAD (Technical Aid to the Disabled) designs and constructs devices not otherwise commercially available. TAD makes aids and equipment for the home, including ramps, rails and modifications to beds and other furniture. They have an information service providing information on aids and technology, including past projects. A physiotherapist and engineer will assess your problem (at no charge) and then refer it to a suitable volunteer who will devise a solution. You only pay for the cost of materials. TAD also makes standing frames and corner chairs for young children. Phone (02) 9912 3400 or 1300 663 243 or visit www.tadnsw.org.au
 
Equipment Suppliers
 
•	The Independent Living Centre (see Section 17: Daily Living Aids) 
 
•	The NRMA will do simple emergency wheelchair repairs free of charge. When you call,  you must tell them that it is for a wheelchair. Phone 131 111.
 
•	Megalong Positioning Service manufactures wheelchair inserts, night-time positioning and alternative seating and positioning options including the Aero Moov range of inserts and car seats. Phone (02) 4759 2800 or visit www.megalongpositioning.com.au
 
 •	GTK Rehab (wheelchairs, shower chairs, walking frames, standing frames, strollers). Phone (02) 9620 9177 or visit www.gtkrehab.com.au
 
 •	Specialised Wheelchair Company (wheelchairs, powerchair control systems). Phone (02) 9905 5333 or visit www.swco.com.au
 
 •	Care Quip (wheelchairs, walkers, goanna chair, over-toilet aids). Phone (02) 9714 1111 or visit www.carequip.com.au
 
 •	Dejay Medical and Scientific (wheelchairs, car seats, walking frames, standing frames, specialised footwear). Phone (02) 9838 8869 or visit www.dejay.com.au
 
 •	Paediatric Mobility Equipment (wheelchairs, ‘Gravity Chair’, walking frames, toileting equipment, showering aids, car seats). Phone 1300 131 884 or visit www.paedmobility.com.au
 
 •	Mogo Wheelchairs (posture cushions, seating systems, custom wheels, personalised paint jobs). Phone (02) 9708 5255 or visit www.mogowheelchairs.com.au
 
•	DoAbility (strollers, wheelchairs, standers and sleep systems). They also rent many of their products, with a rent-to-buy service. Phone 1300 122 355 or visit www.doability.com.au
 
•	Mobility Options (bathroom aids, wheelchairs, pressure care cushions). Phone 1300 133 505 or (02) 9875 5530 or visit www.mobilityoptions.com.au 
 
•	Paramount Protect-a-Wall (high impact rigid wall, door and corner protection). Phone (02) 9528 0330 or visit www.protectawall.com.au
 
•	Caredesign (bathroom and kitchen products for an accessible home). Phone (02) 8536 4000 or visit www.enware.com.au and click on "Adaptable Work and Living Solutions".
 
•	Autoslide converts an existing door into a fully automatic door. Phone 1300 288 675 or visit www.autoslide.com.au
 
 •	Acute Healthcare (adjustable beds and pressure care). Phone 1300 022 883 or visit www.acutehealthcare.com.au
 
•	Aidacare (wheelchairs, seating systems, pressure care cushions). Phone 1300 133 120 or visit www.aidacare.com.au
 
.•	Pelican Manufacturing (pressure care, hoist slings, manual handling aids, dignity bibs, wheelchair rain capes). Phone 1800 641 577 or visit www.pelicanmanufacturing.com.au
 
•	Walk on Wheels (walking aids, wheelchairs, daily living aids). Phone 1300 766 266 or visit www.walkonwheels.com.au
 
•	Watercomfort (air and water chairs, daily living aids). Phone (02) 9531 1699 or visit www.watercomfort.com.au
 
•	Levo (specialise in sit-to-stand wheelchairs). Phone 1300 853 751 or visit www.levo.net.au
 
•	Durable Medical Equipment (positioning, postural support, orthotics). Phone (02) 9674 8904 or visit www.dmedirect.com.au
 
•	Lifestyle Lifts (residential wheelchair lifts). Phone 1800 695 438 or visit www.lifestylelifts.com.au
 
•	Restorative Therapies (powered rehabilitation therapy systems). Phone (02) 8011 3492 or visit www.restorative-therapies.com
 
•	AJM Home Health Care (hoists, bathroom aids, wheelchair access ramps). Visit www.mobsol.com.au
 
•	Para Mobility (pool and spa hoists, change tables, therapy tables, pool and beach wheelchairs, bath and shower chairs). Phone (02) 9651 4446 or visit www.paramobility.com.au
 
•	Second Skin (custom-made dynamic splints for children and adults with neurological conditions). Phone (02) 9386 0812 or visit www.secondskin.com.au 
 
•	SpeedBoar Machining (modify, customise, adapt, refurbish and service wheelchairs and other equipment. Also manufacture custom-made items and provide a disposal service for old equipment.) Phone (02) 4577 4647 or visit www.wheelchairrefurbishing.com.au 
 
•	Wheelchairs and Stuff (wheelchairs, hand rails, hand-held showers, hoists, portable ramps). Phone (02) 4577 2225 or visit www.wheelchairsandstuff.com.au
 
•	FAS Therapeutic Equipment and Wonderland Rehab (wheelchairs, pressure care aids, bath and toileting aids, vestibular equipment, weighted and angled cutlery, contoured plates). Phone 1300 303 536 or (02) 9649 4044 or visit www.fasequipment.com
 
 •	Epi-Assist (epilepsy bed monitors). Phone 1800 684 422 or visit www.epiassist.com.au
 
•	Intelligent Health Systems (heated chair pads, paediatric disposable urinals). Phone (03) 9818 1229 or visit www.intelligenthealthsystems.com.au
 
•	Seating Dynamics (wheelchairs, pressure care, postural support, specialised cushions). Phone 1300 845 483 or visit www.seatingdynamics.com.au
 
 •	Milestones Therapy (the Miracle Belt, Theratogs). Phone 0434 853 145 or visit www.milestonestherapy.com.au
 
 •	Special Needs Solutions (wheelchairs, car seats, the ‘Gravity Chair’, sleep systems). Phone (07) 5527 9794 or visit www.specialneedssolutions.com.au
 
•	Glentham (Theraplay foam shapes, ball pools, activity mats). Phone (03) 9544 6177 or visit www.glentham.com.au
 
•	Kid Companions (oral–motor sensory tools). Visit www.kidcompanions.com
 
•	Sue Larkey (chewytubes, DVDs, books). Phone 0433 660 379 or visit www.suelarkey.com.au
 
•	CAP educational furniture and equipment (writing slopes, scooter boards). Visit www.capedu.com.au
 
•	Nana’s Weighted Blankets (plus weighted vests, weighted toys, oral motor products, sensory cushions, weighted blankets and lap bags). Phone 0410 478 810 or visit www.nanasweightedblankets.com.au
 
•	There are also now a variety of different products on the market to help individualise or ‘jazz up’ your child’s wheelchair. RehaDesign sell wheelchair spoke guards in a variety of cool patterns, bags specially designed to fit on the back of a wheelchair and even wheelchair lights. Visit www.newdisability.com
 
•	Further information on equipment suppliers is available under ‘Disabled Persons Equipment and/or Services’ or ‘Invalid Aids/Equipment’ in the Yellow Pages telephone directory, available online at www.yellowpages.com.au
 
Online Resources
 
•	The CP Resource Guide is a blog that discusses many different types of equipment. Visit http://cpresourceguide.wikispaces.com/
 
Daily Living Expo
 
Assistive Technology Suppliers of Australia (ATSA) organises a bi-annual Daily Living Expo, usually located at Rose Hill Racecourse in Sydney. This expo brings together equipment suppliers, disability and advocacy organisations and recreational groups from across NSW. There is a very wide variety of equipment on display that usually includes a range of paediatric equipment and aids.
 
The expo has a clinical program where speakers from across Australia present on a wide range of disability-related topics. Phone 1300 789 845 or visit www.dailylivingexpo.com.au 
 
Recreational Equipment
 
•	Achievable Concepts distributes adapted recreation and sporting equipment for people with disability. It sells trikes and other cycling equipment and manufactures a beach wheelchair. It also sells gardening equipment, specialised games and crafts. Phone (03) 9370 0217 or visit www.achievableconcepts.com.au
 
•	TAD provides a service modifying bikes and trikes, called Freedom Wheels. Visit tadnsw.org.au/what-we-do/freedom-wheels 
 
 •	Wonderland Rehab and Child Care Products sell a range of customised tricycles. Phone (02) 9649 4044.
 
•	Frank Mobility Systems supply a range of mobility equipment including The Duet, a wheelchair–bicycle tandem which provides a unique recreational experience. Visit www.frankmobility.com/duet.php
 
Swimming Aids
 
Peppertown Theraquatics manufacture a large range of swimming and hydrotherapy aids, flotation devices, waterproof pants, chlorine-resistant swimwear, posture pillows and a variety of other equipment designed specifically for children (and adults) with disabilities. Phone 1800 773 229 or visit www.theraquatics.com.au
 
Walking Equipment
 
The Upsee is a new invention that will make it significantly easier for parents and their disabled children to take walks together. It’s a harness which places the child facing forward against an adult and features special sandals that accommodate both the parent’s and the child’s feet keeping the child upright and secure so they can both walk together. The child ‘walks’ as the adult moves. The device is available from www.fireflyfriends.com 
 
Hiring Equipment
 
Sometimes it is possible to hire equipment if it’s needed for a short time only. See ‘Invalid Aids/Equipment’ in the Yellow Pages directory for hire service companies (at www.yellowpages.com.au) or contact The Independent Living Centre, on (02) 9912 5800. Some companies only hire adult equipment, however some will hire equipment for children as well. Local hospitals may also have a hire service. Companies that hire out equipment for adults and children include:
 
•	The Hills Community Medical Equipment Pool, (02) 9686 1878
 
•	Met-A-Lite (wheelchairs and walking frames), (02) 9905 3947
 
•	Disability Hire and Sales, (02) 4577 2225
 
•	Gillespie’s Hire & Sales Service, (02) 9411 2180. 
 
Equipment Loan Pools
 
Many hospitals and disability service providers have equipment loan pools for children who use their services. For example, PATH at Penrith, phone (02) 4721 0866 and Northcott at Parramatta, phone (02) 9890 0100 or visit www.northcott.com.au 
 
Second-hand Equipment
 
Many equipment items can also be purchased second-hand. Whether you are buying or selling, there are numerous places you can try for second-hand equipment such as: 
 
•	Classifieds section of the ParaQuad website, at www.paraquad.org.au 
 
•	IDEAS e-news. Visit www.ideas.org.au
 
•	The Independent Living Centre manages a second-hand register of equipment offered for sale by the public. It may include personal care items, wheelchairs (manual and powered), scooters, chairs, walking aids, ramps, hoists, transport equipment and beds. Advertising equipment on the register is free. Phone (02) 9912 5800 or visit www.ilcnsw.asn.au/home/assistive_technology/second_hand_register.html
 
•	Gizmo Bytes is a wheelchair and disability equipment ‘garage sale’ site. Visit www.gizbytes.com 
 
•	E-Bility has a similar site, at www.e-bility.com/buyandsell
 
•	Trading Post and eBay both have sections on ‘disability equipment’.
 
Issues to consider about second-hand equipment:
 
•	Your child’s needs are very individual and their equipment might not suit anyone else. Likewise, another child’s piece of equipment may not suit your child, although it may be possible to have it modified by an occupational therapist. 
 
•	It is important to obtain the advice of your child’s therapist before you buy any second-hand equipment in order to check the safety and suitability of the item and if it is able to be modified to suit your child’s individual needs. 
 
•	It may be difficult to obtain assistance with funding from traditional sources for a second-hand piece of equipment.
 
•	It may not be possible to inspect the item prior to purchase, and organising transportation and delivery could be problematic. 
 
•	If you have an item of equipment funded by Enable or Variety, it usually needs to be returned when your child has outgrown it.

21. Assistance Animals
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT
 
 This organisation offers advice and assistance to people with disability about how to learn safe and manageable ways of getting about. As each person’s requirements will be different and programs are tailored to individual needs, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT services are quite broad. 
 
Services are free to residents of NSW and the ACT and are provided flexibly where instructors visit the home, school, workplace or wherever required. Training may include help with canes, electronic aids, GPS systems and guide dogs. More information is available at www.guidedogs.com.au or phone (02) 9412 9300.
 
Pets as Therapy
 
Pets as Therapy is a service provided by Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, providing trained companion dogs for people with disability. The service is open to any person with disability, child or adult. An assessment is conducted to ensure the recipient has the means, space, and ability (whether it’s the person themselves or their carer) to look after a dog. There is no charge for the dog, but once the person has it, all costs are their responsibility.
 
Australian Support Dogs
 
Trains and provides support dogs to people with disability. Phone 1300 788 721 or visit www.asdog.org.au