#social services community support worker in Victoria

[axvoter]

Blatantly Partisan Party Review XXXI (federal 2022): Victorian Socialists

Running where: VIC

Prior reviews: VIC 2018, federal 2019

What I said before: “This is modern, environmentally-concerned socialism framed in broad terms to bring together as many socialist tendencies as possible.”

What I think this year: Unfortunately, Victorian Socialists (VS) were unable to keep as many socialist tendencies as possible together in one big state-wide tent. Socialist Alliance, as noted in my earlier review, walked away from VS and are running separately in Victoria this year.

For mine, VS has the more professional website. The vibe I have is that on the whole VS emanates from a younger generation of socialists than Socialist Alliance—certainly not exclusively, but at least to some extent. I also think VS has the more sophisticated rhetoric. I criticised Socialist Alliance in my review for turning the covid pandemic into a classic example of “this current crisis is actually all about our core issue”. VS also centres covid, but they do so with a bit less of a tone that “we told you bro, even when we weren’t telling you about pandemics, we told you bro”. Their take is that the pandemic was initially well-handled but that the actions since mid-2021 have served to prioritise business interests over public health, and that the outcome of the pandemic so far has been massive growth of elite wealth while frontline workers experience greater costs of living and worse working conditions.

So, what will VS do to make a better society? Their rhetoric remains broad-brush socialism with an environmental emphasis. Workers' rights are to be protected. Essential services are to be nationalised, such as transport, telecommunications, and banks; coal mines should be nationalised to manage their decommissioning and replacement with renewables. To that end, they demand 100% of energy from renewable sources by 2030 and a net zero economy by 2035. They will, of course, tax the rich. They want minimum rental standards and housing for all, and to integrate refugees into the community while ending mandatory detention. Their policies for Indigenous peoples appear to largely align with the Uluru Statement but it is not mentioned by name so it is unclear how strongly they support the consensus settled there on the process of Voice, Treaty, Truth.

VS's healthcare policies focus on making treatments and services fully universal, e.g. bringing dental into Medicare. They want to decriminalise drugs so that addiction can be treated as a public health issue (and legalise cannabis). There is a Zero Covid tone to their pandemic policies, so judge according to your opinions there. I suspect their views on covid management play better in Victoria than they would in some other states, which I guess isn’t a big surprise given, you know, they’re Victorian Socialists.

On the whole, I think it is a stronger and better-presented platform than Socialist Alliance.

My recommendation: Give Victorian Socialists a good preference.

Website: https://www.victoriansocialists.org.au/

#auspol #ausvotes #ausvotes22 #ausvotes2022 #Australian election #Australia #Election 2022 #Victorian Socialists #Victoria #socialism #socialists #Victorian Socialists Party #good preference

[odixcare]

Disability Jobs Victoria

Disability support workers provide personal care and help people to build their confidence, skills, and social connections. They also assist them with daily activities, such as going shopping or to the movies. They also take them on excursions or to community events.

Applicants must show that they are professionally competent. This includes having tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline. They also need to provide proof of insurance.

Public sector

The Andrews Labor Government is committed to making the public sector an employer of choice for people with disability jobs Victoria, and to ensuring the right job matches the skills of each person. Public service departments and managers have an important role to play, through policies and positive leadership.

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing offers a range of employment opportunities, including traineeships and the graduate recruitment and development scheme. We also offer work experience and internship programs for secondary and tertiary students. We provide disability-specific training and support for employees, and information about reasonable workplace adjustments.

Child protection practitioners investigate reports of harm to children, and there are a variety of entry level roles available. Housing services officers help people with disability access affordable and safe housing. And forensic disability services work to support people who are involved in the criminal justice system. These roles provide a diverse range of challenges and opportunities, and can be highly rewarding.

Private sector

There are a number of barriers to people with disability entering the workforce. These include prejudice, lack of awareness, and the difficulty of navigating workplace adjustment processes. These are issues that can be addressed through training and the development of policy. The policies should be linked with anti-discrimination legislation on the grounds of disability.

The public sector has a strong role to play in driving change and implementing Getting to Work. Government departments are required to prepare and implement EEO management plans, lodge them annually and report on their progress to the Public Service Commission.

It’s important to have policies in place that encourage the private sector to engage with disability employment programs. These policies should be based on the principles of inclusion, equality, and flexibility. They should also focus on fostering a culture of inclusion. This will help to create a diverse and inclusive workplace that benefits all employees. In addition, it will increase productivity and profitability by attracting the most skilled workers.

NDS CareCareers

The NDS CareCareers Victorian Workforce Promotion Project aims to promote the opportunities for employment within the disability sector in Melbourne and its surrounding areas. This includes developing and disseminating information, networking and advocacy on operational and wider policy issues concerning disability workforce, including the NDIS.

The project also supports NDS members to recruit and retain quality staff. It provides resources for disability workers in a variety of sectors, including community care and residential settings. It offers advice on the NDIS remuneration model, the portable long service benefits scheme and the new Disability Worker Commission check process. It also outlines support worker requirements and provides tips for working with people with disability.

NDS is a member of the Ticket to Work network, which is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training. The network focuses on improving transition outcomes for young people with disability. It uses Kohler’s key principles of best practice transition and a strong emphasis on career development and employment first.

Explore disability careers

A job in disability support can be rewarding for people with a variety of skill sets and experience. The job focuses on helping people with disabilities live life to the fullest. The role offers a range of opportunities for advancement and provides many benefits, including excellent salary packaging and flexible working arrangements.

There are a number of ways to work in the disability sector, including traineeships, graduate recruitment and development schemes, and advertised roles. The government is also investing in programs that help people with disability prepare for work, develop job skills, and build confidence.

Many organisations provide training for people with disabilities, which is an excellent way to start a new career or change your existing one. This includes the Job Access Centre, which offers free advice and assistance for jobseekers with disabilities or health conditions. This service also has a network of local job coaches. The government also supports self-employment for people with disability through the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program.

[jovialss]

Specialist Disability Accommodation Melbourne

Specialist disability accommodation Melbourne(SDA) is a way for people with extreme functional impairment and very high support needs to access affordable housing. SDA funding covers the cost of the house or home, but not person-to-person support.

However, there are challenges in securing and maintaining SDA. This article will explore these challenges and suggest some possible solutions.

OC Connections

OC Connections is one of Victoria’s most trusted disability support services. It has been providing rewarding opportunities to enable people to live happy and valued lives since the 1950s. It offers residential accommodation, day programs, recreational activities, and holiday homes. The organisation is dedicated to providing quality, person centred active support for people with intellectual disability and mental health needs.

The NDIS has an annual recurrent budget of $700 million for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). This is designed to help people with complex and profound disabilities find affordable housing. The budget will also provide assistance to those with high levels of support needs, helping them to reduce the cost of person-to-person supports and to live more independent lives.

OC Connections is looking for a Senior Manager of People, Learning and Culture to lead a team in the delivery of high level NDIS client support services and empower participants to live their best lives. The role requires a strong knowledge of compliance and legislation and the ability to implement a best practice approach to workplace culture, learning and engagement.

RUBI Architects

Specialist disability accommodation (SDA) is housing that’s built with the specific needs of people with disabilities in mind. This type of housing can take the form of group homes, boarding houses, or self-contained apartments. It can be provided either through government bodies or private ownership, and it can include a range of adaptations to make it easier for people with disabilities to live in.

RUBI Architects specialise in refined residential, multi-residential and commercial projects, with a focus on bespoke, high-end residential work. Founded in 2017, the studio is led by architects Alex Rubilar and Antonio La Torre, who both share a passion for design, and enjoy the process of turning ideas into reality. Their projects have included a series of new homes, renovations and apartments — often in tight spaces. This SDA project in Carnegie is a perfect example of their approach, as it was designed to meet the NDIS’ high physical support standards while maintaining privacy and security.

Inclusive Housing Australia

With 30 years of project and asset management experience, Mark has a proven track record in the construction and property industry. He has held senior roles at Achieve Australia and the NSW Department of Family and Community Services. He is a current member of the NDIA’s Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Reference Group.

A new joint venture between a leading disability service provider and a socially focussed investment manager, IHA is focused on investing in best in class SDA portfolios. These will address the undersupply of fit-for-purpose accommodation for NDIS participants with extreme functional impairment and high support needs.

Providing a wide range of contemporary disability housing and supported living options, Minda is dedicated to supporting you to achieve your goals for independence. Our high quality SIL and SDA services are person centred, family inclusive, recovery focused and evidence based. Unlike traditional group homes, they are designed as your home and not as a workplace for paid staff.

National Disability Insurance Scheme

The NDIS is an Australian disability scheme that offers participants funding for reasonable and necessary support services. These include support workers, accommodation and community access. Participants also have the option of choosing where they live. The NDIS supports people who want to move away from institutional arrangements such as group homes and residential aged care. NDIS participants can access Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) to help them achieve their goals.

SDA is a form of housing that’s suitable for people with extreme functional impairment or high support needs. It is usually shared with a small number of other people. You can also choose to live in SDA on your own if that’s the best option for you.

The NDIS’s SDA Operational Guideline aims to stimulate the market by promoting innovative designs and building quality, contemporary and accessible dwellings. It also encourages the use of on-site shared support. In addition, the guideline outlines pricing arrangements for SDA and other NDIS accommodation options.

[hopeandintegrity]

PHASE Provides NDIS Community Nursing Services to Hillcrest Health

PHASE offers comprehensive disability support services that help clients lead an independent life. Their staff is dedicated to the well-being of their clients and upholds their rights to social and economic participation.

Jemma has Parkinson’s disease and diabetes and has a surgery wound that needs dressing. Her NDIS planner decides that 3 extra care worker visits a week are reasonable and necessary based on the NDIS funding criteria.

PHASE

PHASE is an in-home NDIS community nursing Hillcrest service available to NDIS participants. The service helps with daily living activities, including meal preparation and domestic tasks. It also assists with arranging appointments and maintaining access to disability supports.

Sanity Care nurses are highly skilled and compassionate professionals who embody the values of the company – respect, person-centered, integrity, and collaboration. They are all highly qualified, have extensive experience and expertise in nursing and maintain up-to-date police checks and working with vulnerable persons screens.

Complex care support focuses on providing direct healthcare support, coordinating healthcare services and collaborating with patients and their families to help them live active and meaningful lives as independently as possible. The service is only available to NDIS participants with an assessed need for complex care.

Hillcrest Health

Hillcrest Health is a senior living & health care development & management company providing a full continuum of innovative & exceptional senior care choices. The company has 900 team members across seven service lines and is experiencing tremendous growth. The need for formal leadership development became evident and a new program was needed to sharpen the competencies of existing leaders as well as identify future leaders. NBDC was selected to provide the program and interviewed staff in various service lines to understand the organization’s needs. The result was a program that has already delivered great results. Hillcrest is reporting that teams are more fully engaged and morale has improved.

The PHASE community is located in a quiet, leafy setting and offers large, purpose-built homes designed to maximise the capacity for independence and support complex and diverse personal support needs. Each home features 3 large bedrooms with fully modified ensuite bathrooms, ceiling hoists, and spacious outdoor areas. Residents enjoy restaurant-style dining, planned group activities, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing that assistance is just a few steps away.

The PHASE community is available to HACC Program for Younger People clients who are not yet eligible for the NDIS and have an assessed need for Shared Accommodation Support (SAS). This service will allow participants to access HACC-funded allied services, home maintenance, and other supports while the NDIS rolls out in Victoria.

Disability Support Services in Perth

The staff at PHASE is committed to providing a high level of service to their clients. Their team members have a diverse background, and they work closely with their clients to understand their needs and goals. They also help their clients select local disability support services that are tailored to their specific needs and circumstances.

Lifespan is a leading not-for-profit organisation that provides a range of disability support services in Perth. They are an NDIS registered provider that focuses on customer-driven support. Their services include everything from Daily Living Support to Recreation & Leisure Disability Activities. They are committed to helping their customers achieve their goals and lead a fulfilling life.

They provide a wide variety of disability support services to individuals with physical, sensory, psychosocial, or cognitive disabilities. Their community-based programs are staffed by qualified professionals, including speech, occupational and physical therapists. They also offer a variety of social and recreational activities to help their residents feel happy and connected to the community.

Complex nursing care is available through the NDIS for participants with clinically complex needs. This type of disability support helps you live as independently as possible while ensuring that your medical needs are met. It is important to check if you are eligible for this kind of disability support before you start looking for a provider.

[yogabilitymind]

Disability Services - Find Top-Rated Services Near You

Find top-rated disability services near you. Get matched within seconds, and connect with verified local professionals.

The Australian Government provides Disability Employment Services to help job seekers with disability prepare for, find and keep a job. DES providers are a mix of large, medium and small for-profit and not-for-profit organisations.

ACCESSIBLE SERVICES

The national disability insurance scheme offers services to help you feel comfortable at home - including cooking, cleaning, personal care & modifications. We also offer support with medical needs e.g. catheter, bowel and bladder care + more.

We have wheelchair accessible taxis available to help you get around the city and suburbs. You can also get money to pay for travel costs - this is called a mobility allowance.

Compared to many other major cities in the world melbourne disability services compact and relatively flat city centre is pretty good for people with disability. But there is always more that can be done. Heng says one of the most significant barriers is public transport - only 27 per cent of Melbourne’s 1700 tram stops are level access, despite federal law requiring all new and upgraded stations to be accessible. Similarly, only some train stations provide ramps and lifts. Then there’s the issue of signage – not all stations have electronic displays that clearly indicate the time and destination of trains.

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

Community access is a core support for people living with disability under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). It aims to fully immerse them in their local community and reignite their self-confidence, by providing opportunities for socialising and engaging in recreational activities.

Our NDIS community participation services offer a range of innovative opportunities for participants to interact with their community in a fun and safe way. From weekly social groups, to art and cooking classes, our diverse range of community participation programs is ideal for everyone.

Our NDIS disability support service providers in Melbourne offer a safe environment for participants to learn new NDIS life skills and enjoy their local community, all while being provided with full assistance. Our team is dedicated to helping you achieve your NDIS goals by offering the best disability care in Australia. Our team has years of experience and is here to help you get the most out of your NDIS plan.

CARE & SUPPORT

A range of disability support services is available for people who live in Melbourne Metro. Some of these include home care, community participation, life and independent skills development. The goal of these services is to help the participants to become more involved in their community by providing them with the necessary skills and resources.

Disability Employment Services (DES) helps job seekers with disability prepare for, find and keep a job. DES is delivered by a number of organisations, known as DES Providers. You can find a list of DES Providers on the JobAccess website.

A new online platform is giving users the chance to compare and choose their disability service providers. The site aims to be the TripAdvisor of disability services, and is already running in Victoria and NSW. It will expand nationally over the coming months. It is free to use and open to all disability service providers. It has been developed by two Melbourne social workers.

MENTAL HEALTH

With a strong focus on empowering people, disability services Melbourne wide aim to provide you with an improved quality of life. Whether you are in need of NDIS care or a mental health service, we can assist.

NDIS stands for National Disability Insurance Scheme and is an Australian Government funding initiative. It provides $22 billion in annual funding for individuals with permanent and significant disability.

Mental health community support services help people with psychiatric disability to manage their illness and achieve a better quality of life through physical health, relationships, social connectedness, housing, education and employment. We are an NDIS provider of mental health services in Victoria that offer assessment and consultation. We also run workshops for staff of Victorian Specialist Mental Health services on how to best respond to someone with a dual disability.

#melbourne disability services #ndis services Melbourne #ndis provider Melbourne #disability services Melbourne #melbourne disability support services

[melbourneeternity]

Supported Independent Living Victoria

SIL, or Supported Independent Living, is funding from the NDIS for people with disabilities to live independently. It may be in the form of one person receiving fulltime support living in their own home, or a group of people sharing an apartment together.

Sadly, there are reports of exploitation in boarding houses across Victoria. This needs to stop.

Home Share

Home share is a form of supported independent living Victoria that matches people with the same needs and interests. It helps reduce loneliness and social isolation, which can have a negative impact on health. It can also save money for people who can no longer afford to live alone.

Many older adults and seniors are referred to home share programs by hospital discharge services. They can be matched with another person of the same age or with someone younger who offers companionship, assistance with household chores, and/or financial compensation. In addition, these programs provide background checks and personal references to ensure that all participants are safe.

Home share can be part of a wider package of support called Supported Independent Living or SIL. This is when a person with an intellectual disability lives in their own home or apartment and receives a certain amount of support each week, usually from two to four hours. This can be combined with residential services such as a community rehabilitation centre.

Residential Homes

Residential Homes are family-like homes in residential neighborhoods where people receive full-time assistance. Residents can live independently within the home, or share it with other people, such as friends or peers. These homes offer increased safety and structure for their residents. They also provide access to a variety of activities and programs that can help them achieve their personal goals and objectives.

Before moving into a shared house, a person must get an OT assessment to determine their needs in the arrangement. The OT will then assess the support worker to housemate ratio in the home, which can be up to 1:7.

SIL funding covers the cost of the support staff in the house. Support is based on the needs of each individual and can range from basic need to complex need. Standard need support provides 24/7 active support including overnight sleepovers and supports managing challenging behaviours. It can also provide intensive positive behaviour support and management of complex medical needs.

Supported Apartments

Apartments are permanent homes, either single or shared and provide individuals with a stable and comfortable environment. Tenants must be self supporting with an income sourced from work (including day treatment, supported or competitive employment), welfare payments and other sources. Individuals pay rent which is a proportion of their Commonwealth Disability Support Pension or Rent Assistance payment.

SIL, also known as Shared Housing, is a housing option provided by the NDIS. It enables people to live independently and safely, with the help of a support worker who visits them daily. People can live in their own home or in one of the many SIL houses around Victoria.

A person can choose to have a varying level of support, ranging from two to four hours a week. This is decided through an OT assessment. SIL houses usually accommodate between two and seven people, with each housemate having their own room. This arrangement is a great alternative to living in a residential care home.

Supported Residential Services

A Supported Independent Living (SIL) service provides a shared house with around the clock support. It offers participants the opportunity to live independently while building their skills and capacity. The NDIS can fund SIL and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). The two services work differently but are distinct in terms of the type of support provided.

Dynamic risk relates to case-specific factors and the compliance history of supported residential services. The department uses a suite of measures including targeted compliance review audit inspections, complaints and incidents to assess dynamic risk.

Before you can move into a SIL house, you must first get an Occupational Therapist to do a thorough assessment of your needs. The OT will determine the number of support workers per person in your house – it could be anywhere from 1:1* to 1:7. Then you will need to find a home that fits those requirements. Lastly, you will need to secure the SIL funding and work out how it will be used.

#supported independent living Victoria #sil supported independent living #supported independent living Melbourne #supported independent living ndis #supported independent living

[bocsau]

Bedford is one of the leading NDIS Registered Providers in Brisbane

Bedford is a leading NDIS registered provider located in Panorama. Their team is dedicated to maximising each participant’s plan funding and helping them achieve their goals. They also offer an end-to-end service and Plan Management.

They are a rated-and-reviewed provider on Clickability, Australia’s national platform that matches NDIS participants with providers. They also have an online community to keep their clients connected.

NDIS registered providers are regulated

The NDIS is a world-first scheme that offers people with permanent and lifelong disabilities greater choice, control, and independence. It provides tailored support packages to help participants achieve their goals. It can be used for a range of supports, including housing and community participation, daily living assistance, therapeutic and rehabilitation services, and equipment and technology.

To become an ndis registered providers Brisbane, an organisation must meet specific quality and safety requirements. This includes compliance with NDIS practice standards, worker screening, complaints management, and incident reporting. It must also comply with privacy rules and provide evidence of its financial stability.

Currently, the NDIS only requires registered providers to deliver certain types of supports. These include services-for-one and regulated restrictive practices in behaviour support plans. In the future, all providers will be required to register with the NDIS Commission. However, Victoria will not be accepting new pending state approval applications for registrations groups after 1 March 2019. Providers should make every effort to finalise their application as soon as possible.

They have a thorough understanding of the NDIS system

The NDIS is a national disability support scheme that helps people with permanent and significant disabilities to live the life they want. It is available to Australians who have a permanent and significant disability and have been assessed as needing NDIS support. You can apply to become a participant by answering a few simple questions. Your Early Childhood Partner, LAC or Support Coordinator will help you start your plan.

NDIS participants have access to individualised funding and can choose which providers to supply their funded supports. Providers can be registered or unregistered and must meet the NDIS practice standards and Code of Conduct.

The NDIS also offers Individualised Living Community Grants (ILC). This program supports individuals with psychosocial disabilities, their families and carers to connect with their communities and services. To find out more about ILC grants, visit the NDIS website.

They have a wide range of supports and services

There are a wide range of supports and services available for people with disabilities under the NDIS. These may include assistive technology, community participation, and social activities. Many providers also offer housing options. When choosing a provider, consider their values, flexibility, and experience. They should also be able to meet your cultural needs and language barriers.

NDIS registered providers are individuals or organisations that provide disability support services to help their clients live more independent lives. They have a comprehensive understanding of the NDIS system and can work collaboratively with their clients to develop an individualized plan that addresses their goals.

The NDIS offers financial support to enable people with disabilities to access a variety of different services and supports. This can include transport, accommodation, equipment and training. It can also help people to build new skills and increase their independence, pay for allied health appointments, find employment, and more. The NDIS also offers support coordination to help participants navigate the system and make informed choices about their supports.

They have hundreds of local support workers

The NDIS is a government scheme that provides support to help you build new skills and live independently. It can be used to pay for a variety of things, including physiotherapy, psychological assistance, and social activities. The NDIS can also cover accommodation costs and assistive technology. However, it does not fund everyday living expenses or anything that falls under the responsibility of another government service.

NDIS registered providers qld are organisations or individuals who are authorised by the National Disability Insurance Agency to provide services to people with disabilities. They can offer their services through NDIS managed plans or self-managed plans.

NDIS registered providers are vetted to ensure that they have the right skill-set and qualifications to deliver the supports you need. They are also required to have a complaints management system in place. They should also adhere to the NDIS practice standards, and be able to show you evidence of this. They should also have a good reputation in the local community.

#ndis registered providers Brisbane #ndis registered providers qld #registered ndis service providers #caboolture disability services

[personalisedsupports]

Disability Support Services in Victoria

Disability support services help people with disabilities handle day-to-day activities that they may find difficult to accomplish due to their disabilities. It helps them get the care they need so that they can maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Many of these services are funded through the National Disability Insurance Scheme. They also offer therapy, case management and respite care.

COVID Positive Pathways

Disability support services Victoria must comply with Victorian legislation, regulations and directions from the Chief Health Officer to manage coronavirus (COVID-19). These include implementing infection control processes for people who work in a service environment.

The EACH COVID Positive Pathways Program provides social and clinical care, monitoring and support for eligible people who test positive for COVID-19 in the North-Eastern Melbourne metropolitan area. The program also connects people to other important services they may need while unwell, including emergency accommodation, food relief, drug and alcohol, mental health and family violence support services.

The program provides an outbound clinical and social intake assessment to priority populations who experience systemic challenges to accessing timely care for reasons associated with age, disability, ethnicity, cultural safety, social disadvantage and/or rural isolation. Patients are triaged into a low, medium or high severity pathway based on clinical risk, severity of illness and social needs.

Disability Sport & Recreation

The Disability Sport & Recreation Program promotes sport and recreation opportunities for people with a disability through funding community based organisations (CBOs) and sports clubs that are working to deliver inclusive recreation and sports programmes. This is a key strategy in achieving higher levels of inclusion, liveability and improved health outcomes for people with disabilities.

Disability Sport & Recreation offers a range of services to help individuals and groups participate in sport and recreation activities, including one on one support, group activities and sports programs. They also work with employers to recruit, train and employ workers in the disability sector.

The NDIS is a key part of the Disability Sport & Recreation Program’s strategic plan. The NDIS is an exciting new opportunity for people with a disability to live the life they want, with access to their own support plan and support networks. It will also help to increase the number of jobs and career opportunities for people with disability in the Victorian economy.

JobAccess

JobAccess helps people with disability find and keep jobs, providing services like employment support, career planning and job placement, as well as providing information on a wide range of financial supports and flexible working arrangements. They also provide advice on disability awareness in the workplace, the opportunities available to get a job and how to navigate Australian Government disability employment policies. They are a registered provider of disability employment services and jobactive, which is a federal government service that assists people with disabilities to find work. If you want to know more about JobAccess and other services that are offered by the Victorian Government, check out their service directory. The site includes a comprehensive list of health practitioners and disability support services across Victoria. You can search by name, location and category or add a new service.

#disability support services victoria #disability support services melbourne #disability support services #disability support services near me #disability support providers #disability support providers melbourne #disability support workers melbourne

[superiorservicee]

NDIS Service Providers in Perth

The NDIS is a new way of providing support for people with disability. It is a funding scheme that aims to help people achieve their goals and lead more independent lives.

Many ndis service providers are now working to provide a range of supports and services to NDIS participants. Here is a list of some of the best ndis service providers Perth.

Aastha Community Services

Aastha Community Services is an NDIS provider in Perth, delivering support and services which enable NDIS participants to achieve their goals and lead independent lives. The company follows a client-centered approach in its service delivery, and it upholds the rights of people with disabilities to enhance their social and economic participation and inclusion in the wider community.

Aastha’s NDIS support coordination services are focused on helping participants navigate the NDIS, connect with local supports and negotiate with service providers to get the best possible outcomes. They also help participants maintain their choice and control throughout their disability support plan.

Aastha offers assistance with daily personal tasks, household duties and transportation. Their support workers are skilled and trained to assist participants with their everyday activities and practical living skills. They also monitor the outcome achieved by the participants to ensure that they are able to achieve their goals.

360 Health + Community

360 Health + Community is a leading name in the field of enhancing the livelihoods of people across Western Australia through better health, community engagement and social care. They are an innovative and forward thinking company with a keen eye for the future of healthcare.

National 360 is a registered provider of the National Disability Insurance Scheme’s (NDIS) allied health services, boasting the largest therapy teams in Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. Their mobile therapy teams travel the length and breadth of Australia, delivering a wide variety of services including, but not limited to, occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, and behaviour support. The company also has a robust telehealth strategy that delivers its services via video and phone. The company has a number of awards for its innovation and quality of service, including the NDIS award for the best telehealth provider in Australia.

Optimal Living Therapy

Optimal Living Therapy is a registered NDIS service provider, offering Occupational Therapy Rehabilitation Services to assist people with neurological conditions (NDIS certified) as well as Home Modifications to improve their independence and quality of life. They also specialise in Specialist Disability Accomodation (SDA) and help design homes for individuals with a range of complex requirements.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme is an Australia wide system of funding and support that gives participants greater choice and control over the kind of services they receive, when and where they get them. This increased autonomy not only dignifies individuals, but it also gives them the opportunity to adapt their current supports as their needs change over time. This is particularly important if a participant requires additional support with their mental health, such as psychotherapy or physiotherapy.

Admire Care

Admire Care is a top notch home care provider with an impressive array of services for senior citizens. They are also a registered NDIS service provider and their team of experts is on hand to help you navigate the many options available to you. From a comprehensive range of in-home care packages to a wide variety of lifestyle and social support programs, their knowledgeable staff is on hand to assist you. Their list of offerings also includes the latest in medical technology to make sure your loved one is getting the best care possible. Whether they are in need of assistance with dressing, bathing or just plain old daily living, Admire Care is on your side. Their five star rating is proof they are dedicated to meeting and exceeding their clients' expectations.

St Jude’s

St Jude’s Hospital is a leading provider of disability and aged care services in Western Australia, offering a range of programs. They also run a dementia-specific residential aged care facility called Guildford Village, which provides premium secure but home-like accommodation for people with dementia.

Founded in 1982, St Jude’s started out supporting people with psychosocial needs, disability and the homeless. At the time, there were limited options for these individuals other than hospital or living with their family.

Despite this, St Jude’s strives to support people to gain greater independence through a Skills Development Program. This involves person-centred planning, intensive living-skills development and guidance in developing effective support networks.

[cambriacollage]

Cambria College provides quality education and training through programs like education assistant, digital business management, hospitality management and many more.

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[kuramirocket]

Michel Ríos, 33, is a transgender woman from Mexico’s Veracruz state who lost one of her legs when she was seven. Ríos was forced to leave home at 15 and began to earn a living on the streets, alone.

She began to seek help after several years.

Ríos found Casa Refugio Paola Buenrostro, a shelter in Mexico City that Casa de las Muñecas Tiresias, a local advocacy group, runs. She first arrived with the intention of becoming sober through an Alcoholics Anonymous program, but she ended up staying to rebuild her life.

Kenia Cuevas, a renowned LGBTQ rights activist, founded Casa de las Muñecas after she witnessed the murder of her best friend, Paola Buenrostro, in December 2016 while they were both engaged in sex work. That tragic event was the final straw that motivated her to fight for her community.

Casa Refugio Paola Buenrostro opened its doors in January 2020.

“The mission of our organization is that those people who we welcome know their rights, that they can have a decent life, that they can understand life processes and we can rescue them from situations of vulnerability, of abandonment, when they believe that everything has been lost,” said Cuevas during an exclusive interview with the Washington Blade via Zoom.

International News Editor Michael K. Lavers visited the shelter on Saturday and met with Cuevas.

“In short, what we do is create living conditions in accordance with human rights,” said Cuevas. “We have managed to give visibility to all the problems that trans people face on a day-to-day basis and of which society was not aware.”

Casa de las Muñecas has offices in Mexico City and in Mexico, Nayarit, Morelos and Guerrero states. It has a team of professionals who carry out a variety of services for trans people that includes support for legally changing their identity, legal advice and education workshops.

“We are also entering prisons to provide legal literacy to transgender people, workshops on culture, sports, addictions,” said Cuevas. “When they are released we then rescue them and take them to the home to continue their social reintegration.”

Casa de las Muñecas’ Mexico City shelter is named in honor of Buenrostro. Casa de las Muñecas also plans to open two additional shelters — one in the Mexican capital and another in Mexico state.

Casa de las Muñecas served 1,800 people in its first year of operation, which was 2018. The organization, according to Cuevas, had worked with upwards of 10,000 people last year.

Ríos arrived in July 2020 amid the pandemic. She said the shelter and its residents are now her family.

“It is my home, a refuge from discrimination, violence, prostitution, drugs and alcohol,” Ríos told the Blade. “Staying here gives people the opportunity to grow, to achieve their dreams. It tells you that you can still dream. I am 41-years-old and I am dreaming. I am learning to dream here. The house has opened my horizons, it has given me the opportunity to be a different person.”

Ríos’ goal at the shelter is to learn the skills that will allow her to reintegrate into society. Ríos said she also hopes to help other people who may be in the same situation in which she was before she arrived.

“My goal is to finish my ‘prepa’ (high school diploma) and make a career for myself,” said Ríos, who hopes to become a designer.

This educational preparation is part of an intervention strategy that Casa de las Muñecas created in July 2020 to eliminate education disparities among the trans community.

“We do workshops aimed at economic autonomy, connecting them to the labor force,” said Cuevas. “It also allows for psychological support, access to health care, treatment for HIV or hormones, as well as the right to identity, either in their documents or the change of identity.”

Victoria Alejandra Arias, 33, a trans woman who is also from Veracruz state, learned while at the shelter that she is living with HIV. She was diagnosed at the shelter and now receives treatment.

Arias recalled she was in a desperate physical and mental state when a friend brought her to the shelter on Jan. 7. She has found purpose in her life after less than five months.

“We have several workshops here, we go out to do exercises,” Arias told the Blade. “My life has changed in every way. I have improved in the physical sense because I got too thin. My appearance is improving little by little. I know that I am on my way.”

“Women already have a profession because of all this support,” added Cuevas. “It will be easier for them to integrate themselves into society because they can come out (of here) a little more educated, empowered and know their rights and responsibilities.”

More than 20 people were living in the shelter when Cuevas spoke with the Blade. Canela and Leslie, two rescue dogs, also live at the shelter.

The Mexico City government pays the shelter’s rent and utilities, but donations that mostly come through social networks and people who provide furniture and other items support it. Cuevas donates around 70 percent of her salary.

“Our day at the house starts at 6 in the morning,” said Arias. “We make the bed, we bathe, we put on makeup and we go to our workshops, because part of this place’s goal is to re-educate ourselves.”

Ríos told the Blade the shelter offers English, theater, cosmetology, mathematics, Spanish, science and acting workshops.

“I’ve already imitated Paquita la del Barrio because I look a lot like her physically,” she said. “My favorite workshop is the theater — especially comedy — one because it goes great with my personality. The experience of acting is very beautiful. I have a lot of fun.”

Ríos said she and other workshop participants are preparing to premiere a play in December. She told the Blade they also perform at street festivals and in prisons.

Cuevas said she wants to open a headquarters for Casa de las Muñecas and a shelter in each of Mexico’s 32 states. Cuevas added she would like to expand her work throughout the rest of Latin America.

She said her greatest achievement is the gratitude and happy faces of those who have passed through the shelter.

“Thanks to this place I have regained my dignity,” said Ríos. “I want to live and, despite my disability and all the physical problems, I don’t let myself be defeated and I keep going.”

Arias, meanwhile, hopes to become a stylist “because I want to have a job.”

“I would like to finish my studies,” she said. “I see all those goals closer and stronger now and all that is for my life here. My greatest success is being clean and having goals in my life.” 

#🇲🇽 #mexico #lgbt #transgender #disability #Youtube

[comrade-meow]

New South Wales model of decriminalisation and deregulation of prostitution has failed to protect workers in the sex industry while empowering profiteers and criminals, so why is Victoria going down the same path?  

It is no surprise. The Victorian government’s decision to appoint a sex-industry lobbyist turned MP to lead the review into prostitution law reform, is the equivalent of selecting a lobbyist from the tobacco industry to review health policy.

It does not matter how often the Victorian government premises the legislative changes as progress towards improving the health, rights, and safety of sex workers. These reforms predominantly provide a licence for pimps, madams, and criminals to operate without appropriate scrutiny.

The sex industry is heavily tainted by systemic trauma, abuse, physical and sexual violence, murder, and exploitation. This is acknowledged by advocacy groups for workers in the trade, such as the Scarlett Alliance and Vixen Collective.

Deregulating prostitution under Fair Work and local government in line with other businesses turns a blind eye to the significant criminal elements that dominate the industry.

Sex trafficking within legal brothels in Victoria has been widely reported in the media. Yet, for every 100 legal brothels, an estimated 400 illegal operations are masquerading as massage or tattoo parlours, all largely unchecked. It is clear, many profiteers in this industry have little regard for the law.

Further deregulation will be a gift.

A 2015 enquiry into the regulation of brothels in NSW found that drug use, abuse, organised crime and sex trafficking, including minors, remain substantial problems even under full decriminalisation.

The NSW Deputy Commissioner of Police told the enquiry that this was primarily due to a regulatory void. Local Councils are inadequately resourced and trained to deal with organised crime. In many cases, councils found themselves powerless to prevent illegal parlours from opening alongside schools, learning centres, and within residential buildings.

Despite the enormous impact on local government, Victorian councils only received notice to provide feedback two days before the consultation period closed.

One mother told me of her confronting experience raising a young family near an illegal brothel in North Carlton, Victoria. She regularly found the men waiting outside for their appointments to have little regard for the residential environment, with some urinating in the street before going in for their appointments. Often clients would knock on her door by mistake, and her neighbour was left traumatised after a man entered her home thinking it was the brothel. She said the community lived in fear until the police shut it down.

The current review fails to adequately address why abuse is too often synonymous with sex work. The response is to blame public perception and social stigma.

Of course, the elephant in the room is the question of whether women will ever be treated equally while also commercial commodities to be purchased by men. You only need to read the degrading google reviews by customers on brothels to know buyers are not looking for a fun experience with an empowered woman who comfortably stipulates her boundaries.

Legalising sex work in line with serviced based businesses would, in theory, reduce crimes of sexual abuse and even rape to theft. After all, sex acts are just a service.

In normal circumstances, soliciting sex under false pretences is regarded as rape by deception. However, when a sex worker in Queensland filed a complaint with the police against a man who solicited sex in exchange for money and did not pay, the Magistrates Court only convicted him of fraud.

The priority for equality has driven liberal countries such as Sweden, Denmark, France and Canada away from the commercial interests of the sex industry by embracing the Nordic Model.

Recognising that most buyers are men and the majority of those in prostitution are women and girls, the Nordic Model sees prostitution as a form of violence against women and incompatible with equality.

The Nordic Model is successful because it removes the onus of responsibility from sex workers to buyers and third parties who profit from prostitution.

Its holistic approach means that sex workers are free from prosecution and incorporates comprehensive exit programs, including social and economic support, to assist people in leaving the industry.  

It is time for Victoria to drive change and create a better world for the women and girls of tomorrow.  

In an era where equality and sexual abuse are at the forefront of the national debate, Victorians should be sceptical about why their government has embraced an industry that trades in misogyny and violence.

#Anglo.txt

[atlanticcanada]

N.S. man has been living in a hospital for 9 months – his sister blames 'inept' government department

Wendy Martin has a pile of paperwork that is testament to a fight that has consumed her for months – to find her brother a proper place to live with the supports he needs.

61-year-old Ronnie King suffers from symptoms of dementia, brought on by years of alcohol dependence.

Last November, Martin says her brother was admitted to hospital after he fell and broke his collarbone.

That was around the same time she says he'd been evicted from his apartment. Once treated in hospital, King had nowhere else to go. He's been in the Victoria General (VG) site of the QEII hospital ever since.

"By the time February came," she says, "the decision was made that Ronnie would be going to a group home setting."

Martin says she worked with hospital staff, including the hospital social worker, to contact the provincial Department of Community Services (DCS) to make that happen.

It didn't.

"Roadblock after roadblock, red tape, inept, they're just completely inept," she says, "they refuse to do anything to help."

Martin says it took her two months to reach her brother's community services worker, then spent months submitting various forms and applications to DCS. She says at one point a community services worker closed Ronnie's file because it was missing information – without telling her.

She says the department also cut off her brother's social assistance because he's been living in hospital.

It all means that for the better part of a year, Ronnie has been living in a room shared with two other patients on a locked transition ward at the VG.

Martin says he's allowed out several times a day for a cigarette, and on day passes to spend time with her.

She wonders how many other people are out there in the same situation.

"With our hospital system already being as strained as it is," she adds, "I would love to see a tally of how much money it's costing to leave him in a hospital where he doesn't need to be?"

Martin's MLA has been working on the case and admits the process has been frustrating.

"They've just got to have a clearer process," says Halifax Atlantic MLA Brendan Maguire.

Maguire has helped get Ronnie on what's called a "By Name" list – managed by the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia – that keeps track of people in the Halifax area actively looking for suitable housing. As of Tuesday, that list is 426 names long.

Maguire says reaching this point that took going through the department and two non-profit housing organizations. He says it should be easier for a family advocating for loved ones to get help.

"Ronnie's in a position where he shouldn't be in a hospital," says Maguire, "he should be in a home and having a more dignified living space."

The Department of Community Services wouldn't talk about Ronnie's case specifically.

Instead, the department's media relations representative sent a short, written statement instead:

"The Department of Community Services works diligently to provide supports to low-income Nova Scotians in need— this includes ensuring they have access to required supports, services and housing needs."

Martin begs to differ.

"Every step we took with the department of community services," she insists, "there were roadblocks put up."

She says she's not giving up, until her brother has a place to call home -- that isn't a hospital.

from CTV News - Atlantic https://ift.tt/3DK20EO

#new brunswick #prince edward island #nova scotia #news #politics #canada #CTVAtlantic

[theclaravoyant]

Good You Can Do (AUS version)

It’s important at times like this that we don’t let our most vulnerable slip through the cracks - whether it be of the virus, or of the consequences (income and job losses, etc.). So I am compiling a list of charities that will be helping people who are vulnerable to COVID-19 and its impacts. I encourage people to add! (*note: this list is Australia focused, but I don’t mind if you add others - please be clear about where your charity operates if specific)

I know not everyone is in a position to give right now, but those of us that are will be critical to empowering some of these charities (and the people they help) to deal with this crisis. Please give if you can spare, and/or share.

EDIT: To stop this from clogging people’s dash I have put a cut below the general charities, but I have added more below the cut in the following categories:

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples

Refugees & Asylum Seekers

Health Workers & Essential Services

The Arts

Animal Welfare

-

GENERAL / MISC

Ozharvest - Australia’s leading food rescue organisation, they frequently work with supermarkets etc. to ensure edible food gets to people who need to eat. They have many branches throughout the country. You can donate money or food, or organise food drives here.

Foodbank Australia - Another food rescue organisation specialising (but not exclusively for) disaster relief eg. the recent bushfires. They have many branches throughout the country. You can volunteer, or donate money or food or services here.

Youth Off the Streets - is a non-denominational charity (Christian origin) that helps homeless youth and youth at risk in NSW with branches also in Brisbane and Melbourne. They offer accommodation and educational assistance as well as running Food Van, distributing hot meals to homeless people in need. You can purchase items from their shop, volunteer, or donate here.

The Kindness Factory - This organisation focuses on sharing and encouraging small acts of kindness and faith in humanity. They have launched a “Cart Buddies” program to help people who are self-isolating or otherwise at risk from COVID-19 be paired up with healthy people who are able and willing to shop for them. To sign up as a helper OR a helpee (they are looking for both!) email [email protected] with your name, post code and suburb.

Royal Flying Doctor Service - provides healthcare and medical transport for rural & remote Australians nationwide.

-

ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLES

Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service - DYHS provides culturally secure primary health, mental health and dental services for Aboriginal families living right across the Perth metropolitan area.

Wungening Aboriginal Corporation - is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation which provides culturally secure, confidential and free of  charge services to Aboriginal people in the Perth metropolitan area. Donate money here or drop food or goods at their East Perth office.

-

REFUGEES & ASYLUM SEEKERS

Asylum Seeker Resource Centre - based in Melbourne, the ASRC provides legal advocacy and case support, social support, social enterprise (jobs) and food assistance to refugees and asylum seekers within or coming into Australia. You can donate money or food/goods here.

RISE: Refugees, Survivors and Ex-Detainees - based in Melbourne, this is an organisation for & by refugees and ex-detainees of Australia’s immigration detention centres. They offer social, educational, recreational, and advocacy support for members as well as a food bank. Donate here or volunteer here.

CARAD: Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees - based in Perth, CARAD independent, community-based organisation providing essential welfare and advocacy support to asylum seekers, refugees and detainees in Western Australia. Volunteer here or donate money or food/goods here.

Queer Sisterhood Project - An organisation comprised entirely of LGBTQI+ women with refugee and/or asylum seeker background in Australia. They are based in Sydney but doing their best as a small organisation to provide social & other support to people with this experience nationwide. They are running a Covid-specific fundraiser here.

-

HEALTH WORKERS & ESSENTIAL SERVICES SUPPORT

Adopt a Healthcare Worker - A grassroots effort to connect health workers with people who can offer support with childcare, grocery shopping etc. to help them cope with the long hours, stress etc. required of them at this time. There are currently pages for Perth/WA, Sydney, Regional NSW, QLD, Victoria & Tas

Frontliners - Based in Melbourne, this organisation pulls together the support of the community, enterprise, government, financial services and local business to send care packages to health care workers nationwide. Donate here.

-

THE ARTS

Support Act - Australia’s only charity delivering crisis relief services to artists, crew and music workers as a result of ill health, injury, a mental health problem, or some other crisis that impacts on their ability to work in music.

-

ANIMAL WELFARE

RSPCA - Nationwide charity protecting, promoting and enforcing animal welfare. You can adopt a wide variety of animals (including farm animals), volunteer, or donate here.

SAFE: Saving Animals From Euthanasia - Western Australia’s largest volunteer-based animal rescue and rehoming service using the foster care model - the Western Australian arm of Animal Welfare League Australia. They operate regionally too! You can adopt, foster, donate or volunteer here.

Shenton Park Dogs Refuge Home - Perth-based charity that promotes animal welfare and rescues and rehomes dogs. You can adopt, foster or donate here.

Cat Haven - Perth-based charity that promotes animal welfare and rescues and rehomes cats. You can adopt, foster or donate here.

#australia #auspol #donate #faith in humanity #charity #signal boost #coronavirus #covid-19 #fundraiser

[yogabilitymind]

Disability Services - Find Top-Rated Services Near You

Find top-rated disability services near you. Get matched within seconds, and connect with verified local professionals.

The Australian Government provides Disability Employment Services to help job seekers with disability prepare for, find and keep a job. DES providers are a mix of large, medium and small for-profit and not-for-profit organisations.

ACCESSIBLE SERVICES

The national disability insurance scheme offers services to help you feel comfortable at home - including cooking, cleaning, personal care & modifications. We also offer support with medical needs e.g. catheter, bowel and bladder care + more.

We have wheelchair accessible taxis available to help you get around the city and suburbs. You can also get money to pay for travel costs - this is called a mobility allowance.

Compared to many other major cities in the world melbourne disability services compact and relatively flat city centre is pretty good for people with disability. But there is always more that can be done. Heng says one of the most significant barriers is public transport - only 27 per cent of Melbourne’s 1700 tram stops are level access, despite federal law requiring all new and upgraded stations to be accessible. Similarly, only some train stations provide ramps and lifts. Then there’s the issue of signage – not all stations have electronic displays that clearly indicate the time and destination of trains.

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

Community access is a core support for people living with disability under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). It aims to fully immerse them in their local community and reignite their self-confidence, by providing opportunities for socialising and engaging in recreational activities.

Our NDIS community participation services offer a range of innovative opportunities for participants to interact with their community in a fun and safe way. From weekly social groups, to art and cooking classes, our diverse range of community participation programs is ideal for everyone.

Our NDIS disability support service providers in Melbourne offer a safe environment for participants to learn new NDIS life skills and enjoy their local community, all while being provided with full assistance. Our team is dedicated to helping you achieve your NDIS goals by offering the best disability care in Australia. Our team has years of experience and is here to help you get the most out of your NDIS plan.

CARE & SUPPORT

A range of disability support services is available for people who live in Melbourne Metro. Some of these include home care, community participation, life and independent skills development. The goal of these services is to help the participants to become more involved in their community by providing them with the necessary skills and resources.

Disability Employment Services (DES) helps job seekers with disability prepare for, find and keep a job. DES is delivered by a number of organisations, known as DES Providers. You can find a list of DES Providers on the JobAccess website.

A new online platform is giving users the chance to compare and choose their disability service providers. The site aims to be the TripAdvisor of disability services, and is already running in Victoria and NSW. It will expand nationally over the coming months. It is free to use and open to all disability service providers. It has been developed by two Melbourne social workers.

MENTAL HEALTH

With a strong focus on empowering people, disability services Melbourne wide aim to provide you with an improved quality of life. Whether you are in need of NDIS care or a mental health service, we can assist.

NDIS stands for National Disability Insurance Scheme and is an Australian Government funding initiative. It provides $22 billion in annual funding for individuals with permanent and significant disability.

Mental health community support services help people with psychiatric disability to manage their illness and achieve a better quality of life through physical health, relationships, social connectedness, housing, education and employment. We are an NDIS provider of mental health services in Victoria that offer assessment and consultation. We also run workshops for staff of Victorian Specialist Mental Health services on how to best respond to someone with a dual disability.

#melbourne disability services #ndis services Melbourne #ndis provider Melbourne #disability services Melbourne #melbourne disability support services

[joshfornerwrites]

Navigating the COVID-19 Reality

How our scrolling habits and sources of information are changing amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

Editorial by Josh Forner (www.joshforner.com)

In our new reality post-COVID-19, it's easy to get lost in the torrents of information being spewed out from the news and media platforms daily. Figures, graphs, charts, new lingo like “flatten the curve,” and “social distancing;” but one thing that hasn't yet been spoken about in any great depth is people's reactions with their devices.

I – for one – have certainly noticed a heavy increase in my social media use and news scrolling, and I figured that surely, I wasn't alone.

The reason for spending so much time on social media may be obvious to some, as we begin our lives in isolation, it only makes sense that we turn to the most convenient option available to keep in contact with loved ones. Yet, I am one person who is still out at work in the public, and I too see my social media scrolling hit an all-time high.

For me, I presume it is the worry for friends and loved ones, the fear of misinformation penetrating the communities that I am involved with, and certainly a way to release my over-arching worry.

Facts and education are the main reasons behind one Victorian's recent habitual scrolling. AJ - a 51 year-old educator and business owner from Victoria's Grampians region - had strong and immediate reactions to the first news of COVID-19 becoming a problem in Australia.

AJ has a non-functioning adrenal gland which puts her in the highly susceptible group of the population who are immuno-compromised, and therefore have a much higher risk of both contracting the infection, and inevitably dying from it.

“Considering my position, I had to find the hard facts,” she says, “and I feel it is my role as an educator to speak the truth at the time and educate others”

Having not really ever been a news follower, and living in an area with no television reception, AJ had to start her fact-finding mission somewhere, and it just so happened that her husband's PC had the ABC News website as its homepage. “I had to ask him if he trusted ABC News as a source, because I know a lot of these mainstream media outlets are biased towards their own agenda. He said yes, which was good enough for me”

This has led to a daily scroll-and-refresh habit that was never part of her life prior to the virus hitting Australian shores. She says that her social media use has also seen a strong increase during this time.

There has, however, been a resistance to scrolling.

Cara (real name withheld) is a 34 year-old musician and disability support worker from Melbourne's North-East. She claims she has weened off social media due to the concerning responses she was having to the constant blast of coronavirus news.

“I'm hardly looking at my phone any more. I'd been trying to spend less time on it anyway, but I just found [that] reading a million people posting about this virus made me feel pretty shit”

This poses the next invisible casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is likely to be a spike in mental-ill health. The reactions that people are having to the news and the virus in general is usually quite full of anxiety and fear, if not for themselves, for their loved ones that may be susceptible to infection, and the fate of the world as a whole.

It may just be that a social media detox is exactly what the world needs right now, and there are certainly a number of people leading the way in that regard.

“I'm still keeping enough of an eye [on COVID-19 news] that I know what's happening, but not reaching for my phone all the time like I often do out of habit.”

AJ applauds this measure as she delves deeper into the misinformation being spread across these channels, “I'm specifically seeing a lot of negative responses from people on my friends list to a lot of either what I post or what is posted by news outlets,” she says “This forces me to go and investigate some of their previous posts, and anything else they may be contributing about coronavirus, and the non-truth that is being put out there is astonishing.”

“I think it's really bringing out everybody's true colours.”

Paul is a father of 3 in his 40's who up until recently was employed in customer service within the insurance sector. Whereas he left his job voluntarily before the pandemic had hit, he empathises with others who now find themselves in this situation.

“I have been scrolling and refreshing my mailbox at least 10 times daily,” he says in relation to job applications and newsletters which arrive through his email. It extends to social media use as well: “Once I would have been content checking these platforms maybe five times daily each, however now it is up to 15 times, in order to give me the sense of being updated”

It is my belief that the current crisis highlights how much we unfortunately rely on the wrong media to attain our information. Ever since the Cambridge Analytica saga, the spotlight has well and truly been on social media outlets to try and curb the amount of 'fake news' content and 'data skimming' of people's personal information, but COVID-19 has shot that in the foot in two ways:

1. The vast and ultimately unending articles being published with unsubstantiated claims, incorrect figures, concentrating on the wrong factors or even giving the population a premature sense of hope, and;

2. The keyboard warriors spinning whatever information they find interesting, without checking sources or facts against respected publications. Not to mention that Facebook’s algorithms (for one of the many social media platforms) have remained largely unchanged.

“I'm worried that it took so long for us to start taking note of community transmissions,” says AJ, “I want to draw people's attention to this as being the key number. Not the infection rate or the fatality rate, but community transmissions. This means that we don't know where the virus has spread from, and no idea where it goes”

All in all, whatever your reasons for scrolling more often, it is quite apparent that social media is going to have a heavy influence on our lives over the coming months, if we indeed choose that path. Maybe it is time we all took a leaf out of Cara's book and took a more conscious approach to where we get our information, and also to alleviate our minds from both panic and overload.

I've certainly been bickering and arguing with people over quite a few topics related to the virus, including the government's apparent lack of a plan (prior to the rolled out measures over the past few weeks), schools remaining open and people not adhering to physical distancing and isolation requirements in our major cities – particularly those who are still at work in the public. This may be useful to get off my chest, but it does nothing at the overall level but heighten my frustration and destabalise my current mental state, as well as 'poke the bear' for others to retaliate.

One of the silver linings in this whole episode may be that a good chunk of the population begins to re-think the way it uses and relies on social media, however on the downside we know that the spread of farce and misinformation will no doubt expand and deepen as we sink further into the COVID-19 crisis.

#covid-19 #covid19 #covid19au #covid19australia #coronavirus #writing #article #informative #editorial #freelance #opinion #social media #scrolling #news