Inform Podcast

Our Story – Support Us – Annual Report – Corporate snapshot – Research Partners – Our Supporters Health Information – Brochures Funding Schemes Services – NDIS – Personal Care – Domestic Assistance – Sleepovers – Meal Preparation Assistance – Community Access Services – Complex Care Supports & Solutions – Health & Well-being Programs – Support Groups – Psychology & Counselling Inform – Podcast – Learn – Read – Resources – Survey Shop – Shop Healthcare Products – Shop Mobility Aids Contact Us Episode 20: The National Epidermolysis Bullosa Dressing Scheme In this episode Epidermolysis Bullosa (or EB) is a rare disease characterized by fragile and blistering skin which requires the frequent application of dressings to repair and protect wounds. It is estimated that there are around 1,000 people in Australia who have some form of EB and over 500,000 worldwide. In this episode of Inform, we are talking with Rebecca Saad about the National Epidermolysis Bullosa Dressing Scheme. NEBDS is a government funded scheme which supports people with EB by providing affordable access to specialized bandages and dressings. Rebecca will take us through the scheme and provide us with some insights on what it means to be a clinician nurse supporting people with a rare disease.NEBDS “People who have EB are missing one of the genes in one of the layers of the skin. There's many genes involved. They're holding all the different layers of the skin together and they're important just to bring elasticity and allowing any type of frictional movement on the outside of your skin.” Recognising the critical need to support people with this rare disease, the Government established the NEBS and Rebecca Saad talks about how it works “We can help to reduce the financial burden of accessing wound care. But we can also help to reduce the burden of trying to find EB appropriate wound care.”A financial support scheme, the NEBDS also helps families step away from educating everyone and allows them to focus on being parents, family, friends and partners. Resources What is National Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) Dressing Scheme? National Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) Dressing Scheme - Download Resources Transcript You can find a transcript of this episode here: Inform Podcast Episode 20: The National Epidermolysis Bullosa Dressing SchemeTranscriptDownload Share your story Do you have a story that you'd like to share? Get in touch at inform@iagroup.org.au Inform is a production of Independence Australia. If you're keen to hear more, you can go back and listen to our past episodes here. Stay tuned for the next episode of Inform. In the meantime, make sure you subscribe to Inform on your preferred podcast listening platform to be the first to hear about new episodes. Host and producer: Samsara DunstonManaging editor: Alison Crowe Our thanks to Rebecca Saad This episode of Inform was recorded and produced on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay our respects to elders past and present. Listen to more podcasts Subscribe to InformWant to be the first to know? Subscribe here to receive updates on our magazine, podcasts and more. Thank you! You're on the list to stay up to date with Inform. First Name Last Name Email Subscribe Follow us on Facebook Follow

Our Story – Support Us – Annual Report – Corporate snapshot – Research Partners – Our Supporters Health Information – Brochures Funding Schemes Services – NDIS – Personal Care – Domestic Assistance – Sleepovers – Meal Preparation Assistance – Community Access Services – Complex Care Supports & Solutions – Health & Well-being Programs – Support Groups – Psychology & Counselling Inform – Podcast – Learn – Read – Resources – Survey Shop – Shop Healthcare Products – Shop Mobility Aids Contact Us Episode 19: Cracking the Job Market- Tips to land your next role In this episode Of the more than four million Australians living with disability, just under half are of working age. But according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, people with disabilities are more likely to be unemployed than people without disabilities. In this episode of Inform, we speak with Karla Fernee, the lead for the National Disability Recruitment coordinator, which is the employer engagement team at JobAccess. Karla has some great tips and advice for landing your next role.   Resources National Disability Recruitment Coordinator JobAccess Australian Network on Disability or AND  Disability Employment Services or DES Transcript You can find a transcript of this episode here: Inform Podcast Episode 19: Cracking the Job Market—tips to land your next role TranscriptDownload Share your story Do you have a story that you’d like to share? Get in touch at inform@iagroup.org.au Inform is a production of Independence Australia. If you’re keen to hear more, you can go back and listen to our past episodes here. Stay tuned for the next episode of Inform. In the meantime, make sure you subscribe to Inform on your preferred podcast listening platform to be the first to hear about new episodes. Host and producer: Kirby FenwickManaging editor: Alison Crowe Our thanks to Karla Fernee and JobAccess. This episode of Inform was recorded and produced on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulan nation. We pay our respects to elders past and present. Subscribe to InformWant to be the first to know? Subscribe here to receive updates on our magazine, podcasts and more. Thank you! You're on the list to stay up to date with Inform. First Name Last Name Email Subscribe Follow us on Facebook Follow

Our Story – Support Us – Annual Report – Corporate snapshot – Research Partners – Our Supporters Health Information – Brochures Funding Schemes Services – NDIS – Personal Care – Domestic Assistance – Sleepovers – Meal Preparation Assistance – Community Access Services – Complex Care Supports & Solutions – Health & Well-being Programs – Support Groups – Psychology & Counselling Inform – Podcast – Learn – Read – Resources – Survey Shop – Shop Healthcare Products – Shop Mobility Aids Contact Us Episode 18: Fiona Murphy and The Shape of Sound In this episode In this episode of Inform, we speak with Deaf poet and essayist, Fiona Murphy about her new book, The Shape of Sound. Blending memoir with observation on the healthcare industry, The Shape of Sound is a story about the corrosive power of secrets, stigma and shame, and ow deaf experiences and disability are shaped by economics, social policy, medicine and societal expectations. “The Shape of Sound is a memoir about my experiences with hearing loss. It’s really about how I hid my hearing loss for almost 25 years. And it’s kind of a coming-of-age story of coming into a Deaf identity and being open and proud of being Deaf.” – Fiona Murphy   Resources The Shape of Sound is available at all good bookstores and also digitally. Text Publishing has all the information you need to get yourself a copy. Transcript You can find a transcript of this episode here: Inform Podcast Episode 18: Fiona Murphy and The Shape of Sound Transcript Download Share your story Do you have a story that you’d like to share? Get in touch at inform@iagroup.org.au Inform is a production of Independence Australia. If you’re keen to hear more, you can go back and listen to our past episodes here. Stay tuned for the next episode of Inform. In the meantime, make sure you subscribe to Inform on your preferred podcast listening platform to be the first to hear about new episodes. Host and producer: Kirby FenwickManaging editor: Alison Crowe Our thanks to Fiona Murphy and Text Publishing This episode of Inform was recorded and produced on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulan nation. We pay our respects to elders past and present. Subscribe to InformWant to be the first to know? Subscribe here to receive updates on our magazine, podcasts and more. Thank you! You're on the list to stay up to date with Inform. First Name Last Name Email Subscribe Follow us on Facebook Follow

In this episode In this episode of Inform, we look at the Complaints Resolution and Referral Service or CRRS, a free service for people with disability who are users of a disability employment services, Australian disability enterprises and advocacy services. It’s one of many services delivered by JobAccess. Tammy Cesana the Client Support Manager of the Complaints Resolution and Referral Service joins us to explain just what the CRRS is and how it works. We’ll also look at why you might need or want to make a complaint, how you can get in touch with the CRRS and Tammy has some advice on how to ensure you’re ready to make a complaint. A free service "So, the complaint resolution referral service, also known as CRRS is a free service for people with disability who are users of a disability employment services, Australian disability enterprises and advocacy services. It exists for people with disability to discuss any problem they might have with any of these Australian government funded services." But the CRRS is not just an avenue for people with disability to discuss issues they may have with these services, crucially, it’s an avenue to make a complaint. "The CRRS can assist service users with different types of complaints. But what we focus on is if the service has breached the national standards for Disability Services, so it can be if they're not getting a service or support that should, they should be provided with, if they're not being allowed to make a complaint, or if the service has ignored that complaint, if they have been unfairly exited from a service, if they feel that they've been abused, neglected or mistreated within a service, if they're not receiving the support, they need to find keep or do a new job whilst they're registered with a disability employment service. If they've got unsafe or poor employment conditions while working in the Australian disability enterprise." The CRRS can act as a mediator, as Tammy explained, but they can also investigate complaints.  Resources The Complaints Resolution and Referral Service JobAccess Transcript You can find a transcript of this episode here: Inform Podcast Episode 17 Complaints Resolution and Referral Service TranscriptDownload Share your story with Inform Do you have a story that you’d like to share? Get in touch at inform@iagroup.org.au Inform is a production of Independence Australia. If you’re keen to hear more, you can go back and listen to our past episodes at: www.informonline.org.au/listen Stay tuned for the next episode of Inform. In the meantime, make sure you subscribe to Inform on your preferred podcast listening platform to be the first to hear about new episodes. Host and producer: Kirby FenwickManaging editor: Alison Crowe Our thanks to Tammy Cesana and JobAccess. This episode of Inform was recorded and produced on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulan nation. We pay our respects to elders past and present.

In this episode of Inform, we discuss the services provided by DANA – The Disability Advocacy Network of Australia and the Blue Knot Foundation in support of the Disability Royal Commission.

In this episode In this episode of the Inform podcast, we hear from artist and disability culture activist, Larissa MacFarlane and 17-year-old Issy, who works for a youth disability organisation. Larissa and Issy share the story of their path to disability pride and what disability pride means to them. The other thing I'll say that disability pride too is that I see that it's a practice. And it's something you just don't suddenly get you don’t suddenly go, hey, I've come out. I'm disabled and I'm proud. It's about owning my life and owning my stories, and being able to identify with them in a way that doesn't include shame. In a way, where I can be proud of who I am. And, and the steps I've taken, the interests I have, the things I do.Larissa MacFarlane How community encourages pride For both Larissa and Issy, connecting with and engaging with the disability community helped them to feel disability pride. So to me, I think Disability Pride is the reclaiming of, you know, the shame, the devaluing, the invalidation, the discrimination, all of these loaded things that the abled world and its institutions of power put on us and taking that back, and owning it and owning you know what they don't really want us to.Issy Resources Larissa MacFarlane How working in disability advocacy helped me feel disability pride You Get Proud by Practicing by Laura Hershey Transcript You can find a transcript of this episode here: Inform Podcast Episode 15 Disability Pride TranscriptDownload Share your story Do you have a story that you’d like to share? Get in touch at inform@iagroup.org.au Inform is a production of Independence Australia. If you’re keen to hear more, you can go back and listen to our past episodes at: www.informonline.org.au/listen Stay tuned for the next episode of Inform. In the meantime, make sure you subscribe to Inform on your preferred podcast listening platform to be the first to hear about new episodes. Host and producer: Kirby FenwickManaging editor: Alison Crowe Our thanks to Larissa and Issy for sharing their stories. This episode of Inform was recorded and produced on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulan nation. We pay our respects to elders past and present.

In this episode of the Inform podcast, we explore the Employment Assistance Fund and how it can help you get work and keep work.

In this episode of the Inform podcast, we talk to Kylie Maslen, the author of Show Me Where It Hurts: Living With Invisible Illness.

In this episode In this episode of Inform, we discuss Job Access, the national hub for workplace and employment information for people with disability, employers and service providers. We speak with Daniel Valiente-Riedl, who you heard from in episode 11 when we explored talking about your disability at work. Daniel is the general manager of Job Access. He joins us to explain what Job Access is, the services Job Access offer and how you can access them. Job Access: a person centred service Job Access provide a number of services. Among those services are a national call service delivered by a team of frontline professionals and a comprehensive website with information and advice tailored specifically for people with disabilities. Job Access also administer the Employment Assistance Fund for workplace modifications and support and the National Disability Recruitment Coordinator which is an employer engagement service. In addition, Job Access run the Complaints Resolution and Referral Service and the National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline. One of the things that we are very proud of at Job Access is that we are client centred. I believe that we are one of the only examples for a fully client centered service. And that is one of the things that I need to make sure that we are focusing on. The individual and the individual employer. And how we can match and maximise that relationship by removing any barriers that the person with a disability may have so they can perform at their best. Daniel Valiente-Riedl Resources Job Access Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) National Disability Recruitment Coordinator (NDRC) Complaints Resolution and Referral Service (CRRS)  National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline (the Hotline)  Transcript You can find a transcript of this episode here: Inform Podcast Episode 12: Job Access—TranscriptDownload Share your story Do you have a story that you’d like to share? Get in touch at inform@iagroup.org.au Inform is a production of Independence Australia. If you’re keen to hear more, you can go back and listen to our past episodes here: www.informonline.org.au/listen Stay tuned for the next episode of Inform. In the meantime, subscribe for free on your preferred podcast listening platform to be the first to hear about future episodes. Host and producer: Kirby FenwickManaging editor: Alison Crowe Our thanks to Daniel Valiente-Riedl and Job Access.

In this episode In this episode of Inform, we explore talking about your disability at work. We speak with Fiona Murphy, a deaf writer who also works as a physiotherapist. Her memoir, The Shape of Sound is forthcoming from Text Publishing in 2021. Also in this episode, we hear from  Daniel Valiente-Riedl. Daniel is the general manager of Job Access, which is the national hub for workplace and employment information for people with disability, employers and service providers. We discuss the legal obligations and the legal protections you have. We look at the reasons why you might want to talk about your disability at work and we have some great advice if you’re thinking about discussing your disability with your employer or colleagues. It's your choice Choosing if and how you might talk about your disability at work can be tricky to figure out. It’s probably not a surprise to learn that while there are approximately 1.5 billion people with a disability around the world, only 12% of people with a disability choose to disclose it. People may be curious about your condition and how to manage it. And it is up to you how much you want to say. Be as open and honest as you feel comfortable with. It is your decision. If people do not respond well, remember that is not your responsibility to change people's attitudes towards disabilityDaniel Valiente-Riedl In 2018, Fiona wrote a personal essay for the website Eureka Street that discussed her experiences talking about her disability. ‘Disclosure,’ Fiona wrote, ‘is widely perceived as in invitation for questions about your body, from how it functions and to how it deviates from normal’. I'd always been taught to kind of just blend in and try my best and work really hard, but I had never really been taught about access. It was only my late 20s that I actually heard about what access is. And it was more through the disability community itself and learning from other people with disabilities, of how to ask for access, and that it's actually my right to ask for access that I'm not asking above and beyond what is reasonable. Fiona Murphy Resources Fiona Murphy Deciding to disclose an invisible disability Job Access Transcript You can find a transcript of this episode here: Inform Podcast Episode 11: Talking About Your Disability At Work—TranscriptDownload Share your story Do you have a story that you’d like to share? Get in touch at inform@iagroup.org.au Inform is a production of Independence Australia. If you’re keen to hear more, you can go back and listen to our past episodes at: www.informonline.org.au/listen Stay tuned for the next episode of Inform. In the meantime, subscribe for free on your preferred podcast listening platform to be the first to hear about new episodes. Host and producer: Kirby FenwickManaging editor: Alison Crowe Our thanks to Fiona Murphy and Daniel Valiente-Riedl, general manager of Job Access.

In this episode In this episode of Inform, we discuss self-advocacy. We speak with Colin Hiscoe. Colin has been involved in self-advocacy since the early 1980s through Reinforce and has played an important role in the development of the Voices Together Project. We’ll also be hearing from Sue Smith, from the Self Advocacy Resource Unit, or SARU.  Sue, like Colin, has been involved in advocacy for many years. We’ll define what self-advocacy is and why it matters. We’ll look at the history of the movement in Australia and the work of the Self Advocacy Resource Unit. And we have some excellent tips and advice for anyone looking to explore self-advocacy for themselves. A collective voice More than four million Australians have a disability. That’s 1 in 5 people. If you’re not one of those millions of Australians with a disability, it’s likely that you know someone who is. But Australians with disability are some of the most discriminated against people in the country. Of the complaints received by the Australian Human Rights Commission, disability discrimination tops the list. A collective voice or an individual one, self-advocacy is a way in which people with disabilities can have their voices heard. In the beginning, it's like I had this dirty big weight lifted from my back. I didn't know where to go, I didn't know what to do, I didn't know how to get support from people. I knew nothing about speaking up and self-advocacy. And when I got to this conference. You know? Wow. It just absolutely blew me away. It was almost, it was almost like this dirty big 10 tonne brick or whatever it was that was on my shoulders had been lifted off. And the reason I'm saying that is that their stories were similar to mine. So their stories were my story and my story was their story. We were almost saying the same thing, but maybe in different words but meaning exactly the same thing. And I just wanted to be involved with this really fantastic group.Colin Hiscoe, President of Reinforce Self-advocacy resources SARU Reinforce Voices Together VALID People with Disability Australia Self Advocacy Factsheets https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PidJfvLIm8 Transcript You can find a transcript of this episode here: Inform Podcast Episode 10: Self-Advocacy TranscriptDownload Share your story of self-advocacy Do you have a story that you’d like to share? Get in touch at inform@iagroup.org.au Inform is a production of Independence Australia. If you’re keen to hear more, you can go back and listen to our past episodes at our website: www.informonline.org.au/listen Stay tuned for the next episode of Inform.. In the meantime, subscribe for free to be the first to hear about future episodes on your preferred podcast listening platform. Host and producer: Kirby FenwickManaging editor: Alison Crowe With thanks to Colin Hiscoe and Sue Smith.

In this episode of the Inform podcast, we'll be discussing supported decision making. Dr Jo Watson, a speech pathologist and lecturer at Deakin University joins us to provide some background on support decision making along with some information about the process including the values of circles of support. Dr Watson will also provide some tips and advice about embarking on a process of support decision making. The key message Supported decision making is a mechanism for supporting people with disabilities who may be unable to make their will and preference clearly known, to make decision about their lives and live autonomously. According to Dr Watson, there are a number of key ingredients to supported decision making, which she explains in the episode, but the key message is about starting from the place of assuming that everyone can communicate and that everyone can make decisions. "I think probably the key message is that we need to make the assumption that everyone can communicate and everyone can make decisions, and that it shouldn't be a test of capacity. It should be a test of, perhaps if we're going to test anything, the support that is around someone so that's where the onus needs to be not on the individual's cognitive capacity to make decisions, but the amount and type of support they need to ensure their will and preference is reflected in decisions that are made about their lives."—Dr Jo Watson Supported decision making resources Decision-making support: Building Capacity within Victoria from Scope Ted Inspired Talk given at Financial Counselling Australia Conference 2016 by Dr Jo Watson 'Listening to those rarely heard' by Scope Supported Decision-Making in Victoria: A guide for families and carers Support My Decision Transcript You can find a transcript of this episode here: Inform Episode 11: Supported Decision Making transcriptDownload Do you have a story that you’d like to share? Get in touch at inform@iagroup.org.au Thank you for listening to Inform, a production of Independence Australia. If you’re keen to hear more, you can go back and listen to our past episodes at our website: www.informonline.org.au/listen Stay tuned for the next episode of Inform, coming soon. In the meantime, subscribe for free to be the first to hear about future episodes. Host and producer: Kirby FenwickManaging editor: Alison Crowe With thanks to Dr Jo Watson

In this second series of Inform, we’ll be discussing accessibility. But not as you might know it. From the workplace to the classroom, we’ll be asking what accessibility means and why it matters. We’ll also be discussing some strategies and tips for things like advocating for accessibility or accessing information on assistive technology. Accessibility in regional and rural Australia Around 7 million people live in regional and rural Australia, that’s nearly a third of the population. For people with disabilities, living regionally presents some unique challenges. Chief among them access to services and supports. But, despite the challenges, there’s plenty of good. The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey revealed that people living in non-urban areas generally have higher levels of life satisfaction. That’s something our guests in this episode can attest to. In episode four, we spoke with David Timms. David is a complete spinal cord paraplegic. He lives in regional Victoria, about two hours north of Melbourne. To live here has some disadvantages but the advantages of being able to wake up in the morning, go through your morning routine — and being double incontinent that normally takes about an hour — have your breakfast out on your back deck looking at the kangaroos jumping around your property, listen to the birds, this time of year the lake has got the swans with their babies around. And you just don’t get that in Melbourne. The peace and quiet is very suitable for my lifestyle —  David Timms Making accessible communities Also, in this episode, we speak with Bev Watson, a Rural Access Worker for a regional shire in Western Victoria. Bev works to make her community a more accessible and inclusive space. She has some practical advice for anyone wanting to engage more with their regional community. For someone who’s thinking of going to a region or rural area, I would say, do your homework. Check out the sorts of health services available, service providers, if you require service providers, check out whether or not they actually can service wherever you’re going to be living. Check out a lot of the community groups and see which of those you feel you might be able to be part of when you move into the town because it’s a great way to get to know a place and it’s a great way to get to know the people in it in a town or region —  Bev Watson Do you have a story of accessibility that you’d like to share? Get in touch at inform@iagroup.org.au Thank you for joining us for episode four of series two of the Inform podcast. If you’re keen to hear more, you can go back and listen to the first three episodes of this series or our first series where we focused on work. You can find those episodes here. This is the final episode in our series on accessibility. We’ll be back soon with more but in the meantime, you can find all our episodes from this series and from our earlier series on work here, or subscribe to Inform on your preferred podcast listening app to stay up to date. Host & Producer: Kirby Fenwick Managing editor: Alison Crowe Sound Designer: Imogen Hanrahan With thanks to David Timms and Bev Watson. Ready to read more? Try these Inform links: Series 2, Episode 3: Higher Education How the NDIS helped me to travel the world Series 2, Episode 2: Assistive Technology

In this second series of Inform, we’ll be discussing accessibility. But not as you might know it. From the workplace to the classroom, we’ll be asking what accessibility means and why it matters. We’ll also be discussing some strategies and tips for things like advocating for accessibility or accessing information on assistive technology. Accessibility and higher education In episode three, we spoke with Dr Ben Whitburn. Dr Whitburn lectures in inclusive education at Deakin university but he also has first hand experience in what it means to pursue higher education when you have a disability. "Now that I work at a university, I’ve definitely come to understand that one person’s request for support in one way or another., it doesn’t speak to a weakness, it speaks to a strength in some ways to say, look, if I had this bit of extra time, or if I had someone reading me this material, or if I had someone scanning it for me, for example, it would make my life a lot easier" — Dr Ben Whitburn Accessibility help is available Also in this episode we spoke with Rick Boffa, the Manager of Equitable Learning Services at RMIT University. As well as explaining what equitable learning services can do for students, Rick also has some advice for anyone thinking of heading to university. "I think it really does give students an opportunity to take the bull by the horns, and level the playing field, so as they can engage with their programs on the same basis as their peers and that’s a great thing to be able to offer so that’s why I would encourage students to consider it"— Rick Boffa Do you have a story of accessibility that you’d like to share? Get in touch at inform@iagroup.org.au Thank you for joining us for episode three of series two of the Inform podcast. If you’re keen to hear more, you can go back and listen to our first series where we focused on work. You can find those episodes here: www.informonline.org.au/listen Stay tuned for the next episode in this series, coming soon. In the meantime, subscribe for free to be the first to hear about future episodes of the Inform Podcast. Host & Producer: Kirby Fenwick Managing editor: Alison Crowe Sound Designer: Imogen Hanrahan With thanks to Dr Ben Whitburn and Rock Boffa. Ready to read more? Try these Inform links: Series 2, Episode 2: Assistive Technology Series 2, Episode 1: Advocating for accessibility

In this second series of Inform, we’ll be discussing accessibility. But not as you might know it. From the workplace to the classroom, we’ll be asking what accessibility means and why it matters. We’ll also be discussing some strategies and tips for things like advocating for accessibility or accessing information on assistive technology. Assistive technology at home In episode two, we spoke with Judi Potts. Judi uses a range of assistive technology in her day-to-day life and while she may have discovered the wonders of assistive tech later in life, she says the it has had a significant impact on her life and today she wouldn’t be without. "Once I realised the benefits of my chair, I grew to love it. It’s become my freedom machine. I’m able to go just about anywhere I want, when I want. I can go to a football game, and be comfortable, I don’t have any pain with it. My chair means everything to me. I just can’t imagine life without it"—Judi Assistive technology and accessibility Also in this episode we speak with Dr Kate Anderson. Dr Anderson is a senior lecturer at Deakin University and her research focuses on communication assistive technology. Dr Anderson has some tips and advice for anyone looking to learn more about the kinds of assistive technology available to them. . "Assistive technology spans just about every participation domain you can possibly think about. So we have assistive technology to support people in education, in employment, in their daily living, in transport, in navigating the world around them. And sometimes these are not necessarily specially designed assistive technologies. But they’re technologies that have been adapted from mainstream purposes"—Dr Kate Anderson Do you have a story of accessibility that you’d like to share? Get in touch at inform@iagroup.org.au Thank you for joining us for episode two of series two of the Inform podcast. If you’re keen to hear more, you can go back and listen to our first series where we focused on work. You can find those episodes here. Stay tuned for the next episode in this series, coming soon. In the meantime, subscribe for free to be the first to hear about future episodes of Inform Podcast. Host & Producer: Kirby Fenwick Managing editor: Alison Crowe Sound Designer: Imogen Hanrahan With thanks to Dr Kate Anderson and Judi Potts.  Judi runs a vlog, My Life with Spinocerebellar Ataxia which you can find here.  Ready to read more? Try these Inform links:  Spaced: The Waiting Room Arts Company Hitting the town: tips for a great night out Simple ways to get moving

In this second series of Inform, we’ll be discussing accessibility. But not as you might know it. From accessible workplaces, to assistive technology, we’ll be asking what accessibility means and why it matters. We'll also be discussing some strategies and tips for things like advocating for accessibility or accessing information on assistive technology. Accessibility in the workplace In episode one, we spoke with Daniel, a lawyer who has experience advocating for his own accessibility. For Daniel, accessibility is about welcoming people in. He discusses how his vision impairment impacts his experience navigating the world and talks about what he did to advocate for his own accessibility in the workplace. He also has some tips and advice for anyone in a similar situation. I think for me, accessibility comes back to that idea that you want to welcome people in rather than shut people out. And by acknowledging that that's not easy, that's part of it. But by acknowledging that it's necessary, that's also a really important part of it—Daniel Health equality and accessibility Also in this episode we speak with epidemiologist, Dr Jerome Rachele. Dr Rachele works in the disability and health unit at the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health at the University of Melbourne. He discusses his research about the link between accessible cities and health equality. And he too has some advice for dealing with accessibility challenges. So if we have an accessible city, we have an inclusive society. And politicians, for example, often will speak about the need to have people in employment, so that they can be off the Disability Support Pension or can be paying tax. But inclusion in society is so much more than that. It's so much more than just employment. It's about, you know, allowing people to be different, allowing people to participate in recreation, allowing people to attend events, having a society where everyone's welcome and can have no restrictions in their participation—Dr Jerome Rachele Vision Australia Radio Before we hear from Daniel and Dr Rachele though, we visit Vision Australia Radio. At Vision Australia, we talk to Conrad Browne the manager of Vision Australia Radio and Audio and volunteer reader, Jo Manager. We discuss the services offered by Vision Australia Radio and how they make information accessible for a wide audience. It was a quite an interesting way of using the community radio network to deliver this service publicly. In a way, it was really revolutionary, because you were using something that reaches a lot of people in a in a way that was truly accessible. Everyone had a radio in their home. It's evolved over the 40 years, but it still has remained quite true to itself—Conrad Browne Do you have a story of accessibility that you'd like to share? Get in touch at inform@independenceaustralia.com Thank you for joining us for episode one of series two of the Inform podcast. If you're keen to hear more, go back and listen to our first series where we focused on work. You can find those episodes here. Stay tuned for the next episode in this series, coming soon. In the meantime, subscribe for free to be the first to hear about future episodes of Inform Podcast. Host & Producer: Kirby Fenwick Managing editor: Alison Crowe Sound Designer: Imogen Hanrahan With thanks to Conrad Browne and Jo Manger at Vision Australia Radio, Dr Jerome Rachele and Daniel. Find more information on the services offered by Vision Australia Radio here. Find more information about the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health here. Ready to read more? Try these Inform links:  Spaced: The Waiting Room Arts Company Hitting the town: tips for a great night out Simple ways to get moving

Hello and welcome to the Inform Podcast! In Episode 4, our host Rachel Tyler Jones talks with Karen Walker from WISE Employment, one of Australia’s leading disability employment services providers. In this episode, Karen explains the process of using a disability employment service and the services WISE Employment provides. She also shares some tips for figuring out what sort of work you want to do and some advice on job hunting. You can contact WISE Employment here. Thank you for joining us for episode 4. This is the final episode in our series on work. If you’ve missed any of these earlier episodes in this series, you can go back and listen to them at www.informonline.org.au/listen Stay tuned for the first episode of a new series, coming soon. In the meantime, subscribe for free to be the first to hear about future episodes of Inform Podcast. Host & Producer: Rachel Tyler Jones Managing editor: Alison Crowe Sound Designer: Nicolas Zoumboulis With thanks to Karen Walker and WISE Employment, to the NDIA, and to Evrim Şen and the team at SYN FM. Ready to read more? Try these Inform Links Episode 01: Work with Antonio Vecchio Including your disability on your resume Why I’m bucking the ‘disabled people cannot work’ trend

Our Story – Support Us – Annual Report – Corporate Snapshot – Research Partners – Our Supporters Health Information – Brochures – Inform – Podcast – Read – Learn Hub – Resources Funding Schemes Services – NDIS – Personal Care – Domestic Assistance – Sleepovers – Meal Preparation Assistance – Community Access Services – Complex Care Supports & Solutions – Health & Well-being Programs – Support Groups – Psychology & Counselling Shop – Shop Healthcare Products – Shop Mobility Aids Contact Us Looking After Your New Tattoo Did you know your fresh tattoo is essentially a wound? And just like any other wound, your new ink requires specific care to successfully complete the healing process and avoid infection. Our nurse has answered the top 5 questions for looking after your new ink:   1. How long does a fresh tattoo take to heal? 2 – 6 weeks is the average time. However, the exact healing time can be dependent on the size and design.   2. Is Bepanthen the best antiseptic ointment to use? Bepathen is a popular antiseptic ointment choice. However, other antiseptic ointments include Savlon and Soov. Any of the three can be used on new ink once gently cleaned with a combination of antimicrobial soap and lukewarm water.   3. How important is aftercare? Very important. The aftercare you provide  is crucial to preventing infection, removing blood residue and preserving the design you have chosen.   4.  What should I avoid during the healing process of my tattoo? Whilst fully healed tattoos are resistant to most activities, new designs should be handled with care and the following avoided until the healing process has taken place. >  Touching your tattoo with unwashed hands. This also includes letting anyone else touch it.>  Washing the area with extremely hot water or harsh cloths.> Shaving the area in which your tattoo is placed>  Wear tight-fitting or any other clothing garments which are likely to rub against your tattoo.   5. Once my tattoo has healed, is there anything I need to do? Once the healing process has taken place your design will still be very fresh and will, therefore, require protection against the sunlight. Always Cover your tattoo in a high SPF sunscreen when exposure to sunlight is likely to occur. Gentle high SPF sunscreen options include; SunSense Sensitive or SunSense Daily Face.     Looking for a step by step guide to aftercare? More Wound Care Advice From looking after a new wound to how to store wound care products, check out our wide range of health tips from leading health professionals. What is Wound Debridement? Wound care articlesWhat is Wound Debridement? Debridement is a French word that literally means “to remove constraints”.  In the case of a wound and wound debridement, constraints may be due to necrotic, or dead tissue. This type of tissue has little to no blood supply and as such,... How wellbeing affects wound care Wound care articlesSmith + Nephew are a leading portfolio medical technology company and they have some advice about wellbeing and wound care. Lacerations & Abrasions Wound care articles Lacerations & AbrasionsThe Skin The skin is the largest organ of the body, and it is the first line of defense against disease and any breach in skin integrity has the potential to develop an infection1. The skin has several important functions, it protects the...

Hello and welcome to the Inform Podcast! In Episode 3, our host Rachel Tyler Jones talks with Jarad McLoughlin. An up-and-coming voice in the Australian media industry, Jarad is one of the presenters of De-Stigmatised with Radio Adelaide. In this episode, Jarad discusses getting work, following your passion and breaking into the media. Jarad offers his advice for dealing with ableism at work, including your disability on your resume and how to bounce back after rejection. He also shares his opinions on why disability representation in the media is so important. Thank you for joining us for episode 3. Be sure to subscribe for free to the podcast feed to be the first to hear about future monthly episodes of Inform Podcast. Host & Producer: Rachel Tyler Jones Managing editor: Alison Crowe Sound Designer: Bridget Bourke With thanks to Jarad McLoughlin, to the NDIA, and to Evrim Şen and the team at SYN FM. Ready to read more? Try these Inform Links: Why I’m bucking the ‘disabled people cannot work’ trend Previous episodes in this series: Episode 1: Work with Antonio Vecchio Episode 2: Starting your own business with Robbie Peime

Our Story – Support Us – Annual Report – Corporate Snapshot – Research Partners – Our Supporters Health Information – Brochures – Inform – Podcast – Read – Learn Hub – Resources Funding Schemes Services – NDIS – Personal Care – Domestic Assistance – Sleepovers – Meal Preparation Assistance – Community Access Services – Complex Care Supports & Solutions – Health & Well-being Programs – Support Groups – Psychology & Counselling Shop – Shop Healthcare Products – Shop Mobility Aids Contact Us Tips For Better Bladder Control Bladder control is something most people take for granted – until it's gone. But if your bladder control could be better, it's important to know you're not alone. Roughly 33% of people aged 30 to 70 suffer from incontinence issues. The most important first step to better bladder control is to find the cause, treat the problem. Make sure you see your GP or specialist to discuss how incontinence is affecting your day-to-day life. Together you can work to discover why that might be so and what you can do about it. But there are things you can also do every day by yourself to help keep your bladder healthy and minimise problems. 1. Keep Fighting Fit. The heavier you are, the more your weight presses on your pelvic floor and abdominal region. Eat lots of fibre, fruits and vegetables and stay active and healthy to keep your bowels regular. 2. Drink at least 1.5 litres or 8 glasses of water per day. Unless your doctor says otherwise. This might seem counterproductive when you’re running to the bathroom so often. But reducing your fluid intake can make things worse not better, as concentrated urine will irritate your bladder’s lining. 3. Decrease caffeine, alcohol and fizzy drinks. These can stimulate your bladder, giving you the urge to go to the toilet more frequently to pass smaller amounts of urine. As in most things, moderation is the key. 4. Ditch the smokes. Smoker’s cough is bad enough without feeling like you need to go to the toilet every time you do it. Persistent coughing weakens your bladder, which can then cause bladder leakage. 5. Don’t strain when you go to the toilet. It can weaken your pelvic floor muscles and bladder leakage which leads us to the next point. 6. Flex your floors. Your pelvic floor muscles connect to your bladder via nerves, so training them to be stronger can help you control your bladder.  It’s important to do your pelvic floor exercises 2 to 3 times per day for best results. Don’t know how? The Continence Foundation of Australia has some great how-to guides, click here to find out more. 7. Avoid foods that compromise bladder control.   Some foods can irritate the bladder, causing you to go to the toilet more frequently. Watch out for chocolate (another source of caffeine), as well as spicy or acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits. 8. Don’t hold back Not emptying your bladder completely can cause infection. So, don’t hold on, let it all go! 9. But don’t go “Just in case” either.  Try to go to the toilet only when your bladder is full, and you need to go. It’s a slippery slope: frequently visiting the toilet (“just in case”) can make your bladder more comfortable voiding lower volumes of urine – so you’re actually training it to go more often. 10. Take a walk

Hello and welcome to Inform Podcast! In Episode 2, our host Rachel Tyler Jones talks with Robbie Peime about work and starting your own business. Robbie shares his story about coming to a cross-roads in his career, and what he did to re-focus and find his 'why' again. Robbie shares his advice for others who may be struggling to find a reason to get out of bed again, and why he thinks finding your passion is crucial for living a happy life. Thank you for joining us for episode 2, and subscribe for free to the podcast feed to be the first to hear about future monthly episodes of Inform Podcast. Host & Producer: Rachel Tyler Jones Managing editor: Alison Crowe Sound Designer: Bridget Bourke With thanks to Robbie Peime, to the NDIA, and to Evrim Şen and the team at SYN FM.

Hello and welcome to Inform Podcast! In Episode 1, our host Rachel Tyler Jones talks with Antonio Vecchio about work and employment. Antonio shares his story about retraining after his accident, working in the mental health and addiction space, what it was like going back to study as a mature-age student and what it’s like looking for work. Antonio offers his advice for other people with disabilities who might be searching for work. He talks about how to include your disability in your CV or resume and how to start thinking about what you want to do with your life. Thank you for joining us for episode 1, and subscribe for free to the podcast feed to be the first to hear about future monthly episodes of Inform Podcast. Host & Producer: Rachel Tyler Jones Managing editor: Alison Crowe Sound Designer: Bridget Bourke With thanks to Antonio Vecchio, to the NDIA, and to Evrim Şen and the team at SYN FM.

Get ready, Inform Podcast is coming soon to a podcast feed near you! Subscribe now for free to get the first episode as soon as it is released. In Inform Podcast Episode 1, our host Rachel Tyler Jones talks with Antonio Veccio about work. The two talk about retraining after his accident to work in the mental health and addiction space, what it was like going back to study as a mature-age student and what it's like looking for work. Antonio offers his advice for other people with disabilities who might be searching for work, how to include your disability in your CV or resume and how to start thinking about what you want to do with your life. It's a big chat, so get ready for it to drop into your podcast feed this December.