Chasing Deams

Ready to go!

The National Disability Insurance Scheme is rolling out across Australia are you ready to roll with it? Or are your fearing change and digging your heals in.  The changes under NDIS mean you will now be supported to do the things you like to do!  The NDIA refers to these as goals. As people with disabilities transfer to assistance under the NDIS they are asked to supply a list of goals.

Goals can be written around what you enjoy doing, the things your doing now (good I want to keep producing art) and want to keep doing or you might decide to do something new like jet skiing. All of us are different and we all want different things in life. If you boil down all the talk about NDIS it comes down to one thing . . . What do you want your life to look like.

The power and decision making is in your control, not the NDIA, not your service provider, and not your support workers. You will be able to chose your provider and the types of supports you want. If your advenious and good at finances you can employ your own support staff.

No! If you happy with how life looks now you do not need to change your supports. What you do need to explain to the NDIA is how you current support assist you to do what you do now. But, whether you happy with life now, or you want to be daring and spice your life up or just become a little more independent you still need to develop a NDIS plan.

The NDIA will want to know your thoughts around you network system and what supports you have now.  Are you happy with your accommodations or would you like to move? Do you work or study or would you like to? What are your hobbies and interests? If you go horse riding now do you want to keep doing that or try something new like rock 'n' roll dancing?

Getting ready for the NDIS and starting to write your NDIS begins about answering questions like these and putting them on paper. Your NDIS goals are not:-

• About your disability
• About what you can't do
• About the support you need
• About hours
• Who will support you.

That is the old way of thinking about how to provide your support. These are the things you will determine as you decide how you want to achieve your goals. Do you want to study online or do you want one on one support to attend classes on campus. Under the NDIS two people might have the same thing they want to do, but the way they do it might look very different.

The new concept is to look at how your package can enable you to live a great life and participate in the community through studying, working, attending day programs, volunteering, travelling with friends, moving out of home or learning new ways of communication.

You should know the NDIA has to objectives:-

1. To enable you to become independent as you can; and
2. assist you to engage in the life or the community.

Once the NDIA know your goals they want to know how you want to achieve them.  If you want no changes its ok to say that.  The NDIA must provide supports that are reasonable and necessary to enable to achieve your goals.

So if you can't walk or need a assistance to get out of bed and your goal is to play basketball for Australian then they must provide you with a wheelchair and personal care assistance to get ready for training. You might ask for a support worker who also likes sport and might be able to support you in the gym.  

So the NDIA are happy to consider new ways or new technologies to enable you to live your life. Which is why no one is discussing this like no of hours.  You might find using an assistance dog, might increase your independence so you need less one on one assistance from a worker.

Naturally I am using simplifty examples to start you thinking and maybe even dreaming of what your life will involve under the NDIS. Today I just want you to start.  Maybe that's a list of your current activities, draw you a week time table and write all the things you do in a week.  Then make 3 columns, list your activities then tick in or out!

Now you have a list of activities that can become your 2017 or 2018 goals.

The next step is to circle any activities you want to keep but you think you might want to change hour you do that activity or with who you do the activity/  Don't think about how for now. You might want to talk to some other people first or you might like time to explore new possibilities.  Yep! I reconk it be a good idea you ask people like mum and dad or your support workers to help you to find new ways to do things or new things to do!

This is what we mean about getting ready.  My goals I've tucked a way for a few months, I look at them again before the end of the year, I might want to change them or find I forgot about learning Chi Tai.

Not sure where to start?  The start by making lists, the NDIS is coming and now is the time to think about what that might look like for you.

Art Options under the NDIS

The National Disability Insurance Scheme brings major changes to the way Australians living with disabilities and their families are support to live the lifestyle they chose. The cornerstone of the NDIS is increased participation in the community, through providing in home accommodation support, employment support, support at school, TAFE and university, support for community involve such as community work, sport and health & fitness; Support through equipment, home and car modifications; support to access early interventation programs and therapies.

The scheme is designed to support people to live their best lives through providing choice and options for managing your funding'

Where are you choices

• Set your own goals and determine your own outcomes.
• Decide where you want to live and know if you do move you can take your funding with you.
• Choose your service providers and where to purchase you equipment, or
• Design your own support system that will allow you to achieve the lifestyle you want to live.

Under the NDIS we no longer talk about your impairment to determine your support needs. Instead we talk about your goals. The things you like doing, the people you enjoy being with and new things you would like to try. Many people when discussing changes under the NDIS talk about changing providers, self-managing, getting the right supports, more support hours and setting off overseas.  In terms of the NDIS that's putting the horse before the cart.

Before you decide where you want to spend your NDIS package and how, you need to think about what you want out of life. To do that you might need to sit down with your family or support workers and talk about what your life is like now.  Decide what you want to keep in your life, like stay living with your family and what changes you might like.  You might like to find a job, or decide you like to get fit and get a job delivering junk mail to earn some extra cash.

There are probable more choices out there than you realise.  In Ipswich transferring to the NDIS is about 12 months away, that may sound like a long time, but if you and your family want to make the most of the NDIS, well you're a bit behind so now the time to start planning to live you best life.

Where to start?

Get off the coach or facebook and find out what's out there?  What types of services and other providers. If your thinking about joining a gym ask your support worker to help you visit a few. Pay for a few sessions, try it before you decide.

Do you know what clubs, sporting groups or organisations are operating in Ipswich?  Check out the visitors centre our ask your support person to help you look online.  Talk to your current provider ask if their services are likely to change under the NDIS? Ring another provider find out what they offer?  I think buy the time you've done that you've already found out there's a lot more to life than you thought.

Umm! Do you wish you could find all this information is the one place, while enjoying good food and entertainment at the same time?

Here's some good news!

The Ipswich community will be out inforce

on Wednesday 7th September 2016

Ipswich Showgrounds

From 9 am

to help you explore the world of opportunities

here in the heart in Ipswich.

So if funding is now attached to your selected goals how do you tell the NDIA what you need? The NDIA are not interested in what you need, they want to know what you would like to do with your life! What are your hopes and dreams for the future? If you could do anything what would that be? Once you decide what you would like to do, they want to know how you're going to do it?

So if your going to sell your artwork, they want to know how you plan to do this and what assistance you need to achieve that goal. This is go into your NDIS Goals Plan.

• Goals - What you want to do?
• Steps -  How you want to do it?

Example:

Goal:   To work at Coles

Step:    Find out if that is possible for you.  What do you need

            to know to work at Coles

Then they look at who in your life can help you achieve that goal and what support you will need. 

So here a tip!  If its not in your plan you will not be able to do it. So if you think art is part of your future it needs to go into your NDIS plan.  However, you can't just say I want to do art, that is a bit to general.

Goal Writing guidelines:

• Must be specific
• Must be clear and be understood by everyone. So they can give you the help you need.
• Must be measurable: how do you know when you've achieved your goal?
• Steps involve must be clearly identifiable

Art means a whole lot of different things to different people. People enjoy art for different reasons. Some people just want to visit art galleries to enjoy the beauty of art; some people want to do art because it relaxes them and makes them feel good; some people are just learning; some people are keen to try new forms of art; some people want to enter competitions like the Ipswich show, for some people art is a hobby and for others its work. . .

And sometimes . . . it is all of the above! The good news is no matter where you fit in the art continuum the NDIS can support you to do that, they just need you to tell them how to assist you.

Here's a few suggestions:

My goal:          To learn how to draw better, with pencil, ink,

                         charol and pastel.

Why:                Its just something I enjoy

Steps:               Join an art class to learn drawing skills.

This might be through a support provider, hiring a tutor or community classes. You need to let the NDIS know your preferred method.

Reasoning:         I've always enjoyed art and craft I'd like to do

                           more and learn new things.

My goals:           To learn more about art

                           To try new types of art

                           To learn art skills and make new friends

Methods:            Join a art and craft group

                           Take a art class

                           Do art with my current provider

                           Join the art and craft group a church

                           Start my own group

                           Find a tutor

Your step:          You'll need to tell the NDIA which step you

                           want to take.

Reasoning:              I have been doodling for awhile, I wonder

                                if my working is any good. I think I like

                                to do an art class or course,

My goal:                  To do an art course

Steps:                       To do one subject at a time with the

                                 assistance of a support worker.

My Goal:                 To sell my art work

My Steps:                 Make art work to sell

                                 Enter art competitions

                                 Plan an art exhibition

If you're coming to Fresh Futures Market, pick up a FREE copy of My Art, My Way, this will guide you through writing you plan and we hope to have it available for download soon.

 

Dreaming . . .

- 6C Mt Wellington, Hobart, Australia

Learning to live your best life!

Are you ready for the NDIS?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme is now being rolled out across Australia. The Scheme is aimed to assist people with disabilities actively engaged in their communities.

Right now many people across Australian are sitting down to write there NDIS first plan to enable them to transition to funding support under the NDIS. Some of the comments I heard as I undertake workshops to prepare me for transition are . . .

This is to good to be true . . .

Nothing ever changes . . .

It's just different packaging . . .

. . . Goals! I don't have goals . . .

Look my life is just fine the way it is  . . .

I'll believe it when it happens . . .

It just more paper work!

The good news for some . . . Is it is true! The NDIS is now rolling out across Australia and its is a real game changer! It is time to let yourself dream!  Reality is only a few thoughts a way . . . If dream kicks starts you thinking about possibilities and goal setting, what a great start to start.

Right now your NDIS plan is a blank page. How you complete the boxes is literally now your choice. You and your family are now in the driver seat.  Its time to ask what could life look like?

NDIS . . . The Game Changer

Opportunities and new experiences!

The old model of funding was based on assisting you with the things you couldn't do. Supports were often inadequacies or inappropriate!  Many people and their families have been locked into survival model.  For some making it to the end of the day and falling a sleep is all they know.

For these people asking them what they like to do? Many unlock many tears or Just to have coffee with my girlfriends without feeling guilty. For many stepping into life under the NDIS is a Alison in Wonderland experience. Living in survival mode has taught them not to trust change. . .

Many I suggest in secret we all dream . . . Top of the list for many is a trip to Disneyland. We just don't dare tell anyone else!

Dreaming can enable us to pinpoint what we love about life.  Because the NDIS is about adding things to you're life you love. So the reality may not be Disneyland, It might be a week in Sydney, with a trip to Luria Park! Or a day at Movie World.  The NDIS is about engaging in the types of activities that other Australians take for granted.

 So what types of things can we now be include in?  The answer is literally anything with some boundaries thrown in!  Affordability and value for money . . . The NDIA will only fund supports that are related directly to your disability or you child's. So yes I can arrange support overseas, but no their not going to pay for airfares.

Dreaming a bit like what would you do if you won Gold Lotto? If you could do anything what would that be? If you or you're children didn't have a disability would you go sailing or climb a mountain?  Your dreams provide clues. 

Mountain climbing might become brush walking our wheeling along Parklands river walk. Dreaming open your mind to possibilities. 

Learning new skills!

I hope learning to dream enables you to begin thinking about your goals!

Recent Sales

Caught up with my friend

and fellow artists . . .

Silvia

The lovely Silvia is

currently mentoring

under the professional development

program with Access Arts.

Silvia is a textile artists

with experience in

printmaking and sculpture

she has worked for Artisability

since 2013.

Silvia drove out this morning

to see my current exhibition.

Thank you!

I also saw I continue to

make sales . . .

Octopus Garden

runs until 9th July.

@ Drawing Point Gallery

Ipswich Arttime Supplies

203 Brisbane Road

Ipswich.

In The Octopus' Garden

I long to be under the sea . . .

. . . in the Octopus' Garden  . . .

Opening Night

24th June @ 6pm

Drawing Point Gallery

(Arttime, 203 Brisbane Street Ipswich)

Parking at the rear of the building.

My solo exhibition presents a fantasy underwater world

using greens, purples and blues with a few other colour thrown in to prove I can live dangerously.

Water for me invites a feeling of freedom.

This collection of work was produced during

the heat of the summer months which I think

largely determined my colour Platte.

The feeling of swimming in water gives me

the sensation of freedom.

Its is while swimming my body experiences

the freedom of weightlessness.

Freeing me from the restrictions of movement

I experience as a result of cerebral palsy.

Although my mind never truly stops the

process of creating, being embody in water

makes me feel like anything is possible.

It is this belief 'that anything is possible',

the drives my passion for using art to connect

my local community. Art has the powerful

ability to break down barriers and speak to

people from all walks of life,

It gives a voice to the voiceless

and healing to the broken.

I am a artists that identifies with disability.

In the main my work is pretty much mainstream,

with the use of strong colours appealing to me.

I am currently a student at the Brisbane Institute

of Art,  where I am refining my artistic skills.

This is my second exhibition hosted at

the Drawing Point Gallery

in my hometown of Ipswich.

Recently I had the opportunity to

show my work at the

Off The Wall Gallery

in St Peter's Sydney.

I am one of about 200 emerging

artists the takes part in the

Brisbane Rotary Art Specular.

I have sold my work through numerous

art exhibitions across Ipswich and Brisbane.

My inclusion in the mainstream art community

shows anything is possible.

My work will be on show

at the Drawing Point Art Gallery

Until the 2nd of July.

Opened 9 am to 5 pm

Daily (except Sunday)

My works can also be purchased

online @ my esty store.

If you make it I hope you will enjoy!

How to know your NDIS ready . . .

The National Disability Insurance Scheme or the NDIS presents a change in the way people with disabilities are supported. All people with disabilities are being encourage to have a greater say in the way the want to be supported.

The NDIS put in a nut shell is about encouraging individuals and families to make their own choices on things such as, employment, therapies, study, level of independence, lifestyle and leisure.

Some people are OK with how their lives look now.  Others may like to change their living arranges or even an opportunities to try new things.  Its ok not to make changes or its ok to make changes. Its all about you!

Any change - even a new flatmate is scary. So its ok to be frighten. That's why we as service providers are encouraging you all to think about what you want now - so we can help you prepare. 

We would love to see more people with disability participate in the community, part of that is bringing in more support around study and employment.

If your reading this blog post then my hunch is your thinking about if and how your interest in art maybe incorporated into your support plan.

I want you to think about what that may look like for you. Art can involve many different things.

A hobby

Something you want to learn more about

It could involve formal study

It could be work related

It could be as a professional artists.

Under the NDIS their are no specific guidelines around the 'arts'. So you might want you think about.

Is my art a recreation goal - 'I just want to have fun'.

Is my art about learning skills?

Do I want to sell or make money from my art?

Do I want work in a art related business.

Under the NDIS I have no intentions of changing my goals, but I would like some changes in the way my support is delivered and who it is delivered by.

My NDIS goals are:

1. Independent living - living safely in my own home.
2. Health & wellbeing - focus on the aging process - this like my mobility equipment needs will change and keeping active.
3. Work life Balance - I run my own business but in that I need to self-care. My 'level' of art fits within this goal, but I  also want to continue, learning.
4. Learning for life - extending art skills and business skills development. (Some of these things I can do for myself, but I need a support worker to assist in a particular way.
5. Leisure if you follow my blog you know I enjoy traveling.  But the NDIA needs to know my work also involves travel.
6. Planning for the unexpected, plan A does not always work. If might support staff are sick or away can I access a temp agency. What happens when workers leave, What if self-managing is just too hard? - Things will never always go to plan so the better prepared you are the better.

The NDIS rolls out across Australia from July 1 this year.  The rollout time tables are now available on NDIS Website while not all the information you will need is available, identifying what you like to change and what you goals are will help get you ready. Remember you are not alone. If you currently receive support your service provider will provide information and plan templates.  Talk to your current support workers or family members as them to write your goals with you.

Know what you are doing now and what if anything you might want to change. For example you might want to join an art group. That is something you need to put in your NDIS plan.  It might be attending a respite centre with an art program will suit you.

Breaking down your goals - setting you goals is only the first piece in the puzzle.  Not all your goals will need support from the NDIA some of my health and wellbeing needs are meet through the public health system. But my healthily lifestyle and the aging process goal may enable me access to a private physio and OT.  No MASS systems means I need and OT to now prescribe my mobility equipment.

Goal Maintain Health and Wellbeing:

For me includes:-

1. Healthy diet plan - I see a dietitian for this.
2. Exercise - currently I am doing 1 session of hydrotherapy a week I like to ask the NDIS to continue to support this and some land exercises as well.
3. Regular GP visits is also part of this goal. In these visits we evaluated my living independently from time to time. I am not always the most objective person in this insistence.

So once you identify goals then you need to break these down into steps and work out who is the best service or person to help you. Ultimately this is what your asking the NDIA for.

• A place in an visual arts program for people with disabilities or a support worker to assist me to make art at home.

This is a clear and reasonable request to make.

The more clear on the type of support your after, the easier the assessment process will be.  This is what NDIS ready means.

Learning to Tell You Story

Telling Your Story

We are continuing to look at planning for your artistic future. Having a plan is important when asking others to support your goals.

You need to tell your story to your family and friends, to the people you work with, to other artists, to the NDIA, to funding bodies, on social media, to potential partners and to people who will help you fundraise. You need to tell the world.

How you tell your story will be different depending on who you are sharing your story with. The way you share you story with someone at the bus stop will be different to the way you tell it to the Ipswich City Council. To tell your story you don't need to remember everything, you can write it down or use pictures. The best way to tell your story is to do it your way. Funding bodies are open to you telling your story via video if you cannot fill out your paperwork. They want to hear your voice not the person helping you write the application.

Everyone needs help at some point in the process, everyone will be asked to supply a reference. Even the people you're asking the money from can get you started they can help you decide how best to tell your story to give you the best chance of success.  Things like your budget other people can write for you. But your story needs to come from you.

A good place to start is to tell people your name. . .

Hi my name is Joan and I am a visual artists living in Ipswich Queensland (if you're at the bus stop they might guess you live in Ipswich) So try . . . My name is Joan and I enjoy making pottery. Currently I doing some workshops at Turning Earth Ceramics, actually I have some photos on my phone would you like to see them. Or you might have a business card with you and ask them to like you on facebook.  You won't say that to everyone, but to some people you might.  This is your journey, this is about finding what's right for you.

You're not going to invite someone to an art exhibition if you're not having one. Some people just want general information others need you to be more specific. If you are asking the council for money, then they will ask you lots of questions, saying with your name.  If you want them to give you money then they want to know who you are, why you want the money, how much money you need,  and where else could you ask for money. You always need a plan B!

Who are you?

They will want to know where you live and how to contact you.

They might want to know about what type of art you make and want you to show them some pictures

They will want to know where and when you learnt to make art.  Sometimes it's ok to say I just started and got better. Sometimes they want people who went to art school.

They will want to know about competitions and work you have sold and where you have sold it.

Most of all they want to hear about your project and why it is important to you.