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Ability Magazine
The information on this website does not constitute medical advice for any individual. As specific cases may vary from the general information presented here, SBHI advises readers to consult a qualified medical or other professional on an individual basis.
Important information
Partial Capacity Benefit scheme open for applications
Posted on February 13, 2012 Partial Capacity Benefit is a new social welfare scheme which allows you to return to work (if you have reduced capacity to work) and continue to receive a payment from the Department of Social Protection (DSP).
To qualify for Partial Capacity Benefit you need to be in receipt of either Illness Benefit (for a minimum of 6 months) or Invalidity Pension.
A Medical Assessor of the DSP will assess the restriction on your capacity for work. The rate of payment you receive is based on the assessment of your restriction on capacity for work and whether you were in receipt of Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension.
The scheme is now open for applications.
A new service called EmployAbility was also launched today. EmployAbility brings together a number of services for people with disabilities and will offer a range of supports, including workplace adaptation grants, wage subsidies and on-site job coaches and mentors, to people with disabilities and to employers.
(information obtained from Citizens Information on: 16/02/2012
http://whatsnew.citizensinformation.ie/2012/02/13/partial-capacity-benefit-scheme-open-for-applications-from-today/)
National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2012 -2016 -
Naional%20Housing%20Stretegy%20for%20people%20with%20disabilities
Important information for disabled drivers and passengers
Changes in the interpretation and the administration by the Revenue Commissioners of the legislation relating to the Disabled Driver and Passenger Tax Relief Scheme are to be implemented from the 1st January 2012.
IWA are vigorously lobbying the appropriate Ministers and Departments in order to find a solution to the situation. They recognise that these proposed changes to the interpretation and administration of the scheme will have devastating effects on a number of people with disabilities. IWA are asking for your by filling in the petition, which will be presented to the Ministers and Departments in question with the show of support against these changes. Click here for more details
Taoiseach announces pause to Disability Allowance cuts
Volunteering Opportunities
Volunteer management course
The County Wicklow Volunteer Centre Ltd is pleased to advise you that we are running the training programme on Volunteer Management in March/April of this year. If you or another member of your organisation involved with volunteers would like to avail of the training programme please contact us by Wednesday the 29th of February 2012.
The course will be held over four consecutive weeks, from 1.30pm to 5pm on Thursday 15th, 22nd,29thof March and5thof April (Holy Thursday) in Co. Wicklow VEC, The Murrough Campus, The Murrough, Wicklow Town and will be delivered by Fiona Downes and Yvonne Ryan. There is a cost of €40 per individual and it is expected that participants will attend all four modules as they are designed as part of a continuum.
Due to an extensive waiting list for this training places on the course are limited, we ask that you confirm your request to attend all four modules by close of business on Wednesday the 29th of February. For more information or to book a place on the training programme please contact:
Yvonne Ryan - Bray Office
Tel: 01 202 2244
E-mail:yvonne@volunteerwicklow.ie
VSI Volunteering and Employment Project
Would you like to explore with Voluntary Service International (VSI) how volunteering can improve employment prospects?
Volunteering has many benefits and one of them is to increase the job prospects of the volunteer. As people with disabilities and people over the age of 50 are often excluded from employment, the aim of this project is to explore, with people from these two groups, the possibilities of volunteering to enhance employability.
VSI is currently searching for participants from Ireland to take part in this project with our partners in the Czech Republic and Finland. Three seminars will take place in 2012:
- 7-11 March in Prague, Czech Republic;
- September in Helsinki, Finland (date to be confirmed);
- November in Dublin, Ireland (date to be confirmed).
Participants may take part in one or all three seminars, depending on your interest. You don’t need any experience to take part in this project, you may be unemployed, a student or employed. You do need an interest in the subject and a willingness to learn and you should belong to one of the two groups, so you should have a disability and / or be over the age of 50.
In each of the seminars, we will explore the subject together. The first seminar, which takes place in Prague, will explore volunteering, internships and employment; the group will visit workplaces, meet with employers and share their experiences with the other participants from the Czech Republic, Finland and Ireland.
All expenses are covered, including international travel, accommodation and meals when attending a seminar. All seminar and workplace venues will be fully accessible. Wheelchair / disability accessible accommodation and transport will be provided where required and there is some provision for personal assistants. Please contact Helen in VSI (see below for contact details) to discuss this further.
If you are interested in taking part, please send a motivation letter & brief CV, stating why you would like to take part in the project to: helen@vsi.ie with the subject heading: Volunteering Learning Partnership.
If you would like further info or have any questions, please contact Helen in the VSI office: helen@vsi.ie, 086 264 3610, VSI office 01 855 1011. www.vsi.ie
Alternatively please contact Wala or Helen in Youth and Respite on 01 4572329 for more information
General Information
Please note that the information posted here is information sent in by members and by staff as interesting newspaper articles or items of interest on general health. If you wish to undertake any exercise, diet or health advice then please consult with your G.P. prior to doing so. Happy Health Everyone!!!!
10 Weight Loss Myths
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/loseweight/Pages/Weightlossmyths.aspx
Eating Tomatoes
http://www.independent.ie/health/health-news/cancer-slowed-by-cooked-tomatoes-scientists-3004359.html
Exercises for Wheelchair users
http://exercise.about.com/library/blseatedupperbody.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIJTUAYfkig
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CdwOe-5OaA&feature=related
AWARE Services
AWARE run local support groups throughout Ireland that people who have depression or other mental health issues can attend. The support groups are free and provide information and support to people who are suffering with M.H issues. Ongoing attendance at the groups will give sufferers a better understanding of depression (and elation) and its impact on relationships ,work and social life. The caring and supportive nature of the groups allows attendees to develop the confidence to identify mood changes at an earlier stage, and so minimise the disruption on daily life. Here is a link to our support group map http://www.aware.ie/help/support_groups_map/
These support groups will be useful to mention to people who have depression, relatives are also welcome to attend the groups.
We also run monthly lectures in St.Pats hospital they are free to attend. Here is a link to the page on our website where we run the talks, you can keep an eye on this page if you are interested in attending public talks by mental health professionals. .http://www.aware.ie/site/comments/february_2012_depression_lecture. Our next talk is not up on the website yet. Here is some info about it:
Neuroscience of Depression and its Treatment Free Public Lecture
The third lecture in Aware’s 2012 monthly lecture series is on Wednesday 14th March next with a free public lecture by Dr. Harry Barry, GP, on the Neuroscience of Depression and its Treatment. The lecture takes place in the Swift Centre, St. Patrick’s Hospital, James’ St., Dublin 8 @ 7.15pm sharp.
www.aware.ie
AHEAD WAM Programme 2012: Current Vacancies
Current Opportunities for Graduates with Disabilities/ Specific Learning Difficulties with the AHEAD WAM Programme 2012
Work Placement Opportunities Now Available with the Civil Service & Deloitte.
If you are a graduate with a disability /specific learning difficulty seeking valuable work experience, the AHEAD WAM Programme may be the opportunity you have been waiting for.
Applications are now being sought for WAM Work Placement Opportunities available in the Civil Service & Deloitte. Work placements are for a full time working week, are paid, mentored and for a period of up to six months.
Civil Service
Applications are now being sought for a wide variety of positions across the Civil Service.
Applicants must have a minimum of an Ordinary Bachelor Degree (Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications) to be considered for these positions.
To apply, please complete a WAM Application form and return it along with an up-to-date CV to wam@ahead.ie by 5pm, Friday 24th February, 2012.
Deloitte
Applications are now being sought for a position in the Enterprises Risk Services Department, located in Dublin.
Applicants must have a minimum of an Ordinary Bachelor Degree (Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications) to be considered for this position.
To apply, please complete a WAM Application form and return it along with an up-to-date CV to wam@ahead.ie by 5pm, Friday 17th February, 2012.
Interested candidates should visit: www.ahead.ie/employment_wamprogramme_currentopportunities.php for application forms and further information.
For queries, please contact WAM directly by email: wam@ahead.ie or by telephone on 01-2789325.
What is WAM?
WAM (Willing Able Mentoring) is a FÁS funded programme which aims to promote a more inclusive labour market for graduates with disabilities. It is led by AHEAD, the Association for Higher Education Access and Disability, which seeks to promote full access to and full participation of students with disabilities in higher education and to assist with their transition from education into employment. Participating employers in WAM offer paid and mentored placements to graduates with disabilities and specific learning difficulties for up to six months duration. More information is available on www.ahead.ie.
Your Experiences
BOOK - Andrea Fox, National Youth Officer, is looking for the experiences of parents and individuals with a disability to express how having Spina Bifida and/or Hydrocephalus has impacted on the individual or the families life. Andrea is trying to encourage parents of young children and members of all age groups to share something about themselves whether it be a true story, poem they have written, favourite holiday etc.. the younger children, maybe with the help of the parents, could send in a picture they have coloured and signed or tell their story. The aim of the book is to bring about awareness to other members of dreams that can be achieved and challenges that can be overcome. You can send it by post to the National Resource Centre ATTN: Andrea Fox or to andreaf28@gmail.com.
PROFESSIONALS DAY - Another request with a similar theme is for the Professionals Day. We are asking parents and members of all ages to give "A Day in My Shoes", In order to give the professionals coming to the Children's University Hospital Temple Street study day a real view of the conditions Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. It is so important that professionals know and understand the real impact these conditions have on peoples lives so that they can leave the study day with not just the medical knowledge. We want the professionals to be more aware and give a better service when they go back to their medical practices or hospitals. This is your opportunity as a parent or a member to help them to understand. If you can send your story, picture or your feedback to kkelly@sbhi.ie, I will get them onto a series of posters. The posters will be placed in the conference room clear visibility to all. You can of course send this into Katie Kelly anonymously or request that your name is not placed on the poster.
Items of Interest
Driving Lessons with 'Patient School of Motoring'
Tae Know Do for People with a Disability
Shirley Keogh - "Life Goes On" Award
Shirley Keogh has been nominated for a “Life Goes On” award from the U.N. High Commission and she travelled to Vienna on Thursday to receive her award from the Irish Ambassador and the Regional Representative for Europe for the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Having coped with Spina Bifida, Shirley joined the Spinal Bifida & Hydrocephalus Association in 1996 and helped start “Club 2000”, where members enjoy basketball, javelin, shot putt, discus and wheelchair activities plus annual sports’ days and weekend trips. In recent years, Shirley has had to undergo dialysis treatment three times a week and horrendous restrictions thereby imposed on her diet and lifestyle. Despite this, she tries to make club meetings with husband, Brendan attending in her absence.
In 1986, Shirley and Brendan were married and they have one son, Brendan Jnr. When her son was aged eight, Shirley reluctantly conceded to using a wheelchair. Through her experience as a wheelchair user and her history of coping with Spina Bifida and kidney dialysis, she understands both the frustration of youth coping with disability and the concerns of anxious parents and she feels very strongly that people in wheelchairs should be encouraged to partake in all aspects of life and not be impeded by the physical restrictions of a wheelchair.
This award came about following visit to Ireland by a Romanian vet, who became concerned that ill babies in Romania were not being properly diagnosed and treated. Adriana Tontsch was brought to meet Shirley by a Family Support Worker from Spina Bifda Hydrocephalus Ireland. Following that meeting Shirley was so moved by the stories of suffering that these children had to endure that she decided to make a DVD about Club 200 to highlight what people with disabilities can do. Adnana was so moved by Shirley's kindness and the club itself, so she nominated her for this award.
Shirley's Citation for the award's night in Vienna. It was read out by Adriana Tontsch (Romanian Association for Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus) who nominated her for the award. This is a very nice personal insight into Shirley views and beliefs from Adriana's perspective.
Shirleys_citation_for_the_award
