Peer Support - the true show stopper in the world of disability sports – By Geoff Trappett OAM
We are stronger as a community than alone.
The old adage of something being bigger as a whole than the sum of its parts is never more evident than when we talk about peer support in the disabled community.
Peer support is broadly defined as ‘an initiative consisting of trained supporters, and can take a number of forms such as peer mentoring, reflective listening, or counseling’. However pure words don’t do the concept justice.
Are Disabled People Getting a ‘Fair Go’ in the Workplace?
Work, for many, is a necessity. For some, it’s a passion.
And for others, it’s an uphill battle just to get your foot in the door.
Did you know the unemployment rate for people aged between 15 and 64 in Australia is 4.9%, but that the unemployment rate for those with a disability is 9.4%?
In New Zealand, it’s 4.3% to 10.6%.
Recent research also found that 14% of Australians with a disability reported facing discrimination, with disability-based discrimination worst for unemployed people (affecting almost one-third of Australians with a disability).
Meet Ian Lappin, Invacare's Territory Business Manager
Ian Lappin is Invacare's Territory Business Manager, and his role revolves around setting up wheelchairs with the end-user. Ian's goal is to "achieve the best result for these people, all-round," and his passion is definitely working with powerchairs, and he "can't wait for the new Alber range which is hitting the market soon."
Aged Care and Day Care – A Perfect Match?
What do 4-year-olds and 80-year-olds have in common?
Considerably more than you might think, including (but not limited to) painting, dancing, reading, walking, singing, cooking and story-telling!
These are just some of the potential activities incorporated into intergenerational care programs, in which Aged Care and Day Care are combined, and the residents/attendees of each group intermingle and socialise with one another.
EDUCATION - SEGREGATION VS INCLUSION
“Everyone has the right to education.”
Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, made it clear to the world that we as a species consider education to be fundamental to our existence.
However, just because something is fundamental, does that mean it’s a reality? Is it actually being done, and done right?
Happy Father's Day to all the dads in the Invacare community!
This Father's Day we'd like to focus on and thank each of our Invacare dads. To celebrate our many hardworking fathers we share one story for you to enjoy.
Meet Sankesh Chetty Business Manager for Invacare in New Zealand
Sankesh Chetty is Business Manager for Invacare in New Zealand, and he’s passionate about helping people get the equipment they need, quickly, and according to specification. “Our equipment is an enabler to better lives. We are truly a company that makes life’s experiences possible!” Sankesh believes in what he’s doing at Invacare, saying that "it has true meaning", and this is what maintains his drive and keeps him “coming back every day for more!”
Hollywood we have a problem
Actor (noun): someone who pretends to be someone else while performing in a film, play, or television or radio program. Cambridge Dictionary
Parenting with a Disability
“When I’m out with my girls, people don’t expect that I’m their mother.”
“If we do have a child we get asked if it is ours, ‘who is the parent?’, ‘where is the parent?’, or ‘why are you holding it?’”
“I was so scared social services would take my child away because of feeding him on the floor... I was really scared because I wasn't doing things the normal way if you like, that they'd take him away.”
Meet Matthew Brunton who is in charge of Inside Sales and Customer Experience at Invacare
Matthew Brunton looks after Invacare’s Inside Sales Customer Experience, and says, “I’m really excited to be a part of the Invacare direct to customer website that’s being set up and look forward to making it as intuitive as possible!”
Matthew’s role involves converting customer leads into sales, currently for SMOOV One, Invacare’s newest innovative electric drive that flexibly docks to wheelchairs. “The Customer Experience segment allows me to share my knowledge to develop new and improved documentation and processes for the customer service team.”