WEBVTT - Talking Vision 696 Week Beginning 2nd of October 2023 0:00:41.292 --> 0:00:46.982 From Vision Australia. This is talking vision. And now here's 0:00:46.982 --> 0:00:48.962 your host, Sam Colley. 0:00:51.462 --> 0:00:54.582 Hello, everyone. It's great to be here with you. And 0:00:54.582 --> 0:00:57.552 for the next half hour, we talk matters of blindness 0:00:57.552 --> 0:00:58.632 and low vision. 0:00:58.902 --> 0:01:01.092 We just keep moving forward as a community and we 0:01:01.092 --> 0:01:03.522 keep doing what we're doing. And this report just gives 0:01:03.522 --> 0:01:06.252 us more evidence to push back on the things that 0:01:06.252 --> 0:01:08.382 we've had to tolerate and put up with for far 0:01:08.382 --> 0:01:10.362 too long in our lives. So I think that there's 0:01:10.362 --> 0:01:13.602 a lot of things that are going to change moving forward. 0:01:13.842 --> 0:01:18.252 Welcome to the program. Last week was a momentous occasion 0:01:18.252 --> 0:01:22.692 in the rights for people with disability in Australia. As 0:01:22.692 --> 0:01:27.552 the Disability Royal Commission handed down its final report to 0:01:27.552 --> 0:01:33.252 the Australian Government to ensure a just and equitable society 0:01:33.252 --> 0:01:37.842 for people with disability. I had a chat with the 0:01:37.842 --> 0:01:43.662 President of Persons with Disability Australia, Nicole Lee, all about 0:01:43.662 --> 0:01:47.352 the findings from the Commission and you'll hear from her 0:01:47.352 --> 0:01:51.222 very shortly. So make sure to stick around. Then later 0:01:51.222 --> 0:01:54.942 on in the program, Stella Glory catches up with Rebecca 0:01:54.942 --> 0:01:58.902 Kent to chat about a new series of sessions. The 0:01:58.902 --> 0:02:03.612 Vision Australia Library is running to help parents practise self 0:02:03.612 --> 0:02:07.752 care and live their best lives. I hope you enjoy 0:02:07.752 --> 0:02:17.212 this week's episode of Talking Vision. On the 29th of 0:02:17.212 --> 0:02:22.282 September 2023, the final report of the Disability Royal Commission 0:02:22.282 --> 0:02:26.452 was delivered to the Australian Government. In this report, the 0:02:26.452 --> 0:02:30.922 Royal Commission recommended how to improve laws, policies, structures and 0:02:30.922 --> 0:02:36.502 practices to ensure a more inclusive and just society and 0:02:36.502 --> 0:02:39.652 to have a chat with me all about the findings 0:02:39.652 --> 0:02:43.882 from the Disability Royal Commission. It's my great pleasure to 0:02:43.882 --> 0:02:50.062 welcome President of People with Disabilities Australia, Nicole Lee. Nicole, 0:02:50.062 --> 0:02:52.402 thank you very much for your time today. Welcome to 0:02:52.402 --> 0:02:53.482 Talking Vision. 0:02:53.692 --> 0:02:54.712 Thanks for having me on. 0:02:55.042 --> 0:02:58.732 Now firstly, Nicole, just to get our listeners up to speed, 0:02:58.732 --> 0:03:01.522 could you give us a bit of an overview of 0:03:01.522 --> 0:03:03.502 the Disability Royal Commission? 0:03:03.712 --> 0:03:06.952 Yeah, sure. So the Disability Royal Commission was established back 0:03:06.952 --> 0:03:09.562 in 2019, so it's been going for four and a 0:03:09.562 --> 0:03:14.482 half years roughly where they've held public hearings, including through 0:03:14.482 --> 0:03:16.972 lots of Covid lockdowns. So they had to pivot to 0:03:16.972 --> 0:03:20.212 doing a lot of things online. They've had private hearings 0:03:20.212 --> 0:03:23.632 and issued lots of papers. So I think there's 7944 0:03:23.632 --> 0:03:30.892 submissions that they received, 17,824 phone inquiries, 14 issue papers published, 0:03:30.892 --> 0:03:36.892 70 responses to issue papers, and 1785 private sessions were 0:03:36.892 --> 0:03:39.682 held in that four and a half years. So it's 0:03:39.682 --> 0:03:43.402 quite a substantial piece of work that they've undertaken over 0:03:43.402 --> 0:03:45.592 the last four and a half years. And so that's 0:03:45.592 --> 0:03:48.862 resulted in the report that was handed down last Friday, 0:03:48.862 --> 0:03:54.382 the 29th of September that contained 222 recommendations. And it 0:03:54.382 --> 0:03:57.322 was roughly was it 13 volumes, I think, from memory. 0:03:57.322 --> 0:04:00.412 So quite a big report, you could say. 0:04:00.592 --> 0:04:08.122 Absolutely. And I think it's worth touching on those 222 recommendations. And, 0:04:08.122 --> 0:04:10.912 you know, what were the sort of key findings and 0:04:10.912 --> 0:04:16.612 outcomes with those recommendations that have emerged from the commission 0:04:16.612 --> 0:04:20.182 that you'd really like to let people know about and 0:04:20.182 --> 0:04:21.082 to highlight? 0:04:21.232 --> 0:04:23.512 Well, some of the really big wins in there, which 0:04:23.512 --> 0:04:26.542 really are ultimately the low hanging fruit, I guess, in 0:04:26.542 --> 0:04:30.172 regards to disability rights, is to establish a human rights 0:04:30.172 --> 0:04:34.492 framework and a Disability Discrimination Act and disability rights framework 0:04:34.492 --> 0:04:39.052 within Australia. So that isn't something we ultimately, in my opinion, 0:04:39.052 --> 0:04:41.482 needed a Royal Commission to work out that that was 0:04:41.482 --> 0:04:43.972 something we needed to do. But irrespective of that, we've 0:04:43.972 --> 0:04:47.302 got recommendations around that. And the other one was around, 0:04:47.392 --> 0:04:51.562 you know, abolishing forced sterilization of women and girls with disability. Again, 0:04:51.562 --> 0:04:53.332 that is not something that should have taken a royal 0:04:53.332 --> 0:04:56.122 commission to come out with that recommendation. And that is 0:04:56.122 --> 0:05:00.172 something that's been advocated for for many, many, many years. So, 0:05:00.172 --> 0:05:01.552 you know, we have to see it as a win 0:05:01.552 --> 0:05:03.862 to actually get it into this report. And hopefully that 0:05:03.862 --> 0:05:08.092 that recommendation definitely does get actioned on as soon as 0:05:08.092 --> 0:05:12.172 possible with limited time. I guess it's not something we 0:05:12.172 --> 0:05:15.292 need a long plan of action for. They are. They 0:05:15.292 --> 0:05:18.442 do right now. Easy. There should be no arguments in 0:05:18.442 --> 0:05:22.672 regards to kind of recommendations. There was the talk around 0:05:22.672 --> 0:05:26.122 the segregated education, which unfortunately there was a divide amongst 0:05:26.122 --> 0:05:28.162 the commissioners and there seems to be a fair amount 0:05:28.162 --> 0:05:32.272 of debate within the community around what is segregated education 0:05:32.272 --> 0:05:34.402 and that, you know, some commissioners didn't want it. Some 0:05:34.402 --> 0:05:36.942 people in the community don't want it. But ultimately, you know, 0:05:36.982 --> 0:05:39.982 the disability community does want to see an end to segregation. 0:05:39.982 --> 0:05:42.982 We do want to see integrated and full inclusion within 0:05:42.982 --> 0:05:47.092 the whole of society. Unfortunately, the timeline around you abolishing 0:05:47.092 --> 0:05:51.592 segregated education is 28 years, so it's kicking the can 0:05:51.592 --> 0:05:53.422 down the road, so to speak. You know, we need 0:05:53.422 --> 0:05:56.902 to be making. Yeah, it's a long it's a it's 0:05:56.902 --> 0:06:00.622 an unambitious, very unambitious 28 years. I mean, who can 0:06:00.622 --> 0:06:04.132 think that far ahead. Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. And and it 0:06:04.132 --> 0:06:08.182 also leads to another several lots of generations of children 0:06:08.182 --> 0:06:10.822 being segregated. You know, we've got to look at that 0:06:10.822 --> 0:06:13.762 as being a basic human right, not segregating children based 0:06:13.762 --> 0:06:16.132 on difference. You know, we wouldn't do this for any 0:06:16.132 --> 0:06:19.042 other cohort. Why should we do this for disability? You know, 0:06:19.052 --> 0:06:20.512 and if we want to look at the drivers of 0:06:20.512 --> 0:06:24.142 violence against disability, segregation is that big driver of violence 0:06:24.142 --> 0:06:27.832 against us and we want to shift community attitudes towards 0:06:27.832 --> 0:06:29.722 people with disability. Well, we're not going to do that 0:06:29.722 --> 0:06:32.212 if we're not visible in the world around us. So 0:06:32.212 --> 0:06:34.822 if we're telling children as young as five or under 0:06:34.822 --> 0:06:37.612 that those kids are different. So therefore they learn over 0:06:37.612 --> 0:06:40.402 there in that classroom or in that school over there 0:06:40.402 --> 0:06:42.712 and not in the same classroom as you. And we're 0:06:42.712 --> 0:06:46.402 telling disabled children that you're different and you don't belong. Well, 0:06:46.402 --> 0:06:50.092 we're setting in stone already at a young age, the 0:06:50.092 --> 0:06:54.562 fear of disabled people, discrimination of disabled people and reinforcing 0:06:54.562 --> 0:06:58.072 those stigmas of difference of disabled people rather than seeing 0:06:58.072 --> 0:07:01.432 us as just kids alongside other kids playing in the playground. 0:07:01.432 --> 0:07:04.492 So that's a really important piece that we we want 0:07:04.492 --> 0:07:06.712 to see worked on. But the 28 year mark is 0:07:06.712 --> 0:07:09.322 far too long. That needs to be a much more 0:07:09.322 --> 0:07:12.382 ambitious timeline for that one. And the other sort of 0:07:12.382 --> 0:07:16.402 bits and pieces around segregated housing. Everybody should have the 0:07:16.402 --> 0:07:19.192 right to choose where they live, who they live with 0:07:19.192 --> 0:07:21.622 and how they live their lives and the environment in 0:07:21.622 --> 0:07:25.462 which they live in. So abolishing group homes is really, 0:07:25.462 --> 0:07:29.242 really vital now, just like anybody else leaving home. Some 0:07:29.242 --> 0:07:30.802 people want to go and live in a share house, 0:07:30.802 --> 0:07:32.482 but they get a choice in who they live in 0:07:32.482 --> 0:07:35.082 that share house with. It's the same for disabled people. 0:07:35.092 --> 0:07:37.492 Some disabled people might want to live with others and 0:07:37.492 --> 0:07:41.002 share an environment and share a home. But having choice 0:07:41.002 --> 0:07:44.122 and control over who is in that environment, who lives 0:07:44.122 --> 0:07:47.272 with you is the vital piece here that needs to 0:07:47.272 --> 0:07:49.792 be worked on that hopefully that that is something that 0:07:49.792 --> 0:07:53.122 will be prioritized with the government task force that's been 0:07:53.122 --> 0:07:55.942 announced that they're looking to set up. Unfortunately, we don't 0:07:55.942 --> 0:07:57.742 have a lot of details around what they mean by 0:07:57.742 --> 0:08:00.772 that government task force so far. On the surface value, 0:08:00.772 --> 0:08:03.712 it has been very much a committing to government departments 0:08:03.712 --> 0:08:06.652 with advice from the disability community. You know, we don't 0:08:06.652 --> 0:08:09.652 want to be advising from the outside into a task 0:08:09.652 --> 0:08:13.072 force that's looking at implementing the royal commission. We want 0:08:13.072 --> 0:08:17.152 broad representation in the room alongside government on how we're 0:08:17.152 --> 0:08:21.352 implementing this royal commission and its recommendations. So that task 0:08:21.352 --> 0:08:23.632 force is a vital piece of the puzzle here so 0:08:23.632 --> 0:08:26.932 that we're in the room, we're with the decision makers 0:08:26.932 --> 0:08:29.842 and we are overseeing, well, what do we mean? How 0:08:29.842 --> 0:08:33.172 do we define segregation on our terms and not what 0:08:33.172 --> 0:08:36.652 other people define as segregation for us? And that's been 0:08:36.652 --> 0:08:40.132 a bit of a debate around education and what other 0:08:40.132 --> 0:08:45.022 people assume or classify as segregation, which isn't necessarily the 0:08:45.022 --> 0:08:48.022 same as what how we conceptualize segregation. 0:08:48.262 --> 0:08:51.262 I also understand, and I believe you would have been 0:08:51.262 --> 0:08:55.372 speaking to quite a few organizations and individuals over the 0:08:55.372 --> 0:09:00.652 past week following on from the publication of the final report. 0:09:00.652 --> 0:09:04.312 So what have been the feelings there from your side 0:09:04.312 --> 0:09:08.002 of things, but also from those who you've spoken to 0:09:08.002 --> 0:09:10.012 in the sector over the past week? 0:09:10.222 --> 0:09:12.952 I think one of the things that's really I shouldn't 0:09:12.952 --> 0:09:15.262 be surprised, but I'm kind of shocked at that. I've 0:09:15.262 --> 0:09:18.532 seen coming out and from other people in the sector 0:09:18.532 --> 0:09:21.802 is the fact that we don't have a section on 0:09:21.802 --> 0:09:25.942 women and girls with disability, considering we experience much higher 0:09:25.942 --> 0:09:29.212 rates of violence and neglect and abuse than other cohorts 0:09:29.212 --> 0:09:31.822 in the community, including, you know, quite high rates of 0:09:31.822 --> 0:09:36.172 sexual violence, We have the lowest rates of education, inclusion 0:09:36.172 --> 0:09:38.542 and we have the lowest employment rates out of the 0:09:38.542 --> 0:09:41.602 entire community. Yet there was no discussion in the Royal 0:09:41.602 --> 0:09:45.502 Commission around bringing up that gender equity piece. So that's 0:09:45.502 --> 0:09:47.842 kind of disappointing. If I can put that sort of 0:09:47.842 --> 0:09:51.802 side around gender and gender based violence into perspective. Victoria 0:09:51.802 --> 0:09:54.232 had a Royal Commission into Family Violence that handed down 0:09:54.232 --> 0:09:58.192 a report in 2016. Now, considering that this is just 0:09:58.192 --> 0:10:02.542 a royal commission into violence, gender based violence in one state, 0:10:02.542 --> 0:10:04.882 so one area of our lives, it came out with 0:10:04.882 --> 0:10:10.402 227 recommendations. Ten of those were dedicated to people with disability. Now, 0:10:10.402 --> 0:10:13.132 it's disappointing to see that women and girls and gender 0:10:13.132 --> 0:10:16.972 diverse people are only mentioned across four recommendations for the 0:10:16.972 --> 0:10:21.112 Disability Royal Commission, which is meant to be investigating violence 0:10:21.112 --> 0:10:25.072 that spans the course of our lifetime. So from birth 0:10:25.072 --> 0:10:28.372 to the day we die. So it's disappointing to see 0:10:28.372 --> 0:10:30.952 that that hasn't come through and this is where we 0:10:30.952 --> 0:10:33.292 need that representation in the room with that task force 0:10:33.292 --> 0:10:35.782 because that conversation needs to be had. Well, yet we 0:10:35.782 --> 0:10:38.182 want to end violence against all people with disability, but 0:10:38.182 --> 0:10:40.582 we also want to bring up the equity of women 0:10:40.582 --> 0:10:44.002 and girls with disability who are experiencing higher rates of 0:10:44.002 --> 0:10:47.722 violence and sexual violence than other areas of the disability community. 0:10:47.722 --> 0:10:51.532 And what can we do around prevention and safeguarding for 0:10:51.532 --> 0:10:54.382 women and girls with disability? So that was one of 0:10:54.382 --> 0:10:57.352 the big reflections that I've seen come out of the community, 0:10:57.622 --> 0:10:59.782 noting that, you know, gender based violence is something that 0:10:59.782 --> 0:11:02.932 I sunk my teeth into when I came into activism 0:11:02.932 --> 0:11:05.752 as a family violence survivor. So it's something that is 0:11:05.752 --> 0:11:08.332 very core and personal to me. And it's also the 0:11:08.332 --> 0:11:10.792 hearing in which I gave my own personal evidence to 0:11:10.822 --> 0:11:14.512 as well around the experience of violence against women with disabilities, 0:11:14.512 --> 0:11:17.992 including my own experience. So that's an area that is lacking, 0:11:17.992 --> 0:11:21.502 that needs to have some uplift in regards to it. 0:11:21.502 --> 0:11:24.952 And I guess it's good that we're looking at how 0:11:24.952 --> 0:11:28.102 do we reduce restricted practice, how do we move away 0:11:28.102 --> 0:11:32.872 from using seclusion and restraints against people with disability? But 0:11:32.872 --> 0:11:35.242 I don't feel that it quite goes far enough. We 0:11:35.242 --> 0:11:38.422 don't want to be using language around reducing restrictive practices. 0:11:38.422 --> 0:11:41.602 We want to be using language around abolishing restrictive practice. 0:11:41.692 --> 0:11:44.692 We want to be looking at pathways with dedicated time 0:11:44.692 --> 0:11:46.882 frames around, well, how do we end the use of 0:11:46.882 --> 0:11:50.152 restrictive practice, seclusion and restraint? How do we do that 0:11:50.152 --> 0:11:54.202 in all environments in which our lives are situated, including 0:11:54.382 --> 0:11:58.402 group homes, schools, health and mental health settings across the 0:11:58.402 --> 0:12:00.802 board and in the justice setting as well, so that 0:12:00.802 --> 0:12:03.592 all areas are safe for us to engage with because 0:12:03.592 --> 0:12:06.832 at the moment they're currently not. And unfortunately it feels 0:12:06.832 --> 0:12:10.702 like there's just different language being put to services justifying 0:12:10.702 --> 0:12:14.182 their use of these practices which do already exist. And 0:12:14.182 --> 0:12:16.652 they will. Tinue to justify the use of it unless 0:12:16.652 --> 0:12:19.562 we actually give clear boundaries around No, we don't want 0:12:19.562 --> 0:12:22.472 to be reducing, we want to be abolishing and you 0:12:22.472 --> 0:12:25.412 need to be looking at and addressing the environment in 0:12:25.412 --> 0:12:29.192 which people are existing in or engaging with services in 0:12:29.192 --> 0:12:33.722 that lead to an escalation of distress that then leads 0:12:33.722 --> 0:12:37.112 to the use of restrictive practice. So that's again why 0:12:37.112 --> 0:12:38.462 we need to be in the room. We need to 0:12:38.462 --> 0:12:40.322 be defining what that looks like. We need to be 0:12:40.322 --> 0:12:42.062 putting the language to that and we need to be 0:12:42.062 --> 0:12:45.422 setting some clear boundaries around what do we actually mean by, 0:12:45.422 --> 0:12:47.852 you know, abolishing these things and how do we go 0:12:47.852 --> 0:12:50.312 about doing it, and what are the steps that need 0:12:50.312 --> 0:12:53.252 to be taken? And the language used to draw a 0:12:53.252 --> 0:12:55.772 line very clearly in the sand that there's not going 0:12:55.772 --> 0:12:58.232 to be any excuses moving forward, that these measures have 0:12:58.232 --> 0:13:00.842 to be taken and just, you know, putting other words 0:13:00.842 --> 0:13:04.052 around how to justify the continuation of these forms of 0:13:04.052 --> 0:13:06.062 practices need to be stamped out. 0:13:06.392 --> 0:13:10.302 And if people want to get in touch with Pueda 0:13:10.442 --> 0:13:14.582 and talk to somebody about their experiences or their feelings 0:13:14.672 --> 0:13:19.202 about the final report and the outcomes from the royal commission, 0:13:19.202 --> 0:13:21.902 what's the best way for people to get in touch 0:13:21.902 --> 0:13:22.502 with you? 0:13:22.682 --> 0:13:25.262 I guess via our email channels, which can be found 0:13:25.262 --> 0:13:28.862 on our website to make contact with the organisation or 0:13:28.862 --> 0:13:31.862 if you need support with individualised advocacy on different issues. 0:13:31.862 --> 0:13:34.082 But the other one, like if you just want to 0:13:34.082 --> 0:13:37.382 sort of discuss struggling with what the report contains or 0:13:37.382 --> 0:13:39.482 a lot of emotions that are sitting with this report 0:13:39.482 --> 0:13:42.452 is that Blue Knot are still offering counselling moving forward 0:13:42.452 --> 0:13:44.942 for people and there are really good service that support 0:13:44.942 --> 0:13:47.852 people with complex trauma and they were involved in the 0:13:47.852 --> 0:13:51.152 commission and supporting people who are giving evidence. So, you know, 0:13:51.152 --> 0:13:54.032 there's always blue not to go to to discuss what 0:13:54.032 --> 0:13:57.062 you're going through or just even debriefing on how you 0:13:57.062 --> 0:13:58.902 feel about the report. But I guess always, you know, 0:13:58.952 --> 0:14:02.072 sort of reach out to via email with your thoughts. 0:14:02.072 --> 0:14:06.032 We will be putting together possibly some surveys moving forward 0:14:06.032 --> 0:14:08.792 to ask people some questions around what are their priorities, 0:14:08.792 --> 0:14:11.732 what do they feel needs to be actioned on quicker 0:14:11.732 --> 0:14:13.382 over others so we can get a sense from the 0:14:13.382 --> 0:14:17.072 community around what it is they want us to be 0:14:17.072 --> 0:14:20.582 advocating for as a priority above other things. So that 0:14:20.582 --> 0:14:22.922 is something that will be coming out further down the 0:14:22.922 --> 0:14:24.872 track once we've had a bit more of a chance 0:14:24.872 --> 0:14:28.262 to really, you know, go over all of the report 0:14:28.262 --> 0:14:31.232 and its recommendations and put something together to engage with 0:14:31.232 --> 0:14:34.232 the community, to get their feelings and thoughts on the commission. 0:14:34.232 --> 0:14:36.062 And where do we move to first? 0:14:36.282 --> 0:14:40.172 Mark Colvin I've been speaking today with Nicole Lee, president 0:14:40.172 --> 0:14:45.992 of People with Disabilities Australia, about the recently published final 0:14:45.992 --> 0:14:51.392 report from the Disability Royal Commission. Nicole, thank you very 0:14:51.392 --> 0:14:53.642 much for your time today. It's great to have a 0:14:53.642 --> 0:14:57.932 chat with you and we very greatly anticipate the findings 0:14:57.932 --> 0:15:02.282 from the Royal Commission and hopefully better outcomes for people 0:15:02.282 --> 0:15:03.632 with disability. 0:15:03.872 --> 0:15:06.212 Thanks for having me on today. And yeah, look, we 0:15:06.212 --> 0:15:08.342 just keep moving forward as a community and we keep 0:15:08.342 --> 0:15:10.772 doing what we're doing and this report just gives us 0:15:10.772 --> 0:15:13.502 more evidence to push back on the things that we've 0:15:13.502 --> 0:15:15.602 had to tolerate and put up with for far too 0:15:15.602 --> 0:15:17.762 long in our lives. So I think there's a lot 0:15:17.762 --> 0:15:20.642 of things that are going to change moving forward. 0:15:27.862 --> 0:15:31.252 I'm Sam Kiley, and you're listening to Talking Vision on 0:15:31.252 --> 0:15:36.442 Vision Australia radio associated stations of RPI and the Community 0:15:36.442 --> 0:15:41.212 Radio Network. I hope you enjoyed that conversation there with 0:15:41.212 --> 0:15:46.012 Nicole Lee from People with Disability Australia, all about the 0:15:46.012 --> 0:15:51.712 recent final report from the Disability Royal Commission. And now 0:15:51.712 --> 0:15:54.412 here's Stella Glory with Rebecca Kent. 0:15:54.712 --> 0:15:59.872 Thank you, Sam. Vision Australia Library is currently hosting a 0:15:59.872 --> 0:16:06.232 series around Parenting Stronger Foundations Parent and Carer series. It's 0:16:06.232 --> 0:16:11.712 running through the month of October on Tuesday evenings online. 0:16:11.722 --> 0:16:15.862 The first two sessions have already taken place, but there 0:16:15.862 --> 0:16:19.072 are two more coming up and there are spaces available 0:16:19.072 --> 0:16:21.502 in each one. And to have a chat with me 0:16:21.502 --> 0:16:26.122 about this, I'm speaking with child and family counsellor here 0:16:26.122 --> 0:16:29.452 at Vision Australia. Rebecca Kent, Thanks for your time today. 0:16:29.452 --> 0:16:32.062 Rebecca Thanks for having me, Stella. 0:16:32.092 --> 0:16:35.632 So the big question is what does the child and 0:16:35.632 --> 0:16:39.832 family counsellor do, and especially one that works here at 0:16:39.832 --> 0:16:41.152 Vision Australia? 0:16:41.362 --> 0:16:43.232 I was trying to think about how to explain this simply, 0:16:43.232 --> 0:16:45.202 and I guess I'll give you some examples. I work 0:16:45.202 --> 0:16:48.592 with children and families really from birth up until they're 0:16:48.592 --> 0:16:51.382 young adults. For a young child, it might be around 0:16:51.382 --> 0:16:54.502 play skills for transition to school. As they get older, 0:16:54.502 --> 0:16:56.782 we might be looking at what devices they use at 0:16:56.782 --> 0:16:58.972 school to access print and how they're going to talk 0:16:58.972 --> 0:17:01.582 about those devices with their peers and maybe even with 0:17:01.582 --> 0:17:03.862 the adults around them so that they're getting their needs 0:17:03.862 --> 0:17:07.162 met as we go through really figuring out their interests, 0:17:07.162 --> 0:17:10.192 helping them to identify their strengths, looking at what the 0:17:10.192 --> 0:17:12.802 future is going to look like, which might be really practical, 0:17:12.802 --> 0:17:15.952 helping them to build resumes and practice interview skills for 0:17:15.952 --> 0:17:19.252 their dream job. And then along the way, through all 0:17:19.252 --> 0:17:21.742 of that, we're looking at building their practical and emotional 0:17:21.742 --> 0:17:24.622 coping skills to get through any barriers or difficulties that 0:17:24.622 --> 0:17:25.372 might come up. 0:17:25.552 --> 0:17:29.902 And are they specific needs and wants, like obviously in 0:17:29.902 --> 0:17:32.872 a practical sense for children who are blind or have 0:17:32.872 --> 0:17:36.292 low vision compared to other children who may not be? 0:17:37.432 --> 0:17:40.852 Well, that's an interesting and complex question that can so 0:17:40.852 --> 0:17:43.612 often depend on what the nature of the child's vision 0:17:43.612 --> 0:17:47.272 impairment is, what ability they've had to pick up skills 0:17:47.272 --> 0:17:50.632 along the way with their sighted peers. Sometimes there's not 0:17:50.632 --> 0:17:53.332 a huge difference. Sometimes they're getting along, doing the things 0:17:53.332 --> 0:17:55.792 that all their peers are doing quite easily, quite happily. 0:17:55.972 --> 0:18:00.022 Other times, the vision impairment can pose some barriers and difficulties. 0:18:00.022 --> 0:18:02.392 But really what the work is there is just to 0:18:02.392 --> 0:18:05.152 help them to pick up the extra skills or strategies 0:18:05.152 --> 0:18:06.592 to help get them over the line. 0:18:06.742 --> 0:18:10.282 And one of the skills and strategies is the Stronger 0:18:10.282 --> 0:18:13.942 Foundations Parent and Carer series. Can you give us an 0:18:13.942 --> 0:18:15.922 overview of the series? 0:18:16.102 --> 0:18:19.582 Absolutely. I guess I wanted to start though, by acknowledging 0:18:19.582 --> 0:18:21.532 the library and the work that they've done to put 0:18:21.532 --> 0:18:24.592 this series together, and I guess I'm learning more and 0:18:24.592 --> 0:18:27.472 more in my professional and personal life that libraries aren't 0:18:27.472 --> 0:18:29.602 just about books, although I do love Oh yes. 0:18:29.602 --> 0:18:32.422 I was going to say, let's let's put a, you know, 0:18:32.422 --> 0:18:35.182 like caveat around that. Books are fantastic. 0:18:35.872 --> 0:18:38.122 And that is usually what draws me in. But then 0:18:38.122 --> 0:18:41.272 I've really discovered they're such a vital community hub, both 0:18:41.272 --> 0:18:44.902 physical libraries and online libraries like ours. And through their 0:18:44.902 --> 0:18:48.742 various funding sources, they create really innovative opportunities to connect 0:18:48.742 --> 0:18:52.342 their members with information, resources and support. So when they 0:18:52.342 --> 0:18:54.352 came to us with this idea of putting on a 0:18:54.352 --> 0:18:57.322 series of webinars for parents, it was just such a 0:18:57.322 --> 0:19:01.882 great opportunity and they've got such great skills in connecting people. 0:19:01.882 --> 0:19:05.032 It was amazing to work with them. So it started 0:19:05.032 --> 0:19:07.072 off with them coming to the children and young people 0:19:07.072 --> 0:19:09.622 team asking What do parents want to know about? And 0:19:09.622 --> 0:19:11.902 we did some brainstorming to come up with what our 0:19:11.902 --> 0:19:14.482 topics are. As you mentioned, we've had a couple of 0:19:14.482 --> 0:19:18.202 speakers already, Dr. Justin Coulson and Layla Stone, who both 0:19:18.202 --> 0:19:22.432 have a really strong interest in building resilience in children 0:19:22.432 --> 0:19:25.792 and in families because both of those sides are so important. 0:19:25.792 --> 0:19:27.592 So they've been able to speak to us about the 0:19:27.592 --> 0:19:30.142 kinds of day to day strategies that you can use 0:19:30.142 --> 0:19:32.392 to help your child to thrive, to help them to 0:19:32.392 --> 0:19:35.272 develop self-confidence, to help them to be their own best 0:19:35.272 --> 0:19:38.122 self advocate. And then we hope through the next couple 0:19:38.122 --> 0:19:41.782 of sessions to continue building that theme of resilience. In 0:19:41.782 --> 0:19:44.482 our next session, we're going to be speaking with the 0:19:44.482 --> 0:19:48.292 CEO of Siblings Australia and she's going to be speaking 0:19:48.292 --> 0:19:50.662 to us about, you know, working with the siblings of 0:19:50.662 --> 0:19:54.502 children with disabilities. They have their own unique experience in 0:19:54.502 --> 0:19:58.852 a family of what it means to be resilient and 0:19:58.852 --> 0:20:01.642 to experience hardship. So she's going to talk to us 0:20:01.642 --> 0:20:05.452 about how to enhance family relationships and to really embrace 0:20:05.452 --> 0:20:09.862 the importance of supporting siblings in particular. So that is 0:20:09.862 --> 0:20:14.512 session three. And then in session for myself and my colleagues, 0:20:14.512 --> 0:20:17.872 Vicki and Julie, we'll be talking self-care for parents because 0:20:17.872 --> 0:20:20.812 obviously the leaders in the family and we want them 0:20:20.812 --> 0:20:23.242 to have really great skills to look after themselves so 0:20:23.242 --> 0:20:26.472 they can be in the best position to support their family. The. 0:20:26.492 --> 0:20:28.022 People who are closest to them. 0:20:28.322 --> 0:20:31.532 What is self-care and what does it look like? 0:20:31.952 --> 0:20:34.772 Again, you asked such great questions, Stella, because the first 0:20:34.772 --> 0:20:37.892 thing is, what is it? I think there can sometimes 0:20:37.892 --> 0:20:41.132 be a feeling that self-care is selfish or that it 0:20:41.132 --> 0:20:43.922 takes a long time, or that it takes you away 0:20:43.922 --> 0:20:46.502 from the things in your life that matter or that 0:20:46.502 --> 0:20:50.282 your family. But really, self-care is about finding some time 0:20:50.282 --> 0:20:52.742 to prioritize yourself, and it doesn't need to be in 0:20:52.742 --> 0:20:55.292 big ways. It can be in really little ways as well. 0:20:55.292 --> 0:20:58.052 And so we're going to talk about really some practical 0:20:58.052 --> 0:21:01.652 ways to build self-care into your everyday life. I'm hoping 0:21:01.652 --> 0:21:03.392 it's going to be a fun session because we're really 0:21:03.392 --> 0:21:04.892 just going to have a chat, the three of us, 0:21:04.892 --> 0:21:08.282 about the different domains of self-care and the different areas 0:21:08.282 --> 0:21:10.442 in your life where you can bring in some self-care 0:21:10.442 --> 0:21:13.982 and share our personal reflections as well as the stories 0:21:13.982 --> 0:21:16.622 of our clients and what's worked for them. So we're 0:21:16.622 --> 0:21:19.352 hoping in that session you'll be able to identify when 0:21:19.352 --> 0:21:22.442 you come along the things that you might already be doing, 0:21:22.442 --> 0:21:26.192 and sometimes naming something self-care can just give it a 0:21:26.192 --> 0:21:29.372 little bit of a polish. Make sure you appreciate the 0:21:29.372 --> 0:21:32.282 moments that you do have. Again, don't want to give 0:21:32.282 --> 0:21:34.172 away too much, but one of the ones I share 0:21:34.172 --> 0:21:35.792 is I love to take a cup of coffee around 0:21:35.792 --> 0:21:39.002 with me while I'm doing the shopping and that just 0:21:39.002 --> 0:21:41.282 being able to name that self-care, right? 0:21:41.282 --> 0:21:43.262 It's got a lid on it, of course, because I 0:21:43.262 --> 0:21:45.332 just had an image of you walking around with a 0:21:45.332 --> 0:21:47.762 mug in your hand. I thought, How did you do that? No. 0:21:48.092 --> 0:21:51.332 They have trolleys with the cup holders, right? So if 0:21:51.332 --> 0:21:53.432 I can tell myself that that is a moment that 0:21:53.432 --> 0:21:56.612 I'm taking for me something special that I'm doing for me, 0:21:56.612 --> 0:21:59.312 it stops it just being something I take for granted 0:21:59.312 --> 0:22:02.942 and becomes a self-care routine for me. And so that's 0:22:02.942 --> 0:22:04.922 what we first want to do, is to recognize the 0:22:04.922 --> 0:22:07.922 things you might already be doing and just name them 0:22:07.922 --> 0:22:10.502 and appreciate them for what they are. But then we 0:22:10.502 --> 0:22:12.842 also want to look at opportunities to grow that area 0:22:12.842 --> 0:22:15.782 of your life where you're looking after yourself. And it 0:22:15.782 --> 0:22:18.632 might mean bringing in some really little things like that. 0:22:18.632 --> 0:22:21.092 Or maybe you identify that you do need some bigger 0:22:21.092 --> 0:22:24.632 things in your life, some focus, something that you appreciate 0:22:24.632 --> 0:22:27.272 and value outside of the day to day, outside of 0:22:27.272 --> 0:22:30.512 the things that you regularly do. So it's pretty individual 0:22:30.512 --> 0:22:32.282 and we hope to give you lots of food for 0:22:32.282 --> 0:22:35.702 thought so that parents coming along can identify what matters 0:22:35.702 --> 0:22:36.272 to them. 0:22:36.572 --> 0:22:41.072 Why would a parent and I'm particularly thinking about mothers here, 0:22:41.072 --> 0:22:44.522 but I don't want to be too biased. Why is 0:22:44.522 --> 0:22:47.822 it important? What what how does it benefit the parent 0:22:47.822 --> 0:22:51.782 and the parenting and the family to take a moment 0:22:51.782 --> 0:22:52.922 for self-care? 0:22:54.002 --> 0:22:55.892 Now, it was Julie who said it best, so I'm 0:22:55.892 --> 0:22:58.442 going to let you know this is from her. She 0:22:58.442 --> 0:23:01.472 made the comment that through good self-care, the people you 0:23:01.472 --> 0:23:04.412 care about will get the best of you, not just 0:23:04.412 --> 0:23:08.102 what's left of you. And that really resonated with me 0:23:08.102 --> 0:23:10.772 as a mother myself, that it can be very easy 0:23:10.772 --> 0:23:13.442 to go through the motions of the day and get 0:23:13.442 --> 0:23:17.762 frustrated at times and feel like you're spent and really 0:23:17.762 --> 0:23:20.372 at those times, are our family getting the best of 0:23:20.372 --> 0:23:23.612 us and are we enjoying our family life? So by 0:23:23.612 --> 0:23:27.032 taking those moments out to spend some time on yourself, 0:23:27.032 --> 0:23:30.212 to feel good about who you are, what you're doing, 0:23:30.212 --> 0:23:32.762 and what your purpose is in life, you can be 0:23:32.762 --> 0:23:36.302 reinvigorated going back into family life, whether it's just hanging 0:23:36.302 --> 0:23:38.432 out with the kids while they do their homework or 0:23:38.432 --> 0:23:42.902 getting dinner ready, bringing some vitality back into family life. 0:23:43.052 --> 0:23:45.362 I think that starts with looking after yourself. So you've 0:23:45.362 --> 0:23:47.342 got space to enjoy. The other thing. 0:23:48.182 --> 0:23:53.012 Now, why do parents need this type of advice or recommendation? 0:23:53.012 --> 0:23:55.352 You know, are they not doing a good enough job 0:23:55.352 --> 0:23:58.772 as it is, you know, or or or like there 0:23:58.772 --> 0:24:01.502 would be a generation of parents that were told like, 0:24:01.502 --> 0:24:03.812 shouldn't parenting be intuitive? 0:24:04.442 --> 0:24:04.832 Oh, my. 0:24:04.832 --> 0:24:07.712 Goodness. Yes, we should we should do everything well. We 0:24:07.712 --> 0:24:10.922 should be balanced. We should have it all. Um, you're 0:24:10.922 --> 0:24:13.892 absolutely right, Stella. Why would we need help with this? Well, 0:24:13.892 --> 0:24:16.352 I can only speak for myself that say, as I 0:24:16.352 --> 0:24:19.142 do get frustrated sometimes I do sometimes find, like, I'm 0:24:19.142 --> 0:24:22.322 in the grind. I think it's good to get a polish. 0:24:22.322 --> 0:24:24.362 I think it's good to take a moment and ask 0:24:24.362 --> 0:24:28.352 yourself some questions. Am I enjoying my family life? Do 0:24:28.352 --> 0:24:31.232 I feel like I have things that invigorate me and 0:24:31.232 --> 0:24:34.622 help me get through the bad times if it's just 0:24:34.622 --> 0:24:37.082 to come along and see if be able to jot 0:24:37.082 --> 0:24:40.022 down the things you're doing? Well, absolutely. Come join us. 0:24:40.022 --> 0:24:41.942 But then there might be times where you might feel 0:24:41.942 --> 0:24:43.982 like he's struggling. Well, then hopefully we'll be able to 0:24:43.982 --> 0:24:46.382 give you some ideas to feel like you're getting back 0:24:46.382 --> 0:24:46.892 on track. 0:24:46.892 --> 0:24:51.182 So it's definitely not about telling. Parents had a parent. 0:24:51.602 --> 0:24:54.482 Not at all, Stella But think it's good to call 0:24:54.482 --> 0:24:57.152 that out. We definitely and that's kind of where go 0:24:57.152 --> 0:25:00.422 back to it being individualized is across the all four 0:25:00.422 --> 0:25:03.692 sessions really. It's about sharing ideas. It's about us giving 0:25:03.692 --> 0:25:05.882 you the best of what we've got from the research, 0:25:05.882 --> 0:25:09.092 from our experiences and the experiences of families we work 0:25:09.092 --> 0:25:12.722 with to get you asking yourself some questions and figuring 0:25:12.722 --> 0:25:14.012 out what works for you. 0:25:14.612 --> 0:25:20.342 So these sessions are called Stronger Foundations Parent and Carer series. 0:25:20.342 --> 0:25:25.592 They're currently taking place throughout the month of October. Session 0:25:25.592 --> 0:25:28.652 number two Navigate. Big feelings. I feel like that could 0:25:28.652 --> 0:25:32.042 be an adult one too, like all these big feelings 0:25:32.042 --> 0:25:36.242 that we get. But that's for the kids, obviously. So 0:25:36.242 --> 0:25:41.612 the next two, as you said, one Tuesday, October 17th, 0:25:41.612 --> 0:25:48.032 and then Tuesday, October 24th, 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. 0:25:48.032 --> 0:25:50.852 So the kids should be in bed by then Australian 0:25:50.852 --> 0:25:56.222 Eastern Daylight Time online. For more information, you can contact 0:25:56.222 --> 0:26:01.982 the Vision Australia Library or head to our website Vision australia.org. 0:26:01.982 --> 0:26:07.022 That's Vision australia.org. And I've been speaking to Rebecca Kent 0:26:07.022 --> 0:26:10.882 who is child and family counsellor here at Vision Australia. 0:26:10.892 --> 0:26:12.512 Thanks so much for your time today. 0:26:12.512 --> 0:26:14.462 Rebecca Thanks very much, Stella. 0:26:21.882 --> 0:26:25.212 And that's all we have time for today. You've been 0:26:25.212 --> 0:26:29.532 listening to Talking Vision. Talking Vision is a production of 0:26:29.532 --> 0:26:33.552 Vision Australia Radio. Thanks to all involved with putting the 0:26:33.552 --> 0:26:37.392 show together. And remember, we love your feedback and comments, 0:26:37.392 --> 0:26:41.022 so please do get in touch on Talking vision at 0:26:41.022 --> 0:26:47.822 Vision australia.org. That's talking vision all one word at Vision australia.org. 0:26:47.832 --> 0:26:51.852 But until next week it's Sam Colley saying bye for now. 0:26:55.472 --> 0:26:59.462 You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during 0:26:59.462 --> 0:27:08.342 business hours on one 308 4746. That's one 308 4746 0:27:08.342 --> 0:27:13.652 or by visiting Vision australia.org that's Vision australia.org.