The Disability Support Worker Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – /Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Chapter 4 Empowering people with disabilities

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – /Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Aims of empowerment and advocacy  Universal access to public places and buildings  Maximum mobility  Options in terms of being able to do what you want, when you want to do it with a minimal reliance on other people  Self reliance

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – /Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Aims of empowerment and advocacy  Inclusive opportunities  Opportunities for spontaneity without the need for excessive planning in terms of logistical support  Opportunity for inclusive pathways through education, training and employment  Gaining a valued role in one’s community

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – /Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Identifying options for action on relevant issues  Should occur as an integral part of person- centred planning which should reflect the issues and goals that are important to the individual  Person-centred planning is based on the rights of the individual under the Commonwealth Disability Act to participate in their future planning

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – /Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Identifying options for action on relevant issues Should be based on the principles of:  Active support by you as the carer  Basic principles of lobbying in terms of advocating change  The rights of people with disability to contribute and to be heard  Self-advocacy and Social justice

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – /Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Victorian State Disability Plan provides clear guidance for people with a disability

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – /Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Victorian State Disability Plan

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – /Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Listening and acting on preferred options The following should characterise your active listening skills to assist individual’s on their preferred options  Concentrate completely on what is being said  Look at the person, maintain eye contact and show that there is an interest in what the other person is saying  Be quiet and do not interrupt or talk over the person talking  Work out the main message and be prepared to repeat back aspects of the message in order to demonstrate to the sender that you are actively listening  Open your mind to what the person is saying and provide feedback to indicate that you have received the message and do understand what has been said  Remain calm and in control, and show empathy for the other person who is speaking

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – /Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Strategies to foster independence  Role modelling  Education and Training  Development of Self-advocacy skills  Provision of information to support views  Connecting individual’s with lobbyists and people with appropriate expertise

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – /Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Encouraging colleagues to promote independence Based on the following features of a strengths-based practice:  Supporting individuals to gain valued roles in their communities  Positive attitudes about capacities and rights  Ability for individuals to be their own agents of change  Enabling individuals to control and direct the process of change  Identifying and mobilising strengths and capacities  Providing required resources  Acknowledging and addressing power imbalances  Overcoming barriers to independence

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – /Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Contributing to review of policy and legislation by:  Encouraging individual’s to express views in areas including Negative attitudes in the community. Services not currently providing person centred and individualised supports Insufficient services or funding for public infrastructure and support services such as public transport. Access issues involving steps, buses, light switches, universally accessible toilets, footpaths, kerbs and seating. Insufficient access in shops and workplaces for people with a disability  Encouraging reporting on non compliance under the Disability Discrimination Act

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – /Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Providing feedback  Governments at the State and Commonwealth level expect that organisations receiving funding should promote feedback to evaluate services  State Governments are responsible for ensuring quality standards in the delivery of disability services  State Governments normally provide guidance on minimum standards on the delivery of services

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – /Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Working with team members to research and contribute to policies There are a number of ways in which you can make a contribution including:  'Speaking up' at staff meetings and on committees  Writing reports and one-on-one meetings with a supervisor  Making telephone calls and sending s  Undertaking actual research projects to produce new knowledge