Most people who are looking for information about services and supports would agree that there is much to gain when government and community work together.

For people with disability who live in the ACT, the idea for such a partnership has become a reality with the establishment of a new venture called the DISH@oatley.

The DISH, Disability Information and Support Hub is a unique collaboration between Belconnen Community Services, Woden Community Services, House with No Steps and the ACT Government through Disability ACT.

“We have been dreaming and talking about the potential for something like this in the disability sector for quite a while, said Dira Horne, chief executive officer of Belconnen Community Services, one of the partners in the venture.

“It’s a fantastic that we have been able to turn an idea and a commitment into a tangible entity that will genuinely assist people with disability in Canberra.”

The DISH@Oatley brings together shared expertise, skills and knowledge and a consolidation of resources into one accessible space in Belconnen.

“This is more than just sharing our resources. It is a new way of working.

“Each of the partners share a vision in the way they work. This is, to strengthen the capacity of people with disability, their families and carers to maximise their control over their own lives.

“Providing people with the tools, strategies and the information that suits their circumstance, are vital when working with people with disability. This is what can assist them in achieving the best life they can.”

“At The DISH@Oatley, we work with people with disability so that they ‘know what they need to know’, to work towards their goals.

“This is particularly important at key transition points in their lives, such as young people who are leaving school, or away from their family home”.

“It was this kind of thinking that brought together like-minded organisations to set up the exciting concept, which has evolved into The Dish@Oatley”, said Dira.

“We believe that people with disability, their family, carers and friends want to know what’s available and how they can access it, and that’s what The DISH can do.”

So what’s on the menu at The DISH?

Local knowledge: Provided through Local Area Coordination, or LAC as people in the disability sector refer to it. This service assists people with disability to develop the tools to self manage and self advocate, and works with families and individuals. LAC also has a role in community development, linking people to local informal and formal supports and services.

Planning for the future: Staff at The DISH can work with people with disability using a range of planning tools such as PATH (Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope), MAP (Making Action Plans), Essential Lifestyle Plans and Person Centred Reviews to identify hopes and aspirations and turn these into real and possible futures.

Leaving school: Is an important step for most young people, and for young people with disability finding the right information and support is a critical part of moving into adulthood.

The Transition Service for School Leavers is for young people leaving school or getting ready to leave but who are not ready to go on to employment or further study. The aim is to assist young people and their families to plan and prepare for a meaningful life after school.

There is also a phone-based information and referral service to guide people to the range of supports available for people with disability in the ACT.

Many parents need some help with the process of establishing a home for their son or daughter away from the family home, which is where the housing options facilitator come in. Their role is to work with individuals or families to identify what kind of housing is needed, and to plan and establish accommodation and support arrangements.

For a person with disability, having opportunities to participate in all sorts of activities or being able to ink into the community is supported through the work of a community development officer. This service is provided through The DISH

If you would like to find out more about any of the services or supports provided through The DISH please contact 6205 9331.

Click here to download the DISH Opening Invitation (PDF)

With everyone getting into the festive mood, Belconnen Community Service Inc. would love to invite families and individuals in Belconnen to its ever popular Christmas lights tour. Every year hundreds of houses light up the beautiful summer sky in Belconnen with amazing Christmas lights decorations.

The tours will be provided on the BCS community bus, from Tuesday 13th December 2011 till Thursday 15th December 2011 from 7:30pm. Anybody joining the tours will need to be ready for collection from 7:00pm from the Belconnen Community Centre and we plan to have people back home by about 10:30pm. Christmas cake and nibbles will be provided each night.

There is a cost of $5.00 per person this year with a maximum of $20 for a family. For people who would love to join the tours but are experiencing financial difficulties, we can waive the fee.

Registration is important and people are encouraged to book ahead so we can plan each night’s tour. These tours are extremely popular so people will need to come back to us fairly quickly and unfortunately we can only assist Belconnen residents.

For more information about the tours, or to place bookings please contact the Belconnen Community Bus Service on 6251 2100 to register with the service.

According to the United Nations persons with disabilities make up an estimated 15 per cent of the world’s population. Almost one-fifth of the estimated global total of persons living with disabilities, or between 110-190 million, encounter significant difficulties. Furthermore, a quarter of the global population is directly affected by disability, as care-givers or family members.

On Wednesday 23, November 2011 at 1pm at Theatre @ BCS on Swanson Court, Belconnen Community Service (BCS) will celebrate this day with the official opening of Bridges - an art exhibition in support of the International Day of People with a Disability.

Experience shows that when persons with disabilities are empowered to participate and lead the process of development, their entire community benefits, as their involvement creates opportunities for everyone – with or without a disability.

This exhibition was put together by our participants in Bridges; a programme at BCS for people with a disability, older people and carers who are socially isolated or at risk of becoming isolated. It aims to provide support to increase community access so that an individual can connect with their chosen activity/community group.