Category: projectABLE news

My name is Mary Micevska. I’m an employee with ConnectABILITY Australia. ConnectABILITY was established in 1990 when a group of community members and families came together to meet the needs of people with significant disabilities. Today we offer community based resources, facilities and services to people requiring high levels of support.

I started as a Community Support Worker when we were still known as Newcastle Community Access. Over my many years of experience within the disability sector I have enjoyed supporting some of the most marginalized members in our community.

Within our services we are able to provide participants with individualised day programs that address their needs and wants. Some programs include arts and craft, drama, cooking skills, living skills, travel training as well as a variety of other recreational activities. Our services provide access to parts of the community most people take for granted.

Initially I was employed in administration before becoming a community support worker. I started out with a good foundational knowledge of the disability sector. However I have also sought further educational and specialised training opportunities.  This helps me better respond to the growing number of participants requiring support services in the community.

I grew up as a person viewed from the community as a minority. This made me realize early in life how little information and education was available about living with disability. Had my family, school or peers had access to programs, services or information that highlighted the importance of independence and inclusivity, I know it would have improved my quality of life as a young person.

The most rewarding aspect of my job is building a relationship with the participants and having the opportunity to see them succeed in a variety of activities. The services we provide enrich all parties involved, support workers, participants and the wider community.

The least favorable aspect of the work I do is the lack of appropriate funding and resources allocated to meet the needs of the disability community.

My participation in projectABLE has come through ConnectABILITY. High school students become better educated and informed about issues relating to people with disability in our community. Through the program participants with a disability share their stories and break down any antiquated stigmas or barriers between the mainstream and the disabled. We feel valued and empowered after sharing our experiences and try to motivate students to be the voices against discrimination in society.

…..

WANT TO TO PROMOTE INDEPENDENCE AND INCLUSIVITY? START WITH A PROJECT-ABLE WORKSHOP.  CONNECT-ABILITY ARE HOSTING WORKSHOPS THROUGHOUT TERM 3. 

My name is Maria Henao. I am the manager for person centred practice at Woodville Alliance.

What’s Person Centred Practice you ask? It’s about making sure our programs are tailored to the loves, passions and skills of our service users. It’s about the person receiving the services, not the organisation delivering them.  

I look after the operational aspect of Woodville’s day programs. As we work primarily with young adults with an Intellectual Disability our activities are targeted at helping people build their independent living skills; to travel independently, cook independently and handle money independently. These are essential for going on to live more independently, to access work or study.

Woodville was my introduction into the disability sector. I graduated with a Bachelor in Psychology and a keen interest in intellectual disability. I applied for a Program coordinators role and that was where it all began!

During high school I wasn’t too sure what was out there. When we think about disability services we often think, “Oh, there’s only one job there -a support worker.”  Although once I started at Woodville, I was working alongside accountants, psychologists, psychiatrists, speech therapists, physiotherapists.  Disability Services is far more that front-line support – although this is an extremely important role – there are a lot of behind the scenes positions.

That’s one reason I like being part of projectABLE.

I want young people to know there are lots of options out there. You don’t have to settle for one role.What is common across different roles and job descriptions is a passion for people. The difference you get to make in the lives of others is amazing.  It’s extremely rewarding.

A story to illustrate. When I first started I was working with a woman with autism. She also had high levels of social anxiety. She couldn’t go to her mail box. But we don’t focus with what she can’t do, or what she has difficulty with. We ask the questions people don’t usually ask, to gather as much information as we can.

What does she love? Well, she loves numbers. She loves swimming. So we spoke with her family and got her involved in bingo, gave her opportunities to swim. Slowly, over a year and a half we saw her confidence grow. She now has friends and participates in some of our community events.

This is what the sector offers. It’s a place where you watch someone you have assisted dance in a performing arts show, when previously they struggled to leave the house. A place where parents who immigrated to Australia, who lived in refugee camps, tell you your programs have changed their child’s life and that they’ve never been happier.

They say if you love what you do you never work a day in your life.  How can you not love making such amazing differences to the lives of the people you support every day?

…..

WANT TO TO ASK THE QUESTIONS OTHERS DON’T? START WITH A PROJECT-ABLE WORKSHOP. WOODVILLE ALLIANCE ARE HOSTING WORKSHOPS THROUGHOUT TERM 3.