Last week saw TASC CEO, Frances Klaassen OAM and Social Justice Services Manager Gail Reardon travel to the Wide Bay region to catch up with our advocates and network with other organisations in the sector.
While in Gympie they also inspected possible office spaces for TASC’s Social Justice advocate for the area, Alicia Hawkins.
Stopping by TASC’s Bundaberg office also gave them the opportunity for an in person catch up with Nakayla Murnane who joined the TASC team in December.
Frances and Gail also stopped in at Hervey Bay to connect with other people in the community sector.
The Wide Bay region is an important and growing part of TASC’s Social Justice Advocacy network.
TASC’s disability advocacy and social justice service is free and helps people in parts of regional southern Queensland stand up for their human rights. If you need advocacy help, contact TASC on 07 4616 9700 or visit tascnational.org.au.
The Queensland Government has declared 2023 the Year of Accessible Tourism to make sure our state is a destination for everyone, including people of all abilities and to change the perception of what it means to be an accessible tourism business.
One of these initiatives is a new accessible tourism online toolkit delivered by Get Skilled Access and TravAbility on behalf of the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport and now available on the DTIS website for tourism operators to help the industry welcome travellers of all abilities to participate in Queensland’s incredible tourism experiences.
Our TASC Team welcome this and other initiatives that allow people of all abilities to enjoy the same experiences as everyone else. Whether you are seeking more accessibility or are a tourism business embracing accessibility, find out more about what the Year of Accessible Tourism means for you – https://bit.ly/3iQvQ4w
And, if you are a person with a disability, or know somebody who is living with a disability, and are looking for advocacy support, then call TASC on 07 4616 9700 or visit www.tascnational.org.au find out more.
If you receive a call from a number you are not familiar with do NOT provide the person on the phone with any PERSONAL INFORMATION including your social security number, bank information, etc. Sometimes the callers will make it sound like they already have all of this information or like they know you, but you still do NOT want to confirm anything with them. If you are unsure, tell them you will call them back and call a family member, friend or the police department to ask what you should do.
If you live in or around Toowoomba, Ipswich or Western Downs we may be able to help you with you with free legal advice and information or referrals or other services near you. Call 07 4616 9700.
So long holidays, hello back to school. The academic year kicks off next week.
Posting a photo on the first day of school is a tradition for many Queensland families, but it may be putting kids at risk. Queensland Police are warning families sharing photos on social media can give away sensitive information. A single photo can enable predators to discover personal information like names and locations, putting children at risk.
They are also asking drivers to slow it down in school zones and keep an eye out for more cyclists and pedestrians.
Have a great and safe start to your school year, everyone!
As people age, the autonomy and independence they enjoyed earlier in their lives is often denied by the negative, ageist attitudes of those who believe older women and men are unable to make their own decisions, or disregard those choices when they do. It prevents older people from making important decisions about their finances, employment, living arrangements, family life and participation in community life. This situation has been detected throughout societies – from governments and local authorities, to local leaders and family members
Everyone should have the opportunity to make decisions about the care and services they receive and the risks they are willing to take.– especially our senior populations. While aging can sometimes make independent living difficult, small supports, such as home wellness solutions and home-delivered meals, can help seniors maintain independence in their own homes.
Loss of independence can be discouraging to older adults. They have spent their entire lives living independently, working jobs, raising families, and making decisions. The natural effects of aging can sometimes make independent living harder than it once was. Difficulties with mobility, behavioural health conditions such as isolation and loneliness, and financial strains are just some of the contributors to a loss of independence in aging adults.
While we cannot avoid some barriers to independence, we can take the time to understand the importance of independence in seniors and look for ways to increase opportunities for independent living. Some of the benefits of older people making decisions about the care and services they receive and the risks they are willing to take are: feeling like an individual, maintaining balance and strength, it gives them sense of purpose, it aids with memory skill, it gives them sense of control and it helps them to develop positive relationships.
If you or somebody you know is experiencing elder abuse, and live in or around Toowoomba our Seniors Legal and Support Service (SLASS) may be able to help you with you with free legal advice and information or referrals or other services near you. Call 07 4616 9700 or go to HERE to find out more.
The National Reconciliation Week’s theme for 2022 is ‘Be Brave. Make Change’. This is a call for all Australian to be brave in their daily lives and to tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so all Australians can benefit through an equal and united front.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture is one of the oldest continuing cultures and has thrived on this land for over 80 000 years. These communities deserve to have access to the same opportunities. However, they still experience racism, prejudice, and gaps in health, justice, education and employment. National unity will only be possible if we are brave and bold enough to call this out wherever we find it.
TASC is funded by the Queensland Government to deliver the Seniors Legal and Support Service (SLASS). This free service is available to anyone aged over 60 years and First Nations people aged over 50 years.
If you live in or around Toowoomba or Ipswich , simply visit https://www.tascnational.org.au/services/ or call 07 4616 9700 for a confidential discussion with one of our SLASS team.
According to Cancer Council Australia, almost seven in 10 Australians will survive for at least five years after a cancer diagnosis and in some cancers, the survival is as high as 90%. These success stories are only possible through continued support or donors. As an active member of our Community, TASC National hosted a staff morning tea and raised over $500 towards a good cause. Thank you to everyone that contributed to the morning tea and donated money. Your efforts are acknowledged and greatly appreciated.
