December's Newsletter

Thanks so much for showing your interest and commitment to seeking better futures for people with a disability who are ageing. 

Throughout 2010 The Futures Alliance has been actively working to influence policy and practice in a variety of ways including:

• Producing a “Blue Print” on Ageing with a Disability
• Appearing before the NSW Legislative Council Inquiry into Services provided or Funded by ADHC (go to the following link and type in Futures Alliance: http://tiny.cc/1ri1n) 
• Making a submission to the Productivity Commission Inquiry into a National Disability Care and Support Scheme 
• Making a submission to Productivity Commission Inquiry into Care and support of Older Australians 
• Making a submission to the Senate Inquiry into Planning Options and Services for people ageing with a disability
• Presenting papers at the National Disability Services conference and Australasian Association of Gerontology conference
• Holding a forum on Ageing with a Disability in partnership with Centre for Disability Studies

Prior to Christmas, the Futures Alliance will be:

• Meeting with Jan McLucas, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities
• Meeting with Andrew Constance, NSW Shadow Minister for Disabilities
• Appearing before the Senate Inquiry into Planning options and services for people ageing with a disability
• Reviewing our Strategic Plan outcomes and developing our agenda for 2011

Our 2011 Priorities will include:

• Producing a position paper on the disaggregation of HACC
• Holding another forum on Ageing with a Disability
• Continuing to develop our e communication strategies including Blog and Facebook platforms
• Many other strategies and activities to promote the interests of people with a disability who are ageing.

We will be taking a break from mid December to February however we’ll let you know via our Blog if there is any breaking news to report.

Have a happy and safe festive season and we look forward to our association with you in 2011.

Warm Regards

Jo-Anne Hewitt,

Chairperson on behalf of the Futures Alliance

futuresalliance@gmail.com

Subscribe to the Futures Alliance

We are currently seeking to open subscriptions to the Futures Alliance to service providers, academics, people with disabilities, carers and any other interested people.

Subscription to the Futures Alliance will not cost you anything but will give you:

• Regular updates via email or mail including information, research and policy work undertaken by The Futures Alliance

• Invitations to forums and workshops hosted by the Futures Alliance

• An opportunity to contribute to the thinking, planning and advocacy work of the Alliance

To join send your details to futuresalliance@gmail.com

Welcome to the Futures Alliance Blog

What is the Futures Alliance?

The Futures Alliance is a cooperative of community representatives with a single focus on removing boundaries and maximising community resources to deliver improved options for people with a disability who are ageing.

We also seek to:

1. To promote and raise awareness of the existence, needs and experiences of people with a disability who are ageing – we want be able to tell people’s stories to the decision makers.

2. To promote qualitative and quantitative research and study on the current lifestyle and living conditions for people with a disability who are ageing – we want to be able to promote debate and disseminate information about the good things and not so good things that are happening in people’s lives.

3. To help identify the concerns of ageing people with a disability and their families and to highlight their suggestions for key practical measures which they would like to see taken – we want to consult in a genuine and informed way. Consultation means giving accurate and timely feedback.

4. To research and provide information on current and best practices of support to ageing people with a disability – we want to have a clear picture of the best options currently available and to share this knowledge.

5. To determine the style(s) and model(s) of support that can achieve a person centred approach to people with a disability who are ageing – we want to understand what might work best for people.

6. To identify existing mechanisms, including funding mechanisms, which enable good practice and any obstacles/barriers to achieving positive outcomes- we want to let the decision makers know of the possibilities, the urgency and the importance of action.

7. To initiate strategies for delivering improved services and to advocate for pilot programs/service and support changes to be introduced – we want to follow through and achieve concrete changes for people.

8. The Futures Alliance is all about effective partnerships, effective solutions and effective outcomes to deliver self directed and person centred support for ageing people with a disability.

Our activities and objectives are in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Representation includes people with a disability, parent, aged care providers, disability care providers and academics.