MSWA Bulletin Magazine Spring 2021

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
INCLUSION FOR ALL
“Medicine adds days to life, occupational therapy adds life to days” - Madeleine Horton,
National OT Morning Team, OT Week 2019
Monday, 25 October marked
Occupational Therapy (OT)
Week where we came together
to celebrate the profession of
Occupational Therapy and promote
the many ways OTs help all people
of all abilities to reach their potential.
This year’s theme was participation,
inclusion and independence,
putting a spotlight on the role that
OTs play in supporting people to do
activities that they find meaningful.
Occupational Therapists at MSWA
are passionate about helping
our Clients reach their potential
through their participation within
the community. Whether it is
getting out of bed, continuing your
hobby or interests, or just going
to the shops or to the beach – we
are always journeying with you
to empower you to reach your
goals and full potential. We do this
through assessments, navigation
of funding, provision of equipment,
and assistive technology and
education around strategies and
skill development. It is our hope that
through our work with you, we can
continue to promote independence
in your life and increase your
meaningful participation within the
community.
Ros Harman’s article in the last
Bulletin about imagining a world
that was designed for people with
disability resonated with those of us
in the OT team. OTs are privileged
to be able to work with Clients to
advocate for change within the
community and to continually
promote participation, inclusion
and independence within our
communities.
While we continually work
towards that goal as a community,
there are several initiatives and
organisations which seek to bridge
the gap between disability and the
community to enable higher levels
of access into community life. These
are some of them:
COMPANION CARD
The Companion Card is a national
scheme that enables eligible people
with lifelong disability to participate
at venues and activities without
incurring the cost of a second ticket
for their companion for participating
affiliate organisations. These can
include concerts, sporting events,
movies, and performing arts. Learn
more about the Companion Card at
wacompanioncard.org.au
CHANGING PLACES
‘Changing Places, Transforming
Lives’ is the theme of this
organisation. They aim to provide
suitable facilities for people who
cannot use standard accessible
toilets and go above and beyond
to provide toilets that have ceiling
hoists, additional circulation space,
privacy screens and adult sized
change tables to meet the needs
of people with complex disabilities
and their carers. To access these
toilets and for their locations,
an MLAK key can be applied for
through changingplaces.org.au.
DISABILITY GATEWAY
Disability Gateway is a new
government initiative which is
designed to help people with
disability, their families and carers
find information and connect
them to services and supports
that they need in Australia. It has
a website, disabilitygateway.gov.au,
a phone line (1800 643 787) and
a Facebook page and covers all
areas of life including: Income and
Finance, Employment, Aids and
Equipment, Housing, Transport,
Health and Wellbeing, Everyday
Living, Education, Leisure, and
Legal Rights.
CRYSTAL CHAN
MSWA OCCUPATIONAL
THERAPY MANAGER
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