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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-11-23 Daily Xml
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DISABILITY SECTOR AWARDS

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:04): My question is to the Minister for Disabilities. Can the minister advise the council of the 2011 National Disability Services South Australian Disability Sector Awards held on 18 November this year?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (15:05): I thank the honourable member for his excellent question and his wonderful rendition.

The Hon. D.G.E. Hood interjecting:

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Indeed, and his longstanding interest; thank you, Mr Hood. Members will not be surprised to hear that I actually attended those awards, the inaugural National Disability Services South Australian Biennial Disability Sector Awards, last Friday 18 November.

The Hon. R.P. Wortley: I was there.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: I do not actually recall seeing the Hon. Mr Wortley but I am sure that if he says he was there, he was there. However, I do remember seeing the Hon. Kelly Vincent there. She also attended this event, hosted by Minda Incorporated, where we both enjoyed a fabulous high tea catered on-site by residents and staff of Minda. I can tell members that the food was pretty good, and if the Hon. Russell Wortley was there he would know that. I think the Hon. Kelly Vincent probably scoffed one or two more cakes than I did—

The Hon. K.L. Vincent: Excuse me!

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Well, perhaps not. National Disability Services is the national industry association for non-government disability services. NDS represents approximately 700 non-government organisations and provides services for Australians with all types of disability. This is the first time the NDS has held these biennial awards, and I was honoured to present the 2011 Innovation Practice Award to Autism SA for its iModelling project. As these things seem to, they have been going to very high-tech devices, with iPads and iPhones—and the Hon. Ms Vincent would know more about that than I ever will.

The iModelling project harnesses the latest technologies to help children with autism spectrum disorders develop better social and communication skills. The program is offered to children aged eight to 15, with parents also attending the video modelling sessions. The iModelling project began in 2008 and is constantly evolving. For example, this year Autism SA developed an easy to use (so they say) modelling app, allowing children to use iPads to video and edit their own footage. This app is available to purchase online and will be particularly useful for families in regional SA.

Research has shown that the children who participate in this program not only learn new communication skills but maintain crucial social skills at a rate that is significantly higher than the more traditional development programs of the past. When asked to provide feedback on this program, one parent responded:

He [referring to their child] seems to deal with strangers better. He will stop and say hello to people that we know, he is also more interactive with his father, and more confident in his general interactions.

Another parent remarked:

Her communication skills have improved. She has made friends at school this year for the first time. Before the group she didn't know how to do this.

This is an exciting program that reflects the direction we are heading in disability services. It makes good sense to utilise cutting-edge technology, such as iPads and apps, to empower and support clients and their families—indeed, they have even threatened to get me one.

The Hon. G.E. Gago: And train you.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: Well, I am resisting. I congratulate Autism SA for its innovative program, one that is delivering impressive results. It really was inspiring to hear of the work being done across the disability support sector, and in particular the use of state-of-the-art sustainable technologies to significantly improve the lives of people with a disability. Congratulations must also go to the NDS state manager Noelene Wadham and her team for organising the awards ceremony, and to Jon Martin from Autism SA for emceeing the afternoon with great humour. Not only did he ask for a top-up of his salary, he also asked for a top-up of his grant funding. He never misses an opportunity to put a word in the minister's ear.

I look forward to attending the next NDS award ceremony in 2013. Surely the Hon. Kelly Vincent will be there, and I will even invite the Hon. Mr Wortley to attend as well.

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