Researchers from Australian Catholic University are testing a new measure to describe how a child uses vision in everyday activities. This measure was initially developed for use with parents of children with cerebral palsy, and researchers are now looking at its usefulness with children with vision impairment. They are seeking:

• parents and caregivers of children with vision impairment up to the age of 6 years (from birth to 5 years 11 months); and
• parents and caregivers of children with cerebral palsy, or at high risk of developing CP, up to the age of 6 years. In this group we need parents and caregivers of children with good visual abilities and poor visual abilities, and everything in-between.

If families choose to participate, they will be asked to complete an online survey. There are some questions about them and their child, and the ‘Measure of Early Vision Use’ (MEVU) to complete. The MEVU consists of 14 questions and should not take more than 10 minutes to answer, however completion of the entire survey may take up to 40 minutes depending on how many sections completed.

The project is now at a second stage where we are hoping to investigate the use of  MEVU on children with vision impairment.  We have approval with the RIDBC Research Committee to advertise the project to RIDBC families, to invite them to participate. The project also has full ethics clearance with the Australian Catholic University and The University of Newcastle Human Research Ethics Committee.

If you are interested please go on to read the Participant Information Sheet.

Participant Information Sheet_v2_20.3.20

Click on the link below to read more:

https://www.afb.org/aw/20/7

https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/calendar/type/access/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Access%20Programs%20Winter&utm_content=Access%20Programs%20Winter+CID_02563b6f0e45bc4912a92099bee22c39&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=All%20upcoming%20access%20programs

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Fortunately, more and more councils across Australia are creating play spaces with inclusion as their focus. Exciting sensory playgrounds with sand play and water play, tactile games, musical instruments and wind chimes. Play equipment with full wheelchair access, and spaces with quiet zones for kids who might need a break from all the noise and hullabaloo.

We’ve compiled a list of just a few of the sensory playgrounds across Australia. To learn more about inclusive play spaces that might suit your needs, contact your local council.

NSW

Waitara Park, Hornsby

Newly opened and fully fenced with a range of play equipment, from musical flowers to inclusive swings and spinners, for kids of all ages and different abilities.

Click here for more about Waitara Park

Livvi’s Place, Bankstown City Gardens, Bankstown

Based on a philosophy of “Can I get there? Can I play? Can I stay?”, this playground opened in 2018 and features a sensory garden complete with sculpture park and tactile artwork, and a wheelchair accessible sandpit.

Click here for more about Livvi’s Place

Cumberland State Forest, West Pennant Hills

The Sensory Trail is wheelchair friendly and children are encouraged to touch and feel the bark of different trees, and to use their senses to experience the forest around them. Braille books are available on site by prior arrangement.

Click here for more about the Sensory Trail

QUEENSLAND

City Botanic Gardens Playground, Brisbane

With areas for sand play and musical play, sculpture gardens and accessible swings, wheelchair access and quiet zones, Brisbane’s City Botanic Gardens Playground caters for children of different abilities and interests.

Click here for more about the City Botanic Gardens Playground

Gladstone Lions Park  

This park has a strong focus on sensory engagement and is divided into separate sections, each of which focuses on a different sense. There’s a sensory touch wall, adventure play area, water play, and a ‘cosy dome’ where kids can go when they need to feel calm.

Click here for more about Gladstone Lions Park

VICTORIA

Wombat Bend, Templestowe

A sensory activity playground with equipment that makes noises when stepped on or played with. There is also sand play, and a maze.

Click here for more about Wombat Bend

Bollygum Adventure Playground, Kinglake

Based around the book, “Bollygum” by Garry Flemming, this playground has carved murals for little fingers to explore, and lots of unusual equipment to make sounds.

Click here for more about Bollygum

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Hendrie Street Reserve Inclusive Playground, Marion, Adelaide

With water garden and sandpit, wheelchair accessibility and quiet spaces, the playground incorporates the principles of inclusive play for children with mobility issues, vision and hearing impairments, and autism.

Click here for more about the Hendrie Street Reserve Playground

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Yokine Playground, Yokine

Set in bushland, this playground incorporates musical play features, a sensory trail, a bubbling water feature, and an area for sand play.

Click here for more about Yorkine Playground

ACT

Boundless, Kings Park, Parkes

Canberra’s first all-abilities, inclusive playground.

Click here for more about Boundless

Photo above is courtesy of the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, North Rocks, Sydney.

DADAA will be at Skyworks 2019 for the third year in a row. We will be providing an Audio Described service for people who are blind or vision-impaired. Audio Description will be provided live, as the action happens.

An Auslan Interpreter service will also be offered.

We will be in a grassed area right on the foreshore about 800 metres from Elizabeth Quay Train Station and 350 metres from the Bell Tower. As this is a large public event, we will be located in a cordoned-off area, making this a comfortable space for people with disability, including for children with ASD and their families. The City of Perth also has a quiet space nearby for families with children with autism needing respite. DADAA will manage arts activities in these quiet zones.

To participate in the Audio Description service, you will need to provide your own earphones to connect to DADAA’s audio description unit.

Once booked, you will not need to arrive early to secure your spot, as it will be held for you.

Enjoy the entertainment and food at Langley Park, only 200 metres from the Audio Described viewing area, before joining us for the show.

Bring a rug or a chair, a picnic or food from one of the many food stalls.

Bookings are essential as spaces are limited.

To book or for further information, email jacqueline@dadaa.org.au or call 0400 111 018.

Once booked, you will receive further information on the event.

This is a free event.

https://mailchi.mp/afb/jvibseptoct2018-497993?e=6292a038d9

https://mailchi.mp/ridbc.org.au/enewsdecember?e=75b50115e5

https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/calendar/drop-in-and-make-colour-pattern-rhythm-shape/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Artmail%2011%20December%202018%20-%20Whiteley&utm_content=Artmail%2011%20December%202018%20-%20Whiteley+CID_afb1d6217243dc3392d3386bd082335a&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=Learn%20more

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