Question

Explain how each of the adjustment strategies below assist people with disability to exercise their rights, support independent action and thinking and facilitate choice. (350-500 words for entire table)

Strategy	How the adjustment strategy exercises rights, independent action and facilitates choice
a) Using an eyegaze for independence and choice
b) Using microboards for planning and choice
c) Using liftware for independence
d) Joining peer advocacy groups for exercising rights
e) Using my choice matters for communication, planning and facilitating choice
f) Joining Every Australian counts to exercise rights
g) Using wheeleasy foundation for independence and choice
h) Using hireup for independence and choice

Answer 1

A)Eye-gaze control technology can be used by children and adults who have significant physical disabilities to be more independent. It may provide them with a way to communicate in different ways, for example, by writing, generating speech (see Speech Generating Devices), accessing the internet or using social media.

B)Having a Microboard means that you can tap into the creativity, skills and social connections of others to make your plans happen.The microboard works with the person to help them plan and achieve their goals for a good life. They put the persons goals, dreams, needs and desires at the centre of their decisions and actions (i.e. a person-centred approach). It also helps the wider community to have a relationship with the person and to benefit from their contribution.

Depending on a person’s particular needs, a Microboard’s role can include assisting with coordinating support services, finding and keeping employment, facilitating friendships & social community.

C)people with limited movement in their hands and arms, dinnertime can be a frustrating and messy experience. Aimed at those suffering from afflictions like cerebral palsy and Huntington’s disease, the Liftware Level is a motorized utensil that flexes to compensate for a user’s restricted movement so as to keep the utensil head level.

D)Self-advocacy groups are run by people with disabilities who have joined together to have their voices heard and support each other. They work together to make sure people with a disability have the same rights, choices, and opportunities as anyone else

E)My Choice Matters supports people with disability and their families to increase their skills, knowledge and confidence in making choices and taking control of their lives, in particular self-directed support and individualised budgets. The evaluation analysed how My Choice Matters contributes to people’s skills and knowledge; their capacity to take action; and the facilitators and barriers to successful outcomes. The evaluation used a number of methods, including focus groups, interviews, feedback forms, and innovative inclusive approaches to adapt these methods as required to include all people with disability involved in the program.

F)Every Australian Counts is the grassroots campaign that fought for the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and won. EAC is made up of hundreds of thousands of people with disability, families, carers, and those who work to support them who have come together to fight for a fair go for people with disability in Australia.

G)WheelEasy is on a mission to give wheelies and others with mobility issues a voice. For mobility-impaired people, easily available information about access to restaurants, bars and public spaces simply doesn't exist. So, they're often prevented from doing things that most people take for granted.

H)Hireup is an online platform which gives people with disability (and their families) the power to find, hire and manage support workers who fit their needs and share their interests.

People often don’t get choice or lose their personal independence, but with Hireup it feels more like a democracy. It’s the technology that changes the way and ability that I have to pick and choose someone who I will get along with and will help me.