Deafblind in Pilbara benefit from Royalties to Regions
With funding from the Royalties to Regions program and Telethon and with support from the Disabilities Services Commission, Senses Foundation will soon be in the Pilbara region of WA providing specialist communication education, training and resources to individuals with deafblindness or a vision impairment and additional disabilities.
Three trips to the region are planned by Senses Foundation’s professional staff. This will include a two day training at Port Hedland/South Hedland; a three day trip with one day training at each of Dampier, Wickham and Karratha and a two day trip with one day training at both Tom Price and Paraburdoo.
The program aims to:
- To increase knowledge and skills of service providers working with people who are deafblind or vision impaired with an additional disability in the Pilbara region;
- To provide resources and training to assist individuals who are deafblind or have a vision impairment with additional disabilities and their families and carers that maximises their life outcomes;
- To train and educate key health care workers in the Indigenous communities of the Pilbara region in the causes of deafblindness and vision impairment with additional disabilities; and
- To develop key links with local stakeholders in the Pilbara region, including key personnel within the local Indigenous communities.
“The needs of people who are deafblind or vision impaired with additional disabilities are unique and individual.” Matthew Wittorff, Senses Foundation Manager of Therapy and Specialist Services said. “Service providers, families and carers require highly specialised support in order to secure the best outcomes for these individuals. This new and exciting program will go a long way towards achieving this.”
For more information contact:
Matthew Wittorff
Email matthew.wittorff@senses.asn.au
Telephone (08) 94735458
