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My Current Projects
2008 was an exciting year for Creative Solutions. I made great progress with my work around transition of disabled students from School.
I completed a research project for the Wayne Francis Charitable Trust focusing on effective transition of disabled students from secondary school into other settings.
This included developing a literature review and best practice framework, facilitating and analysing separate focus groups with disabled students, parents/primary caregivers, school and agency staff involved with transition; with Colin Gladstone from Allenvale School. A copy of this research is available under Free Resources.
Other highlights for 2008 included:
Approached and Interviewed by the Ministry of Justice, Role of South Island Human Rights Commissioner.
2008 Christchurch City Council KiwiAble Strategic Planning Exercise
This focused on what needs to happen in Christchurch with sport and recreation for disabled people to take inclusion to the next stage. I was the project manager and facilitator for this process involving 40 representatives from various organizations in Christchurch.
Literature Review for the Christchurch City Council Physical Activity and Disabled People Project
This involved reviewing and analysing information relevant to physical activity levels of disabled people to benchmark what is recommended in New Zealand and internationally.
Strategic Planning Process for SkillWise
This process looked at future SkillWise services. The first stage consisted of 4 focus groups with people with intellectual disability attending the service. I also held focus groups with staff and parents/primary caregivers. I then wrote a report summarisng the outcomes, which will form the basis of discussion for the strategic plan. The feedback of those attending the service will drive this process.
Review of Mobility Parking Permit Schemes, CCS Disability Action National Office
I was asked to write a report to help scope the next review of their Mobility Parking Permit Scheme. This involved reviewing information from both the CCS Disability Action and international schemes.
Pan-Disability Allies Workshop Group - Common Messages Forum
A Christchurch working group has been looking at ways to use an across impairment message. It hosted a forum with 25 representatives from organizations to get agreement about this. This was widely supported and the group are now investigating how to market the message - Your Attitude Makes the Difference. The Mental Health Foundation asked me to assist with planning and facilitating this process.
So what am I currently working on in 2009?
Journey to Work Project, National Office of CCS Disability Action and Workbridge
I am the manager for this project. It is looking at ways to enhance the likelihood of young disabled people transitioning successfully into work. This builds on my previous work around transition. This process will consist of development of a literature review and research report, analysis and recommendations and a collaborative workshop with key stakeholders.
Ministry of Education Transition Projects
As part of the Wayne Francis Charitable Trust transition project we developed a Best Practice Framework for Transition of Disabled Students. This is being used by the Ministry of Education to develop transition guidelines for schools, nationally, and a pilot in Christchurch. I am assisting the Ministry with this work.
Review of Mobility Parking Permit Schemes, CCS Disability Action National Office
I am currently further assisting the scoping of the next review of their Mobility Parking Permit Scheme.
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