National Government Departments, Peak Bodies and Other Services
Ability Research Centre: www.abilitycorp.com.au/index.htm
Ability assists people with disabilities to obtain maximum benefits from modern computer technology. Services range from research projects to technical support and training for individuals.
Able Australia (formerly The Deafblind Association): www.ableaustralia.org.au
The Deafblind Association has provided support and services to people with deafblindness and/or a multiple disability since 1967. It is The Deafblind Association's belief that all people with deafblindness, regardless of the severity of the individual's disability, can learn through experience...
AgedCarer: Caring for an ageing person can often be difficult, confusing, lonely and even disheartening. We also live in a society that tends to place a lower value on our older generation and it's rare to hear positive stories in the mainstream media about aged care. AgedCarer was founded on the principle that it shouldn't be this way. http://www.agedcarer.com.au/
beyondblue: The National Depression Initiative: http://www.beyondblue.org.au
Although the major focus of this website is depression, the information is useful in the context that depression often co-exists and can cause symptoms similar to dementia.
Blind Citizens Australia: www.bca.org.au/
The united voice of blind and vision-impaired Australians. Our mission is to achieve equity and equality by our empowerment, by promoting positive community attitudes, and by striving for high quality and accessible services which meet our needs.
Carers Australia (plus State and Territory sites): www.carersaustralia.com.au
There is a Carers Association in each State and Territory of Australia and their aim is to advocate for and support the needs, views and concerns of carers. They offer a range of services and support such as counselling, carer support groups, respite coordination and information. The website provides information and resources to support carers.
Centrelink http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/home/index.htm
Provides financial support for many groups, including eligible carers (for the Carer Allowance and Carer Payment). Information and forms available from the website.
Commonwealth Carerlink Centre: www.commcarelink.health.gov.au
Commonwealth Carelink Centres are information centres for older people, people with disabilities and those who provide care and services. Centres provide free and confidential information on community aged care, disability and other support services available locally, intrastate or anywhere within Australia.
Department of Health and Ageing: www.health.gov.au
The services provided by the Health and Ageing Portfolio are delivered through nine Portfolio Outcomes. The Department of Health and Ageing pursues the achievement of the Portfolio Outcomes in association with other agencies in the Portfolio. These are the Health Insurance Commission, the Private Health Insurance Administration Council, the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman, the Professional Services Review Scheme, the Food Standards Australia New Zealand, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and the Australian Radiation Protection, Nuclear Safety Authority and the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency.
Department of Veterans’ Affairs: http://www.dva.gov.au
Website for all matters relating to Veterans. Includes useful resources and information, including a booklet on ‘Living with dementia’.
Family and Community Services portfolio: www.facs.gov.au
The Family and Community Services portfolio is responsible for a broad range of social policy issues affecting Australian society and the living standards of Australian families, communities and individuals. The portfolio is responsible for income support, housing policy, community support, disability services, child care services and family issues, including family payments, child support and family relationships.
National Disability Services (formerly ACROD): http://www.nds.org.au/
NDS is the National Industry Association for Disability Services. NDS’ membership includes over 550 non-government, non-profit organisations, which collectively operate several thousand services for Australians with all types of disabilities, including intellectual, physical, psychiatric and sensory. NDS’ members are located in every State and Territory in Australia and range in size from very small support groups to very large service providers.
National Institute of Clinical Studies: http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/nics
TheNational Institute of Clinical Studies (NCS) is Australia’s National Agency for improving healthcare by helping close gaps between best available evidence and current clinical practice. The website includes access to the Cochran library which includes reviews of many treatments for dementia.
Service seeker: www.vic.serviceseeker.com.au
The Infoxchange Service Seeker, the premier electronic directory of community support services, provides access to 102,881 health, welfare and community service records
State Based Government Departments and Other Services
Victoria
Action for Community Living: www.advocacyhouse.org
Action for Community Living is an incorporated association that auspices VICNORD and the Disability Rights Victoria consortium. We are committed to improving the quality and range of opportunities that enable people with disabilities to live well in the community.
Action for More Independence and Dignity in Accommodation (AMIDA): www.amida.infoxchange.net.au
AMIDA is an organisation that works on getting more housing and better tenancy rights for people with disabilities.
Association for Children with a Disability www.acd.org.au
Our organisation is run by parents of children with a disability - most of our staff and committee are parents - so we know what it means to have a child with a disability. We cover all types of disability and are a non-profit organisation.
Better Health Channel http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
Website containing fact sheets on many health problems, and information for people with the health condition, their families and carers, and staff working with people with the conditions. Includes a number of dementia related information and resources.
Better Hearing Australia (Vic Branch): www.betterhearing.org.au
Connectingcare.com: www.connectingcare.com
This site is a portal for health and community services all over the State of Victoria.
This site was originally an initiative of a number of health and community service providers in Mildura, Victoria. The project was initially funded by the Federal Governments "Networking the Nation" program, but is now sponsored by the Primary Care Partnerships (Vic. State) involved.
DHS Privacy Info: www.dhs.vic.gov.au/privacy/public/html/ppolicy.htm
Disability Discrimination Legal Service: http://www.communitylaw.org.au/ddls/
The DDLS provides information about disability discrimination law in a range of formats free to all members of the community. The DDLS has developed, in collaboration with Villamanta Legal Service and Victoria Legal Aid, a publication about Commonwealth and Victorian disability discrimination laws. It is called Using Disability Discrimination Law: A booklet for people with disabilities. You can contact the Service to obtain a free copy.
Disability Employment Action Centre Inc. (DEAC): www.deac.org.au
The Disability Employment Action Centre (DEAC), is a Melbourne-based, not-for-profit organisation founded in 1984 to represent people with a disability. DEAC is recognised by and receives funding from the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community services, OTFE, Centrelink and the philanthropic sector.DEAC creates opportunity and choice for those with a disability through quality, creativity and initiative. It increases the integration of people in the community by providing advocacy and research skills, education and training services, as well as employment opportunities (through its Flinders Employment Service and Women's Employment Support Service).
Disability Justice Advocacy: www.justadvocacy.com
Provides advocacy to people who have higher support needs associated with physical disability.
Headway Victoria: www.headwayvictoria.org.au
Headway Victoria works alongside people living with acquired brain injury to:
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Promote and defend their right to make choices about their lives.
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Ensure they have ready access to the information, support and resources they require.
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Ensure that the life changing experience of ABI informs service development, government policy and decision making.
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Fight for the overall provision of equal opportunities.
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Raise community awareness.
Office of the Public Advocate: www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au
The Office of the Public Advocate is an independent statutory office, working to promote the interests, rights and dignity of Victorians with disability.The Office of the Public Advocate represents the interests of Victorian people with disabilities. Our aim is to promote the rights and dignity of people with disabilities, and to strengthen their position in society.
Respite North & West: http://www.respitenorthandwest.org.au/
Respite North & West is a website designed to improve communication and access to information for all people with an interest in disability respite issues living in the North & West Metropolitan Region of Melbourne. This includes people with a disability, families/carers of children and adults with a disability, service providers, and other people interested in respite issues.
The web site and respite finder were developed as part of the Disability Respite Information Project and are funded by the Department of Human Services. It is co-ordinated in partnership between the Department of Human Services, Respite Connections and Carer Links North.
Respite East (RIDE Yooralla): http://www.respiteeast.org.au/index.shtml
This website has been developed as part of RIDE's commitment to assist carers, case managers, service providers and members of the community to access up to date information regarding respite opportunities available for people with disabilities in the Eastern Metropolitan Region (EMR).
Respite South: http://www.respitesouth.org.au/
Respite Southern is designed to improve information provision on respite options for people with a disability in the Southern Metropolitan Region and to facilitate communication between organisations providing these services. The site is an initiative of the Southern Regional Disability Respite Reference Network.
STAR Victoria Inc: www.starvictoria.org.au
Provides advocacy and support for people with an intellectual disability, and their families.
Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with a Disability: www.valid.org.au
VALID is a disability advocacy organisation committed to the vision of an Australian nation in which people with disability are empowered to exercise their rights - as human beings and as citizens - in accordance with the United Nations Declarations on Human Rights and the Rights of Disabled Persons.
Victorian Council for Deaf People Inc: www.vcod.com.au
Victorian Council of Deaf People (VCOD) is a non-profit, consumer-driven organisation, led and controlled by Deaf Victorians to provide a voice for Deaf Victorians by lobbying, advocating and sharing information to ensure that full access is achieved.
New South Wales
Better Hearing Australia (NSW branch): www.betterhearingsydney.org.au
Department of Ageing, Disbility & Home Care: www.dadhc.nsw.gov.au
The Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) was established in April 2001 and reflects the Government’s commitment to improving services and promoting opportunities for older people, people with a disability and their carers to participate in the wider community and to have a better quality of life.
Local Information Network for Community Services – NSW (LINCS)
http://www.datadiction.com.au/lincs/default.htm
LINCS is a cost effective and highly specialised system to allow Local Councils to easily produce high quality community information directories. With LINCS Councils work together to collect information which may then be published on the web, offline or in professionally formatted printed directories.
NSW Department of Health: www.health.nsw.gov.au
...is responsible for ensuring that the people of NSW are provided with the best possible health care. The Department monitors the performance of the NSW public health system and supports the statutory role of the NSW Minister for Health.
South Australia
The Disability Information & Resource Centre: www.dircsa.org.au
DIRC provides an information, referral and advice service to the people of South Australia from a Centre where the needs of people with a disability have priority and where they are valued. The Centre was built as a SA Jubilee150 project and is readily accessible to people with a disability.
Care Connect Preferred Service Providers and Other Support Services
Doutta Galla Community Health Services: www.dgchs.com.au
An accredited Centre which provides a range of health services aimed to support and improve the health and well being of the whole person and the community.
Home Instead: www.homeinstead.com.au
North Coast Minders: www.ncminders.com.au
Stanhope Healthcare Services: www.stanhope.com.au
Tunstall Australasia: http://www.tunstall.net.au/
Cultural Information Websites
Aboriginal Services Plan: http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/pdpd/koori/plans.htm
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet: http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/
Website includes information on many health conditions affecting Indigenous Australians. Includes a section on mental health, including information about dementia in Indigenous Australians.
Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing http://www.culturaldiversity.com.au
This website has been developed to guide and promote best practice standards of care for high quality and accessible aged care services responsive to the needs of Australia’s diverse community.
Disability Services (Vic) CALD Strategy: http://hnb.dhs.vic.gov.au/ds/disabilityimages.nsf/images/cald_strategy/$file/cald_strategy.pdf
Diversity Health Institute http://www.dhi.gov.au
Diversity Health Institute Clearinghouse is an access point for information on multicultural health in Australia. The section on ageing includes information on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, and information for carers.
Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia http://www.fecca.org.au
FECCA is the Australian national peak body that promotes multiculturalism, community harmony and social justice. It provides community education, advocacy and access to services and information for Australians from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Inclusive Consultation & Communication with People with a Disability paper (DHS)
Translated health information: www.healthtranslations.vic.gov.au
This directory points to health information that has been translated into many different languages.
Information on Caring for Individuals with dementia
Alzheimer’s Australia (plus the State and Territory sites) http://www.alzheimers.org.au
Australia is the national peak body representing the interests of people with dementia and their families and carers. They manage a range of national programs including support, counselling, training and education for both people with dementia, their carers as well as professionals working in the area of dementia. Website includes numerousinformation and fact sheets, including many in languages other than English.
Health Insite http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Dementia
Health Insite is an Australian Government initiative, aiming to improve the health of Australians by improving access to information about health. The website includes a section on dementia