Service Guide

A National Disability Insurance Scheme Service Provider

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Contents

About usOur mission 5How we can help 5Personalised service 6Services for everyone 7Access to information 7

Preparing for your NDIS meeting 8

Our servicesOrientation and mobility 12Independent living 12In the workplace 13Schools, TAFE and university 14Life transitions 16Early childhood 17Young children and teenagers 17Social skills 18

Aids and technologyMobility aids 20Independent living aids 21

Contact details 22

This service guide lists and describes the supports that Guide Dogs NSW/ACT is

registered to provide to participants of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) .

4 5About us

Our missionAt Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, we believe that vision loss should not stop you from living a fulfilling life . We understand that independence and mobility can give you the freedom to enjoy life, embrace new experiences and reach your goals .

How we can helpWe work with you to identify your needs and develop an individual support plan to help you meet your goals .We can provide a variety of supports to help you increase your independence, minimise the impact of vision loss and increase your participation in education, employment and social activities .Further information about the supports we provide can be found on our website www.guidedogs.com.auFor further information about vision loss go to www.visionloss.com.au

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Personalised serviceOur team of professionals, including Orientation and Mobility Specialists, Occupational Therapists and Low Vision Specialists work with you and your family to identify your individual needs and requirements when planning and delivering services .Most of our services can be provided on a one-to-one basis in your home, school, workplace or local area . This means that training can be provided when and where you need it .We understand that people often have busy lives which can make accessing supports difficult . At Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, we work hard to fit in with your schedule – not the other way around . Supports can be delivered on weekends and after hours if required .

Services for everyoneOur services are open to everyone . We do not discriminate based on age, gender, culture, language, religion, sexual identity or relationship status . If you need services in another language, we can arrange for an interpreter to attend your appointments . You are also welcome to invite family members and other support people to join you during your appointments .We are committed to providing culturally appropriate services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people .

Access to informationWe will provide you with information in the accessible format of your choice, such as large print, braille or electronic (e .g . email or audio file) . We can also provide information in another language on request .

8 9Preparing for your NDIS meeting

Guide Dogs NSW/ACT can help you to prepare for your NDIS planning meeting . A face-to-face meeting with one of our professional team will help you understand what the NDIS means for you, your family and your friends . These meetings can include:• detailed information about the NDIS;• the steps involved in applying for the Scheme (we can also help with the paperwork);• detailed information about the planning and assessment process; and• help developing a meaningful plan for your future .We can also attend your NDIS planning meeting to provide support if requested .To find out if you can access the NDIS, please visit www.ndis.gov.au

10 11Our services

Guide Dogs NSW/ACT can provide you with many different types of support depending on your needs . You may wish to access supports relating to:• orientation and mobility • independent living • your workplace• school, TAFE and university• life transitions• early childhood • children and teenagers• social skills .

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Orientation and mobility Orientation and mobility is about knowing where you are, where you want to go and how to travel there safely . Our highly qualified Orientation & Mobility Specialists can assess how your vision loss affects your personal mobility and work with you to develop individual training goals .Training goals can include teaching you how to travel to, from and around the places you wish to access . Depending on your needs, this can be learning to get to your mailbox in your front yard, or learning to travel through the busiest city centres using a variety of public transport .If you have a vision loss due to a neurological condition such as a stroke, tumour or brain injury you can access a specialised program to teach you how to compensate for your vision loss and restore your confidence .

Independent living Vision loss can affect your ability to independently carry out everyday tasks such as reading, cooking, shopping and personal care . We can visit you at home, and work with you to develop ways to maximise your existing vision and offer

suggestions for easier ways to do things . We can also suggest a range of practical changes to your home and work environment .Support may include: • tips to make everyday tasks easier;• small equipment to make everyday tasks easier and quicker;• magnifying or electronic aids to help you read and enjoy your hobbies; or • changes to lighting .

In the workplaceIf you are working or volunteering, we can support you to travel safely and independently to your workplace . We can recommend changes to your workplace such as improving lighting and moving your work space to a more appropriate area to support your safety and independence at work . We can also teach you practical ways to get the most out of your remaining vision so that you are able to perform your job . We can provide education on vision loss to the people you work with so they can help make your workplace safe, accessible and productive .

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School, TAFE or universityOur specialists can work closely with you and your family, carers and teachers to make changing schools, or starting TAFE or university easier .You may want support:• learning how to travel to your new school;• learning how to travel around the school, to

places like classrooms, libraries, cafeterias,toilets and lockers;

• requesting changes to classroom layouts;• on recommendations for changes to the school,

such as improving lighting;• ensuring staff know how to assist you

appropriately; or• through links to technology providers who

can supply equipment to help you participatein educational activities .

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Life transitionsGuide Dogs NSW/ACT can help you adjust to the life changes which can come with vision loss by supporting you to develop a meaningful plan for your future .Plans are designed to help limit the impact of your vision loss and allow you to continue to access social and leisure activities and employment opportunities . Your plan will list your goals, which may include:• learning to travel to and from your workplace or school, TAFE or University;• learning to travel independently using mobility aids;• learning to effectively use your remaining vision with the help of magnifiers and electronic aids; or• learning to independently carry out everyday tasks .Plans can also include connecting you to external services that provide counselling and support or supply specialised technology .

Early childhood Children are never too young to receive support from Guide Dogs NSW/ACT . We are committed to providing a child safe and child friendly environment . Our early childhood supports are available in your home, at pre-schools, primary schools and within other community settings . Our early childhood services focus on supporting your child’s development of skills which can allow them to participate in everyday activities . We work as a team with family and other professionals to support your child to reach their goals . Supports may include assisting your child to:• make the most of their vision at an early age;• use their other senses such as hearing, touch and smell to learn about their surroundings; and• move and explore their environment with confidence – even before they can walk .

Young children and teenagersAs your child gets older they may need to travel independently around school grounds, or between home and school . We can provide

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specialised training to assist them to travel independently while learning how to stay safe . We also run group programs for school-aged children that give your child the chance to practice their travel skills in a new environment and meet other children the same age . More detailed information about these programs can be found on our website at www.guidedogs.com.au

Social skills Some people with vision loss can lose their confidence interacting with others in everyday life . If you would like support in this area, we can provide one-to-one social skills development training . Depending on your needs, this may include opportunities to practice communicating with people in shops, on public transport or with other members of the public .You may also want to attend one of our regular group events for people with vision loss, where you will have the opportunity to meet people and improve your confidence and social skills .

Aids and technology

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Mobility aidsThrough Guide Dogs NSW/ACT you can access a wide range of mobility aids to help you travel more confidently and safely . Our specialists can assess which mobility aid will work best for you and also teach you how to use your aid safely and effectively .Mobility aids may include white canes, Guide Dogs, mobile phone GPS and other electronic devices . The most common mobility device is the white cane . The white cane is used to physically check for landmarks and obstacles in your path . You may also use an electronic aid or Guide Dog as well as a white cane .A Guide Dog is trained to assist you to avoid obstacles and will stop at steps, kerbs and other height changes in your path . Guide Dogs can locate objects such as seats, traffic light poles, doors and shop counters . NDIS funding includes the costs associated with owning a Guide Dog such as food, vet bills and pet insurance .

Image courtesy of FACS

Independent living aidsAt Guide Dogs NSW/ACT we can recommend a wide range of aids to help you independently carry out everyday tasks such as reading, cooking, shopping and personal care . Aids may include magnifiers, handheld telescopes, tactile markers and kitchen aids to assist with independent cooking .

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Contact details

If you would like further information about any of the supports in this service guide, or would like to request an appointment with one of our specialists, we are keen to hear from you . You can get in touch by calling 1800 484 333 or using our online contact form at www.guidedogs.com.au/contact-us .Stay up to date with news from Guide Dogs NSW/ACT

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find us on LinkedIn - guidedogsnswact

Chatswood (02) 9412 9300chatswood@guidedogs .com .au

Blacktown (02) 9676 5802blacktown@guidedogs .com .au

Newcastle (02) 4925 3066newcastle@guidedogs .com .au

Canberra (ACT) (02) 6285 2988canberra@guidedogs .com .au

Orange (02) 6362 6625orange@guidedogs .com .au

Albury (02) 6041 5201albury@guidedogs .com .au

Coffs Harbour (02) 6652 7424coffsharbour@guidedogs .com .au

Ballina (02) 6681 1667ballina@guidedogs .com .au

Tamworth (02) 6761 3152tamworth@guidedogs .com .au

Wollongong (02) 4225 9247wollongong@guidedogs .com .au

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1800 484 333guidedogs .com .au

June

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ABN 52 000 399 744

Lic No: DS/R61/1432

Guide Dogs NSW/ACT have been assessed and verified as complying with the requirements of the NSW Disability Service Standards .