1. Addressing the barriers: People with a disability accessing mainstream and specific services in rural and remote areas Wobbly Hub & Double Spokes Project Angela Dew, Craig Veitch, Kim Bulkeley, Gisselle Gallego, Anita Bundy, Michelle Lincoln, Scott Griffiths, Jennie Brentnall, Richard Madden

2. Wobbly Hub and Double Spokes Project Project Aim: • To develop, implement and evaluate evidence-based policies which will promote timely and effective therapy service delivery to people with a disability living in rural and remote communities

3. ADHC Western Region (WR) of NSW

4. Identification of a problem Challenges in delivering therapy services to people with a disability in WR • Geographic distance / travel • Dispersed service user population • Recruitment and retention issues • Demand for therapy outstripping supply of therapists www.grc.asn.au

5. Understanding the Current Situation Analysing Policy Documents Reviewing Literature Talking to 78 Carers and 10 Adults with a Disability in WR Talking to 50 Senior Staff in WR and Head Offices Talking to 97 Service Providers in WR

6. Policy context – Community Services State Local Federal

7. DRAFT DRAFT Model of Person-Centred Therapy Strengths based Education Health Locality Whole of government Interagency Collaboration  Capacity building Capacity building Carer Person NGO ADHC Person Centred Practice Person Centred Practice Early Intervention Early Intervention Cross Border Private Strengths-based Interagency Collaboration Local Federal State

8. DRAFT “Tarquin” Community Health Town Interagency Collaboration  Capacity building Parents Tarquin Early Intervention NGO Person Centred Practice Siblings Early Intervention Capital city Cross Border Strengths-based

9. Rosie said…………. • “I need instruction to be able to know what to do with Tarquin….to make sure what I’m doing are not things that are going to hurt him…that I’m getting the best out of him and I don’t feel that I’m getting that here at all locally.” “I’m not prepared to accept that how he is right now is never going to change…I still think that there’s a lot of progress to be made…I don’t think he’s been given enough [early intervention] to say ‘this is as good as it’s going to get;.”

10. DRAFT “Marcus” Capacity building Strengths based Town  Marcus Lives independently with drop-in support Supported work NGO Person Centred Practice Early Intervention Interagency Collaboration 10

11. Marcus said…………. • “I got speech problems and went to a lady [speech pathologist] in [regional town] a long time ago before 1982. I get muddled up with trying to get money, they [bank tellers] don’t understand me. When I am on the phone it is hard for me. I have not been able to get help with my speaking…I’d like to get some help with talking and people understanding me.” “I can’t read and write and I don’t know why…I do my best. I got help but the lady I went to moved on and it stopped. Is it too late? I am 59.

12. DRAFT “Marcus” Capacity building Strengths based Town  Marcus Lives independently with drop-in support Supported work NGO Person Centred Practice Early Intervention 12

13. So what can be done?