News

Christmas comes early at Northcott

Thanks to Westfield Burwood, Christmas came early for children with disabilities and their families who use Northcott’s Respite service at Roselands Cottage.

Minister Constance joins Northcott in applauding NSW commitment to NDIS

On Friday, 7 December the Minister for Disability Services the Hon. Andrew Constance visited Northcott in Parramatta to announce the NSW Government’s commitment to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Great to hear from you

We are so lucky to have so many wonderful supporters who not only provide us with generous financial support, but are so genuine in their response that they send messages of encouragement to our wonderful client champions who share their stories.

A SHINING success

There were plenty of laughs and even the odd tear (of joy) on Monday, 3 December as clients from Northcott’s Community Participation Program lit up Parramatta at their annual SHINE showcase.

Northcott applauds draft bill for an NDIS

Northcott is thrilled at the Prime Minister’s introduction of the draft bill for a National Disability Insurance Scheme on Thursday, 29 November.

Will you help Daniel in Dubbo?

Will you help us to raise $88,000 before the end of January 2013 so that we can carry out essential improvements to Northcott’s program centre in Dubbo?

Celebrating International Day of People with Disability

Monday, 3 December marks International Day of People with Disability, an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the talents of people with disabilities.

Macarthur mothers unveil belly cast artworks

On Thursday, 29 November eight Aboriginal mothers and ten children from the Macarthur region came together to celebrate the culmination of a unique project.

Could you be the next Northcott Client Ambassador?

Have you always wanted to advocate for people with disabilities and represent Northcott at the same time?

ACMA's $11,000 gift

On Tuesday, 20 November the Australian Chinese Medical Association made an $11,000 donation to Northcott.

Your Paralympic difference

In the spirit of London 2012, we thought we’d share the thoughts of one of three Northcott clients, whom through your donations; you have helped them experience the Paralympics firsthand.

Northcott - supporting choice and opportunity

Today, 8 November, Northcott introduced their new brand identity at their Annual General Meeting.

Northcott's Annual Cricket Legends Lunch comes home to the SCG

Northcott's 17th Annual Cricket Legends Lunch on Friday, 15 February 2013 will, for the first time, be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Help them achieve their personal best

Sport and recreation is a celebrated culture in Australia, but one that is often taken for granted and thought of as “just a bit of fun”. But there’s much more to it than that!

Celebrate with us

Monday, 3 December marks International Day of People with Disability. Read more about the celebrations to come.

Your voice was heard

It’s so important to us to hear your voices, and build a Northcott that puts the people who use our services at the centre of decision-making and planning. That’s why we recently surveyed a sample of our clients and we were thrilled to hear the feedback.

DisabiliTEA time at Northcott

On Friday, 26 October, Northcott Disability Services brought communities across NSW and the ACT together at DisabiliTEA events to ask: when will the National Disability Insurance Scheme come to us?

NSW unites to say: see ME, not my disability

For the third consecutive year, Northcott hosted the NSW chapter of Walk With Me. Part of a national initiative for social inclusion, Northcott hosted four events in 2012 to spread the message: see ME, not my disability!

Happy Spina Bifida Awareness Week

Each year Northcott Disability Services celebrates the abilities and achievements of those who live with spina bifida as part of Spina Bifida Awareness Week, held annually from 1 to 7 September.

Paralympian Kristy Pond joins Walk With Me

On Friday 21 September, Paralympian and 2012 NSW Young Athlete with a Disability, Kristy Pond, will be officially welcomed home at Northcott's Walk With Me event

Walk With Me

It's that time of year again! This September, join us in taking a stand for social inclusion at our annual Walk With Me event!

Clients and carers wanted for new committee

Northcott is looking for a representative to help us respond to issues which effect people with disabilities, their families, and Northcott as an organisation.

Be a part of the Living Life My Way Ambassadors and Champions Program

Northcott is very excited about the new Living Life My Way Ambassadors and Champions Program which was recently launched by the NSW Government.

Rare Voices Community Consultation Meeting

Rare Voices Australia are calling for members of the community to take part in their Community Consultation Meeting in Sydney this September.

Happy Spina Bifida Awareness Week!

Northcott clients spoke out on behalf of Northcott Disability Services against the common misconceptions that surround spina bifida for Spina Bifida Awareness Week, held annually from 1 to 7 September.

Getting into the Paralympic spirit!

Are you excited about the London 2012 Paralympic Games as we are? With 161 athletes in the Australian team competing in 13 different sports, we’re looking forward to watching all of the action.

A message from Paul

We wanted to start this newsletter with a HUGE thank you from all of us here at Northcott and especially Paul, the face of our 2012 Tax Appeal.

Be a part of a team effort

One of the most important messages you can give as an employer is that you care about people and about your local community.

Jean's Will

Jean is a retiree and following seven years of employment at Northcott she made a decision to continue to support Northcott in a very special way.

Would you rise to the Challenge?

In June, our employment service Jobmatch threw down the challenge to businesses across Western Sydney: employ 12 people with disabilities in 20 days.

Happy Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week!

Northcott Disability Services is spending the week of 30 July to 5 August celebrating the abilities of those who live with cerebral palsy for Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week.

Taking on the Canberra Raiders

Recently, clients from Northcott Disability Services’ Yurang After School and Holiday Program took on the Canberra Raiders during a special visit to Raiders Headquarters.

Newcastle Knights Kurt Gidley's surprise visit

On Thursday, 19 July Newcastle Knights’ Kurt Gidley arrived in Ballina to pay a special surprise visit to one of his biggest fans, Northcott Disability Services client Josh Smith.

Apply for Northcott's PhD Scholarship

Northcott is supportive of continued learning and is pleased to offer the Northcott PhD Scholarship for 2013.

Be a part of The Nest

What do you think matters for children and young people? Parents, carers, children and young people can have their say by taking part in The Nest.

The Chairman's Challenge

On Monday, 25 June Northcott Chairman Michael Briggs and his family will be taking on Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro.

Northcott gets behind paralympian Kristy Pond

Born three months premature with a primary diagnosis of cerebral palsy and other multiple conditions, Kristy has inspired many with her willingness and fierce determination to achieve to the best of her ability.

Have your say and influence Government Reform

National Standards for Disability Services help promote and drive a nationally consistent approach to improving the quality of services with a focus on outcomes for people with a disability.

Northcott clients debut at Parramatta Farmers Market

Young adults from Northcott Disability Services’ Community Participation Program (CPP) in Parramatta made their debut at Parramatta’s weekly Farmer’s Market on Thursday, 30 May.

Refurbished Tamworth Respite House Reopens

On Wednesday, 30 May Tamworth locals with disabilities and their families officially reopened Northcott Disability Services’ refurbished Tamworth Respite House.

Join in a CATS Safari Tour

Take part in Northcott's Computer Assistive Technology Services (CATS) Safari Tour to learn more about assistive technology options available for people with a disability to increase their independence at home, school or work.

Join Team Northcott in this year's City2Surf

Join us in seeing past a person's disability by joining Team Northcott in the Sun Herald City2Surf 2012.

Australian Childhood Vision Impairment Register

The Australian Childhood Vision Impairment Register is sponsored by the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, in partnership with families, teachers, health professionals and low vision agencies.

Northcott advocates in Adelaide

On Friday 4 May, carer and advocate, Diana Jelovic spoke alongside Northcott’s Planning and Development Unit Manager, Liz Hopkins at the National Disability Services National Conference in Adelaide.

Happy National Volunteer Week!

On Tuesday 15 May, staff and clients from Northcott’s Campbelltown office gathered for a morning tea event, alongside Campbelltown local MP Bryan Doyle, to celebrate and thank volunteers for their tireless efforts, as part of National Volunteer Week.

Minister for Disability Services opens Lake Haven Accommodation House

On Wednesday, 16 May NSW Minister for Disability Services, the Hon. Andrew Constance officially opened Northcott Disability Services’ first-of-its-kind home in the Riverina/Murray region.

Aussie sporting know-it-alls battled it out for people with disabilities

On Thursday, 3 May Australia’s favourite sporting commentators and media personalities headed into a first-of-its-kind battle for people with disabilities.

Northcott calls to make it real

It was a historic event that brought an estimated 8,000 people from across the state together at Sydney Olympic Park on Monday, 30 April.

Apps in Action

With the growing popularity of iPhones, iPods and iPads Northcott Disability Services invites parents and carers to a free session to explore how these devices, with the help of “apps”, can be used in an educational way.

Northcott's Person-Centred Champions welcome the NSW Government Champion Program

Clients and staff from Northcott were thrilled to hear of the announcement made by the Minister for Disability Services for the introduction of 50 Person-Centred Champions.

Prime Minister meets with Northcott about the NBN for the disability sector

Prime Minister, Julia Gillard took the time to meet with Northcott Disability Services Client Ambassador, Shirley Wong and Senior Managers at the Community Cabinet meeting in Parramatta.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard visits Northcott

Prime Minister, Julia Gillard visited Northcott Disability Services central office in North Parramatta on 3 April to announce a new housing project based on an innovative accommodation model, for people with a disability in Parramatta.

Introducing Northcott's 2012 Client Ambassadors

Each year, Northcott Disability Services appoints clients who have been supported by the not-for-profit organisation as Ambassadors to share their experiences of living with or caring for someone with a disability.

Parents for parents

On Friday 13 April, Northcott Disability Services’ Adult Outreach team will be hosting a get together for current and expecting parents living with a physical disability.

Minister for Disability Reform supports NDIS with Northcott

On Wednesday, 22 February 2012, The Hon Jenny Macklin, Minister for Disability Reform and Julie Owens, Member for Parramatta paid a visit to Northcott Disability Services’ central office in Parramatta in support of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Teaming up to empower indigenous Australians

Northcott’s specialist disability employment service, Jobmatch and the Aboriginal Employment Strategy (AES) have entered into a historic partnership.

Introducing the Supported Living Fund

The Supported Living Fund is a new State Government initiative which is designed for people with disabilities, aged 18-64, who want to live in their own homes.

Northcott Committee members needed

Calling all clients and carers! Northcott is looking for two representatives to strengthen our monitoring and decision making processes.

Sharing the Journey

Northcott Disability Services' clients and staff shared their experiences at the National Disability Services (NDS) State Conference, held at The Hilton in Sydney on Valentine’s Day, 14 February 2012.

Speaking up at Northcott

To support some Northcott clients and staff who are presenting at conferences and workshops in 2012, a series of Presentation Skills workshops were offered in February.

Northcott swim for Cystic Fibrosis

On Saturday, 11 February Bryan Doyle MP, Member for Campbelltown, and four members of Northcott Disability Services’ Macarthur office will take to the water in the annual Swimathon for Cystic Fibrosis (CF) event, organised by Cystic Fibrosis NSW.

Volunteers needed in Wagga Wagga

Volunteers are needed at Northcott Disability Services, Wagga Wagga as the office establishes its new Volunteer Program locally.

Ben and Luke conquer the waves

Sunday, 5 February saw Ben Jackson, who works in Northcott’s employment service Jobmatch, and his 11-year-old son, Luke brave the waves for Australia’s largest ocean swim, the annual Cole Classic.

Express your interest in a Supported Living Fund

Over the next three years there will be opportunities for individuals, their families and carers to apply for Supported Living Fund packages.

Learn more about individualised funding opportunities

Do you want to learn more about individualised funding packages and what they could mean for you and your family?

Social inclusion - what does it mean for you?

What does it mean for you to be socially included? Is this an important issue for you? In order to shape Northcott’s direction, here’s a quick and easy survey we’d like you to complete to gain your important opinion!

You could be Northcott's next Client Ambassador!

Do you want to be an advocate for people with disabilities and Northcott Disability Services? We have the chance for you!