Working with people with a disability, and within a brand new system—the National Disability Insurance Scheme—can be complicated. Surrounding yourself with knowledgeable colleagues is critical. This is where the APA’s Disability group comes in.
Members of the group receive regular emails, which include updates and news, relevant research articles, reflections on professional development and updates on committee activities around the country.
You also have access to a full calendar of lectures and courses relevant to you, allowing you to continue your professional development at your own convenience. All courses (including those co-convened by other national groups) are offered at a discount to group members.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme has seen the biggest overhaul to Australia’s disability services in history, with consumers now making the majority of their care decisions. How physiotherapists fare in this reconfiguration has been a hot topic among members, and led to the founding of the APA Disability group in 2016.
The NDIS commenced a national roll-out in July 2016. The teething problems of this roll-out have been numerous, which is unsurprising for such a large scheme. Milestones ahead include a review by the Productivity Commission, with funding decisions expected to be influenced by the resulting findings.
Physiotherapy and the role of exercise is becoming more recognised in the literature on disability care. How to work most effectively with different population groups living with a disability can be a difficult question for those who are new to the field.
The Disability group aims to provide a place for people to share their experiences, best practice and the latest research into disability and physiotherapy, whether this is through a Facebook group or emails.
Being a young group, we are focussed on taking small steps that will be beneficial to members. There are plans for the development of positon statements and clinical guidelines, designing consumer campaigns and creating helpful resources for physiotherapists.
Every two years, the APA conference scientific committee works to produce a high quality program for each area of physiotherapy, including disability, giving you another opportunity to influence this area of the profession.