Wednesday, March 7th, 2025
2:00pm - 3:15pm
Room 608
Concurrent Session:
Challenges in embedding an SRV perspective within a home support program
Challenges in embedding an SRV perspective within a home support program
Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a national government funded program that provides funding to people with a disability to purchase supports that enable them to meet their disability related needs and achieve goals at home and in the community. Learn how in 2019 a home support business became a registered NDIS provider and currently supports 35 NDIS participants through At Home Assistance. An SRV perspective is embedded into everything and gives added meaning and purpose to the lives of both the givers and receivers of care thereby increasing consciousness of, and opportunities for people to have valued social roles. Participants will learn how well the service is implementing SRV and identify ways to embed SRV more fully.
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SRV theory to practice: A mother on her quest of creating the socially valued role of student
This presentation will explore the intentional actions and learnings of a mother supporting her daughter, who is Autistic with significant communication and social interaction challenges into a regular class alongside their same aged peers. With the underlying story used to help connect how the theory of SRV has been applied in developing the socially valued role of student.
Presenters
Bridie Smith
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Bridie Smith is the CEO/Founder of At Home Assistance, an organization in Sunbury, Victoria, Australia that provides support to people with disabilities in home and in the community. Her journey began in 2002, when her eldest son was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum with moderate impairment. Soon after, Bridie became involved in the Citizen Advocacy program in Sunbury and over the years was a board member, executive member, and Citizen Advocate. These experiences provided opportunities for her to learn about Social Role Valorization and deepened her commitment to improving the lives of people with disabilities. She now works to apply these learnings in the program that she operates.​
Erosha Bakmiwewa
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Erosha Bakmiwewa is a Facilitator for Imagine More based in Canberra. She first learned about SRV from her connection to Imagine More as a parent seeking an inclusive education for her daughter, Sethmi. This has continually fueled her passion to help other parents strive for an inclusive life by sharing her knowledge and experiences. Erosha is currently studying for her Masters of Autism and Neurodivergent studies at the University of Wollongong. ​