28 APRIL 2000
a web newsletter for psych. consumers in Australia

Ria Strong, a Melbourne consumer and advocate has received a scholarship to travel to the USA at the end of July. She will speak at two Seattle conferences on stuff relevant to consumers ... The first: International Conference on Self-Determination & Individualized Funding .. members.home.net/direct funding. Secondly, the world congress of IASSID. She's working with other Victorian self-advocates to produce a video on self-advocacy leadership; this will be presented there. www.ia ssid.wisc.edu/congress11/thirdannouncement

She has been invited to be part of the IASSID congress symposium, "Crossing the Boundaries: from the researched to becoming researchers" . In her presentation, Ria will discuss the experiences of people with disabilities in research, and her own proposed research project.

A few other Aussie consumer-type people will be attending .. together with Kelley Johnson, she will also discuss inclusive research, and review a two year action research project on sexuality. She will also moderate a congress symposium on "Current Issues in Self-Advocacy".

Ria is planning to explore the Real Change Homeless Empowerment Project .. www.realchangenews.org/RCHEP/ in Seattle.

Ria can provide more info about this, and definitely wants consumer suggestions. She would welcome more offers of financial support for this trip! Contact BearInMind , Ross House Melbourne ph (03) 9639 7222 or e-mail strongvoice@start.com.au

For your links list :
... www.angelfire.com/wv/geoall/writing.html Geoff's page ... "I am currently re-constructing it .. there is an abundance of poems & stories & opinions and links for people to wade through if they feel so inclined. "

... www.hotkey.net.au/~halcyon Halcyon, a consumer service provider in Ferntree Gully, in Melbourne's outer east.

In Melbourne, John Thwaites has promised that the seven Metro. Health Services will be re-organised into 12 smaller groups. Two of the existing networks are reported to be almost insolvent; money saved by these changes would be directed into patient care. Hospital Boards will now have one or more patient reps. Each new metro. health service will support a consumer advisory committee. Herald-Sun

" I am told that millions love me
but no-one calls me " Jewel (pop muso.)