About

DeafBlind Association (NSW)

Our Office

The DeafBlind Association (NSW) office is located within the Sydney grounds of Vision Australia. We can be found at:


Lower level
Vision Australia offices
4 Mitchell Street
Enfield NSW 2136

The office is located opposite Retina Australia in the lower level complex. DeafBlind Association (NSW) gratefully acknowledges Vision Australia's generosity in allowing us to maintain our office within their Sydney premises.

Our office has three computers which are used for general administration of the association, but more importantly are available for the use of any deafblind person who may wish to use them when visiting the office. In order to engender a relaxed atmosphere, the office has a social corner with comfortable chairs, microwave, refrigerator, electric jug and toaster for use of members. The office is staffed by volunteers on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Visitors are welcome

Hand Over Hand Club

Hand Over Hand Club is a self-determining group of people with both hearing and vision loss. It is an important part of the DeafBlind Association (NSW). The club engages in interesting outings on the last Saturday of every month, except December. It provides information and social interaction for its members and produces a monthly newsletter, “Rainbow News”. Rainbow contains articles from members, stories about previous outings and details about upcoming outings. It is produced in Braille, Large Print (varying from 18 to 36 point), regular print, audio tape and email. Rainbow can be received by downloading and filling in the membership form or by contacting the DBA office on 02 9744 0160.

This Month's Activity

August 30 Trip to Mingara, Central Coast, for lunch and swimming" and October 3-6, instead of last Saturday Sept 27, delayed one week to take advantage of long weekend, at Kiama and visit to Jamberoo Fun Park.

HOH OUTING TO MINGARA RESORT AUGUST 2008 by Tony Hirst.
We are going to have a relaxing day at Mingara Resort on the Central Coast. Because of the long drive we will have an early start and be home quite late.

We will have a fantastic lunch in the Indigo Restaurant. I think most people will want to try the aquatic centre after lunch.

Bring your family and friends to the Indigo Restaurant and enjoy the delicious home style dishes cooked fresh daily. All dishes are prepared by qualified Australian and Asian Chefs to the highest standard. Lunch: 11.30am to 2.00pm.

50m indoor heated swimming Pool

Mingara Leisure Centre offers the only 50m Olympic standard heated lap pool on the Central Coast. The 8 lane pool is 1.2m deep throughout resulting in fast swimming times and making it perfect for poor swimmers as well as elite athletes. At all points you can put your feet on the bottom if needed! Water temperature is maintained at 26.5°C all year round making it perfect for lap swimming. A minimum of 2 lanes are always designated for general lap swimming (unless otherwise specified).

Leisure pools
Mingara is the number one family aquatic playground on the Coast catering for all the family. Our leisure pool incorporates water features and fountains, beach entry, and Lazy River Ride for kids and parents alike! Splash pools are also available for infants and toddlers.

The Leisure pool is maintained at 31°C all year round. All pools are fully supervised by trained lifeguards at all times.
DATE: Saturday 30th August 2008
TIME: We hope to arrive about 11AM
PLACE: Mingara Resort, Mingara Drive, Tumbi Umbi
BRING ALONG; Swimmers, towel and other things for water sports
To be picked up by one of our buses please ring Janne on 02 9456 2372 or mobile 0419 420 239 or email to janneb@tadaust.org.au OR ring Tony on 02 9642 7734 or mobile 0425 289 259 or email to westyhirst@mypostbox.com

EARLY ADVICE ABOUT SEPTEMBER OUTING - This will be a week late so that we can make use of the OCTOBER LONG WEEKEND.

Q: What will we do?
A: Have lots of FUN! Swim. Play Games. Go on giant water slides. Go tobogganing. Drive boats and go karts. Go on a sky cable car. Go Horseriding. Stay up late. Sleep in.
Q: Where?
A: At Jamberoo and Kiama!
Q: When?
A: The October long weekend!
Q: What do we need to bring?
A: Swimmers, Sunscreen, Sleeping gear, Maybe your Teddy Bear, Your favourite Board Game, comfortable clothes and warm clothes
Q: How much?
A: $120 covers 3 nights accommodation, most breakfast, lunch, dinner and suppers
Q: Do I need any extra money?
A: Yes for entrance to Jamberoo Park costs $30 per head + $16 per head for the Great Aussie BBQ Lunch, horse riding if you wish $15, souvenirs etc.. We will leave Sydney at 7PM Fri 3rd. Drive to Easts Beach Van Park at Kiama and sleep the night. We will be staying in cabins that can sleep 3 or 4 people each. There is one cabin that is fully wheelchair accessible. On Saturday Breakfast will be at the Park. Then we will drive to Jamberoo Recreation Park arriving about 10:30AM. Lunch is described as the Great Aussie BBQ provided by the Jamberoo people. It consists of a Scotch Fillet steak, sausages, Bread Rolls and Four Types of Salad. We will spend Saturday afternoon driving boats or go karts or on the giant water slides or tobogganing or whatever else you want to do. We will prepare our own dinner and supper at the Park in the evening. Stay up talking or playing games or go to bed early if you like or walk and talk on the beach. On Sunday morning we can sleep in or have a swim at Easts Beach or use the pool or go horseriding. We will have lunch either at the park or find somewhere else. Maybe get great fish and chips near the Kiama blowhole from the Fisherman's Co-op. Monday after lunch we will head off towards home. There is a good little craft village area open on the weekends in Kiama. There is a sensory shop at Jamberoo. If you want to go you have to let Janne or Tony know as soon as possible, deadline at Mingara outing.
You can ring Janne on 02 9456 2372 or mobile 0419 420 239 or by e-mail to janneb@tadaust.org.au
You can ring Tony on 02 9792 2001 or mobile 0425 289 259 or by e-mail to westyhirst@mypostbox.com

Crafties

A craft group meets twice per month, on a Friday afternoons in the DBA Office at Enfield. There is much laughter as people get up to their elbows in paint or glue. It is a very tactile exercise, and many items will be prepared for craft stalls before each Christmas. Afternoon tea is provided and it is a good opportunity to socialise.

Deafblind Awareness Week

Deafblind Awareness Week is celebrated each year during the last week of June. This is a significant period in the worldwide deafblind community, and the date is chosen to coincide with the birthday of Helen Keller. Helen Keller was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama on 27 June 1880. DeafBlind Association (NSW) conducts a number of social activities and awareness raising events during deafblind awareness week.


Our Mission Statement

"The mission of DBA (NSW) is to facilitate the inclusion of all people who are deafblind into the community by raising public awareness of their unique disability, promoting the use of a variety of communication techniques and promoting the improvement of services and facilities for persons who are deafblind."

The Goals of the Organisation

  1. Promote public awareness, recognition and acceptance of the unique needs of individuals who are deafblind;
  2. Improve the quality of life of persons who are deafblind in NSW, by
     (a) identifying and promoting application of national and international best practice in programs and service provision
     (b) promoting the development of programs and services to facilitate opportunities for independent living and community activities;.
  3. Provide consultation, collaboration and co-ordination with all service providers supporting persons who are deafblind;
  4. Advocate rights for persons who are deafblind and foster the deafblind person's ability to self-advocate by providing them with information or options for problem solving;
  5. Represent the interests and needs of persons who are deafblind at the local, state, federal and international level;
  6. to promote the use of a variety of communication techniques
  7. Identify technology and its implementation and use by persons who are deafblind.

Page last Updated: Sun, 25 August 2008
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