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THE FORSIGHT FOUNDATION FOR DEAFBLIND ADULTS HAS A NEW AMBASSADOR

The Forsight Foundation for Deafblind Adults has a new Ambassador, David Hall OAM.
One of Australia’s greatest athletes, David won the International Tennis Federation’s Wheelchair Championship on 6 occasions, is an Australian Paralympic Gold Medallist and is this year’s
City of Ryde Australia Day Ambassador. David was introduced to members of the Foundation at the 2006 Rotary District 9680 Conference in Canberra and was impressed by the organisation’s dedication.

David attended a Meet and Greet morning tea at the Forsight Foundation’s new Multi-Purpose room on 8th March 2007. David met with residents, staff and members of the Board. David was quoted in an article in the Northern District Times about his appointment as Ambassador of the Forsight Foundation, “Disability is a wide ranging aspect of the community. There is quite a high percentage of people in the community who are disabled.” David has told CEO Trish Wetton that he wants to get to know the residents and also to bring about an awareness in the community of the work carried out by the Foundation.

David’s appointment fits nicely into the Foundation’s 10 Year Strategic Plan “Working in Partnership”, a plan that is currently being developed with the assistance of volunteer facilitator Sharon McGann. Sharon is a Consultant to Zurich Financial Services and became aware of the Foundation’s work with adults who are deafblind through the United Way Sydney Corporate Partners Program, Managing for Success, attended by Trish.

Resident data collected indicate that over the next 10 years from 2007 to 2017, only 4 of the 34 adults currently living in Forsight Foundation community group homes will reach 55 years of age. Therefore it is reasonable to expect that future demand is will to be for more flexible Disability Services that will meet the expected changes in the level of support needs rather than for Aged Care Services. The 10 Year DADHC Strategic Plan, “Stronger Together” is available to stakeholders via the web in accessible formats to inform debate during consultation.

Strategies included in the Forsight Foundation 10 Year Plan are:

Appointment of a full-time Program Manager to develop and oversee the implementation and review of complex Lifestyle, Health & Recreation Plans.

Development of a unique Practical Assessment tool to accurately assess the abilities, choices and support needs of adults with sensory and additional disabilities across all life domains.

Expansion of the Program to increase the number of adults receiving a service from 34 to 44.

Introduction of Recreational Programs to include Dance Therapy, Music Therapy and Alternative and Augmentative communication skills training, utilising the newly completed Multi-Purpose room funded mainly by the Rotary Club of Carlingford and the John T. Reid Charitable Trusts.

Review of the day activities in the community attended by the adults to identify the future demand for a Forsight Foundation Daytime Retirement Program.

Continuation of our successful Volunteering Program with United Way Sydney to build on the existing Corporate Partnerships Project.

Raise the profile of the Foundation through the media and the web to increase public awareness.