Suzanne Whiteman from the Council of Intellectual Disability (CID) says there will be free workshops in Ballina tomorrow (14 May) and Friday (15 May), with a particular focus on women.
The events are for people living with intellectual disability, ranging from ADHD to neurodiversity, acquired brain injury to cognitive disabilities, and beyond.
Ms Whiteman said, ‘I have been working with the Council for Intellectual Disability as part of a co-production team creating health resources for women. The CID health team is coming to Ballina to run these inclusive events, produced by myself and Rachel Ralph from Northcott, with free resources to take home.’
The event is the first of its kind to be delivered in regional NSW, and will be happening at Northcott Ballina. ‘It is disability led – with facilitators identifying that they live with intellectual disabilities,’ Ms Whiteman explained.
‘Across the two days, participants will be given new tools and resources to take control of their own health, including conversation cards in easy to read formats.’
Emerging Ballina chef Michael Green will be providing healthy vegetarian food, and is excited about this opportunity to show off his skills and engage with his community.
Fresh produce for the event will also be sourced locally, from The Paddock in Mullumbimby – adding another local connection.
Shifting focus to self-advocacy
Sue Whiteman told The Echo, ‘The program aims to shift the focus from reliance on carers to self-advocacy, helping participants better understand their bodies, have the opportunity to ask specific questions, manage medical records and speak up in healthcare settings, with the goal of empowering people to take ownership of their health, build confidence to ask questions and advocate for themselves.’
She said the program will run across May 14 and 15, with four small-group sessions designed for people who identify as having a disability.
‘The morning is for women only and the afternoon is for everyone – covering topics related to health and wellbeing, including understanding medical issues and navigating appointments,’ she explained.
‘Resources will be given to participants and everyone will have the chance to create a personal health folder, giving participants a practical way to track their own medical history and needs.
‘Conversation cards will be provided to help people who are non verbal.’
Focus on women’s health
A key element of the workshops is a dedicated focus on women’s health, addressing long-standing gaps in awareness and diagnosis.
‘Women with disabilities often face higher rates of undiagnosed illness, for example – areas such as cervical and breast cancer screening, due to barriers in knowledge, communication and access,’ said Ms Whiteman.
‘The My Body My Choices cards, which were made by women with intellectual disability, are designed to help health professionals to communicate in a more inclusive way. These cards can also help family members and support workers to have conversations with women with intellectual disability about their sexual and reproductive health and safe relationships.’
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