This edition of CRUcial Times focuses on the theme of "Right Relationship"
This edition contains the following articles:
Editorial
Jane Sherwin
From the President
Mike Duggan
Right relationships: with and between family members
Lisa Bridle is a social worker with a background in community development who has recently joined Community Resource Unit as a consultant. The birth of her son, Sean, eight years ago prompted Lisa’s exploration of the meanings of disability and parenthood.
In this article, Lisa suggests that the idea of “right relationship” is key for families too, not only in how services relate to families but also for relationships within the family.
The role of personal integrity in upholding "right relationship" in organisations
Michael Kendrick has a passionate interest in the provision of quality services to people with disabilities and is well known for his work on leadership, quality, advocacy, safeguards, and the promotion of community living for people with disabilities. Michael’s writing speaks to the power of individuals in developing an ethical relationship with the people they serve, despite the prevailing attitude of their organisation.
"We are all the beneficiaries of the countless decisions of many anonymous people who have simply decided that ethical principles matter to them."
The impact of services on a vision for life
Suzanne Tuttle, from Innisfail, describes herself as a wife to Chris, and mother of their ten children. Her values are based on the experiences of her childhood and early adult life. Suzanne has been involved as an advocate for people, particularly children who are marginalised, for over thirty years.
Here, she reflects on vision, and the impact of services and bureaucracy upon the vision of families.
Right Relationships: a picture of a life with and without overwhelming bureaucracy
Sally Barone is a mother of three daughters who became an activist in order to make a better life for her daughter with a disability. In this article Sally reflects on the role of bureaucracy in shaping her family’s life, and points to a right relationship with bureaucracy.
Disability and the increased risk of vulnerability
Mary Kenny is a Queenslander who grew up in a country town where she was acknowledged and appreciated as a member of a family and a community. She has experienced hearing impairment since birth, and more recently has become severely hearing impaired. She has worked in the public service and private enterprise and during the last thirteen years she has worked in advocacy for people with disability in Queensland. She completed a study tour of Citizen Advocacy programs in the USA in 1996 and came back convinced that we have much work to do if we are to truly include people with disability in our communities and acknowledge their contributions as citizens of our society.
When consultation is truly listening
Vivien Twyford is the President Elect of the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2), a non-profit corporation established to advance the practice of public participation. The work of the Association is premised on the belief that the public should have a say in decisions about actions that affect their lives. Based in NSW, Vivien is the first President living out of North America.
Drawing on the learning and teaching of IAP2, Vivien suggests some basic principles that might guide the use of public consultation in service and system reform.
Valuing People
Morrie O'Connor has been extensively engaged in community work since the 1970s. Morrie has worked at the Community Living Program in the northern suburbs of Brisbane since its establishment in 1987.
In this article, Morrie explores some of the issues in supporting people who experience difficulty in making decisions, to have more autonomy and authority in their own lives.