Melissa Ctark-Reynolds

Motivational speaker, Melissa dark-Reynolds, had a message for everyone yesterday afternoon:

"We don't do anything on our own—it is very important to do things together."

"The good things pass and the bad things pass. It's all temporary."

"Do something bold. Nobody ever died wishing they had a smaller life."

"A life without mistakes isn't a life. Fail. Fail spectacularly, Out of that comes the lesson of how to do It better next time."

"Set yourself goals that are really big and really scary."

Tom Gibbons. Rochester Rehabilitation Centre.

Tom's organisation is part of a group of services that are based in the Allan Seagal Centre in Rochester, NY, The Centre is home to a variety of organisations who provide support services for people with disabilities and their families. Each member organisation maintains their own identity and the Centre provides office space, property management, staff development training and a common fundraising arm. This collaboration has created the opportunity for partnerships and provides service users with a one-stop shop.

Sue Robertson. Edge Employment Solutions

Sue set up Edge nearly 20 years ago and has been extremely successful in providing supported employment for over 2000 people with disabilities. She identified several factors that were critical to their success, including; core values; skilled staff; looking, feeling and acting like a
business; matching jobs to people not people to jobs;and focusing on large businesses and the public sector for employment. She says it is essential to know your clients well and to promote them boldly and passionately to potential employers.

Scott Holz, Disability Services Australia

Scott spoke about the evolution of his service in a political environment that up until the last 12 months, has looked with disfavors on sheltered work. Recently DSA has established a 'shop front' model, which determines which of their services (day programmes, factories, enclaves and supported employment) will best suit their clients' needs. Clients are no longer placed in services 'willy nilly' and those who go into the factories and enclaves are recruited against specific job descriptions.

Neil Lunt, Massey University

Neil gave an overview of the labour market in New Zealand and how recent trends, (such as the rise of the service sector and decline of the manufacturing sector, non-standard work and part-time work) effect people with disabilities. He mentioned the lack of data available to inform research and policy in New Zealand and the need for a flexible benefit system, which acts as a 'trampoline, rather than a safety net.'

• Buses for today's tours will depart at 1.30 pm.   Buses for those going on Visits A, B and C will depart from the street in front of the venue car park, opposite the Duxton Hotel. Buses for the limited number Visits. D and E, will depart from the venue car park. All the buses will have signs indicating which visit they are for.
• You are being let loose on Wellington tonight—so have fun. There is a vast array of restaurants and bars in the vicinity especially on Courtenay Place. Robyn says there is no money in the budget for bailing people out of jail.

Delegates had a night to remember at "Theo's Greek Taverna last night. They actually fed us,
there was live music, Greek dancing and some or us got to humiliate ourselves by dancing on barrels.

Newsletter Monthly Newsletter Membership Members receive regular mailouts and newsletters covering specific issues and seeking member comment, notifying any significant Goverment policy changes. Annual Conference The 3rd Annual Conference of Workability International 12th – 15th October 2004 – Christchurch Convention Centre, Christchurch, New Zealand

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