Winter is almost over, and fingers crossed that it starts to warm up soon. In the meantime, we have a packed newsletter for you this month.
We wanted to let you know about some online training we are offering, as well as a valuable resource we’ve found for the deaf community.
We have our monthly update about the NDIS, this month it’s about the new funding periods. There is also a great story about one of our crafty participants, and a warning about misleading NDIS advertisements.
Of course, we have our usual newsletter challenge, tips and tricks, as well as a fun fact about typewriters.
At Inclusion Tree, we’re thrilled to offer two special training sessions this August where 100% of proceeds support charity and free tickets are available for those in need. These workshops are designed to equip you with cutting-edge strategies while making a social impact.
📅 6thAug, 9thSep, 7th Oct and 13th Nov
🕘9:30 AM – 2:30 PM AEST
Led by Michaela Kennedy (with 30+ years with disability inclusion experience), this workshop dives into:
Strengths-based support & community building
Values of inclusion and creating “good days”
Practical tools: Maps, PATHs, NDIS-aligned goal setting
Perfect for: Families, support workers, coordinators, and service providers.
📅 27thAug,25th Sep, 22nd Oct and 26th Nov
🕘9:30 AM – 2:30 PM AEST
Explore mindful, trauma-informed support for autism/developmental disabilities, including:
Emotional maturity & self-regulation for supporters
Sensory/GI health strategies
Preventing burnout with compassion-focused tools
Ideal for: Carers, therapists, leaders, and anyone committed to holistic care.
One-Sentence Journal Challenge
This isn’t about writing the perfect journal entry or adding another “should” to your day. It’s about you, your thoughts, your moments, your quiet little victories that often slip by unnoticed.
For the next week, we invite you to gift yourself one intentional sentence each day. Not for anyone else, but just for you.
It could be:
“Today, I’m proud of myself for…
“Something that made my heart feel lighter was…”
“I surprised myself when…”
No rules, no judgment, just a small space to honour your experience. Your sentence might be profound, silly, or barely there at all. What matters is that it’s yours.
Want to try it right now? Finish this sentence:
“At this moment, I feel…” (Then tuck it away or hit reply, we’d love to read your stories.)
You deserve this tiny pause. Let’s take it together.
Living in the Hunter Valley with his mum, dad, and brother, a 21-year-old Connor thrives in an environment tailored to his needs. Born with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Level 3, an intellectual disability, severe anxiety, Pica, and being non-verbal hasn’t slowed this young man down.
He has been able to explore his passions and build a small business doing what he loves.
Recently, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has put out a notice to inform participants and their families of signs of misleading or false advertisements of NDIS services. At Inclusion Tree, we are all too aware that the NDIS is a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of Australians living with disabilities. It provides essential funding for supports and services that improve the quality of life for participants and gives them greater freedom to live equal lives.
Winter in Australia brings its challenges, slippery paths from rain, shorter daylight hours, and public spaces that aren’t always designed for comfort when temperatures drop.
Here’s a straightforward way to make a difference this month:
“The Winter-Ready Check”
Before heading out or hosting others, pause and ask:
Are walkways well-lit and free of puddles or trip hazards? (Wet leaves and uneven pavement can be risky!)
Do doorways or seating areas have shelter from wind and rain? (A simple awning or even rearranged furniture can help.)
Could someone with joint pain or limited mobility move through here safely? (Cold can stiffen muscles, making stairs or long distances harder.)
A small effort, like adding a non-slip mat, ensuring outdoor lights work, or offering a warm drink, can make shared spaces more welcoming for everyone.
Auslan News, Made for the Deaf Community – No Audio, No Subtitles, Just Access
Want your daily news designed for Auslan users? Deaf Connect (with support from SBS) just launched Auslan90 – a groundbreaking news series that ditches audio and subtitles entirely.
Daily updates on top Aussie + global stories (like the WA backpacker rescue or MH17 developments).
Deep dives on the week’s biggest headlines.
Underreported Deaf community stories are finally getting the spotlight.
Why is it revolutionary?
It’s 100% Auslan-first – no audio, no captions, just clear signing from Deaf presenters.
Pass it on: Share with Auslan users in your life:
New price guide:
The NDIS Price Guide 2025-2026 has been released, effective 1 July 2025. There have been adjustments made to the rates providers can charge for services.
Some rates for Core support work have been increased in line with CPI, which was 3.5%.
Therapists – Provider Travel: There have been changes to the rates that therapy providers can charge.
Therapy providers can now claim half of the relevant price limit for time spent travelling, up to the usual time limit caps.
Example
A physiotherapist with a price limit of $183.99/hour can now claim up to $92.00/hour for travel time, subject to location-based time caps.
This change applies only to therapy providers. It does not apply to Disability Support Workers or other support categories
You can find more information about the price adjustments here:
Funding periods:
There have been changes to the way new plans are built. Plans can have components of their funding released in 1, 3, 6 or 12-month blocks.
This will be stipulated in your plan, outlining the dates and the funding amounts that will be released during that time.
Important to note:
If you have underspent during the funding period, the remaining amount will be transferred into the next funding period for that item, although it will not be transferred into the next plan when it is renewed.
If you have reached your funding limit for that period, invoices will not be paid or claimable for services delivered after the funding has expired for that period.
You can read more about funding periods here:
The Typewriter Was Invented for the Blind
In 1808, Pellegrino Turri created an early typing machine to help his blind friend, Countess Carolina Fantoni da Fivizzano, write letters independently. This paved the way for modern keyboards!
We acknowledge the connections of First Nations People of Australia to the land, sea and community on which we live and work. As custodians of this sacred land we respect and acknowledge Elders, past, present and emerging.