A Useful Initiative Which Is Worth Being Aware Of.

The following was sent to me today – and I thought it was worth passing on.

Youth with disabilities to benefit from online partnership

Media Release

Livewire.org.au and Northcott Disability Services announced today a partnership which will enable young people living with disabilities to better interact online.

Through the Livewire Affiliate Partner Program, Northcott and Livewire are working together to provide young people with disabilities access to additional online services.

Livewire is a free, safe and supportive online community which has been designed especially for young people aged over 10 and under 21 living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability.

Livewire Managing Director, Omar Khalifa, said that the new partnership will enable Livewire to better engage with young people living with disabilities.

“Our aim is to create a supportive online community which meets the needs of all our members,” he said. “This partnership will enable Livewire to be more accessible and deliver better outcomes to young people with disabilities.”

Northcott Disability Services provides support and services to more than 6000 people with disabilities, their families and carers across the ACT and NSW.

Northcott Disability Services Senior Manager of Client Programs, Anita Fisher, said that the partnership with Livewire will enable Northcott to reach more young people living with disabilities and, by providing assistive technology through Northcott’s Computer Assistive Technology Service, help them to increase their independence and interaction with the online world.

“CATS offers people with disabilities increased independence in the areas of computer access, communication and access to everyday appliances at school, home and work,” she said. “This partnership is an opportunity for Northcott to better support young people with disabilities and to help them get online and interacting with their peers.”

The partnership with Northcott Disability Services reflects other not for profit partnerships that have been successfully operated by Livewire, including partnerships with the Haemophilia Foundation Australia, Muscular Dystrophy NSW, The Spastic Centre and Diabetes Australia.

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About Livewire.org.au

Livewire.org.au is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Starlight Children’s Foundation and is supported by funding from the Australian Government under the Clever Networks Program, Starlight Children’s Foundation and in-kind support from Livewire’s launch partners. For more information on Livewire visit www.livewire.org.au

About Northcott Disability Services

Northcott Disability Services was established as the NSW Society for Crippled Children in 1929 by the Rotary Club of Sydney in response to the growing number of children with polio and tuberculosis. Today, Northcott Disability Services provides support to over 6000 people with a broad range of disabilities and their families across NSW and the ACT by offering a range of quality programs which promote a genuinely inclusive society, In 2009, Northcott proudly celebrates 80 years of supporting people with disabilities reach their full potential. For more information on Northcott visit www.northcott.com.au

If you know of young people that this may help – let them know!

David.