Playworks Resource Unit For Children With Disabilities
Home in Stonnington

Rock Hard is a resource developed for the Aboriginal community, through deep partnership between the Association for Children with a Disability (AC) and Aboriginal researcher and community advocate, Jody Barney. Jody has worked on several resources to amplify the knowledge and information for families, communities and organizations. AC asked Jody to do community research and consultation as segment of developing Learning Together, a resource for all Victorian families who have children with particular needs in school. The richness of the knowledge and stories shared by Elders and families in this research comes out of Jody’s culturally grounded ways of doing that work. Rock Solid started life as fair a few pages of Learning Together. It grew into Rock Hard because of the prosperity of knowledge that Elders and families shared, because of the massive community need for information, and because families said that to be useful, a resource must use language, quotes, ideas and images that families use in everyday life. But we also hope that schools and services can learn from Rock Difficult about what families might want, and what they have a right to expect. Our deep thankfulness to the Elders and families involved in Rock Hard for so generously sharing their knowledge and stories to aid other children, young people and families in community. Rock Firm is based on community research and consultation by Jody Barney. The artwork in Rock Firm was created by Aboriginal artist Renee Jenkins. Renee says that to create the artwork she reflected on her own parenting experience, which she likens to a journey with stepping stones along the way. The leaf and gum nut represent connection to the earth. The join of colors from yellow to orange and red also represent connection to the earth. The blue represents connection to water and the sky. Red represents the red earth, the red ocher and a spiritual connection to the land. Resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families of children with special needs. Hasty in the journey: earlier your kid starts school The beginning steps: getting aid for your child’s needs. What school should do to help your child Schools must talk to parents and carers. The right assist and learning for your child. Respect for your child’s culture at school. What you can do to promote your child’s journey Supporting your child’s education journey. Assist the school grasp your child’s needs. Your child’s path towards self determination. AC acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Beginning Australians and recognizes their culture, history, diversity and their deep connection to the land.

For over 30 years AC has been empowering children with a disability and their families to access the urge required to live a fulfilling life and to guard their child’s right to come their packed potential. Enduring friendships were forged along with a desire to share information and give mutual support. Striving for a better life for our children and families continues to drive what we do today. In 2010, AC celebrated three decades of occupied to encourage children with a disability and their families. To mark the occasion, we published a exceptional edition of noticeboard outlining the journey its successes and challenges. We look forward to celebrating our next milestone of 40 years in 2020 with AC members and supporters, past and present. AC acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as First Australians and recognizes their culture, history, diversity and their deep connection to the land. We also admit that AC is on the land of the Kulin Nation and we pay our respects to their Elders previous and present.