igKnight

Updated website

Igknight – Connecting people with disability to their community Igknight provides disability and support coordination services to clients across Wollongong and the Illawarra. We help people with disabilities find their Passion, Purpose and Potential.

Hidden Disability - Sunflower initiative

A symbol for non-visible disabilities, also known as hidden disabilities or invisible disabilities. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a globally-recognised symbol for non-visible disabilities, also known as hidden disabilities or invisible disabilities. Some people choose to wear the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower to discreetly identify that they may need support, help, or just a little more tim...

Today on the ACT public holiday for Reconciliation Day, our igKnight adventures took us to Parliament House and a guided tour by Alison Byrnes MP and her associate Franky - thank you for a very down to earth, informative tour.
Autism Awareness Australia
Assistance Dogs Australia
NDIS National Disability Insurance Scheme
Visit Wollongong

Today We Rock the Spectrum - Wollongong, NSW with our friends Aleks and Brodie - so Much fun and kindness being spread in this place. Hope to see it change hands into new owners soon. Healthy Cities Illawarra Inc Ride4Rotary Visit Wollongong Alison Byrnes MP The Disability Trust NDIS National Disability Insurance Scheme @

To Our Amazing We Rock the Spectrum Wollongong Family.

In 2021 my family and I opened our We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym branch to provide a safe, clean and nurturing haven for ALL kids. Our dream was to have a place where kids of all abilities could come together to learn, grow and be accepted as they are.

Over the past 2 years We Rock the Spectrum Kids' gym has become the leader in what full inclusion should look like. We have established lifelong partnerships, friendships, and many of you have become family. We truly cannot thank you enough for all of your support throughout the years.

As many of you know, our passion for We Rock and its incredible need in this area was driven by our own son and the desire for children like him to have a place where they could just be themselves.

As our son grows older, he needs us and our ongoing support more and more, and for this reason we have made the toughest decision to pass on the baton of ownership of We Rock the Spectrum - Wollongong.

As much as we are feeling saddened, we are also so excited for a new family or professional to come in and take our safe space even further.

If you or someone you know would be interested in purchasing and continuing to grow our amazing community, please reach out to We Rock the Spectrum’s Corporate Office, at [email protected] or contact Hellen directly at [email protected] or by phone 02 4244 0592.

We are so grateful for each and every one of you! Thank you for allowing us to get to know you and your amazing families and for letting us be a part of so many wonderful memories that we will absolutely cherish forever.

We appreciate your support and continued business whilst we seek to find the right people to take over this incredible space!

With Love, Hellen, Shane, Ethan & Ella xx

Ride4Rotary
Join Team Igknight for a fun way to spend a Sunday and help support Southern Youth & Family Services

https://charity.syfs.org.au/fundraisers/igknight

You learn something everyday - Thanks Shirley
Auslan not AUSLAN

Auslan, not AUSLAN

Just a friendly reminder for everyone on how to write the correct term for Australian Sign Language. It’s Auslan, not AUSLAN.

This word is not a whole capitalisation and is different to other countries’ sign languages such as ASL, BSL, ISL etc., because Auslan is a combined letters from the three words (Australian Sign Language) rather than the first letter of each word.

You can find more information on a specific document written by Trevor Johnston on Deaf Australia’s website (https://deafaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Trevor-Johnstons-Auslan-or-AUSLAN_2021.pdf)

I am proud of my beautiful first language, and I want to ensure everyone knows and knows how to use the correct term in our current society.

Come and Try Frame Running!
MONDAY 1ST MAY @ 4 PM - 5:30 PM

SPORTS HUB, UNI OF WOLLONGONG,
KEIRAVILLE NSW

The Come & Try Day is open to children and adults who cannot walk or run functionally.

👇 CLICK LINK BELOW TO REGISTER

https://framerunningwollongong.org.au/come-and-try-day-registration-form/

Dejay Medical will be supplying the Frames on the day. It's FREE. Please register to know the numbers in advance.

Igknight is proud to announce
We Are Open for
S U P P O R T C O -O R D I N A T I ON
Send your enquiry details to [email protected]
(Subject: SC enquiry)

Lunch for everyone - Need A Feed Australia

Having fun catching up with ol mates IDO Illawarra Disability Options 2023
Pens, Drink Bottles, Coffee Cups, card holders
Some amazing providers here - come take a look

Please consider supporting this event to show community spirit for David Deitz and his family

Ride for Deitz Community Day at the Illawarra Criterium Track (Lindsay Maynes Park)

Come along to the “Ride For Deitz 2023 Community Day’ and try out the new Illawarra Criterium Track on Saturday March 18, Lindsay Maynes Park, Unanderra.

Starting at 2pm, this is free event is for school aged children who would like to develop their bike skills and confidence in a fun and safe environment. Guided by riding instructors, kids aged 5-16 will
be divided into age categories to participate in structured sessions incorporating game-play to help develop and challenge their riding skills.

Children will be required to be able to ride independently, bring their bike, helmet and enclosed shoes to participate in the day. All kids require a parent or guardian to be present throughout the
duration of the come and try - parents/guardians are not required to ride.

The Ride for Deitz Community Day will also have an array of information and stalls on display fromthe local Illawarra bike community. There will be a BBQ, drinks and cake stall available for gold coin donations. The first 70 entries will receive a free gift.

All money raised at the Ride for Deitz Community Day will go directly to David Deitz. Many local people are aware of the tragic accident that occurred at the Unanderra Velodrome on 21st January, resulting in a permanent and life changing spinal cord injury to David. David is a well-known Wollongong resident and principal of Smith’s Hill high school, and is also a passionate cyclist who has successfully competed and supported local cycling up to and including the day of his accident. Since hearing of David’s injuries local people have informally organised themselves to support David and his family, and to date have raised over $35,000 which represents only a small part of the very substantial costs involved with starting to support a severely disabled family member.

As families around Australia enjoy the warmer months, Coles and Woolworths supermarkets become a centre of activity 🛒

Both supermarkets offer ‘Quiet Hour’ held on Tuesdays between 10:30am - 11:30am. A low sensory shopping experience, with dimmed lighting, reduced announcements and volume to create a sensory friendly store visit.

Find your local Coles: https://bit.ly/3by3zZX

Find your local Woolies: https://bit.ly/2w9q4CY

Ability Fest is back! 🎵

The accessible and inclusive music festival is back this year with an incredible line up of artists to get excited about. Music lovers can enjoy performances from Hilltop Hoods, Meg Mac, Alter Boy, Mashd N Kutcher and many more.

The event will feature elevated viewing platforms, accessible pathways, a dedicated sensory area, quiet zones, companion ticketing, ramps, Auslan interpreters and accessible toilets.

Held in Melbourne at Birrarung Marr, the festival will take place on Saturday 25 March.

Tap to find tickets and learn more: https://bit.ly/3sfkesx

On Wiradjuri Land at Gundagai- Road trip to Melbourne! First stop The Coffee Pedaler - Gundagai - excellent coffee, food and service 🌈😺🚴🏻
Visit NSW
Visit Riverina NSW
Wiradjuri News

Thank you The Growing Space for all your insights 🌈

Letters to your kiddo’s teacher/s - School is back NEXT WEEK! YIKES!
Get on it parents and carers! Have you written yours for this year yet?
PLEASE SHARE:
Here's a draft for you to cut and paste and edit as you like. It's just a starting point and you’ll want to include other bits and exclude some bits to suit YOUR child, but this might give you some ideas!

Dear Mr/Mrs # # #,
I am X # # #’s parent. X # # # will be in your class this year and I’m looking forward to working with you this year.
I thought I’d give you a brief outline of who X # # # is, and some info that might help you have an awesome year together.

1. Stuff I’m *really* into:
2. Things that really motivate me/ and ways to get me to be engaged/involved:
3. Stuff that scares me:
4. About my stamina:
5. Stuff I’m really good at:
6. Areas I’d most like to improve:
7. Interesting quirks of mine – sensory issues etc:
8. Health issues you should know about and how they affect # # # at school:
9. How to read/prevent/manage a meltdown:
10. Ideas for reducing/preventing behaviours that aren’t helpful at school:
11. A bit about my family, pets etc, and what we did in the holidays:
12. A photo of me and my family
13. Other professionals in my life you may wish (and have my permission) to contact at some stage include:
(maybe include some photos of your kid doing things they love!)

What to expect from me:
I am a pretty involved parent. I like to know what’s going on at school, but I don’t want to interfere with your job. I want you to know I am available by phone/email/text/carrier pigeon and hope and expect to be contacted with your queries, and absolutely as soon as anything looks like it might be hitting the fan. If you would like support from a therapist (OT/Speech etc) please let me know and I will do my best to make it happen.

How I would love for us to work together:
The sooner I know about any behavioural issues that are emerging, the better I can support my child, and you, and we can be on the same page at home and school. I can support you by following through and using the same language and agreed consequences (including rewards) to help X # # # make the most from school and friends.
Do you prefer email, phone, or a drop in before/after school to stay in touch? I’d also like to set up a face-to-face meeting half way through first term so we can check in, and one each term after that.

Can I also ask you to keep an eye out for which other kids in the class my kiddo is making a connection with, as I’d like to setup some playdates etc., but it’s hard for me to know which relationships might be good to encourage.

Thank you in advance for your work this year. I know that X # # # will need more of your time and energy than some of the other kids, but I want you to know I am grateful and my guess and hope is that you and X # # # will grow and learn together this year, as well as have great fun!
Many thanks,
X # # # # # #
My email address is:
My Phone number is:
I am usually available at # # # times of day and at # # # times I am usually at work and not able to answer calls,

copyright The Growing Space, Jan 2023
You're welcome to share and use this letter anyway you like for your own child. It you are using or sharing for your organisation or business, I do ask that you give credit, and don't edit. Thanks

pic desc: a montage of the school photos (in uniform) of each year of a young man with short hair wearing glasses. That young man is Ben, and he has Down syndrome, and his Mum (me, Sam) is glad we no longer have to deal with and manage school related stuff these days!

Have your say about Wollongongs Pop Up Cycle ways by completing this survey by 30/1/23… let’s make a difference for all to access!! Healthy Cities Illawarra Inc Frame Running Wollongong eXsight Cycle Tours NSW Visit Wollongong NDIS National Disability Insurance Scheme

Pop-up Cycleways Final Survey Since March 2021, we’ve been trialling Pop-up Cycleways at various locations throughout the Wollongong Local Government Area. We’re at the end of the trial period and are now seeking further feedback from users and residents on the Pop-up Cycleways to help make

https://events.humanitix.com/sexual-and-reproductive-rights-for-people-with-disability-dec?fbclid=IwAR0gphqrYsxhPQ7_tY9ey8l0u1qNqz4w0-4ca26LmRHwYZv1EezdBCRIZD4&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Sexual and Reproductive Rights for People with Disability, Hosted online, Tue 13th Dec 2022, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm AEDT | Humanitix Webinar: Sexual and Reproductive Rights for People with Disability Supporting each other, to support ourselves The webinar will cover sexual and reproductive rights and how you can become your own self-advocate. We invite women, girls, and non-binary people with disability in Australia to come along...

Happy International Day of People with Disability!

We are loving seeing what our members are sharing of how they’re recognising and celebrating ( ) to amplify the voices and experiences of people with .

It makes us proud to see our network of 400+ leading Australian organisations share what they have been doing to celebrate the day, how they have been making an impact in creating an and future, and hearing about their goals for the new year.

Let’s keep this valuable conversation going and ensure that it’s not just on IDPWD, but every day that we focus on creating an accessible and inclusive world.

A reminder of our core guiding principles:
- Always ask the person
- A person’s disability is as unique as their fingerprint
- Never assume

Come buy Bunnings Sausage to Support Illawarra Committee Against Domestic Violence Women Illawarra
$3.50
Yum!
Healthy Cities Illawarra Inc
Visit Wollongong
UOW: University of Wollongong, Australia

Good Morning to all the wonderful Igknight members and mentors, staff and therapists. It’s a beautiful sunny (possibly windy 😵‍💫) day. Sending HOPE to your hearts and minds 🙏
Dayspring Care
Cycle Tours NSW
Visit Wollongong
NDIS National Disability Insurance Scheme
Healthy Cities Illawarra Inc

Superstar Audrey supported by Fred Cycle Tours NSW - You achieved a really fast time on your first big ride
Cycle Tours NSW
MS Gong Ride
Healthy Cities Illawarra Inc

Watch out Josie Talbot I think Audrey might take your spot on team Aus!!
Wollongong 2022

Today fred and 13yo Audrey are riding 80km through the National Park in the MS Sydney to Gong challenge. You can cheer them on by donating to the link below. Riding for Jesse, Can, and Janet who couldn’t make the ride today.

40th MS Gong Ride. Please support our ride from Sydney to Wollongong to Fight MS!

Igknight My team, Igknight, is taking on the challenge to cycle the MS Gong Ride. Please support our ride to Fight MS!

This week at the UCI World Championships -
Today - Josie Talbot (photo 10) will race in the Womens Elite Road Race - good luck to local wollongong and igknight talent Joise Talbot!! 🥇🚴🏻‍♂️🤞🏻🙏🤞🏻🚴🏻
Wollongong 2022
Visit Wollongong
Cycle Tours NSW

SATURDAY 17th September - join Igknight members and mentors for the one time only Community Ride to celebrate the Launch UCI World Championships - it will be a lot of fun.
ALL ABILITIES RIDE - see rego link below.

Contact [email protected] if you need support on the day.

https://www.registernow.com.au/secure/Register.aspx?E=47885&ReferralFrom=9411261

UCI Community Rides - Register Now UCI Community Rides