Disability Issues of Transport Accident Commission - Coursework Example

 Background Information Most of the clients attached to the Transport Accident Commission have limited options after their accidents as most of them seek residence in residential support facilities. Similarly, some of them move back into their pre-accident family homes, where they go through their day to day operations under the watchful eye of an attendant care. In as much as these habitations play a huge role in ensuring that the clients continue with their standard lives, they do not provide the desired flexibility to the clients. This project provides insight into a service model proposed by EWT foundation, and designed for people living with disability to be implemented at Glenroy and Frankstone facilities. The main purpose of the project, is to ensure that the clients receive the appropriate support in the course of transitioning into their new way of life. Similarly, it dedicates to meet personal care for each respective client, to maximize on their ability to be independent as well as to re-establish meaningful roles in their various communities. Our Model EW Tipping Foundation (the foundation) has developed a model of support that focuses heavily on enhancing opportunities for Traffic Accident Commission (TAC) clients to live more independently within their own home, in a safe environment, for as long as they wish to live there. The support provided by the foundations staff will focus on (1) enabling client choice and decision making (2) ensuring greater capacity and capability for clients to live independently in their own home and (3) promoting and enabling client’s access to lifestyles and experiences equal to others within the community. The model is based on existing international literature covering a range of accommodation options and support models available to people with an acquired brain inquiry (ABI) or a spinal cord injury (SCI), evidence on the effectiveness of these models in influencing outcomes was used as a basis to create approaches of individualized, flexible and cost-effective support. Research findings include: Many individuals who experience a severe injury sustained in a transport accident require ongoing support and specialized accommodation, often for their lifetime. Traditionally, the range of supported housing options for this group has been limited to living with family or paid attendants, group homes, or institutional settings such as residential aged care. Broadening the range, housing type and support available to people TAC clients will be provided greater flexibility to meet individual goals and needs. Options that separate the provider of housing from the provider of support improves tenancy rights for the person with disability. Quality of life outcomes research into people living in The Residential Independent Pty Ltd (RIPL) and traditional supported accommodation models highlighted the need for the role of a transition planner Our model is centered around individualization and flexibility, based on individual needs and preferences, incorporating a recovery and independence based approach. We consistently adapt to clients changing needs whilst focusing on empowering clients to develop confidence and capability with technology and equipment as they build their own local networks. Our focus is on collaboration with the person, their family and friends to plan personal goals maintain and develop networks whilst providing the practical support needed for the tenants to live well in their own apartments. The foundation has a long-term focus on building capability to ensure people with complex needs can continue to live in their own home and lead the planning and design of their own supports. Key aspects of the model include: Transition planning: the foundation will allocate a team leader (TL) that will perform the role of a transition planner to assist the client to access their new home; a RIPL property. A collaborative approach will be adopted by the foundation. During the planning phase, the TL will work closely with the client and the TAC coordinator to discuss the goals identified by the client in their Independence Plan. The independence plan will incorporate a section on transition, ‘planning for the move’. The foundation strongly promotes a ‘one plan model’, where the individual plan will document the work being undertaken by the foundation and other members of the client’s treating team, the client, their family, their friends and the TAC, to support the achievement of the client’s goals. Transition: following the assessment and individualised planning stage, initial work will be done by the foundation (the TL), alongside key people to assist the client to adapt to their new way of life. Transitioning into a new way of life after an accident is puzzling for everyone. The difficulty comes about because individuals are required to go about activities in a way that they had not. This forces them to learn new ways of life, an event that is not always easy to accomplish. To this effect, the foundations model will be based on building capacity, supporting clients to learn how to do things differently from the way they once knew. Building Capacity/Autonomy: in order to ensure that the clients live in their own homes, where they would be in a position to maximise their independence and actively take part in their daily activities with limited challenges, the foundations staff will be at hand to guide the clients through the process of embracing some of the new technologies that will be aimed at making the clients lives easier. The foundations aim is to empower clients to enable them to have control over their environment using assistive technology as opposed to being dependent on support staff. Depending on specific needs of the client, other skill development will cover various aspects of everyday life ranging from the management of finances, personal health and hygiene, as well as how to provide medical care for themselves. In like manner, the training will enlighten the clients on meal preparation, how to go about the situation of public transport and self-advocacy (Hunt et.al 1992, pg. 37). In using a capacity building approach the client is able to re-establish the client’s purposeful roles within the society. Service coordination: Once the client has transitioned into their new home the TL will remain the key person within the foundation that is responsible for work alongside the TAC coordinator to enable long-term strengths-based planning and service coordination to the client. The TL will play a key role in monitoring the support provided and they will work with the client to ensure the Independence plan is being actualised and monitored. Regular meetings are seen as important by the foundation to quickly address any issues arising. The foundation believes that the practice of service coordination particularly supports more effective ways of working with people with complex and multiple needs. Partnership: The foundation is committed to working in collaboration with the client, TAC, RIPL, the Summer Foundation and other key people to ensure client outcomes are achieved. A flexible Approach to Service Delivery: The foundations model of support is based on 24/7 availability of staff at the RIPL site and within the community, an on-call staff member is available for emergencies. Outcome Measurement / Long-term quality of life outcomes: the foundation will work alongside health professionals to support the clients to achieve routine standardised outcome measures as appropriate to the client (TAC standard measures). Person-centered-active support: The use of Person Centered Active Support will be central to the model. Professor Christine Bigby at La Trobe University is working in partnership with the Foundation to assist in the delivery of active support and in evaluating quality of life outcomes for clients based on the use of Person Centered Active Support. Person centered Active Support increases individual’s participation and skills. The literature reports improved: Participation (in the home and within the community) Quality of life and wellbeing Skills and functioning Opportunities to control their lives and participate in meaningful activity Self-esteem, achievement and sense of being valued. Positive Behavior Support (PBS): The Foundation’s PBS model reinforces positive approaches to intervention. The key functions of the approach will include systematic, multi-element interventions in a team approach. The behavior support consultation team work across the foundations services to provide positive behavior support consultation where required. Commitment: commitment to ongoing evolution of the model of client. Experience: the foundation is quite familiar with the service model described above, this will ensure that the interaction of EW Tipping employees with clients is productive, and that positive feedback is registered in the lives of the clients. Comparison of Glenroy and Frankstone Facilities to traditional therapy Mechanisms Many individuals who experience a severe injury sustained in a transport accident require constant support and specialized accommodation, often for their lifetime. Traditionally, the range of supported housing options for this group has been limited to living with family or paid attendants, group homes, or institutional settings such as residential aged care. Broadening the range of services offered, housing type and support available to people TAC clients will provide greater flexibility to meet individual goals and needs, a measure that the above model takes into consideration. Options that separate the provider of housing from the provider of support improves tenancy rights for the person with disability. Quality of life outcomes research into people living in The Residential Independent Pty Ltd (RIPL) and traditional supported accommodation models highlighted the need for the role of a transition planner, which our model has similarly captured. Traditional therapy facilities have played a very instrumental role in ensuring that TAC clients get back on their feet after accidents. Nevertheless, they have fallen short of expectations on certain occasions. For example, they have always barred independence by having their clients take meals that have often been prepared. Similarly, clients who use their services always have their clothes washed, a trend that will not be practiced within Glenroy and Frankstone facilities (Montalvo 1977, pg. 66) as each residential unit will have its own kitchenette, which the clients will use to prepare meals of their choice. The same applies to own bars that help in the recreation process. Effectiveness of the Service Model A successful service model for a TAC client moving into a RIPL model is one that ensures that the transition into the new way of life comes with much ease. Similarly, a model is considered fruitful if it meets the personal and specific wishes of each client and maximizes their independence. In line with the tender requirements therefore, EWT foundation will work alongside health care professionals an event that will ensure that the demands of each client is sorted and that TAC standard measures are met The Outcomes Star The Outcomes Star both measures and supports progress for service users towards self-reliance or other goals. The Stars are designed to be completed collaboratively as an integral part of practice. It is our intention to use the Outcome Star –. This is an exemplary tool, which creates coherence across the whole tool and a Star Chart (pictured below) onto which the client and worker plot where they are on their journey. The attitudes and behavior expected at each of the points on each scale are clearly defined, usually in detailed scale descriptions, summary ladders or a quiz format. An Outcomes Star reading will be completed collaboratively as an integral part of the Team leader’s role. At the intake stage the team leader will meet with the client, key family members and practitioners, the TAC coordinator to discuss the person’s current status. A star design will be selected according to the person’s needs. Using the ladders or other scale descriptions, they identify together where on their ladder of change the service user is for each outcome area. Each step on the ladder is associated with a numerical score so at the end of the process the scores can be plotted onto the person’s Star. Key areas outcome areas are: Outcome areas:  1. Physical health 2.Living skills & self-care 3.Well-being & self-esteem 4.Sensory differences 5.Communication 6.Social skills 7.Relationships 8.Socially responsible behavior 9.Time and activities The process is then repeated at regular intervals (suggested monthly) to track progress. The data can be used to track the progress of an individual, to measure the outcomes achieved by a program, and possibly benchmarked to like programs. Where progress is not identified the support will be adapted accordingly. References BAIRD, D. (1994). Computing facilities for the disabled. Newcastle Business School. BROACH, S. (2003). Autism: rights in reality: how people with autism spectrum disorders and their families are still missing out on their rights. [London], National Autistic Society. HUNT, H. A., & BERKOWITZ, M. (1992). New technologies and the employment of disabled persons. Geneva, International Labour Office. LEAVITT, R. L. (1992). Disability and rehabilitation in rural Jamaica: an ethnographic study. Rutherford, Fairleigh Dickinson Univ. Press u.a. MONTALVO, A. (1977). Bathroom facilities accommodating the physically disabled and the aged: a research and design project. Ann Arbor, School of Art, The University of Michigan. Read More