ASNA is 10 years old this year. We have a number of events planned to celebrate this milestone and we will be undertaking a numbers of research projects to establish the difference ASNA has made over the last 10 years and what still needs to be done. Events so far have included an exciting and informative training day for 40 volunteers with Act 4 and our annual family respite weekend  during the month of April. This year over 130 people attended the weekend. Great weather, company and presentations. Read the comments and feedback from delegates from this event. We are also working on the production of training resources to support volunteers and professionals supporting disabled people and their families. The week at the Christian Resource Exhibition (CRE) brought a number of new contacts for ASNA, many wanting to know more about our work and how we can provide support.

Future events  include a fundraising cycle on the 28th August 2011, SYCAF – Young carers week in Swindon 8th – 12th August and a celebratory Black Tie banquet during the Carers Weekend  7th – 9th October 2011.

Other events include disability awareness training programs around the country and the joint annual training conference for disability coordinators and those supporting people with disabilities and special needs.

On October 7th this year Premier hosted the Enabling Church Conference. A selection of top quality speakers shared their insight for disability through their own experience or that of their families, and offered their Biblical reflections on the subject. The idea was to stimulate a conversation concerning a truly Christian response to disability and disabled people, their inclusion and involvement in every aspect of Church life. Whether you missed the event, or just wanted a reminder of some of the key points, you can listen to all the brilliant talks by following this link. Enabling church resources. You will find a wealth of knowledge and information to help support your ministry in your church and community

I often get phone calls from church members around disability and access. I recently received a call from a member….’I am a newly appointed disability coordinator in my church. Do you have any ideas and suggestions to get me started?’ I was able to give a number of suggestions to help get her started. I was particularly pleased to hear that she had the ‘Disability coordinators Manual’ launched in 2008 at the annual disability cocoordinators conference and that she was using it as a reference and training tool. She was finding the manual very useful as an introduction to disability issues and was even quoting references to support her passion and ideas.

This manual was developed by ASNA in partnership with the BUC as a training tool to enable and empower volunteers who support the involvement of disabled members in the life of the church. Disability coordinators also determine and address access issues and raise the awareness of the needs of disabled people with in the church. The manual was  designed in a A4 ringbinders as a resource that could be easily updated.

You can now download the Disability Coordinators Training Manual by following this link on this website! Send us an email once you have downloaded a copy and let us know how useful you find the document. If you would like a ring bound copy of the manual, please email us on info@asna.info.

 Enabling change, the ASNA disability awareness training program facilitates access to services for people living with disabilities.

One of the greatest barriers to accessing services for people with disabilties is the attitudes of others towards people with disabilites.

Positive ‘can do’ attitudes and a supportive environment, can help change the lives of people living with disabilities. ASNA provides programs that facilitate a positive environment for change.

These programs include the following:

• Disability awareness workshops & seminars
• Disability awareness days
• Deaf awareness training
• Workshops on  – Working with people with visual imparment
• Workshops on  – Understanding learning disabilities
• Understanding people living with disabilities
• Protecting vunerable adults and children
• Protecting children
• Understanding disabilities
• Supporting young carers
• Supporting Adult carers
• Biblical perspective on disability
• Disability and the church

What do people say about ASNA disability awareness training programs.

Thanks for such an inspiring program. I feel we can make changes in our church to ensure access for everyone

You have opened our eyes to so many possibilities.

(Disability coordinators)

For further details or to book a program, contact the ASNA Training coordinator on 01491 821103

Training Conference 2009 – Enabling Change: Supporting Leaders in Disabilities Ministry

The joint annual Disabilites Training Conference for Disability Coordinators took place on the 1st November 2009 at the Penderford SDA Church, Wolverhampton. The event was organised by ASNA and the BUC with guest speakers Nigel Nicholls (Chairman, ASNA), Tim Wood (Development Director) & Philipa Woodcroft from Through The Roof, Grace Walsh (NEC Health Director) and Jeff Nicholson (Pastor from NEC). This years conference gave coordinators an opportunity to share good practice and learn new skills to support the work in thier local communities.

Workshops included: Sharing Good Practice across the UK, Manual Handling, Disability Awareness, Supporting people who are blind, Bible stories with a difference.

Philippa gave an inspirational testimony and ended with a  hymn written by Fanny J Crosby.

Philipa presents an inspirational testimony at ASNA / BUC joint conference

What delegates said about the conference:

What did you find most helpful about the conference?

“Hearing how all the Church is doing gives you ideas.”

“Hearing from other co-ordinators from other churches; looking at how they have made changes and how they have got other members in their churches to take part.” “

The experience shared by Philippa about being blind and that of Tim Wood about what Through the Roof is doing to help those with special needs.”

“Personal experiences – make me feel ‘I can do that; the Through the Roof presentation; sharing good practice; supporting people with disabilities rather than special needs – needs clarification.”

“Feedback from other churches on their achievements; presenters.”

Interactive bible stories

Experiencial learning: Learning cane skills

The Ilford SDA church disabilities team experience a tactile story book

Enabling change: Disability Awareness Training project

• ASNA organises and provides disability awareness training programs
• This project provides accredited and certificated courses for leaders and volunteers, enabling them to feel able to support people with disabilities.
• The project also includes disability awareness seminars and workshops
• The project addresses issues that create barriers to access
• The project provides training towards the development of  activities to support children and adults with disabilities
• The project provides workshops that address S.M.A.R.T action plans for leaders and volunteers.
• Since December 2001, we have presented over 60 disability awareness training events and activities in the UK (including one in Ireland) .
• Activities have included workshops, seminars, conferences, training weekends, and training days.
• To sustain the work of the charity, we recruit, train and support volunteer carers and coordinators. We are working to increase the number of volunteer carers and would like to hear from anyone willing to be trained to provide respite and support for ASNA events.

For further details phone or email Sophia Nicholls on 01491 821103 email: info@asna.info

To be held at Pendeford Seventh Day Adventist Church

• Please come back soon for more details or contact us to find our more.

ASNA partners with the BUC to launch the Disability coordinators manual.  Follow this link to download a copy of the manual.

Aim:

To increase the number of British Sign Language interpreters available on the ASNA data base thereby providing a resource that facilitates access and inclusion for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Objectives:

• To provide financial support for students studying British Sign Language
• To support students by providing encouragement and opportunities for practice

General guidelines

• All applicants will usually be 18 years old or older.
• All applicants must have a valid and recent (within 2 year) certificate stating the completion of BSL level 1.
• All applicants must have completed the appropriate BSL interpretation for their region.
• All applicants must provide a statement giving the reasons for studying BSL
• Applications will be approved by the ASNA executive committee
• The teaching institution must be a recognised college of Further Education or equivalent institution.
• Funds will normally be released to the teaching institution for tuition fees only.
• On completion of the course, applicants must send to the H.A.N.Ds coordinator an original copy of the certificate of completion (which will be returned after a copy is made) and a signed certificate / form of attendance from the tutor of the BSL course.
• Applicants will be encouraged to retake any failed parts of the course to attain a pass.
• Consistent failure will be reviewed with H.A.N.D.S coordinator on an individual bases but may result in a percentage of the fees refunded by applicant.
• All applicants must be prepared to use skills for ASNA for the first year post completion at least once per quarter or as agreed by HANDS coordinator.
• Failure to provide services under available circumstances will normally result in the reimbursement of tuition fees back to the association.

Please also see the application form and our equal opportunities policy.