SKILL Barossa

10/12/2025

Do you want to be seen and heard as an autistic carer? 💜

The Autistic Carers Network is about to start, and you’re invited to join us.

This peer network is for autistic adults who are unpaid carers and offers a chance to:
- Self-direct learning in areas that interest you
- Strengthen your self-advocacy skills
- Share tools for managing your own sensory needs, energy and mental health
- Connect with people who genuinely “get it”

This is a culturally safe space for autistic people across the whole gender spectrum.
The group is for autistic adults. Formal and self-diagnosis are both equally recognised.

What do we mean by carer?
This group is open to all kinds of unpaid carers, including:
- Parents and foster parents
- People who care for family members or friends
- Kinship relations or guardians
This group is not for people working as carers in a paid, professional role.

🗓 First meeting
Monday 16 February 2026, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Online and in-person

Want to join? Fill out the expression of interest form: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=qJuGzk-meEmQRsMjRoM051GTrzuZuCREptVwYDqKrfBUN1MzVVNMUTE3RlRLTVNJVUFZTks4OFdGViQlQCN0PWcu&route=shorturl
Or email Olenka: olenkat@purpleorange.org.au

08/12/2025

What would help you feel safer in your everyday life?

The Australian Government is reviewing how safeguards for people with disability work in real life.
They want to hear directly from people with disability about:
- what helps you feel safe
- what does not work
- what needs to change

You can share your views in the way that works best for you:
- complete an online survey
- talk to government on the phone
- write to government
- record a message

Your feedback will help shape how governments design safeguards so people with disability are better protected and respected.

Feedback is open until 22 December.
Find out more and have your say:
https://consultations.health.gov.au/disability-and-carers-group/disability-safeguards-consultation/

06/12/2025

Join us for the official opening of our two newest playgrounds! 🛝

Come to one or both free community events held at each site and enjoy double the fun.

📅Sunday, 7 December
🕙10am Eden Valley Playground
📌 1845 Eden Valley Road

Followed by:
🕚11am Springton Playground
📌28 Miller Street
♨️FREE sausage sizzle provided by Springton CFS

Find out more👉https://ow.ly/jGcl50XAsRH

04/12/2025

For 12-25yr olds, new service open in Gawler .

For more contact information, or detailed information, head to www.headspace.org.au :) or their phone number is (08) 8240 9100

04/12/2025

Are you a neurodivergent or learning-disabled screen maker? then Sit Down Shutup and Watch (SDSW) is your festival! In 2026, SDSW will continue its expand...

03/12/2025

How did you celebrate today? Party, workshop or hiding away? I-Day,my way.

I-Day, my way.

For some people with disability, International Day of People with Disability is a time to connect and celebrate community.

For others, it’s a reminder that barriers can be exhausting — and that taking care of yourself is really important.

There’s no right or wrong way to mark I-Day. Whether you’re going to a community event, spending time with your allies, or not acknowledging the day at all — that’s OK.

I-Day is about you. Take care of yourself in the way that works for you.

If you feel comfortable, we’d love to hear what you’re planning to do (or not do) for I-Day. Pop it in the comments 💬

Or, if you’re keen to share more, post with the hashtag so we can find your stories.
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ID: A group of young people sit at a large white table, talking and smiling. The graphic reads: "I-Day, my way. " and includes the JFA Purple Orange and IDPwD logos.

02/12/2025

Are you an autistic carer, parent or guardian?

If you’re an autistic adult who is also a carer, parent or guardian, you deserve a space where you are seen, heard and understood. The Autistic Carers Network centres your journey of being a carer.

Together, we will:
- Learn tools to manage your own sensory experience
- Refresh and practise self-advocacy skills
- Dive into topics that matter to you
- Connect with peers who genuinely “get it”

This peer network is for autistic individuals who are carers. Formal and self-diagnosis are both equally recognised.

🗓 First meeting: Monday 16 February 2026, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Online and in-person

Want to join? Fill out the expression of interest form: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=qJuGzk-meEmQRsMjRoM051GTrzuZuCREptVwYDqKrfBUN1MzVVNMUTE3RlRLTVNJVUFZTks4OFdGViQlQCN0PWcu&route=shorturl
Or email Olenka: olenkat@purpleorange.org.au

24/11/2025

We have new peer network about to launch. This is for all of you who are autistic (self identifying or diagnosed) who are carers. Maybe you’re a parent or have parents to care for, this space is for you.

New peer network for autistic carers 🎉

We’re starting the Autistic Carers Network in February 2026 – a peer group for autistic adults who are carers.

This network is:
- Co-designed and hosted by autistic people
- A space that centres your wellbeing, identity and perspective
- A place to share strategies for managing sensory needs, energy and mental health
- A chance to explore the intersection of being autistic and being a caregiver
- For people 18+ who want to connect with people who “get it”

This peer network is for autistic individuals who are carers.
Formal and self-diagnosis are both equally recognised.

📩 Want to join?
Email Olenka: olenkat@purpleorange.org.au
Or fill out the expression of interest form: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=qJuGzk-meEmQRsMjRoM051GTrzuZuCREptVwYDqKrfBUN1MzVVNMUTE3RlRLTVNJVUFZTks4OFdGViQlQCN0PWcu&route=shorturl

20/11/2025

LinkedIn isn’t just for CEOs - it’s for you too.
If you're looking for work or new opportunities, a strong LinkedIn profile can open doors.

Join our free online workshop and learn how to build a LinkedIn profile that helps you connect, grow and be seen. We'll help you learn how to create a profile that reflects who you are and what you offer.

We’ll cover how to:
- Set up and update your profile
- Write a strong summary and headline
- Build your network with purpose
- Stay safe and in control

When: Monday 1 December, 12:30 - 2pm
Where: Online via Zoom
Places are limited, register now! https://events.humanitix.com/workshop-1-understanding-linkedin-and-create-a-professional-profile

These workshops have been co-designed by people with disability 💜

06/11/2025

Everything you do makes an impact everything you do can be a benefit, everything we do can tell the story of us, who we are and how we wish the world to be.

When visiting Hamilton, Hamish would gift his drawings to staff at the local art gallery – where they are featured in their new exhibition 'Hello Hamish'.

Practicing art allowed Hamish, who has autism and schizoaffective disorder, to communicate in a way that came naturally to him. His father remarks that his art 'allowed him to structure his thoughts in ways he could communicate with the rest of us.'

The exhibition houses over 250 of Hamish's original sketches, meticulously collected by Hamilton Art Gallery staff over the years. They are thrilled they can now celebrate their 'secret artist-in-residence'.

Read more at 💻 https://ow.ly/hT3U50Xk7bA

📷 Image: Emily Bissland at ABC News

05/11/2025

🌟 𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂!
Chat with us in person about how we can make our region more inclusive and accessible for people with disability.

Community Workshop Sessions:
🟢 Berri – Monday, 17 November, 6.30pm to 8.30pm at the Berri Senior Citizens Club
🟠 Renmark – Tuesday, 18 November, 9.30am to 11.30am at the Renmark Paringa Civic Centre
🟣 Waikerie – Wednesday, 19 November, 1pm to 3pm at the Waikerie Football Club
🔵 Loxton – Thursday, 20 November, 9am to 11am at The Precinct.

Every effort will be made to ensure the workshops are accessible and inclusive. If you have access needs that need to be fulfilled to take part in the workshop, please contact Alice Hyde (AliceH@purpleorange.org.au or 08 8373 8324).

Learn more about the Disability Access and Inclusion Plan: engagement.berribarmera.sa.gov.au/DAIP

03/11/2025

Do you want to have your say for the 2025 Review of the Disability Standards for Education is underway, and you’re invited to have your say. 📣
We are holding focus groups this Wednesday 5 November in the Barossa. Online 10am-12noon and in person 5-7pm in Nuriootpa (only 2 spots left)

To book in to the focus group please reach out to Alice at aliceh@purpleorange.org.au

The Standards help to make sure students with disability can access and participate in education and training on the same basis as students without disability.

For more information about the review, and more ways to have your say, visit www.education.gov.au/dsereview2025.