11 Feb 2010 - Getting in touch with the beach
4 Feb 2010 - Lifeguards bring disabled on board
With the help of Surf Life Saving Northern Region, five clients and seven support workers headed to Mairangi Bay to learn about beach and water safety and what it takes to be a lifeguard. Two lifeguards showed the group safety equipment and first aid procedures. Afterwards, those who were brave enough went for a spin in the inflatable rescue boat. Click here for the full story http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10623809
Willie Marino enjoys a ride in an IRB with lifeguards Laura Josephson (left and driving) and Tracy Wilson during a day a the beach for IRIS clients. From the New Zealand Hearld - photo - Natalie Slade
To learn more about IRIS click on this link. To find out more about IRIS Community Living, click here.
14 January 2010 - New Zealand Herald Editorial Comment - A case that needs further discussion
From the New Zealand Editorial - A decision issued last week by the Human Rights Review Tribunal deserves more discussion than it may receive in the middle of a summer recess. The tribunal has found the Ministry of Health to be unfairly discriminating against family members who look after a disabled spouse or adult child when it refuses to pay them as it would if they were unrelated caregivers. Read the full report: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10620034
John Wade, CEO of IRIS replied to this editorial comment. Read his reply:
4 December 2009 - Vaka Tautua - Celebration for Pacific People with Disabilities and Older People
Vaka Tautua hosted an event as part of the International Day for Disabled People and this year the theme was a celebration for Pacific people with disabilities and older people. The day was a vibrant multi-cultural celebration with craft displays, demonstrations, performers and speakers, including Auckland City Mayor John Banks. The picture bwelow is of one of our registered nurses taking a persons blood pressure. Click here to learn more about IRIS Medi-Call. Thanks for Vaka Tautua for hosting this very successful day.
3 December 2009 - IRIS & International Day for People with a Disability
On December 3rd 1982, the United Nations committed itself and its members to promote the full participation of disabled people in social life and development, as well as prevention and rehabilitation measures. Today, many problems are still unresolved. The World Health Organisation estimates that there are 600 million disabled people worldwide, about 10% of the world population. It is also estimated that about 80% of all disabled people worldwide live in developing countries. In New Zealand, 17% of people have a disability.
This year IRIS got involved with CEO John Wade talking to Paul Henry on TV One Breakfast Show about the issues that people with a disability still face, opportunities for the government and also some success stories. The Breakfast Team were also at IRIS early that morning, in the Rehabilitation facility with clients who use the gym, and children and parents of the Conductive Education early childhood centre.
Click here to see John’s interview with Paul Henry.
3 December 2009 - IRIS Rehabilitation Open Day
In support of this day, IRIS Rehabilitation held an Open Day to showcase the different therapies and facilities. Clients, local schools, medical practitioners, government funders and business partners were invited and David Shearer, MP for Mt Albert, spoke at this event. John Wade, IRIS CEO talks to Yung Chen, artist, about the Art display at IRIS Rehabilitation Open Day. To learn more about our Art Therapy programme please click here.
Read the full article in the Central Leader by clicking on this link: http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/central-leader/3139066/Iris-opens-doors-to-public