SPiT:

1

• SPiT
• A Journey to inclusion through information
  technology supporting young people with a
  disability
• Presenter
• Sandra Mounsey Interchange Central
  Gippsland

2
Overview of presentation

• The SPiT project overview and framework and its
  relationship to the VicHealth Mental Health
  Promotion Framework
• The use of technology to support social
  inclusion
• Synopsis of the two models
• Research methodology

3

• Why is this project needed?
• In 2000, 14 of children and young people
  experienced mental health problems
• Adolescence is a critical time for onset
• Young people with poor social connectedness are
  2-3 times more likely to experience problems
• Young people in rural areas are at greater risk
• Young people with disabilities are also at
  greater risk
• Social support identified as a key contributor
  to addressing mental health and well-being issues

4

• Why use Technology
• new opportunities
• Anonymous forum
• connection

5
(No Transcript)
6

• Funding
• VicHealth
• Office of Youth Affairs
• Focus on social inclusion

7

• Definition of mental health and well-being
• VicHealth model states
• the embodiment of social, emotional and
  spiritual well-being. Mental Health provides
  individuals with the vitality necessary for
  active living, to achieve goals and to interact
  with one another in ways that are respectful and
  just
• 
  (VicHealth 1999)

8

• VicHealth Framework
• Key determinate Social Inclusion
• Population Group
• Health promotion action
• Settings for action

9
SPiT Project aims SPiT is designed to explore
how technologically based activities can promote
social inclusion and improve mental health and
well-being for young people with disabilities in
two rural areas.
10
Where is SPiT happening?
Interchange Loddon Mallee
Interchange Central Gippsland
11
Project Models
Both models aim to establish independent
supportive relationships, facilitate involvement
in community and group activities and enhance
civic engagement.
12

• Aims for CyberConnexions
• To introduce new initiatives which explore and
  test young adults and their acceptance/use of IT
  as a social connective medium
• To introduce young adults with mild disabilities
  to the world of IT
• To establish partnerships with other
  organisations in the disability and IT sector

13

• Issues that have arisen
• Obtaining a suitable site for the chat that
  allows for usability and security
• Skills of the participants
• Maintaining the sustained interest of a diverse
  group of participants
• Issues specific to area that are faced by all
  rural community organisations

14

• Aims for SCaT
• By matching a volunteer mentor with a young
  person, and working together to develop a program
  around the special area of interest, achieve
  social interaction and community inclusion
  through the use of technology

15

• Issues that have arisen
• Limits of the disability e.g. use of SMS
  language
• Access to community facilities
• Deadspots internet/mobile
• Recruitment of Mentors
• Mentee knows more than mentor
• Cost of travel

16
An U.S. man admitted to hospital with abdominal
pains was told by doctors he was pregnant. John
Pippen received this news as he was sent home
with pain killers. Staff gave him a note saying
Based on your visit, we know you are pregnant.
Computer error was blamed.
The Melbourne
Age Odd Spot
17

• Research
• Developed by Monash University Department of
  Rural and Indigenous Health
• Ethics
• On Line Journal
• Inform Future Service Provision

18

• Some Early Results
• Use of technology increased skills of
  participants
• use of
  technology other than computer chat rooms
• Activity happening in the community increased
  social interaction
• Community Awareness
• Special Interest Groups
• New partnerships being made

19

• New Partnerships
• Victoria University
• Inspire Foundation

20

• The Avatar Project
• Optus Community Grant
• Second Life
• Pilot Project
• Research

21

• Inspire Foundation
• collaboration through ARACY
• academics and service providers
• research

22

• Where to from here?
• Project finishes June 09
• Feedback from participants and families has been
  positive
• Search for more funding to both extend project
  and continue it
• Dissemination of Research Findings

23
Further Information