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Sample Practice Questions for Homeless People

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Sample Practice Questions for Homeless People

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Access to Services for Homeless People
Financial Support
For many individuals and families who are facing homelessness, not having a fixed address makes it difficult to obtain government benefits.
Some homeless people like to remain off the grid and keep there whereabouts discrete.
Financial support is sometimes provided via material goods from op shops, food, vouchers and the part payment of bills.
Some communities offer referrals that provide discounted or fee services which may also assisted homeless people.
The Department of Human Services provides a one-off Crisis Payment, Centrepay, Rent Assistance and Rent Reduction Scheme, however these services require a fixed address and a bank account which most homeless people do not have.
Transport
Homeless people are less likely to use public transport, not only due to the payment of fares but due to their marginalization within communities - often it is their outward appearance that causes others to shy away.

Walking is often a homeless persons main form of transport. They generally position themselves in a specific area of a suburb or city.

In Victoria there have been moves to create a Homeless Youth Transport policy - it is a proposal that acknowledges that homeless youth need access to transport to seek out employment and break out of the poverty cycle.
Accommodation & Housing
The Department of Housing (DoH) provides short term accommodation for homeless people via the purchase of low-cost, private-sector hotel or motel accommodation.
DoH also assists homeless people to establish private property or pay rentals to prevent evictions by private owners.
DoH also provides longer term accommodation.
Crisis Accommodation Programs are provided by the Office of Community Housing.
Aboriginal Housing Office provides long-term accommodation.
City of Sydney's Homelessness Services = provieds a range of support services that are not directly related to housing.
For aged homeless people Assistance with Care and Housing is a provided. It is a program funded by the federal government for aged homeless or aged people at risk of becoming homeless.
Health Care
Health services for homeless people are provided through hospital and community health services, and through specialist services such as the sexual health and Indigenous health teams.

NSW Health and other community agencies employ health workers who provide basic health care and assessment to homeless people in accommodations centres and on the street.

NSW Health also provides mental health services for homeless people which is run by hospitals and mental health clinics.
Counselling
Homeless individuals and families require courage and confidence to seek assistance from formal resource groups or agencies.

Sometimes, the benefits of asking for help may be outweighed by fears of welfare authorities doing things such as forcing them to return home, taking their children away from them or placing them into care/shelters.

If a homeless person needs to return to a formal welfare agency that they have previously visited, they may be turned off going back due to feeling a sense of failure or shame at requiring recurring help.
Education
Homelessness makes it difficult to maintain school or further study, it also leaves people vulnerable to long-term unemployment.
School provides young people with social cues, friendships and skills that allow them to become involved in activities. The ability to read, write, interpret forms and use technology is significant in today's society therefore those who are homeless and do not receive an education are impacted on greatly.

Father Chris Riley's Youth off the Streets is an example of a non-denominational community organisation that works with young people as they aim to turn their lives around. Education and skill acquisition is a major focus of this organisation along with food, mental health services, youth drug and alcohol services and residential areas in the Hunter Valley and Southern Highlands in NSW.

Training, skills and education each play an integral role in preparing homeless people for employment.

Mission Australia is an example of an organization that provides basic training programs where homeless people can acquire skills that will help them obtain employment.
Employment
Legal Aid
Homeless people tend to have a range of issues that require expert judgement and guidance. If these problems are left unsolved that can escalate and anxiety can increase. Therefore legal aid is vital in order to assist homeless people to gain a basic level of well being.

In many larger towns and cities across NSW homeless legal aid offering free, independent advice can be found i.e. Homeless Outreach Legal Services or Homeless Person's Legal Service which provides free legal service to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

The goal of each body is to shift the focus from managing homelessness to ending homelessness.

Case Studies: Homeless People

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Access to Services for Homeless People Financial SupportFor many individuals and families who are facing homelessness, not having a fixed address makes it difficult to obtain government benefits. Some homeless people like to remain off the grid and keep there whereabouts discrete.

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Outcome:  Issues of concern for the 4 specific groups within the community

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Outcome:  Issues of concern for the 4 specific groups within the community

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Access to Services

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Anyone can become homeless, have a look at just how easy it is to lose track of your finances.

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Urban Ministries of Durham serves over 6000 people every year who struggle with poverty and homelessness. Spent is an interactive game created by McKinney that challenges you to manage your money, raise a child and make it through the month getting paid minimum wage after a stretch of unemployment.

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Outcome: Issues of concern for the 4 specific groups within the community

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Outcome: Issues of concern for the 4 specific groups within the community

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Satisfaction of needs

- Specific needs of each group (Adequate standard of living, health, education, employment, safety and security, sense of identity)

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Employment
A majority of homeless people are unemployed.

Employment is the key to re-entering society.

Factors that would negatively affect the likelihood of a homeless being person employed are:
- low self esteem
- lack of social skills
- major health issues
- presenting appropriately for the workplace
- deficits in education or basic work skills
- face discrimination
- poor hygiene

With the inability to secure employment it makes it difficult for homeless people to
access basic necessities of life.
Security & Safety
Homeless people are the most vulnerable group in society.
The social, emotional and physical security of homeless people is severely limited.
The streets and shelters offer little protection from the environment and other people.
The homeless are isolated from support structures i.e. family - they may store their personal and valuable items on them as they don't have anywhere to put them.
As a result of their environment they can become very ill, targets of abuse and criminology activity.
Education
Stereotypically we link a lack of education to homelessness, however this is not always the case.
A lack of education can mean it may be hard to move beyond poverty.
To succeed in independent living a person needs the knowledge and skills in basic living i.e. maintaining hygiene, learning how to look after the environment. Homeless people may also need strategies which assist in mental health or to deal with drug/alcohol abuse.
Many volunteer support services provide educational opportunities for homeless people, it helps build their self esteem
and an improved level of well-being.
Health
Homeless people generally have more severe health issues than the general population.
Health issues may cause homelessness but will also worsen if not treated.
Homeless people may have trouble accessing health services due to financial reasons. They may also not have a Medicare Card.
Mental illness and also a number of infections are experienced by many homeless people.
Adequate Standard of Living
Food:
they are unable to source their own nutritious food, prepare balanced meals or enjoy a restful night's sleep, due to a lack of financial resources, a lack of knowledge on what to eat and how to access basic resources. Some homeless people who are searching for food in bins and reply on handouts are no getting a sustaining diet which can lead to increased health problems. Some organisations provide food, often served in street vans i.e. Vinnies Van

Shelter:
some homeless people will use short-term housing at a refuge, however the demand is very high. There are many services available that aim to set up permanent housing i.e. Centrelink provides rent assistance. Emergency accommodation can be provided by organisations i.e. Salvation Army, Australian Red Cross and St. Vincent de Paul.

Clothing:
clean clothing in good condition is vital as it allows homeless people to socialise with the general population and to feel a sense of connectedness. Dirty and torn clothes are evident signs that someone is homeless.
Issues of concern for
homeless people
Sense
of Identity
A person's sense of identity comes from work, family life and other social activities - it is easy to see why a homeless person may have difficulty meeting this need.
They lack a strong sense of identity die to an absence of safety, security and a stable address and income.
Negative interactions with the community can reinforce feelings of low self-worth, which prevents them from having a positive sense of identity.
Homelessness is not defined by those living in boxes, under bridges, or at train stations/bus stops. Homelessness is defined by a loss of control over one's environment. Individuals become homeless when they can no longer manage the course of their lives.

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EmploymentA majority of homeless people are unemployed. Employment is the key to re-entering society. Factors that would negatively affect the likelihood of a homeless being person employed are: - low self esteem- lack of social skills- major health issues- presenting appropriately for the workplace- deficits in education or basic work skills- face discrimination- poor hygiene With the inability to secure employment it makes it difficult for homeless people to access basic necessities of life.

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Definitions, Prevalence, Terminology

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Definition
There is no internationally agreed definition of a homeless person, however a definition was constructed for the purpose of Supported Accommodation Assistance Act 1994 to determine who might be eligible for their services.
1. Persons living in improvised dwellings, tents or sleeping out.
2. Persons in supported accommodation for the homeless.
3. Persons staying temporarily with other households.
4. Persons living in board houses.
5. Persons living in other temporary lodging.
6. Persons living in severely crowded dwellings.
Prevalence
SIX operational groups of homelessness formed by the ABS
Image by Tom Mooring
Exploring the groups in the Community

HOMELESS PEOPLE
BRAINSTORM
What are some reasons people may become homeless?

Diversity within the group
Stereotypes, Misconceptions
& Facts
Stereotypes:
all homeless people are criminals, they are all drug addicts, they are mentally ill, they are too lazy to work.

Misconceptions:
1) If a teen get kicked out of home, it's his/her own fault and they should live in misery. 2) It is always the results of poor choices.

Facts:
Many women and children are living without homes. On any given night in Australia 1 in 200 people are homeless.
Interactive Game:

This game/interactive website shows how easy it is to become homeless and to fall behind
http://playspent.org/

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DefinitionThere is no internationally agreed definition of a homeless person, however a definition was constructed for the purpose of Supported Accommodation Assistance Act 1994 to determine who might be eligible for their services. 1. Persons living in improvised dwellings, tents or sleeping out. 2. Persons in supported accommodation for the homeless.

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Outcome: Exploring the 4 specific groups within the community

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Outcome: Exploring the 4 specific groups within the community

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- Prevalence of each group within the community

- Individual diversity within each group

- Terminology used by the community to describe each group

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Sample Practice Questions for People with Disabilities

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Sample Practice Questions for People with Disabilities

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Category A groups

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People With Disabilities: Stereotype Awareness

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This video was for a project in my Technology and Arts class. This video was made to raise awareness about the negative and untrue stereotypes associated with people with disabilities. Please click on this link to fill out a quick survey, answering a few questions about the impact of this video: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MYB6JMS Thanks so much!

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Outcome:  Issues of concern for the 4 specific groups within the community

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Outcome:  Issues of concern for the 4 specific groups within the community

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Access to services

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Outcome: Issues of concern for the 4 specific groups within the community

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Outcome: Issues of concern for the 4 specific groups within the community

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Satisfaction of needs

- Specific needs of each group (Adequate standard of living, health, education, employment, safety and security, sense of identity)

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Outcome: Exploring the 4 specific groups within the community

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Outcome: Exploring the 4 specific groups within the community

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- Prevalence of each group within the community

- Individual diversity within each group

- Terminology used by the community to describe each group

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Category A groups

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Transport Services for people with disabilities

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Transport Services for people with disabilities

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Access to services for people with disabilities

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Access to services for people with disabilities

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Financial support, transport, accommodation, health care, counselling, education, employment, legal aid

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Financial Support
Access to Services
for People with
Disabilities
Transport
Accommodation
Health Care
Counselling
Disability support pensions = are available for those prevented from working.
Sickness allowance = is available for short term disability.
Mobility allowance = is available for those who cannot use public transport without assistance.
Child disability assistant payments & youth disability supplements = are available for young people with disabilities.

Educational & financial support are linked:
individuals must be aware of the schemes
before they can access them.
Equal access to facilities and the ability travel around a community, underpins all aspects of life for people with a disability.
Nowadays public transport standard have been lifted:
- seats - ramps - board devices
Private vehicles have disabled parking access and wheelchair access.

Even though people with disabilities
may travel less than those without a
disability, it is essential that safe
travel options are available.
The type of disability will determine the accommodation required.
Modifications to their home i.e. specialist furniture, ramps, security, adapted appliances.
They may require accommodation that comes with full/part time care.
Community accommodation is impacted upon by geographic location and local services.
All depends on the type/severity.

Cater for needs 24/7 with supportive staff.

Transport to access services provided.

Should be accessible both physically and financially (many people with disabilities cannot work).
People with disabilities have an impacted sense of belonging and well being.

Counselling may be delivered by carers, nursing staff or mental health professionals. They each work to address specific needs with a collective goal of boosting personal well being.
Education
Education is different for each type of disability.
They deserve the same focus in education as any other person.
Employment
Disability employment services promote and assist the employment of people with disabilities.
Assistance is required for both the person and employer.
Ongoing support is crucial.
Legal Aid
Free legal services are offered to people with disabilities via Disability Discrimination Legal Service.
This service also investigates and challenges current social, economic and legislative issues affecting people with disabilities.
Australian Centre for Disability Law also works to promote and protect the rights of people with disabilities through legal advocacy.

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Financial Support Access to Services for People with Disabilities Transport Accommodation Health Care Counselling Disability

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Financial Support Access to Servicesfor People with Disabilities TransportAccommodation Health CareCounsellingDisability support pensions = are available for those prevented from working.Sickness allowance = is available for short term disability. Mobility allowance = is available for those who cannot use public transport without assistance.

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Issues of concern for people with disabilities

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Issues of concern for people with disabilities

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Issues of concern for people with disabilities
Employment
Being apart of the workforce assists people with disabilities financially, socially, emotionally and mentally. Just as it does for people without disabilities. It provides a sense of belonging, wholeness and a means of financial stability for all people.
Adequate Standard of Living (food, clothing, shelter)
Inequality exists within the workplace and sometimes it's even before they are given an opportunity to enter the working environment.

Food, clothing and housing affects people with disabilities differently. For instance someone who is visually impaired will not have issues with clothing. Whereas a person with cerebral palsy will suffer in regards to the types of food he/she can eat.

Each disability has
individual necessities.
Health
Access to health care can be difficult due to:

affordability
lack of appropriate resources and services
physical barriers (poor access to hospitals and other medical services i.e. lack of ramps for wheelchairs or distant car parks)
inadequate skills and knowledge of health workers
Sense of
Identity
Education
Each and every individual has the right to an equal education regardless of their differences.
Some people with disabilities often have a low self-esteem and a lack of sense of self, they do not know their worth and feel as though they are outcasts.

But some people with disabilities are happier than those without a disability ...
Ideas of how to provide help for each issue of concern.

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Issues of concern for people with disabilities

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Issues of concern for people with disabilities EmploymentBeing apart of the workforce assists people with disabilities financially, socially, emotionally and mentally. Just as it does for people without disabilities. It provides a sense of belonging, wholeness and a means of financial stability for all people.

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Definitions, Prevalence, Terminology

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Exploring the
groups in the Community

Equity = fairness and
equal opportunity to access resources and services.

Why are certain groups marginalised?
Small numbers, not heard
Low SES
Poor education & insufficient knowledge
Inequality due to cost, location, disability or culture
Lack of support
What is a disability?
Types of Disabilities:
Physical
Intellectual
Psychological
Sensory

Further information of
different disabilities
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/disabilities/
Prevalence
Over 4 million Australians have a disability. That's 1 in 5 people.

http://www.and.org.au/pages/disability-statistics.html
Individual Diversity
within a group
"What's disability to me?" Rachel's Story
Terminology
Sometimes all it takes is one person, one persons attitude, one persons support ...
Myths & Misconceptions about Disabilities
Myths and misconceptions about disabilities are common.

Some examples:
A person's disability defines who they are.
People with disabilities are sick and in constant pain
People with disabilities are special and should be treated differently
People with disabilities cannot lead a full and productive life.

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Exploring the groups in the Community Equity = fairness and equal opportunity to access resources and services. Why are certain groups marginalised? Small numbers, not heardLow SESPoor education & insufficient knowledgeInequality due to cost, location, disability or cultureLack of supportWhat is a disability?Types of Disabilities:PhysicalIntellectualPsychologicalSensory Further information of different disabilities http://www.buzzle.com/articles/disabilities/PrevalenceOver 4 million Australians have a disability.