About DEAA
Who are DEAA?
Disability Elders of All Ages (DEAA) is a network run by and for people living with physical and sensory disability in South Australia. DEAA is supported by JFA Purple Orange and is currently running a capacity building project funded by the Department of Social Services.
DEAA provide activities that support connection and capacity building for people with physical and sensory disability. These activities include monthly peer network meetings, which cover many topics such as information sessions for members, consultations, and policy advocacy, as well as peer chat and connection.
In 2021, DEAA co designed a needs analysis on the use of digital technology amongst South Australians who live with physical and sensory disability. We learnt that:
-people living with physical and sensory disability in regional communities would benefit from digital assistive technology workshops to build capacity to connect, communicate and participate in community life.
- building confidence by providing the right conditions and trainers with the right skill set is essential to learning about digital assistive technology.
From this learning our co design group then created the workshop you can find on this website.
In 2023 we have been offering these workshops in person in regional South Australia, and online.
Keep an eye out, or get in contact with us to find out where we will be offering the workshops in 2024.
Below are some quotes from people living with disability who we interviewed and or ran focus groups with that highlight some of the learnings from our research about digital assistive technology.
"I didn’t realise how unsafe I felt before I got it (digital assistive technologies - DAT). I thought I didn’t need it but then found it really liberating- there is so much scope with DAT- back in the days I wouldn’t have even had a power chair."
Focus group participant
"Offers of help from family can be difficult…offers come but nothing comes from it. Paid supports give more independence but with Digital AT I can do many things for myself".
Focus group participant
"Peer groups realising how effective they are, I thought they may be boring and depressing but they are not at all”.
Focus group participant
Peer network meetings are on the first Tuesday of every month, from 2pm to 4pm. Below are the dates of meetings in 2023:
Tuesday July 4, 2pm to 4pm
Tuesday August 1, 2pm to 4pm
Tuesday September 5, 2pm to 4pm
Tuesday October 3, 2pm to 4pm
Tuesday November 7, 2pm to 4pm
Tuesday December 5, end of year lunch, 11am to 1pm.
For most meetings you can join in person or online via Zoom.
For more information about DEAA please contact Kyra. Text or call 0478 825 793 or email us at DEAA@purpleorange.org.au
DEAA Blog
What the DEAA Peer Group means to me
Posted: 21 Jun 2022
Tiffany Littler, a member of the DEAA Peer Group, discusses what being a member means to her. She talks about the benefits and opportunities she has gained from being a part of the group.
Benefits of Peer Groups: Perspective of a new member
Posted: 21 Jun 2022
Julianne Jones, a new member of DEAA, discusses her insights and experiences of the group so far.