Synapse is the peak disability organisation in Queensland

supporting those living with Acquired Brain Injury. Our

mission: Synapse is dedicated to improving the quality of life

of people living with and affected by Acquired Brain Injury

or people whose behaviour challenges our understanding.

Indeed our entire reason for being, is to ensure that all

people living with what has been called ‘the silent epidemic’

– including the unseen victims, the spouse and children –

have full access to the support and resources they require

to live complete, fulfilled lives within the community. To

this end, we provide support in three main ways, through

Training, Accommodation and other services.

There is no magic pill for brain injury. Life will sadly never be

the same as it was before the injury was acquired, however

through our integrated, three-tiered support, lives/life can

and will get better.

Our Vision.“Our vision for the future is to increase

global understanding of Acquired

Brain Injury and behaviours that

challenge community understanding.

Through innovative service delivery,

we will campaign for systematic

change for those marginalised or at

risk in the community.”

How Synapse helps to reconnect lives. As a Member, you will receive:

Bridge Magazine (Quarterly)

VIP Invitations to Special Events

Resource Pack (Valued at over $20) consisting of Awareness Posters, Wristband, Magnet, Pen, and “ABI – The Facts”.

15% pa Discount on training seminars, hiring of Training Room and special publications.

Yes! I would like to become a member of Synapse.

Name: ____________________________________________________

Organisation (IF APPlIcABlE): ____________________________________

Address: _________________________________________________

_______________________________ P/code: __________________

Telephone: ( ) _________________ Mobile: __________________

Yes, I would like to subscibe to eConnect Email: ________________________________________________

I would like to apply for: (PlEASE TIck)

FREE Membership (for clients, families and the general public)

corporate/Business Membership (capped at only $99.95)

Preferred payment method: (PlEASE TIck)

cheque credit card (AS DETAIlED BElOW) OR go online

(PlEASE TIck) Mastercard Visa Expiry Date: ______ / ______

cREDIT cARD NuMBER

cardholders Name: _________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________

level 2, 262 Montague Rd West End Q 4101

PO Box 3356 South Brisbane Q 4101

P: 07 3137 7400 Freecall: 1800 673 074 (outside Brisbane)

F: 07 3137 7452

Brain Injury Association of Queensland Inc.

Reconnecting lives Think about this…The human brain is so extremely complex, it is truly mind-boggling.

Our brains have been estimated to contain between 50 – 100 billion neurons, 10 billion of which are nerve cells that pass vital signals to each other via as many as a thousand trillion (1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000) synaptic connections.

With an organ of such incomparable complexity, it

is easy to understand why so much can go wrong,

especially if rocked by an Acquired Brain Injury.

Synapse, formerly the Brain Injury Association of

Queensland, is an organisation dedicated to improving

the quality of life of those in our community who

are affected by Acquired Brain Injury or behaviours

that challenge our understanding. By this we do not

just mean the estimated 1.9% of the total Australian

population who themselves have suffered the stroke,

head trauma, disease or disorder which led to their brain

not functioning as it normally would. We are also there

for those individuals and families living with and suffering

equally with the victim; those trying to comprehend and

come to terms with the out-of-character changes in their

loved one’s behaviour, their fatigue and their frustrating

loss of memory, cognition and impulse control.

Because sometimes it’s the ones who didn’t suffer the

brain injury who hurt the most.

Membership Request

www.synapse.org.au

In our quest to assist and educate, Synapse helps those with an Acquired Brain Injury, or those with behaviuors that challenge our understanding, better understand themselves by sponsoring a suite of training seminars and workshops.

Synapse Training empowers frontline staff and carers on ways to appropriately support people whose behaviours challenge community understanding. We provide training on practical tools and techniques for responding to behaviour that may limit access to community inclusion. Our range of courses are essential for anyone who is charged with the care of someone who is living with an Acquired Brain Injury - whether diagnosed or undiagnosed. Topics and workshops at our state-of-the-art training facilities include:

Training on how paid and non-paid carers can prepare themselves for behavioural challenges

Practical and effective tools and techniques

How to be an effective support person, and much more.

Part of Synapse’s charter is to increase community awareness and understanding of the particular challenges faced by people with Acquired Brain Injury and behaviours that challenge our understanding, and their families. With this in mind, we garner support through a wide range of services. These range from consultancy Services, Assessment and Planning Services, community Response Service – in short, everything it takes to keep the general public aware and educated.

Assessment & Planning. The first vital steps.Synapse offer a host of activities to provide practical strategies to assist those with complex and challenging behaviour. These include; Behavioural assessments Preliminary assessment of Skills and Functioning, Options Planning, Risk assessment, Daily care Planning, client Mapping, Activities for Daily living assessment, Workplace Health & Safely assessment and Occupational Health & Safety.

consultancy Services. keeping ABI top of mind.Our consultancy Services involve executive and community presentations, business-to-business collaborations, sponsorships, fund-raising activities, youth events and more.

community Response. Spreading the word.It’s vitally important that everyone is as aware of Synapse and its work/services as possible. To this end we offer a collection of strategic publications such as the comprehensive “Acquired Brain Injury – The Facts”, a quarterly Bridge Magazine that details how to survive ABI, in conjunction with over 120 FREE and highly informative fact sheets online.

There is also an unmissable series of free Awareness Posters and an up-to-the-minute website – www.synapse.org.au. With all these publications and information in place, we have most bases covered.

Synapse also offers a state-wide Information and Referral Service and all your questions can and will be answered via phone, fax, email or web form. (See back page for full contact details.)

accommodationA home, not a Home.

trainingLearning and Understanding

servicesWhatever it takes

ComplaintsA copy of the Association's complaints policy is available below on our website or by request from the Association's office.

AdvocacyAn advocate may speak to Synapse on your behalf. The Association may require written proof that the advocate is acting on your behalf. If you need assistance to find an advocate, phone Synapse (+61 7 3137 7400) or Freecall the Disability Services Queensland information service: 1800 177 120. Or visit our website for a list of Advocacy organisations. www.synapse.org.au

Everyone strives to live in a place we can call home; a place where we belong, one we can share with kindred souls. We all would rather live in a home than an institution. People with a disability are no different, some just have different needs. Synapse aims to provide accommodation for people aged between 18 and 65 who have an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), other neurological disorder, or behaviours that challenge our understanding.

Our aim is to provide accommodation that promotes personal development and dignity and encourages increased independence; a step in the pathway to a life of choice rather than a final destination.

The accommodation options we provide include:

Transitional accommodation

24/7 housing

Independent living

community access options

To achieve this we take three distinct approaches within our Organisational model of support: Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), client-centred Practise (ccP), and a Strength-Based Approach (SBA).

Homelessness is not an option and the public’s financial support by way of annual Memberships is a priority. (See attached Membership Application Form)