Muscular Dystrophy NSW launches e-learning tool
Muscular Dystrophy NSW (MDNSW) launched an innovative online e-tool at NSW Parliament House last week designed to assist frontline staff and families to improve understanding of neuromuscular conditions.
With over 500 people in the City of Sydney and Inner West living with some form of muscular dystrophy, NSW Minister for Disability Services Andrew Constance said the training website was suited to each individual’s needs, promoting greater understanding of the 40 types of neuromuscular conditions.
“This is something that is going to be able to support people around the community,” he said. “There are some 7,000 people in the wider community suffering from neuromuscular conditions.
“To be able to have this type of tool available for practitioners, sufferers and families allows information to be readily available relating to a multi-disciplinary approach. Most of these are degenerative conditions that involve loss of muscle strength over time commencing in either childhood or adulthood.”
CEO of MDNSW Pene Hodge said the impetus for the program came from the realisation frontline carers need reliable, comprehensive and targeted information on neuromuscular conditions in order to better care for their clients.
“The aim of the tool is to enhance the capacity of existing services to more appropriately meet the needs of people with neuromuscular conditions,” she said. “The e-learning tool has been designed as a staged and self-paced learning tool.”
Ambassador for the ‘Don’t dis my ability’ campaign, Hayley Bellamy said the e-tool will narrow the gap between patient and caregiver by respecting each person’s position.
“A better relationship can now be established allowing for a more stable environment for all involved,” she said.
The e-tool was created in partnership with MDNSW and funded by Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC). Volunteer web designers, video editors and voice-over artists contributed to four training modules on the site providing audio, video and printable notes for users. The site can be accessed at www.mdnswtraining.org.au
