Life Stream Foundation provides the following programs:
Leisure & Lifestyle
Leisure & Lifestyle programs (for ages16yrs +) predominantly run on weekends and members are supported by volunteers. These programs are geared toward people with lower support needs and members may participate in a variety of activities including: craft, fitness, cooking, picnics, BBQ’s, movie trips, theme parks, bushwalking and more. People with higher support needs need not miss out – they just may have to bring their own carer.
Holidays & Weekend Getaways
Life Stream Foundation runs a few weekend getaways, plus an overseas and Australian-based holiday each year. Holidays & Weekend Getaways are designed for people with low support needs and offered to adults (18yrs +). Life Stream Foundation has explored many areas of Australia and the globe including: Pacific Islands, USA, Asia, Africa, Central Australia, North Qld, and more! Check out the current Program Guide for our upcoming trips.
Community Linking Programs
One of the ways Life Stream Foundation encourages community access for people with an intellectual disability is through our 1:1 or small group programs. Members receiving this support are involved in the decision making and planning process. Our Program Officers will support the individual/s to achieve their goals. Personal goals of the individual/s are identified along with a timeframe to achieve these goals. Access to Life Stream’s community linking support services is open to everyone to apply. Life Stream Foundation will assess each individual’s support needs.
Disability Services Funded Programs
Recreation Access – long term service for people with high support needs in the Brisbane region.
Recreation Development – 12 month program for people with low support needs in the Brisbane region.
Individual Funding – Adult Lifestyle Support, Post School Services, Institutional Reform, Community Access, Respite, YACS, Emergency Support, Accommodation Support in Brisbane, Rockhampton and Mackay.
User Pays – all ages, all regions where we have staff available and have capacity to provide service..
Sport
General Sport Programs (16yrs +)
Life Stream Foundation coordinates sport programs and these are featured in the Spirit Program Guide. Some sport programs are run on a weekly basis like Futsal and Lawn Bowls. Some sport programs run on a regular basis like Bocce and Ten Pin. Other sports are offered on a ‘one-off’ or ‘come-n-try’ basis such as Disc Golf or Indoor Rock Climbing. Bookings are required in advance and places are limited. Programs are provided on a user-pays basis and a membership fee is payable.
School Sport Programs (any school age) - South East Qld and Rockhampton
Inter School Programs: A great way for students to meet other students and an excellent opportunity for teachers to network. Eg: AFL, Broncos. Programs may be Multi-week or one-off.
Individual School Programs: Want to try a new sport? We can organise coaches, equipment and a venue for your students to participate in a new sport program. Alternatively, Life Stream Foundation staff can run skills development sessions in school hours. Programs may be Multi-week or one-off.
Multi Sport Expos: Life Stream Foundation in conjunction with Sporting Wheelies & Disabled Association implement free Multi Sport Expos in a ‘come and try’ format where students have the opportunity to sample various sports throughout the day. Expos run in Brisbane (north & south sides), Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton and Mackay.
Additional Services: Life Stream Foundation is the free classifying body for students with an intellectual disability appointed by the Qld School Sports Disability Sports Committee. For more information on Classification, please refer to the Elite Sport & Classification Information section of this website.
Life Stream Foundation can tailor a program to suit your needs. There is no membership fee for a school to access Life Stream Foundation programs. A lot of programs are FREE or may incur a small fee. Teachers must be present throughout programs and the School maintains duty of care throughout the program. To contact any of Life Stream Foundation’s offices, please go to the Contact Us Page.
Elite Sport & Classification Information
All people wishing to compete as an athlete with an intellectual disability must complete the appropriate eligibility forms and attach the required supporting documentation to get a Classification. For athletes with an intellectual disability there is only one class they can be Classified in and every person regardless of the type of intellectual disability they have, is assigned the same Classification and must meet the same criteria.
Classification Criteria
All athletes with an intellectual disability wishing to obtain a Classification must meet the following three criteria:
a) Significant impairment in intellectual functioning as indicated by a full scale IQ score of 75 or lower on an internationally recognised and professionally administered IQ test (eg: Weschler Intelligence Scale).
b) Significant limitations in adaptive behaviour as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills. Examples of social skills may include, but are not limited to: communication, self care, self direction, interpersonal skills. Limitations in adaptive behaviour affect both daily life and the ability to respond to life changes and environmental demands. Significant limitations in adaptive behaviour are established through the use of standardised measures that have been norm-referenced on the general population including people with disabilities (eg: Vinelands Adaptive Behaviour Scales; AAMR Adaptive Behaviour Scales).
c) Intellectual disability must be evident during the developmental period, which is from conception to 18 years of age.
How to get a Classification
In Queensland there are several ways an athlete can pursue to obtain a Classification;
-
Temporary Classification - Queensland School Sport (for school aged athletes only). Life Stream Foundation in partnership with Queensland School Sport- Disability Sport Committee provides a FREE classification service to school aged athletes with an intellectual disability. The Classification can be used for students to participate in Qld School sport events and some local junior sporting events. Please note that use of this temporary classification outside of the School Sport area may mean records cannot be claimed, and exclusion from some non-school disability events. Students wishing to compete outside of the school sport area should look into the Official Classification methods listed below.
Click here for a Queensland School Sport Classification form (Athlete Eligibility Registration Application Form - Queensland School Sport Disability Advisory Committee)
-
Official Classification - Life Stream Foundation works in conjunction with the National body AUSRAPID (Australian Sport and Recreation Association for Persons with Integration Difficulties) to support Queenslander's to process their eligibility as an athlete with an intellectual disability. The forms are processed by AUSRAPID, but Life Stream Foundation can assist individuals in obtaining the necessary documentation, or assist in the organisation of the relevant tests involved to support their application. There is a fee of $30.00 which must accompany the application. Once the form has been processed, you will be a registered member of AUSRAPID and you will also receive reciprocal membership of Life Stream Foundation.
Elite athletes who are members of Life Stream Foundation/AUSRAPID will receive Life Stream Foundation's program guide and an Elite Spirit newsletter containing a calendar of upcoming events, competitions and access to nomination forms and any other relevant information relating to competitions.
Click here for an AUSRAPID Registration Form
- INAS-FID Classification - International Sports Federation for Persons with Intellectual Disability (INAS-FID) is the peak international sporting body. This eligibility form is required for all athletes that compete in a sport that is contested at an international level. Life Stream can assist Queenslanders in obtaining the necessary documentation to support their applications. All applications must be verified by AUSRAPID and sent off to INAS-FID for processing. For athletes who represent Australia in more than one sport, an Additional Sport form must also be completed for each additional sport they choose to compete in.
Click here for a INAS-FID Registration Form
Click here for a INAS-FID Additional Sport Application Form
Further Information
Please click on the link below for further information on Classification including information on how to complete the Forms, and information on tests.
If you require assistance with this process please contact Cindy Hooker, Ph: 4931 3057
TRUE SPORT LIVES HERE
True Sport Lives Here is all about encouraging positive behaviour in junior sporting environments.
Life Stream Foundation is a True Sport Partner.
As a True Sport Partner, Life Stream Foundation commits to:
- Lead by example and support the principles of True Sport - respect, fun, responsibility, integrity and excellence;
- Implement, actively promote and evaluate policies, activities, initiatives and resources that support True Sport Principles;
- Promote True Sport and make it visible in your sporting community.
Community Education
Life Stream Foundation can prepare and deliver a one-off or series of presentations, workshops or training sessions to assist the community in:
- Understanding Life Stream Foundation as an organisation and its’ services
- Disability awareness
- Disability specific information
- Coaching athletes with an intellectual disability
Life Stream Foundation delivers such presentations to various groups including:
- Corporate partners
- State sporting organisations
- Disability agencies
- Community organisations
- Schools & tertiary education institutions
Life Stream Foundation can adapt existing presentations to meet the specific needs of the target audience. Sessions can be conducted at Life Stream Foundation, or in many cases we are happy to travel to your organisation. Most of these sessions are run free of charge.