Dear Reader,

I know that, given the hectic pace of work for most people, newsletters are not high in the list of priorities requiring attention. However I hope some Starlink readers may have noticed it's been a few months since the last issue. :)

A torn ligament in my left hand resulted in strict instructions from doctor and physiotherapist to avoid using it - especially for such things as typing. Though I can now give a thumbs up, because it's (almost) back to full operation, I was out of action for some time and on 'light duties' for even longer - as far as my typing fingers were concerned.

But at last another issue of Starlink is gracing your inbox. I hope you find it's been worth the wait. :)

Warmly
Sue
BJ Seminars International

Most organisations these days (though sadly not all) have taken steps to ensure their premises are fully accessible for visitors with disabilities. Your organisation is hopefully one of them. :)

But what about your website? Especially for visitors who are sight or hearing impaired, many websites can prove inaccessible - particularly if they include video content.

From AccessibilityOz comes the OzPlayer. It's an accessible video player you can install on your website to ensure all video content is fully accessible for your visitors. It is also avaialable at no charge to nonprofit organisations.

For more information, visit the OzPlayer website.

Produced by the Aspen Institute in the United States, the Measuring Community Capacity Building workbook is for community leaders and citizens who want to:

Improve the ability of individuals, organizations, businesses and government in their community to come together, learn, make well-reasoned decisions about the community’s present and future, and work together to carry out those decisions - that is, to build their community’s capacity. Find ways to set goals as they do this work, make sure they are actually moving toward these goals, and celebrate their progress.

Although developed for a US-based audience, it's an excellent resource for the Australian context as well!

Designed for lifestyle coordinators, carers, volunteers and all those who work in the aged care sector, our final Chair Chi Training Program workshops for this year are scheduled for the following dates and locations. Use the links to register.

09 November: Chair Chi Level 1, Adelaide
10 November: Chair Chi Level 2, Adelaide
16 November: Chair Chi Level 1, Hobart
17 November: Chair Chi Level 2, Hobart
23 November: Chair Chi Level 1, Perth
24 November: Chair Chi Level 2, Perth
30 November: Chair Chi Level 1, Devenport
01 December: Chair Chi Level 2, Devenport

THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THE COURSE. I know the residents where I work will like the gentle but strengthening exercises as a change from mainstream exercise videos and DVDs. I'll practice myself so I can revitalise my chi and help myself to focus. (Jeanette Healey)

A useful resource website for professional and family caregivers, Today's Caregiver provides "Channels" with information on specific topics and a newsletter to which you can subscribe. Although several sections of information (for example, Local Resources and Carelinks) are US-specific, there are also many general articles and informational segments to make it worthwhile for Aussies to visit.

Newsletter articles are especially interesting to sift and read. For example in their latest newsletter, see Nip Depression in the Bud: Warning Signs to Look For. And there's also an archived list of newsletter articles published in earlier issues of their newsletter.

For many of us, day to day 'busy-ness' can mean we find little time to read. And what we do manage to read is often byte-sized on our computer screens.

But there are many sound reasons why we should put reading - reading books, that is - back on the agenda.

For example, there's food for thought in Why People Who Read a Lot are More Likely Good Leaders. And what what we read may also have an impact. One study indicates our empathy can be boosted by reading literary works rather than 'mainstream fiction': 'Mind-Reading' Skills Boosted By Reading Literature, Study Suggests.

Finally, here's an interesting reflection on the advantages of physical books over e-readers. So perhaps the doomsayers are wrong when they tell us the era of printed books is over. Perhaps the Smart Reading Device of the Future may be ... Paper! :)