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Hunter
Disability eNews
APRIL 2004
Phone: 02 4927 0111 or e-mail: infoline@dash.org.au or web: www.dash.org.au
Welcome to the DASH Disability
Infoline eNews. We aim to distribute the latest news relevant to the Hunter
disability sector. To be added to or removed from our e-mailing list, simply
send your name and e-mail address and request to infoline@dash.org.au . For contributions to
eNews, e-mail any information to infoline@dash.org.au
WHAT’S IN THIS EDITION:
19 – 25 APRIL
NATIONAL ARTHRITIS WEEK
29 APRIL
PRADER-WILLI SYNDROME AWARENESS DAY
HAPPENINGS
DISABILITY
NETWORK HUNTER
NEWCASTLE
TEMPORARY CARE SUPPORT GROUP
KAIYU
ENTERPRISES INC LAUNCH NEW RESOURCES
HOME AND COMMUNITY CARE (HACC) WEBSITE LAUNCH
EXHIBITION
AT PENRITH REGIONAL GALLERY: THE LEWERS BEQUEST
AUSTRALIAN
THEATRE OF THE DEAF PRESENTS “DISLABELLED” ACROSS AUSTRALIA
LAKE
MACQUARIE DISABLED BOWLERS – READVERTISED
“AMIGOS”
BY DAVID WILLIAMSON - AUSLAN INTERPRETED & AUDIO DESCRIBED PERFORMANCES
CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING
FACS
OFFER FUNDING FOR NATIONAL MEETINGS, FORUMS OR CONFERENCES
THE
ROUND TABLE ON INFORMATION ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH PRINT DISABILITIES INC.
CREATIVE
VOLUNTEERING: NO LIMITS - TRAINING WORKSHOPS
NATIONAL
ORGANISTION OF STUDENT WOMEN AUSTRALIA (NOSWA) CONFERENCE
ACROD
TASMANIA’S NATIONAL AGEING AND DISABILITY CONFERENCE
RESEARCH
CONSUMER
AND CARER PARTICIPATION IN THE DESIGN AND DELIVERY OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
AUSTRALIAN POLICY DIRECTIONS IN AGED CARE AND
DISABILITY
SUPPORT STAFF IN COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES FOR PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITY
ACCESS TO JOURNAL ARTICLES
POLICY DOCUMENTS
MINI BUDGET REINFORCES COMMITMENT TO CHILD PROTECTION
AND DISABILITY SERVICES
MR BRENDAN O’REILLY IS THE NEW
DIRECTOR GENERAL FOR DADHC
ACCESSIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS FOR SERVICE PROVIDER OFFICES
AMENDMENTS
TO ACCESSIBLE PUBLIC TRANSPORT STANDARDS
$225,000
AVAILABLE FOR DISABILITY CONFERENCE FUNDING
SERVICE
EXPANSION BARELY KEEPS UP WITH POPULATION GROWTH
EXTRA
FUNDING FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY
NOTICES
DISABILITY
SITUATION IN NEPAL
FAMILIES
SUPPORTING FAMILIES INC NEWSLETTER
AUSTRALIAN
FEDERATION OF DISABILITY ORGANISATIONS
WOMEN
WITH DISABILITY NETWORK NSW
STATUE
OF NAKED DISABLED WOMAN FOR LONDON’S TRAFALGAR SQUARE SPARKS DEBATE
SEXUALITY
AND DISABILITY RESOURCE
RURAL
DISABILITY NETWORK LAUNCHED
COMMUNITY
SURVIVAL KIT
VIDEO
TRAINING PACKAGES
LAUNCH
OF THE BSDP WEBSITE
HAPPENINGS
DISABILITY
NETWORK HUNTER
Disability
Network Hunter’s next meeting is Wednesday 28th April from
9.30am-12.30am. Speakers are: Viv Lewis, Deputy Chair of the Aged and Community
Services Association, providing follow-up of the Ageing with a Disability
Project and Colin Lynch, from the Australian Services Union, who will discuss
grades and categories within the SACS Award.
NEWCASTLE
TEMPORARY CARE SUPPORT GROUP
Newcastle
Temporary Care Support Group for parents of younger children with autism meets
monthly. For more information contact the Group Faciltator, Helen Baczynskyj on
Tel: (02) 4942 5376 or the Coordinator, Toni Penfold on Tel: (02) 4926 4161.
KAIYU
ENTERPRISES INC LAUNCH NEW RESOURCES
Kaiyu
Enterprises Inc are launching new resources to assist sporting/recreation clubs
and organisations include people with emotion/mental health issues on Thursday
29th April from 11am at Argenton Community Hall, Cnr Elizabeth and
Montgomery Sts, Argenton. There are free brochures with essential information,
booklets with information and practical suggestions for clubs and organisations
and a free consultancy service that can go out to individual clubs or
organisations to address specific concerns or issues. For further information
contact Kaiyu Clubhouse on Tel: (02) 4965 8454.
HOME
AND COMMUNITY CARE (HACC) WEBSITE LAUNCH
Home
and Community Care (HACC) are launching their new website on Tuesday 11th
May, from 9.30 - 12.30 pm (including light lunch) at Charlestown Multi Purpose
Centre, James Street, Charlestown. There will be a presentation on how to use
and search the HACC website by iimage Solutions and discussion on the
Comprehensive Assessment and Screening Tool. HACC is a joint Commonwealth and
State/Territory program providing funding and assistance for Australians in
need. RSVP by the 7th May.
EXHIBITION
AT PENRITH REGIONAL GALLERY: THE LEWERS BEQUEST
“A
Celebration of Mid-Life” is an exhibition of the art of a group of people with
intellectual disability, who attend the Recreational Options program at NADO
(Nepean Area Disabilities Organisation). It runs from 14th April to
13th May (seven days a week). The work is being produced with the
support of a trained artist and Recreational Workers. This project has been
conceived with these considerations for this sector of the community: to give
people with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to receive 'real' adult
valorisation for their efforts and contributions to cultural activity; to
promote that a person with an intellectual disability can be artistically
talented and to promote cultural opportunities in Western Sydney for people
with intellectual disabilities. The exhibition contains painting, drawing,
printmaking, ceramics and textiles. There is an official opening ceremony on
Saturday 17th April at 2pm with afternoon tea and champagne. For
further information contact NADO on Tel: (02) 4731 3330.
AUSTRALIAN
THEATRE OF THE DEAF PRESENTS “DISLABELLED” ACROSS AUSTRALIA
The
Australian Theatre of the Deaf presents “Dislabelled: the secrets of a
little-known culture are disclosed” at Parramatta Riverside Theatre, Parramatta
from 29th April – 1st May. The show is written by Sofya
Gollan & Caroline Conlon; directed & designed by Tony Strachan with
music by Blair Greenberg. “They’re brazen, they’re boisterous, and they’re here
to tell you that the show ain’t over ‘til the deaf girls sing! With physical
comedy, choreographic extravagance and touching intimacy, this sassy cabaret
unwraps the riddle of what it’s like to live in a world of silence.” For
bookings Tel: (02) 8839 3399 or Fax: (02) 9683 3267.
LAKE
MACQUARIE DISABLED BOWLERS – READVERTISED
Lake
Macquarie Disabled Bowlers are holding their inaugural open tournament for
disabled and non-disabled bowlers. The tournament is open to all people with
all disabilities. It will be held on Sunday 30th May at Rathmines
Bowling Club, Stilling St. Rathmines. There will be single entry, two game
pairs – triples and a 10 ends open draw – with prizes for winning teams. Play
starts at 10am. Cost is $5.00 per player and there will be a sausage sizzle.
Everyone is welcome to come along and have a wonderful time. All money raised
on the day will be donated to Lake Macquarie Disabled Bowlers. Non-experienced
disabled players can have coaching arranged prior to the tournament. For more
information contact Angelo Iacona on Tel: (02) 4973 4542 or Mobile: 0402 223
659.
“AMIGOS”
BY DAVID WILLIAMSON - AUSLAN INTERPRETED & AUDIO DESCRIBED PERFORMANCES
“AMIGOS”
is a new play by David Williamson. "Whenever a friend succeeds, a little
something in me dies." - Gore Vidal. Friendship between men can seem a lot
like enmity. At the 1968 Olympics, an Australian rowing team wins bronze. It's
a moment of glory for four young idealists. Best mates. Golden boys. “The Four
Amigos”. But that was then. It's thirty-five years later, and everything has
changed. “Amigos is an insightful comic drama, written by a playwright at the
top of his form. It exposes the subtle violence and unacknowledged dependencies
of male friendship, and the anger and irritation it causes their wives. You'll
recognise all of these characters. Hopefully none of them are you.” Audio
described performances will be held on Saturday 1st May and Saturday
8th May at 2pm in the Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House. (The 8th
May performance includes a workshop.) There will also be an AUSLAN interpreted
performance on Saturday 22nd May at 2pm in the Drama Theatre, Sydney
Opera House. The cost for all performances is $38 and bookings are essential.
Telephone the box office on (02) 9250 1777 or (02) 9250 7777.
CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING
FACS
OFFER FUNDING FOR NATIONAL MEETINGS, FORUMS OR CONFERENCES
Applications
are open for the 2004 National Disability Conference Funding Program.
Organisers who require extra funding to assist people with disabilities to
participate in or attend their conference, etc. are encouraged to apply for
funding by the 26th April 2004. The available funding applies to
conferences being held between 1st July 2004 and 30th
June 2005. Contact Debbie O'Donoghue, Tel: (02) 6244 7726 or Fax: (02) 6244
7976 or TTY: 1800 672 682 or email: office-disability@facs.gov.au.
[SOURCE: www.facs.gov.au/internet/facsinternet.nsf/News/ndcfp2004.htm.]
THE
ROUND TABLE ON INFORMATION ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH PRINT DISABILITIES INC.
The
Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities Inc. is
Australia’s leading organisation for discussing and promoting information
access for people with a print disability. This year, the theme of the Round
Table’s annual conference is “Information Access: Global Trends and Local
Innovations”. The conference will be held at the Carlton Crest Hotel, Sydney
from Saturday 15th to Tuesday 18th May. It will explore
the current global trends in information access for people with a print
disability, and showcase examples of how Australian organisations, education
institutions and companies are using innovative approaches to make information
available in a range of accessible formats. The conference will also provide a
unique opportunity to discuss strategies for meeting the very real challenges
that people with a print disability still face as they try to build bridges
over the digital divide and gain full, equal, and independent access to the
benefits and potential of our information society. Conference highlights
include: Keynote address by Professor Ron McCallum, Dean of Law, University of
Sydney. Prof. McCallum is a leading writer and lecturer on industrial law in
Australia, he is a user of braille, and has had decades of experience using
assistive technology to gain access to information. Graeme Innes, AM,
Australia’s Deputy Disability Discrimination Commissioner, will provide a
comprehensive update on the activities of the Disability Rights Unit in the
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, focussing especially on those
issues that relate to information access. Graeme is a user of braille and a
wide range of assistive technology. Australian Braille Authority’s AGM and
discussion of Australia’s involvement with initiatives in East Timor and Papua
New Guinea. Round Table’s AGM and conference dinner. For further information or
to obtain a conference programme and a registration form, please contact: Bruce
Maguire, Convenor, 2004 Round Table Conference Planning Committee, Tel: (02)
9868 2784 or email: bruceonline@ozemail.com.au.
[SOURCE: IDEAS Inc E-News Issue 6, 2004]
CREATIVE
VOLUNTEERING: NO LIMITS - TRAINING WORKSHOPS
Creative
Volunteering - No Limits is the first nationally recognised and co-ordinated
training program for volunteers and managers working within community
organisations. Creative Volunteering workshops have been designed especially
for community organisations where volunteers do much or all of the work. The
workshops will provide the opportunity for training and skills development in
areas such as networking, business planning, fundraising and sponsorship.
Although the workshop content is geared towards cultural organisations,
employees and volunteers working in all types of community based organisations
will benefit. The course is made up of five self-contained one-day workshops
covering the essential areas of Undertaking Marketing; Networking within
Communities; Developing Funds and Resources; Planning and Programming Events
and Carrying out Business Planning. Each workshop covers a different topic and
people may elect to attend any or all five workshops. The cost of each workshop
will be $60 for member organisations and $75 for non-members. Copies of the
workbooks are an additional $10 each. The trainer for the courses is Kate
Croll, a nationally recognised community cultural development facilitator. The
workshops will be held at Newcastle Regional Museum on: Wed April 28th
- Undertaking Marketing; Wed May 5th - Networking within
Communities; Wed May 19th - Developing Funds and Resources; Wed May
26th - Planning & Programming Events and Wed June 2nd -
Carrying out Business Planning. Creative Volunteering is delivered throughout
the state by Community Cultural Development NSW which is a Registered Training
Organisation and participants will be eligible for a Statement of Attainment
from CCD NSW. The workshops are nationally recognised with the Australian
National Training Authority and provide pathways to other vocational training
programs and national qualifications. For more details or to make a booking
please contact the Hunter Volunteer Centre on Tel: (02) 4969 4577 or email: info@huntervolunteercentre.org.au.
NATIONAL
ORGANISTION OF STUDENT WOMEN AUSTRALIA (NOSWA) CONFERENCE
NOSWA
is a feminist collective of student women that originated in the 1970's,
holding its first conference at Melbourne University. This year’s conference
will be held at Southern Cross University in Lismore, from July 12th
– 16th. It is open to all women, whether student or non-student. The
conference has a strong focus on disability issues, due to the establishment of
a disability sub-committee. Sub-committee members Jacki and Shari are
women with disabilities who feel strongly about disability politics and the
issues faced by women with disabilities. The Social Model of Disability will be
used as the grounding for the exploration of personal and political concerns
around living with disabilities. Jacki and Shari are intending to invite women
with disabilities to speak at the conference, in the context of a forum that
will be attended by all the women at the conference. This will raise levels of
awareness among non-disabled women about all issues for women with
disabilities, including topics such as discrimination. Accessible transport and
accommodation is being provided and all conference venues will be accessible.
For more information relating to disability enquires contact Shari or Jacki on
e-mail: noswawomen@hotmail.com or
for general enquires e-mail: repoffice@scu.edu.au.
[SOURCE: Disability and Aged Information Service Inc. - The DAISI Link, Autumn
2004.]
ACROD
TASMANIA’S NATIONAL AGEING AND DISABILITY CONFERENCE
For
the first time in Australia, a national event focusing on ageing and
disability. The Conference is aimed at anyone working with, or interested in,
people ageing with a long-term disability, people who have acquired a
disability at an older age, or their carers. If you would like to present a
paper or conduct a workshop please contact Marie Kennedy on Tel: (02) 6223 6086
or email: mkennedy@acrod.org.au.
Abstracts should be submitted by the end of April. [SOURCE: IDEAS Inc
E-News Issue 8, 2004]
RESEARCH
CONSUMER
AND CARER PARTICIPATION IN THE DESIGN AND DELIVERY OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Victoria has experienced
significant changes in the structure and delivery of mental health services
over the past three decades. As a result of these changes, there is now an
expectation that consumers of services and their carers have increased
opportunities to participate in the design and delivery of services. There
currently exists a paucity of research that examines the degree to which this
goal has been realised in practice. This article presents findings from a
qualitative research study investigating the perceptions of consumers and
carers regarding the degree to which the contemporary service system allows for
their increased participation. Data was collected through in-depth interviews
with consumers and carers. The findings suggest that consumers have identified
an increased scope for their participation, although this varies considerably
from service to service. Carers on the other hand described very little
opportunity for participation at any level. The responses of carers suggest
there may be some inherent difficulty in facilitating increased participation
for both groups. Strategies to support carer participation are urgently
required if the goals of state and national mental health policy in Australia
are to be realised. [SOURCE: Lammers, J & Happell,
B. (2004) Mental health reforms and their impact on consumer and carer
participation: a perspective from Victoria, Australia. Issues in Mental Health
Nursing, 25, 261-276.]
AUSTRALIAN POLICY DIRECTIONS IN AGED CARE AND
DISABILITY
Australia is experiencing a rapid increase in both the
absolute numbers and proportion of people who are ageing with a lifelong
disability. Aged care and disability are the two key social policy sectors that
impact most directly on formal services available to this group. Potentially
they may be included or excluded from either sector. This paper compares and
contrasts Australian policy directions in aged care and disability. Using
people with intellectual disability as an exemplar of those who are ageing with
a lifelong disability, the paper analyses their location within and the
services offered to them by each sector. The paper argues that neither sector
adequately addresses the issues raised by the needs of this group and suggests
why this is so. Directions for policy and service developments necessary to
ensure that the needs of this growing population are met are suggested. These
are broadly categorised as; systematically bridging existing gaps with
specialist services; supporting inclusion and ensuring older people with
lifelong disability are visible within the aged care system; adapting and
resourcing the disability sector to facilitate ageing in place; and developing
partnerships and joint planning aimed at the removal of cross- and intra-sector
obstacles to accessing appropriate services. [SOURCE: Bigby, C. (2002) Ageing people with a lifelong disability:
challenges for the aged care and disability sectors. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 27
(4), 231-241.]
SUPPORT STAFF IN COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES FOR PEOPLE
WITH DISABILITY
Staff characteristics and training are two influential
factors in the design and development of human service systems. Despite close
scrutiny of these components of service delivery in a variety of disciplines,
relatively little is known about staffing issues in the disability industry.
This study reports the characteristics, career intentions and professional
development needs of staff from a wide variety of services for people with a
disability in NSW. Staff were predominantly female, male staff were much less
likely to regard their future career as lying in the disability field, and
there was evidence that employers were providing some training to staff that
addressed their professional development needs. The results are discussed in
relation to the wider research literature and the need for further
investigation in this area. [SOURCE: Dempsey, I. and Arthur, M. (2002) Support staff in a sample of Australian
community-based services for people with a disability: career intentions,
personal characteristics and professional development needs. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability,
27 (3), 201-214.]
ACCESS TO JOURNAL ARTICLES
Access to the full-text of the journal articles
referenced above is available through the James Fletcher Library, located on
the first floor of the Barracks building in the grounds of James Fletcher
Hospital, Watt St, Newcastle. For more information contact the library on Tel:
(02) 4924 6790 or Fax: (02) 4924 6795 or email: jfhlibrary@hunter.health.nsw.gov.au
or website: www.himh.org.au - select
“James Fletcher Library” – then scroll down to “click here for more
information”.
POLICY DOCUMENTS
MINI BUDGET REINFORCES COMMITMENT TO CHILD PROTECTION
AND DISABILITY SERVICES
The NSW Government's mini-Budget sees funding continue
to flow for new Department of Community Services (DoCS) caseworkers, for
services to support families and protect vulnerable children, and to assist
older people and people with a disability. Community Services Minister, Carmel
Tebbutt said "I'm pleased to say that the DoCS budget will continue to
roll out as planned in respect of the additional $1.2 billion over 6 years,
which we announced in December 2002. In 2004/5, the money will fund: 50
additional caseworkers to investigate the highest priority reports of concern;
50 additional caseworkers dedicated to early intervention work; 50 additional
caseworkers to improve support for children who don't live at home; 20
additional DoCS workers for Joint Investigative Response Teams; $4 million new
grant money for NGO's to supply services to foster carers and children; $3
million new money for family support services targeted at early intervention;
and $5 million for new intensive supports for identifiedhigh-risk families. Ms
Tebbutt said Department of Ageing, Disability, and Home Care (DADHC)’s funding
included additional recurrent funding of $88 million for ageing and disability
services for 2004-05. Highlights of the additional spending include: increased
services for families with a child with a disability who need extra support, at
a cost of $2.7 million in the first year ($30.6 million over 4 years); $12.4
million for the Adult Training Learning and Support program (ATLAS) - providing
support for the increasing number of school leavers with a disability in moving
from education to employment, or who require ongoing support when they leave
school; $10.3 million for the Service Access System - enabling the Government
to respond to people with a disability who need immediate assistance; ensuring
assistance is available for people with a disability when boarding houses close
and allowing for ongoing reform of accommodation services directly delivered by
DADHC. Ms Tebbutt added that there would also be capital funding of $15.9
million to assist in moving people out of large residential homes and into the
community. [SOURCE: IDEAS Inc E-News Issue 8, 2004.]
MR BRENDAN O’REILLY IS THE NEW
DIRECTOR GENERAL FOR DADHC
Effective 13 April 2004, Mr Brendan
O’Reilly was appointed to the position of Director General of the Department of
Ageing, Disability, and Home Care (DADHC), by Minister Carmel Tebbutt. In a
media statement, Minister Tebbutt said that Mr. O’Reilly brings a wealth of
experience to the position, especially in the areas of leadership, change
management and stakeholder communication. Mr. O’Reilly’s previous appointments
were: Deputy Director General of the Premier’s Department, Deputy Director
General of the Department of Community Services and Director General of the
Department of Sport and Recreation. For all enquiries, contact Brian Manning,
0416 288 393.
ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR
SERVICE PROVIDER OFFICES
A number of services have recently raised the issue of
office accessibility for people with mobility problems. Under funding
agreements and Disability Service Standard 12 (Key Performance Indicator 12.2),
disability employment services must have appropriate physical access and should
comply with the Disability
Discrimination Act (The
Act). The Act states that it is unlawful for a disability employment service to
discriminate against a person with a disability in relation to that person's
access to premises. However the Act also states that services would not be
required to make alterations if the cost of those alterations would place them
in financial hardship (referred to as 'unjustifiable hardship'). For example, a
disability employment service may be approached by a potential consumer who
could only be assisted if the provider under took costly alterations to the
building to make it accessible. If the provider couldn't make those alterations
due to the cost, imposing 'unjustifiable hardship', it may not be charged with
disability discrimination under the Act. However it is important to note that
the definition of 'unjustifiable hardship' will depend on the particular
circumstances in each individual case, taking into account relevant
considerations such as cost. Open Employment services that operate in premises
that are hard to access need to have policies or procedures to accommodate
consumers with accessibility issues. For example, the service may have an
arrangement to use another organisation's premises when assisting a client with
mobility problems. Alternatively, the service could offer assistance over the
telephone. If a service did not make alternative arrangements and was unwilling
to offer their services in alternative forms, even though it would not impose
an unjustifiable hardship on the service to do so, they may be in breach of the
Act. This would also mean they would not meet the requirements of their funding
agreement or Standard 12. Business services that operate in inaccessible
premises need to identify ways to make their premises accessible for potential
consumers with mobility problems. One option may be to apply to the Workplace
Modifications Scheme. Under this scheme, employers are assisted to provide
employment opportunities to eligible job seekers with disabilities through the
provision of financial assistance for specific workplace modifications or
purchase of special equipment. The Guidelines for the Scheme have been revised
following extensive consultation with a range of disability peak bodies and
agencies. The Minister for Community Services, The Hon Larry Anthony MP has
approved the revised Guidelines, effective from 1 February 2001. The relevant
Workplace Modifications forms have also been revised and are now posted in both
RTF and PDF. Go to: www.facs.gov.au/internet/facsinternet.nsf/aboutfacs/programs/disability-workplace_modifications_scheme.htm)
[SOURCE: FACS disability e-news, 8 March 2004]
AMENDMENTS TO ACCESSIBLE PUBLIC TRANSPORT STANDARDS
Amendments further clarifying the measures required by
public transport operators to make their vehicles more readily accessible have
been tabled in Parliament and are available on the Attorney-General’s
Department website: www.ag.gov.au/DSFAPT/welcome.htm,
along with a Regulation Impact Statement and Guidelines. The amendments follow
a technical review conducted by the Department of Transport and Regional
Services into issues excluded from the Standards when they were first
introduced in October 2002. These relate to systems to assist people with
hearing and vision impairments access public transport, as well as paths,
passing areas, lighting, spaces required for people with disabilities and
boarding devices in aircraft, buses or coaches, ferries, taxis, trains, trams
and other like vehicles. [SOURCE: ACROD News
– March 2004.]
$225,000
AVAILABLE FOR DISABILITY CONFERENCE FUNDING
Disability
organisations in NSW are being encouraged to apply for funding to help provide
people with a disability with the opportunity to attend conferences in
Australia. The funding, available through the National Disability Conference
Funding Program allocates funds to support national and international
disability conferences. Organisations can be eligible for up to $10,000 towards
the costs of a national conference, and up to $20,000 for an international
conference. This program has provided funding to some 61 organisations over the
past three years. The funding can be used in a number ways, including assisting
with special aids, equipment, interpreters for people who are deaf or hearing
impaired, providing information in alternative formats, or with travel and
accommodation costs. Conference organisers are being encouraged to apply for
funding for conferences being held between 1 July 2004 and 30 June 2005.
Applications close 26th April. Further information can be obtained
by contacting the Office of Disability on Tel: (02) 6244 7726 or Free Call 1300
653 227 or TTY 1800 672 682 or the website:
www.facs.gov.au/internet/facsinternet.nsf/aboutfacs/programs/disability-nat_conf_fund.htm.
[SOURCE: ACROD NSW Quick-E - Nationals Senator Sandy
Macdonald.]
SERVICE
EXPANSION BARELY KEEPS UP WITH POPULATION GROWTH
A
new report from the Productivity Commission shows that disability service
growth at a national level is only just keeping pace with population growth,
and in some jurisdictions is lagging behind population growth. Under these
circumstances, unmet need for services would not diminish. Australia-wide, the
number of consumers of accommodation support services (on a snapshot day) has grown
by 1,662 since 1998; but as a proportion of the 'eligible population' is very
low and has barely grown at all. In 1998, 2.9% of people aged less than 65
years with a profound or severe core activity restriction (adjusted for an
Indigenous Factor) received an accommodation support service. By 2002 this
figure had increased by only one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.0%. In terms
of the proportion of the eligible population in each State or Territory who
received an accommodation support service in 2002, NSW, Queensland, Western
Australia, ACT and the Northern Territory all trailed the national average.
Over a shorter period Australia-wide, the growth pattern for community access
services has been similar. In 2002, 1,685 more consumers received a service than
in 2000. But as a proportion of the 'eligible population' this represented an
increase from 2.6% to only 2.7%. While differences in service definitions
across jurisdictions make comparisons difficult, State and Territory
governments invest significantly different degrees of effort in community
access services. On the 2002 snapshot day, 7,263 Victorians received a day
activity service, whereas only a little more than half that number from NSW
did, despite NSW's greater population. The proportion of the ‘eligible
population’ who received an employment service declined between 1998 and 2002,
from 5.6% to 5.1%. These estimates rely on ‘snapshot day’ data (the
Commonwealth prefers census figures) and relate to a period prior to the full
roll-out of AWT new employment places. Nevertheless, they point to a disturbing
trend over those years. Australia-wide, around 60% of people receiving
accommodation support services receive those services from a non-government
organisation. Across jurisdictions, this ranges from 100% in the NT and 75% in
Queensland to 46% in ACT and 48% in SA. As ACROD’s Federal Budget submission
argues, because government services deliver accommodation support at a
substantially higher cost than non-government services, in most States there is
a strong case for transferring more service provision to the non-government
sector. [SOURCE: ACROD Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service
provision, Report on Government Services 2004 go to: www.pc.gov.au.]
EXTRA
FUNDING FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY
The
Australian Government has allocated an additional $2 billion in funding to be
targeted to the most disadvantaged students, including students with
disability. From 2005 a new program, the Literacy, Numeracy and Special
Learning Needs Program, will be introduced. There will be three elements to the
program: schools grants – for schools to increase their capacity to assist
students with additional needs; non-Government centre support – to assist
centres that provide support to children with disability; and national projects
– to support national initiatives and research to improve learning outcomes for
educational disadvantaged students. More information is available from the
Minister, Brendan Nelson's website at www.dest.gov.au/Ministers/Media/Nelson/2004/03/n6391110304.asp.
[SOURCE: PWD E-Bulletin 8.]
NOTICES
DISABILITY
SITUATION IN NEPAL
DASH
received the following letter this month – reproduced as received: Regd
no.171. " FOR THE MEN BY THE MEN IN THIS WORLD"
SAHARA
GRIHA (RESIDENCE FOR VEGETATIVE & SEVERE PERSON IN THEIR WHOLE LIFE)
SHANKHAMUL, LALITPUR, NEPAL
GPO
BOX 19512 KATHMANDU NEPAL
Subject:
Information of differentlyable and terminally ill person in NEPAL.
Dear
Sir/Madam,
We
are introducing you, SAHARA GRIHA (Residence for vegetative & severe person
of their whole life) is a non-profit making, non-governmental and non-political
organization. It was est. in 2001 A. D. Major focus of SAHARA GRIHA is provide
residence service to vegetative (only respiration and blood circulation system)
and severe (immovable legs, hands, speech all the time laying on the bed)
person i.e. Autism, Cerebral palsy, Head injury, Stroke, Spinal cord injury,
Cerebral vascular accident, Motor neuron disease, Polio, Genetic muscular
dystrophy, Down syndrome, Guillian barre syndrome, Heart attack, Diabetes,
Cancer, Kidney problem. On other hand, community based awareness program for reducing
vegetative, severe and differentlyable person in the community. Our very urge
with you and your organization is to join as individually or institutionally.
The vegetative, severe and differentlyable is the unavoidable component of the
human history. Your suggestions, co-operation, visit are very welcome for our
organization. Sincerely, Rtn. Narayan Khatri (Engineer), Founder President
SAHARA GRIHA. Tel: 00977-1-5560055 or email:saharag@ntc.net.np or website: www.saharagriha.org.np.
FAMILIES
SUPPORTING FAMILIES INC NEWSLETTER
Families Supporting Families is a not for profit,
grass roots support group started in September 2003 by parents who have
children with disabilities. Currently there are around 80 members and they’re
growing rapidly. Families Supporting Families has a diverse member base and is
open to all, including: parents, carers and families (grandparents, siblings,
extended family), regardless of diagnosis or severity of disabilities and special
needs. They believe “it is the common things that connect us and this includes
our desire to be informed.” The 3rd edition of their bi-monthly
newsletter is nearing completion and they want people to submit items for
inclusion. It may be an event or important information to share with others.
Some previous events include: a siblings workshop; family BBQ at the foreshore
with children's entertainment; member morning teas with guest speakers
(including Dr Robert Smith) and a girls night out for mothers/carers. The next
issue is in April, so send your info (including your address) and you too can
receive a copy of the newsletter. Contact: Mickey Cole, Families Supporting
Families on email: mickey@pureproductions.com.au.
AUSTRALIAN
FEDERATION OF DISABILITY ORGANISATIONS
The
inaugural Board meeting of the Directors of the new Australian Federation of
Disability Organisations (the Federation) took place in January in Canberra.
The Federation is the newly formed national agency funded and recognised by
government as the peak body in Australia representing people with disability.
The aim of the Federation is to champion the rights of people with disability
in Australia and help them to participate fully in community life. Maurice
Corcoran, current President of the Physical Disability Council of Australia,
was elected as the first Chairperson of the Board and will be supported by
three Deputy Chairpersons: Diana Qian, President of the National Ethnic
Disability Alliance; Robert Altamore, Blind Citizens Australia; and Roy
McAlpine, National Council on Intellectual Disability. The Federation is unique
because it is the first cross-disability national body in Australia whose
Constitution specifies that all its Directors and staff must be people with
disability. The Federation is in the process of hiring a CEO, establishing
administrative and communication systems as well as consultation strategies.
Information about the Federation and its on-going development is available at www.disfed.org.au.
[SOURCE: PDCN ebulletin #28, 25 Feb 2004.]
WOMEN
WITH DISABILITY NETWORK NSW
The
Physical Disability Council of NSW (PDCN) has been awarded a grant by the NSW
Department for Women to establish a Women With Disability Network in NSW.
Working with the Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association, they will
support participants to create and sustain an autonomous network that opens up
a space for women with disability to come together as a force for change. In
New South Wales, more than half of all people with disability are women and
almost 20 per cent of all women have a disability. If you want to know more
about the Network, contact Sharon on Tel: (02) 9552 1606 or Freecall 1800 688
831 or email: po@pdcnsw.org.au. [SOURCE:
PDCN ebulletin #28, 25 Feb 2004.]
STATUE
OF NAKED DISABLED WOMAN FOR LONDON’S TRAFALGAR SQUARE SPARKS DEBATE BY KEVIN
WARD
The
first of a series of contemporary art works to be displayed in London’s
Trafalgar Square will be a 4.7-metre-high white marble sculpture of the naked
and very pregnant artist Alison Lapper, who was born without arms and with
shortened legs. It has caused a stir over whether it's appropriate for such a
famous public space. Trafalgar Square is best known for Nelson's Column. Over
the years, it has also commemorated other British military heroes. The artist
Marc Quinn, whose most famous work until now was a frozen cast of his head made
from his own blood, says he is paying tribute to another kind of heroic figure
in modern Britain. "Most public sculpture, especially in the Trafalgar
Square and Whitehall areas, is triumphant male statuary. Nelson's Column is the
epitome of a phallic male monument, and I felt that the square needed some
femininity… Alison's statue could represent a new model of female heroism. In
the past, heroes such as Nelson conquered the outside world. Now it seems to me
they conquer their own circumstances and the prejudices of others, and I
believe that Alison's portrait will symbolise this." Lapper, who
collaborated with Quinn on the sculpture when she was 8½ months pregnant, said
the decision to recognise people with disabilities is admirable. "I regard
it as a modern tribute to femininity, disability and motherhood. It is so rare
to see disability in everyday life, let alone naked, pregnant and proud."
[SOURCE: IDEAS Inc E-News Issue 8, 2004.]
SEXUALITY
AND DISABILITY RESOURCE
The
Office of Disability has circulated information on the availability of free
copies of Sexuality Education Kit for Girls and Women with Intellectual
Disabilities. Contact Work Solutions by phoning Tel: (07) 3255 1233 or Fax:
(07) 3255 1399 or email: b.fletcher@wmb.org.au.
[SOURCE: ACROD News – March 2004.]
RURAL
DISABILITY NETWORK LAUNCHED
The
Independence Network is a new network created exclusively for people with a
disability who live in rural areas in Australia. You can view their web site
at: www.independence.bigpondhosting.com. [SOURCE: PDCN
ebulletin #28, 25 Feb 2004.]
COMMUNITY
SURVIVAL KIT
Spinal
Cord Injuries Australia has produced a Community Survival Kit. The kit is
designed to provide information about all possible resources that service
providers may need when looking to coordinate services for people with a spinal
cord injury. For enquires about the kits telephone: 1800 819 775 or e-mail: information@spinalcordinjuries.com.au.
[SOURCE: Disability and Aged Information Service Inc. - The DAISI Link, Autumn
2004.]
VIDEO
TRAINING PACKAGES
Ideas
That Work is a company that produces and distributes videos aimed at carers, service
users and organisations that work with the aged and people with disabilities.
Titles include: Duty of Care for community care and allied health workers; Time
for You – explaining respite services for people with mental health issues;
Just Like You – a guide to etiquette and communication with people with a
disabililty, covers wheelchair etiquette; Balance the Care - explores the major
issues of people who provide care for others. You can find out more about these
and other videos at www.ideasthatwork.com.au
or Tel: 03 9525 1407. [SOURCE: Disability and Aged Information Service Inc. - The
DAISI Link, Autumn 2004.]
LAUNCH
OF THE BSDP WEBSITE
The
new Better Service Delivery Program (BSDP) website has been launched. BSDP is a
NSW Government program aimed at helping human service agencies across the state
to share information, network with other agencies and make online referrals.
The website has been redesigned with new promotional content introducing the Program
and its aims. The site is user-friendly, offering ease of navigation,
animations and readily findable information. The new site has additional
features including a support area, and news and events for clients and
potential clients that can be easily updated. These areas make available a
range of information from different people and organisations right across the
sector. The website is available now, at: http://bsdp.hsnet.nsw.gov.au.
NB The Disability Infoline eNews passes on information received and does
not guarantee or endorse the services or events publicised in its e-News. The
Disability Infoline is a non-profit organisation staffed by volunteers. Evadne
Lewis (Editor) Mark Hemmings, Bronwyne Chapman & Robert Mackey (Information
Officers), Mark Grierson (Coordinator), Disability Advocacy Service Hunter
(DASH) Inc. Suite 3 Level 1 408 King St, Newcastle West, NSW 2302.
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