Hunter Disability eNews

JUNE 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:

 

 

HAPPENINGS

STROKE INFORMATION SEMINAR

NSW NETWORK OF WOMEN WITH DISABILITY – GET INVOLVED – FIND YOUR VOICE – MAKE YOURSELF HEARD

NESB ADVOCACY CONSULTATIONS

EPILEPSY SUPPORT GROUP OF NEWCASTLE

 

 

CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING

ACROD AGEING & DISABILITY CONFERENCE TASMANIA 2004 – CREATING DIRECTION

IDEAS EXPO "ON COMMON GROUND"

ABILITY INC – NATIONAL ADVOCACY CONFERENCE 2004

THE 5^TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE AUSTRALIAN APHASIA ASSOCIATION

WELL BEYOND 2004

INCLUSIVE LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES SUMMER SCHOOL 2004

THE RIGHTS STUFF: TIPS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS AND MAKING COMPLAINTS

 

 

RESEARCH

ONE-IN-FIVE AUSTRALIANS REPORT A DISABILITY

DISABILITY: THE HIDDEN SIDE OF AFRICAN POVERTY

COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING IN CHILDREN WITH MENTAL RETARDATION AND ADHD

CAREER INTENTIONS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT NEEDS OF SUPPORT STAFF IN AUSTRALIAN DISABILITY SERVICES

 

 

POLICY & DOCUMENTS

WAGE CASE REVIEW NEEDED FOR WORKING POOR

YOUNG PEOPLE IN NURSING HOMES NATIONAL PROJECT

PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS – BEHAVE, OR YOU ARE OUT!

NEW HEALTH PRIVACY LAW COMMENCES IN NSW ON 1^ST JULY 2004

 

 

NOTICES

ELECTIONS AUSTRALIA – THE DISABILITY DIALOGUE

VIDEO - HELPING YOU AT HOME

HOMELESS PERSONS LEGAL SERVICE LAUNCHED

HUMAN RIGHTS KIT

SIBLINGS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS - NEW DISCUSSION GROUPS

 

 

HAPPENINGS

 

STROKE INFORMATION SEMINAR

“The Road Back to Independence”

 

On Tuesday 6th July, Stroke and Disability Information (Hunter) is holding an Information Seminar covering various aspects of Stroke. Beginning with preventing Stroke, and followed by the role of the Podiatrist in Stroke. The key note speaker is Louise Jordan, Manager of Clinical Service, Hunter Stroke Service, discussing Breakthroughs in Stroke Care.

 

The personal experience of Stroke is the client’s perspective with valuable insights. A free light lunch will be followed by a Telstra guide to appliances and service for the disabled.

 

The day concludes with a talk from Elaine Lenaghan OAM whose 25 years experience with people who have suffered a Stroke is unparalleled. MORE INFORMATION 49439786 Please RSVP 28 June 2004.  Juliet Roosendaal.

 

 

NSW NETWORK OF WOMEN WITH DISABILITY – GET INVOLVED – FIND YOUR VOICE – MAKE YOURSELF HEARD

Women with disability represent over half of all people with disability, but the issues we face often do not receive focus or resolution. Organisations for women and organisations for people with disability often do not know or fully understand the issues that affect us. The NSW Network of Women with Disability is growing across the State. We are working together, linking with our communities and addressing the issues that impact us as women with disability. We are building a community of women with disability where we: share our knowledge, skills, stories and ideas; celebrate our individual and collective differences as women with disability; connect with and support each other and work towards inclusion and equality for women with disability. The Network will be meeting in Newcastle on Sunday 27^th June, 11.00-2.00, at Paraquad, 65 The Avenue, Wickham and Coffs Harbour on Monday 28^th June, 2.30-4.30 at Boambee East Community Centre, Bruce King Drive, Boambee East. For more information, contact Sharon Smith at Physical Disability Council NSW on Tel: 1800 688 831. The NSW Network of Women with Disability is facilitated by the Physical Disability Council NSW and Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association, and is funded by NSW Office for Women.

 

NESB ADVOCACY CONSULTATIONS

Consultations to discuss issues and concerns of people from non-English speaking backgrounds (NESB) with disabilities will be held on 29^th June from 9.30 am - 1.00 pm at the Migrant Resource Centre, 8 Chaucer St, Hamilton. Guest speakers include: Catherine Norman, Director- Migrant Health Unit; Karol Lindsay, Disability Program Consultant- DEET; Lorraine Charters, Acting Coordinator- Hunter SUPS Team and Barbara Knorr, Psychologist- Migrant Health Unit. Small group discussions of issues and areas of main concern will be arranged between service providers and NESB people with disabilities and their families and carers. RSVP by 22^nd June to: Dubravka Vasiljevic, NESB Advocate, Disability Advocacy Service Hunter, Tel: (02) 4927 0111 or email: dubravka.vasiljevic@dash.org.au.

 

EPILEPSY SUPPORT GROUP OF NEWCASTLE

The Epilepsy Support Group of Newcastle offers support and a caring ear for people with epilepsy, their families and carers. The support group holds social meetings several times a year. These meetings provide a safe and comfortable environment to talk over a cuppa or listen to guest speakers. One such meeting is Tuesday 27^th July, when the guest speaker will be Lisa Todd from the Epilepsy Association. This meeting will be held in the Lifeline Newcastle and Hunter Training Room at 24A Bryant Street, Tighes Hill. Lisa will be talking about the Epilepsy Association, the programs they run, latest information on epilepsy and upcoming seminars. More information can be obtained by phoning the Epilepsy Association on 1300 366 162. Other meetings for the year include: Tuesday August 24^th - a social night at West Leagues Club, 88 Hobart Road, New Lambton; Tuesday October 19^th – Guest speaker: Dr Levi from the John Hunter Hospital; Tuesday November 23^rd - Christmas Meal at West Leagues Club, 88 Hobart Road, New Lambton. For further information contact Kim on Tel: (02) 4967 5905 or Carol on Tel: (02) 4945 0557 or web-site: www.geocities.com/epilepsy_au or e-mail: epilepsy_au@yahoo.com.au or postal address: PO Box 154, Hamilton 2303.

 

 

CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING

 

ACROD AGEING & DISABILITY CONFERENCE TASMANIA 2004 – CREATING DIRECTION

The Tasmanian division of ACROD is presenting the Inaugural Australian National Ageing & Disability Conference in Hobart on 24^th - 26^th August 2004.  Ageing and Disability concerns: people with life long disabilities; people who acquire disabilities later in life; people for whom the ageing process becomes disabling and their families and carers. Australia’s ageing population will inevitably include an increasing number of older people with disabilities. Providing an adequate and appropriate service system for an increasing number of people, often with changing needs, raises issues of service design and policy development. Responding to these challenges will require creativity, compassion and commitment. The Conference Committee has invited academics, clinicians, social advocates, consumers and carers to provide a broad perspective on ageing and disability issues. Contact the Ageing & Disability National Conference Secretariat, c/- Convention Wise, Mures Building Victoria Dock, Hobart Tasmania 7000 or Tel: (03) 6234 1424 or Fax: (03) 6231 5388 or email: mail@conventionwise.com.au.

 

IDEAS EXPO 2004 "ON COMMON GROUND"

The IDEAS Expo will be held 18^th – 20^th September at Dubbo Showground. The Expo is of interest to people with disability, the older person, their family, carers and supporters as well as health professionals, disability and mainstream service providers, university students, schools and government personnel. There is something at Expo for everyone! The EXPO will run over 3 days with more than 50 exhibitors. The Exhibitors will range from mobility & other equipment suppliers, government departments, assistive technology suppliers and major peak organisations. Consumer workshops, seminars and product demonstrations will be provided by such organisations as Carers NSW Inc, NSW Ombudsman, the Community Services Commission and the Family Planning Association.  For more information about the Expo or to book a site or workshop, contact IDEAS toll-free on Tel: 1800 029 904. [SOURCE: IDEAS E-News Issue 12, 2004.]

 

ABILITY INC – NATIONAL ADVOCACY CONFERENCE 2004

Ability Inc will hold its 2004 national advocacy conference at Valla Beach Resort, Nambucca Heads (30 min south of Coff’s Harbour) on Thursday 7^th – Sunday 10^th October. Registration forms will be sent out in August. There will be sessions on: Centrelink, TAFE, NSW Sports Council, employment, friendships and respect.  Recreation will include: swimming, fishing, tennis, juke box, electronic games, a fancy dress “Australiana” dinner, live band and disco. Cost is $231 per person (incl. GST, registration, accommodation and all meals except breakfast). For more information contact: Ability Inc on Tel: (02) 6628 8188 or 1800 657 961 or email: aiadvoc@bigpond.net.au or mail: PO Box 626, Ballina 2478 or go to: www.nor.com.au/community/aiadvoc. [SOURCE: IDEAS E-News Issue 12, 2004.]

 

THE 5^TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE AUSTRALIAN APHASIA ASSOCIATION

If you or someone you know has had a stroke or a brain injury, then you may be interested in the 5^th Annual Conference of the Australian Aphasia Association: Aphasia - Telling It Like It Is. The conference will be held on the 21^st and 22^nd October 2004 at Western Suburbs Leagues Club (Wests), Newcastle. Aphasia (ay-faze-yuh) is a difficulty with communication and can affect all aspects of everyday life, including talking, listening, reading and writing. The aim of the conference is to: help people with aphasia participate in their own communities; increase awareness and provide information about aphasia; influence funding for and public policy on aphasia; provide an opportunity for people with aphasia to be inspired by the lives of others with aphasia and to meet and form links with others in the community. All general enquiries can be directed to Georgi Laney on Tel: (02) 4921 4882 or e-mail: georgi.laney@hunter.health.nsw.gov.au.

 

WELL BEYOND 2004

The Australian Association of Developmental Disability Medicine, in conjunction with the Queensland Centre for Intellectual and Developmental Disability (QCIDD) presents a national medical conference in Brisbane on 28^th and 29^th October 2004. The conference will be of interest to all specialists, general medical practitioners and allied health professionals with an interest in child and adult development disability, including intellectual disability. Topics covered include: dual diagnosis, gastro-entomology, metabolic disorders, ADHC, severe behavioural problems, epilepsy, ASD, Autism and Asperger's, Prader-Willi Syndrome and sleep apnoea. For further information about the conference, contact Jude McPhee on Tel: (07) 3840 2496 or email: j-mcphee@sph.uq.edu.au. The Registration booklet is also available on the QCIDD website: www.sph.uq.edu.au/QCIDD. 

 

INCLUSIVE LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES SUMMER SCHOOL 2004

Inclusive Learning Technologies summer school will be held from 9^th to 11^th November on the Gold Coast, Queensland. This conference will focus on technologies designed to support students with disabilities and/or learning difficulties. It will include sessions looking at these technologies in three different interest streams: struggling students, people with communication impairments and people with physical disabilities. The keynote presenter will be Kelly Fonner, a Special Ed teacher from the USA with extensive experience in applying inclusive technologies in the classroom and in disability organisation settings. The registration fee for the conference is $385 (incl. GST) per person. This not only covers the cost of participation in the formal conference program, but also entitles all delegates to attend the welcome cocktail party, as well as the conference dinner. Registrations are limited to 200, and with several registrations already received, you are urged to book now. Contact Heather Jones, Summer school co-ordinator on email: heather@spectronicsinoz.com or website: www.spectronicsinoz.com.

 

THE RIGHTS STUFF: TIPS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS AND MAKING COMPLAINTS

The NSW Ombudsman’s Office is conducting educational workshops for people who use community services such as disability services, home help, personal care, day programs, respite, community transport and accommodation.  Family members, unpaid carers and guardians are also welcome to attend. The seminars will equip consumers and their supporters with the knowledge and skills needed when using community services. They will cover: strategies to promote and protect your rights as consumers of community services; tips for dealing more effectively with service providers; how to resolve issues/problems; options for how to make a complaint; contacts and resources and the NSW Ombudsman’s role in community services. Cost: FREE, but registration is essential. Participants will receive: information material and “toolkit”, lunch and refreshments, support and ideas from others and a certificate of participation. Workshops will be held in the Hunter region in November. Contact Carolyn Campbell-McLean for more information on Tel: (02) 9286 1028 or mobile: 0408 472 510 or TTY: (02) 9264 8050 or email: ccampbell-mclean@ombo.nsw.gov.au.

 

 

RESEARCH

 

ONE-IN-FIVE AUSTRALIANS REPORT A DISABILITY

One-in-five Australians reported a disability according to preliminary findings recently released from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2003 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers. Almost 4 million people reported a disability last year with the rate similar for males and females. The rate increased with age, reaching 81% for those aged 85 years and over. The age standardised disability rates for total males, females and persons showed little change between 1998 and 2003 and the pattern across age groups was very similar in these two years. The 2003 survey also found that one-in-seventeen people (5.9%) had a profound or severe level of core activity limitation (i.e. they needed help with one or more of self-care, mobility or communication activities), a slightly smaller proportion than in 1998 (6.4%). However, the rate for people aged 85 years and over dropped more substantially, from 65% in 1998 to 54% in 2003, with the decrease more marked for males than females. People with a disability were less likely to have completed a higher educational qualification than those without a disability. One-in-five people aged 15-64 years in private households who had reported no disability had a bachelor degree or higher, compared to one-in-eight people (13%) with a disability. Other findings for people aged 15-64 years living in private households include: many people with disabilities were not in the labour force, with participation decreasing markedly with greater levels of core activity limitation. Those with a profound level of core activity limitation were most affected, with a labour force participation rate of 15%. The rate for people without a disability was 81%. People with disabilities experienced a higher unemployment rate (9%) than those without a disability (5%). People with a disability who were employed, were more likely to work in a part-time job (37%) than those who were employed and did not have a disability (29%). Further information is available in the ABS publication: Disability 2003 Preliminary, cat. no. 4446.0, available at: www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs%40.nsf/1020492cfcd63696ca2568a1002477b5/768ee722e31f6315ca256e8b007f3055!OpenDocument. The final results should be published in September 2004.

 

DISABILITY: THE HIDDEN SIDE OF AFRICAN POVERTY

By Sophie Mitra PhD, Program for Disability Research at Rutgers University. For many years poverty and disability have been linked in a "vicious circle." Disability may prevent a person from working, while adding costs of health care, thus making the person more vulnerable to poverty. Poverty in turn, can be the catalyst of a disability, as is the case in developing countries where disability largely results from preventable impairments associated with communicable, maternal and perinatal diseases and injuries. In Africa, there also is evidence that many people become disabled because they cannot afford healthcare. Malnutrition in its various forms is an additional major cause of disability in Africa where two-fifths of children are malnourished. Despite this link between disability and poverty, there has been an uncomfortable silence among international development organisations about disability issues. A recent study by Action on Disability and Development, in conjunction with the Chronic Poverty Research Centre in the UK, found very low levels of inclusion of persons with disabilities in the work of international development organisations. One important reason for inaction on disability in the development field is the lack of awareness of the strong link between poverty and disability in this context. This lack of awareness is triggered by the general absence of reliable data sources on disability in developing countries, which prevents researchers from documenting the two-way link between poverty and disability. The 1991 census in Uganda reported that 1.2% of Ugandans had a disability. That is almost ten times lower than the UN 10% estimate of the global disability prevalence rate, and almost twenty times lower than the 20-25% of the population of developing countries estimated in 1984 by the UN Secretary General. If one consults the UN disability statistics database, low estimates in the 1-to-3% range (based on national censuses or surveys) are rather common for African countries. There is no doubt that such estimates bear little resemblance to reality in developing countries. For instance, as part of the recent Education Assessment Resources Program, the Ugandan Ministry of Education estimated that severe mental illnesses (such as schizophrenia, epilepsy, and manic depression) only affected 6% of the population. When one adds mild mental illnesses and physical disabilities, one will surely end up far above the 1.2% estimate of the Ugandan census. Better prevalence estimates lead to an improved capacity to evaluate the magnitude of the link between disability and poverty, giving development organisations a better idea of the fruits that may be reaped when directing available resources towards tackling disability as part and parcel of poverty. Commonsense policy recommendations can be made based on an acknowledgment of the vicious circle that links disability and poverty. For instance, greater investment in health services to reduce communicable diseases would mean fewer disabilities and less poverty. Greater access to employment through improved access to education and training as well as investments in accessible educational and worksites could reduce the chances that people with disabilities become or stay poor. More of Dr Mitra’s work on development and labour issues in relation to disability can be accessed at: www.disabilityresearch.rutgers.edu/sophie.htm. [SOURCE: Disability and NESB - June 2004.]

 

COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING IN CHILDREN WITH MENTAL RETARDATION AND ADHD

Cognitive effects of stimulant medication were investigated in children with mental retardation (MR) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Performance on tasks tapping sustained attention, visual and auditory selective attention, inhibition, and immediate memory was assessed for 24 children (mean age 10.9 years) during a placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover treatment trial with 0.15, 0.30, and 0.60 mg/kg b.i.d. dosages of methylphenidate (MPH). Successively higher MPH doses were associated with consistent gains in cognitive task performance, with optimal performance noted at the highest dose. Analysis of dose-response curves revealed significant linear components of trend on measures tapping sustained attention, visual selective attention, auditory selective attention, as well as two tasks tapping inhibition / impulsivity: delay of gratification and match-to-sample. No evidence of a curvilinear dose-response relationship emerged for any measure. Inattention and disinhibition/impulsivity decline with MPH treatment in children with ADHD/MR, and consistent with the Multimodal Treatment Study of ADHD, higher MPH doses are most effective. These findings also suggest that cognitive testing, together with behavioral and medical assessment, can be an effective tool in assessing stimulant response in children with ADHD/MR. [SOURCE: Pearson, D., Santos, C., Casat, C., Lane, D., Jerger, S., Roache, J., Loveland, K., Lachar, D., Faria, L., Payne, C. and Cleveland, L. (2004) Treatment Effects of Methylphenidate on Cognitive Functioning in Children With Mental Retardation and ADHD. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 43(6), 677-685.]

 

CAREER INTENTIONS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT NEEDS OF SUPPORT STAFF IN AUSTRALIAN DISABILITY SERVICES

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, Australia. 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. & Arthur, M. (2004) 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

 

WAGE CASE REVIEW NEEDED FOR WORKING POOR

In response to the decision in the National Wage Case, the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) recently called for a review of these cases to ensure that working people are able to lift themselves out of poverty. The most recent data shows there are now 365,000 families and singles in ‘working poor’ households. A new basic wage benchmark for the twenty-first century is needed. This would define a wage level that enables a single full-time worker to live in ‘modest comfort’ and participate fully in contemporary society. It would provide a long overdue update to the 1907 Harvester judgement. Paid work should be a way out of poverty, not a trap. Fair and decent wages are needed and should be supported by family payments as well as good services that are free or at low cost. The ‘working poor’ now represent 15% of all Australians living in poverty. The overwhelming majority of poor Australians live in jobless households and are reliant on social security for their main source of income. Wage inequality is also worsening and is a major cause of widening social divisions in Australia. While salaries for executives have increased substantially, the wage of low-income workers has not. The ACOSS submission to the National Wage Case found that a boost to minimum wages is the key to sustaining a decent standard of living for Australia’s growing number of part-time and casual workers. The majority of low paid workers are women, increasing the minimum wage is an important means of reducing the gap between male and female wages. Low wages are a significant disincentive for many women with children who also face high childcare costs and the loss of the Family Tax Benefit as their income increases. The ACOSS Submission to the National Wage Case is available at: http://coss.net.au/news/acoss/1083719626_5006_acoss.jsp?subsite=acoss. [SOURCE: IDEAS Inc E-News Issue 11, 2004.]

 

YOUNG PEOPLE IN NURSING HOMES NATIONAL PROJECT

The first residents have moved into St Martin's Court supported accommodation in Pellatt St, Beaumaris, Victoria for people with an acquired brain injury. This innovative project has been delivered through a diverse partnership of government and non-government agencies to provide community housing options for people with a disability who have high support needs. "This project provides national leadership in how to address the issues of young people in nursing homes," said Joseph Connellan, CEO of Supported Housing Ltd./ Singleton Equity Housing Ltd (SHL). SHL is Victoria's leading disability community housing agency. The project provides supported accommodation for 9 people with an acquired brain injury or other neurological disabilities such as MS, who are in receipt of Department of Human Services (DHS) or Transport Accident Commission (TAC) funding, and who require low - medium levels of support and assistance within an independent living environment. Recurrent support is also provided by DHS, the Slow to Recover Program, the Brain Foundation, TAC, the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Victoria and the Office of Housing. For all queries contact, Joseph Connellan, CEO SHL on Tel: (03) 9853 4844 or mobile: 0438 388 444 or fax: (03) 9852 7377 or e-mail: joseph.connellan@shl.org.au  or web-site: www.shl.org.au.

 

PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS – BEHAVE, OR YOU ARE OUT!

The Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW (MDAA) recently expressed their outrage at the Carr Government's attempt to regulate public housing by introducing new rules that reverse the onus of proof and take away the rights of public housing tenants. In 'Hitting the Roof', their report into the experiences of MDAA's consumers with public housing, they provide evidence of how rules are already in place that regulate and standardise behaviour and control and punish people. These rules are used to describe normality as a state where there is no room for people that are different, either because of their disability or their ethnicity. Describing the measures as ill conceived, disproportionate and draconian, NSW Council of Social Services (NCOSS) Director, Mr Gary Moore said "the regulations agreed to by Cabinet are a huge step backward in tenant management. They take away the rights of all public tenants and smack of policy-making on the run, rather than a considered response to the problem at hand. The vast majority of public tenants are good tenants. The government's own figures show that of nearly 1,000 renewable tenancies reviewed, less than ten households were found to be less than satisfactory. Why should every public tenant in NSW lose basic legal protections for sake of a few households, who could be evicted anyway under the current law? NCOSS is opposed to the reversal of the burden of proof under the Residential Tenancies Act, and opposed to the extension of renewable tenancies for all public tenants. These measures combined are the largest attack upon the legal rights of tenants in a lifetime. No one denies the suffering that is caused by anti-social behaviour, but taking away everybody's rights is not the best approach". If you have any queries contact MDAA by email: mdaa@mdaa.org.au or Tel: 02) 9891 6400. [SOURCE: Disability and NESB - June 2004.]

 

NEW HEALTH PRIVACY LAW COMMENCES IN NSW ON 1^ST JULY 2004

On 1^st July 2004 a new health privacy law commences in NSW. The Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (HRIP Act) regulates how public and private sector organisations in NSW collect and handle health information. ‘Health information’ includes information or an opinion about the physical or mental health or a disability of an individual. It can include information about a health service provided, the donation of human tissue, or genetic information about a family member, etc. The HRIP Act applies to health service providers (including GPs, physios etc), and organisations that collect, hold or use health information. The objects of the HRIP Act are to: balance the public interest in protecting the privacy of health information, with the public interest in the legitimate use of that information and to enhance the ability of individuals to be informed about their health care and promote the provision of quality health services. If your organisation is a health service provider, ‘health information’ includes all of the above plus any other personal information collected to provide a health service. The HRIP Act contains 15 Health Privacy Principles (HPPs), which are the key to the HRIP Act. They are legal obligations that describe what organisations must do when they collect, store, use or disclose health information. If a person believes that a private health service provider or an organisation may have breached any of the 15 HPPs when handling their health information, they have a right to complain to Privacy NSW. Remedies are enforcable on appeal to the Administrative Decisions Tribunal. There are seven key steps to prepare your organisation or practice for the HRIP Act. See “Privacy Essentials: How to Prepare for the NSW HRIP Act” for more information. To view or download a copy of the Act, to download additional resources, or to find out about training go to the Privacy NSW website at: www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/privacynsw. [SOURCE: IDEAS E-News Issue 12, 2004.]

 

 

NOTICES

 

ELECTIONS AUSTRALIA – THE DISABILITY DIALOGUE

The purpose of 'Disability Dialogue' is to inform the political parties of disability issues and to target those in marginal electoral seats.  Physical Disability Council Australia (PDCA) wants to inform all politicians of the issues that face people with disability in Australia (20% of the population).  In light of being overlooked in the recent Federal Budget, there is a need to inform the parties that we are here, we are unhappy, and we vote! PDCA proposes to: (1) set up a temporary discussion list called Disability Dialogue that will be closed after the election unless otherwise stated; (2) contact as many individuals and organisations as possible who may be interested in supporting this campaign in some way; (3) identify people to join a national working committee, which will dissolve after the election; (4) identify the issues and form positions (brief statements) in areas of disability that we believe politicians should understand before going to election; (5) prepare Media Kits outlining issues for people with disability, their families and carers; (6) prepare and send out items or issues to politicians; (7) post information, policies, and other relevant information to the discussion list, and on to relevant websites to share and to use in the campaign; (8) focus attention on marginal seats across Australia; (9) find people in each state who are prepared to talk to media on specific issues; (10) invite as many partner organisations as possible to join in focusing on the forthcoming election; (11) dissolve Disability Dialogue when the election is over. If you are interested in being involved as an active participant, please send your phone number and email address and whether you represent yourself or an organisation. Do your bit for disability in Australia and make the politicians listen to us. Contact Sue Egan, email: pdca@ozemail.com.au.

 

VIDEO - HELPING YOU AT HOME

Home & Community Care (HACC) and Commonwealth Carelink have produced a new video/DVD titled “Helping you at home”, to highlight services that can be accessed by contacting the Commonwealth Carelink Centre. For example: information about the range of HACC services, information for clients concerning their rights, assessment and fees and contact information for volunteers. The video is subtitled, contains contact details in 9 languages, is suitable for all regions of NSW and is of 9min 10 sec duration. For more information contact Commonwealth Carelink Centre on Tel: (02) 6369 1430. [SOURCE: IDEAS Inc E-News Issue 11, 2004.]

 

HOMELESS PERSONS LEGAL SERVICE LAUNCHED

The PIAC/PILCH (Public Interest Advocacy Centre/Public Interest Law Clearing House) Homeless Persons Legal Service (HPLS) was launched by the Hon. Bob Debus MP, NSW Attorney General at the State Library on 20^th May 2004. Clover Moore MP, Lord Mayor of Sydney was guest speaker at the launch attended by approximately 200 people. PILCH volunteer lawyers involved in the Service are presently seeing clients at the various community welfare organisations hosting the Service. For all inquiries contact the interim service co-ordinator, Michelle Rabsch on Tel: (02) 9299 7833. [SOURCE: IDEAS E-News Issue 12, 2004.]

 

HUMAN RIGHTS KIT

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) has recently launched a community education kit – “Protecting Human Rights in Australia” to provide basic information about the human rights that affect people living in Australia. The Kit, which is the culmination of months of consultation, was launched by Professor Hilary Charlesworth, Director of the Centre for International and Public Law, Law Faculty, Australian National University and Chair of the ACT Bill of Rights Consultative Committee. The Kit is available to download from the PIAC website: www.piac.asn.au.

 

SIBLINGS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS - NEW DISCUSSION GROUPS

Siblings Australia has created four new internet discussion groups: three for siblings of different ages (children, teens and adults), and one for professionals who provide family and sibling support. These discussion groups are a way for siblings to interact with others who share similar experiences. They can learn they are not alone and they can learn ways of dealing with different situations they encounter. SibChat4Kids, TeenSibChat, SibChat (for adults) and SibServices (for professionals who provide services for siblings) can all be accessed via the website: www.siblingsaustralia.org.au. Both SibChat4Kids and TeenSibChat are moderated i.e. all messages come via Siblings Australia and are completely safe for children. For more information please contact Kate Strohm, Siblings Australia, Women's and Children's Hospital on Tel: (08) 8161 6737 or email: info@siblingsaustralia.org.au. [The Scene, May 2004 - Spastic Centre of NSW.]

 

 

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