PWD E-Bulletin

Welcome to PWD’s e-bulletin. The e-bulletin goes out to members and interested others regularly by email. For members who do not have access to email, a printed version of the e-bulletin will be sent by post. To be added to or removed from our mailing list, or to change your email address, please contact PWD.

NSW news

++New NSW disability services ten year plan

The NSW Minister for Disability Services, the Hon. John Della Bosca, MLC announced this week his intention to establish a small expert advisory group to provide advice on the development of a ten year disability services plan.

The plan will attempt to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of funding to disability services in NSW. In particular, the Minister said the plan will:

• Make it fairer and easier to access services;
• Link services to need;
• Assist people to stay at home;
• Provide more options for people requiring out of home support; and
• Develop a sustainable care system.

The Minister first indicated his intention to develop a 10 year plan during discussions on the development of the NSW Government position paper on accommodation and support services for people with disability in late 2005. PWD participated in this process through the provision of a submission to the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) early in the year and later through participation in the Minister’s round table on the issues. Background information is available in PWD E-Bulletin, Issue 28.

The position paper on accommodation and support services for people with disability has now been finalised and was released by the Minister recently. The position paper outlines the framework for the establishment of a new accommodation support system to provide for access to accommodation and support services for people who currently receive these services and to allow for greater access for people who do not current have access to the support system.

It is acknowledged in the paper that detailed work needs to be undertaken in the areas of eligibility criteria, assessment, ways to improve in-home support, approaches to packaging support services, ways out of home support can be provided and a timeframe for implemented. It is envisaged that these elements will be components of the 10-year plan.

The Accommodation and Support Paper is available [in PDF format only] from the DADHC website at: www.dadhc.nsw.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/CD3588A6-5D12-4B2E-A189-B28C648038FC/1787/AccommodationandSupportPaper_230106.pdf

++DADHC advocacy and information services issues paper

As reported in PWD E-Bulletin, Issue 28, the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) released an issues paper late last year on advocacy and information services in NSW. PWD provided a response to DADHC on the issues paper.

PWD argued for the inclusion of a focus on human rights in the principles guiding development and delivery of advocacy services. In PWD’s view, the nature of advocacy work requires a human rights focus, as well as an approach by which advocacy is undertaken in the best interest of people with disability.

PWD highlighted the urgent need for an increase in resources for the provision of advocacy services in NSW to ensure that the unmet demand for advocacy and information services is fully resourced.

PWD also argued that providing information is a crucial element of advocacy work and that advocacy and information exist along a continuum of service provision. PWD also pointed out that information services provide an important role in acting as a clearing house of special information about a wide range of issues for people with disability.

PWD is concerned that this paper was developed in isolation from the current National Disability Advocacy Program evaluation. More information on the national evaluation is available in the ‘national news’ section of this PWD E-Bulletin.

PWD is anticipating that DADHC will analyse the submissions and make a response to the community shortly. DADHC Deputy Director General, Carol Mills indicated to the Advocacy and Information Services Forum in December that a working party to consider the issues arising from the paper will be established shortly.

A copy of the PWD submission is available on our website at www.pwd.org.au/publications More information is available from Alanna Clohesy at PWD.

++Criminal Justice Sexual Offences Taskforce

The NSW Attorney-General’s Criminal Justice Sexual Offences Taskforce has invited PWD to provide advice on a broad range of legal issues relating to sexual offences against people with disability. The Taskforce is looking at ways to improve services and support for people who have been sexually assaulted, as well as changes to the law, police processes and the courts system.

PWD representatives recently met with a representative of the taskforce to discuss views on the various matters raised with us. The Taskforce is expected to release its interim report to the Attorney General in early 2006, and PWD will be providing a detailed submission to the Taskforce.

PWD was also represented by a longstanding and expert member at a recent confidential focus group for women with disability on improving responses to sexual assault of women with disability. The Violence Against Women Specialist Unit, Department of Community Services convened the focus group. Information from the focus group will inform the Taskforce about the views of women with disability on ways to better support women with disability who have been sexually assaulted.

++Action on voter discrimination

As reported in previous editions of PWD E-Bulletin PWD is working towards eliminating voter discrimination. Our campaign has been based on the denial of political rights to people with disability and has focussed on the lack of access for many people with disability to various aspects of voting. This includes people who are blind or have a vision impairment being denied the right to a secret ballot; lack of information in accessible formats; people with an ambulatory disability are denied physical access to a polling booth; and the lack of availability of sign language interpreters in polling booths for people who are deaf or have a hearing impairment.

Following many years of correspondence and submissions PWD is very pleased that the NSW State Electoral Office (SEO) has taken up our call and is conducting a workshop on improving access in the near future. The SEO has produced a discussion paper called Equal Access to Democracy, which will form the basis for discussion at the workshop.

++City of Sydney Disability Services and Access Forum

PWD recently attended a meeting of the City of Sydney Disability Access Forum. The main aim of the Forum was a workshop on the draft Social Plan 2006-2010 for the City of Sydney. There was a discussion on the priority needs for people with disability and proposed action to ens ure the needs are met. PWD made suggestions regarding housing and transport needs for people with disability. There was also a discussion on the recent publicity on alleged abuse of the Mobility Parking Scheme.

For further details please contact Digby Hughes at PWD.

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Other states and territory news

++Indigenous Disability Network Queensland

In late 2006 the Aboriginal Disability Network NSW (ADN) and PWD were invited to attend the inaugural meeting of the Indigenous Disability Network Queensland. The meeting was held at Inala Elders Yarning Place in the outer suburbs of Brisbane. The meeting was organised by prominent Aboriginal people with disability living in Queensland with the support of Disability Services Queensland.

The meeting saw the beginning of a network of and for Aboriginal people with disability living in Queensland. Information on how the Aboriginal Disability Network NSW began and the processes that the Aboriginal Disability Network NSW followed from its inception in 2002 was provided to the meeting. The meeting was an historically significant one for Aboriginal Queenslanders with disability as it has resulted in the establishment of a Steering Committee.

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National news

++Young people with disability living in nursing homes: New program

There have been some positive moves in relation to ensuring that young people with disability who are currently forced to live in nursing homes (residential aged care facilities) will have their right to live in the community realised. On 10 February 2006 the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to reduce the number of young residents in nursing homes nationally. From July 2006, governments will implement the joint Commonwealth, State and Territory program to:

• offer younger people with disability in nursing homes a care needs assessment;
• negotiate and provide appropriate alternative long-term care options;
• develop and establish new services and care options; and
• reduce future admissions of young people with disability to residential aged care.

PWD welcomes these initiatives as a first step in an important process. However, we remain concerned that the implementation of this program is undertaken in the best interest of young people with disability and will provide flexible and real alternatives to nursing home accommodation. Moreover, PWD believes that the intial funding offered to this initiative of $244 million in matched funding (between States and the Federal government) over five years, is a welcome start. However, longer term and greater levels of funding will be required to address the problem into the future. PWD remains concerned that the program remains focussed on 'reducing' admissions to nursing homes, as distinct from preventing any further admissions.

Further information on the COAG decision is available from the Young People in Nursing Homes website at www.ypinh.org.au and from the COAG website at www.coag.gov.au

++Evaluation of the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP)

The Australian Government is undertaking an evaluation of the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP). The NDAP is the program under which community based advocacy services are funded. The purpose of the evaluation is to assess the way in which the NDAP operates against its stated goal and objectives. Specific issues the evaluation is focussing on include:

• the extent to which the individual organisations funded through the NDAP provide their services effectively;
• use of measures and indicators to assess and maintain performance standards; and
• the funding system.

A limited consultation process is being undertaken. The consultants appointed to undertake the review have conducted focus groups with advocacy services and peak organisations. Written submission will be received until 28 February. PWD has participated in the focus groups and will be tendering a written submission.

More information on the Review and to send written submission may be obtained from
Joan Mantziavas
NDAP Submissions Coordinator
Social Options Australia
Ph: (08) 8177 2061
Fax: (08) 8357 5254
Email: joan@soa.com.au

++Australian Network for Universal Housing Design: Update

PWD continues to support the work of the Australian Network for Universal Housing Design (ANUHD). At a recent meeting of the Network there was a report from the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment on the Accessible Housing Taskforce (see E-Bulletin 28). Members were encouraged by the enthusiasm for this project shown by the Chairman and Secretariat. A report to the Minister should be finalised later this year.

There was also a discussion with Jan Jensen, Design Manager, Stockland Development P/L and Chair of the Queensland Working Group on Universal Housing Design. He stressed the need to find a champion in industry to further the aims of AHUHD.

ANUHD also reviewed its Position Statement and Strategic Plan. These will be available on the ANUHD website shortly. The website is at www.anuhd.org

++Airnorth’s further exemption from the Disability Discrimination Act

On 15 February 2006 the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission gave notice of its decision to grant Airnorth a two-year exemption from the operation of sections 23 and 24 of the DDA, and from the operation of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport.

As reported in PWD E-Bulletin, Issue 28, Airnorth’s application for a further temporary exemption was limited to:

• Lack of access to aircraft seats for people requiring wheelchair access, where this is prevented by limited aisle width;
• Lack of access to aircraft or seats for passengers requiring lifting, where this cannot be performed in compliance with the requirements of applicable occupational health and safety laws due to space constraints of the particular aircraft;
• Requirements for notice of disability access requirements, where these requirements are reasonable in the circumstances.

The Commission made the exemption conditional on Airnorth:

• Continuing to provide the Greater Freedom Fare as detailed in its application where a person would not be able to travel without an assistant;
• Reporting each three months during the exemption period to the Commission on any instances where a passenger has been unable to travel or has been required to travel with an assistant because of restrictions permitted by the exemption at a periodicity set by the Commission;
• Reporting each three months during the exemption period on any technical solutions feasible to difficulties in passengers with disabilities boarding and being seated safely, and in particular on consideration of solutions being trialled by other aviation operators in Australia.

The Commission’s notice of decision can be viewed at www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/exemptions/airnorth/dec2.htm

PWD is currently monitoring a number of developments in the aviation industry, and will be meeting with key stakeholders to discuss approaches to these issues.

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International news

++UN convention on human rights of people with disability progresses

The United Nations (UN) convention on the human rights of people with disability is drawing closer to realization with the completion of the seventh session of the Ad Hoc Committee designated with the responsibility for its drafting. The Ad Hoc Committee session was held in New York on 16 January-3 February, 2006. PWD, as an accredited non-government organisation with the Ad Hoc Committee, participated in this session.

There was substantial debate in Committee on key articles in the convention including on the inclusion of women and children with disability, equal recognition before the law, access to justice, health, education and international monitoring.

PWD, in conjunction with the National Association of Community Legal Centres (NACLC), made a number of interventions on these articles. Our interventions are available on the PWD website at www.pwd.org.au/disabilityconvention/#2006_Ad_Hoc_Committee

The latest version of the ‘working text’ of the convention is available at www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/rights/ahc7ann2rep.htm

The eight session of the Ad Hoc Committee will be held in New York on 14-25 August 2006. It is anticipated that this will be the final meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee before it refers the draft convention to the General Assembly for ratification.

More information is available from Alanna Clohesy at PWD.

++Australian Agency for International Development PNG-Pacific briefing

The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) recently held a briefing on its role in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific region. PWD participated in the briefing. AusAID has 4 pillars to its development program in the Pacific and Papua New Guinea:

• Governance
• Economic growth
• Service delivery (health, education, law and justice, the role of churches) and;
• HIV/AIDS

Unfortunately disability remains at the periphery of both AusAID and other development and aid agencies focus in PNG and the Pacific. Disability is often viewed as a highly specialised area of development. Where disability is recognised as an issue it is usually with a health framework. PWD believes this is problematic as it rarely enables any meaningful systemic change to take place. A focus on 'treatment' as opposed to addressing the social, cultural and economic barriers that people with disability throughout the Pacific region encounter limits systemic change. PWD will continue to advocate for disability inclusive development practices and for the importance of organisations of and for people with disability (referred to as disabled peoples’ organisations) to be directly consulted about their wants and needs.

An important conduit for effective development throughout the Pacific region is engagement with religious organisations. Religious organisations are the focal point for much of community life in the Pacific. PWD continues a dialogue with several religiousdevelopment agencies to share information about the importance of disability inclusive development practice.

For further information please contact Damian Griffis at PWD.

The inside story

++New PWD Chief Executive Officer

The PWD Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Alastair McEwin to the position of Chief Executive Officer of PWD. Alastair comes to us from the NSW Disability Discrimination Legal Centre. He has experience in management and management consulting. Alastair has Arts/Law degrees (University of Adelaide) and is nearing completion of a Masters of Business Administration (Executive) at the Australian Graduate School of Management (University of NSW). Alastair has been the President of NSW Association of the Deaf and was a Board Member of the M2005 Deaflympics organising committee. We are delighted that Alastair will assume the position on 13 March 2006.

The PWD Board of Directors thanks Ms Iris Ritt for her work with us in the position of Executive Director from July-December 2006.

++New PWD Executive Committee

The PWD Board of Directors has elected a new Executive Committee for 2006. PWD Executive Committee members are:
President – Ms Heidi Forrest
Vice President – Mr Robert Farley
Secretary – Ms Faye Druett
Treasurer – Ms Jan Daisley

++Our voice, our history

As PWD members will be aware, 2006 is the 25th anniversary of PWD and the disability movement. PWD started, and continues to be, a grass roots organisation. The Board of Directors would like to encourage PWD members to have a say about how to celebrate our anniversary.

Some of the ideas we have received from members already include:

• 25th celebratory edition of ‘LinkUp’
• Development of a social history
• A blast from the past column in ‘LinkUp’
• A conference looking from the past to the future in 2007

Please send your ideas about how PWD should celebrate our anniversary, marked ‘Our Voice, Our History’, to:
Ms Heidi Forrest
President
People with Disability Australia
PO Box 666
Strawberry Hills NSW 2012

Email:Heidi Forrest
Phone 1800 677 317
TTY 1800 422 016

++PWD Annual General Meeting 2006

The PWD Board of Directors has resolved that the Annual General Meeting of People with Disability Australia Incorporated will be held on Saturday 18 November, 2006. PWD Members will be advised of a time and venue closer to the meeting.

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Publications and resources

++Presenting the evidence: Accommodation and support for people with disability

The Institute for Family Advocacy and Leadership Development has released an important new report on accommodation and support for people with disability, entitled Presenting the evidence. The report examines Australian and international literature on key issues in the provision of support services including:

• cost and effectiveness;
• staffing;
• supporting people with challenging behaviour;
• supporting people with complex health needs; and
• self management of funds.

For further information, please contact Family Advocacy:
Phone: (02) 9869 1710
Web: www.family-advocacy.com
Email: Family Advocacy

++Stepping into law

The Australian Employers’ Network on Disability are offering work experience opportunity for students with a disability who are studying law. “Stepping into Law” is a four-week paid work placement program available to students in the 4th or 5th year of a Law degree, or 2nd or 3rd year of a graduate Law degree, who have a disability. The program is being offered by prestigious law firms throughout Sydney and Newcastle, and will be conducted during the mid-year semester break. Applications for the program close on 31 March 2006.

For further information, please contact The Australian Employers’ Network on Disability:
Phone: (02) 9261 3922
Web: www.emad.asn.au
Email: Rachel Butler

Conferences and events

++2-3 March 2006
The Australian Women & Leadership Forums, Friday 17 March 2006, WTAA, Pink Ribbon for Breast Cancer Research. Corporate social responsibility forum, Sydney, Liquid Learning.

++13-15 March 2006
22 Annual Pacific Rim Conference 2006, Center on Disability Studies University of Hawaii.Sheraton Waikiki Hotel & Resort, Honolulu, Hawaii.
For further information email: Steve Potts

++14-15 March 2006
Central Coast Community Congress 2006 - challenges and solutions for growing communities, Mt Penang Gardens, Kariong, NSW Central Coast.

++31 March 2006
2006 Annual conference; Workchoices: Managing the Challenge, University of Sydney.

++5 April 2006
We’re ageing too – People with disabilities, Centrecare. Kurrajong Hall, Dapto Ribbonwood Centre.

++10 April, 2006
‘The new business of human services’ conference. Carlton Crest Hotel, Sydney. NSW Council of Social Service [NCOSS].
More information from www.ncoss.org.au/conferences/index.html

++10 April 2006
NSW Conference for Women, Sydney, SkillPath Seminars.
To enrol call: Freecall 1800 145 231

++11-12 April, 2006
Real homes, from talk to action. Hotel Sofitel, Melbourne. National Accommodation and Community Support 2006 Conference.
More information from: registration.ozaccom.com.au/ei/2006/nacs06/index.htm

++3-5 May 2006
Riding the wave of the future - community care conference, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, Aged and Community Services Australia [ACSA].
1st national community care conference & trade exhibition 2006.
The registration brochure can be accessed from: www.agedcare.org.au/Conferences/Comm_Care_Website/PDFs/registration%20brochure_Jan2006%20FINAL.pdf

++16-17 May 2006
Empowering individuals and families in the human services national policy conference, Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre, Melbourne.
Call for papers.

++17-19 May 2006
Lock 'them' up?: Disability and mental illness aren't crimes conference, Mercure Hotel, Brisbane, Sisters Inside.

++31 May–2 June 2006
Brain Injury Australia, National Conference 2006, Gold Coast Queensland.
Providing Insights and Solutions to the puzzle of understanding and responding to acquired Brain injury.
For further information email: Brain Injury Australia

++14-17 June 2006
2006 Society for disability studies conference, Washington Plaza Hotel, Washington, USA, Gallaudet University. Call for papers.

++15-17 November 2006
The right to health care: Evidence, ethics and health in people with developmental disability. Sydney Masonic Centre Conference Centre, 66 Goulburn Street Sydney. Centre for Developmental Disability Studies [CDDS] and Australian Association of Developmental Disability Medicine.
For further information or to place your name on a mailing list to receive the conference registration brochure, please email: Tony Harman

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++About PWD

People with Disability Australia Incorporated (PWD) is a national disability rights and advocacy organisation. Its primary membership is people with disability and organisations primarily made up of people with disability. PWD also has a large associate membership of other individuals and organisations committed to the disability rights movement. PWD was founded in 1981, the International Year of Disabled People, to provide people with disability with a voice of our own. We have a cross-disability focus; we represent the interests of people with all kinds of disability. PWD is a non-profit, non-government organisation.

For information about membership of PWD, contact Allyson Campbell at PWD.
or on one of numbers below.

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++Privacy statement

We are committed to protecting your privacy. In doing so, we commit ourselves to conforming to the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Bill 2000, which came into effect in December 2001 and the National Privacy Principles issued by the Australian Privacy Commissioner.

This newsletter is distributed by email. You have provided us with an email address. This email address will be used only for the purpose for which you have provided it and you will not be added to any other mailing lists unless you specifically request that this be done.

Your email address will not be disclosed without your consent. You can have your email address removed from the mailing list for this newsletter by sending an email to Allyson Campbell at PWD.

This newsletter contains links to websites. We cannot be held responsible for the privacy practices (or lack thereof) or the content of such websites.

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People with Disability Australia Incorporated
PO Box 666 Strawberry Hills NSW 2012
Phone 02 9370 3100, toll-free 1800 422 015
TTY 02 9318 2138, toll-free 1800 422 016

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