PWD E-Bulletin |
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Issue 30, March 2006
Welcome to PWD's e-bulletin. The e-bulletin goes out to PWD members and interested others regularly by email. For PWD 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 us by email (pwd@pwd.org.au) or on one of the numbers listed at the end of this e-bulletin. Contents
New South Wales newsOther state and territory newsNational newsInternational newsNew publications and resourcesConferences and eventsAbout PWDPrivacy statement |
NSW news++NSW ten-year disability services plan: UpdateAs reported in PWD E-Bulletin, Issue 29, the NSW Minister for Disability Services, the Hon. John Della Bosca, MLC has announced the development of a ten-year plan for disability services. The Minister has commenced a round of focus groups with invited participants on the content of the plan. PWD will be raising a range of issues regarding the scope and content of the plan. While there are many expectations around what the plan might contain and have the capacity to deliver, PWD believes that the plan must:
More information is available from Alanna Clohesy at PWD. ++Community Participation Program: New Directions and TenderIn December 2005, the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) released a paper for comment, New Directions in Community Participation. Key policy aspects of this paper were developed following advice from DADHC’s Stakeholder Working Group, which was established in August 2005 to assist DADHC with the design of the 2006 Community Participation Program. This Group is made up of a number of peak advocacy organisations, including PWD and a number of service providers. PWD’s response was generally supportive of the New Directions paper. We particularly welcomed the return to individual, portable funding; the opportunity to develop new service models, such as self-managed approaches; and the emphasis on program approaches that are based around the person. However, we also expressed concerns about some underlying factors that are likely to hamper implementation of the new directions:
DADHC used the feedback on its paper to inform the design of the Tender for Community Participation services. The Tender was released on 1 March 2006. The Tender largely reflects the policy principles outlined in the New Directions paper. It also outlines the specific allocations for four new funding bands: Moderate ($14,550), High ($16,878), Very High ($20,807), Exceptional ($29,100). These funding bands have been derived from a University of Wollongong study that assessed the level of needs of participants of post-school programs. PWD is cautiously pleased that the funding allocations for each new funding band are greater than the base allocation of $13,500 announced in November 2004. However, it is still likely that some program participants will not receive the equivalent funds allocated prior to the 2004 post school program changes. In addition, we are still unclear about the details of the assessment tool and assessment process in relation to the funding bands.
The Tender documentation and association information, as well as the paper, New Directions for Community Participation is available on DADHC’s website at: www.dadhc.nsw.gov.au/dadhc/People+with+a+disability/Post+School+Programs.htm For further information contact Therese Sands at PWD. ++NSW Private Members Bill: Anti-Discrimination (Equality in Education and Employment) BillPWD has long been concerned about loopholes in the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act (the Act). While we were pleased that certain loopholes were addressed through recent amendments to the Act, we remain concerned that significant loopholes particularly disadvantageous to people with disability still remain. NSW Greens MLC, the Hon. Lee Rhiannon, MLC has introduced a Private Members Bill that is currently before the NSW Legislative Council that seeks to plug some of those remaining loopholes. Specifically, the Bill if passed, will bring small business and private education providers within the scope of the Act, so as to prohibit discrimination against people on the basis of their disability, as well as on the basis of sex, sexuality, marital status and carer responsibilities. Ms Rhiannon is seeking the support and endorsement of the wider community for the Bill. PWD recently wrote to Ms Rhiannon suggesting further improvements to the Bill through some additions to it that are necessary to bring the Bill, and ultimately the Act, in line with the Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). In particular, PWD indicated that the amendments should include provisions that would reflect some of the Productivity Commission’s recommendations regarding amendments required to the DDA in order to make it more effective in eliminating discrimination against people with disability. The Act and the DDA are similar legislation, and certain recommendations of the Productivity Commission are as relevant to enhancing the Act’s effectiveness in protecting people with disability, as they are the DDA’s. The Australian Government Attorney General has accepted many of the commission’s recommendations, and the DDA will be amended accordingly. This means that even with the worthy amendments that the Private Members Bill seeks to make, the Act will remain significantly out of step with a more progressive DDA. This may lead people with disability in NSW to bring complaints of discrimination under the DDA instead of under the Act, and thereby to incur the risk of adverse costs orders and the expense of litigation in the Federal Court system should their complaint not settle at mediation. If the Act and DDA contained equivalent provisions, however, people with disability in NSW would prefer to bring their complaints under the Act, as there is little risk of an adverse costs order being made in the Administrative Decisions Tribunal, and the proceedings there are less formal and legalistic. PWD anticipates there will be many more complaints of disability discrimination in the area of employment than previously, following upon the commencement this week of the Australian Government’s Work Choices legislation. In essence, many people who would previously have argued discrimination as part of an unfair dismissal complaint will now take their complaint under anti-discrimination legislation instead. Accordingly it is now more important than ever that the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act provide effective protection of the rights of people with disability in NSW.
More information about the Anti-Discrimination Act amendment Bill is available from the website of the Hon. Lee Rhiannon, MLC at: www.lee.greens.org.au/campaigns/cleanup.html More information about PWD’s response to the Bill is available from Matthew Keeley at PWD. ++Improved CityRail passenger informationNSW Minister for Transport John Watkins, MP has announced a five year plan to improve passenger information on CityRail trains and platforms. The NSW Government has allocated $7 million to the program, which seeks to provide passengers with clear information on changes to the CityRail system as it becomes available. The program emphasises improved visual information through the use of plasma screen displays at more rail stations and clearer electronic indicators at major city stations. Ongoing and specialist communication training of frontline CityRail staff has also been identified as a key component of improving passenger information. It is expected that better trained CityRail staff will result in more accurate and timely information to CityRail passengers. PWD welcomes any improvement in the provision of information to passengers that will assist people with disability to use the public transport system with ease. This improvement in the provision of information is an important feature of the Accessible Transport Plan for NSW Transport, Roads and Maritime Agencies. PWD provided input into the development of the plan and provided additional information regarding information access needs of people with disability. However, a number of aspects of the plan, particularly additional improvements in physical access and communication mechanisms require urgent implementation.
The NSW Accessible Transport Plan is available from CityRail’s website at: www.cityrail.info/facilities/accessing.jsp ++Proof of Identity CardThe Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW has released a proof of identity card suitable for people who do not hold, or are ineligible to hold a NSW drivers’ license. Called the NSW Photo Card it is produced with the same security features as the NSW drivers’ licence and is suitable for anyone aged 16 and over. The card can be used as proof of identity for many day-to-day services including, sending international mail, entering licensed premises or opening bank accounts. The card is valid for 5 years and costs $40. Some concessions are available. The card is voluntary.
Applications can be made through the RTA by phoning, 13 22 13 or download the form at the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority website at: www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/photocard.html ++Private rental: How can it work for low-income renters?Recent changes to public housing in New South Wales mean that, in the future, only those individuals and families with high levels of special need will be offered public housing. Further, when their situation improves, the same people will be required to move out of public housing. For these reasons there is an urgent need to focus on the capacity of the private rental market to meet the needs of low to moderate-income households for affordable housing. Will the market respond to that need? Can new types of investors, like superannuation funds, be enticed into the private rental market? Are there policy and tax changes that Governments can enact to increase investment at the bottom end of the market?
Shelter NSW is conducting a seminar to explore these and related issues:
More information is available from Shelter NSW website at: www.shelternsw.org.au |
Other states and territory news++Youth and Disability Advocacy Service VictoriaThe newly formed Youth and Disability Advocacy Service Victoria (YDAS) seeks individuals aged 12-25 to become active members of the organisation. YDAS is funded by the Victorian Department of Human Services, in partnership with The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic), and Youthlaw and the Disability Discrimination Legal Service. YDAS seeks to improve the lives of young people with disability. Members will form the YDAS steering committee will identify issues that affect young people living with disability in Victoria. Working closely with the young people and Disability Advocacy Service coordinator, members of the steering committee will also be involved in organisational decision-making YDAS provides the opportunity for young people to improve or gain skills and work with a team on access issues like:
For more information, or to express your interest in joining the steering committee of YDAS, please contact George Taleporos, Coordinator, Youth Disability Advocacy Service, Youth Affairs Council of Victoria Inc., Level 2, 172 Flinders St Melbourne Vic 3000, phone 03 9267 3755, mobile 0412814851, fax 03 9639 1622, email: gtaleporos@yacvic.org.au |
National news++Adjustable examination couches in Australian general practiceOn 15 February 2006, PWD participated in a meeting to discuss ways to improve the availability of height adjustable examination couches in Australian general practice. The meeting was hosted by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) and included representatives from a number of national peak disability organisations, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and Government advisory bodies. Participants agreed to collaborate on achieving progress in this area. They agreed that a number of strategies aimed directly at improving the availability of adjustable couches and at providing general practices with more information on the importance of this equipment could be pursued together.
The opening comments from the meeting made by the Human Rights Commissioner and Acting Disability Discrimination Commissioner are available on the HREOC website at: www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/health/couch.htm
The meeting discussion was informed by the report of the survey into the availability of height adjustable examination couches in Australian general practice. PWD Director, Sheila King, who represented PWD and Women with Disabilities Australia at the HREOC meeting, produced this report. The report is available at: www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/health/access.doc For further information contact Therese Sands at PWD. ++Forum on proposed amendments to the Disability Discrimination ActIn 2004 the Productivity Commission reported on the impact and effectiveness of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). In 2005 the Commonwealth government issued its response to that report, including proposed amendments to the DDA to make it more effective in eliminating discrimination against people with disability. PWD, NSW Disability Discrimination Legal Centre and Australian Federation of Disability Organisations hosted a forum about the government’s proposed amendments to the DDA recently called Amending the Disability Discrimination Act: Cause for celebration, or concern? The forum provided an opportunity for the disability sector to speak out about this issue, and to discuss the potential implications of the government’s proposals and the changes they may bring for disability discrimination law, compliance, and practice. The forum also considered contributions from an expert panel drawn from the disability and legal sectors. Key decision-makers and influencers, members of the disability sector and legal practitioners attended the forum. Further information on issues discussed at the forum will be available in forthcoming editions of PWD E-Bulletin. For more information about please contact Matthew Keeley at PWD. ++Universal - accessible design of airplanes and airplane cargo doors and holdsQantas recently announced that it has imposed restrictions against the carrying of electric wheelchairs exceeding certain dimensions on three types of aircraft effective from 1 February 2006. These restrictions were imposed in the interests of the occupational health and safety of Qantas baggage handling staff. Qantas restrictions impose a curtailment on the liberty of some people who use electric wheelchairs to access air travel. Clearly, any such curtailment should be limited to the least curtailment permitted by law, as Qantas no doubt believes its restrictions are. Equally clearly, if reasonable design and engineering solutions to the problem of lack of access to air travel for some people who use electric wheelchairs exist, then it behoves us as a society to implement such solutions so that every Australian may enjoy the same unrestricted right to air travel. With this in mind, PWD has written to the Minister for Transport, the Hon. Warren Truss MP requesting that he give consideration to engaging with the international aviation and disability community to embark upon a process of international co-operation focusing on the development of universal/accessible design specifications for maximal access by people with disability to airplanes, including specifications for passenger aircraft cargo doors and holds. PWD envisages that the goal of such an initiative would be one of maximising access for people with disability generally to airplanes manufactured anywhere in the world, and specifically ensuring that to the maximum extent possible all people who use electric wheelchairs in future experience the least curtailment (by reason of airplane design and manufacture) of their liberty of movement. Clearly, the time is long overdue for a universal/accessible design approach to this issue. PWD will keep readers informed of developments. For more information about please contact Matthew Keeley or Digby Hughes at PWD.
Further information on the Qantas restrictions is available from the Qantas website at: www.qantas.com.au/regions/dyn/sg/press/1035 ++New Medicare benefits for refugeesComprehensive health checks for refugees and other humanitarian entrants into Australia will be encouraged under a new Medicare scheme introduced by the Australian Government and to be implemented in coming months. The new scheme will assist in identifying the physical and mental health needs of recent humanitarian arrivals into Australia. The scheme takes into account the cultural and language barriers facing GP’s when undertaking these checks by allowing more time for appointments. Early identification is expected to reduce the long-term costs of the complex and serious health and disability needs of people who arrive on humanitaria grounds into Australia. More information about these health checks will be available closer to it’s introduction in May 2006.
For more information go to: www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/MediaReleases-1?OpenDocument&yr=2005&mth=11 |
International news++The United Nations reports on women’s rights in AustraliaOn 30 January 2006 in New York, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW Committee) reviewed the Australian Government’s progress in achieving women’s rights in Australia. On 3 February 2006, the Concluding Comments of the CEDAW Committee’s review were released. An important part of the review process involved the Australian non-government delegation providing an alternative view on the status of women’s rights in Australia. This alternative view was provided in a Shadow Report, as well as in formal Statements made directly to the CEDAW Committee and through informal lobbying on issues with individual CEDAW Committee members. The Women’s Rights Action Network Australia (WRANA) has been funding and coordinating the development of the non-government alternative view on women’s rights in Australia through its Women’s Report Card Project. As outlined in previous editions of E-Bulletin, PWD has been actively involved in this Project to ensure that the issues and concerns of women with disability are documented in the Shadow Report and highlighted directly to the CEDAW Committee. PWD Senior Advocate, Therese Sands participated in the United Nations review process as a member of the Australian non-government delegation. The other members of the delegation were Leanne Miller, Koorie Women Mean Business, and Caroline Lambert and Stephanie Cauchi, both from WRANA. The delegation presented two Statements to the CEDAW Committee: an Indigenous Statement and a General Women’s Statement. Both these Statements as well as the Shadow Report are available on the WRANA website at www.wrana.org.au The delegation also prepared lobby sheets that identified key issues for the CEDAW Committee. Over 80% of these issues were raised in the questions the CEDAW Committee asked the Australia Government during the review. WRANA will produce a document outlining these questions shortly. The key questions in relation to women with disability involved:
The Australian Government delegation responded very poorly to these questions. They also completely omitted to mention women with disability in their opening statement to the CEDAW Committee, although they mentioned a number of other specific groups of women. PWD is concerned that the issues and concerns of women with disability continue to be marginalised within the Australian Government’s approach to gender equality. While the questions relating to women with disability were not as many as the issues raised with the CEDAW Committee during lobbying, it is significant that disability was put on the agenda by the CEDAW Committee, given that the issues and concerns of women with disability are rarely mentioned during CEDAW review processes. However, this was not reflected in the Concluding Comments of the CEDAW Committee. The Concluding Comments provide the CEDAW Committee’s view of the Australian Government’s progress in achieving women’s equality, and provides their recommendations for future action that needs to be taken to address their concerns. Unfortunately, the Concluding Comments only contain two specific recommendations in relation to women with disability:
Although PWD is disappointed in the Concluding Comments, these two recommendations are very significant for the development and planning of advocacy strategies to address the issues and concerns of women with disability. PWD intends to look at ways of using the Concluding Comments to further its advocacy for women with disability, as well as continue to work with WRANA to ensure women with disability are integral to women’s rights. For further information contact Therese Sands at PWD. Return to top |
Publications and resources++Making the Journey: Arts and Disability in AustraliaThe book, Making the Journey: Arts and Disability in Australia by Mary Hutchison is now available free from Arts Access Australia. The book is a composite of works drawn from various locations across the nation and from large and small organisations. ‘In Making the Journey, we wanted to celebrate achievements and use examples to encourage ideas for including people with disabilities in arts activities, while also encouraging people with disabilities to develop and run their own arts activities. Making the Journey was specifically prompted by a desire to promote success stories and the many developments that have taken place in the lives of people with disabilities in the last 25 years. While recognising what is good we also wanted to point the way forward for further change.’ author Mary Hutchison said. Making the Journey is available online in pdf and html formats as well as in hardcopy from Arts Access Australia networks.
Download Making the Journey at: www.ozco.gov.au/arts_resources/publications/making_the_journey/
Hardcopies available from Arts Access Australia in your State or Territory, contact:
Arts Access Australia ++NCOSS - Closing the GapThe NSW Council of Social Service (NCOSS) has released its annual pre-budget statement, Closing the Gap: social and economic priorities for a fair and sustainable community: 2006-2007 State budget. The report recommends improvements to funding within the state system to better provide for the social needs of NSW residents. In particular, Closing the Gap makes recommendations on how the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) could improve services whilst identifying several areas of particular concern. The report states the lack of disability day programs and supported accommodation places increases demand on Home and Community Care (HACC) services which are already under funded. The report also points to a lack of budgeted funding for the ageing population of NSW into the future. The report recommends specific services be delivered to Aboriginal people with disability to better meet the needs of these users who currently under utilise mainstream services provided by government. Lack of transport was identified as an issue for Aboriginal and regional people with disability especially for accessing employment and services. Closing the Gap calls on the NSW government to hasten its program of closing large institutions and relocating people with disability into suitable supported accommodation models by 2010 by allocating funding specific to this purpose. The report states that there is an estimated 7,000 people in need of supported accommodation and that the process of relocation is the responsibility of all relevant government agencies, not only DADHC. The report calls for recurrent accommodation funding for people who are seeking support in licensed boarding houses Improving opportunity for young people with disability is acknowledged in the report by a request for $19.4million funding to be directed towards the Community Participation program which will increase the number of accessible days to participants to five per week. Increasing by 600, the number of flexible respite places will assist and support people with disability and their families according to Closing the Gap. The report also asks for extra funding to relocate young people with disability living in aged care facilities to more suitable supported accommodation models.
More information is available from the NCOSS website at: www.ncoss.org.au |
Conferences and events
++10 April, 2006
++10 April 2006
++11-12 April, 2006
++3-5 May 2006
++16-17 May 2006
++17-19 May 2006
++30-31 May 2006
++31 May–2 June 2006
++14-17 June 2006
++14-16 August 2006
++15-17 November 2006
++18 November 2006 |
++About PWDPeople 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. |
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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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