PWD E-Bulletin |
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Issue 38, February 2007
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 Allyson Campbell at PWD on email pwd@pwd.org.au or on one of the numbers listed at the end of this bulletin.
Contents
New South Wales newsOther state and territory newsNational newsInternational newsThe inside storyNew publications and resourcesConferences and eventsAbout PWDPrivacy statement |
NSW news++NSW Health responding to Ombudsman’s recommendationOn 13 February 2007, PWD and other stakeholders will be attending a workshop to discuss and make recommendations to NSW Health in regard to moving the People with Disabilities: Responding to their needs during hospitalisation policy directive forward, and enhancing its effectiveness and responsiveness. As reported in Issue 36, the NSW Ombudsman, Bruce Barbour, tabled in Parliament his report on the reviewable deaths of people with disability in care. Extracts form the Ombudsman’s report are available at: www.ombo.nsw.gov.au Amongst other things the report highlights concerns about the provision of health services to people with disability, including:
Similar issues were also raised in the Ombudsman’s report of the previous year. At that time the Ombudsman recommended that NSW Health evaluate the implementation of its People with Disabilities: Responding to their needs during hospitalisation policy directive, released in October 2005, and that it provide details as to how it intended to monitor the development and implementation of local policies and procedures in NSW Health services. The goal of the policy directive is to improve healthcare provision and outcomes for people with disability by increasing the ‘sensitivity and adaptability of the public health system to the needs of people with a disability’. The policy provides a framework for the provision of care during hospitalisation, including pre-admission planning and discharge, and discusses issues of consent, communication and the involvement of carers. For further information, a copy of the policy directive or to provide comment, please contact Senior Legal Officer, Matthew Keeley at PWD.++Review of the forensic provisions of the Mental Health Act, 1990 & the Mental Health (Criminal Procedure) Act, 1990The NSW Department of Health has published a consultation paper relating to its review of the forensic provisions of the Mental Health Act, 1990 and the Mental Health (Criminal Procedure) Act, 1990. The paper’s author and chairperson of the review taskforce is the Hon. Greg James Q.C., President of the Mental Health Review Tribunal. The paper discusses, along with other issues, who the appropriate authority or person may be to make decisions about the terms and conditions of detention, release and conditional release of forensic patients. Forensic patients are people who are found not guilty of an offence by reason of mental illness or who have been found unfit to be tried, and prisoners who have transferred to a hospital for mental health treatment. Submissions commenting on the paper are due by 31 March 2007. Mr. James will also be conducting community consultations, although at this stage no details appear to be available. Copies of the consultation paper may be found at the NSW Health website: www.health.nsw.gov.au. For further information or to contribute to PWD’s submission, please contact Senior Legal Officer, Matthew Keeley at PWD.++Mental health consumers to have their say about the reviewThe NSW Consumer Advisory Group - Mental Health Inc. (NSW CAG) is holding a consultation forum to hear the views of mental health consumers on the above discussion paper, and to feed those views into the review process. The forum will be held on Tuesday 6th March 2007 between 10.30 am – 12.30 pm at the NSW CAG office, Suite 501, Level 5, 80 William St, Sydney.Interested people are asked to please RSVP by Friday 2nd March by calling (02) 9332 0200 or email: mokeeff@nswcag.org.au ++Mental Health Coordinating Council and the NSW Council of Social Services forum on review
The Mental Health Coordinating Council and the NSW Council of Social Services will also host a public forum on the above review. ++NSW Disability Discrimination Legal Centre case studiesNSW DDLC has launched a new book Finding a Way – Case studies in disability discrimination law. This book aims to give practical tips about what to expect when using disability discrimination law. If you would like to purchase a copy of this book you can email: arty or Rose George on (02) 9310 7722 or TTY (02) 9310 4320 or fax (02) 9310 7788 or email: info@ddlcnsw.org.au or phone: (02) 9310 7722.++Job vacancy – NSW Disability Discrimination Legal Centre Policy Officer(salary range $45,000 - $50,000 pa, pro rata)(21 hours per week)The Policy Officer will be responsible for undertaking high quality projects in legal reform, legal policy analysis, community legal education and media/public relations awareness in relation to disability discrimination law and human rights. DDLC is willing to consider flexible work arrangements. People with disability and their associates, and people from an Aboriginal or culturally and linguistically diverse background are particularly encouraged to apply. For an information package contact Ben Fogarty or Rose George on (02) 9310 7722 or TTY (02) 9310 4320 or fax (02) 9310 7788 or email: info@ddlcnsw.org.au.See information package for further information. Applications close 5pm Thursday 22 February 2007. |
Other states and territory news++Australian Federation of Disability Organisations welfare to work storiesThe Australian Federation of Disability Organisations is collecting stories from people with disability about their experiences dealing with Centrelink and other agencies. This project, supported by the Reichstein Foundation, will provide feedback to the Australian Government and the media on the impact of Welfare to Work.
Forms for submitting stories are available on the AFDO website: . www.afdo.org.au/node/80. |
National news++Women and workchoices roundtableThe National Foundation for Australian Women, the ‘What Women Want’ project, and the Centre for Work + Life at the University of South Australia have organised this roundtable to give various organisations an opportunity to hear from specialists in this area, share information and experiences, discuss implications of recent decisions and plan for the future. Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA) has contributed to this project. Specifically, the Roundtable participants will discuss the WorkChoices experience of women to date, determine the implications of the first Australian Fair Pay Commission decision and to reflect on the amendments we would like to advocate for vulnerable workers. The Roundtable will consider the WorkChoices legislation and its effects on women, in tandem with the Welfare to Work changes, and taking into account the implications of these changes for the anti-discrimination jurisdiction.
Venue: Australian Services Union Training Rooms, 5-9 Rundle St, Kent Town, Adelaide ++Annual health check initiative for people with intellectual disabilityA new Medicare rebate for people with an intellectual disability who have an annual health assessment is to be introduced by the Australian Government. PWD welcomes this important initiative. The Assistant Minister for Health and Ageing, Christopher Pyne, said the new item recognised that people with an intellectual disability had complex health needs that were difficult to adequately assess because of the patient’s inability to recognise and communicate symptoms. Mr Pyne said there were an estimated 80,000 Australians with an intellectual disability who would be eligible under the new item, at a cost of around $11 million over four years. “Current GP items available under Medicare do not allow sufficient time for the complex needs of people with an intellectual disability,” he said. “As a result, evidence suggests that around 40 per cent of medical conditions remain undiagnosed and that only half of the diagnosed conditions are appropriately treated. “The new Medicare item will provide a structured clinical framework for GPs to assess a patient’s overall health and plan for their long term care. The item will allow GPs to spend extra time with intellectually disabled patients that will result in a more comprehensive care plan involving the GP and other allied health professionals to prevent the onset of chronic disease,” Mr Pyne said. The new item is expected to be available to patients in July 2007.++Accessible DDA education standards launched by University of BallaratOn 26 February 2007 the DDA Education Standards Accessible Website will be launched at the University of Ballarat. The website was a joint partnership between several partners including the University of Ballarat, The NSW Disability Discrimination Legal Centre and SkillsPlus. It was generously funded by the Department of Education Science and Training. The website is unique because it explains the DDA Education Standards in various formats – Plain English, Auslan and Audio. All the reader needs to do is click on the icon and read watch or listen. While the website does not explain all the details of the DDA Education Standards, it is a guide to some of the more important aspects of the standards. If website users feel they have experienced discrimination after consulting the website, they should seek legal advice. The website: www.ddaedustandards.info. For more information contact: Gary Kerridge at: g.kerridge@ballarat.edu.au. |
International news++Opening for signature -- Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Message from United NationsThe Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted on 13 December 2006 during the sixty-first session of the General Assembly, by resolution 61/106. In accordance with its article 42, the Convention shall be open for signature by all States and by regional integration organisations at United Nations Headquarters in New York, as of Friday, 30 March 2007. The Secretary-General takes this opportunity to recall that, under established international practice, only Heads of State, Heads of Government or Ministers for Foreign Affairs are empowered, by virtue of their functions, to sign a treaty on behalf of a State without having to produce full powers to that effect. Other representatives wishing to sign a treaty must be in possession of appropriate full powers, which expressly authorize signature of a specified treaty by a named representative issued by one of these authorities. PWD urges the Australian Government to sign this landmark human rights instrument. |
The inside storyReturn to top |
Publications and resources++Braille Literacy Scholarship ProgramTwo scholarships for school-aged children are offered by Quantum Technology The Gillian Gale Award offers a Mountbatten Learning System and all associated software and accessories to one child in both Australia and New Zealand. The award is open to applications on behalf of children between the age of 3 to 8 years old, who are learning Braille or are assessed as a future Braille learner.++The Norman Wilson Notetaking AwardVital to self organisation and as a general aid to memory, blind students need good notetaking skills. Five students, from Australia or New Zealand, will receive a Jot a Dot Pocket Brailler.For details or for application packages, please email Bronwyn Davies at: bdavies@quantumtechnology.com.au or phone (02)88449888. |
Conferences and events++7-9 February 2007Having a Say Conference 2007, Geelong, Victoria. The Having a Say conference is held each year in a country area of Victoria. It aims to give people with a disability the opportunity to not only attend a conference, but also to be involved in planning and running a conference. The conference registration form and the sponsorship application are available on the conference website: http://www.valid.org.au. ++19-20 February 2007ACROD NSW annual conference 2007: Disability services ~ what’s next?, Novotel Brighton-Le Sands, Sydney.The ACROD NSW Annual Conference in 2007 brings together an array of papers to answer the question “What’s Next?” across many areas of disability organisation management and service delivery. Read through the program to find out what our conference offers around government initiatives; current research; family perspectives; and innovative services. To download program and registration form: www.acrodnsw.net/Conferences/2007annual/NSW07stateConference.pdf ++26-28 February 2007CRU conference 07, Myth Busting and Momentum Building A Community Conference about Truths in the Lives of People with a Disability, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.Due to popular demand CRU has extended the registration date. Hurry! Places are limited. Website: www.cru.org.au or Ph: (07) 3870 1022 for more details. ++1-2 March 2007NSW NGO Mental Health Conference, Sydney Masonic Centre. Mental Health Coordinating Council.To download the registration form go to: www.mhcc.org.au or email: conference@mhcc.org.au Registrations close Thursday 22 February 2007. ++7-10 March 2007
9th National Rural Health Conference, Albury NSW. ++8-9 March 2007Partnerships for Better Health Outcomes: Carers and Professionals working together conference, Dockside, Cockle Bay, Sydney. Registration forms are available from the Carers NSW Website: http://www.carersnsw.asn.au ++9 March 2007Women and Workchoices Roundtable, Adelaide, SA.The National Foundation for Australian Women, the What Women Want Project, the Centre for Work + Life at the University of South Australia have organised this roundtable to give various organisations an opportunity to hear from specialists in this area, share information & experiences, discuss implications of recent decisions and plan for the future.
Venue: Australian Services Union Training Rooms, 5-9 Rundle St, Kent Town, Adelaide limited parking is available beneath building; disabled access. ++12-13 March 200723rd Annual Pacific Rim Conference on Disabilities at Sheraton Waikiki Hotel & Resort: Registrations now open. For information, go to: http://www.pacrim.hawaii.edu for more details contact directly on: prinfo@hawaii.eduThe website contains all the information you will need about the cost of registration, pre-conference events, the venue, the exhibition, sponsorship opportunities, travel and accommodation. Please contact organisers if you have any trouble downloading documents or registering online.
PO Box 280 ++22-23 March 2007Australian Guardianship and Administration Committee National Conference: Disability, Human Rights, Independence and Protection, Melbourne, VIC. For further details regarding the conference, please contact: The Conference Organiser Ph: 03 9349 2220 Email: info@conorg.com.au++2-3 April 2007The ACROD 2007 Ageing and Disability Conference at the Hilton Hotel, Adelaide, aims to integrate policy, research and practice to improve society’s response to the needs and lifestyle preferences of older people with disability. ACROD Limited is calling for the submission of abstracts from people wishing to present papers at the Conference. Abstracts are due 9 October 2006. Enquiries: Philippa Angley, ACROD Victoria, Ph 03 9362 0800 or 0411 773 707, philippa.angley@acrod.org.au ; www.acrod.org.au/conferences/a&d2007/home.htm ++13-14 April 2007Changin’ it, Lovin’ it, Hotel Y, Melbourne, VIC. Bringing together over 200 young women, Changin’ it, Lovin’ it will be two days to change your world. For further information: www.ywca.org.au or call 02 6230 5150 or email: yprojects@ywca.org.au++5-8 May, 2007Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities Inc. Call for Papers - 2007 National Conference, Saturday 5th May – Tuesday 8th May 2007 at Chifley Hotel, Adelaide, South Australia.
++14-15 May 2007NSW HACC and Community Care Conference, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour. Call for papers and expression of interest.For further information contact: Aged and Community Services Association of NSW & ACT Ph: 02 9743 4366 Email: annab@agedservices.asn.au ++14-15 May 2007Doing it better: A forum on learning disabilities in education. Storey Hall, RMIT University, Melbourne.Conference registration form can be downloaded at: www.latrobe.edu.au/equity/LDforum.htm#howtoregister** Early Bird rate if registered by Wednesday 14th February 2007 ++27-29 August 20072nd National Conference on Spirituality & Health: Lifestyle, Culture & The Workplace Adelaide, Festival Theatre, SA.Visit the Spirituality & Health website: http://www.spiritualityhealth.org.au/ |
++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, PWD. ++PWD's training servicesPWD has extensive experience in the development and delivery of professional training across a wide range of disability areas, including:
Training packages developed are flexible and tailor-made to meet the needs of the particular organisation. To find out more about PWD's training services or to discuss your specific training needs, contact our Senior Education Officer, Samantha French or Ph 02 9370 3100. |
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Allyson Campbell, 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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