PWD E-Bulletin

Issue 4, December 2003

Welcome to PWD’s e-bulletin. The e-bulletin goes out to members and interested others every fortnight 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 Luke O'Connell by email (lukeo'c@pwd.org.au) or on one of the numbers listed at the end of the bulletin.

Contents

NSW news
Review of NSW Mental Health Act
Boarding house Active Linking Initiative: Update
Boarders and Lodgers Campaign: Update
Aboriginal Disability Network NSW: Update
Intervention Support Program
Identification cards: A breakthrough
Community housing disability policy
Inquiry into community housing
Disability and Community Services Commissioner resigns
NSW Coalition social policy agenda

Other state and territory news
Democrats call for adaptable housing

National news
PWD responds to Safety Net discussion paper
DDA and drug dependence: Update
Australian Network for Universal Housing Design: Update
Disability Standards for access to premises and changes to Building Code
International Day of People with a Disability: A round-up

International news
Women with Disability Pasifika Forum
Pacific Disability Forum
UN ESCAP Thematic Working Group on Disability
World Summit on the Information Society: Update

The inside story
Happy festive season
2003 Annual General Meeting: Results of Board election
2004 Annual General Meeting
PWD staff create Christmas cheer for boarding house residents
Members' notices

Conferences

About PWD

Privacy statement

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NSW news

++Review of the Mental Health Act 1990

The NSW Department of Health (NSW Health) is undertaking a review of the Mental Health Act 1990. The review is part of the NSW Government’s response to the report from the Select Committee Inquiry into Mental Health Services in NSW, which was conducted in 2002.

So far, NSW Health has asked stakeholders to raise issues that were not covered by the Report from the Select Committee Inquiry into Mental Health Services in NSW. These issues, along with the issues identified in the Report will be used by NSW Health to develop two discussion papers for public comment. One paper will deal with issues for carers of people with a mental illness. This paper will be released shortly. The second paper will deal with all other issues relating to the Mental Health Act 1990 and is to be released in March or April 2004. Each paper will have a three-month consultation period.

PWD has provided NSW Health with an outline of our key issues for inclusion in the discussion papers. These include:

  • human rights principles and legislation;
  • advocacy;
  • consumer participation;
  • regulation of community-based services for people with mental illness, including non-government agencies;
  • complaint handling and grievance mechanisms;
  • parents with mental illness;
  • children and young people;
  • clear agency roles and responsibilities; and
  • forensic mental health.
In providing the above issues to the review, PWD also expressed concern that there appears to be a prevailing perception that mental health is an issue confined to the health sector, particularly the mental health service sector. This perception confines mental health, mental illness and psychiatric disability to a medical or health framework that excludes the broader social, economic and environmental factors that impact on people with mental illness and psychiatric disability.

If you would like more information about PWD’s participation in the review, contact Therese Sands.

++Boarding house Active Linking Initiative: Update

The Minister for Disability Services, Carmel Tebbutt, has announced that funding of the Active Linking Initiative program (ALI) for people with disability living in licensed boarding houses has been extended until the end of June 2004. This is an extremely positive development that results substantially from a campaign against a Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) proposal to cease funding ALI services from 31 December this year. The campaign was coordinated by PWD, Newtown Neighbourhood Centre and the Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS).

The ALI program provides people with disability living in boarding houses with independent living skills, support and opportunities to participate in the wider community. Boarding house residents are typically among the most deprived and socially isolated members of our community. The ALI program has become the primary source of life enriching experience for many residents, and its removal would have been devastating for them.

The Minister has re-affirmed the Government’s commitment to the ALI program and has undertaken to work with the Boarding House Reference Group and other stakeholders to develop ways to improve the program. PWD would like to thank those many agencies and individuals who worked on this campaign. The Minister is to be applauded for her response to community concerns.

++Boarders and Lodgers Campaign: Update

PWD recently wrote to the Minister for Fair Trading, Reba Meagher, expressing our frustration with the NSW Government’s delay in introducing legislative protection for people who live in boarding/lodging accommodation. Many residents of boarding and lodging houses are people with disability who are often living in appalling circumstances, experiencing isolation, poverty and neglect. That people are living without any of the rights and legislative protections that residential tenants have compounds this deplorable situation. However, the Government does not appear to see the urgency of the matter. In her reply to PWD’s representations the Minister stated that: "The Government recognises the need to protect the rights of those who live in boarding houses. A preliminary ‘Boarders and Lodgers’ review on the issue of regulation in this industry has been completed. A wide range of complex issues are involved, a more detailed examination is required to ensure an outcome that protects the rights of boarders and lodgers whilst ensuring the long-term future of this important service”.

The Minister provides no details of how this "more detailed examination" is being carried out, or when it will be completed. PWD will continue to make representations to the Government to ensure this issue is addressed.

As part of its ongoing campaign for legislative reform the NSW Boarders and Lodgers Action Group (BLAG) held a pre-Christmas sleep-out in Newtown on 19 December. BLAG is a coalition of community, church, tenancy organisations and local government councils, including PWD.

++Aboriginal Disability Network NSW: Update

The Westpac Foundation has agreed to provide funds to the Aboriginal Disability Network of NSW over the next 12 months to further its development. The management committee of the Network has recently decided to use part of the funds to employ a part-time project officer to organise outreach consultations about the structure and priorities of the Network. The position will be an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identified position. The consultations will occur in ten different regions throughout NSW over the next 12 months. The first outreach consultation will commence in late February in the New England region.

Also, members of the management committee and other identified leaders will receive governance training and training in systemic advocacy. A newsletter will continue to be published and a website will be developed.

Recently, Mr Anthony Cain, an indigenous artist, was announced as the winner of the Network’s logo design competition. His work has now been commissioned, and commencing in the new year, his design will be used to identify the Network in various information formats including brochures, business cards and other general stationery.

The Aboriginal Disability Network of NSW continues to be auspiced and supported in its development by PWD and the management committee of the Aboriginal Disability Network of NSW would like to thank the Westpac Foundation for its grant and support of the Network.

For further information on the Network's activities please contact Damian Griffis.

++Intervention Support Program

PWD has written to the Minister for Education and Training, the Minister for Disability Services and the Commonwealth Minister for Education, Science and Training to express concern about changes to the Intervention Support Program (ISP) that were proposed as part of the restructure of the NSW Department of Education and Training (DET). Since writing these letters, DET has adopted the restructure proposal.

The restructure will have a significant detrimental impact on children with disability being able to be educated with their peers, or have access to the same educational programs.

ISP is a Commonwealth funded program managed in NSW by DET through its Community Grants Program. It aims to improve the educational opportunities, learning outcomes and personal development of children with disability. These children may be below school age and preparing for integration into regular pre-schools or schools; of school age but requiring improved access to educational programs; or children in residential care, including welfare, rehabilitation, corrective or medical care and who require access to educational programs.

The changes to ISP will result in the loss of an Educational Support Consultant and an administrative officer. The loss of expertise from ISP will significantly decrease the ability of the program to advise and support services in the transition of children with disability into mainstream educational programs and in providing mainstream educational programs to children with disability. Children with disability will be significantly disadvantaged if they cannot begin educational programs at the same time as their peers.

The changes will also have a significant detrimental impact on the ability of ISP to comply with the Commonwealth program guidelines, which could put the entire program at risk in NSW, and with it the right of many children with disability to participate in the same educational opportunities as children without disability.

If you would like more information about ISP contact Therese Sands.

++Identification cards: A breakthrough

With heightened security now a major public policy issue many people with disability and older people have found themselves victim to a new problem – lack of photo identification (ID). Photo ID is required for a myriad of tasks in everyday life such as opening a bank account, posting a parcel, or even hiring a video. Presently most people use their drivers licence as their identification for these important everyday chores. However many people with disability do not have a drivers’ licence and have often found themselves fighting bureaucracy – just to post a parcel! Through the lobbying and advocacy of many organisations, including PWD, the State Government has announced that the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority will now issue photo identification cards for any NSW resident.

++Community housing disability policy

The NSW Office of Community Housing (OCH) has released its disability policy, which has been in development over a period of the last 4 years. PWD made substantial contributions to the development of the policy, and is pleased with its overall content and direction. Following release of the policy, PWD participated in a key stakeholders meeting convened by OCH to advise on implementation priorities. We have recommended the establishment of a Disability Advisory Council to OCH, the development of an implementation plan, and the development of disability awareness and flexible service delivery training for OCH and housing provider staff as key priorities. A decision on these recommendations is anticipated in the first quarter of 2004. Community housing is a major provider of accommodation for people with disability in NSW. Approximately 40% of tenants and applicants of social housing are people with disability. Each year OCH targets 20% of new allocations of redevelopment sites, spot purchases, and leasehold grants for supported housing initiatives, which includes people with disability. The policy is available from the Office of Community Housing (telephone 02 8753 8000).

++Inquiry into community housing

The Social Issues Committee of the NSW Legislative Council has completed its Inquiry into Community Housing. The Committee said that the inquiry revealed a great deal of support for the community housing model as a means of providing access to long-term affordable housing in a flexible and innovative manner. The Committee made 33 recommendations, including as a priority, the development of a comprehensive Five Year Strategic Policy Framework by 2005 to guide the future development of community housing in NSW. It is disappointing that the Committee did not deal with disability issues in any substantial way, particularly in light of PWD’s submission to the inquiry. However, the Committee did acknowledge the need for an expansion of accessible housing for people with disability, and recommended that "the Government...ensure there are adequate and appropriate housing choices for specific target groups, including...people with disability...[and] people with mental illness..." as part of the recommended Five Year Strategic Policy Framework. A copy of the report can be downloaded from the NSW Parliament’s website (www.parliament.nsw.gov.au) or from the Committee secretariat (telephone 02 9230 3078).

++Disability and Community Services Commissioner resigns

NSW Deputy Ombudsman, and Disability and Community Services Commissioner, Robert Fitzgerald has resigned his position, and will leave the Ombudsman’s Office at the end of January 2004. Mr Fitzgerald will take up a position as a Commissioner with the Commonwealth Productivity Commission from February 2004. As the former Community Services Commissioner for NSW, Mr Fitzgerald oversaw the controversial merger of the former Community Services Commission into the NSW Ombudsman’s Office. In a letter to PWD advising of his resignation, Mr Fitzgerald stated: "Whilst my term was extended upon amalgamation of the Community Services Commission with the Ombudsman’s Office, I have always felt that five years would be a good innings in this important yet demanding role ... I have especially enjoyed working with so many committed people in the sector, both in government and non-government agencies ... I hope that in my new role as Commissioner with the Productivity Commission I will be able to contribute to national public policy in relation to economic, social and environmental issues.”

++NSW Coalition social policy agenda

On 8 December NSW Liberal Party leader John Brogden released the social policy agenda of the NSW Coalition, Testing the Heart of our State. In launching the agenda Mr Brodgen said that "the test of Government is not the money it spends but the people it helps”. He committed a future Coalition government to setting targets for social policy outcomes. Disability services are addressed in the health section of the policy, which is unfortunate. The policy points out that NSW lags below the Australian average in all measures of disability accommodation, community support, community access and respite. PWD will continue to work with the NSW Coalition to develop its policy commitments in areas impacting on people with disability.

Link to a copy of John Brogden’s speech (MS Word format)
Link to a copy of the NSW Coalition social policy (1034KB, PDF only)

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Other state and territory news

++Democrats call for adaptable housing

The Australian Democrats in the South Australian Parliament have called on the South Australian (SA) Government to demonstrate its commitment to people with disability by increasing the number of adaptable homes. Speaking on International Day of People with a Disability, Kate Reynolds, MLC said there was a high and increasing demand for purpose-built community housing for people with disability. Ms Reynolds claimed that in 2000 only 16 publicly funded adaptable houses were built in SA, yet every 10 minutes someone in Australia acquired a disability. She called on the government to "take seriously the need for fully functional housing for people with a disability"and to allocate sufficient resources. Ms Reynolds said that adaptable houses needed to include features such as accessible bathrooms, large laundries and flexibly designed living areas, and should have adjustable shelf heights, non-slip tiling, grab rails, even surfaces and ground level entries and be situated in convenient locations. People with disability "should not be treated as second-class housing consumers – it’s that simple", Ms Reynolds said.

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National news

++PWD Responds to Safety Net Discussion Paper

PWD has responded to the discussion paper issued by the Australian Department of Family and Community Services on the development of a 'safety net' for people with disability who may be displaced from employment services as a result of the introduction of the new Quality Assurance Strategy for disability employment services, in particular, by the Award Based Wages Strategy. The principle focus of PWD’s submission was on strategies to maintain people in employment. This included suggested strategies aimed at
  • skill building for service users in supported employment services to assist in job retention capacity, including behaviour support;
  • diversifying supported employment options, in particular to increase the availability of options such as individual supported jobs etc. that are better suited to employees with significant disability;
  • training for non-disabled employment service staff in best practice educational techniques to support skill development by employees with disability; and
  • Further education and training for people with disability.
PWD’s submission also canvassed a number of issues concerning the nexus between State and Territory based community access and day activity centres and Commonwealth funded employment services and the potential impact on this system of large numbers of people being displaced from employment services. This included specific submissions on the identification of groups ‘at risk’ of displacement. PWD’s submission also proposed a number of immediate strategies to alleviate consumer/family stress arising from the reform process, including the establishment of a free-call line to provide independent and accurate information about these reforms, and increased availability of individual advocacy support for people affected.

For further information contact Phillip French.

++DDA and drug dependence: Update

On 3 December 2003, the Federal Government introduced a Bill to amend the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 to "ensure a person's drug addiction cannot be the sole basis of a claim of unlawful discrimination". The Government indicated that the Bill is consistent with its "Tough on Drugs" strategy, and said "people undergoing treatment and receiving services to treat an addiction will continue to be protected from unlawful discrimination". The Senate referred the Bill to its Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 25 March 2004. The committee has called for submissions to be made by 9 February 2004. The Bill, Explanatory Memorandum, and the Second Reading Speech are on the Committee’s website.

PWD’S Senior Legal Officer, Matthew Keeley attended a forum on this issue convened by Combined Community Legal Centres Group (NSW) (CCLCG) and the NSW Users and AIDS Association (NUAA). Issues identified included:

  • the potential for the Bill to undermine public health policies that support rehabilitation and recovery from addiction;
  • the Bill attempts to coerce people into treatment options that do not exist because of under-resourcing;
  • the failure to define "addiction" renders the Bill totally uncertain and a field day for lawyers;
  • the punitive terms of the Bill and the lack of treatment options will render self-reporting of drug use far less likely, with harmful consequences. By perpetuating secrecy, the Bill will reinforce the underlying causes of drug use;
  • the Bill’s applicability to cannabis might suggest that the Bill could face extensive opposition and undermine the proposed NSW cannabis trial for people with severe chronic pain conditions;
  • numerous NSW examples of methadone-based discrimination in employment were presented, establishing that despite the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 purporting to protect drug dependent persons who are in treatment programs (as does the Bill), the reality is that stigma, breaches of confidentiality, and employment discrimination frequently force methadone users out of the workplace;
  • the negative precedents of allowing one health condition (addiction) to be separated out from others for specific, negative attention, as well as suggesting that for a particular health condition anti-discrimination protection must be conditional on treatment;
  • the Bill will promote unsafe injecting practices.
Australia has an enviable international reputation for drug programmes that have been effective in reducing infection. Speakers at the forum representing NUAA, CCLCG, VIVAIDS, and the Director, Drug and Alcohol Services at St Vincent’s Hospital were unanimous in their view that the consequences of this Bill if enacted would be to seriously undermine that reputation and to contribute to additional harm.

PWD will be preparing a submission to the Senate Committee. For information please contact Matthew Keeley at PWD.

++Australian Network for Universal Housing Design: Update

In the last few months the Australian Network for Universal Housing Design (ANUHD) has been extremely active in pursuing initiatives aimed at the achieving recognition of the need for universal housing design in the Building Code of Australia. ANUHD recently met in Adelaide in association with the National Housing Conference. A key objective and outcome of this meeting has been the development of a strategic plan to progress universal housing design at both the national, and state and territory levels.

The Adelaide meeting also provided an opportunity to meet with the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB), the Victorian Building Commission (VBC) and other key agencies. The ABCB and VBC have agreed to collaborate with ANUHD in the development of a research project on universal housing design. Both agencies have recently committed substantial funds towards this research project and agreed that ANUHD will be the reference group for this project. Included in this research will be a cost-benefit analysis of universal housing design – including an examination of the cost of not implementing universal housing design. ANUHD hopes that this project will produce independent, verifiable research on why universal housing design is required. This would be of great assistance in our advocacy.

While in Adelaide, members of ANUHD attended the National Housing Conference and one of its members, Dr Barry Seeger, presented a paper entitled A national strategy for accessible housing for all. This paper uses demographic changes around the world, including Australia, to argue the case for housing design that will suit the needs of our population. A copy of the speech is available on the ANUHD website.

Back in Sydney, members of ANUHD attended the State of Australian Cities conference. This conference was the first academically focused national conference on urban issues in Australia for at least a decade. The intention of the conference was to lead to a dialogue between leading researchers on the state of Australian cities and where they might be headed. The conference was designed to achieve a better understanding of the research needs of Australian cities and to provide those in the public and private sectors with a better appreciation of the current state and capacities of researchers. Digby Hughes presented a paper at this conference on behalf of ANUHD.

The Australian Network for Universal Housing Design (ANUHD) is a group of individuals and organisations that support and call for universal design for housing. PWD is the auspicing body for the Network. For further details on ANUHD please contact Digby Hughes

++Disability Standards for access to premises and changes to Building Code

Important changes to the Building Code of Australia (BCA) are being proposed to align building regulation with Australian Government disability discrimination laws. The proposals will be released in early 2004 as part of a public consultation period that will contintue to the end of April 2004.

The proposed changes will significantly improve access to new buildings and existing buildings undergoing new work or change of use, which are publicly accessible. They will also provide certainty for building owners, operators, designers and certifiers in relation to providing access for all members of the community.

In broad terms, the proposals are an attempt to meet the objectives of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) to ensure buildings are as accessible as possible, without imposing what the legislation describes as an unjustifiable hardship on building owners and occupiers. The proposals include:

  • access to most levels in publicly accessible buildings
  • wider circulation space requirements in corridors, through doorways and in accessible toilets
  • additional accessible entrances to buildings
  • accessible toilets wherever a bank of toilets is provided
  • increased numbers of accessible rooms in hotels and motels
  • hearing augmentation in more rooms with a public address system
  • access to and from swimming pools; and
  • additional information and accessible features in lifts.
A Regulation Impact Statement, detailing the costs and benefits associated with the proposal has also been prepared. In addition, extensive consultation has taken place with Standards Australia International, who are responsible for developing much of the technical material referenced in the Building Code of Australia.

Public comment timetable
The expected timeframes are:

  • early 2004 - draft proposals available for comment;
  • February 2004 - public information sessions throughout Australia providing information on the proposals;
  • end April 2004 - public comment period ends.
Following the public comment period, an assessment of comments and any necessary revisions, a final proposal will be developed. This proposal will be forwarded by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) to the
  • state and territory governments, who are responsible for the adoption of the BCA through building regulation;
  • Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources; and
  • Federal Attorney-General, who has authority under the DDA to formulate a premises standard and submit it to Parliament for consideration.
Public awareness sessions
Public awareness sessions are being by the ACBC held to provide
  • an opportunity to understand why these changes are taking place;
  • a broad understanding of what changes are being proposed; and
  • information on how you can have your say on the proposed changes.
Speakers include representatives from the ABCB, Disability Sector, Property Sector, Attorney-General’s Department and the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.

Public awareness sessions will be held in each capital city as described below and on the registration form. All venues are accessible (venues are included on the registration form). A sign language interpreter and hearing loop will be available. Anyone can attend these free sessions. However, you must register if you wish to attend.

Download the registration form (MS Word format).

  • Canberra: 2 February 2004 (10am)
  • Darwin: 3 February 2004 (2pm)
  • Melbourne: 3 February 2004 (2pm), 4 February 2004 (10am)
  • Hobart: 5 February 2004 (10am)
  • Brisbane: 5 February 2004 (2pm), 6 February 2004 (10am)
  • Adelaide: 6 February 2004 (10am and 2pm)
  • Sydney: 9 February 2004 (10am and 2pm)
  • Perth: 9 February 2004 (2pm), 10 February 2004 (10am)
The documents for public comment will be available on the ABCB website or from the ABCB at tel. (02) 6213 7240, fax (02) 6213 7287; E-mail: abcb.office@abcb.gov.au; Mail: GPO Box 9839, Canberra, ACT 2601.

PWD will be participating in the consultation and would urge all members to also take an interest. For more information please contact Digby Hughes at PWD.

++International Day of People with a Disability: A round-up

Speaking on the occasion of International Day of People with a Disability, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan called upon societies everywhere to listen to people with disability every day, not only on this day. He the mentioned the important role governments have in raising awareness of people with disability, noting that it had been a decade since the adoption of the Standard Rules on Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities. He welcomed the decision by the UN General Assembly to begin drafting a convention on the rights of people with disability, the preparation of which requires consultation with people with disability at all levels. He also mentioned the roles of the media and non-government organisations in empowering people with disability and addressing discrimination, prejudice and ignorance.

In Federal Parliament, Senator Brain Greig of the Australian Democrats moved that the Senate acknowledge the contribution made by people with disability to the community and in a context of ongoing discrimination, disadvantage and hardship. He also called upon the Australian Government to take a leading role in ending discrimination against people with disability through the development of an international convention on the rights of people with disability.

Federal Attorney-General, the Hon Phillip Ruddock MP, expressed the Australian Government’s commitment to eliminating disability discrimination, drawing attention to the progress made around the development of standards under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA). Other examples he gave of the Government’s commitment were its support of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, and its involvement in the development of an international convention on the rights of people with disability.

Federal Disability Discrimination Commissioner Dr Sev Ozdowski also gave the development of the DDA standards as an example of a positive change for people with disability that should be recognised on International Day. He mentioned the Standard on Access to Premises particularly, and proposed changes to the Building Code of Australia. He also expressed concern however, at a fall in the rate of employment of people with disability in the public service and called upon the Commonwealth Government to set a better example in employing people with disability.

Employment was also the theme of a media release by Public Services International (PSI), which noted that it was the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the International Labour Organization Convention on Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment of Disabled Persons. PSI cited continuing discrimination against of people with disability in the field of employment and higher rates of unemployment among people with disability. In light of this, PSI called on unions to pressure governments to ratify the convention, or to fully implement the convention where it has been ratified. (Australia is a signatory to the convention).

In response to a question without notice in the NSW Parliament, the Minister for Disability Services, the Hon Carmel Tebbutt MP, spoke about the NSW Government’s support of various events around the state celebrating International Day. She also spoke of the NSW Government having increased funding for the expansion of disability services and mentioned specifically the new Local Support Co-ordination program for people with disability in rural NSW.

In a media release, the NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation, the Hon Sandra Nori MP, urged sporting groups to welcome, support and encourage people with disability to participate in sporting and recreation activities. She also took the opportunity to specify the resources available to improve access to sport and recreation for people with disability.

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International news

++Women with Disability Pasifika Forum

Between 7 and 9 December, a Women with Disability Pacific Forum took place in Suva, Fiji Islands. President, Heidi Forrest, represented PWD at this historic event. Women with disability from Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, New Zealand, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu were present. The forum culminated in the Suva Statement of Recommendations. Among the key recommendations were that women with disability from the region supported the formation of the Pacific Disability Forum of Disabled Peoples Organisations (PDF) and that women with disability must be an integral part of the PDF. Other recommendations included that leadership training and capacity building of Pacific women with disability must have a high priority in the future operations of the PDF. Furthermore, the forum recommended that the constitution of the PDF must include provisions which ensure the inclusion of women with disability in the decision-making processes and management of the PDF.

PWD would like to congratulate all women with disability who were present and offer our special thanks to Sai Tawake Veresoni for her tireless work in organising this important event. We would also like to acknowledge with great appreciation the financial support of the Global Fund for Women, which made this event possible.

The Suva Statement of Recommendations will be posted on the PWD website shortly.

++Pacific Disability Forum

The Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) met in Suva in the Fiji Islands on 10 and 11 December 2003. Disabled peoples organisations from nine Pacific countries were represented at the meeting. President, Heidi Forrest, and Executive Director, Phillip French, represented PWD at the meeting. The primary objectives of the meeting were to agree on a formal constitution for the PDF and to develop a strategic plan. Considerable progress was made on both objectives. A draft constitution and strategic plan will now be finalised and circulated to participating disabled persons organisations in the region for consideration prior to adoption at a meeting currently scheduled for May/June 2004. An interim committee, which includes a PWD representative, has been appointed to carry out these and related activities and organise the next meeting of the PDF. A report on the meeting will shortly be finalised and posted to the PWD website. The Pacific Disability Forum is envisaged as a regional focal point for cooperation between disabled peoples organisations on disability and human rights and disability and development issues.

++UN ESCAP Thematic Working Group on Disability

The United Nations Economic and Social Council for the Asia and Pacific Region (UN ESCAP) Thematic Working Group on Disability met for its Seventh Session at UN ESCAP headquarters in Bangkok on 1 and 2 December 2003. Executive Director Phillip French represented PWD at the meeting. The first day of proceedings was devoted to the following Task Force meetings:
  • Information and Communication Technology;
  • Education of all Children and Youth with Disability;
  • Employment;
  • Women with Disability;
  • Self Help Organisations;
  • International Convention on Persons with Disability; and
  • East Timor and Afghanistan.
Each Task Force reviewed and developed a range of strategies and actions at furthering the objectives of the Second Asia Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons (2003-1012), and the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action: Towards an Inclusive, Barrier free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific. The second day was a plenary session devoted to hearing Task Force Reports, reports on actions developed by UN ESCAP, the Asia Pacific Development Centre on Disability, the Asia Pacific Disability Forum, Disabled Peoples International (Asia Pacific) and others to implement Biwako. The proceedings of the workshop should be available shortly, and will be posted to PWD’s website.

++World Summit on the Information Society: Update

Intensive lobbying by disabled peoples organisations around the globe has had a significant positive impact on the elaboration of a statement of principles adopted by the first session of the World Summit on the Information Society held in Geneva Switzerland in early December 2003. The initial draft declaration of principles failed to refer to the information needs and rights of people with disability spurring a world-wide campaign to urge government and civil society participants in the summit to address this omission. The principles and action plan adopted by the Summit now include a number of specific references to disability, as well as to issues such as assistive technologies and universal design principles crucial to meeting the information needs of particular disability groups. World Blind Union President, Kicki Nordstrom addressed the opening session of the Summit representing civil society, at the invitation of the United Nations, which co-sponsored the event. The Statement of Principles and Action Plan of the World Summit can be found at www.wsis.org.

Disabled peoples' organisations held a Global Forum on Disability and the Information Society in association with the Summit and issued the Geneva Declaration on Accessible Information Society. This declaration can be found on the DPI website.

Back in Australia, PWD has continued to lobby a number of Commonwealth Government Ministers and agencies to ensure their support for recognition of disability issues in Australia’s response to the agenda of World Summit on the Information Society. To date, we have received a very positive response from the key agencies responsible. We will be meeting with the National Office of the Information Economy in January to continue this dialogue.

++International Disability Caucus Meets in Madrid on Disability Convention

The international disability caucus, comprising of international and national disabled peoples' organisations and others participating as accredited agencies to the United Nations Ad Hoc Committee on the elaboration of an international convention on disability met in Madrid in early December 2003. Member, and Chair of the Board of the NSW Disability Discrimination Legal Centre, Rosemary Kayess, represented PWD at this meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to assist in the preparation of the 12 representatives of non-government organisations appointed to the Ad Hoc Committee Expert Working Group established to develop a text proposal for the Convention. The Expert Working Group will meet in New York in January 2004. Rosemary will attend this meeting in a policy support role to Mr Gerard Quinn, one of the non-government representatives appointed to the Expert Working Group.

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The inside story

++Happy festive season

The Board and staff of People With Disability Australia offer our warmest wishes for a happy festive season and a successful 2004.

The PWD office will close on 24 December and re-open on 5 January

++2003 Annual General Meeting: Results of Board election

The result of the half-Board election of directors was declared and approved at the 2003 Annual General Meeting held on 29 November 2003. Those members elected to the Board for a two year term are (in alphabetical order):
  • Hazel FREED
  • Lisa MURRAY
  • Willie PRINCE
  • Kristy TRAJCEVSKI and
  • Craig WALLACE.
We congratulate members elected to the Board and thank all those members who put themselves forward for election. A contested election is a sign of a robust organisation.

++2004 Annual General Meeting

Notice is given that PWD’s 2004 Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday 27 November 2004. Members are asked to note this date in their diaries. More detailed information, including the time and venue for the meeting will be notified to members closer to the event.

PWD staff create Christmas cheer for boarding house residents

This Christmas, PWD’s staff social club raised funds from staff to provide Christmas cheer to residents of a Sydney inner-city boarding house for people with disability. The funds have been used by the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre to arrange a Christmas BBQ for residents. This group of boarding house residents are among the most deprived and socially isolated members of our community. They have little if any contact with families and friends, and not a lot to look forward to at Christmas time. PWD is proud that its staff developed and prioritised this project for Christmas, which is on top of the enormous work carried out in their professional roles. Thanks also go to the staff of Newtown Neighbourhood Centre who put this goodwill into practice.

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Members' notices

++Vale Timothy Spong

It is with great sadness that we note the passing of Timothy Spong, aged 50, on 15 December 2003. Tim was a director on the Board of PWD for 4 years standing down at the 2002 Annual General Meeting. During his directorship, Tim also acted for specific periods as Secretary and Treasurer, and in these capacities as a member of the Executive Committee. He also served on, and chaired for a period, the internal advisory committee for PWD’s individual advocacy program. Tim also had significant involvement in a number of other organisations, including the Brain Injury Association of NSW. Tim was an outstanding advocate for people with brain injury and for all people with disability. We celebrate Tim’s life, and regret his passing.

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Conferences

++2-5 July 2004
Seventh National Deafblind Conference: 'Deafblind and moving on', Melbourne

For information about the conference, contact the conference organiser, Annie Rose on 03 9824 4288 or arevents@netspace.net.au. Proposal for presentations at the conference are sought; contact Despina Karidis at the Deafblind Association on 03 9882 7055 or boxhill@dba.asn.au. For conference updates, see the Association’s website at www.dba.asn.au.

++26-28 July 2004
Disability Studies: Putting Theory Into Practice, Lancaster, England
Open call for papers, posters and panel sessions.

The Conference Committee is calling for submissions of abstracts particularly on topics such as political economy of disability, theorising difference, representation, disability research methodology, critically assessing professional practice, the psycho-emotional dimensions of disability. Abstracts to be submitted by 22 March 2004.

More details from abstracts.disconf@lancaster.ac.uk.

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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 by email (allyc@pwd.org.au) 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 lukeo'c@pwd.org.au.

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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If you would like to receive PWD E-Bulletin in an alternative format or have an enquiry, contact Luke O'Connell by email or by one of the means below.

People with Disability Australia Incorporated
PO Box 666 Strawberry Hills NSW 2012
Phone 02 9319 6622, toll-free 1800 422 015
TTY 02 9318 2138, toll-free 1800 422 016

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