PWD E-Bulletin |
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Issue 46, September 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 Kathryn Knight at PWD on email pwd@pwd.org.au or on one of the numbers listed at the end of this bulletin.
ContentsNew South Wales news
Other state and territory newsNational news
International news
The inside story
New publications and resourcesConferences and eventsAbout PWDPrivacy statement |
NSW news++Electoral access – NSW actionThe New South Wales Government has launched a guide to voting for people with disability. It contains information on how to enrol and the various types of assistance available for people with disability to allow them to participate in the electoral process. Unfortunately, it does not appear that the brochure is available in alternate formats or even in large print. While PWD congratulates the government for making available the information on voting, we believe that more should have been done to ensure that it was accessible for those people for whom it was intended. For further details please contact Digby Hughes at PWD. ++New supported accommodation on NSW Mid-North CoastIn our August edition of E-Bulletin, we commented on the House With No Steps (HWNS) being funded by the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) to provide ten places in “new clustered villas”, as described on the DADHC website. We were happy to hear from DADHC and HWNS that the model proposed for this supported accommodation is not institutional. DADHC has purchased two three-bedroom properties for the ten clients that are 1.5 km apart. The two properties are not designed to operate as one service. The people who will be supported through this service will also be provided with access to day programs which will be separately funded. The DADHC website now reflects that the places are offered in two separate locations to make this clear. We are pleased that these new services funded under the Stronger Together program support the right of every person with disability to live in the community. ++Additional funds for community transportIn a joint media release on 21 September 2007, the Commonwealth Minister for Ageing and New South Wales Minister for Ageing and Disability services announced “more than $450,000 in additional funding for community transport provided by the Home and Community Care (HACC) program in New South Wales.” The funding will be for 13 HACC projects across the state. The full media release is on the Department of Health and Ageing website. ++Inquiry into overcoming Indigenous disadvantageThe Social Issues Committee of the New South Wales Legislative Council is conducting an inquiry focussing on identifying strategies to address the life-expectancy gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people – currently estimated to be 17 years. The terms of reference for the inquiry were referred by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Paul Lynch. The closing date for submissions is Friday, 30 November 2007. Full details, including how to make a submission, are on the inquiry webpage. ++Aboriginal Disability Network offices officially openThe offices of the Aboriginal Disability Network NSW (ADN) in Redfern were officially opened by the New South Wales Minister for Disability Services, Kristina Keneally on Friday 21 September. The event included a performance of traditional dance, song-signing and a smoking ceremony. The Telling it like it is report was also launched at the event. This report describes the findings of consultations with 32 Aboriginal communities about the experiences of Aboriginal people with disability and their associates. Copies of the report will soon be available on the ADN website or contact Jenny Thomsen at the ADN. |
Other states and territory news++Forum for GLBTI people with disabilityAccess Plus Victoria, in collaboration with the ALSO Foundation, Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria and Gasworks – Art of Difference Program is holding a forum on raising awareness about the social, recreational, leisure and cultural needs and opportunities for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) people with disability. GLBTI people with disability are invited to share their stories at the forum in a talk of five to seven minutes on the following subjects:
When: Friday 26th October 2007 from 9:00am to 3pm. To submit your story idea (by 1 October 2007) or for more information, contact The ALSO Foundation: phone 03 9827 4999. |
National news++Electoral access – federal actionAs regular readers of E-Bulletin may recall, PWD has been advocating for a number of years for the rights of people with disability to participate in the electoral system. PWD believes that access to the electoral system is a central tenet of democracy. As such PWD, is pleased to support two initiatives of the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). The first of these is to conduct a trial of electronically assisted voting (EAV) at the upcoming federal election. Voters who are blind or have low vision will be offered the opportunity to trial electronically assisted voting machines in advance of this year’s federal election. The AEC has selected 29 locations across Australia where EAV machines will be available in pre-poll voting centres during the election. The AEC will be demonstrating the EAV machines over the next few months to allow voters an opportunity to practice on the machines before the election. Previously, voters who are blind or have low vision have had to rely on the assistance of a family member, friend or AEC official to complete their ballot papers. The introduction of the EAV machines will enable voters who live in or near one of the 29 electorates to cast a secret and verifiable ballot. The machines will only available to voters who have low vision such that they cannot vote without assistance. The second initiative has seen the AEC request organisations to tender for the provision and promotion of accessible information and services for electors with a disability. These services include the production and distribution of election materials in a range of print alternative formats. This should allow many people who are blind or have a vision impairment to read access electoral information. PWD urges the major political parties similarly take steps to ensure that their information is accessible. Following the federal election, PWD will continue to work with the AEC to further progress the rights of people with disability to participate in the electoral process. For further details please contact Digby Hughes at PWD.++Campaign Enable: I have a disability and I voteCampaign Enable is a national initiative of the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations to have the major Australian political parties to commit to:
The first of a series of election forums will be held in the Prime Minister’s electorate of Bennelong, 10:30–11:30am, Wednesday 10 October at Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club,117 Ryedale Rd, West Ryde. If you would like to attend, phone (03) 9662 3324 or email brenda.lacey@afdo.org.au. Please indicate any support needs you may have. ++Consultations on supported accommodation optionsIn a media release in late August, the Commonwealth Minister Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs announced that the government will be holding consultations on supported accommodation options for people with disability: “The Howard Government has opened consultations to establish the best options for providing 1750 new supported accommodation places for people with disabilities. “Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, said these consultations are part of the Prime Minister's announcement of an extra $962 million to help older carers and their families as part of the Government's $1.8 billion disability package announced in late June.” PWD welcomes the opportunity to participate in these consultations on the supported accommodation proposal, part of a new Disability Assistance Package that was announced by the Commonwealth Government on 28 June 2007. While the announcement of new funding for supported accommodation is welcomed in coming part-way towards meeting the enormous levels of unmet need, PWD is concerned that 1750 new places announced will be placed in 175 new facilities. This suggests that there will be an average of ten beds in each facility. PWD is extremely concerned that this proposal could mean a return to institutional living arrangements for people with disability. While it is critical to address the lack of supported accommodation for adults with disability living with ageing parents, PWD is opposed to regressive measures that isolate people with disability in institutions. For details on the consultations and a discussion paper, see the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs website. ++Review of transport standardsAs readers of E-Bulletin may recall, the review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 is currently underway. Following consultation with our members, PWD made a detailed submission outlining the many improvements that have taken place since the introduction of the Standards, but also highlighting the areas where more work was required. Thanks to all of our members who assisted us with their personal stories. Members and others who are interested in reading the submissions can find them on the Transport Standards Review website. PWD will keep readers informed of the results of the review. For further details please contact Digby Hughes at PWD. ++National Week of Deaf PeopleThis year, National Week of Deaf People is from 13 to it 19 October. The theme is ‘Communicate IT’. Events will focus on information technology and how it can best be used by Deaf people and by others to benefit Deaf people. Further information will soon be available on the Australian Association of the Deaf website. |
International news++Our Rights, Our Convention: DPI world assemblyThe seventh world assembly of Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI) was held in Seoul, South Korea, 5–8 September 2007. At this major meeting of people with disability from around the world, the issues about ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities were discussed. On the final day of meeting, the assembly adopted the Seoul Declaration, an excerpt of which follows: “There are no human rights to which persons with disabilities do not lay claim. Upon this foundational principle at our last World Assembly in Sapporo, Disabled Peoples' International called upon Member States of the United Nations to adopt of a specific international human rights treaty on the rights of persons with disabilities. “Today, five years later, as a result of unprecedented collaboration by UN Member States, the international disability community, our global leaders and our allies, we have achieved this and much more. On December 13, 2006, the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol. Negotiated in record time, with record participation, and signed on its opening day by a record number of countries, the Convention reflects our language and vision of disability rights. The Convention is not just about persons with disabilities, it is by us and for us and all of humanity. In other words, our rights, our convention, but for all. “Now, celebrating our achievements as we also celebrate DPI's quarter century of engagement in the struggle for human rights for all disabled people, the time has come to prepare ourselves and our allies for the future and our participation in ratification and implementation of this historic new treaty. We the 2700 people of DPI gathered here in Seoul for our 7th World Assembly, declare that the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as a core international human rights treaty, shall be the foundation for all laws, policies and practices addressing the rights of persons with disabilities.” ++Employment opportunity: UN ESCAP Disability Project OfficerFull details of this project-funded position are on the United Nations jobs website.Deadline for applications is 3 October 2007. Return to top |
The inside story++Forward to Our Future: PWD Strategic Directions 2007–2010The new PWD strategic plan was launched on 21 September by the New South Wales Minister for Disability Services, Kristina Keneally. At the launch, PWD Vice-President, Faye Druett, and Board member, Joana d’Orey Novo, presented on their participation in the Seventh DPI World Assembly in Seoul, South Korea. A performance of traditional Korean dancing was presented by Young-Joo Byun. Young-Joo is a 2007 IDPwD Ambassador and recently won an award from the Sydney Korean Women’s Welfare Association on the first Australia-Korean Women’s Day. For copy of the strategic plan, contact Kathryn Knight at PWD. ++Workshop on disability-inclusive development practiceDisability and Poverty: Causes, Consequences and Responses is a special Anti-Poverty Week event organised by PWD with the Australian Development and Disability Consortium (ADDC) and the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID). This practical one-day workshop will provide participants with information and guidelines on ways to mainstream and integrate disability into development programs. The keynote address will be presented by Setareki Macanawai, CEO of the Pacific Disability Forum, a leading activist in the disability sector in the Pacific Island countries. Setareki chaired the Oceania Subregion Council of Disabled Peoples’ International in 1998 and served as Fiji’s delegate to the World Blind Union between 1991 and 1996. A selection of photographs from the ADDC exhibition, Disability in Development, will be on show at the workshop. The workshop will be suitable for development workers, health professionals, contractors, students and anyone interested in development and disability issues.
Date and time: Friday, 19 October 2007, 9:00am–4:00 pm ++Resignation of Chief Executive OfficerAlastair McEwin has resigned from his position as Chief Executive Officer of PWD in order to pursue other opportunities in the human rights field, both in Australia and overseas. His resignation took effect on 11 September 2007. During his time with PWD, Alastair worked with energy and committment to maintain PWD’s place as a leading disability rights and advocacy organisation throughout at the state, national and international levels. The Board wishes to record its appreciation of Alastair's efforts during his time as Chief Executive Officer and wishes him well in the future.
Robert Farley The Board has appointed as Co Chief Executive Officers (Acting) Therese Sands and Matthew Bowden following the Alastair’s resignation. Therese and Matthew will share responsibilities of the position. ++Positions vacant at PWDDirector, Consumer Protection ProgramsAn excellent opportunity exists to play a key role in protecting the human rights of people with disability. In this role you will provide strategic and operational management of
Applications close 22 October 2007.
Job advertisement and selection criteria [MS Word 32kb] Information and Liaison Officer If you are passionate about human rights, well organised and have administrative and editorial skills, this opportunity could be for you. This is a full-time, temporary position until September 2008. Download the job advertisement and selection criteria. Applications close 22 October 2007. Return to top |
New publications and resources++d-ability.orgThe d-ability.org website, recently launched by the Royal Ryde Rehabilitation Centre, provides information about a wide range of accessible travel, holiday and leisure activities for people with disability. ++Access to Premises Campaign KitThe Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) Access to Premises Campaign Kit provides information and tools to help people with a disability speak out about lack of access to businesses and services in their local communities. The kit can be downloaded from the AFDO website. ++NSW Tenants’ rights manualThe third edition of the Tenants’ rights manual is now available. The manual provides up-to-date information about NSW tenants’ rights (both public and private) in a wide range of situations. It includes sample letters that give tenants guidance when dealing with landlords and agents on a range of issues including bonds, repairs, ending a tenancy, privacy and access. For more information contact the Tenants’ Union of New South Wales on (02) 8117 3700 or see the Federation Press website. Return to top |
Conferences and events++26–27 September 2007Arts Activated Conference: Leading examples of inclusion of people with disabilities in the Arts, at Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Sydney. For more information, see the Arts Activated webpage or phone Accessible Arts on (02) 9251 6499 ext 2 or email: kmercer@aarts.net.au. ++17 October 2007Perspectives on Poverty. NCOSS Policy Conference, 8:30am–5:00pm, NSW Teachers Federation Auditorium, Surry Hills, Sydney. For more information, contact Craig Howe at NCOSS by phone on (02) 9211 2599 ext 101 or email: craig@ncoss.org.au. ++18–19 October 2007Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) 25th Anniversary Conference, at Wesley Centre, Sydney. For more information see the PIAC website. ++25–26 October 2007The Odyssey…a journey of enrichment and possibility. Family Advocacy national conference at Mercure Hotel, 818-820 George Street, Sydney. For more information see the Family Advocacy website, email conference@family-advocacy.com or phone (02) 9869 0866 or 1800 620 588. ++3–4 November 2007Mind and its Potential. Third Annual Conference of the Mental Health Association NSW, at Sydney Masonic Centre, Sydney. For further details, see www.mindanditspotential.com.au. ++20–22 February 2008Fifth National Housing Conference 2008, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney. For further details, see www.nationalhousingconference.org.au or email: housing2008@iceaustralia.com. ++14–15 April 200824th Annual Pacific Rim Conference on Disabilities, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. For more information on attending or submitting papers, see www.pacrim.hawaii.edu. |
++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 the Information and Education Unit. ++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 the Senior Education Officer or Ph 02 9370 3100. |
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Information and Education Unit, 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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