Hello, and Welcome to the Weekly Update from the Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU)

DARU Update

24th November 2008

WELCOME

Hello, and welcome to the weekly update from the Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU). If you would like to be removed from this list or kept up to date another way, please reply to this email and let us know.

DARU has been funded by the state government. It is run by a governance group, including members of the Victorian Disability Advocacy Network (VDAN), and the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS). DARU’s staff currently includes a Co-ordinator, Sharon Granek, and a Project Administration Officer, Melissa Yong

We are always happy to hear from people who are interested in what we do. If you have a question, an idea, some news you’d like to see in the next update, or even if you just want to tell us something we’re doing is good or bad, get in touch! Call us on 03 9639 5807 or email [email protected].

Please note that material contained in the DARU Update copy does not necessarily reflect the policy of DARU or the views of any staff members. Statements in the DARU Update do not comprise advice and readers should avail themselves of professional advice where appropriate.

IN THE NEWS

EVENTS

TRAINING

PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES

SUBMISSIONS

PAID AND VOLUNTARY POSITIONS IN THE NEWS Dogs on human rights radar Media Release - Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission, 13th November 2008.

The definition of guide dogs will be extended to include animals assisting people with all forms of disability, consistent with Federal law, according to recent recommendation by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

Taxis are a critical form of public transport for people with all forms of disabilities, not only the blind. Recent media reports of taxi drivers refusing to transport guide dogs highlights ongoing discrimination against all people with disabilities in gaining equal access to the public transport system.

To read this media release in full click here.

Taxi reforms for people with disabilities shift into first gear Media Release - Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission, 19th November 2008.

The government’s reform to taxi services for people with disabilities should bring more reliable and affordable services to some, according to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

There are 375 wheelchair accessible taxis on the road, 234 in metropolitan areas. Currently, 40 per cent of wheelchair accessible taxis undertake 80 per cent of pick ups.

New subsidy arrangements, which reward drivers for service delivery, will be trialled in Geelong and Frankston along with a requirement to case manage wheelchair taxi bookings.

Currently around 10,500 people qualify for subsidised taxi travel, which is means tested and only available to people with permanent and severe disabilities who cannot use public transport. Eligible people will now receive a maximum $60 subsidy per trip with their annual subsidy payout will be capped at $2,180.

To read this media release in full click here. $500,000 to expand advocacy for people with disability

The Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, the Hon Bill Shorten MP, has recently announced that the Australian Government is providing funding of up to $500,000 per year across five metropolitan areas to further expand individual advocacy support for people with disability.

As announced by Bill Shorten at the recent Strengthening Disability Advocacy – National Conference funding to expand the delivery of individual advocacy services and improve service coverage has been increased to $1.5 million per year.

Funding is from the 2007-08 Federal Budget measure to fund improvements to the National Disability Advocacy Program. This funding will further improve access for people with disability to individual advocacy support, assisting them to overcome barriers such as abuse, neglect and discrimination so that they can fully participate in the community.

The new regions in Victoria are:

 The Kingston, Greater Dandenong and Casey Local Government Areas  Moorabool, Hepburn, Golden Plains Shires and the Mildura Rural City Council area

All areas to be funded have been selected based on disability population and level of disability advocacy support funded by Commonwealth, state and territory governments.

NDAP funded agencies have been invited to apply for the funding for five metropolitan and the previously announced 10 regional areas. They are encouraged to enter into collaborative arrangements with another agency (or agencies) either funded under NDAP, or by a state or territory government.

Blind pupils may get mainstream classes Herald Sun, 17th November 2008 - Emily Power

Blind and vision-impaired students could have their own classrooms in mainstream schools under an anticipated State Government proposal. Vision Australia decided last month to shut Victoria's only school for blind children next December to free up millions of dollars, a move that distressed parents and teachers of the 19 students.

Specialist units where blind pupils learn and interact in their own classroom within public mainstream or special schools will be suggested by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, the Herald Sun understands.

Parents fear integrating blind children into the mainstream system will fail to teach life skills. They have formed a lobby group to appeal to Premier John Brumby to pay for a new blind school.

To read this article in full click here.

EVENTS

Invitation to celebrate the International Day of People with a Disability When Wednesday 3rd December 2008, 9.00am – 11.00am Where ANZ Pavilion, Arts Centre, 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, 3004. Register By 24th November to Jaclyn via email [email protected] or phone 9208 3013. A light morning tea will be served. Auslan interpreters and support workers will be available at this event.

The Minister for Community Services, the Hon Lisa Neville MP invites you to join a celebration of the International Day of People with a Disability on 3rd December 2008.

This year the theme is the 'UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Dignity and Justice for all of us'.

For more information contact Jaclyn via email [email protected] or phone 9208 3013

Equity Event When Friday 5th December 2008, 12pm – 2pm Where Conference Room 1, Ground Floor, VicHealth, 15-31 Pelham Street, Carlton South. Register $25 per person (includes lunch). To register complete the registration form and return by email to [email protected]

The Equity Research Centre invites you to join in on the final Equity Event for 2008.

Dr Helen Kimberley and Maree Keating from the Equity Research Centre will present findings from Leading from the Front? Research on disability employment in the Victorian Disability sector.

What are the opportunities and challenges in both policy and practice in addressing disability employment issues? A perspective on the federal government's National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy.

This event is suited to Senior Managers with responsibilities or an interest in planning, policy development, research, evaluation, advocacy and human resources/workforce issues.

DISTSS Launch & Exhibition

When Friday 12th December 2008 at 3.30pm Where Foyer, Gasworks Arts Park, 21 Graham Street, Albert Park Register Contact DISTSS via phone 03 8686 5622 or email [email protected].

Come along to Gasworks to find out what our new name is and look at some fantastic art, laugh with Rod Quantock and listen to the Bi Polar Bears.

For transport enquiries contact John via email [email protected]

FREE 3 hour OHS workplace assessments for small CSOs When Consultations are available until December 2010. Where At your workplace Register Free of charge, for CSO’s with a budget of less than $1 million. Consultations are worth approximately $500. Contact Jenny via phone 03 9519 7000 or email [email protected].

VICSERV, together with WorkSafe Victoria, is pleased to provide an opportunity for small community service organisations (with a budget of less than $1 million), to obtain FREE and confidential three-hour OHS Workplace Assessments from an independent consultant.

The consultant will work with your organisation to develop a safety action plan, detailing how your organisation can address identified issues.

For more information contact Jenny via phone 03 9519 7000 or email [email protected].

TRAINING

Consumer Rights and Responsibilities

When Thursday 11th December, 9.15am for a 9.30 start Where VCOSS Boardroom - Level 8, 128 Exhibition Street Melbourne Register Free of charge. Facilitator - Robyn McDougall. To register, download a copy of the registration form from the DARU or phone 03 9639 5807 or email [email protected].

About the workshop: What action can we take when the rent increases but that roof is leaking? If that prepaid service doesn’t deliver what was promised? What comeback do we have signed up to a contract but it sounds like a scam? Find out how Consumer Affairs works, how they assist consumers when something goes wrong and how the advocacy sector might work a little closer with them.

Office of the Public Advocate

When Thursday 11th December, 1.45pm for a 2.00pm start to 4.00pm. Where VCOSS Boardroom - Level 8, 128 Exhibition Street Melbourne Register Free of charge. To register, download a copy of the registration form from the DARU website or phone 03 9639 5807 or email [email protected].

About the workshop: We are all familiar with the Office of the Public Advocate. Or are we? Has anything changed? This session will provide an overview of what OPA does including guardianship, administration, making end of life decisions and OPA’s important advocacy role.

For more information contact DARU via email [email protected] or phone 9639 5807

PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES

Give people with disability a go with Opportunity

Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services, Bill Shorten, has launched a new publication which outlines compelling reasons for including people with disability as customers and employees.

The Australian Government provided $40,000 to the Australian Employers Network on Disability to produce Opportunity, which was also supported by the NSW Government, Westpac, McDonalds, KPMG and Sparke Helmore Lawyers.

To download a copy click here.

SUBMISSIONS

ACOSS, AFDO & AHRC framework for National Disability Strategy submission

ACOSS has been working with AFDO and the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) to develop a submission to the National Disability Strategy that promotes the role of the Strategy as a framework for implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which Australia recently ratified. As a first step to developing a joint submission, ACOSS recently held a workshop with the AHRC and the members of the UN Convention Ratification Taskforce.

Notes from the workshop have been prepared that may assist organisations that are preparing a submission to the Strategy.

You can view the notes and other resources at www.disabilityrightsnow.org.au – you may like to highlight some or all of the points from these notes in your submission if you are making one.

Once the joint submission is finalised it will be available on the Disability Rights Now website.

LDC Group Survey- On Implementing the Quality Framework for Disability Services

During 2006-2007 LDC Group, in partnership with the Community Services and Health Industry Training Board, worked with 18 disability service providers in the Eastern Metropolitan and Gippsland regions of Victoria to pilot the Department of Human Services (DHS) revised Quality Framework for Disability services.

The pilot project involved working with support providers, services users, families/carers, training organisations and DHS personnel to develop and pilot quality processes and tools for measuring outcomes for service users.

LDC Group Survey The LDC Group are exploring the ways in which they can support organisations to implement the Quality Framework and thereby the Outcome and Industry Standards.

To start this survey click here. If you would like assistance completing the survey, phone 03 9509 6972.

Completed surveys should be sent to LCD Group via email [email protected], fax 03 9509 6029 or post to LDC Group, 17 Valentine Grove, Armadale 3143.

Completed surveys must be received by 15th December 2008 PAID AND VOLUNTARY POSITIONS

Project Worker on crisis support for WWD & violence - ACT

A 6-month Project Worker Position located at the Women’s Centre for Health Matters in Pearce.

This position will look at the current accessibility for women with disabilities of ACT domestic violence and crisis support services. The project will make short term and long term improvements in this area and is of vital importance to women with disabilities in the ACT who may be experiencing violence. It is showing leadership in the Australian context.

For more information visit the whm website phone (02) 6290 2166 or email [email protected]. To download a copy of the position description click here.

Applications close Friday 28th November.

AFDO - NATIONAL POLICY OFFICER

Applications are invited for the position of National Policy Officer for the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO).

Essential prerequisites include experience in research and policy development, excellent communication skills, the ability to work with scarce resources and the ability to work independently within a small team.

The position is 4 days (or 30 hours) per week. Job share arrangements will be considered. A competitive salary package is offered.

Applicants should ensure that they address the Selection Criteria outlined in the Position Description which can be obtained from www.afdo.org.au/jobs or by phoning 03 9662 3324.

Applications should be directed to Lesley Hall, Chief Executive Officer via email [email protected]

Applications close Monday 10th December 2008. Vision Australia client representative council

Vision Australia is a living partnership between people who are blind, vision impaired or sighted. We are united by our vision that in the future people with blindness or vision impairment in Australia will access and fully participate in every part of life they choose.

The Client Representative Council is seeking to co-opt a representative of parents whose children receive services from Vision Australia.

For more information contact Vision Australia via TTY on 02 9334 3260 or email [email protected].

The closing date for expressions of interest is 5th January 2009.