Submissions, Consultations and Forums

DARU Update 29 August 2011

 IN THE NEWS

 EVENTS

 PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES

 TRAINING

 SUBMISSIONS, CONSULTATIONS AND FORUMS

 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

 PAID AND VOLUNTARY POSITIONS

IN THE NEWS Too Costly to Help Disabled at School Michelle Griffin, The Age, August 26, 2011

Victorian education authorities insist they have the right to restrict the number of integration aides and other specialists that they hire - even if it means discriminating against students with disabilities.

And the state says it would cost almost $1 billion if it had to hire an integration aide for every student with an IQ of 75 or less, which it could not afford.

The lawyers for Victoria's Education Department are arguing that states' rights trump the Federal Disability Discrimination Act in a submission to a discrimination case currently being considered by the Federal Court.

Jade Sievwright, a Victorian teenager with an IQ of around 70, is suing the Education Department for discrimination, claiming it failed to provide her with the integration aide and speech therapist she needs to reach her full potential. The Education Department is arguing that even if it is found to have discriminated against Ms Sievwright by failing to provide her with a full-time aide and a speech therapist, ''it is beyond Commonwealth legislative power'' to compel the state to hire these education aides. The submission cites a 1995 High Court decision in a dispute about the awards of state public servants. In that case, the High Court ruled that states have the right to determine the size and nature of their workplace.

The submission states that it would cost $975 million to provide full-time integration aides to all students with an IQ of 75 or less in the state school system, and would mean employing 20,000 staff across 1539 schools - an average of 13 staff per school.

(It also) states that the Act ''interferes with the right of the State to determine the number and identity of aides and speech therapists it will employ in the Department, and by extension, the degree to which it will provide aides to students in classrooms and allied health services (like speech therapists) in a school setting''.

This argument on constitutional grounds has horrified disability advocates, who fear it may have serious ramifications for other discrimination cases. ''Put simply, the state of Victoria's argument is that even if the Federal Court decides a child requires a full-time aide, it cannot order the state to provide it because to do so would amount to interfering with a basic function of the state,'' said solicitor Gabriel Kuek of Access Law, the firm representing Ms Sievwright.

''If successful, that argument will have very significant repercussions as it would affect every single disabled child in Australia. It would substantially diminish the protections the Disability Discrimination Act provides to disabled children.''

Stephanie Gotlib, executive officer of national peak body Children With Disability Australia, said parents across Australia regularly used the Federal Disability Discrimination Act to seek extra support for their children in school.

''The Department of Education should have a commitment to the Disability Act, not trying to weasel their way out of their legislative responsibilities,'' she said.

But the Federal Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes does not believe that any ruling in this case would have widespread implications for the disabled. Mr Innes said families of disabled children frequently took discrimination cases to the Federal Court, and education departments were often required ''to make reasonable adjustment'' of their budgets and staffing to provide extra help to the children in question - without being required to provide the employment of specific aides or teachers. To read the full story visit: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/too-costly- to-help-disabled-at-school-20110825-1jcdw.html#ixzz1W7u4XtXX

New Chair for Disability Advisory Council Media Release The Hon Mary Wooldridge MP Minister for Mental Health Minister for Women’s Affairs Minister for Community Services, 24 August 2011

Mary Wooldridge today announced that Tony Staley AO has been appointed as the Chair of the Victorian Disability Advisory Council (VDAC).

“I am pleased Mr Staley has accepted this role as Victoria looks to improve the quality of services for Victorians with a disability, their families and carers,” Ms Wooldridge said.

Mr Staley said he was honoured that the Victorian Government had asked him to be involved in advice about the best way to assist people with a disability.

“My disability is the result of a car accident and therefore was compensated, but justice should be done for people with a disability regardless of how their disability was caused,” Mr Staley said.

The Disability Advisory Council provides advice to the Minister on a range of disability issues and strategies to increase the participation of people with a disability in the wider community.

The Council will complement the role of the Victorian NDIS Taskforce, which provides advice to the government on the implementation of a national disability insurance scheme.

“Mr Staley is eminently qualified, and brings a wealth of experience to the Council through his extensive work in the government, community and business sectors,” Ms Wooldridge said.

The Council consists of 14 members who are appointed on the basis of their expertise, experience and extensive networks in the disability and carers community.

Mr Staley replaces the previous Council Chair, Dr Rhonda Galbally. “I’d like to take the opportunity to thank Dr Galbally for her outstanding work on the Council as its first Chair,” Ms Wooldridge said. “Dr Galbally has been instrumental in working with the Government and the people of Victoria in taking the early steps in advocating for a National Disability Insurance Scheme.”

Ms Wooldridge also recognised the commitment and support of Ms Tricia Malowney as Acting Chair of the Council since February 2011. “Tricia enabled the Council to effectively fulfil its ongoing advisory functions and successfully presided over the development of Council’s strategic and operational plans,” Ms Wooldridge said.

Mr Staley is a former Commonwealth Government Minister and Federal President of the Liberal Party of Australia. He has qualifications in law and political science. His appointment is for a three year term.

Anger Over Plan to Close Disabled Men's Home Michelle Griffin, The Age, August 24, 2011 Going to the milk bar by himself was a real breakthrough for Julian Mountford. A year after his first solo trip around the corner from his Northcote home, the intellectually disabled man, 37, now regularly walks down the street to buy a drink and choose a video.

''It may not sound like much, but for him it's a major achievement,'' says his father, classics lecturer Peter Mountford, 70. ''They know him there, he's accepted in the local community.'' This is why Peter and Georgina Mountford are furious that the Department of Human Services plans to close the state-owned house where their son has lived for 15 years with three other residents, and move them to a custom-built six-bed disability residence in Heidelberg Heights.

The new property is a 15 to 20-minute walk across busy roads to the local mall to visit a video store or milk bar, (Julian) will have his independence taken away, and so will the others. It seems criminal. The whole thing is ignoring the rights … of our son and the others.''

The Mountfords say that closing a successful and settled residence contradicts the Disability Services Act, which says a prime aim should be to try to keep disabled people in their communities. A complaint to the Disability Services Commissioner two years ago by a Brunswick resident resulted in a similar decision being overturned. A new four-bedroom home, slightly smaller than regulation, was built on the Brunswick site after Darren Campbell complained he was going to be moved out of an area he liked and knew.

However, two feasibility studies of the Northcote home by the department's architects have ruled out renovating or rebuilding on the grounds that, at 379 square metres, it is too small to house the five- bedroom wheelchair-accessible accommodation that current regulations demand.

A DHS spokesman said staff would help residents settle into their new community and establish local connections through a range of local networks and groups

To read the full story visit http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/anger-over- plan-to-close-disabled-mens-home-20110823- 1j8hp.html#ixzz1Vu9FKiSQ

New Thinking All the Talk on Dyslexia Denise Ryan, The Age, August 22, 2011 Leonie Purcival was not that surprised when her daughter Anna couldn't understand the prep teacher's instructions and was finding it difficult to read and write. Many members of Ms Purcival's family have had dyslexia and auditory processing issues (where they don't recognise subtle differences between sounds), and she was well aware that there is often a genetic link to learning disabilities. ''She was an obviously bright person who, for some reason, couldn't get it. I thought, 'I recognise this struggle. ''

Teachers saw Anna as a ''slow developer'' and offered reading recovery. Ms Purcival welcomed this, but soon found more help was needed. She took Anna to a private speech pathologist. Since then, Ms Purcival says Anna has made significant improvements. ''I was very concerned when she was in prep because she made very little progress. But she is doing much better in grade two.''

Ms Purcival attributes the change to one-on-one sessions with speech- language pathologist Marilyn Black, backed up by hours of drills using specially designed computer programs such as CogMed and Fast ForWord, which have been shown to improve brain function if used correctly. Fast ForWord helped her daughter to distinguish between similar sounds and to sound out words, while Cogmed improved her memory, behaviour and organisational skills, she says. ''One of the problems for children with auditory processing disorder is that their behaviour can also seem odd and they may be non-compliant. As Anna has become more systematic in her thinking, her behaviour is better,'' she says.

Ms Purcival says this process was ''incredibly expensive'', with $170 an hour the going rate for a speech pathologist. As well, she paid $4500 for 80 hours of Fast ForWord and $1900 for subscriptions to Cogmed. ''There is no assistance from government. I had to take out a loan.'' And like many parents, she is furious that neither the federal nor state governments provide much support for children with learning difficulties unless they also have a low IQ and a very severe condition.

As a result, a number of lobby groups have been formed, with many parents demanding an integration aide in class with their child so they can cope with schoolwork. But only very severe cases qualify for an integration aide and, even if they did get one, experts on learning difficulties acknowledge that an aide can help the child complete the work but has no impact on brain function.

Karen Starkiss, who runs Dyslexia Assessment and Support Service, says brain training is necessary, but could be done by teachers and teacher aides if appropriate training was provided. The former school principal and a UK expert on dyslexia says every British school has a special education needs coordinator who ensures children get tested and helped. (In Victoria) most parents have to rely on the local school for support. But department speech pathologists are split between many schools. They can train teachers and parents to help their children, but they don't have much time for one-on-one work.

Educational psychologists are also thinly spread, with little time to help deeply distressed children who know they are failing school but can't work out what they are doing wrong.

Lobbyist Jill Sears, who could not meet demand for places at the two learning difficulties conferences she organised for parents, teachers and therapists in Melbourne in recently, says many parents don't realise how life-changing speech pathology can be.

To read more visit: http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/new- thinking-all-the-talk-on-dyslexia-20110820-1j2zi.html#ixzz1ViEWqGvN People with Hearing Loss Suffer in Silence AAP, The Sydney Morning Herald, August 20, 2011

More than half of Australians with hearing difficulties have not done anything to correct the problem, a survey has found. Almost one in five Australians suffers from hearing loss, making it hard for them to communicate with family, friends and colleagues in noisy environments.

However, a survey of more than 1200 adults found that 52 per cent of those with hearing loss have not done anything to correct the problem. More than 40 per cent hadn't even seen a doctor or health professional about it. Professor Graeme Clark, who created the cochlear implant for moderately to profoundly deaf people, said many people with hearing loss were often embarrassed by their condition.

"It's obvious that the stigma of hearing loss still has a major impact on people's quality of life, but it must be remembered that hearing loss affects people of all ages, from newborns to elderly people - and there's nothing to be ashamed of," he said.

The Newspoll survey, commissioned by implant maker Cochlear to mark the start of Hearing Awareness Week on Sunday, found 72 per cent of people with hearing problems struggled in noisy environments. Nearly a quarter said their working life was affected, and 45 per cent had difficulties interacting with family and friends.

To read the full story visit http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news- national/people-with-hearing-loss-suffer-in-silence-20110821-1j46x.html

EVENTS

Free Coffee Morning and Chat for People with a Disability Diversity and Disability - Migrant Resource Centre North West and Reinforce Self Advocacy

When: Wednesday 31st August 2011 10.30am to 12.30pm.00 pm - 4.45 pm Where: Migrant Resource Centre – 45 Main Road West, St Albans (opposite St Albans rail station) Register: August July 2011 – by Monday 29th Email: [email protected] Phone: 9367 6044

Come and enjoy a cuppa and chat about the importance of advocating for yourself, be empowered and talk about issues affecting your everyday life

This session will be about getting your own home and place to live. We will look at accessible housings, government housings and support available to live independently.

These sessions are specially targeted towards Ethnic people with a disability but all people with a disability are welcome.

Please let us know if you need attendant care support and/or interpreters. PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES

Report: Telecommunications & Deafblind People

Able Australia & ACCAN have released a report calling for better support for deafblind people to access customised telecommunications solutions.

The report, Telecommunications and Deafblind Australians, provides the results of a survey of 71 respondents, the first of its kind to focus specifically on telecommunications access and usage by people experiencing deafblindness.

The report identifies the following broad challenges deafblind people face in accessing telecommunications: Insufficient funding assistance to purchase required specialised equipment Lack of training or support for deafblind people to learn how to use telecommunication equipment Insufficient funding for support staff and Interpreters who can facilitate this training

For a copy of the report visit http://125.214.72.41/images/Documents/accan_ableaustralia_report.pdf Gillard Government Launches Online Financial Counsellor Map Joint Media Release with David Bradbury MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, David Bradbury and Parliamentary Secretary for Community Services 25/08/2011

Julie Collins has launched an online map to help people in financial difficulty find their nearest financial counsellor. The online map, which is found on the MoneySmart website, shows the locations of 400 financial counselling services across the country and can be searched by town, suburb or postcode.

Ms Collins said financial counselling is a free, confidential and independent service funded by the Gillard Government and state and territory governments.

"Financial counsellors help people in financial difficulty to get debt under control and manage the family budget," Ms Collins said."The Gillard Government is providing $43.4 million over three years to support financial counselling services.

"This new online map will improve people’s access to the services and help people in need get in touch with their local agency - be it in Bunbury or Katherine, Mount Gambier or Townsville, Wollongong or Dickson, Geelong or Burnie."

Mr Bradbury said the MoneySmart website provides valuable information and resources to help people manage their finances, and the new map would point people in the right direction when they need professional financial counselling services.

"If people find themselves struggling to buy food, pay the rent or mortgage as well as juggling debts, they should consider seeking the help of a professional financial counsellor," Mr Bradbury said.

"Along with the other online calculators, mobile phone apps and links to service providers, the new financial counsellor map on MoneySmart will help people to find assistance in their local area."

The online map is available on the www.moneysmart.gov.au personal finance website.

People can also talk to a financial counsellor or get a referral by phoning 1800 007 007. The free hotline is available Australia-wide, Monday to Friday. Young People in Nursing Homes White Paper

The Summer Foundation and Monash University have released a White Paper on young people in nursing homes that summarises recent research regarding the social inclusion of young people in nursing homes, and further outlines the policy and practical challenges related to this issue.

Although those who received services through the recently-ended national YPIRAC program will continue to receive these disability supports, there are a great many others whose needs have not been met. There will be no new support packages for the 200 people under 50 who are admitted to aged care each year in Australia. In addition, there are also many people in their fifties who have significant potential but are still languishing in nursing homes. Whilst the proposed National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) offers some hope for young people in nursing homes, it is yet to be adopted by Government and requires the support of the Australian community to become a reality

To download the reports visit http://www.summerfoundation.org.au/attachments/151_White%20Paper %20Young%20People%20in%20Nursing%20Homes-lo.pdf and http://www.summerfoundation.org.au/attachments/151_White%20Paper %20Young%20People%20in%20Nursing%20Homes.pdf

TRAINING Free Publishing Forum

When: Wednesday 7 September 2011 9.15am for 9.30am start to 12:00pm Morning tea will be provided Where: Victoria Law Foundation, Level 5, 43 Hardware Lane, Melbourne 3000 Cost: Free Register: To register visit http://betterinformation.eventbrite.com/ Interested in effective community publishing? Want to know more about using plain language to produce better information?

This practical, step-by-step workshop will help you to: • Know your audience • Reach your audience • Make sure your information is understood

Forum attendees will also receive a hard copy of the Better Information Handbook

Staff Safety Half Day Workshops

When: Thursday 22nd Sept and 8th Dec 9:30am arrival for a 10am start - 1pm finish Where: Virginia Park Conference Centre 236-262 East Boundary Road North Drive, East Bentleigh Inside the Virginia Park Cafe Venue is close to public transport & free parking is available ) Cost: $150 (inc GST) Payment must be made prior to workshop Register: Further details and to register visit http://www.field.org.au/infocast11/all_stars/registration_form.pdf

For all enquiries, please contact Rod Catterall & Associates: Tel: 03 9579 0800 or 0418 564 249 Email: [email protected] Web: www.allstars.net.au

These workshops are aimed at staff who work with clients where there may be a risk of aggression.

In these workshops the following will be covered:  assessing risk and minimising risk  legal issues  managing your own feelings in difficult circumstances  therapeutic response techniques  a number of simple techniques for escaping from different grips and grabs with an emphasis on techniques that do not induce pain  restrictive interventions in physical restraint and what is acceptable in disability These workshops are consistent with Department of Human Services Code of Practice for the Prevention & Management of Violence in the Disability Services.

SUBMISSIONS, CONSULTATIONS AND FORUMS

YOU BE THE JUDGE - Disability Advocacy and the Legal System Strengthening Disability Advocacy Conference Hosted by DARU, SARU and VDAN

Monday March 26 and Tuesday March 27 2012 Melbourne & Olympic Park - Batman Ave Melbourne

Call For Expressions Of Interest

What is it all about? This 3rd Disability Advocacy Conference aims to ensure the disability advocacy sector understands and is well equipped to use the legal system in their advocacy practice.

The second day of the conference will also offer a best practice in advocacy theme.

Who should attend? It is for anyone who undertakes advocacy in their working or personal lives. This includes disability advocates, self advocates, people with disability, legal workers, government/non government officers, community workers and allied health professionals.

What do we want? We are seeking papers and workshop ideas that will meet the themes of the conference.

We encourage innovative presentations that will meet and increase the diverse range of skills of conference participants.

To download a copy of the Expression of Interest form visit http://www.daru.org.au/conference/items/2011/08/376013-upload- 00001.docx To download an easy English version Expression of Interest form visit http://www.daru.org.au/conference/items/376015-upload-00001.pdf

Need more information? If you would like to discuss your presentation &/or the themes please contact DARU on 9639 5807 email: [email protected] or SARU on 9639 6856 email [email protected]

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Seeds of Renewal Grant

Seeds of Renewal is a grants program, supported by ANZ, which aims to contribute to building thriving communities in regional Australia. In 2011, the program will provide grants of up to $15,000 to community organisations for projects focused on creating education and employment opportunities.

The grants are independently administered by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) which manages a number of grants programs across rural and regional Australia.

Not-for-profit community based organisations with an ABN or Incorporation Certificate which contribute to the development of education and employment opportunities of communities with a population of 15,000 people or less can apply.

Preference will be given to applications that help to advance education and employment opportunities for disadvantaged and under-represented groups in regional communities including (but not limited to) Indigenous Australians, people with disability, refugees, cultural and linguistically diverse groups, women and isolated communities.

Applications close 5pm Friday 23 September 2011. For more information on how to apply, please call 1800 170 020, visit http://www.frrr.org.au/programsDetail.asp?ProgramID=1or visit your local ANZ Branch or Business Centre. Cultivating Arts and Disability

Arts Access Australia and the Australia Council for the Arts are pleased to announce the launch of Cultivate, a new professional development fund for Australian artists with disability.

Cultivate will provide seed funding to artists who want to further develop their professional artistic practice with the aim of being better placed to pursue a professional artistic career and to compete for funding in general arts funding programs.

Grants of up to $8,000 will be available for the costs associated with growing applicants’ professional practice as artists. This could include specific skills or professional development opportunities, including mentoring.

Cultivate, which is also supported by the Australian Government through the Office for the Arts, begins to address the recommendation made in the National Arts and Disability Strategy to improve access to arts and cultural funding programs and processes for people with disability.

Cultivate also aims to act as a model of how arts funding processes can be made more accessible by letting artists apply in whatever way works best for them – which could be using Auslan, on video or face-to-face. A total of $40,000 of grant money will be available in 2011, which will be followed by a second round of $50,000 of grant money in 2012.

For a copy of the guidelines and application visit www.artsaccessaustralia.com

For more information, contact Arts Access Australia on: Email [email protected] Phone 0419 201 338 (voice / text)

Applicants are encouraged to contact Arts Access Australia prior to submitting your application. We can help answer questions about your application or support material and give you information on how to put together an effective application.

Applications for Cultivate are due Monday the 12th of September 2011.

PAID AND VOLUNTARY POSITIONS Co-Ordinator/Advocate - Readvertised

 (32 Hours per Week)  WS737676-NCM-30/7  Location: Warrnambool

Southwest Advocacy Association (SWAA) is an independent, community based, not for profit organisation, primarily funded by the Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs to provide advocacy for people with all types of disabilities and of all ages throughout south west Victoria.

The role of the Co-ordinator/ Advocate is to provide operational leadership and individual and systemic advocacy in a co-operative and dedicated team that is committed to and focused on defending and promoting the rights and interests of people with disabilities through advocacy action.

This position is based in Warrnambool, with regular travel throughout the south west region and occasional travel to centres such as Melbourne, Geelong and Bendigo, including overnight stays will be required.

The successful applicant will have a high level of maturity, self- motivation and personal responsibility and will be expected to be able to work independently and in an unsupervised capacity.

Experience in the social and community services sector and tertiary qualifications are essential along with a current Victorian drivers license.

Application letters addressing key selection criteria and resumes should be sent to Mr Jason Mitchem, Western District Employment Access, 86 Lava Street, Warrnambool VIC 3280, by Monday 12 September 2011.

New DiVine Writers Wanted

Victorians with a disability are invited to apply to join the DiVine team.

Successful applicants for the contracted writing positions will receive training and are paid for their work.

DiVine is Australia’s first online community by and for people with a disability. DiVine aims to inform, engage and entertain people with a disability. It is a vibrant community that encourages participation and a sense of belonging.

The website can be found at www.divine.vic.gov.au

Please find attached a Join the team application form with information about how Victorians with a disability can apply to join the DiVine team.

The Join the DiVine team application form can be downloaded from http://www.officefordisability.vic.gov.au/Join%20the%20DiVine%20team %20application%20form%202011.doc

Please contact us if you require the application form in an alternative format. You can use the online form below to submit your application and writing samples. Alternatively, you can send your application to: Jason Hill, DiVine Online Editor Office for Disability Level 11/1 Spring Street, Melbourne Victoria 3000 Phone: (03) 9208 3052 TTY: (03) 9208 3631 Fax: (03) 9208 3633 Email: [email protected]

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 an Administration Officer, Natasha Brake.

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.