Hello, and Welcome to the Weekly Update from the Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU) s1

DARU Update

26th January 2009

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 Administrator, 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

SUBMISSION

PAID AND VOLUNTARY POSITIONS IN THE NEWS

Virgin Blue in court over website The Age, Melissa Singer – 19th January 2009

A Brisbane man is taking budget airline Virgin Blue to court over claims its website unfairly discriminates against people with visual impairments.

Les Kerr, 53, has been visually impaired since contracting an "aggressive glaucoma" about three years ago. Mr Kerr, said Virgin Blue's website, with its use of light grey on a white background and difficulty in enlarging the text without distorting the page, was especially difficult for him to use.

Mr Kerr said he approached Virgin Blue directly about improving its website, but when that went nowhere, he took his claim to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) before deciding to pursue court action.

Colin Lippiatt, public affairs manager for Virgin Blue, said the airline had previously "engaged Vision Australia to review our websites". “Any recommendations are however over and above legislative requirements but even so we will adopt as many as we can because Virgin Blue values our commitment to ensuring that the services we provide to our guests with special needs are appropriate."

There are no laws in Australia covering website accessibility, but section 24 of the Federal Disability Discrimination Act requires companies to make all parts of their business accessible to people with disabilities.

To read this article in full click here.

Life devoted to human rights The Australian, John Stapleton – 26th January 2009

Asked to sum up a rich and eventful life, Faith Bandler has no trouble. "Human rights for those who have been deprived of them," she says. "That is what my life has been about."

Ms Bandler, 88, a pivotal figure in the history of Aboriginal activism, has been made a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for her service to the community through the advancement of human rights and social justice.

During the 1950s, Ms Bandler worked with the Aboriginal- Australian Fellowship and the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

It was in this period, in the lead-up to the 1967 referendum, that she organised massive petitions and hundreds of town hall meetings to push for fair treatment of indigenous people.

The referendum abolished the state laws under which Aboriginal people were forced to live, and brought them under federal jurisdiction.

To read this article in full click here

Australians Honoured

Throughout the year there are a range of ‘Honours Announcements’ made public. These include the Australia Day Honours on Australia Day on 26th January, Queen’s Birthday Honours in June, Honorary Awards - Order of Australia and Australian Bravery Decorations announcements.

These honours recognise and celebrate ordinary Australians who show courage, self-sacrifice, dedication, love and service to their community and humanity.

Those who received special commendation, include;

- Mrs Leonie Frederica Courtney-Bennett, deceased - For service to people with a vision impairment through the Association for the Blind of Western Australia and as a teacher of Braille. - Mr Ian Leslie Carter - For service to the community, particularly through Anglicare WA and through executive roles in a range of social justice and community organisations.

- Mr James George Douglas - For service to people with a hearing impairment through the Western Australian Deaf Society.

- Dr Robert Leslie Weiland - For service to education in Western Australia, particularly for children with special learning needs.

To view the Australia Day 2009 honours list in full click here.

Govt 'ready to act' if financial crisis hits welfare sector ABC News online, 26th January 2009

Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard will meet with representatives from Australia's charitable organisations to discuss the impact a slowing economy will have on the welfare sector.

Charity groups are bracing for increases in unemployment and homelessness and want more funds to provide extra welfare services.

Ms Gillard says she will take advice on how the Government can respond.

"I will be having that discussion for the purpose of seeing what people think is already happening and is likely to happen in terms of unemployment, housing and mental stress on members of the community," she said.

The St Vincent de Paul Society has called for the Federal Government to do away with a punitive approach to distributing unemployment benefits. Chief executive John Falzon says Australia should move towards a system where the unemployed are given a guaranteed basic minimum income.

To read this article in full click here EVENTS

Everyday People Everyday rights – Human Rights Conference 09

When Monday 16th – Tuesday 17th March 2009 Where Melbourne Park Function Centre, Batman Avenue, Melbourne. Register To download a registration form click here. A limited number of registrations are available free of charge for students, unemployed people or those for whom paying full price would cause financial hardship. To apply to register free of charge contact Slavka Scott via phone (03) 9281 7150 or email [email protected]

The ‘Everyday People Everyday rights – Human Rights Conference 09’ presents an exciting opportunity to hear from respected human rights advocates, engage in lively panel discussions and be part of the latest discussion on protecting human rights.

This conference is targeted at staff and managers in the public sector, local government, business, the legal profession, community and welfare organisations, human rights advocates and educators.

For more information and to register visit the website http://www.humanrightsconference.com.au/.

Free technology reviews for community organisations

Infoxchange is offering a new IT service to Victorian community organisations.

This service, called MeasureIT, includes;  A quick survey of your computers and software  An assessment of your internet, database and phone systems.  A discussion about your Information and Communication Technology (ICT) capabilities and needs and how your organisation could make better use of technology. This will provide you with an opportunity to discuss your IT needs with a technician from the not-for-profit sector. You will also receive a report in plain English with recommendations on how your organisation could use ICT more efficiently.

Are you eligible? If you’re funded by the Department of Human Services and have less than ten employees you are eligible to receive the MeasureIT service. To register phone 03 9418 7490 or email [email protected].

Visits will be conducted over the next six months.

For more information about MeasureIT, visit Wired News on the Grassroots website www.grassroots.org.au .

TRAINING

Making rights real: Seminars on how to use human rights and equal opportunity laws in the community, at work, at school and in sport

Victoria is leading the way in building a human rights culture in Australia with our Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities 2006 (Vic) (the Charter).

The Charter is an agreed set of democratic rights and freedoms protected by law that requires all public authorities, and any organisation providing public services on behalf of government, to act in a way that is consistent with human rights.

The Commission administers the Equal Opportunity Act 1995 (Vic) and the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 (Vic). These laws protect people from discrimination, harassment (including sexual harassment) and racial and religious vilification.

Since equal opportunity laws were introduced in Victoria more than 30 years ago, they have grown into powerful and flexible tools for community organisations and the communities they serve. Come and learn how you can put the Charter and equal opportunity law into practice and contribute to social change.

To register online and to download the 2009 training calendar, visit the VEOHRC website

For more information contact Cameron via phone 9281 7122.

PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES

Sector sustainability campaign

VCOSS has launched a campaign to lobby the state government for improved funding for community sector organisations.

A report by Allen Consulting commissioned by VCOSS shows that community agencies are working efficiently and cannot continue to find savings without turning away clients or offering reduced services.

To download a copy of this report visit VCOSS website.

Latest edition of Inform Extra.

To download the latest edition of Inform Extra click here.

This is the first edition to incorporate our new logo and the name change from ParaQuad Victoria to Independence Australia.

If you would like to receive future editions of this newsletter contact Christine via [email protected] .

SUBMISSION

ASLIA National Conference 2009 – ‘An Opportunity’

Australian Sign Language Interpreters Association (ASLIA) will be hosting their annual conference in Melbourne from the 21st - 23rd August 2009. ASLIA expect about 250 sign language interpreting practitioners from Australia and overseas are expected to attend the conference.

The event aims to provide professional development, training and networking opportunities for Auslan/English interpreters, Deaf interpreters, Interpreter trainers and consumers of sign language interpreters.

Sponsorship ASLIA are keen to hear from organisations who are interested in sponsoring the conference.

Your assistance will help to ensure the success of the event and allow you to promote your organisation to a range of delegates, both local and international. A range of sponsorship packages are available.

For more information about a range of sponsorship packages click here For more details on the ASLIA conference visit the website www.anc09.com

Questions about sponsorship can be directed to Danielle via email [email protected].

PAID AND VOLUNTARY POSITIONS

DJA Advocate

Disability Justice Advocacy Inc. (DJA) provides advocacy to people who have high support needs as a result of physical or multiple disabilities.

DJA is seeking a passionate and experienced person to work in our small advocacy team for 2 days (14 hours) per week, preferably on a Wednesday and Thursday.

Salary is in accordance with the Social & Community Services (SACS) 2000 Award for a Community Development Worker Class 2B and Disability Justice Advocacy’s EBA. To download a copy of the position description including key selection criteria click here.

Applications, addressing the key Selection criteria, should be sent to Kerry Potter, Executive Officer, Disability Justice Advocacy via post PO Box 588, Northcote. 3070 or email [email protected].

Closing date for applications is Friday 30th January.

Reception and Administration officer - Down Syndrome Victoria

Down Syndrome Victoria is seeking a full time Receptionist and Administrative Officer to work at their Fitzroy office.

Down Syndrome Victoria is the state-wide peak membership organisation representing individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

As Receptionist and Administrative Officer, you will provide - reception support to members of Down Syndrome Victoria and the general public both in person and by telephone. - administration tasks including mail, database maintenance, various accounts functions, various membership functions and general enquiries.

The provision of information to members and the community is integral to this role.

If you have any questions about this position you are encouraged to contact Catherine via email [email protected] .

For more information and to download a copy of the position description visit the website http://www.downsyndromevictoria.org.au/

Closing date for applications is Tuesday 3rd February.