PWD E-Bulletin |
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Issue 35, October 2006
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 Allyson Campbell at PWD on email pwd@pwd.org.au or on one of the numbers listed at the end of this bulletin.
Contents
New South Wales newsOther state and territory newsNational newsInternational newsThe inside storyNew publications and resourcesConferences and eventsAbout PWDPrivacy statement |
++Special update – The minister and the mediaDear advocacy organisations,A front page article in the 20 October 2006 edition of The Australian, “Cobb would 'get rid of' disabled child”, reports on comments Minister Cobb made to a group of advocacy organisations that attended a meeting with him on 12 September 2006. Those organisations represented were People with Disability Australia (PWD), Queensland Advocacy Incorporated (QAI), Queensland Parents for People with a Disability Inc. (QPPD), Family Advocacy, and Action for Community Living. PWD wishes to provide some background information to this article.The above organisations sought this meeting with Minister Cobb to raise our concerns around the process of the review of the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP). These concerns included:
We sought this meeting with the aim of discussing all concerns in a constructive and open manner. PWD, along with the other organisations listed above, remains committed to working with all of you and the Federal Government in regards to the review of the NDAP. We remain committed to ensuring that this review proceeds in a fair and transparent manner. It is also particularly important that the review is conducted in this manner in light of the current negotiations around the forthcoming Commonwealth, State and Territory Disability Agreement (CSTDA). Clear and positive outcomes from the NDAP will be vital to informing the outcomes of the CSTDA.
For a link to the article in The Australian, see: www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20613101-601,00.html For more information, please contact Alastair McEwin, Chief Executive Officer, PWD, on (02) 9370 3100 or 0410 558 497. NSW news++Alternative family based care for children and young people with disabilityThe Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) is advertising for tenders to provide alternative family care in Northern, Western and Southern NSW. Called Family Choices, the new program aims to provide voluntary, alternative family care for children and young people with disability who in rare circumstances are unable to live permanently with their families, and where there are no child protection reasons for alternative family care. Family Choices will provide a range of voluntary care options including extended family/kinship care, foster care and shared care based on ‘the best interests of the child’ principle. It will include ongoing, coordinated case management for children and young people and their families, and will emphasise continuing involvement between children and young people and their birth families. Family Choices is expected to provide culturally competent family based options that respond to the needs of children, young people and families from Aboriginal and culturally and linguistically diverse communities. The Family Choices program is part of the NSW framework, Supporting Families Care for Children and Young People with a Disability that was developed in 2005 by DADHC. PWD participated in a number of meetings and provided comment on draft policies and program descriptions during the development phase. This framework aims to provide a range of supports to children and young people and their families, including support to prevent family crisis that can lead to children and young people being placed in alternative care. PWD welcomes the NSW framework and the support programs that will be implemented as part of the framework including Family Choices. PWD has advocated for many years for more resources and intensive support for children and young people with disability and their families in NSW to prevent the crisis that leads to many families being unable to care for their child. Many of these families have felt they have had no choice but to leave their child in respite care facilities. The programs that make up the NSW framework are just beginning to be implemented and the potential benefits to children and young people with disability and families may not be evident for some time. PWD will continue to work with DADHC on the NSW framework as well as monitor its implementation, particularly its impact on addressing the continual need for support services for children and young people with disability and their families.
For more information on the Family Choices tender go to: www.dadhc.nsw.gov.au/dadhc/Doing+business+with+us/tenders.htm For more information about PWD’s work in this area, contact Therese Sands, PWD. ++NSW Mental Health Bill 2006PWD has been participating in the review of the NSW Mental Health Act 1990 for the past three years. The NSW Government has now released an exposure draft Bill for consultation. In preparing our response, PWD attended a consultation on the draft Bill conducted jointly by the Mental Health Coordinating Council (MHCC) and the NSW Council of Social Services (NCOSS) on 27 September. We are also analysing comments and opinions from mental health consumers, community legal centres and mental health services. PWD is particularly concerned about elements of the Bill that impact negatively on the rights of mental health consumers.
Responses to the draft Bill are due on 3 November. To view the draft, go to: www.health.nsw.gov.au/legal/actsreview.html#mental Key elements of our response will be reported in future editions of E-Bulletin. For more information about PWD’s response, contact Therese Sands, PWD. ++Sterilisation of children with an intellectual disabilityIn August 2003, the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General (SCAG) agreed to develop a nationally consistent approach to the authorisation procedures required for the lawful sterilisation of children with a decision making disability. In 2004, PWD responded to an Issues Paper released by SCAG to gather comment on the sterilisation of children with decision making disability. After reviewing responses to this Issues Paper a working group reporting to SCAG has prepared a draft model Bill to assist the Attorneys-General resolve a number of outstanding policy issues. This draft model Bill along with a second Issues Paper has been released for comment. While the SCAG has emphasised that the provisions in the draft model Bill do not represent a settled policy position, PWD is very concerned that the Bill allows for the non-therapeutic sterilisation of children with intellectual disability. Our position, which we will state strongly in our response, is that no child, whether they have a disability or not, should be sterilised for non-therapeutic purposes. Key elements of our response will be reported in future editions of E-Bulletin. For more information about PWD’s response contact Therese Sands, PWD.++Action on voter discrimination: UpdateRecently PWD was asked to present oral evidence to the NSW Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (JSCEM) Inquiry into Voter Enrolment. This followed our written submission (see E-Bulletin 32). In its report to the NSW Parliament the JSCEM made a number of recommendations that should enable people with disability to better access the electoral system. These include:
A full copy of the report is available on the NSW Parliament website at: www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/PARLIAMENT/Committee.nsf/0/53D4A5BE10505637CA2571F6001846A0 PWD has actively worked over a number of years on ensuring the civil rights of people with disability are met. Much of our work has focused on the lack of access for many people with disability to various aspects of voting. This has included making submissions to parliamentary inquiries. For further details please contact Digby Hughes, PWD.++Licensed Residential CentresPWD continues to provide advocacy for residents of Licensed Residential Centres (boarding houses) throughout NSW. Recently a boarding house in Petersham closed and PWD was involved in ensuring that the needs and wishes of the residents were met when their future accommodation was being decided. Due to their age and care needs, many of the residents moved into aged care. PWD was encouraged by the action of the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) in proceeding with legal action against a licensee of a boarding house for alleged breaches of their license provisions relating to fire safety. The safety of residents should be of the utmost importance and it is good to see DADHC using the legislation to its fullest extent. For further details please contact Digby Hughes, PWD.++More on housing issuesPWD participated in a project to identify shared equity models of housing for people with disability, commissioned by NSW Housing and carried out by Alt Consulting. The consultancy team has now completed the final report for the project, which is being considered by the Department of Housing and the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care. Once this has been completed PWD understands that a pilot project will be developed. For further details please contact Digby Hughes, PWD.++New apprenticeship opportunitiesIn 2006-2007 the Apprenticeship Program for People with Disabilities will support 20 new positions in addition to the existing 39 apprentices. As in previous years, the NSW Department of Education and Training (DET) will fund the difference between the award wage and allowances of an apprentice and the DAAWS subsidy, for the term of the apprenticeship. Positions are available in various locations and various areas, including cookery, plumber, electrician, gardener, carpenter, and painting and decorating. Applications close at 5pm on Friday, 10 November 2006. For an application form and information, go to: www.det.nsw.edu.au/eas/disabled or phone 02 9266 8457.++Visit Parliament - Free lunchtime public tourA one hour tour is held on the first Thursday of each month, 1pm - 2pm. Visit the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council chambers as well as the historic parts of this public building. Learn about the role of parliament within our democratic system of government. No bookings necessary. Meet in the forecourt of Parliament House from 12:45pm for a 1pm start. For further information call the Education and Community Relations Section on (02) 9230 2047. |
Other states and territory news |
National news++Young People in Nursing HomesPWD continues to work with the National Alliance of Young People in Nursing Homes (YPINH). Over 7,000 people under the age of 65 currently reside in aged care facilities throughout Australia. Recently the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous affairs (FaCSIA) issued a Request For Information on innovative methods of delivering provision of support and supported accommodation for younger people with disability in residential aged care. In our response PWD stated that we do not support any one model of support. We believe that the support each individual with disability requires needs to be adequately assessed and understood. PWD believes that to propose a one size fits all approach would almost be as damaging to the individuals concerned as remaining in an aged care facility. PWD believes that all proposed options must contain some key components. These include:
PWD has also consulted with the Disability Discrimination Legal Centre (DDLC) and the Brain Injury Association of NSW (BIANSW). Our aim is to ensure that the rights of young people currently residing in aged care facilities are not overridden by service providers and for profit companies. For further information please contact Digby Hughes, PWD.++Australian Network for Universal Housing Design: An updateOn 8 November the Australian Network for Universal Housing Design (ANUHD) will be hosting the National Forum on Universal Housing Design. Speakers at the forum include the NSW Minister for Ageing, Disability and Home Care, The Hon John Della Bosca, and Mr Ross Clark, General Manager Operations, Royal Australian Institute of Architects. There will be plenary sessions on topics including Intelligent Housing Design – International Perspectives and Initiatives, and Challenges to the Development of a Sustainability Code for Housing. Assistance with the forum has been provided by Macquarie Bank, The Disability Council of NSW and The Independent Living Centre of NSW. Full details of the forum can be found at: www.anuhd.org. For further details please contact Digby Hughes, PWD.++National forums on the Commonwealth State Territory Disability Agreement for people with disabilityThe Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) wants to hear the views of people with disability on the adequacy of supports and assistance that are available to them. AFDO is conducting national consultations for the Federal Government about the Commonwealth-State/Territory Disability Agreement (CSTDA). The CSTDA is an agreement between the federal, state and territory governments about the way that services for people with disability are provided. A number of forums are being held so that people with disability can provide their views on these important issues. Places are limited, so please RSVP to the organisers of the forum you wish to attend as soon as possible! Please make sure you advise of any support needs when you RSVP. The forums are being held nationally on the following dates:
Victoria (NB: A targeted consultation for the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) community) When: 27 October 2006 Time: 10.30am - 12.30pm Where: Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association (MDAA), 40 Albion Street, HARRIS PARK RSVP to: Judith Goddard Ph: 02 9891 6400 TTY: 02 9687 6325 Email: judith.goddard@pwd.org.au
New South Wales
Queensland
Western Australia
South Australia ++The Australian Fair Pay Commission has announced its Federal minimum wage decisionThe Commission announced an increase of $27.36 per week for minimum wage rates up to $700 and $22.04 per week for minimum wage rates $700 and above. The Commission has also created new wage instruments for people with disability in both open and supported employment. At time of writing PWD had not yet assessed the full implications and details of the decision.
The Commission has also published fact sheets on its website that attempt to explain the implications of its decision for people with disability. The decision and fact sheets can be found at www.fairpay.gov.au/ ++Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's OH&S working groupPWD has been invited to participate in Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s (HREOC) Working Group examining the OH&S issues confronting employers of people with disability. The Working Group is formed to further a recommendation from HREOC’s recent report into employment and people with disability, which reads: The Inquiry recommends development of strategies to address concerns about the potential financial impact of, and legal risks created by, occupational health and safety laws, disability discrimination laws, industrial relations laws, and the interaction between those laws, on employers who hire people with disability. In addition to organisations of people with disability (PWD, AFDO), HREOC has invited representatives from a range of sectors, including government departments and agencies, workers compensation and safety authorities, employer peaks, unions, and employment service providers. PWD will keep readers informed of the Working Group's progress in overcoming barriers to employment for people with disability. Please do not hesitate to contact Matthew Keeley at PWD if you wish to provide comment on this issue. |
International newsUN convention on the rights of people with disabilityThe current revised text of the UN Convention on the rights of people with disability was released in additional languages on the UN Enable website as part of an Ad Hoc Committee Interim Report on its 8th Session. This report is now available in six languages. For the English version, go to:
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/rights/ahc8intreporte.htm |
The inside story++PWD Annual General Meeting 2006The Annual General Meeting of People with Disability Australia Incorporated will be held on Saturday 18 November 2006. The AGM will be held from 3pm – 5pm in the Circular Quay Room, Level 1 at the Mercure Hotel, Sydney, 818 – 820 George Street Sydney. A Cocktail Party will follow this from 5.30pm – 7.30pm in the Museum and St James Rooms on Level 1. Return to top |
Publications and resources++Publications and resourcesReturn to top |
Conferences and events++I November 2006The New Eugenics, a seminar organised by Queensland Advocacy Incorporated, with guest speaker Melinda Tankard Reist (author of Defiant birth: Woman who resist medical eugenics). 9.30am to 4.00pm at Riverglenn, 70 Kate Street, Indooroopilly. For further information, contact Lisa Bridle (07 3236 1122 or lisa@qai.org.au++8 November 2006The Australian Network for Universal Housing Design (ANUHD)’s Inaugural National Forum on Universal Housing: Unlimited by design will be held on 8 November 2006 at the Avillion Hotel, 389 Pitt Street, Sydney. This event is supported by PWD and the Disability Council of NSW. Presentations by leading national speakers on housing research, planning, design and construction will present various perspective on key issues. For more information contact Amelia Starr at Amelia.Starr@dadhc.nsw.gov.au or Digby Hughes, PWD.++15-17 November 2006The right to health care: Evidence, ethics and health in people with developmental disability. Sydney Masonic Centre Conference Centre, 66 Goulburn Street Sydney. Centre for Developmental Disability Studies (CDDS) and Australian Association of Developmental Disability Medicine. For further information or to place your name on a mailing list to receive the conference registration brochure, please email: Tony Harman at tonyharman@med.usyd.edu.au++16-17 November 20066th Annual Australasian Society for the Study of Intellectual Disability (ASSID) Conference for Disability Support Workers, University of Melbourne. Email: dswconference@rmit.edu.au++23-24 November 2006Australia Fair – advance or retreat? ACOSS Congress 2006 at Australian Technology Park, Sydney. Keynote speaker is Patrick Dodson, who will speak on whether fairness for Indigenous people and reconciliation has advanced and what actions are needed to improve the rights and well-being of Indigenous people in Australia. For registration details, go to: www.hotelnetwork.com.au.++2-5 January 2007Semantic and Sociolinguistic features of Auslan, Seminar organised by Department of Languages, Canberra Institute of Technology. Guest lecturer: Sandra Leane, Professional Auslan Interpreter. Fur further information, contact Amanda Dolejsi, phone: 62074350; email: mandy.dolejsi@cit.act.edu.au; or Margot McKenna, phone: 62073500; email: margot.mckenna@cit.act.edu.au. Closing date for enrolments is Friday, 8 December 2006++7-9 February 2007Having a Say Conference 2007, Geelong, Victoria. Early bird registration rates available until 24 November2006. The Conference Registration Form and the Sponsorship application are available on the conference website: http://www.valid.org.au.++12-13 March 200723rd Annual Pacific Rim Conference on Disabilities at Sheraton Waikiki Hotel & Resort: Call for papers and registration now open. For information, go to http://www.pacrim.hawaii.edu.++7-10 March 2007Online registrations are now open for the 9th National Rural Health Conference to be held in Albury in March 2007 at www.ruralhealth.org.au and the full program has also been published. The website contains all the information you will need about the cost of registration, pre-conference events, the venue, the exhibition, sponsorship opportunities, travel and accommodation. Please contact us if you unable to access the internet or if you have any troubledownloading documents or registering online. PO Box 280Deakin West ACT 2600 Phone: 02 6285 4660 Email: conference@ruralhealth.org.au ++2-3 April 2007The ACROD 2007 Ageing and Disability Conference at the Hilton Hotel, Adelaide aims to integrate policy, research and practice to improve society’s response to the needs and lifestyle preferences of older people with disability. ACROD Limited is calling for the submission of abstracts from people wishing to present papers at the Conference. Abstracts are due 9 October 2006. Enquiries: Philippa Angley, ACROD Victoria, Ph 03 9362 0800 or 0411 773 707, philippa.angley@acrod.org.au ; www.acrod.org.au/conferences/a&d2007/home.htm |
++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 Allyson Campbell, PWD. ++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 our Senior Education Officer, Samantha French or Ph 02 9370 3100. |
++Privacy statementWe 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
Allyson Campbell, 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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