DARU Update
11th January 2010
We hope you enjoy the 1st edition of the Update for 2010. As a result of
the feedback we received from last year’s survey we have slightly
changed the look of the Update. Please let us know what you think.
ON THE MOVE
IN THE NEWS
EVENTS
TRAINING
PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES
CONSULTATIONS
PAID AND VOLUNTARY POSITIONS
ON THE MOVE
The ‘On The Move’ section of the DARU Update highlights changes that
have taken place in the Disability Advocacy sector. Changes may be
staff movements or an organisation’s name or address. Please let us
know of any changes within your organisation. The ‘On The Move’
section of the Update will be a monthly inclusion.
Change of name for WRDN
The WRDN is no more. The organisation has changed its name to
disAbility connections (victoria).
New Contact details for Aids and Equipment Action Alliance
The Aids and Equipment Action Alliance has moved.
Their new contact details are;
Phone: 0458 361 497
Email: AEAA@msaustralia.org.au
Mail: The Nerve Centre, 54 Railway Road, Blackburn VIC 3130
Australian Association for Families of Children with a Disability
(AAFCD) Update
The Australian Association for Families of Children with a Disability
(AAFCD) has recently acquired independent status as a not for profit
company limited by guarantee.
After 9 years of being auspiced by the Victorian Association for Children
with a Disability (ACD), they have received funding from the
Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services
and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) to become an incorporated entity
supporting children with disability and their families.
Early in 2010 they will hold an official launch of the newly incorporated
organisation and announce a name change.
Their new Executive Officer is Stephanie Gotlib. Stephanie has worked
for the past 12 months as the Policy and Membership Coordinator for
AAFCD. Stephanie has personal experience of disability as a parent
and sibling and has worked for 20 years in a variety of roles in the area
of disability. Elizabeth McGarry, the previous Executive Officer, will now
concentrate her energy on the Victorian Association.
DPV Office Move
Disability Professionals Victoria (DPV) moved to new headquarters on
4th January 2010.
Their new address is;
2nd Level, 172 Flinders St
Melbourne VIC 3000
DPV is likely to have new phone and fax line numbers. Their new
contact details will be in the next Update
For any urgent matters you are encouraged to contact Amanda Chan via
email disabilityprofessionals@gmail.com or mobile 0407 101 291.
DPV would like to take the opportunity to thank VALID for the 3 years
they have been located with them in Napier St, Fitzroy. Their hospitality
and generosity has been absolutely fantastic, and we wish them the best
of luck.
Staff movements within the Office for Disability
Miriam McDonough has accepted a 12 month secondment position at
the Department of Human Services, Eastern Region. Miriam’s last day at
the Office for Disability was Friday 4th December 2009.
Miriam will be working as a Senior Program and Service Advisor in the
Capacity Development Team, Disability Partnership and Service
Planning Unit at Box Hill.
Miriam has been an absolute asset to the Disability Advocacy Program
within the last ten months. Miriam has worked tirelessly with Dean to
make sure the transfer of the program from DHS to DPCD has gone
smoothly.
If you have any queries regarding the Disability Advocacy Program
contact Dean Dadson via phone 9208 3915 or email
dean.dadson@dpcd.vic.gov.au.
IN THE NEWS
Inhumane Policy
The Age, Letters to the Editor, 7th January 2010 - by Christian Astourian
The Government has had a discriminatory process towards migrants
with a disability for more than 30 years. This is despite having signed the
United Nations' declaration on rights of migrants and refugees, and
ratified the convention on disabled people. However, the UN has not put
any warning or sanction on Australia because the number of migrants
and refugees who want to come here is very small compared to the
world-wide crisis of millions of people moving from one country to
another in Asia, Europe and Africa.
Closing the doors to people considered a ''burden'' demonstrates the
need for deeper awareness and education on the contribution that they
and their families can make to Australian society. Most families who
have children with a disability work even harder because they want to
secure their future. Australia's policies destroy families because they
may prevent the person with a disability from coming here. The way that
minorities and those in need are treated determines whether a society is
fair and democratic.
To read this letter in full click here.
CRPD Shadow Report Survey
The online survey for the CRPD Shadow Report Project has gone live.
For information about the project and to access the survey go to website
http://disabilityrightsnow.org.au/node/15 and click on 'Australian
Shadow Report' tab on the website tool bar.
The online survey is for people with disabilities rather than
organisations. Organisations can download the Shadow Report
Workbook from here - instructions on where to send completed
workbooks can also be found here.
EVENTS
Transition From School To Work For People With Disabilities
Presentation
If you are interested in transition from school to work for people with
disabilities, please keep Wednesday 24th February free for a
presentation by leading US educator and author Dr Richard Luecking.
More information will be sent out closer to the date when it is available.
If you have any questions, contact Lainy at Down Syndrome Victoria via
phone 1300 658 873.
TRAINING
Winning Presentation Skills - Public Speaking With Confidence and
Poise
Where Mezzanine Floor – Sue Healy Room, Ross House, 247 Flinders
Lane MELBOURNE
When Thursday 28th January 2010, 9.30 am - 4.30 pm
Register Cost $160. Including Morning/Afternoon tea, lunch,
comprehensive course manual and certificate of completion
This 1 day workshop is designed to take your public speaking to the next
level. If you find yourself doing more presentations, conferences, leading
meetings and public speaking and you are just not sure what you should
be doing on stage, how to maximise your message, how to grab your
audience’s attention, then this workshop is for you.
The ‘Winning Presentation Skills Workshop’ will put you ahead of the
rest of the crowd and ensure that you know how to:
 Deal with nerves and control any anxiety
 Create rapport with the audience
 Devise and structure a powerful and effective speech
 Master the platform
 Make full use of your voice
 Move your body and use gestures
 Present with passion and improved confidence
 Leave them with a memorable message
 Respond to questions from the audience
The presenter, Peter Dhu, is an experienced and acclaimed speaking
trainer and coach. His style is inspirational, using his own story of
adversity, mixed with experiential learning, example and theory that
cater for all learning styles. Peter, a Medical Scientist by profession, has
also studied extensively in the area of business and leadership,
culminating in his Masters of Business and Administration and Diploma
in Professional Coaching.
For registration and more information, contact Peter via email
peterdhu@bigpond.net.au, phone 0419 930 903 or Fax 08 6314 1620.
PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES
Auditor's General's Report: Making Public Transport More
Accessible for People Who Face Mobility Challenges
The Auditor General’s office has released a report regarding the
accessibility of the public transport system for people who experience
mobility challenges.
The report makes reference to audible announcement provision (or lack
thereof), the need to incorporate disability access in the planning of
infrastructure and the recognition that compliance does not necessarily
mean usability.
To access the Report and Summary Reports go to webpage
http://www.audit.vic.gov.au/reports__publications/reports_by_year/200910/20090912_distrspt.aspx
Emergency Preparedness Made Accessible
Australian Red Cross have launched two new emergency planning
resources for people with a disability. The two guides have been
developed in consultation with disability peak bodies, service providers,
advocacy groups and consumers.
Emergency REDiPlan: Household preparedness for people with a
disability and Emergency REDiPlan: Easy English (developed with
assistance from Scope Victoria) contains both an assessment tool for
individuals and/or carers, and how to complete a household plan.
The Red Cross guides are part of a wider Emergency REDiPlan
household preparedness project and follow four simple steps to assist
households prepare for an emergency. Other guides in the range include
information and practical activities for households, children and seniors.
Audio files covering Red Cross preparedness and recovery materials
and large text print formats are also available to assist people with vision
impairment.
Emergency REDiPlan materials are not hazard-specific and can be used
by households to prepare for all types and scales of emergencies.
The REDiPlan project is designed to complement the work of
organisations with a hazard-based focus in their preparedness activities
and offers the scope for some strong partnerships in support of more
vulnerable communities.
Red Cross Emergency REDiPlan guides are free for individual
households and are available on www.redcross.org.au or by phoning
Red Cross Victoria on 03 8327 7700 or emailing
rediplan@redcross.org.au.
CONSULTATIONS
Parliamentary Committee Inquiry Into Public Housing- Call For
Submissions
The Family and Community Development Committee of the Victorian
Parliament has commenced an inquiry into the adequacy and future
directions for public housing in Victoria and is currently calling for
submissions. The Committee's terms of reference can be found at
http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/fcdc/inquiries/public_housing/default.ht
m
To discuss the inquiry further or to contribute to VCOSS' response
contact Sarah Toohey, Policy Officer via phone 9654 5050 or email
sarah.toohey@vcoss.org.au.
Closing date for submissions is 29th January 2010
Forced Migration Review (FMR)– Call for Papers
The next edition of the Forced Migration Review (FMR) will be published
in June 2010 and will focus heavily on ‘disability and displacement’.
With a major feature section on disability and displacement, this issue
aims to challenge and help empower the international community to
respond to the needs and rights of refugees and IDPs. It will provide a
forum for practitioners, advocates, policymakers and researchers to
share experiences, debate perspectives and offer recommendations –
and will include a focus on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities (CRPD).
The Call for Papers is now open. FMR articles are short (maximum
2,500 words) and practice/policy-oriented. For more information go to
http://www.fmreview.org/disability/
The closing date for the Call for Papers is 31st January 2010.
To request an email alert when the issue goes online or a hard copy
when it is printed email fmr@qeh.ox.ac.uk.
Visitable And Adaptable Features In Housing RIS
The Minister for Planning, Department of Planning and Community
Development, has released the Visitable and Adaptable Features in
Housing Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS).
A public consultation on the RIS that examines the costs and benefits of
implementing a Victoria specific variation to the Building Code of
Australia is underway. The proposed variation would mandate 4
accessibility features in certain new housing; the features are:




a clear path from the street (or car parking area) to a level entry;
wider doorways and passages;
a toilet suitable for people with limited mobility on the entry level;
and
reinforced bathroom walls to allow grab rails to be fitted
inexpensively if they are needed later.
The RIS examines mandating the low-cost accessibility features in all
new single dwellings (BCA Class 1), and as flagged in the A Fairer
Victoria 2007, all new ground floor medium density dwellings and one in
five new high-rise dwellings (BCA Class 2).
The RIS analysis is predicated on the Government’s social policy
commitment to equity and fairness and the significant community
benefits to be gained from increasing participation, enabling people to
remain in their homes as they age, or for people of all ages to return to
their homes earlier after hospital care.
The RIS can now be downloaded from the website
www.dpcd.vic.gov.au. To request a hard copy phone 1300 366 356.
The public consultation period will be from the 22nd December 2009 - 5th
March 2010. Information on making a submission is available within the
RIS document.
PAID AND VOLUNTARY POSITIONS
DJA Part-time Advocate Position
Disability Justice Advocacy Inc (DJA) provides advocacy and referral
services for people who have high support needs as a result of physical
and/or multiple disabilities.
DJA are seeking a passionate, patient and experienced person to work
as part of the Advocacy team on a 6 months contract for 18 hours per
week from February 2010 to July 2010 with the possibility of extending
the contract subject to satisfactory performance.
Only applications addressing the Key Selection criteria will be
considered.
For more information contact Trevor Carroll, Executive Officer via phone
03 9481 7022, mobile 0418 513 304 or visit the website
www.justadvocacy.com
Closing date for applications is Friday 15th January 2010.
2010 Darebin Community & Kite Festival - Access Mentoring
Project
The Darebin City Council is seeking to recruit one person with a
disability, who wishes to gain experience working professionally in
events management, to work at the 2010 Darebin Community & Kite
Festival on Sunday 14th March in All Nations Park, Northcote.
The Darebin Community and Kite Festival is a fun, family friendly event
for the whole community. The festival is one of the largest events in
Darebin and one of largest events produced by the Darebin City Council
attracting approximately 40,000 people each year.
The Darebin City Council is committed to including people with
disabilities and the Deaf community in activities as audience members,
participants, performers and staff.
The person will work with and assist experienced professional festival
employees with specific duties at the 2010 Darebin Community and Kite
Festival and will include training prior to the event. This is a paid
position.
To apply applicants will need to provide:
- Current CV
- Mentoring Expressions Of Interest (EOI) Form
To download a copy of the EOI form click here.
Applicants will preferably have;
 Demonstrated experience and/or a keen interest in festivals and
events.
 Basic knowledge of Festival set-up requirements.
 Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively in a team environment.
 Demonstrated ability to carry out instructions once allocated.
 Demonstrated commitment to customer service.
 Demonstrated ability to remain calm in a busy environment.
 Bi-lingual skills are an advantage.
 An ABN number is not required.
For more information contact Craig via phone 8470 8211 or email
craig.rogers@darebin.vic.gov.au
Genetic Support Network of Victoria- Education and Peer Support
Coordinator
The Genetic Support Network Victoria (“GSNV”) is a vibrant and active
organisation which aims to maintain a thriving network committed to
promoting the interests and well-being of people affected by
genetic conditions.
The Network is proud to be associated with a wide range of support
groups throughout Victoria as well as peak professional bodies such as
Genetic Health Services Victoria.
An exciting opportunity has become available for an Education and Peer
Support Coordinator (Maternity leave position for 6 months) to provide
first-point-of-call support, referral, and advice to individuals and
families affected by genetic conditions, peer support groups and other
interested parties.
In addition, you will also provide support to the programs and services of
the GSNV. This position would suit an applicant who has experience in
the field of Genetic Counselling, Social Work, Health Promotion and
Health Education. Applicants must also have demonstrated knowledge,
understanding, and experience in working with people with a disability or
a chronic illness and their families.
You will possess Certificate IV in Training and Assessment as this
position will be involved in regular public speaking events. You will also
possess excellent communication skills, both written and oral and a
high degree of computer literacy (including word, excel & powerpoint).
This position is also subject to a working with children & national police
clearance.
For more information contact Louisa Di Pietro, GSNV President via email
louisa@tsv.org.au
Applications (quoting reference number MC2044) must address the
essential selection criteria plus the details of 3 referees to Human
Resources via email mailto:recruitment@mcri.edu.au
The closing date for application is 17th January 2010
Homeless Persons' Legal Clinic - Homeless Persons' Liaison
Officer
The Homeless Persons' Legal Clinic (HPLC), a specialist legal service
for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, is seeking a
social / outreach worker to take on the challenging role
of Homeless Persons' Liaison Officer (HPLO).
The HPLO will provide casework services to homeless users of the
Melbourne Magistrates’ Court of Victoria and undertake law reform and
advocacy work aimed at improving outcomes for homeless court users.
Experience working with those who are homeless or at risk of
homelessness, including the provision of outreach services, is essential.
Interested applicants should read the following recruitment pack.
Applications should be sent to: Executive Director, PILCH, PO
Box 16013 Collins Street West VIC 8007, or submitted online at
http://www.pilch.org.au/jobs/
For more information contact T J Riddell via phone (03) 8636 4411 or
email tj.riddell@pilch.org.au
The closing date for applications is 27th January 2010.
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 Coordinator, 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 admin@daru.org.au.
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.