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 Resource Librarian Viccy Gurr
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 Sharon
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
Federal Government Plans to Get Disabled Working
Premier's Statement of Government Intentions for 2008
Notice of Motion - Supported Accommodation Review
Disabled Motorists Association (DMA) goes national
EVENTS
Forum-The Respite Care Needs of Families Living with Children with Additional Needs or Disabilities
Policy, Partnerships & Performance - Centre for Public Policy Symposium
Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities Inc.
A Home of My Own
Operation Success $ Savers, Services and Support for Smarter Community Organisations
ACOSS Conference: Taking Steps for a Fair Go for All – Social Inclusion Policies and Processes.
TRAINING
What is Good Advocacy?
How Government Works
S.R.V. Towards a Better Life An exploration of the Social Role Valorisation framework with regard to people who are marginalised
PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES
Carer payment (child): a new approach
Mobility Map
GRANTS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Victorian Law Foundation: General Grants Program Funding Round Open
Telstra Developing Athletes Grants
SURVEYS
CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS
United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.
PAID AND VOLUNTARY POSITIONS
National Advocacy Officer
Disability Advocate CALD focus
Team Leader Aged and Disability
Project Officer
Manager, Online Accessibility Consulting
Metro Access Project Officer
IN THE NEWS
Federal Government Plans to Get Disabled Working
The Age 15 February 2008
The Federal Government has launched a new strategy aimed at encouraging more people with a mental illness or a disability into the work force. The Government will make the announcement at a meeting with a group of welfare agencies, which have expressed concern about the previous Government's Welfare to Work program.
Employment Participation Minister Brendan O'Connor says the launch of the National Mental Health and Disability Employment strategy fulfils a Labor Party election promise.
"The strategy will identify why people with a disability and a mental illness find participation difficult and we want to put in place strategies to address these challenges," he said. Australia's tight labour market makes it even more important to bring down the barriers which prevent some people getting a job. "If we don't do that, then we are not doing the right thing for people with mental illness or with a disability and we are not doing the right thing for the country," he said.
Click here to read the full story.
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Premier's Statement of Government Intentions for 2008
Peter Batchelor MP - Minister for Community Development
In his speech to Parliament on Wednesday 6 February, the Premier described fairness as one of the three core values underlying our government's approach. He said: 'By fairness - I mean striving to give every Victorian every chance to reach their full potential in their education, in their work, in their work and in their community.'
The statement has a strong emphasis on continuing our work to make Victoria a fairer place. This is reflected in the four themes for government activity for 2008, the first of which is to: 'Deliver improved services to families – particularly in education, health and addressing the needs of disadvantaged Victorians.'
Click here to download the Premiers speech ‘Annual Statement of Government Intentions 2008’.
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Notice of Motion - Supported Accommodation Review
Mary Wooldridge MP, State Member for Doncaster, Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Drug Abuse, Community Services and Ageing
The Victorian Liberal Party moved a motion in the Legislative Council to set up a review of supported accommodation for Victorians with a mental illness and/or disability. This would be carried out by the Family and Community Development Committee. This motion will hopefully be debated during the next sitting week (26-28 February). With the support of the non-government parties in the Council this review will go ahead.
The proposed review will map the current system, identify service gaps, quantify the level of unmet need and chart a better way forward. It will also seek to understand the impact on families of the failures of the current system. To view the notice of motion clickhere
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Disabled Motorists Association (DMA) goes national
DMA is a non profit association of disabled drivers and those providing professional or technical support to the association.
DMA is now advocating nationally for people with a disability as drivers and motorists. They are located at 2A Station Street, Coburg.
You can phone the office on 9386 0413 or email for more information and to obtain a membership application.
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RECHARGE Scheme
The RECHARGE Scheme is a MetroAccess initiative in partnerships with local businesses and Mobility Aids Australia Pty. Ltd. This scheme is about encouraging businesses in the community to provide a power point so people who use an electric scooter or wheelchair can recharge their battery if required. The cost to recharge a battery for up to an hour is under 20 cents.
The RECHARGE Scheme is now readily available across Nillumbik Cardinia, Maroondah and the Central Hume region. It will soon be available in 18 other municipalities.
To find out more, visit the RECHARGE Scheme website www.rechargescheme.org.au
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EVENTS
Forum-The Respite Care Needs of Families Living with Children with Additional Needs or Disabilities
When: Thursday 21 February 2008 11.30am – 2-30pm
Lunch will be provided
Where: Richmond Town Hall, Room 2
Registration: Contact Liz Dimitriadis
Tel: 03 9509 6972 Email:
Cost: No cost
The purpose of the forum is to discuss issues, barriers and opportunities for families in accessing respite care and how organisations in the City of Yarra could address
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Policy, Partnerships & Performance - Centre for Public Policy Symposium
When: 9:00am, Friday 29th February, 2008
Where: Graduate House Leicester St. Carlton
Professor Ann Capling, the Director of the Centre for Public Policy, invites you to a one-day symposium on the topic of Policy, Partnerships and Performance. This symposium will explore the challenges and opportunities of partnerships between governments, business and the community sector, as well as issues relating to participation, inclusion and performance.
For more information click here
Australian Rehabilitation & Assistive Technology Association Biennial Conference : Assistive Technology: Creating Value Through Participation
Call for abstracts. Closing date: 29 February 2008
Conference presenters will come from diverse backgrounds and will have experience or knowledge in the application or use of assistive technology for people with disabilities and those who are ageing.
When: Monday 22 – Wednesday 24 September 2008,
Where: Adelaide, South Australia
Click here for further information.
ARATA’s biennial conference provides a forum for exploring issues in and the value of assistive technology for people with disabilities and the ageing.
The conference will focus on enhancing and recognising the value of participation, through technology, of people with disabilities and those who are ageing. In keeping with world trends, all aspects of human activity will be considered - home, education, work and leisure. Participants will be able to experience the creativity that is possible through the effective use of technology. The experience of older people and those with disabilities themselves will be a valuable part of this event.
Enquiries regarding Sponsorship, Exhibition and Registration contact: A.M. Meetings Plus Pty Ltd
Phone: +61 (0)3 9372 7182
Fax: +61 (0)3 9372 7184
Email: www.arata.org.au
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A Home of My Own
When: Thursday 13 March, 10.30am to 4pm.
Where: Monash Library, Wheelers Hill Meeting Room, 860 Ferntree Gully Road, Wheelers Hill (Melways 71 J10).
Registration: Contact Anita O'Brien on 0416 064 045 or click here to download the registration form
Cost: $176 (Concession $44)
This seminar hosted by the Personalised Lifestyle Assistance project features Canadian Alison Ouellette. Alison is an activist, advocate and author. Alison tells the story of assisting her son Dave to move into a home of his own
For further information click here or phone Deb Rouget on 0412 001 388
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Operation Success $ Savers, Services andSupportfor Smarter Community Organisations
When Thursday 13 March 9:00am—1:30pm
Where Darebin Shire Hall, Cnr Gower and High Streets, Preston
Registration: A registration form can be downloaded here
Cost: A $20 administration fee is charged for this event
The morning will showcase success stories, ideas, services and resources community service organisations can utilise to operate smarter, freeing up limited time and money for what really matters – supporting the community.
For further information: Contact Nicole Wiseman on 9654 5050 or email
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ACOSS Conference: Taking Steps for a Fair Go for All – Social Inclusion Policies and Processes.
When: Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th April 2008.
Where: Sebel Albert Park
Registration:Email to register for the conference or click here and complete the form.
ACOSS MEMBERS / NON MEMBER / CONCESSIONEarly Bird / $350 / Early Bird / $440 / Early Bird / $75
Full / $385 / Full / $480 / Full / $90
Day only / $195 / Day only / $245 / Day only / $60
The Conference will examine the roles of the community services and welfare sector, governments, corporates and philanthropic organisations in the emerging social inclusion agenda of Australia. The Conference will also look at the meaning and scope of social inclusion and poverty.
The second day of the Conference will be a series of concurrent practical workshops in a number of specific areas, including Housing, Homelessness, Welfare/Participation, Education, Health, Disability, Early Childhood Development, Youth Transitions, Safe and Healthy Communities, and Indigenous Communities. One of the outcomes of the workshops would be to identify medium and longer term targets in each specific area which would, if met, reduce social exclusion across a number of specific areas. The workshops will also identify who is excluded in each of these areas, the effects of this exclusion and the broad strategies which would help achieve social inclusion targets.
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Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities Inc.
The Power of Cross Sector Collaboration: Investigating working relationships across the private, public, government and not-for-profit sectors.
When: Friday 11th April – Monday 15th April 2008
Where: Saville on Russell Melbourne
Cost: Full Conference (4 days) Round Table members $435.00, Non-Round Table members $550.00
or Selected days (Fri/Sat/Sun) Round Table members $125.00 per day, Non-Round Table members $155.00 per day
Monday (includes lunch) Round Table Member $90.00, Non Round Table Members $100.00
Each year the Round Table runs a conference to facilitate and influence the production and use of quality alternative formats for people with print disabilities. Conferences showcase examples of best practice in the provision of accessible information to people with a print disability in the workplace and the community centre, including businesses, agencies, tertiary institutions, libraries, Commonwealth, State and local government.
Click here for further information.
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TRAINING
DARU is presenting bi-monthly training workshops in 2008. All workshops are free of charge to the disability advocacy sector.
Two workshops are being offered in April.
Workshop 1 What is Good Advocacy?
When: Thursday 28 February 9-45 for a 10-00 start to 1-00
Where: VCOSS Boardroom - Level 8, 128 Exhibition Street Melbourne
Registration: Click here for further information or contact Sharon Granek Email
Phone (03) 9639 5807
Cost: No cost
Much has been written about the importance and fundamentals of advocacy. This session will explore what we mean by advocacy and what constitutes good advocacy. What are the principles? Why is it necessary? This session will provide an opportunity for participants to reflect on their own work practices.
Workshop 2 How Government Works
When: Thursday 28 February 1-45 for a 2-00 start to 5-00
Where: VCOSS Boardroom - Level 8, 128 Exhibition Street Melbourne
Registration: Click here for further information or contact Sharon Granek Email
Phone (03) 9639 5807
Cost: No cost
Disability Advocates are often engaged in systemic advocacy and need to lobby the government on a range of issues. But, who does what within state government? What processes are involved? Are we targeting the right people within government? This workshop will provide an insight into government processes. This should allow us to be more effective in our future efforts.
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S.R.V. Towards a Better Life An exploration of the Social Role Valorisation framework with regard to people who are marginalised
When: 17-18 March 2008
Where: 230 Normanby Ave, Northcote
Registration: To attend the workshop, compete the registration form and return to UCCO.
Cost: $300.00
All enquiries to Julia Butler Tel: 03 8809 3000
Email:
This event is for anyone who would like to play a part in creating better and more inclusive lives for people who are part of groups who are often marginalised in our society, such as people with a mental illness, people with disabilities, frail aged and people experiencing poverty or homelessness.
This 2 day workshop is designed to assist participants to:
· Understand social devaluation and its consequences for people who are marginalised;
· Learn about SRV as a means of addressing those experiences of devaluation;
· Gain clarity of personal values in regard to issues of devaluation and one's personal service to people who are devalued; and