RMIT's Change of Heart on Specialist Disability Training

DARU Update

26 September 2011

• IN THE NEWS

• EVENTS

• PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES

• SUBMISSIONS, CONSULTATIONS AND FORUMS

• FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

• PAID AND VOLUNTARY POSITIONS

IN THE NEWS

RMIT's Change of Heart on Specialist Disability Training

Sarah-Jane Collins, The Age, 21 September 2011

RMIT has backed away from its decision to axe a double degree that provides specialist disability training to education students, qualifying them to work with special needs students.

The change of heart comes after a sustained campaign by students studying the bachelor of applied science (disability) who were told that their course (which is a single degree) would be phased out.

That degree - the only one of its kind in Victoria - has not been reinstated, but the double degree - bachelor of education and bachelor of applied science (disability) - will continue.

Student Jessica Bennett said she was thrilled the university had backed away from the decision to axe the double degree. But she said the fight would continue for the single degree. ''It's a really good thing for special development schools that there are going to be teachers that are trained to work there. We're still going to fight for the single degree because we still feel there's a need for it,'' she said.

''If people hadn't stood up and had their say, the changes just would have gone through,'' Ms Bennett said.

RMIT's pro-vice-chancellor responsible for education, Colin Fudge, said the double degree was the ''only double degree program for special education in Victoria'', and was fulfilling an important educational role.

A spokesman said the university planned to establish a working party on education needs for the disability sector.

To read this article online, visit:

Diminishing Dole a 'Ticking Time Bomb'

Peter Martin, The Age, 19 September 2011

Australia’s 3.4 million pensioners can loosen their belts from tomorrow. They'll get a pay rise of $19.50 a fortnight. But those onNewstart unemployment benefits and student allowances won't be so lucky - they'll get an extra $11.73.

The disparity between the two increases means Newstart is worth just two-thirds of the pension - and is set to fall to less than half of the pension by 2040.

And new rules governing eligibility for the disability support pension totake effect in January will tip an increasing number of Australians off the disability pension on to Newstart, cutting their take-home benefit by $262 a fortnight.

"It's a ticking time bomb," says Cassandra Goldie, chief executive of the Australian Council of Social Service. ''The government's own estimate is that the chance of getting assessed as eligible for the disability pension will drop 40 per cent. As existing recipients are reassessed they will drop on to an unemployment benefit that even the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development says isn't up to the job.''

The OECD reported last year that Newstart had become so low as to raise ''concerns about its adequacy'' and a Bureau of Statistics survey this month found that four in every five Newstart recipients reported significant financial stress, more than any group identified.

ACOSS will ask at next month's tax summit for an immediate $50-a-week increase in Newstart to take it to $586.60 a fortnight, somewhat closer to the single pension. The measure would cost around $1 billion.

''We support the idea of trying to get people on the disability support pension into work, but giving them a pay cut along the way makes it too hard,'' Dr Goldie said.

To read the full article online, visit:

RIAC Media Release

12 September 2011

At its September 2011 meeting the Regional Information & Advocacy Council’s (RIAC) Board of Directors unanimously resolved to formally respond to the Media Release issued by Barwon Disability Resource Council (BDRC) through the Disability Advocacy Resource Unit’s Update newsletter dated 5 September 2011.

“RIAC is delighted that the Disability Rights and Advocacy Services (DRAS) Board has recognised RIAC as the provider of high quality advocacy assistance to people with disabilities in transferring its advocacy operations to RIAC. In 2010 RIAC was certified, by an independent third party audit, as operating a Disability Management System which complies with the requirements of Draft Disability Advocacy Standards (Pilot Program) for its offices in Shepparton, Bendigo and Mildura. It is currently working to bringing its new Geelong service to the same standard.” Ms Julie Goodall, RIAC Board Chairperson said. “This will ensure that all of RIAC’s offices are well prepared for the forthcoming National Disability Program Quality Assurance audit in 2012.”

“RIAC is delighted that it was able to retain the services of Cathy, the former DRAS Advocate in its Geelong office. RIAC remains committed to the continuation and further expansion of its advocacy program to the residents of the City of Greater Geelong and the Borough of Queenscliffe,” she said. “RIAC is very pleased with the seamless transition of DRAS service and clients into RIAC, Ms Goodall said.”

“RIAC is planning to conduct community consultations in 2012 to ensure its Strategic Plan is reflective of the needs of the residents of the City of Greater Geelong and the Borough of Queenscliffe, and to promote RIAC’s services. One example is that residents with disabilities will be eligible to apply for RIAC’s annual Karen Murphy Scholarship fund of up to $5000 in any one year to assist with study costs,’ she said.

Ms Goodall also re-affirmed RIAC’s commitment to maintaining the existing beneficial partnerships with other advocacy agencies in both the Barwon South Western Region and throughout Victoria, of which RIAC and BDRC are members.

For further information please contact, Steve Doran RIAC Chief Executive Officer on 0358 221 944.

Parliamentary Review of the Victorian Charter of Human Rights

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission eupdate , 14 September 2011

Acting Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner, Karen Toohey, has welcomed the four-year review of Victoria’s Human Rights Charter, tabled today by Parliament’s Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee (SARC). However, Ms Toohey noted the Commission was disappointed some of the Commission’s recommendations had not been accepted.

“Over the last four years, government and the community have made a strong investment in the human rights culture in Victoria. Accepting and adopting many of the report recommendations would wind back valuable progress towards fostering a culture of human rights in this state,” Ms Toohey said.

Ms Toohey noted that in its submissions to SARC, the Commission stated that the validity, operation and importance of the Charter must be maintained and upheld if Victorians were to have real and meaningful human rights protections into the future.

The Commission is disappointed the majority view recommends a reduction in the obligation on government to take human rights into account in its work, when many of the submissions, from government and the community, including the submissions of the Commission, supported the Charter as a means of enhancing government transparency and accountability.

“The Commission has submitted to SARC that the Charter plays an important role in protecting and promoting human rights in Victoria and notes some of the recommendations contained in the report could reduce government accountability,” Ms Toohey said.

Speaking on behalf of the Commission’s Board, chairperson John Searle said, “The SARC report acknowledges four years is a short period of time to meaningfully assess the effectiveness and impact of the Charter. This is a factor the Government will undoubtedly take into account when considering the substantial legislative reform SARC has recommended.”

It is the hope of the Commission that government will continue to support the objectives of the Charter as set out in the legislation – to protect and promote human rights – and to maintain the Charter as a practical and accessible tool for all Victorians.

Mr Searle expressed confidence that the Victorian Government would consider the SARC recommendations carefully, and determine an appropriate way forward in relation to the promotion and protection of human rights in Victoria.

“The Government has a further six months to consider these recommendations, and the Commission stands ready to provide assistance to the Government in its consideration of this report,” Mr Searle said.

Ms Toohey said, “The Charter is at the heart of the legal human rights framework in Victoria and, in the view of the Commission, has demonstrated its value. The fact is the Charter improves outcomes for Victorians now and into the future.”

The Commission looks forward to working with the Victorian Government as it develops its response to the report.

To read the Charter review report, visit:

To read the eUpdate online, visit:

Human Rights Charter Protects Vulnerable Victorians

VCOSS Media Release, 15 September 2011

The Victorian Human Rights Charter provides valuable protection to some of the state’s most vulnerable people and must be supported by the Government, says the Victorian Council of Social Service.

‘The Human Rights Charter has provided key checks and balances to the actions of government and community sector organisations to help ensure vulnerable Victorians are treated fairly and with respect,’ said Cath Smith, Chief Executive Officer of VCOSS.

‘It’s time to leave behind unfounded opposition to the Charter and look at the practical and meaningful benefits that have been delivered to all Victorians, particularly those who are vulnerable.’

‘The Charter has assisted people who are homeless, those experiencing mental illness, elderly people and Aboriginal Victorians to attain better services and responses from government departments and from community sector organisations.’

‘If the Government goes through with the recommendations of yesterday’s Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee (SARC) report it would undermine key developments that have ensured greater rights protections for disadvantaged Victorians,’ said Ms Smith.

‘Since becoming law in 2006, the Charter has compelled the Victorian Government to consider human rights at every stage of decision making across legislation, policies and programs. This has meant that laws and policies in Victoria are much less likely to breach fundamental rights, and sends a strong message to the community that the Government is serious about its commitment to respect and protect the human rights of all Victorians.’

SARC dismisses the role of the Charter in having given non-government organisations a framework to guide their work with vulnerable people and ensure the rights of those people are upheld.

As the peak body of community sector organisations in Victoria, VCOSS submitted that the Charter has driven significant change in this regard – both for organisations that are public authorities and those that are not, as did many other sector organisations.’

‘It should not be the role of SARC to cherry pick evidence to support a predetermined outcome in regards to legislative reform.’

‘Organisations that work with some of the most disadvantaged members of our community overwhelmingly support the Charter, as it has become both an important tool to keep government and the bureaucracy accountable to their responsibilities and to assist in guiding community sector organisations in implementing a rights framework across their policies and programs.’

‘Strengthening the Charter would further drive the incorporation of a rights framework in the work of community sector organisations.’

To read the full article online, visit:

Report Backs Disability Support Program

Media Release, The Minister for Community Services, Mary Wooldridge, 14 September 2011

Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge has welcomed a new report from the Victorian Auditor-General on Individualised Funding for Disability Services, which was tabled in Parliament today.

“I’m pleased the report acknowledges the pioneering work of disability support reform in Victoria since the 1990s, which has led to positive outcomes for people with a disability, their families and carers, in particular, with the implementation of individual support packages,” Ms Wooldridge said.

“Individualised funding through individual support packages offer people with a disability, their family and carers, more control and choice over the range of support to ensure they best meet their specific needs.

“Our budget this year delivered a funding boost to Disability Services of $93 million, with funding for an additional 391 individual support packages to be made available in 2011-12.”

One of the key findings of the consultation was that people with a

disability, families and carers did not understand how to access and use an individual support package.

“Improvements have already been made with the development of new information sheets explaining step-by-step the Disability Support Register process and new simplified application form,” Ms Wooldridge said.

“New Disability Support Register guidelines have also been created and internal systems updated to allow a more streamlined approach to processing and registering applications and allocating ongoing disability supports.”

The Auditor-General’s report involved extensive consultation with the

Department of Human Services (DHS) staff, people with a disability, their families and carers, disability service providers, peak bodies and advocacy groups.

Ms Wooldridge said the report demonstrates that Victoria is already a national leader in disability service reform and helps position Victoria for the introduction of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

“We will use the findings of this report to continue to identify opportunities to improve services that provide greater choice and control to people with a disability as we work towards the introduction of an NDIS,” Ms Wooldridge said.

“In our submission to the Productivity Commission, Victoria argued that an NDIS should be underpinned by the core principles of certainty, simplicity, fairness and choice - all of which are consistent with future directions articulated in the Auditor-General’s report.

“The Auditor-General’s recommendations will help the government improve support for Victorians with a disability and strengthen Victoria’s readiness to implement an NDIS.

“The Victorian Government will continue to work in close partnership with all stakeholders, including people with a disability, their families and carers, to further improve Victoria’s disability support system.”

To read this article online, visit:

EVENTS

Human Rights, Civil Society and the Rule of Law

The Human Rights Law Centre is pleased to invite you to a human rights seminar with the US Ambassador to Australia, Jeffrey L Bleich.

Ambassador Bleich has a longstanding and outstanding commitment to human rights and international law, having served as Chair of the American Bar Association’s Amicus Curiae Committee and Corporate Social Responsibility Sub-Committee, as a Board member of Human Rights Watch and as a lawyer with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. He has also taught human rights and international law at UC Berkeley School of Law.

PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES

Mental Health Legal Centre Newsletter

4th edition 2011

In this issue:

• Calls for Independence in Review and Chief Psychiatrist
• Human Rights are Aussie Rules
• Why more Prisons are not the Answer
• Light 1000 candles Memorial and Protest March
• Training has begun!
• PSO Bill Passes
• Take your complaint to the Human Rights Commission
• Tasers and People with Mental Illness
• Reaching Agreement
• Victorians' Human Rights reduced to empty Principles?

Waiting on link, hopefully will be sent through by Monday.

Communication Resource Centre Newsletter

August/September 2011

This edition includes

• highlights from the AGOSCI Conference 2011
• resources for behaviours of concern
• ISAAC awards
• Communication Access Symbol regional forums
• iPad, iTouch and iPhone resources
• training calendar

To read this newsletter and to subscribe, visit:

Individual Advocacy Policy & Guidelines

VALID, September 2011

VALID, the peak State-funded advocacy organisation for adults with intellectual disability, has released its Individual Advocacy Policy & Guidelines to assist advocates in fulfilling their often complex and challenging role.

The VALID E.O. Kevin Stone says: “One of VALID’s primary aims is to protect the right of people with intellectual disability to be free from domination, manipulation and abuse. Sometimes that means having to question the claims made on a person’s behalf by others, including family members, support staff or professionals. In the midst of claims and counter claims, the advocate must avoid being influenced by wishful thinking or pressure from vested interests.

Advocates must rely on clear and objective evidence presented bycredible experts. Unless we can be sure that the views and decisions being expressed are truly coming from the person concerned, we might well become complicit in deception and deceit. Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities requires that if decisions are made that relate to a person’s capacity to understand, then there must be safeguards against abuse. There should be a regular and independent review of the steps taken to make sure that there is no conflict of interest and that the disabled person’s rights and interests are properly respected.”

The Guidelines state:

• Consistent with its Systemic Position Statement on the Use of FC, VALID considers that:
• The use of occasional physical prompting (or facilitation) may be a legitimate accessing (or teaching) strategy which might lead to the development of independent communication but
• Communication which arises from the use of FC without objective validation should not be regarded as having the same degree of reliability as independent communication.
• The Individual Advocate should therefore not accept, without objective validation, communication produced through the use of FC as an adequate basis for receiving direction or instruction, nor as a reliable basis for supported decision-making.
• There are many other AAC methods that have a sound empirical base and can help a client to independently communicate his/her wishes or opinions. When selecting an AAC method, a thorough assessment of the client should be conducted. This should preferably be conducted by a multidisciplinary team comprising a speech pathologist (for language assessment) and a psychologist (for cognitive assessment).

To download the Facilitated Communication Position Statement, visit: