We Have the Vision, Say Blind ALP Hopefuls
DARU Update
12 July 2010
IN THE NEWS
EVENTS
PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES
TRAINING
CONSULTATIONS
FUNDING
PAID AND VOLUNTARY POSITIONS
IN THE NEWS
We Have the Vision, Say Blind ALP Hopefuls
Farrah Tomazin, The Age, 7 July 2010
When Vision Australia manager Tony Clark was chosen to run for Labor at this year's federal election, he could have been forgiven for thinking he would be the only blind person in the race.
But next to the seat of Higgins, where Mr Clark has been preselected, former barrister Steven Hurd - who lost his sight as an infant - has also been chosen to run for Labor in the seat of Kooyong.
''Can you believe he stole my thunder? How rude!'' Mr Clark joked yesterday.
The preselection of two blind candidates is unprecedented - even for the ALP, which prides itself on espousing fairness and equality. And while both seats have traditionally been blue-ribbon Liberal territory, Mr Clark and Mr Hurd believe their preselections have ''set the scene'' for people with disabilities to one day be properly represented in Parliament.
To read full article, visit
Better Integrated Services for Children with a Disability
The Minister for Community Services, Media Release, 21 June 2010
Victorian government agencies will work more closely together to provide better services for children and young people with a disability or developmental delay under a new plan released today - Better Opportunities, Better Outcomes.
Launching the plan, Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Maxine Morand and Minister for Community Services Lisa Neville said it would deliver a stronger system of services and supports for children with a disability.
“We know with the right supports children with disabilities or developmental delays can achieve outstanding results and we’re committed to ensuring every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential,” Ms Morand said.
To read full article, visit
ZVRS, AT&T, and Apple Created iZ!
The World as Eye See it, July 8 2010
Technology innovation has an amazing break through for the deaf and hearing impaired community with the release of real time video relay services (VRS) via your mobile phone.
To read full article and to see an online video demonstration visit
EVENTS
Human Rights Commission – Medal and Award Nominations Now Open!
Since 1987, the Australian Human Rights Commission has recognised the immeasurable contribution to Australian society of a wide variety of men, women and organisations committed to issues of human rights, social justice and equality through the annual Human Rights Medals and Awards.
For all information, including award catagories, how to enter, judging criteria, previous winners and how to buy a ticket, visit
You can also contact the Public Affairs Unit on (02) 9284 9618 or email you have any queries.
PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES
New Booklet to Help Women with Intellectual Disability Learn More About Their Health
NSW Health has launched a new booklet to support the health of more than 70-thousand women living with intellectual disability in NSW. The book Being a Healthy Woman is designed to assist women with an intellectual disability who are often less likely to understand life changes, the importance of a healthy lifestyle, or the need to see doctors when ill.
The Being a Healthy Woman book is written in simple and accessible language which will improve communication between medical professionals and women with intellectual disabilities.
To download this booklet, visit
Paper no. 29: Effectiveness of Individual Funding Approaches for Disability Support.
This report examined the effectiveness of individual funding of disability support and aimed to inform policy to improve the provision of disability support. Individual funding is defined in this report as a portable package of funds allocated for a particular person that facilitates control over how they purchase their disability support needs.
The way individual funding is organised varies in relation to who holds the funds, which parts of it are portable and what disability support types it can be spent on from which parts of the market. Individual funding is more likely to be used by people of working age with low support needs, by male and non-Indigenous service users, by people with one disability and by people without informal care networks.
To download a copy, visit the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs website at
TRAINING
Demystifying Accounting and Financial Statements...Guaranteed Financial Literacy in Just 2½ Hours!
When: Monday 9 August, 10am – 12 noon
Where: Angliss Conference Centre, Auditorium, Level 5 Cnr La Trobe and King Street, Melbourne.
To register: Online at
Balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, insolvency, bad debts, depreciation and of course ‘bottom line’. We’ve all heard our accountant, auditor or Finance manager use these terms…but what do they really mean?
By the end of this seminar you will not only be able to know what the major financial statements are, but you will be able to interpret them and make judgments about the financial performance of your organisation and others.
This program has been designed for non–accountants and assumes little or no knowledge of the subject.
For more information and to download a flyer, visit or phone Pathways on 8530 64444 or email ..
Just How Financially Strong and Stable is Your Organisation? ...Measurement Tools and Techniques that Reveal Everything!
When: Monday 9 August, 1pm – 3pm
Where: Angliss Conference Centre, Auditorium, Level 5 Cnr La Trobe and King Street, Melbourne.
To register: Online at
How would your organisation cope with a sudden loss of a major funding source or loss of a government contract? Is the financial position of your organisation becoming stronger or weaker? How does your organisation’s financial position compare with other similar organisations?
The truth is that only a small number of not-for-profit organisations have a good understanding of their financial strengths and weaknesses. Organisations that don’t know (or don’t care) do so at their peril!
This seminar will furnish you with the knowledge and tools you need to accurately assess and track the financial health of your organisation.
For more information and to download a flyer, visit or phone Pathways on 8530 64444 or email ..
Young Adult Workshops (YAW) - Ever Wanted to Get Involved in TVand Radio?
In association with the City of Melbourne, Grit Media presents a series of media workshops run by television and radio professionalsfor people with a disability aged between 16 and 26.
These workshops include:
- Acting/Presenting
- Scriptwriting
- No Limits Studio Shoot
- Camerawork/Lighting
- Audio Workshop
- Television Editing
- Radio Hosting and Panelling
To download flyer and registration form, visit
For more information, phone Elvira on 0430 445 064 or email .
Social Inclusion and the Policies of Recognition – 3 Day Intensive
When: 4 – 6 October 2010
Where: University College, Parkville.
To register: Contact Rebecca Phelps by phone on 9810 3320 or email for enrolment details.
The Research & Policy Centre, Brotherhood of St Laurence and the University of Melbourne are again offering Social Inclusion and the Politics of Recognition as one of two subjects comprising the Specialist Certificate in Social Policy. The other subject, Social Inclusion Policy and Practice, will be offered in early 2011.
For a course overview, training objectives and trainer biographies see the flyer available via the DARU website
SUBMISSIONS/ CONSULTATIONS
Australian Social Inclusion Board Public Consultations on Breaking the Cycle of Disadvantage
When: Friday 3 September, 1-4pm
Where: Details yet to be announced.
To register: Email to register your interest. RSVP by 27 August.
The Australian Social Inclusion Board (the Board) is currently conducting research on cycles of disadvantage. You are invited to attend the consultation in your capital city to share your expertise, knowledge and experiences on cycles of disadvantage, and how people avoid or break out of disadvantage.
The Board was established in May 2008 as the main advisory body to the Government on ways to achieve better outcomes for the most disadvantaged. A key component of its role is also to consult widely with different members of the community to provide advice on how to improve social inclusion.
Consultations will be led by Patricia Faulkner AO, Chair of the Australian Social Inclusion Board. We are interested in hearing from people with experience and expertise on this topic, including providers of social welfare services, academics, researchers and particularly people who have experienced cycles of disadvantage themselves. We would be grateful if you could forward this email to your relevant colleagues.
For a brief introduction to this research, visit . For more general information on the Board, visit
Housing & Support Options Focus Group Discussions
When: Sessions will take place during the week of 26 - 30 July 2010. See flyer for details.
Where: Various venues across Victoria. See flyer for details.
To register: Complete registration form and send to Giovana by email to or fax (03) 9096 9131. RSVP by Wednesday 21 July.
Disability Services Division of Department of Human Services, in conjunction with stakeholders and the broader community is developing a strategic plan to deliver a more contemporary range of housing and support options for people with a disability.
To inform this plan, Dyson Consulting Group have been engaged to review and document current and contemporary housing and support models across Victoria, other jurisdictions and internationally.
As part of this work focus group sessions will be conducted to capture feedback on elements of identified housing and support options. The focus group discussions will be driven by three core questions:
What approaches or models could be included in a contemporary system of housing and support?
What opportunities exist for improving current responses?
What issues or barriers might be experienced in delivering improved approaches?
An online survey will be available from 19 to 30 July for those who are unable to attend one of the scheduled focus group sessions but would like to share your thoughts. Visit to complete the online survey.
For more information, contact Giovanna Failla by phoning 03 9096 8503 or download the flyer and registration form at
FUNDING
Disability Self Help Funding Program
The Disability Self help Funding Program is funded and administered by the Department of Planning and Community Development .
Disability Self Help Grants provide non-recurrent grants of up to $5000 to assist self help groups to:
- increase the capacity of people with a disability to live independently in their own community;
- encourage a network of community peer support and information exchange for increase opportunities for self help groups to provide information and education on the experiences of people with a disability.
Disability self help groups are eligible for these grants. A disability self help group is a self-managed group of people, who meet of their own accord to assist each other to better understand and manage their disability.
Applications must be received by Monday 2 August 2010. For eligibility criteria, guidelines and application forms please visit
If you require a hard copy or large print version of the guidelines and application form, or have any queries, please contact the Grants Information Line on 1300 366 356 (cost of a local call) on any weekday between 8.30am and 10.00pm (except Public Holidays).
Making a Difference
Victoria Law Foundation has recently announced the recipients of its latest round of general grants, committing over $200,000 to four innovative projects.
The projects, which will aid some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in Victoria, include a diverse range of initiatives – from projects assisting access to justice to the development of legal education materials.
For further information about general grants and the full list of current grant recipients, visit
The next general grants round closes on Friday 10 September 2010. To find out how to apply, visit
Australia's Human Rights Framework Education Grants
In April 2010, the Attorney-General, the Hon Robert McClelland MP, launched Australia’s Human Rights Framework – see website for details
Education about human rights and responsibilities is the highest priority of the Framework. Community engagement is an essential aspect, fostering a better understanding of human rights within the Australian community, and protecting and promoting human rights.
The Government will fund a range of community organisations to develop and /or deliver programs that are appropriately targeted and address the information needs of different groups. Grants will be made available for a range of programs, including one-off events, short-term activities or longer-term programs running over one to three years.
Applications for grant funding for the 2010-11 financial year close on 30 July 2010. Applications must be received by 5:00 pm AEST on 30 July 2010. Early applications are encouraged. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Guidelines for preparing an application can be downloaded from
Applications should be submitted via or mailed to:
Australia’s Human Rights Framework – Education Grants
Attorney-General’s Department
3-5 National Circuit
BARTON ACT 2600
PAID AND VOLUNTARY POSITIONS
Victorian Advocacy & Information Officer (0.8 EFT)
Blind Citizens Australia is providing a challenging opportunity to work in a small not for profit organisation which provides advocacy, information dissemination, peer support and consultation to governments and organisations on issues relevant to people who are blind or vision impaired.
Essential prerequisites include experience in consulting with people, submission writing, presentation of reports, excellent organisational and computer skills and the motivation and experience to work independently and within a small team. A tertiary qualification in the social sciences would be an advantage.
A Position Description can be downloaded from the BCA website at
or by contacting Faye Baxter by phone on 1800 033 660 or email .
NSW Advocacy & Information Officer vacancy - 8hrs/week
Blind Citizens Australia is offering a challenging opportunity for a highly motivated and organised person to provide individual and systemic advocacy and information services to people who are blind or vision impaired in NSW. You will work as part of a small national team and will be the sole worker in the New South Wales office located in Sydney.
You will be providing support to branches, working to increase both individual and organisational membership and linking with the blindness sector and other disability organizations in NSW.
Essential prerequisites include: excellent communication, organisational and computer skills and the motivation and experience to work both independently and within a small team.
A Position Description can be downloaded from the BCA website at
by contacting Faye Baxter by phone on 1800 033 660 or email .
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 an Administration Officer, Natasha Brake.
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 .
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.