There Are a Number of Events Celebrating International Day of People with a Disability

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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 Project Administration Officer, Leah Hobson.

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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.

EVENTS

There are a number of events celebrating International Day of People with a Disability

Celebration of Ability Day 2007

When: Friday 30 November, 10am to 12pm.

Where: Cardinia Life, Olympic Way, Pakenham

(Melway reference 215 J4).

Cost: Free.

Phone:Liz Mooyman, Cardinia Shire Council 03 5945 4343

Email:

More Information: Celebration of Ability Day 2007 Flyer. (hyperlink)

Celebrate 'All Abilities Day' and enjoy the festivities which focus on well being, inclusiveness, learning and healthy lifestyles.
Events include:Wheelchair basketball; MS Sweat program; Seeing Eyedogs Australia; Go for Your Life Van; Face Painting; Snorkelling; Riding for the Disabled; The Snake Man; Wheelchair and swimming races; Information stalls; Obstacle course, plus much more!

Decent Work for People with Disabilities

When: Monday 3 December, 2pm to 3.30pm.
Where: ANZ Pavilion, Arts Centre, 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne.

The Office for Disability invites people to attend a celebration of International Day of People with a Disability.Keynote speeches will be given by people within both the public and private sectors in regard to employment issues.

A light afternoon tea will be served. Auslan interpreters will be available at this event.
RSVP is essential to

Phone: 03 9208 3013 by Wednesday 28 November 2007.

Website:Office for Disability

Decent Work for People with Disabilities- WERRIBEE

When: Monday 3 December, 2pm to 4.30pm.
Where:HobsonsBay Civic Centre, Meeting Room 3 - 115 Civic Parade, Altona

Cost: Free but bookings are essential.

RSVP:Please let us know if you need an interpreter, audio loop, or have special dietary requirementsAlthea Marshall Phone: 03 9932 1001 or Email:
In partnership with Hobsons Bay City Council, WISE Employment Werribee is facilitating a forum to discuss the trials, tribulations and successes of finding decent work.

The forum will explain the role of the Disability Employment Network and Job Capacity Assessors, as well as provide information about workplace aids and modifications. Participants will also hear from local businesses about the benefits of disability recruitment and a panel of jobseekers will share their personal experiences.

Decent Work for People with Disabilities -RICHMOND

When:Friday 30 November11:00 to 12:30pm

Where:WISE Employment Richmond, Level 1, Suite 1/224 Church St, Richmond
Cost: Free but bookings are essential

RSVP:Ujjval GobleT: 03 9421 8999 orEmail:

Please let us know if you have special dietary requirements- snacks & refreshments provided.

In partnership with the City of Yarra, WISE Employment Richmond is holding an interactive workshop, run by Michael O’Meara, from moHow - a leading and unique community, youth and business development organisation.

Mo says “jobseekers will hear and share stories of personal and community success, develop a vision for their future, and identify actions that can support them and help them to achieve their goals.”

Decent Work for People with Disabilities - FRANKSTON

When:Friday 30 November: 11:00-1:00pm

Where:WISE Employment Frankston, Level 2, Landmark Corporate Building454 Nepean Highway, Frankston

Cost: Free but bookings are essential

RSVP:Debra TaylorTel: 03 9770 5211 or Email:

Please let us know if you have special dietary requirements.

In partnership with Frankston City Council, WISE Employment Frankston is hosting an interactive workshop, run by EW Tipping practitioner, Caroline Sarah. The event will be a fun, colourful and hands on session where you get to put your dream job down on paper.

Caroline says, “You will use paper, scissors, magazine articles, pictures and other treasures to put together a colourful job plan to remind you what you really want to do – you never know what you might find out!”

Decent Work for People with Disabilities - NORTHCOTE

When:Friday 30 November: 11:00-12:30pm

Where:WISE Employment Northcote, 336 High Street, Northcote

Cost: Free but bookings are essential

RSVP:Judi StevensTel: 03 9482 2102 or Email: Snacks & refreshments providedPlease let us know if you have special dietary requirements.

WISE Employment Northcote will hold an interactive workshop, run by Plan of Action practitioner, Jude Downey. The goal of this session is to demonstrate how mind mapping, in relation to job search, can be fun and very effective when planning for the future.

Jude says, “They also provide a brief snapshot of working through a problem in an individualised way”.

Decent Work for People with Disabilities - BROADMEADOWS
When:Friday 30 November: 2:00-4:00pm - snacks & refreshments provided

Where: WISE Employment Broadmeadows, Level 1, South Building 2, Pascoe Vale Road, Broadmeadows
Cost: Free but bookings are essential

RSVP:Kerry JonesTel:03 9309 6622or Email: Please let us know if you have special dietary requirements.

WISE Employment Broadmeadows is holding an interactive workshop, run by Michael O’Meara, from an organisation called moHow - a leading and unique community, youth and business development organisation.

Mo says “jobseekers will hear and share stories of personal and community success, develop a vision for their future, and identify actions that can support them and help them to achieve their goals”.

Y-Access program.
The YMCA with support from City of Melbourne will celebrate International Day of People with Disabilities through the Y-Access program.

When: Monday 10 December 10.30am to 1.30pm

Where:Carlton Baths Community Centre

248 Rathdowne St, Carlton 3053

RSVP or for more information call Lucy on 0447 301 445 or email by Wednesday 5 December.
City of Melbourne YMCA AAA Program - IDPwD Flyer (PDF document, 130 kilobytes).

Blind Citizens AustraliaObstacle Notice

The campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the difficulties experienced by people who are blind or vision impaired when navigating public areas such as footpaths and driveways and reminds owners to remove obstacles which are potentially dangerous.

When: Monday 3 December, 10-30am to 12-00pm

Where: Corner of Pevensey Crescent and Park Street, Geelong

RSVP: Call 9372 6400 by Thursday29 November

The day’s events begin with short presentations from speakers including Councillor Tom O’Connor, from the City of Greater Geelong and individuals who are blind or vision impaired. This will be followed by a 180 Degree Challenge, where City Councillors and senior Council staff will be asked to make their way through residential streets and to the CBD using a cane, wheelchair and/or blindfolds to simulate the difficulties in getting from A to B.

The 180 Degree Challenge will end with a social event at Munch ‘n’ Crunch, Ryrie Street, Geelongat 12.00pm

Robyn McKenzie, Executive Officer of Blind Citizens Australia said that; “seemingly harmless objects such as overhanging branches, bicycles and rubbish bins are hazards for people who are blind or vision impaired and we call on the public to support the campaign and remove obstacles from the footpaths.”

YPINH .... From Aged Care to Appropriate Care - Stories of Progress

The Victorian Young People in Nursing Homes Consortium invites you to a forum to hear about progress on developing alternatives to residential aged care for younger people with disabilities in Victoria.

When:Monday 3rd December, 11.00am to 3.00pm

Where: College of Surgeons

Corner Spring & Lonsdale Streets, Melbourne

(Disability access via Spring St)

Registrations: RSVP by calling Chris or Kerry at Disability Justice Advocacy by 28thNovember on 9416 3488,

Email: Lunch provided

Fore more information, visit hyperlink??

Other Events

Victorian Health Inequalities Network Citizens Roundtable

Topic: How do citizens make a difference in tackling health inequalities in communities and how can we learn from those experiences?

When: 9:30 – 3:00 5th December 2007

Where: Seminar Room, VicHealthBuilding,

15 Pelham Street, Carlton

Registration: RSVPs are due by November 30th

Contact Tanya via email to RSVP.

Review of the Equal Opportunity Act – Have your say about equal opportunity law in Victoria

When: Tuesday 11 December 2.30 – 4.30pm

Where:RoyalAustralasianCollege of Surgeons,

Spring Street, Melbourne

Registration: RSVPs are due by Tuesday 4 December. ContactFelix Neighbour at the Office for Disability

Phone: (03) 9208 3024,

TTY: (03) 9208 3631

Email:

The State Attorney General, Rob Hulls, has appointed Julian Gardner to conduct an independent review of the Equal Opportunity Act.

One aim of the review is to look at how discrimination can be eliminated as much as possible.

A Discussion Paper (including an easy English summary and large print version) and information about the review can be found at

following the link to "Equal Opportunity Review".

Having Your Say – A Public Meeting for People with a Disability

This public meeting is an opportunity to have your say about equal

opportunity law in Victoria as part of the review. The meeting is open to people with a disability and their supporters.

Auslan interpreters, attendant support workers and a hearing loop will be at the meeting. Refreshments will be provided.

Submissions on the Discussion Paper are open until 14 January 2008. The Paper gives information on how to make submissions.

TRAINING

Workshops on Victoria's Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities.

The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities came into effect on 1 January 2007. It contains an agreed set of human rights, freedoms and responsibilities protected by law.
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission is offering a range of training for the first half of 2008 to help community organisations understand and apply the rights and responsibilities contained in the Charter.
The Introduction workshop explores the fundamentals of human rights, the function and operation of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities, the remedies it contains, and the role of the Commission.
The full day Exploration workshop covers each of the elements described above and explores each of the rights contained within the Charter in greater detail.
All workshops are provided free of charge and will be held at 380 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.

For more information or to register, please download the training brochure from the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission's website.

Registration Details:ContactJason Rostant

Phone:03 9281 7104
Email:
Website:Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Workshops

PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES

Time to Respond: Realising Equality for people with a Disability Utilising Taxi Services

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission – (VEOHRC) has released a report containing recommendations to make taxis more accessible and comfortable for people with a disability in Victoria.
Recommendations include:

• Greater involvement of people with disabilities in the development of taxi services.

• Accreditation of the taxi industry.

• A pilot program to increase the timeliness of wheelchair accessible taxi services;

• Disability Awareness training for drivers

• A communication strategy to raise awareness of the legal obligations and rights of passengers with a disability;

• Removing barriers in the complaints process.

• Introducing a more accessible complaint handling procedure

Download the report from the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission website.

CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS

ACCESSIBLE AND ADAPTABLE HOUSING RESEARCH

(Sweeney Research Reference No. 16360)

Closing Date:On-line Survey until 30th November after which time the survey will be closed.

Sweeney Research, an independent Market Research Company, has been commissioned by VicUrban to conduct some important research study into what purchasers are looking for when buying a new house and land package, in particular, with regards to a new housing development that is being proposed. This development will be designed to include houses that are adaptable and accessible in design.

The research will assist VicUrban best develop housing that suits the needs of consumers who may have access needs. They are interested in the opinions of adults.

For more information on Sweeney Research, you can visit their website at

The survey is available, using the link below. When first accessing the survey you need to click on the button that says Start New Survey. This will then provide you with a unique code which you can use to access and complete the survey in your own time.

Survey Link:

The survey should take about 15 minutes to complete and in appreciation of your time $20 is being offered. The survey must be completed by the 30th November,

If you have any questions or queries, contact Parita Parekh,Research Consultant on

Call for Abstracts:National Motor Neurone Disease Conference 2008

Closing date:February 4th 2008

MND Victoria has announced the 4th National Motor Neurone Disease Conference ('Living better for longer - pathways for the future') and Call for Papers.
The conference will be held on Tuesday 24 June 2008 at Moonee Valley Racing Club, McPherson Street, Moonee Ponds, and Melbourne (with an optional day visit on 25 June).
The keynote speaker will be Dr David Oliver, Consultant Physician in Palliative Medicine, Wisdom Hospice, Rochester, UK.
People encouraged to attend the conference include case managers, personal care workers, nursing home staff, palliative care staff, therapists, government representatives, social workers, GPs, students and volunteers and people living with MND.
The themes of the conference are:

• Integrated services, partnerships and pathways;
• Client focused services;
• Challenges and dilemmas;
• Innovation and opportunity.

You are invited to submit an abstract addressing the conference title and themes for either a 20 minute presentation, or a 10 minute presentation on your work in the field (these short presentations are ideal for hands-on busy people or first time presenters). There will be a short time for questions after each presentation.
To submit an abstract, include on one A4 page, using Times New Roman, 12 point, your presentation title, followed by presenter's name and affiliation, the issue, the initiative, the outcome, three to five dot point take-home messages and the contact details of presenter.
Abstracts need to be sent by Monday 4 February 2008 to:

• MND Victoria
  PO Box 23, Canterbury 3126
  Email: .

Presenters will be notified in writing by 3 March 2008.

A conference flyer can be downloaded here in PDF.

Call for Abstracts: Connecting Up 2008 – ‘Online and Off to the Future for Nonprofits’

Closing date:February 28th 2008

Presentations must address one of the Conference Streams, as outlined below.

Conference Streams:

• Strategic Planning – planning, consulting, researching and thinking about where ICT fits with where you want to be in the future

• Generating Support and Money – Online fundraising and campaigning

• The Social Web (Web 2.0 and beyond) – Networking and collaboration tools to connect you with the people you need to know or want to reach (and vice versa)

• How-To Workshops – hands on skilling for nonprofits - in website development, CMS systems, CRM, VoIP, Blogging, Using MS Office, Using Open Office, Online directories, Video-conferencing, Choosing mobile plans, Hosting Mail / Web, Networks, Security, spam etc, in-house technical support vs outsourcing, Choosing suppliers e.g. broadband carriers

A full copy of the guidelines for presenters can be found in Word format here.

IN THE NEWS

Recognition of Bernie Banton as a Model Advocate

Mr. Bernie Banton passed away on Tuesday 27 November 2007. Mr. Banton will be remembered by fellow advocates supporting people living with disabilities. His tenacity and his determination to constantly strive for a “Fair Go” for all of those affected by Asbestosis and Mesothelioma and other Asbestos related conditions will act as model for future recognition by other disadvantaged Australians.

Mr. Banton’s ability to never be stopped by the word ‘No’, regardless of the size of the opposition will stand as a model and a reminder for all ‘Battlers’ in Australia and around the world.

Thanks Bernie, give ‘em Hell wherever you may be.

Graham Douglas-Meyer

Australian Federation of Disability OrganisationsChairperson

PAID AND VOLUNTARY POSITIONS

DARU - Project Administration Officer

Closing date:4th December 2007

The Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS), peak body for non-government community services in Victoria, is looking for a Project Administration Officer to work within the Disability Advocacy Unit- DARU. The Project Administration Officer will be someone with an understanding of and strong commitment to providing support services for those advocating for people with a disability.
Position Objectives:
* To develop a network and database of existing advocacy organisations and networks for people with a disability.
* To develop workable systems for regularly communicating and disseminating information to within people within disability, advocacy and related sectors.
* To provide project support including administrative, clerical and general office support necessary to ensure the smooth day to day running of the office.
You are a well organised person with a strong administration background, who has the ability to prioritise a demanding workload. You are able to work without supervision, while at the same time enjoy working as part of a team. You have well developed interpersonal skills so you can effectively deal with the diverse range of people that make up VCOSS and DARU members and stakeholders.
This position is 0.6 FTE and is fixed term, commencing end of January 2008, ending January 2010. Salary and conditions of employment are governed by the Victorian Council of Social Service Enterprise Agreement 2006. Salary is currently $44-50K per annum pro rata, commensurate with experience.
People with a disability are encouraged to apply.
Applications addressing the selection criteria should be forwarded to