DARU Update15 November 2010
STATE ELECTION NEWS
IN THE NEWS
EVENTS
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY
PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES
TRAINING
SUBMISSIONS, CONSULTATIONS AND FORUMS
PAID AND VOLUNTARY POSITIONS
STATE ELECTION NEWS
Womens Services Welcome Parties Responses to Women with DisabilitiesWomen with Disabilities Victoria Media release, 5 November, 2010
Two of Victorias peak bodies working against violence have welcomed political parties responses to violence against women with disabilities but called for the need for the Victorian government to go further in its commitment to end violence.
To read the full media release, visit http://www.daru.org.au/links/items/2010/11/355691-upload-00001.docx
Arthritis Victoria Policy Platform released
This document outlines policy and resource solutions to ensure Victorians living with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions have adequate access to health care..
The Policy Platform highlights a number of issues affecting people living with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions. The development of the Policy Platform has been informed by a range of evidence and data, including a consumer survey. Arthritis Victoria are committed to working with the Victorian Government, all members of the State Parliament and the wider Victorian community to:
Improve early intervention and health outcomes through better access to health services. Addressing access to services in rural and remote areas is of particular importance.
Improve health and socio-economic outcomes through better coordination of care within the health system and across the health, disability and aged care interface.
Improve health and socio-economic outcomes through better access to disability support schemes.
Ensure that adults of working age with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions are supported to remain within the workforce.
To read the document, visit
http://www.arthritisvic.org.au/downloads/AV%20Policy%20Platform.pdf
VCOSS Victorian Election Platform: Cause Not Consequence
In the lead up to the 2010 state election VCOSS calls on all parties to commit to making Victoria a fairer community and aims to make social justice a key policy agenda for whoever form government.
To read VCOSSs state election platform http://www.vcoss.org.au/documents/VCOSS%20docs/Election/VCOSS_State_Election_Platform_Basics.pdf
IN THE NEWS
Young Care Advocate Finalist in Victoria's Young Australian of the Year Awards
Life for Anj Barker changed forever when she was brutally bashed by her ex-boyfriend. She suffered severe brain injury and spent three gruelling years in hospital, rehab and a nursing home before being able to return home, still needing full time care. Anj describes the two-and-a-half years spent housed in a nursing home as hell. As a teenager living among the very elderly, she felt angry, sad and trapped. Despite the enormous challenges she faces daily, Anj is determined to open the hearts and minds of others. She campaigns to stop young people ending up in nursing homes for the elderly and for the introduction of a national no fault insurance scheme, so that people with acquired brain injury can have an equal opportunity to regain an active and productive life.
Anj educates the public on anti-violence, talking to students, young women, police and politicians. She empowers others to say no to violence, by advocating respectful relationships and has represented Australia at the United Nations. She also works to educate others to see the person, not the disability. Anj Barker is an exceptional young woman who has displayed strength and courage in the face of horrific injuries.
Anj Barker, one of the Ambassadors with Building Better Lives for Young People in Nursing Homes, is a finalist in Victoria's Young Australian of the Year awards. Anj gives of herself endlessly to advocate for young people in nursing homes, and this award recognises her work.
Congratulations Anj!
For more information about Building Better Lives, visit http://buildingbetterlives.createsend1.com/T/ViewEmail/r/2040FCD935D8AB94/449E286FB0C4FAD744D0DD5392A9C75A
For more information about the Young Australian of the Year Awards, visit http://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/recipients/?action=list&type=2&cat=2
Body Blows to Self-Esteem
Sydney Morning Herald Sunday Life, S. E. Smith, 2 November, 2010
Conversations about body image leave some people with disabilities feeling left out. Media campaigns telling us to love our bodies are all well and good, but what happens when you don't fit the mould? S. E. Smith explains.
As a person with disabilities, I often feel left out of conversations about body image. As diverse and inclusive as the media campaigns that address the issue claim to be, to me they tend to promote a fairly singular idea of how a woman's body should look. The ads, feature stories and posts on blogs that promote "body love" show a predictable cycle of "curvy girls", "freckly girls", "sporty girls" and "older women", but from my seat on the fringes of the debate I see a range of complex body-image issues being neatly swept aside and a group of people feeling very excluded from the conversation.
The discussion about body image is dominated by two ideas; first, that all people should love their bodies, and second, that lovable bodies are healthy ones. I can't tell you how many positive affirmations I regularly encounter that say things like, "Love your body, because it is beautiful, healthy and strong."
Among people with disabilities, an added complexity is introduced. We often experience inner conflict with our bodies and are made to feel uncomfortable about expressing that, because it's become socially unacceptable to express dislike, or even hatred, for one's body, and some people with disabilities who have a fraught relationship with their body experience feelings of guilt or inadequacy as a result.
To read the full article, visit http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/beauty/body-blows-to-selfesteem-20101102-17bsh.html
Government Commissions Early Advice on Assistance for Students with DisabilityThe Hon Peter Garrett AM, MP, Media Release, 5 November 2010
Minister for School Education Peter Garrett has commissioned advice on strategies that could assist school students with disability and special needs in the classroom and at school.
The Gillard Government has listened to concerns and tasked a small group of education authorities, teacher unions and educators to provide advice on immediate priorities and strategies to support school students with disability and special needs.
Minister for School Education Peter Garrett said the working group will identify effective, priority approaches to improve the educational experience of students with disability in the classroom and at school.
Specifically, I have asked this working group to consider needs across sectors, look at what is being done already and identify any short to medium term complementary strategies to strengthen learning support and outcomes for students with disabilities and special needs in our schools.
My aim is to hear from the working group by early December 2010 to enable me to consider their advice during 2011.
The number of students with disability as a proportion of all students is increasing, and this Government is serious about improving their educational outcomes.
To read the full article, visit http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Garrett/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_101105_112212.aspx
EVENTS
An Invitation to hear DAGERs Guest Speakers
When:
Monday 29 November, 10:00am 12:00noon
Where:
Knox Community Centre, 511 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South
Register:
Phone 9720 9800 or email [email protected]
The Disability Action Group - Eastern Region (DAGER) was formed in July 2008. The Vision Statement of DAGER is to raise awareness through advocacy, for greater accessibility across the outer Eastern Region.
An important purpose of DAGER is to action any concerns that people with disabilities and carers may have, to promote self advocacy or to advocate for them and to arrange appropriate guest speakers.
The guest speakers for the next meeting will be Lorraine Lipson, Education & Training Officer from the Office of the Public Advocate an Dianne Laagered, Yooralla, giving more information about the NDIS.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY
On 3 December every year International Day of People with Disability is celebrated worldwide recognising the achievements and contributions of people with disability. It brings together people with disability and the general community.
If you have an event you would like to promote please contact Natasha at DARU on phone 9639 5807 or email [email protected].
International Day of People with Disability Website
Jenny Macklin, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services, Jan McLucas, Indigenous Affairs and the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers have combined resources to dedicate a webpage featuring events celebrating International Day for People with Disability. You can register events and there are tips and ideas about hoasting events. The website is
http://www.idpwd.com.au/Pages/default.aspx
Celebrations Coming Up in Hume
Hume City Council has a variety of events planned including:
The Other Film Festival
Tennis day with Sunbury Lawn Tennis Club
International Day of Cooking
Spotlight on Boilover Th
