On Thursday 18 March, Hon Bill Shorten launched a NEDA report on the data about disability in people from non English speaking background.
The Report: People from Non English Speaking Background with disability in Australia: What does the data say? makes a number of observations about this group within our society.
The report highlights that:
1. More than 1 million people with disability are from non English speaking backgrounds.
2. Some form of recent migration heritage is a characteristic for over 40% of people with disability.
3. There is a higher prevalence of impairment for people born in a non English speaking country aged over 45 years of age
4. ‘first wave’ non English speaking migrants, have an incidence of disability up to 3 times that of the Australian born population.
The report evidences the need for key improvements in Australia’s data collection if we are to understand and meet the needs of people from NESB with disability. Otherwise immigrants with disabilities will miss out on delivery of services.
NEDA is the national peak organisation representing the rights and interests of people from non-English speaking background (NESB) with disability, their families and carers throughout Australia.
A copy of the report can be found on the NEDA website www.neda.org.au.
4/6/10
Congratulations ! Canberra Theatre improves accessibility
The Canberra Theatre has announced some additional accessibility features for patrons.
1. It is an ACT Companion Card affiliate.
This means that a FREE ticket can be provided for the support person accompanying a Companion Card holder. (More information about Comapnion Cards is at: http://www.dhcs.act.gov.au/companion_card)
2. Real time audio descriptions of shows or performance activities (between dialogue) via personal headsets
3. Tactile set tours for the benefit of blind and vision impaired patrons, and
4. Live captioning for the Deaf and hearing impaired
Other access services are available for all shows such as headsets to aid hearing and dedicated wheelchair spaces.
Look at the Canberra Theatre Centre access diary for information about dates for audio description and live captioned shows: www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au/season2010/access.html
1. It is an ACT Companion Card affiliate.
This means that a FREE ticket can be provided for the support person accompanying a Companion Card holder. (More information about Comapnion Cards is at: http://www.dhcs.act.gov.au/companion_card)
2. Real time audio descriptions of shows or performance activities (between dialogue) via personal headsets
3. Tactile set tours for the benefit of blind and vision impaired patrons, and
4. Live captioning for the Deaf and hearing impaired
Other access services are available for all shows such as headsets to aid hearing and dedicated wheelchair spaces.
Look at the Canberra Theatre Centre access diary for information about dates for audio description and live captioned shows: www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au/season2010/access.html
Congratulations! to National Convention Centre
The National Convention Centre has installed Hearing Loops for Six Venues .
In a significant step to increase accessibility for all patrons of the National Convention Centre, the latest in hearing loop technology has been installed in:
The induction loops will improve the levels of hearing and comfort for the hearing impaired who use a "T Switch" activated hearing aid when they attend the theatre, conferences, concerts, private functions and banquets at the National Convention Centre.
(News supplied by the Business Leaders Innovative Thoughts & Ideas - BLITS)
In a significant step to increase accessibility for all patrons of the National Convention Centre, the latest in hearing loop technology has been installed in:
Royal Theatre,
Ballroom,
Bradman Theatre
Menzies Theatre
Nicholls Theatre
Sutherland Theatre.
The induction loops will improve the levels of hearing and comfort for the hearing impaired who use a "T Switch" activated hearing aid when they attend the theatre, conferences, concerts, private functions and banquets at the National Convention Centre.
(News supplied by the Business Leaders Innovative Thoughts & Ideas - BLITS)
3/27/10
LAUNCH OF ACT WOMEN'S PLAN
the ACT Women's Plan for 2010-2015 was formulated during 2008-09, with extensive conulstation in the community. Kerry Snell, the WWDACT representative on the Ministerial Council for Women put in a submission on our behalf. WWDACT members also attended various of the consultation sessions. The Plan will be launched on 31st March.
2/21/10
New Horizons Program on 1RPH
New Horizons is Blind Citizens Australia's weekly radio program. It can be heard on RPH radio stations throughout Australia. Broadcast times and stations are at http://www.bca.org.au/New-Horizons/tunein.htm
This week on program 126 of New Horizons, Scott Nixon speaks with Robyn Gaile, Executive Officer of Blind Citizens Australia, who gives an update of BCA activities. Scott also speaks with Renata Halusek about the Beyond Vision theatre group for people who are blind or vision impaired. The direct link to listen is http://www.bca.org.au/new-horizons/nh-0126.m3u
This week on program 126 of New Horizons, Scott Nixon speaks with Robyn Gaile, Executive Officer of Blind Citizens Australia, who gives an update of BCA activities. Scott also speaks with Renata Halusek about the Beyond Vision theatre group for people who are blind or vision impaired. The direct link to listen is http://www.bca.org.au/new-horizons/nh-0126.m3u
WWDACT Meeting Report - 20th February
The WWDACT current theme is to get some basic vocabulary in AUSLAN and finger spelling. Lou B expertly managed the digital projector and with the DVD "A Time to Sign" running we learned some vocabulary for "Earth and Sky" and "Animals". Despite that fact that we were crash hot on the signs on Saturday, we can't vouch for how much will be retained by our the time our next meeting comes around.
WWDACT members also discussed ideas for the future direction of our organisation and ways in which we can more effectively engage with women across all ACT disability groups. WWDACT has always been a x-disability organisations, and now can firmly base our rationale in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). We will be trying to get more effective feedback to you from the large number of representatives we have serving on ACT Governemnt and non-government advisory bodies. There was strong support for continuation of the quarterly meetings too. Watch this space.........
WWDACT members also discussed ideas for the future direction of our organisation and ways in which we can more effectively engage with women across all ACT disability groups. WWDACT has always been a x-disability organisations, and now can firmly base our rationale in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). We will be trying to get more effective feedback to you from the large number of representatives we have serving on ACT Governemnt and non-government advisory bodies. There was strong support for continuation of the quarterly meetings too. Watch this space.........
2/1/10
Welcome to 2010 with WWDACT
INVITATION
YOU are invited to a meeting at the Griffin Centre, Room 6
ON: Saturday 20 February
FROM: 2pm to 4pm
FREE
Tea, Coffee and Hot Chocolate will be provided.
PLEASE BRING: something to share for afternoon tea
GUEST SPEAKER: To be announced.
YOU are invited to a meeting at the Griffin Centre, Room 6
ON: Saturday 20 February
FROM: 2pm to 4pm
FREE
Tea, Coffee and Hot Chocolate will be provided.
PLEASE BRING: something to share for afternoon tea
GUEST SPEAKER: To be announced.
**
An AUSLAN interpreter will be attending for the afternoon.
Women with disabilities from the ACT and region, and their carers or support workers are welcome.
9/30/09
ACT Government Accessible Public Transport Plan
This information it taken from http://www.tams.act.gov.au (see links to RTF Plan version in the Links List on this website).
ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Transport, Jon Stanhope, launched the ACT Government's Accessible Public Transport Action Plan 2009-2012 on Wednesday 30 September 2009.
The Action Plan sets out a range of tasks to be undertaken to increase the accessibility of the public transport system including:
•the development of customised Action Plans by public transport and infrastructure providers
•reviewing the number of wheelchair accessible taxis, licences and drivers to ensure response times are satisfactory
•a public awareness/education campaign
•working with other jurisdictions to investigate broad scale safety improvements to secure mobility aids in buses and taxis
•reviewing compliance against Disability Standards for infrastructure such as pathways, lighting and signage of bus stops, interchanges and taxi ranks
•raising awareness about the complaint mechanisms
•investigating financial incentives for passengers and taxi drivers/operators, such as extending free bus travel to people with disabilities.
Contact Christine Laurence in Transport Regulation and Planning by email at Christine.laurence@act.gov.au or phone 6207 7137 for hard copy/large print version.
ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Transport, Jon Stanhope, launched the ACT Government's Accessible Public Transport Action Plan 2009-2012 on Wednesday 30 September 2009.
The Action Plan sets out a range of tasks to be undertaken to increase the accessibility of the public transport system including:
•the development of customised Action Plans by public transport and infrastructure providers
•reviewing the number of wheelchair accessible taxis, licences and drivers to ensure response times are satisfactory
•a public awareness/education campaign
•working with other jurisdictions to investigate broad scale safety improvements to secure mobility aids in buses and taxis
•reviewing compliance against Disability Standards for infrastructure such as pathways, lighting and signage of bus stops, interchanges and taxi ranks
•raising awareness about the complaint mechanisms
•investigating financial incentives for passengers and taxi drivers/operators, such as extending free bus travel to people with disabilities.
Contact Christine Laurence in Transport Regulation and Planning by email at Christine.laurence@act.gov.au or phone 6207 7137 for hard copy/large print version.
9/28/09
ACT Women Centre for Health Matters focus on Health Information
The Preliminary Findings of the Women’s Centre for Health Matters 2009 survey on Women’s Health Information have been released (24.9.09). The survey was conducted both online and paper, and aimed to find out HOW and WHERE ACT women look for information about their health and wellbeing. Over 600 responses have been received, and it is expected that this figure will rise to 700 by the end of the survey period, making up 0.4% of ACT women.
The respondents were not drawn by random sampling, and close to 30% reported having a disability, or long term/Chronic health condition. WWDACT thanks the WCHM for enabling us to be over-represented instead of over-looked. Access to health information and treatment, in addition to disability information/treatment is of major concern and importance to achieve our best possible holistic outcomes.
Most women sought out information for themselves, via GPs and the internet. It could be that women with disabilities who responded are comfortable ICT users, and that in discussion with the WCHM, focus groups with non-internet WWDACT constituents could be held. Women’s confidence in the information they received showed that over 70% viewed the GP as trustworthy, whilst only 30% had similar confidence in the Emergency Department. A high percentage of respondents (54.4%) said that they considered accessibility issues when seeking information. More details on this aspect of the survey will be useful for women with disabilities.
WWDACT will work with the WCHM for comparative data between respondents with disabilities and the non-disabled to identify any particular anomalies which need targetted policies.
The respondents were not drawn by random sampling, and close to 30% reported having a disability, or long term/Chronic health condition. WWDACT thanks the WCHM for enabling us to be over-represented instead of over-looked. Access to health information and treatment, in addition to disability information/treatment is of major concern and importance to achieve our best possible holistic outcomes.
Most women sought out information for themselves, via GPs and the internet. It could be that women with disabilities who responded are comfortable ICT users, and that in discussion with the WCHM, focus groups with non-internet WWDACT constituents could be held. Women’s confidence in the information they received showed that over 70% viewed the GP as trustworthy, whilst only 30% had similar confidence in the Emergency Department. A high percentage of respondents (54.4%) said that they considered accessibility issues when seeking information. More details on this aspect of the survey will be useful for women with disabilities.
WWDACT will work with the WCHM for comparative data between respondents with disabilities and the non-disabled to identify any particular anomalies which need targetted policies.
9/16/09
HAVE YOUR SAY ABOUT WOMEN IN AUSTRALIA
BPFA Online Survey
The United Nations Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) aims to remove obstacles for women’s active participation in all areas of public & private life, sharing power, decision making & responsibility with men at home, in the workplace and in the wider national and international communities.
Equality is about social justice; a fundamental prerequisite for development and peace; and so women and men can work together for themselves, their children and for society to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
Your opinion is vital to bring about change so please take a few minutes to consider the questionnaire and make comment in the area/s that is/are important to you.
To input on line you can:
1. Go to www.jerainternational.org , click on the Working Together for Equality sign and click on the B+15 On-line questionnaire, to fill this out, or
2. You can go directly to the survey from here by using this link http://jerainternational.org/scope-of-services/projects/bpfa/beijing-plus-15/b15-platform-for-action-review-survey
Please feel free to answer all of the questions, or answer only the area that impacts on you.
While we are currently gathering information from women, JERA International welcomes any comments, ideas or feedback from men via email on info@jerainternational.org or via the comment box on the JERA website. JERA International will be running workshops with men during November, 2009.
Note that the B+15 Platform for Action review survey will close September 25, 2009.
Warm regards
Carole A Shaw, Director / Joint CEO, Jera International (Justice, Equality, Rights, Access International)
PO Box 289, Kangaroo Ground, Victoria 3097, Australia
P: + 61 3 9481 7553, M: + 61 (0) 421274 774, E: cshaw@jerainterntional.com.
The United Nations Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) aims to remove obstacles for women’s active participation in all areas of public & private life, sharing power, decision making & responsibility with men at home, in the workplace and in the wider national and international communities.
Equality is about social justice; a fundamental prerequisite for development and peace; and so women and men can work together for themselves, their children and for society to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
Your opinion is vital to bring about change so please take a few minutes to consider the questionnaire and make comment in the area/s that is/are important to you.
To input on line you can:
1. Go to www.jerainternational.org , click on the Working Together for Equality sign and click on the B+15 On-line questionnaire, to fill this out, or
2. You can go directly to the survey from here by using this link http://jerainternational.org/scope-of-services/projects/bpfa/beijing-plus-15/b15-platform-for-action-review-survey
Please feel free to answer all of the questions, or answer only the area that impacts on you.
While we are currently gathering information from women, JERA International welcomes any comments, ideas or feedback from men via email on info@jerainternational.org or via the comment box on the JERA website. JERA International will be running workshops with men during November, 2009.
Note that the B+15 Platform for Action review survey will close September 25, 2009.
Warm regards
Carole A Shaw, Director / Joint CEO, Jera International (Justice, Equality, Rights, Access International)
PO Box 289, Kangaroo Ground, Victoria 3097, Australia
P: + 61 3 9481 7553, M: + 61 (0) 421274 774, E: cshaw@jerainterntional.com.
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WAM Steering Committee meeting
Erlina (at back) and Maureen