Newsletter August 2008 Edited on 28 October 2008

Australia Ratifies UN Convention

The Australian Government has officially ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Australia has become the 30th country to formerly ratify the treaty, which was adopted in 2006 and reinforces and affirms the rights of people with a disability.

Ratification allows Australia to participate in the election of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with disabilities, which will implement the Convention that formerly entered force in May.

"Australia has a long standing commitment to upholding and safeguarding the rights of people with a disability and ratifying the Convention sends this unequivocal message to the world" said Bill Shorten, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities.

The complete Convention can be viewed on the United Nations' UN Enable website.

The Federal Government also announced its intention to amend the Disability Discrimination Act during the Spring sitting of Parliament.

Pension Review - have your say

The Australian Government has committed to an investigation into measures to strengthen the financial security of seniors, carers and people with a disability, including a review of the Age Pension, Carer Payment and Disability Support Pension, as part of its inquiry into Australia's future tax system.

The Pension review will investigate the appropriate levels of income support and allowances; the frequency of payments, including the value of lump sums versus ongoing payments; and the structure and payment of concessions or other entitlements.

FaHCSIA is holding a series of public meetings to provide an opportunity for seniors, carers and people with disability to contribute to the process. These sessions are a chance for a broad range of individuals and organisations to have direct input into the Pension review.

Public meetings will be held in all capital cities and several major regional centres throughout August and September 2008.

The Department is also inviting people to share their views through written submission process. The submission process will commence in early August and will close towards the end of September 2008.

More information about the Pension Review and the public consultation process can be found on the FaHCSIA website - www.fahcsia.gov.au

Low Cost Computers

Three low cost computer packages are available through 'WorkVentures'. To apply for one of the packages all you need is to hold any Centrelink Concession Card.

Package 1 - $250

• Pentium 4
• 1.8GHz
• 40GB Hard Drive
• 256MB RAM
• 17" CRT monitor
• Keyboard & mouse
• Dial up modem
• 25 hrs of free internet
• Windows XP Pro
• MS Office 2003

Package 2 - $290

• Pentium 4
• 1.8GHz
• 40GB Hard Drive
• 512MB RAM
• 17" CRT monitor
• Keyboard & mouse
• Dial up modem
• 25 hrs of free internet
• Windows XP Pro
• MS Office 2003

Package 3 - $350

• Pentium 4
• 2.4GHz
• 40GB Hard Drive
• 512MB RAM
• 17" CRT monitor
• Keyboard & mouse
• Dial up modem
• 25 hrs of free internet
• Windows XP Pro
• MS Office 2003

Please Note:

• All computers have been refurbished.
• The price does not include any adaptive equipment.
• Delivery is extra - approximately $40 (WorkVentures are based in NSW)
• Warranty - 3 months on hardware

For more information OR to apply please contact WorkVentures on 1800 112 205.

NECAS pilot project

Non-electronic Communication Aid Scheme

The Non-electronic Communication Aid Scheme is a pilot project that provides non-electronic communication aids to adults with complex communication needs in Victoria.

Non-electronic communication aids include boards, books and cards that have a series of pictures, letters, words or phrases printed on them that a person will use to communicate a message. It does not need power or batteries to work. You can use these communication aids to talk to others.

For more information about NECAS contact:
Communication Resource Centre - (NECAS)
830 Whitehorse Rd
Box Hill 31258

Phone: 9842 2000
Free Call: 1800 888 824
Fax: 9843 2033
Email: carn.crc@scopevic.org.au
Website: www.scopevic.gov.au

Improved access at Sovereign Hill in Ballarat

Sovereign Hill Ballarat invited a representative from our office to attend an opening of the newly refurbished areas for patrons with disabilities.

There is a new map which outlines:

• Parking for the disabled.
• Toilets for the disabled.
• Ramps to cross the footpath more easily.
• Suggested route to take for those who are disabled or who have particular needs to travel.

I found the ramped areas in the refurbished steam engine areas to be quite good. While wheelchair access has been more carefully provided for, there is are minimal arrangements at this stage to cater for visual impairment.

On contacting the Occupational Health and Safety manager there are now investigations into what can be done to improve the accessibility of Sovereign Hill for those with low or no vision.

If you have any suggestions for improving the safety and accessibility of Sovereign Hill to those of us with a disability, then please let me know at our office in Ararat.

Judi Smith
Advocate
GdAA

Disability Advocacy in Indigenous Communities in the Grampians Region

The committee of GdAA is excited to announce that it has attracted philanthropic support for its indigenous links project. The Paterson Family Fund - through the Melbourne Community Foundation - has provided a grant of $7750 for the continuation of the "Disability Advocacy in Indigenous Communities in the Grampians Region" project, which aims to promote its services to people of Aboriginal background and establish relationships with Aboriginal communities and services in the Grampians Region.

Dr Helen Rosenbaum is the project worker. Helen is a community development consultant with extensive experience working with indigenous communities, particularly in Papua New Guinea.

If you would like to know more about the project please call the Ararat office of GdAA on 1800 552 272.

Award for GdAA member

Gordon Prior of Ararat has finished work at Stawell Intertwine Services after three years of employment. Gordon was a hardworking member of the Lawns and Gardens Team, and has now moved to open employment in Stawell.

He was thanked for his contribution to Intertwine with a barbecue lunch and the presentation of a certificate of appreciation.

Intertwine was instrumental in assisting Gordon to move into open employment, with the support of Community Axis.

We wish Gordon all the best with his new career.

Blind Citizens of Australia

Persons with vision impairment can become members of Blind Citizens of Australia.

This is a hard working organisation who represents those who are vision impaired over a wide range of decision making organisations across Australia.

Contact BCA for further information on 1800 033 660 OR 03 9654 1400

BCA are holding their AGM in Ballarat. It will be held at the Bell Tower Inn, Sturt St. on Friday 17th October at 7.00pm.

GdAA Office contact details

Ararat

2/32 Tuson St
Ph: 5352 2722
Fax: 5352 2733
Freecall: 1800 552 272
Email: asas@netconnect.com.au

Horsham

50c Pynsent St
Ph: 5381 2400
Fax: 5382 4801
Email: gdaah@bigpond.net.au

Ballarat

20 Eastwood St
Ph: 5333 7344
Fax: 5331 3720
Email: gdaab@bigpond.net.au

Newsletter format

The GdAA newsletter can come to you in large print, audio format or via email.

If this is your preference please contact us on:
Free Call - 1800 552 272
Phone - 5352 2722
Fax - 5352 2733
Email - asas@netconnect.com.au
SMS - 0419 356 976