The Disability Information and Resource Centre

The ABC’s New Inventors program are planning a special feature show early next year focussing on disability and access. They currently have two ‘products’ to showcase and are looking for a third – does anyone have an invention they wish to promote?

A couple of things to consider: – one of the products they are going to showcase is a software product and the other is a custom/specialised bicycle built for someone with no arms, so they are looking for a third idea that is different to these two.

If you do have an idea/product, contact Simone directly (her email address is below) and include information such as photos or a link to a website that provides further information on your submission.

You must have a working prototype to go on the show; – they are looking to record the special episode in Sydney on the 29th Jan 2010, so this will all happen very quickly when you consider Christmas, New Year, and Australia Day will all happen in that time frame; – you need to be an Australian resident for taxation purposes – a requirement of the show. Simone’s email address is: atallah.simone@abc.net.au

Good luck!

Liyana Mohamed Yusof, a University of Adelaide Masters Architecture student from Malaysia is conducting research into accessibilty of public parks. She is seeking information from people who use a wheelchair on their opinions and experience of accessing public parks in Adelaide, South Australia.

Her supervisor is Dr David Jones  david.jones@adelaide.edu.au

Project Title

Accessibility for Wheelchair Users in Public Parks: A Comparison between Adelaide and Kuantan

Project Summary

As a developing country, Malaysia has demonstrated an active role in the efforts of providing equal opportunity for people with disabilities through its new legislation, the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008. However, consideration of equal accessibility to outdoor environments in Malaysia is still lacking. Accordingly, the aim of this research is to investigate the appropriateness of key criteria applied for people with disabilities, particularly for wheelchair users in public parks in Australia, for the Malaysia context. A comprehensive investigation of the needs, anthropology and appropriate materials for wheelchair users as well as Malaysian and Australian guidelines, standards and legislations for people with disabilities will be undertaken in this research. It is hoped that this research will increase the awareness of the needs of people with disabilities in public parks among Malaysian architects, landscape architects, planners and local authorities. Significantly, the understanding from the research will contribute to increasing the quality of life of people with disabilities socially, mentally and spiritually.

Click on this link for the survey questions PublicParksWheelchairAccessibility

Please complete the questionnaire and attach it to an email and return to Liyana. Her email address is: liyana_y@yahoo.com

A client at the Guide Dogs Association of S.A & NT Inc wishes to access a computer. This client has both a vision impairment and a significant physical disability and is unable to use a key board. Hardware and Information Technology are available to support this process in the form of Jaws and Dragon Naturally Speaking and these programs will be used in combination with J Talk to facilitate the combination. Even with the Associations knowledge and experience there is still some unknown territory here so they are hoping there might be someone out there who has already tackled some or all of the issues.

If you as an individual with a disability, or an organization, or a technical wizard, have already triumphed over some or all of these problems contact the Guide Dogs Association of SA & NT Inc by one of these methods:

Telephone 8203 8333 Tollfree: 1800 738 855 Fax: 82038332 TTY: 8203 8391 or Email: clients@guidedogs.org.au to share your insight.
Please address your responses to Christine Flynn or Simon Wong. A lively and stimulating conversation here on the topic would also be very welcome.

Attorney-General the Hon Robert McClelland, MP

2 December 2008

On the eve of International Day of Persons with Disability, the Rudd Government today tabled draft Disability Standards for Access to Premises.

The Standards will help provide better access to new and upgraded public buildings for people with a disability by making it clearer what is required to avoid discrimination.  The requirements of the Standards will be mirrored in the Building Code of Australia.  This will greatly reduce complexity by aligning building law and discrimination law.

“The Rudd Government’s view is that access to public and commercial buildings for all members of our society is critical for achieving social inclusion,” Mr McClelland said.

“These initiatives will have a positive impact on the daily lives of people with a disability – providing better access to premises such as shops, government offices and hotels.  It will make their rights clearer and more certain.”

Minister for Innovation Senator Kim Carr said, “Harmonising the access requirements and the Building Code of Australia will not only provide people with a disability with greater access to public buildings but it will provide certainty for the building industry.”

The Premises Standards were requested by the building and disability sectors back in 2001.  Regrettably, the former Government failed to deliver. In contrast, the Rudd Government has made these a priority, tabling the draft Standards after only 12 months.

“Access to premises has been put in the too hard basket for too long,” Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services Bill Shorten said.

“This is a significant step forward in giving people with disability the opportunity to fully participate in public life.”

This work is part of the Rudd Government’s long term agenda to achieve better outcomes for people with disability and their families.

The Government intends referring the draft Standards to the House of Representatives Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee for a final public consultation, which will report in the first half of 2009.

The Standards and documents can be accessed at: www.ag.gov.au/premisesstandards.

Location: Historic Camden (1 hour from Sydney)
A purpose built home for integrated wheelchair access and family life.
Country living with all services nearby.

Rural living on 1 acre in a 4 bedroom home and designed for integrated Wheelchair access – Imagine the feeling:
Wheel under Hot Plates – you can’t get out of cooking now!
Wheel beside Dishwasher, under-bench Oven and Griller – it so easy.
Tiled from all entry doors to all rooms – direct effortless access to all rooms
Toilet that allows for transfers within the room – independent living
2 Vanity areas – one for the family and one for the wheelchair – look in the mirror as much as you want, use the hairdryer while the others are busy at their own vanity
Shower access for your wheelchair (wheel in and wheel out) and hand held and full shower – all in one – choose!
Full House temperature controlled by Reverse Cycle Air-conditioning – Winter or Summer comfort for you
Fenced for Pets
For the whole family

You guessed it:
No need to wait
No need to renovate your own home
Move in now! …. and take you family with you.

Price: Was $850,000 now $797,000 as a realistic price and value for your money as it should be for you.

View: Full details can be viewed on www.owner.com.au. Property No: 41530 (on the left hand side of the web site) or call and ask for a Flyer

Contact:David on (0418) 968 819 or e-mail at david.w.powell@bigpond.com and or further details or to arrange a free inspection.