The Disability Information and Resource Centre

Pap Smear Awareness Week 2011 Sunday 1 May – Saturday 7 May

Community Small Grants are available as part of Pap Smear Awareness Week (PSAW). SA Cervix Screening Program, in collaboration with Cancer Council SA, provide grants to support community and health professionals to conduct promotional activities that link women to screening services within their local communities.

Make use of the following documents if you wish to apply for a grant:

• Information on activities and materials available
• Grant Application Guide
• Grant Application Form

Applications close Monday 21 March 2011.

Pap Smear Awareness Week provides an opportunity for a wide range of health and community organisations to promote the importance for women aged 18 – 70 to have a Pap smear every two years to prevent cervical cancer.

Pap Smear Awareness Week will be held this year between Saturday 1 May- Sun 7th May.

Should you wish to get involved, you can order a campaign display kit and/or complimentary promotional gifts. Full details can be found in the order form.

For several years, Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) has led a campaign to have the provision of adjustable-height examination beds made mandatory in the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Standards for General Practices.

WWDA has worked on this issue alongside People With Disability Australia (PWDA) and in more recent times, the Physical Disability Council NSW (PDCN), and Council on the Ageing NSW (COTA), joined forces in this national effort. Support for the campaign was also given by the Australian Human Rights Commission. In late 2009, WWDA, PWDA, PDCN and COTA (NSW) developed a joint Submission to the RACGP as part of the consultations for the Review of the RACGP Standards for General Practices. The Submission clearly articulated the groups position that the provision of adjustable-height examination beds be made a mandatory requirement in the RACGP Standards for General Practices.

The collective Submission to the RACGP from WWDA, PWDA, PDCN and COTA (NSW) was finalised in late November 2009 and endorsed by more than 200 organisations and individuals (available at: www.wwda.org.au/subs2006.htm).

The RACGP has just released its draft 4th edition of the Standards which propose height adjustable examination beds do become mandatory. The Standards are draft at this stage and subject to a 3 month consultation phase.

For more information please read this media release from the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Please also read Women with disabilities need pap smears too!, which includes information about metropolitan cervix screening services and whether they have adjustable beds and a lift or hoist available.

Community Small Grant applications for Pap Smear Awareness Week (Sunday 2 May to Saturday 8 May 2010) are now open.

These grants assist community and health workers to conduct promotional activities in their local communities.

The target group for the 2010 Pap Smear Awareness Week includes women with disabilities.

Community Small Grants are worth $500.

To Apply for a Grant

Application forms are available via the SA Cervix Screening website.

Applications close on Monday 22nd March 2010.

More Information

Please see the flyer.

Or contact:

Christine Gates
Ph 8226 8183 or email christine.gates@health.sa.gov.au
PO Box 287
Rundle Mall
Adelaide SA 5000
Fax 8226 8190

The SA Cervix Screening Program is pleased to announce that the disability resources to educate and inform women and/or their carers of the process involved in having a Pap smear are now available for use. These include: an illustrated 8 page pictorial booklet, complimented with a Flip Chart and CD PowerPoint presentation accompanied by presentation notes. There is also information about the location, opening hours and services available at specific accessible premises. All of these resources will be supplied free of charge.
Please find attached: an order form
& a colourful poster which showcases how the resources can be used within different settings and groups .

If you have any queries contact
Megan van Zanten
Project Officer, SA Cervix Screening Program
Tel: 08 8226 8185 Fax: 08 8226 8190

Email: megan.vanzanten@health.sa.gov.au

PO Box 287 Rundle Mall SA 5000

Web site: www.cervixscreening.sa.gov.au