The Disability Information and Resource Centre

Disability Speaks recently released the following (apologies for the lateness of this posting):

SHORTEN PROMOTED

But Jan will more than fill the bill!

Media Release: – Monday September 13th 2010

The Gillard Government is quickly spreading the message that they remain fully committed to the disability cause, but Bill Shorten will be sadly missed from his pivotal hands on role.

We have attached a message from Bill that was circulated on the weekend.

As you will see, not withstanding Bill’s appointment as Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation, (A well deserved and not unexpected promotion) Bill remains passionate about advocating for better life outcomes for people with disability and their carers.

There are many in the disability community who feel the needs of people with disability, families and carers was a ignited by a personal campaign of Kevin Rudd’s who by appointing a genuine fresh talent in Shorten to the Disability portfolio turbo charged the debate and ensured Disability Unmet Need emerged from the shadows.

Many will hope that Julia Gillard has the same priority and intent as her predecessor. Julia’s pre election comments on NDIS were a touch disappointing a and lacking the passion of Shorten and Rudd particularly when combined with the lethargic ALP 2010 pre election commitments that totalled just $160 million some 80% less than 2007. Julia spoke more passionately on mental health and aged care which we all know are decidedly more populous vote winners than the disability crisis and they have now been included as an enhanced Ministry. Disappointingly Disability was not given Ministerial status as many had hoped for. !

Gillard has however gone for experience in the tried and trusted appointment of Senator Jan McLucas as the new Parliamentary Secretary for Disability.

Senator McLucas is highly knowledgeable and has vast experience in disability, having served as Shadow Minister for Ageing and Disabilities from October 2004 to June 2005; and as Shadow Minister for Ageing, Disabilities and Carers from June 2005 until December 2007. Senator McLucas was responsible for drafting much of the ALP’s 2007 election policy (an excellent policy!) in relation to disability and carers which formed the basis of the 2007 Labor Governments significant reform and achievements in the portfolio during its first term. As such, while the disability sector should be confident that Senator McLucas does possess an extensive understanding and appreciation of disability in Australia many will look for an update on how she personally perceives the new era of choice and change that is permeating the disability community and allowing consumers to choose who and where they live, what services they want, how they should be delivered and who controls them. Senator McLucas is contactable at senator.mclucas@aph.gov.au and would no doubt welcome your questions.

There is also no doubt Bill remains strongly committed to advocating for people with disability both inside and outside of Government. His often repeated comments that Australia has a basic health care program (Medicare), a basic wage, a basic superannuation scheme, an strong social security program and the remaining hole in community protection is disability support will no doubt resonate in cabinet from his new and stronger position. Bill’s appointment to the Ministry should be viewed as an opportunity to broaden the disability debate across Government and continue the significant momentum that Bill worked hard to bring to the disability portfolio during the Labor Government’s first term.

We all look forward to working with Jan to get the big job done. There is never a more important time that the disability community bands together and carries the message outside our own peers to the wider community. The implementation on NDIS may well depend on this message being broadcast publicly and no longer internally.

David Holst

Chair – Disability Speaks Steering Committee

0418 555 683

www.disabilityspeaks.com.au

disabilityspeaks@internode.on.net

Arts Access Australia have released the following:

Arts Access Australia is calling on the Australian Labor Party and the Coalition to invest $20 million over the next four years to implement the National Arts and Disability Strategy, with an additional $4 million for Creative Ageing, so people with disability can take their place, as artists and audiences, alongside all Australians.

“There is strong community support and a clear need to increase arts participation by people with disability” said Gareth Wreford Executive Director of Arts Access Australia

Over 90% of 812 respondents to a July 2010 survey on the National Arts and Disability Strategy agreed that access to career pathways and training opportunities are limited for artists with a disability and that improving access to the arts should be supported by dedicated funding in addition to making all arts funding programs accessible.

“Equality is fundamental” and “Disabled performers challenge society’s preconceptions about ability and aesthetics” said South Australian set and costume designer Gaelle Mellis.

Gaelle Mellis, who has a physical disability, has worked as a set and costume designer for theatre, dance and events for more than 20 years. Among many awards, Gaelle has received a 2004 Churchill Fellowship, 2002 Adelaide Critics Circle Individual Award and a 2009 South Australian Screen Award for her production design on the film Necessary Games.

Despite the success and leadership of artists like Gaelle the one in five Australians with disability have much lower levels of arts and cultural participation, and receive very little arts and cultural funding, yet aspire to create and attend art like other Australians. For this to change new money is needed to create new Australian stories and audiences.

For information on the National Arts and Disability Strategy see:

http://www.cmc.gov.au/working_groups/national_arts_and_disability_strategy

Media Contact:

Emma Bennison 0410 553 383, Chair of Arts Access Australia and artist with disability

Jane Trengove 03 8640 6012, Access Program Manager Arts Access Victoria and artist with disability

Disability Speaks have released the following:

“GILLARD MUST SPEAK”

On Disability crisis support and National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)!

The Federal Election on August 21st may just well be the most important one ever for people with a Disability.

With support for NDIS growing many will be waiting to see whether Gillard speaks with the same conviction or passion as her predecessor did.

Admire or despise for his political legacy Kevin Rudd there is no doubt he (and his wife Therese) promoted disability related issues with a genuine passion and understanding.

With a growing 2-4% of the primary vote sympathetic to disability issues the election of Kelly Vincent MLC d4d to the SA Parliament confirms this lobby is increasing in political expertise and strength.

Tony Abbott spoke with conviction and passion in SA on May 7th when he confirmed Liberal support by saying

“The Coalition appreciates that people with disabilities get a raw deal. The Government has commissioned a Productivity Commission inquiry into how we can deliver better and more effective services to people with disabilities. The Opposition strongly supports this inquiry and should we come into government at the end of the year we would very much look forward to getting the recommendations of the Productivity Commission and I give people this assurance, that we would treat any Productivity Commission recommendations in this area much more seriously than the Government has treated the recommendations of the Henry Review. “

We will wait to see with much interest what disability emergency crisis management funding the Liberal Party will commit to long suffering people with disability while the Productivity Commission inquiry runs its course? Support is essential now! National Disability Services (NDS) released a media announcement this week that both the Greens and the Nationals were indicating support for NDIS.

Julia Gillard must get on the record on both short and long term resolution the disability sector so desperately needs.

Bill Shorten, Federal parliamentary Secretary (ALP) has done a remarkable job highlighting the despair and possible solutions that the disability sector faces. Many will already be feeling strongly disposed to an ALP victory based on Mr Shortens passion and work. Bill may care to remind Julia that we are unaware of any parents killing their children because the wait is too long for a tonsillectomy or because their new school desk lacks a shiny veneer, yet the reality is that no less than 10-12 children with disabilities have been allegedly killed by their desperate parents in Australia in the last 5 years.

Who really wants to be Prime Minister with that on your CV so let’s hear what both Tony and Julia are going to do about it? Let’s hope if nothing else that both Tony and Julia demand that the states meet their current responsibilities.

REMEMBER YOUR DISABILITY ALIGNED VOTE CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE!!!

David Holst

Chair – Disability Speaks Steering Committee

0418 555 683

www.disabilityspeaks.com.au

disabilityspeaks@internode.on.net

Kelly Vincent MLC, from Dignity for Disability, has introduced The Disability (Mandatory Reporting) Bill 2010.

This bill will afford the same protections as the Child Protection Act to those with intellectual or severe communication disabilities.

You can read more about the bill in this d4d media release.

Disability Professionals Australasia ‐ South Australian Chapter have released their inaugural e-journal entitled Opinions.

This edition contains information on Disability Professionals Australasia, responses from politicians on disability issues, and opinions and accounts from others working in the disability sector.

The e-journal can be viewed here.

John Gardner, Liberal Candidate for Morialta, is convening a forum on disability.

A range of community leaders, people with disability and their carers are participating in the forum (although their participation does not necessarily represent endorsement of or affiliation with the Liberal Party).

Speakers include

• John Gardner, Liberal Candidate for Morialta
• Rick Neagle, Dignity for Disability
• Stephen Wade, Liberal Shadow Minister for Disability

Location

Campbelltown Council Function Centre West Wing
172 Montacute Road
Rostrevor

Date and Time

Sunday, 14 February 2010 from 3.00pm till 4.30pm

Enquiries

John Gardner on 0400 101 589 or john.gardner@saliberal.org.au

Please also view the invitation.

Notice of a Meeting to discuss the potential  of running a political party
at the 2010 State Election.

Dignity for Disabled 2010
Mr Rick Neagle  and Dr Paul Collier invite you to an informal meeting on

Thursday 24th September at 1.00pm

to be held at

Arts Access SA – 106 Currie St, Adelaide

Contact:

Rick Neagle      rickneagle@internode.on.net 0431 704074

Paul Collier       phc007@bigpond.net.au 0408 006065

PS:   Please circulate this flyer freely
ALL WELCOME