The Disability Information and Resource Centre

The Disability & Arts Transition Team (DATT), a partnership between Can SA and DIRC, have created a website to cater to the needs of artists with disabilities.

www.disabilityandarts.net.au

The site is still in its early stages and we are seeking comments and opinions from the community. Please have a look at the site and let us know what you think by using the comment form provided on the site’s “Contact Us” page.

Technical Aid to the Disabled SA Inc (TADSA) the state-wide charity which for over 30 years has used the skills, time and facilities of its technical volunteers to design and build equipment for people with disabilities, has launched a new website.

Apart from providing information to people with disabilities about TADSA’s unique service, the site will also enable anyone to access an online shop and purchase amongst other products, commercially available aids and devices to help people who struggle with day to day activities.

TADSA Public Relations Officer, Ian Beaton, said “Our clients and the public will be able to shop online for disability equipment whether they live in Adelaide, Mt Gambier or Ceduna. The website also includes news, information on volunteering with TADSA, a member’s only area, and details of recent projects.”

Other features of the site include an Occupational Health and Safety section for TADSA volunteers which highlights the safe use of tools and machinery in the shed, and videos showcasing TADSA’s service.

“Our volunteers who have skills in many different areas including: engineering, carpentry, metalwork, plastics or are just good handy persons, aim to improve the quality of life for our clients by solving practical problems,” Mr Beaton said.

One client who uses a wheelchair had difficulty reaching her clothesline. A TADSA volunteer created a lever for the clothesline enabling the client to raise and lower the clothesline with one hand. She describes her story in a video on the new TADSA website.

Disability Minister, Jennifer Rankine, officially launched the site at Parliament House.

The website can be found at: www.tadsa.org.au

Dignity for Disability have announced the launch of their new web site. They have also released a flyer outlining the launch.

Australians with disabilities will soon find it easier to access government information online.

Minister for Finance and Deregulation Lindsay Tanner and Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities Bill Shorten said the Rudd Government had endorsed new website accessibility standards, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0.

“This is an important step in making democracy more open, accessible and accountable for all Australians,” Lindsay Tanner said.

“It will encourage and enable people living with disabilities to more fully interact with, and get services from government online.”

The new standard replaces WCAG 1.0, a mandated requirement for agencies since 2000.

More information can be found here.