“ Totally Dillusional Jen?”

MEDIA RELEASE September 30 th 2009

Father Christmas, the Tooth Fairy and Easter Bunny have much in common with the fantasy world in which some politicians appear to live.

The 11. 09. 2009 Media Release (attached) from Federal Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs , Ms Jennifer Macklin's officetakes fanciful and imaginary living back centuries into the era of Hans Christian Anderson. Given the lofty title of "Community and Disability Service Ministers Communiqu'e" the concept of a good old fashioned joint State/Federal/ ALP love-in appears alive and well !

If Pinochio had written this media release he would now have a very very very loooooooooong nose!

Talking of "significant progress" while applauding that just 150 new supported accommodation positions have been generated nationally in 12 months , half the learned politiciansself proclaimed target for 3 years , is dillusional. With over 22,500 clients registered nationally for supported accommodation unmet need waiting lists Ms Macklin has clearly bumped her head! If this is progress what is disaster? More people nationaly will have joined these disability waiting lists in the last 12 months than what have been accommodated. They need to start targetting 3000 new positions a year!

The Communiqu'e talks of "breadth of innovative iniatives being delivered across jurisdictions"
Thatmust be some sort of weird French translation for "sitting around talking complete garbage" because nothing good in Disability Services has happened in SA in the last 12 months. Increases in funding levels have been slashed to less than inflation rates and federal inflation payments appear hijacked. The new National Disability Agreement smells like a wet dog?

The tone of this Federal media release highlights much joy and progress in disability services. Noted Oz comicPaul Hogan, fresh from a victory over the tax office would probably dismiss it as simply as good ol government bullshit!

Right across the country people with a disability have never done it tougher.
Waiting lists are doubling every 4-6 years
Funding is being cut
Services are being slashed

Themost laughable comment however appears on page 3 of the media transcript.

TheHonourable? Ministers are working on an aplogy for "forgotten australians (not the disabled)" How funny is that?

As the ministerssmooched and schmoozed people with a disability were being forgotten, abused and neglected right across Australia by governments who can not claim they are unaware of the problems. The need for more data, research or more planning is just another delaying tactic to avoid the biggest need. ACTION NOW!

No-one reading this Communiqu'e will believe any real actions are in place to address Australia's Disability crisis.
The answers however are readily available. Disability Speaks strongly recommends that Ms Macklin and Mr Shorten and Kevin 07 if he is available make the lunch belowa priority
At the National Press Club next week Dr Rhonda Galbally will present Shut Out:The Experience of People with Disabilities and their Families in Australia.
Recently released by the National People with Disabilities and Carer Council, Shut Out is the product of extensive nationwide consultations with people with disability, their families, friends and carers. Shut Out reveals the full extent of the exclusion and discrimination experienced by people with disability and their families. Shut out of schools, shut out of jobs, shut out of housing, shut out of health care, shut out of community groups – the report reveals the many ways people with a disability are prevented from become active and full participants in the economic, social and cultural life of the nation.
Dr Galbally will also present some of the ideas for reform that emerged during the consultation process, and the importance of the introduction and implementation of a strong National Disability Strategy. She will also speak about growing support for the introduction of a National Disability Insurance Scheme.
You can also watch it live on the ABC 1 from 12.30-1.30pm. AESST
When: Wednesday October 7 Time: 11.45 – 1.30pm
Where: National Press Club, Canberra

"Disability Speaks will distribute on behalf of any organization that meets suitable criteria online information that is of wide disability community interest via our database that now numbers nearly 4,000 recipients for Govt, advocacy groups and other major disability organizations. We hope in the lead up to elections, state or federal we can distribute policy and support information from political groups. Such distribution is not in any way endorsement by Disability Speaks. From time to time Disability Speaks will also distribute media releases commenting on developments in the disability sector. We strongly encourage you to forward all releases to your friends, clients and disability supporters and encourage them to subscribe direct. To do so simply send an email subject "subscribe" to the address below.


David Holst
0418555683

Email: disabilityspeaks@internode.on.net


If you would like to be removed from the database please advise by return email. Disability Speaks has no affiliation with any political party or service provider, is self funded and run by volunteers.

End of Year Exams

Do you have a disability or medical condition which affects your end of year exams??

If yes, and you haven't updated your access plan recently, please see a Disability Advisor ASAP.

Any changes to the way you sit your exam, like the venue, amount of time, exam timetable, equipment or technology needed, must be discussed with a Disability Advisor before Friday 9th October 2009.

So please contact Disability Services via email: disability@unisa.edu.au
Or contact a disability advisor on your campus.

Disability and Careers Forum: Watch this Space...

Are you in your final years of study??

Do you have questions about finding a job: disclosing your disability, writing an application, preparing for an interview?

Want to meet employers of people with a disability?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then keep Friday 11th December free. We are planning a careers session for students with a disability, including;

• Job search, application and interview skills
• Information and discussion about disclosure
• Forum to discuss issues with other students
• Employers and graduates will be invited to be part of a discussion panel.

Please let us know if there is anything else you would like covered in this forum, by posting it on this blog or emailing Kirsten Read. We want to hear from you!

kirsten.read@unisa.edu.au

Funding Application for the Inclusive Learning Technologies® Conference 2010

Spectronics is offering financial support to assist with the costs of attending the Inclusive Learning Technologies Conference 2010 for six people with disabilities, carers for people with disabilities or parents of people with disabilities. We encourage people with learning difficulties or parents of students with learning difficulties to also apply. To ensure that everyone applying for funding support is given an equal chance of being successful - the names of the six lucky winners will be randomly drawn on Friday 19th February 2010 . You can apply now via the Conference Funding section of the website.

Preliminary Conference Program now live! Conference Program section of our website.

For more information check out our website.

Dignity for Disabled - 2010 State Election

Arts Access SA - Club Cool

Arts Access SA - Club Cool continues with another theme based party “Living in the 80’s” for this Sunday 20th September 1-4pm.
At: “The Gov” (51 Port Road Hindmarsh).
Featuring the Weekend Warriors Band "Kill Bill", with eighties Hangman, PIcture Quiz, SINGSTAR, The Rubics Cube, What Song is it?, and the best 80's dancer!!
Special Guests: Danceworks with Hip Hop routines.
With some fun 80's hairstyling going on, goth makeup and our compere Glen Johns aka BOY GEORGE this is a club cool not to be missed.

Julia Farr Youth

Are you aged between 18-25yrs and living with a disability?

Come and Join -Julia Farr Youth - 104 Greenhill Road, Unley.
Georgina: Ph: 8373 8313

“UNMET NEED WAITING LISTS TO DOUBLE”
Where's Mike?
MEDIA RELEASE September 8th 2009

The attached ad will appear in all editions of the S.A. metropolitan messenger press publications e.g. The Guardian, The Southern Times, The Eastern Courier etc either this Wednesday 9th September or next week.

It will be read by over 400,000 proud South Australians who will be horrified to see the low priority given to those with severe disability
Many are no doubt disgusted that SA has such a poor approach

The release of the June 30th 2009 official unmet need waiting lists showing ballooning numbers at the rate of 9% per annum is simply scary.

Nothing about the Disability crisis in S.A. will change despite the tragedy, despair and dismay unless our Premier Mr Rann makes disability funding a priority.

It is widely understood and that SA funding is between $50-$100 million dollars per year below national average

The miserly 2.5% increase in the 2009 State Budget when balanced against a 9% per annum increase in waiting lists and inflation of 3.5% means that the SA unmet disability need waiting list will double over the next four years.

It is time for the plan and the funding support that is sadly missing.

IMPORTANT; For Information
"Disability Speaks will distribute on behalf of any organization online information that is of wide disability community interest. Such a distribution will not in any way be endorsement of any group. Disability Speaks is a not for profit community advocacy group, self funded and run by volunteers. It has no association with any political parties or service groups"
Please forward this information on to your friends, clients, staff, carers and any one with a strong interest in supporting people with Disability.
To add your contact details to the Disability Speaks database simply enter "subscribe" and email to : disabilityspeaks@internode.on.net
If you would like to be removed from the database please advise by return email. Disability Speaks has no affiliation with any political party or service provider, is self funded and run by volunteers.

“Pick a Winner ”

MEDIA RELEASE September 4th 2009

When Disability Minister Jennifer Rankine announced earlier this year that Disability S.A. would launch a pilot program on self managed funding in the fourth quarter of 2009 there was an overwhelming sector positive response that this was a step in the right direction.

Disability Speaks like most major advocacy groups in SA supports this service delivery model being available to those who choose to use it. It is already proven in other juristictions and well overdue!

The steering committee of Disability Speaks thinks that such an important program deserves a very special name. It has been suggested that we encourage interested people to send to Disability SA their own suggestions on what this service model could be called. It is commonly expected that this pilot will quickly become a full blown service program. As such the name will need to
reflect the opportunity, diversity and choice such change delivers
go the distance as the program develops over coming years
be reflective of the range of clients who may choose to use such a program
highlight the excitement and positive attitude of this strategic step
meet with the Ministers approval (She has not asked for this free advise but we are sure she will take it in the spirit it is intended)
may even include a logo suggestion?
Disability Speaks advises that it has no official role in the selection of this program name and is running this program for a bit of fun and as a positive program to give the disability community in SA a chance to look ahead. Our role as advocates is not just to criticize, but to also to work with government and DSA to develop new and innovative ways of developing sector resources in a sustainable manner, while always ensuring services are client centred and outcome focused.

This impending DSA program is exciting!!!!!

We look forward to a healthy community reaction and am sure DSA will consider all submissions
submissions should be sent to disabilityinfo@dfc.com.au

Equity@Work Audio Interview Series

To assist students with disabilities with the jobsearch process, Equity@Work put together some interviews to give students insight to the knowledge and experiences of various graduates, employers and experts, and their personal strategies for overcoming common barriers.

For the interviews go to http://www.ssu.uts.edu.au/careers/resources/equity/audio/index.html

The project was funded by the UTS Equity and Diversity Unit Disability Projects fund.

Disclosure in the workplace

Every job seeker with a disability is faced with the same decision: "Should I or shouldn't I disclose my disability?" This decision may be framed differently depending upon whether you have a visible disability or a non-visible disability. Ultimately, the decision of whether to disclose is entirely up to you.

Click here to read more...

Towards Success in Tertiary Study

Towards Success in Tertiary Study is a resource for all students who are studying or intending to study at tertiary level and includes strategies for students who have a disability (thanks to the Uni of Melbourne).

Chronic/ongoing medical conditions
Mental health conditions
Learning disabilities
Deaf or hard of hearing
Blind or low vision
Acquired brain injury
Asperger's Syndrome
Learning Styles

Low Cost Re-furbished Computers

Looking for a low-cost refurbished computer? Then check out Aspitech who are a participant in the Community Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher Program (Community MAR). They can offer a quality low-cost computer for as little as $180 but also supply it installed with the genuine Microsoft software ready to go...

What do you get for only $180..?

• +Pentium 4 or equivalent
• High Quality Colour CRT Monitor
• CDROM and Floppy Drive
• Keyboard and Mouse
• Genuine Microsoft XP Operating System
• Genuine Microsoft Office 2003 & other free quality software.

For more information please go to their website or contact them at:
1393 Main South Road, Bedford Park, SA 5042
email: info@aspitech.com.au
phone: 08 8464 0766
facsimile: 08 8201 7532

Are Dyslexia and Wealth Linked? Study Finds Individuals with Dyslexia More Likely to Be Millionaires
By: LD OnLine (2003)

A study by the Tulip Financial Group found that self-made millionaires are more likely to be dyslexic. A significant majority of the 5,000 self-made millionaires in Britain reportedly struggled in school. The results come from a study commissioned by the British Broadcasting Company 2 (BBC2) for its series The Mind of A Millionaire.
In an attempt to learn more about the minds of millionaires, a team of psychologists and business experts, spent a day testing a group of entrepreneurial millionaires. They were put through a series of tests.
40% of the 300 millionaires who participated in the more comprehensive study had been diagnosed with dyslexia. Adrian Atkinson, a business psychologist who worked with the research group, noted that "Most people who make a million have difficult childhoods or have been frustrated in a major way. Dyslexia is one of the driving forces behind that." (The Sunday Times, October 5, 2003).
Ali Bazley, of the British Dyslexia Association suggests that dyslexics who struggle make up for it by being more creative, and looking at the bigger picture. "People with dyslexia, are often very good lateral and strategic thinkers." (Express & Echo, Exeter, October 8, 2003.)
Another reason individuals with dyslexia may do well is the fact that due to their academic struggles they often find themselves outside of the mainstream social groups in school. Feeling alone, they compensate by spending time exploring ideas, learning new strategies, and working to find a model of success.
Sir Richard Branson, a billionaire and the head of Virgin Industries, made his first million by the age of 18. He is dyslexic. Walt Disney, and Donald Winkler, former CEO of Ford Credit, are other very successful people with learning disabilities.
What else did the study find about millionaires? Millionaires know that mistakes are OK. They know speed is the key to business advantage and they work within their strengths. Rene Caraylol, a business adviser and another member of the research team stated "They don't do failure, they redefine it. Failure for them is a learning experience that will enable them to be even better. If they fall over, they just come straight back up again. I have never met such a bunch of optimistic people. Everything is an opportunity, the glass isn't half full, it's spilling over." (Sunday Times, 10/5/03)