Young people aged 18-25 who live with a disability

Julia Farr Youth are looking for young people aged 18-25 who live with a
disability and are enthusiastic about disability youth issues to come to
our next meeting on Tuesday 24th November at 6:15pm.

We meet once a month at Julia Farr Association to discuss issues which
are important to young people and come up with strategies to change
thoughts and lives. We are for young people, by young people with
initiative.

Our current primary focus is the design, development and implementation
of a Mentor Program for children aged 11-16 years who live with a
disability.

To register your interests then please contact Georgina at Julia Farr
Association on 8373 8333 or email georginae@juliafarr.org.au.
Information can also be found at www.juliafarr.org.au under Julia Farr News.

Food and travel costs are provided!

Well known people with disabilities

Have a disability or medical condition? You are not alone. Many people with disabilities have contributed to society. These include actors, actresses, celebrities, singers, world leaders, and many other famous people.
Of course there are also millions of people worldwide who may not be famous in the sense society deems famous, but still live with, battle, and overcome their disabilities every single day of their lives.
The following website lists men and women who have made a difference to the world including pictures and the names of many famous and well known people who have, or had different disabilities.
http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/article_0060.shtml

Students with Disability Access Plan - Alternative Exam Venue

For students who have a Disability Access Plan and are scheduled to sit exams at the ‘Alternative Venue’ (as indicated on their Disability Access Plan).
The Alternative Venue for Study Period 5, 2009, is: Arena Sports Bar, Royal Adelaide Showground (adjacent to the Royal Banquet Room).

Want to familiarise yourself with the alternative venue before exams start?
Disability Advisers will be at the venue:
Friday November 13th3.00pm to 4.00pm
Students are welcome to drop by during that time to check out the venue and facilities. No need to book.

Designated Accessible Parking for exams
Students who are eligible for designated Accessible Parking for exams will be sent a parking permit no later than the end of SWAT VAC, Friday 13th November.

Don’t forget your Access Plan
Students are required to bring a copy of their Access Plan to their exam.

Any Queries?

If you have any queries or concerns please email disability@unisa.edu.au as soon as possible or contact a Disability Adviser at your campus.


Best wishes for your exams,
Learning & Teaching Unit
Disability Service Team

Cool Nurse on Wheels: Nursing with Spina Bifida and a wheelchair

My parents were expecting to become the parents of a healthy baby girl. That turned out to not be the case. I was born with a form of Spina Bifida called myelomeningocele. The covering of my spinal cord and the spinal nerves from L4-L5 were in a sack outside of my back, creating permanent nerve damage from the area of L4 down.

My family raised me with a “can do” attitude, and I was never treated any differently than the other kids in my family. This attitude shaped who I am now.

Becoming a nurse was the ultimate goal for me; and from day one, I was not going to let anyone or anything stand in my way. It’s what I was born to do. I e-mailed several nursing schools. All of the responses were negative. Some schools even offered me free counseling to change my major.

The only school I applied to was Wright State University. I decided to disclose my Spina Bifida in the essay that I was required to submit. I was elated when I got the letter of admittance.

The assistant dean vowed to help me. We would take it quarter by quarter, meeting prior to the start of each clinical. If it was not an essential function for nursing, then we discussed delegating the task. If I knew there was a lift or transfer that I could not perform, I asked a classmate to do it for me, promising to lend my help when he or she needed it.

I wanted to stay close to my friends and family after graduation, so I decided to look for jobs around Dayton. It was there that I got my first taste of what was to come.

I interviewed at numerous hospitals and even worked with recruiters, but I got turned down for every job. I disclosed my Spina Bifida before some interviews; for others, I did not say anything until I went into the interview room.

The excuses ranged from, “We want someone with more experience” to “You can’t possibly do nursing with a wheelchair.”

I had filled out an application for the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. The gentleman from human resources called me. I told him that I was interested in spinal cord injuries because of my history with Spina Bifida. He immediately asked me to come and interview.

I spent all day at RIC interviewing. I wasn’t even out of the airport parking garage when I got a phone call requesting a second interview.

I now work at RIC as a registered nurse. I use my wheelchair for long distances, but I do walk in my patients’ rooms. My patients have been very accepting. A lot of my younger patients think it is cool that their nurse has a wheelchair just like them.

I graduated in November 2004— the proudest day of my life. As I walked across the stage, I had tears in my eyes. The biggest lesson that I have learned from this entire experience is to never let go of a dream.

Excerpt from a chapter by Marianne Haugh, RN, BSN, in “Leave No Nurse Behind: Nurses working with disAbilities” by Donna Maheady, EdD, ARNP.

Australian Adapted Technology User Group (AATUG)

The Australian Adapted Technology User Group (AATUG) is a initiative of the Australasian Network of Students with Disabilities (ANSWD)

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The AATUG discussion list is for students with disabilities, disability practitioners as well as any user of adapted technology.

AATUG aims to facilitate the use of adapted technology in the education and employment environments. It’s a discussion list for disseminating and promoting information about the use of adapted technology by people with a disability.

The AATUG discussion list aims to promote the:

• discussion of the pros and cons of various pieces of adapted technology,
• appropriate use of adapted technology, and
• evaluation of new pieces of adapted technology.

It is also a place to advertise adapted technology related news and events as well as answering people’s inquiries about adapted technology.

How to join the AATUG discussion list:

To subscribe to the list, send a message to:

aatug-list-subscribe@answd.org

IBM Intern Program

Information Session for Students with a Disability
IBM Intern Program

An opportunity for IT and Business/Marketing students who have experienced disability and who are interested in finding out about careers with IBM. IBM is an employer of choice with a reputation as an organisation that respects and values diversity. IBM demonstrates their commitment to disability through their Platinum membership of the Australian Employers' Network on Disability.

IBM is holding information sessions (approx 2 hours) in Sydney and Melbourne for students interested in finding out about IBM's intern program for 2010.

The sessions will provide valuable hints and tips that will assist you to prepare a standout application including:
- Identifying employment opportunities at IBM
- Eligibility to the intern program and discussion of IBM's graduate program
- Asking for reasonable adjustments that may be needed during the application process
- Dealing with disclosure of disability concerns
- How to highlight strengths in the selection process
- Dealing with concerns about weak areas - for example lower grades on a transcript

Sydney session scheduled for 10am - 12pm Tues 13th Oct at IBM's St Leonard's centre.
Melbourne session scheduled for 10am - 12pm Wed 14th October at IBM's Southbank Centre.

To secure your place at one of these sessions and to obtain updated venue information, please email mark.lazaroo@aend.org.au or call (02) 9261 3922.

Interview Skills Practice Day - 30th Oct 2009

Interwork's team of managers and team leaders are refreshing their interview skills and are looking for interviewees to respond in mock interview general questions.
The interviewers are the ones being assessed, not you, so it is a great opportunity to practice without the pressure of a real interview!

You would receive professional feedback about your performance to help build your confidence for real interviews.
Come prepared: dress in formal business clothes and be ready to talk about examples of when you have demonstrated teamwork, conflict resolution, problem solving and communication skills.

Time: Friday 30th October, 1:15 - 4pm
At: AIM, Centre for Management Development (180 Port Rd, Hindmarsh)
Contact: Elena Fulga, HR Manager, elenaf@interwork.com.au
Email your resume to Elena if you are interested.