PDCN Bulletin #18 • May 10, 2002

latest news and views from PDCN

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CONTENTS

1. MOTHER'S DAY & WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE TAXIS
2. DISABILITY SUPPORT PENSION PETITION
3. APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR APPOINTMENT AS CHAIRPERSON DISABILITY COUNCIL OF NEW SOUTH WALES
4. NEW STAFF MEMBERS START AT PDCN

1. MOTHER'S DAY & WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE TAXIS

It's Mother's Day on Sunday, 12th May. That ought to be a day of family get togethers and enjoyment. Over the last couple of years, unfortunately, it's turned out to be a day of deep frustration for some wheelchair users.

After the last two Mother's Days (2001 and 2000) we received reports of wheelchair users being stranded waiting for taxis while … wait for it … wheelchair accessible taxis were block booked to deliver bouquets of flowers!!!! We don't want to deprive any mother of her richly deserved bunch of roses. We believe, however, that with 95% of taxis not accessible and 5% of taxis accessible it was simply unacceptable that wheelchair users were left waiting while the flowers were driven across town.

Surely someone in the taxi industry can work out this: WATs are wheelchair accessible taxis for priority use by wheelchair users; RATs are roses accessible taxis and really do not need a wheelchair hoist!

PDCN and People With Disabilities NSW have written jointly to the Director General of the Department of Transport. We've asked him to warn to taxi companies not to abuse the WAT fleet as in previous years. We've called on him to monitor the performance of WATs particularly closely this Sunday.

You can help us keep the taxi trade on its toes. If you are planning to use a wheelchair accessible taxi this Sunday, please make a special effort to monitor the taxi operator's performance. Keep a watch on time delays, the length you waited, etc. If you note a particular problem, let us know.

Remember to keep a note of:

• The time you booked the taxi.
• What time did you book the taxi for?
• What time did the taxi arrive?
• How late was the taxi for your booking
• Was it booked through 0200 or private arrangement?
• Where were you travelling to and from?
• Note the company name and cab number.

2. DISABILITY SUPPORT PENSION PETITION

As many readers of the Bulletin will know, rumours are rife about cuts to the level or eligibility criteria for Disability Support Pernsion. A petition calling for the protection of current rights to Disability support Pension and the introduction of a disability costs allowance has been posted on the OzAdvocacy bulletin board.

You can view the petition online at
www.PetitionOnline.com/aacdsp/petition.html

ABC Radio National's Background Briefing show recently reported on the problems of disability support pensioners and costs of living. The transcript will be on the ABC web site soon at;

www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/bbing/index/bbchronoidx.htm

Maurice Corcoran, President of the Physical Disability Council of Australia is qoted in a Media Release from the Australian Council of Social Service as saying:

"Many people with disabilities want to work and would be able to do so with the right support. The answer is not to make it even harder for them by reclassifying them as unemployed and reducing their income. The McClure report recognised that they need more money not less due to their disability and recommended a participation allowance. The Government should also focus on breaking down barriers to jobs such as discrimination by employers and a lack of accessible transport, personal care and accommodation."

3. APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR APPOINTMENT AS CHAIRPERSON DISABILITY COUNCIL OF NEW SOUTH WALES

The Disability Council of NSW is the official adviser to the NSW Government on issues affecting people with disabilities and their families. The Council is also the NSW Disability Advisory Body to the Commonwealth Government.

The Minister for Disability Services, the Hon Faye Lo Po', would be pleased to receive nominations for the position of Chairperson of Council for a term of up to four years, commencing July1 2002. Criteria for the position are:

• Person with a disability;
• Knowledge across a range of disabilities;
• Demonstrated understanding of the operation of Government;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Experience in chairing decision making committees;
• Demonstrated leadership skills;
• Extensive networks in the disability and general community sectors;
• Sound knowledge and understanding of the contemporary issues affecting people with disabilities;
• High level management skills in a dynamic, responsible, organisational environment;
• Ability to manage competing priorities;
• Commitment to a diverse community, reflecting the rights of people with disabilities and valuing difference;
• Ability to recognise the issues of people with disabilities in a range of Government and non-Government forums; and
• Understanding of the role, responsibilities and operations of the Council.

People with disabilities from Non English Speaking background or Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander background are encouraged to apply.

If you wish to receive information about making an application or any further information on Council, please contact Kevin Byrne on

• (02) 9211 2866 (voice and TTY),
• 1800 044 848 (voice and TTY)

or write to:

• D.K. Byrne, Executive Officer, Suite 2102, 323 Castlereagh St., SYDNEY NSW 2000
• FAX 02 9211 2271
• email kbyrne@discoun.nsw.gov.au
• internet www.discoun.nsw.gov.au

Applications close- May 27, 2002

4. NEW STAFF MEMBERS START AT PDCN

Two new members of staff have started working at PDCN recently.

• Craig Andrews is working on a twelve-month contract as our Project Officer: Advocacy Development. Craig will be helping us to develop advocacy training and support materials for our regional advocacy network; to support members of the network throughout NSW; assist with our publications and re-structure our web site.
• Liana Kong has been appointed as the PDCN Administration Officer, responsible for the day to day administration of our office in Glebe.

Welcome Craig and Liana, who join existing staff members Dougie Herd and Sharon Smith and regular volunteers Jan Cameron-Smith, Maruska Hanak, John Raymond and Ed Sutton.

Dougie Herd, PDCN Executive Officer
St Helen's Community Centre,
3/184 Glebe Point Road,
Glebe NSW 2037
Email: pdcnsw@pdcnsw.org.au;
Web: http://www.pdcnsw.org.au

Tel: (02) 9552 1606; 1 800 688 831
Fax: (02) 9552 4644

PDC NSW Inc is funded by the NSW Government's Ageing and Disability Department. Views expressed by PDC NSW Inc are not necessarily endorsed by the NSW Government.

©PDCN, Physical Disability Council of NSW • 184 Glebe Point Road, GLEBE NSW 2037 Australia
Phone (02) 9552 1606 • Fax (02) 9552 4644 • TollFree 1800 688 831 (within NSW) • TTY (02) 8223 7579
URL www.pdcnsw.org.au • Email pdcnsw@pdcnsw.org.au