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CONTENTS
Welcome to Issue No: 21 of The pdcn Bulletin, our topical issues resource and information source for opinion formers, decision-makers and others interested in disability sector topics. The bulletin is produced by the Physical Disability Council of New South Wales (PDCN). We are the peak body representing people with physical disability across the state. Our aim is to provide readers with accurate, up-to-date and timely information, comment and analysis of disability sector issues from the perspective of people with physical disability in NSW, including children with disability and their representatives. 1. PDCN Elects new Office-bearersFollowing the annual General Meeting of PDCN (held on 3rd November) the Management Committee of PDCN elected its new office-bearers for 2003. They are:
George Ayoub is a newly elected member of the Management Committee bringing particularly welcome experience of working with communities of people with disability from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. After six years as President of PDCN, JOHN Moxon retired from the Management Committee of PDCN at the AGM earlier this month. John's departure was marked with the presentation of a commemorative vase and warm expressions of thanks for his contribution over the years from everyone present.
2. Recent Additions To The PDCN Web SiteCheck out these recent additions to our re-designed web site: 21 November - "Don't use my
spot!": An article on the PDCA National Day of Action on
parking rights featuring a member of the PDCN Advocacy
Network 13 November - Telstra increases
low-income customer welfare package If you've got a favourite or useful or
interesting disability site why not help us add it to our
links on the web site via the "Suggest a Link" Check out our Online Forum.
One of the posted messages is a question from someone who
"really, really" wants responses. See if you can answer his
query in the Advocacy Network section called "Resources
Available"
3. Report of Pre-election Forum in State ParliamentThere was a great turn out at the Forum held on 13th November with at least 170 people present. People with physical disability were well represented (about thirty of us), many of whom are members of PDCN. It was good to have both the Minister for Disability Services and the Shadow Minister sharing the same platform at this type of meeting (indeed it may have been an unique occurrence). In relation to priority issues of PDCN there were indications that our work is not entirely in vain. Three of the speakers mentioned reform of PADP; two mentioned inclusive education and two mentioned the waiting lists for the Attendant Care Programme. In her speech, the Minister mentioned PDCN twice, making specific reference to our lobbying work on personal assistance and support services. The Minister announced that she has given her approval to the creation of a Reference Group around reform of personal assistance and support services. This has been one of our key objectives. There was a broad range of questions asked at the meeting on the following topics:
On the negative side: the Minister was required to leave at Noon to answer questions at Parliamentary Question Time. There were many more questions unasked than asked (although we are collating all the unasked questions to forward to the speakers). The venue was less than ideal. On the positive side: We got 170 people to the meeting. We had a strong panel of speakers. The Minister, the Minister's staff and DADHC staff clearly put a lot of effort into getting the Minister's speech right. She covered every disability group with at least a couple of points. She responded directly to our current number one priority. It has been agreed that the organisers of the Forum will follow-up the meeting in at least these two ways:
The NSW Disability Action Alliance (which organised the Forum will be hosting more Pre-election Forums in the run up to the State Election in March 2003. Meetings will be held in marginal Electorates so there ought to be lively debate. Details will be circulated well in advance. Watch this space!
4. Living On Our Own Terms (LOOOT)We're making some progress in our efforts to convince Government to reform personal assistance and support services. Our Executive Officer met with the Deputy Director General of DADHC last week to discuss how the government / disability sector Reference Group announced by the Minister for Disability Services will be organised. We hope the group will meet before the end of this year. It is important that we continue to let Members of the State Parliament know about the problems people with disability come up against just trying to live an ordinary life at home. We need to make sure decision makers understand that many people still lack choice about basic matters such as:
If you want to know more or want to
get some ideas for writing about these issues to your local
Member or the Minister for Disability Services, check out
the LOOOT section of the PDCN web site at:
5. United Nations International Day of People With Disability - 3rd December 2002A couple of events that you might be interested in checking out if you live or work near either of them:
6. JOB VACANCY: Disability Council of NSWProject Officer (Commonwealth Issues) Grade 7/8 (12 month contract) The Disability Council of NSW, alongside its role as the Official Adviser to the New South Wales Government, acts as the NSW Disability Advisory Body to the Commonwealth Government. The Council monitors Commonwealth Government policy and programs as they affect people with disabilities and their family in this State. The Council wants to expand its role in this area and is looking for a dynamic individual to fill this vital position. The duties of the Project Officer (Commonwealth Issues) include the further development of this important function of Council. If you want to ask about any aspect of the position, do not hesitate in giving Kevin Byrne, the Executive Officer, a call on 9211 2262 or email on kbyrne@discoun.nsw.gov.au
7. JOB VACANCY: Disability Discrimination Legal CentreThe Disability Discrimination Legal Centre is a specialist community legal centre established to assist people with disability to deal with discrimination. The Centre has been in operation since 1994, and has recently been restructured to achieve an improved alignment between its staffing structure and strategic objectives. Principal Solicitor (salary up to 70,000) The Principal Solicitor is responsible for overall management of the Centre and its legal practice. Duties include providing and overseeing legal advice and referral; strategic casework; legal and community education; and legal policy analysis and advice. Essential Selection Criteria: Demonstrated high-level knowledge of disability rights and legal policy issues; demonstrated high-level skills in legal advice and referral; demonstrated high level litigation experience, in particular, in strategic matters; demonstrated high level negotiation skills; demonstrated high level capacity to manage timeframes and competing priorities; unrestricted practicing certificate; computer literacy. Desirable: personal or family experience of disability. Office Manager (salary up to 45,000) The Office Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Centre. Duties include administration and reception; financial management; corporate and contractual compliance; information management; and executive support to the Principal Solicitor and Management Committee. Essential Selection Criteria: Demonstrated experience in office administration and reception; demonstrated experience in financial management; excellent oral and written communication skills; commitment to the rights of people with disability; computer literacy. Desirable: personal or family experience of disability. DDLC is willing to consider job-share proposals, and flexible work arrangements. People with disability and their associates, and people from an Aboriginal or culturally and linguistically diverse background are encouraged to apply. For an information package contact Sarnia Smith on (02) 9319 6622 or TTY (02) 9318 2138 or email sarnias@pwd.org.au. See package for further contact information. Applications close 5pm 29 November 2002.
8. Disability Research: Call for Seminar Papers for 2003The Social Relations of Disability Research Network is made up of university teachers, researchers, senior students, and researchers in community and government organisations, who share an interest in creating new knowledge and understanding about disability. The Network holds regular open seminars every month addressed by both established and new scholars and conferences each year or so. It also shares information, provides opportunities for graduate students to present their work for supportive feedback, and stimulates debate on critical issues for disability studies researchers and teachers. Cross-institutional research on disability issues is also promoted. The Network is a cross-disciplinary group with participants from areas such as social work, sociology, law, anthropology, political science, cultural studies, gender studies, history and media studies. We are seeking expressions of interest from people wishing to contribute a presentation, paper, workshop or report on research to the seminar series in 2003. Please email, send or fax abstracts or proposals (100-150 words) together with a short biog to the SRDRN secretariat - details below. PLEASE NOTE: Some support may be available to assist people with disabilities to present and attend seminars. We look forward to hearing from you. Leanne Dowse Tel +61 (2) 9385 1870
Dougie Herd, PDCN Executive
Officer Tel: (02) 9552 1606; 1 800 688 831
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.
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