CONTENTS
Welcome to Issue No: 32 of THE PDCN
BULLETIN, our topical issues newsletter 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.
- PDCN
Annual General Meeting
- Audit
Office Report on the Home Care Service of
NSW
- PSO/ATLAS
Reality Of Service In 2005: Public
Meeting
- NSW
Network of Women With Disability
- Wheelchair
Accessible Taxi Review
- Rural
Network for People With Disability
- Disability
Council of NSW Job Vacancy: Executive
Officer
- Nepean
Disability Expo 2004
- The
PDCN Forum
- About
The PDCN Bulletin
1. PDCN
Annual General Meeting
The PDCN Annual General Meeting
takes place on Sunday, 28th November at the offices of
PARAQUAD at 6, Holker Street, Silverwater. All members
and supporters of PDCN are invited to
attend.
Following the formal business of
the AGM, Chris Dodds, President of the NSW Council of
Social Service, will speak on challenges facing by people
from disadvantaged communities, community groups and
non-government organisations.
PDCN AGM
Sunday, 28th November 2004
Meeting starts: 1.30 p.m.
Paraquad NSW
6 Holker Street, Silverwater
BBQ follows guest
speaker
Final documents, including Annual
Report and Accounts, management committee ballot forms
and motions will be distributed to PDCN financial members
on Wednesday, 10th November.
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2. Audit
Office Report on the Home Care Service of NSW
The NSW Audit Office has
published its long-awaited performance audit report of
the Home Care Service of NSW. The full document can be
viewed on the Audit Office web site at
 http://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/
In its summary of the report, the
Audit Office writes the following:
"About the audit
This audit examines how well the
Home Care Service (HCS) assists people and delivers
value for money.
The HCS provides domestic
assistance and personal care services to frail older
people, younger disabled people and respite care for
their carers. These services help people to remain
living at home.
In 2003-04, HCS assisted nearly
51,000 clients and provided 4.2 million hours of
service.
The Home and Community Care
(HACC)Program is a joint Commonwealth / State
initiative established to fund home-based support and
assistance. The HCS is the largest provider of HACC
services in the State.
Audit opinion
We recognise that HCS operates
in an increasingly difficult and changing environment.
The demand for services is continually growing with
our ageing population. People with often complex needs
expect support so they can remain living at
home.
Although there are many service
providers, this impacts more on HCS than others. HCS
is both the largest provider and the only Government
provider. It is often the first, and only, agency
approached by those in need.
However, HCS does not have the
capacity to meet these needs. Currently at least 50
per cent of those eligible to receive a service will
miss out. Under the current system, there are
inequities in service delivery.
The ability to receive a service
depends on when the applicant calls, where they live
and if this coincides with service hours becoming
available at the local HCS branch. In addition,
applicants who miss out on a service may not
automatically be referred to another
provider.
Clients also remain with HCS
until they choose to leave, move to full-time
residential care or die. HCS does not assess
individual 's needs to determine if they have changed
over time and may be better met in a different care
setting.
HCS needs to better manage both
demand and expectations regarding access to the
services it provides.
Providers of community care
differ by service type and intensity, and the
Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care needs
to decide where the HCS sits in this continuum. This
would better define eligibility and would assist HCS
to allocate priorities.
Overall, we are unable to form
an opinion about HCS and value for money. It is not
possible to assess the direct effect HCS has on
helping people to remain at home longer than if this
assistance was not available.
The Commonwealth Government has
also recently reviewed support programs in the home
and has identified the need for immediate reforms to
improve access, service provider quality and
accountability.
The recommendations in this
report align with the proposals identified by the
Commonwealth Government as part of its reform
agenda.
Summary of
recommendations
The report highlights the need
for HCS to change. We recommend that the Department of
Ageing, Disability and Home Care in regard to the
HCS:
- Fairer access to
services
- clarify where HCS should
sit as a service provider in the community care
continuum
- develop eligibility
criteria that direct resources to those most in
need
- develop an exit
policy
- refer eligible applicants
to alternative providers where HCS cannot meet
their needs
- maintain a waiting list
for eligible applicants most at risk
- Ensure service
quality
- introduce a standard
approach for client reviews and assess the
quality of services in the home
- Better manage the
service
- define resources, service
types, targets, and key performance indicators
and publicly report on performance
- develop and implement a
common approach to determining fees"
PDCN welcomes the publication of
the Audit Office report although we do not necessarily
agree with its recommendations. We are consulting with
other disability organisations in the weeks ahead and
will submit a formal comment before
Christmas.
The report's observations about
high levels of unmet need, inconsistency across the
State and inadequate assessment and referral regimes
match our own views about HCS. We do not share the
view, however, that specialisation on a narrower
target group would be beneficial and we are utterly
opposed to any increase in the 'user pays' approach to
public services.
We will publish our detailed
comments on the report through this Bulletin and on
the PDCN web site. We urge everyone to reads the
document and make your opinions known to your local
Member of Parliament, the Minister for Disability
Services and the NSW Treasurer.
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3.
PSO/ATLAS Reality Of Service In 2005: Public
Meeting
Action for People With
Disability Inc has organised a public meeting on PSO /
ATLAS funding and services to be held at the Dougherty
Centre Auditorium, 7 Victor Street, Chatswood on Tuesday
23rd November, 2004. The meeting starts at 6.30
p.m.
Action provides advocacy and
support for people with disability in the Metro North
region. The agency is holding this meeting in response to
requests for people to have an opportunity to inform and
support each other, and to inform the Department of
Ageing, Disability and Home Care of the reality of the
changes in hours and/or quality of service for people
accessing PSO/ATLAS in 2005, following the Government's
decision to change funding levels and move to 'block'
funding without consultation with people with disability
and their families.
Action asked the Director
General, Brendan O'Reilly, when families will be informed
of their 2005 service, and he stated that the majority of
people would know by the end of October. Action
has invited the Minister and Deputy Director General
of DADHC Ms Carol Mills to attend the meeting to speak
with families and inform them of the outcome of the EOI
process for services, the appeals process and the level
of additional funding available across the State for
those people who will have less quality or hours of
service in 2005.
If you require any further
information regarding this meeting or need support to
attend, please contact Action on:
- Phone 9449 5355
- Fax 9449 2652
- Email action-for-people@swiftdsl.com.au
- PO Box 297 St Ives
2075
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4.
NSW Network of Women With Disability
Women have been meeting
regularly since April. We now have regular gatherings in
nine locations. For information on these meetings,
contact Sharon or visit the link on our website
...network/women/events.html
Women have been working on a number
of areas including developing responses to inaccessible
supermarket check-outs and the locations of accessible
parking spaces in local areas. We're also building a case
to address access issues at polling places highlighted by
our experiences at recent Federal elections.
The Network has an e-list, which is
open to individual women with disability who are members
of the Network.
If you'd like more information
about joining the Network or any of our activities,
contact Sharon at PDCN.
- Phone 9552 1602
- Freecall 1800 688
831
- E.mail pdcnsw@pdcnsw.org.au
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5.
Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Review
The Ministry for Transport has
published the "Interim Brief" of the Ministerial
Taskforce on wheelchair accessible taxis. The report is
available on the Ministry's web site and can be viewed at
www.transport.nsw.gov.au/pubs_legal/
PDCN is a key participant in the
work of the Taskforce. We are wholly committed to
ensuring that its final report becomes a catalyst for
progressive change in the NSW taxi industry. Like other
stakeholders we are acutely aware that the DDA Disability
Standards on accessible transport require wheelchair
accessible taxi services to have the same response times
for booked services as other cabs. We note that the clock
is ticking on that requirement. The target date is
December 2007.
PDCN believes that the best way to
ensure the industry and the regulator (the NSW
Government) can meet their legal duties in 2007 is to
implement two changes:
- Introduce a performance-related
financial incentive for drivers of WAT.
- Move towards a universally
accessible fleet over an agreed period (we favour ten
years) financed by a levy generated from the entire
customer base (not just wheelchair users)
You can read documents submitted by
PDCN to the Taskforce on our website. Our response to the
first draft is located at .../04/WATASKFORCE.html
Our comments on the commercial
viability of WAT can be viewed at .../04/WATVIABILITY.html
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6. Rural
Network for People With Disability
INDEPENDENCE [RURAL
DISABILITY NETWORK] has been formed by and for people
with disability living in rural and remote areas. We
would like to hear from anyone who is interested in
becoming a member.
For more information please contact
Lori Grovenor
Phone 02 63867322
Mobile 0429233990
Email lgrovenor@bigpond.com
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7.
Disability Council of NSW Job Vacancy: Executive
Officer
Department of Ageing, Disability
and Homecare - Disability Council of NSW EXECUTIVE
OFFICER (CLERK GRADE 11/12) DISABILITY COUNCIL OF
NSW.
Job Reference ADD04/364. Total
Remuneration package of $ 99,914pa ($78,290 - $ 90,543).
Includes employer's contribution to superannuation and
annual leave loading.
The Disability Council of NSW is
seeking a dynamic, strategic thinking and well-networked
person to lead Council in its role as the official
adviser to the NSW and Commonwealth
Governments
The Council consists of up to
eighteen people with a disability or experience of key
disability issues who can identify & develop advice
on systemic barriers affecting full participation in the
community by people with disabilities. Council is
supported by a small and energetic team.
SELECTION
CRITERIA
- Comprehensive understanding of
the current State & Commonwealth issues for people
with disabilities, their families and
communities.
- Knowledge of State &
Commonwealth legislation & policy relevant to
people with disabilities.
- Ability to apply strategic
thinking to complex issues & assist the
development of high quality advice.
- High quality analytical &
information seeking skills.
- High quality negotiation
skills.
- Leadership skills with the
ability to manage & support an enthusiastic &
diverse team of both staff & Council members
within a Project Management Framework.
- High quality communication
skills, both written and oral.
- Tertiary qualifications in a
related discipline or demonstrated experience in a
similar role.
- Knowledge & understanding
of Equal Employment Opportunity; Ethical Practice;
Ethnic Affairs Priorities Statements; &
Occupational Health and Safety.
Inquiries Andrew Buchanan,
Council Chair, (02) 9211 2866 or email
ab_com@bigpond.net.au
Information packages
Margaret Garside (02) 9211 2866 or email
info@discoun.nsw.gov.au
Applications, marked
"Confidential" to be sent to The Recruitment Clerk,
Central Corporate Services Unit, GMT, 1 Farrer Place,
Sydney NSW 2000 or email recruitment@ccsu.nsw.gov.au
Closing Date 12th November
2004
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8.
Nepean Disability Expo 2004
Thursday 2nd December, 2004,
10am to 6pm. St Marys Leagues Club, Cnr Forrester and
Boronia Roads, Nth St Marys. Everyone Welcome - Admission
FREE
Wheelchair accessible transport
will be available from St Marys Railway Station to the
Expo. Community transport to the Expo is available -
bookings are essential
Exhibitors will include
- Disability related
equipment
- Specialised
transport
- Communication and Mobility
Aids
- Accommodation
- Augmentative
Technology
- Government Services
- PSO/ATLAS
- Adult Day Programs
- Supported & Open
Employment
- Special Education
- Respite
- Community
Organisations
- Support Groups
- Early Intervention
For Further
Information
- Anglicare Nepean Region - Cathy
or Diane 02 4731 8399
- Penrith Disability Resource
Centre (PDRC) - Di or Kevin 02 4732 2363
- Fax - 02 4721 8168
- Email pdrc@pdrc.org.au
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9. The
PDCN Forum
The PDCN Forum is an email list
where people and ideas come together around issues of
concern and interest to people with physical disability
across NSW. We're not trying to re-invent the wheel here.
PDCA
and OzAdvocacy
provide forums for national discussions, which we are
part of.
The PDCN Forum is
- to share ideas;
- to debate issues;
- to formulate new strategic
directions for disability policy;
- for people with physical
disability in New South Wales, Australia;
- for others involved with the
Physical Disability Council of NSW (our Management
Committee, our Advocacy Network and close contacts) .
The PDCN Forum is
- about re-shaping the society in
which we live;
- about making our society more
accessible, more inclusive and better equipped;
- ensure that the rights of
people with physical disability are met;
- in New South Wales, Australia.
The list is managed by Dougie Herd,
PDCN Executive Officer and administered by our Project
Officer, Craig Andrews.
TO JOIN see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pdcnforum/
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10. About
The PDCN Bulletin
The PDCN BULLETIN is
compiled by Dougie Herd (PDCN Executive Officer). The
views expressed in the BULLETIN are not necessarily those
of PDCN. If you wish to comment on the BULLETIN or submit
a short article for inclusion please contact:
Dougie Herd
PDCN Executive Officer
St Helen's Community Centre
3/184 Glebe Point Road
Glebe NSW 2037
Email pdcnsw@pdcnsw.org.au
Tel (02) 9552 1606
Freecall 1800 688 831
Fax (02) 9552 4644
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Privacy
PDCN respects the right to privacy
of all people receiving information by electronic or
other means. PDCN distributes electronic mail to list
members in such a way that no address or contact details
are obtainable by others. PDCN does not release any
information about individuals without permission.
Previous bulletins can be
downloaded from the PDCN Web site www.pdcnsw.org.au/bulletin/
PDCN welcomes comments and feedback
about the bulletin. And please forward it to anyone who
would find it useful. If you would prefer not to receive
our bulletin please let us know and your address will be
removed from list.
Monday, 8th November 2004
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