+++AUSTRALIAN BLINDNESS FORUM and NATIONAL DISABILITY SERVICES ++ABF/NDS UPDATE JUNE 2009 [Contents begin] +01. What the ABF is Doing. +02. News from ABF Members. +03. Access All Areas. +04. Audio Description. +05. Pension Reform. +06. AHRC Welcomes Passage of Bill. +07. Disability Parking Scheme. +08. National Disability Insurance Scheme. +09. National Eye Health Awareness Campaign. +10. Australian Disability Enterprises Excellence Awards. +11. Fundraising Database. +12. Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative. +13. Other Information, Publications. +13. NDS Events. +15. Other National Conferences. +16. Continuing Professional Education. +17. International: World Blind Union. +18. International: AMD Alliance International. +19. International: Louis Braille Bicentenary. +20. International: Other Items. - End Notes [Contents end] [Update begins] +01. WHAT THE ABF IS DOING. In the past month, the ABF has: - Met with the then Special Minister of State Senator John Faulkner to ask for independent voting in federal elections to continue – issues will now be pursued through the Australian Electoral Commission - Attended a meeting of the Access to Aviation Working Group - Written to Minister Jenny Macklin seeking Australian Government endorsement for the National Vision Loss Rehabilitation Services Plan - Written to Minister Nicola Roxon calling for support for the World Health Organisation’s Draft Action Plan for the Prevention of Avoidable Blindness and Visual Impairment - Attended the launch of the Development Bulletin ‘Disability, Disadvantage and Development in the Pacific and Asia’ in Canberra - Provided comment to the review of the Print Disability Services Program The following ABF Policy Subcommittees have met to consider policies and associated action: - Access to Equipment - Access to Information - Access to Premises - Braille Literacy and Numeracy - Education and Children’s Services - Employment - National Vision Loss Rehabilitation Services Plan ABF policies are available at http://www.australianblindnessforum.org.au/Policy.html. +02. NEWS FROM ABF MEMBERS. - 2009 Australian Honours: Warm congratulations to those who received awards on the Queen’s Birthday: Robert Altamore OAM for service to people with vision impairment through advocacy roles with a range of organisations – Robert is a former President of Blind Citizens Australia, current President of Radio 1RPH in Canberra and a Senior Lawyer with the Attorney-General’s Department Bashir Ebrahim OAM for service to people with vision impairment through advocacy roles – Bashir is Manager Rehabilitation Services with Guide Dogs Queensland (http://www.guidedogsqld.com.au/page/About_Us/News_and_Events/Guide_Dogs_Queensland_News_and_Events/Order_of_Australia_Medal_Bashir_Ebrahim/) Dr Michael Steer AM for service to education through the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, and to the promotion of professional standards for vision support teachers in the Pacific Island countries – Mike is Senior Lecturer with RIDBC Renwick Centre - Vision Australia opens new centres: During May, VA opened two new centres: the state-of-the-art Caringbah centre in St George and Sutherland Shire in Sydney and the new Dandenong centre in Melbourne. Each celebration was attended by more than 100 people, including local dignitaries, family members and volunteers. For more information, visit http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/. - Gerrard Gosens to Dance with the Stars: Gerrard Gosens, Vision Australia's Special Projects Manager, Brisbane is about to face his toughest challenge yet. The blind adventurer who has competed in three Paralympics, attempted to climb Mount Everest and piloted an ultralight motorglider has signed on for the TV show ‘Dancing With The Stars’. "This is one of the most terrifying things I have ever attempted," says Gerrard. "I have no previous dancing experience; I will be starting from scratch." Gerrard has been partnered with dancer Jessica Raffa, who already has experience teaching people who are blind to dance. Dancing With The Stars will screen later this year on the Seven Network. To find out more go to http://www.visionaustralia.org/info.aspx?page=823&news=1176. - MDF Funding Renewed The Macular Degeneration Foundation welcomes the announcement by Federal Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon of the renewal of the Foundation’s federal funding of $457,600 over the next three years. This funding supports the Foundation’s education and awareness program across Australia. The announcement was made at a special event in Tamworth which was held on the last day of the Vision Van’s second Australian tour. The event was attended by Minister Roxon, MDF CEO Julie Heraghty and special guests including Federal Member for New England, Tony Windsor MP, Vision Van partners and members of the Tamworth Macular Degeneration community. For more information about Vision Van, go to http://www.maculardegeneration.com.au/vision-van-begins-2nd-tour.aspx. +03. ACCESS ALL AREAS. The recent release of the ‘Access All Areas’ report by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs is welcomed as it allows the draft Premises Standards to move to finalisation. To ensure consistency, their adoption will be accompanied by changes to the Building Code of Australia. In their submissions to the Inquiry the ABF and NDS had drawn attention to the disappointing lack of coverage of wayfinding in the draft Premises Standards. The report acknowledges it was unfortunate that no comprehensive requirements for wayfinding could be identified and that much more needs to be done if people who are blind or vision impaired are to find their way independently. The Committee recommended that any review process must consider whether any further deemed-to-satisfy provision for wayfinding can be incorporated into the Premises Standards. Disappointingly, unless another review process eventuates, this statement relates to the scheduled five-yearly review. The ABF plans to hold a meeting with key stakeholders to progress this issue. The Attorney-General’s Department has stated that complaints about wayfinding issues would not be possible under the DDA in respect of the design and construction of a building. However, complaints would still be possible in respect of the fitout of the building and any other premises. The ABF submission to the Inquiry can be read on the ABF website at http://www.australianblindnessforum.org.au/Resources/FINALABFPremisesStandardsSubmission110309.doc. ‘Access All Areas’ (HTML and PDF) can be downloaded from http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/laca/disabilitystandards/report.htm. +04. AUDIO DESCRIPTION. - Accessible film screening: The Sydney Film Festival in partnership with Accessible Arts delivered a new method of audio description at this year’s festival. ‘Cheri’, a ‘lushly romantic’ adaptation of the novel by Colette was screened at the State Theatre on 12 June. Accessible Arts said the Sydney Film Festival offered a rare and important opportunity for people to experience audio description and to provide the technology that will enable the expansion of audio description in cinemas across Australia. To find out more about Accessible Arts, go to http://www.aarts.net.au/. - Media Access Australia reports that access to new release DVD titles on rental outlet shelves during May 2009 stood at 18 per cent for audio description and 56 per cent for captioning. Considerable growth has happened since this time last year when audio described titles stood at 8 per cent. This can be due to two factors: education amongst major distributors in importing audio described titles from international sources, and the contribution of Roadshow Entertainment to describing titles produced locally. The Australian Visual Software Distributors Association (ASVDA) has released a DVD accessibility framework document, affirming its commitment to making available access features such as audio description. ASVDA will also respond to complaints about accessibility of specific DVD titles where access features were available overseas and not in Australia. To access more information and the complaint form, go to http://www.mediaaccess.org.au/index.php?option=com_chronocontact&Itemid=99. +05. PENSION REFORM. More than three million age pensioners, disability pensioners, carers and wife pensioners will receive pension increases from 20 September, following passage of legislation. The Australian Government’s Secure and Sustainable Pension reforms include increases of $32.49 a week for single pensioners and couples combined up to $10.14; a gradual increase in the qualifying age for the Age Pension from 65 to 67 by 2023; and a new Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index to reflect changes in the cost of living experienced by pensioners and beneficiary households. +06. AHRC WELCOMES PASSAGE OF BILL. The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has welcomed the passage through Parliament of the Disability Discrimination and Other Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 and the Attorney-General’s announcement that the AHRC will be given specific responsibilities for monitoring Australia’s implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. To read the AHRC media release, go to http://www.hreoc.gov.au/about/media/media_releases/2009/55_09.html. +07. DISABILITY PARKING SCHEME. The Australian Government has launched a discussion paper and national public consultations about the new Australian Disability Parking Scheme. The proposed scheme aims to ensure there is a clear and fair policy to establish one set of eligibility criteria, national minimum standards for parking concessions, and one Australia-wide parking permit to replace more than 100 different parking permit types currently issued. Submissions can be made by 31 July 2009. For more information and to download the discussion paper, go to http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/disability/progserv/people/disability_parking_scheme/Pages/default.aspx. Brailled or CD versions of the discussion paper can be requested by phoning 1800 630 740. +08. NATIONAL DISABILITY INSURANCE SCHEME. The ACTU Congress has endorsed the idea of a national disability insurance (or entitlement) scheme, noting that there is ‘a major unmet demand for services and a growing unmet liability to deliver those service entitlements’. Support also came from well-known radio broadcaster Alan Jones when he interviewed NDS Chief Executive Ken Baker. NDS members can read the NDS News Update of 17 June at http://www.nds.org.au/national/default.htm. +09. NATIONAL EYE HEALTH AWARENESS CAMPAIGN. The National Eye Health Initiative (NEHI) was developed in Australia in response to the 56th World Health Assembly resolution on the elimination of avoidable blindness. In its first years, the NEHI has concentrated on a number of formative research and other projects including an Australian Institute of Health and Welfare review of eye health data sources (http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10448). For information on the National Eye Health Awareness Campaign, a key component of NEHI, go to http://www.health.gov.au/eyehealth. +10. AUSTRALIAN DISABILITY ENTERPRISES EXCELLENCE AWARDS. Nominations are wanted for the 2009 ADE Excellence Awards across five categories: Innovation Award; Partnership Award; Achievement Award; Supported Employees Team Award and Support Workers Team Award. Nominations close on Monday 20 July 2009 and presentations will take place at the National Disability Services Employment Conference on 7 September 2009 at the Hilton Hotel, Sydney. To nominate an Australian Disability Enterprise for an award, or to make an enquiry, go to http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/disability/progserv/providers/AustralianDisabilityEnterprises/Pages/ade09_guidelines.aspx. +11. FUNDRAISING DATABASE. To assist fundraising, a searchable data, Deductible Gifts by Postcode and Occupation Search, which includes all Australian postcodes and occupations, is now available at http://www.bus.qut.edu.au/research/cpns/postcode.php. The database enables an analysis of deductible gift giving from 2006-07 and 2005-06 tax returns. It has been established by The Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies at Queensland University of Technology. For more information, NDS members can read the NDS News Update of 29 May at http://www.nds.org.au/national/default.htm. +12. GLOBAL ACCESSIBILITY REPORTING INITIATIVE. Industry efforts to improve the accessibility of mobile communications services for people with disability or who are ageing have been welcomed by the Australian Government and TEDICORE. The Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative (GARI) will include an online resource providing clear and detailed information and reviews of mobile device features to help users understand and identify products that meet their needs. The joint media release by Minister Stephen Conroy and Parliamentary Secretary Bill Shorten can be read at http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/speeches/2009/028. +13. OTHER INFORMATION, PUBLICATIONS. - Hearing Screening for All Australian Babies: The Australian Government will seek a commitment from States and Territories at the forthcoming COAG meeting to deliver newborn hearing screening from 1 January 2011. Presently, only 75 per cent of newborns are screened. About 500 children every year are born with a moderate to profound permanent hearing impairment. Hearing screening involves a simple, non-invasive test that is relatively quick and easy to perform. - RPH expands its broadcasting: Canberra’s Radio One RPH (http://www.radio1rph.org.au/) is now turning print into sound for people living in and around Wagga Wagga NSW. - Eating for Eye Health is a new cookbook from Macular Degeneration Foundation that celebrates good eye health and good taste. Phone MDF on 1800 111 709 to order a copy. +14. NDS EVENTS. - Shining Through – Creating sustainable employment in a turbulent world: This international conference, incorporating the NDS 2009 National Employment Forum and the Workability International conference will be held in Sydney from 6 to 9 September. Register online via http://www.nds.org.au/national/default.htm. - CEO Meeting – Policy and Management Advice for Decision Makers: This annual event, to be held in Canberra on 30 November and 1 December, is for CEOs, senior managers and board members from NDS member organisations. +15. OTHER NATIONAL CONFERENCES. - Feedback from Round Table Conference: Held in Sydney on 30 May to 2 June, the conference was well attended by people from print disability organisations across Australia and New Zealand. Andrew Furlong and Kate Randall from Community Information Access presented a workshop on DAISY production techniques and benefits, which sparked a great deal of interest from the education sector attendees. Parliamentary Secretary Bill Shorten gave a keynote speech on what can be done to address accessibility issues in the community and called for a proactive collaborative approach from consumers, print disability agencies, government and the general community. For more information on Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities, go to http://www.e-bility.com/roundtable/. - The Disability and Age Discrimination Law Reform Summit, to be held on 30 and 31 July 2009 in Sydney, will feature keynote presentations by the Hon Robert McClelland, Federal Attorney-General, and Graeme Innes AM, Disability Discrimination Commissioner and Human Rights Commissioner. For more information, go to http://www.iir.com.au/disabilitylaw. - The Eighth National Deafblind Conference will be held in Melbourne on 28 to 30 April 2010. A call for papers (http://www.ableaustralia.org.au/content-files/Abstract-Template-National-Deafblind-Conference-2010.doc) is now available and abstracts need to be lodged by 7 August. For more information about the conference, go to http://www.ableaustralia.org.au/8th-national-deafblind-conference-2010.asp. +16. CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION. There is a comprehensive 2009 program on offer from RIDBC Renwick Centre. To find out more about courses in hearing impairment, Braille, vision impairment, multiple disability and special offers, go to http://www.ridbc.org.au/renwick/courses/continuinged_calendar.asp. +17. INTERNATIONAL: WORLD BLIND UNION (WBU). Below are extracts from the WBU E-Bulletin for May. To read this and other WBU publications, go to the website http://www.worldblindunion.org/en/. - Update on the WBU Strategic Plan: President Maryanne Diamond included in her report highlights of the action taken on three of the Strategic Priorities, including: * Right to Read Campaign (also see item below) * Employment Summit at the end of June in England which has the objective of developing a Global Campaign on the employment of blind and partially sighted persons * First meeting of the development committee in June in Paris to focus on capacity building of members * Framework for a diversity committee * World Braille Council will have representatives from all regions, the four WBU language groups and recognised experts in Braille; the WBC will meet in Madrid in early November to carry out detailed planning * Preliminary work on developing a resource repository for members including website * Strengthening partnerships with ICEVI, Vision Alliance and International Disability Alliance * Strengthening the WBU with the acceptance of two new international members – Lighthouse International and AMDAI * Continuing commitment by Vision Australia and Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind to sponsor the WBU headquarters until 2013 - Right to Read Campaign under the leadership of Chris Friend of RNIB continues to gain momentum with many members having lobbied to gain support for the WBU treaty. The treaty is being considered by the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights. The outcomes of their May meeting will be included in the July WBU E-Bulletin. For more information about the campaign, go to http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/publicwebsite/public_r2rhome.hcsp. - WBU Asia-Pacific Region: The Quadrennial Action Plan for the region, adopted in November last year, aims to achieve three objectives: * Strengthening weaker organisations * Setting up national task forces in countries that do not have them to influence governments to implement the WBU-ICEVI initiative ‘Education for All Vision-Impaired Children’ by 2015 * Strengthening the WBU-AP itself with more permanent structures WBU-AP Treasurer, Kevin Murfitt, reports on the historical workshop in Papua New Guinea late in 2008 when the PNG Blind Union held its first national elections during a five-day workshop in Goroka. The workshop was sponsored by the Danish Association for the Blind and Vision Australia. PNG BU is now eligible to apply for full membership of WBU and Blind Citizens Australia has offered to pay their initial membership fee. - WBU CEO: Penny Hartin’s original three-year contract has been extended for another three years to 2012. - The Global Voice, a new internet radio station (http://theglobalvoice.info/), centred in Europe but targeting the whole world was launched at the beginning of May. This is ‘a serious, professional standard radio station whose goal is to bridge gaps between blind and sighted communities everywhere as well as provide a voice for the world’s blind population.’ The station aims to provide a wide range of entertaining and informative programs including news, technology, music and other entertainment, all in different languages. Anyone interested in joining the project as a broadcaster in any language with live or pre-recorded shows, or to pass on their thoughts or ideas, please email naama@theglobalvoice.info. - Development Bulletin ‘Disability, Disadvantage and Development in the Pacific and Asia’: WBU President Maryanne Diamond spoke at the launch of this publication in Canberra. This publication encourages collaboration between international aid organisations and those working with people with disability. Maryanne’s interview with ABC 666 Canberra Drive Show host Louise Maher can be heard via Vision Australia’s website http://www.visionaustralia.org/info.aspx?page=823&news=1193. A PDF version of the publication can be accessed via http://devnet.anu.edu.au/db_73_pdfs/db_73.pdf. +18. INTERNATIONAL: AMD ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL (AMDAI) . Australia is well represented on AMDAI – the Vice President is Dr Jane Barrett (also Secretary-General of International Federation of Ageing) and the Secretary is Julie Heraghty, CEO of Macular Degeneration Foundation (http://www.maculardegeneration.com.au/page19345.aspx). For more information about AMDAI, go to http://www.amdalliance.org/. The ABF has responded to a request from the AMDAI by writing to the Hong Kong authorities to encourage their introduction of effective, proven, anti-VEGF treatments for people with wet Age-related Macular Degeneration. Currently, the Hong Kong public healthcare service provider, The Hospital Authority, does not cover treatment of AMD. AMDAI is encouraging people to submit a paper and/or attend the Tenth Global Conference on Ageing (http://www.ifa2010.org) to be hosted by the International Federation on Ageing (http://www.ifa-fiv.org) and COTA Victoria (http://www.cotavic.org.au/) in Melbourne on 3 to 6 May 2010. The call for papers has opened and closes on 7 October 2009. +19. INTERNATIONAL: LOUIS BRAILLE BICENTENARY. - WBUAP Onkyo Braille Essay Contest: After being considered by Australia’s national selection committee, essays have been forwarded to the WBUAP for judging. Results of the judging are expected in November this year. - Braille equipment donated to Samoa: Special Needs Education Society of Samoa (SNES) is pleased to have received the Brailler, Braille paper, watch and calculator from the Royal Society for the Blind of SA. While this donation will benefit the SNES school and its outreach program, more equipment is needed for other schools. - Louis Braille Bicentenary Website: The Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC), in creating a website to mark the bicentenary of Louis Braille’s birth, has produced and collected a range of resources about Braille facts, info, videos, trivia, games and quizzes, links to Braille events and workshops and some reading lists. The information is geared towards the general public to provide an overview of the history of Braille and an introduction to the Braille code. To find out more, go to http://www.cubicconsulting.com.au/ridbc/index.cfm?skinname=content&page=43984. - Louis Braille Touch of Genius Prize for Innovation: As announced in the ‘Louis Braille: A Touch of Genius’ biography, National Braille Press has launched its 2009 Prize. Potentially, the award process will inspire new strategic directions for National Braille Press. The $20,000 Louis Braille Touch of Genius Prize for Innovation will be awarded to an individual or group of individuals who contribute to innovation in the field of tactile literacy for people who are blind. The Prize can be granted for a new educational method; a new tactile literacy product; or a new technological advance. Applications must be submitted electronically, followed by a signed hard copy, by 20 July 2009. For further information, go to http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/louis/index.html. - Braille Bug: The American Federation for the Blind’s Braille Bug website http://www.afb.org/braillebug/ provides information for sighted students. +20. INTERNATIONAL: OTHER ITEMS. - WIPO and Copyright: The World Intellectual Property Organisation has announced ‘Meeting the Needs of Visually Impaired Persons: What Challenges for IP?’ will be held in Geneva on 13 July. WIPO states that the proliferation of digital technologies has added a new dimension to the question of how to maintain a balance between the protection available to copyright owners, on the one hand, and the needs of specific user groups on the other. User groups that seek to benefit from reasonable exceptions and limitations to copyright protection include more than 160 million people who are blind or vision impaired around the world. More information is available at http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/2009/vip_ge. - Development Bulletin ‘Disability, Disadvantage and Development in the Pacific and Asia’ was launched in June by Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance Bob McMullan. This is the first publication in the region and possibly the world that provides a solid body of information on the relationship between disability, disadvantage and opportunities for social and economic development. The papers include the perspectives of people with disabilities - in particular those from developing countries - academics, disabled people's organisations, aid donors, government and non government organisations and international development agencies. While these papers show the close link between disability, gender and poverty they also provide overwhelming evidence of the abilities of people with disability. The papers and case studies presented include some of those presented to the international conference of the same name held in 2008, which was organised by the Development Studies Network at the Australian National University in collaboration with the Australian Disability and Development Consortium. A PDF file of the Bulletin can be downloaded from http://devnet.anu.edu.au/db_73_pdfs/db_73.pdf. - Art Beyond Sight, a collaborative formed by Art Education for the Blind, is a ‘loose-knit group of museums, libraries, schools, community centres, service agencies and blind and sighted art lovers who work to make art history, art making and visual culture accessible to all people, including people with vision loss and other disabilities’. Art Education for the Blind is a New York City-based nonprofit organisation that creates the methods and materials for accessible arts programs in museums, schools, libraries and senior/community centres. For information on publications, visit http://www.artbeyondsight.org. - ICEVI Seventh European Conference ‘Living in a Changing Europe’ will be held in Dublin, Ireland from 5 to 10 July 2009. For more information, go to http://www.icevidublin2009.org. - World Sight Day, ‘Gender and Eye Health’ on 8 October this year is when Vision 2020 members work together to raise public awareness, influence governments and education target audiences about blindness prevention programs and generate support. To find out more, visit Vision 2020 at http://www.v2020.org/page.asp?section=0001000100070013 and Vision 2020 Australia at http://www.vision2020australia.org.au/news-events-world-sight-day.cfm. [Update ends] - End Notes Getting more information on issues in the ABF/NDS Update: Unless otherwise stated, please contact Margaret Verick at margaret.verick@nds.org.au, phone 02 6283 3214. Reproducing information from the ABF/NDS Update: Anyone may reproduce any of the information in this Update – just acknowledge this source. About AUSTRALIAN BLINDNESS FORUM http://www.australianblindnessforum.org.au Australian Blindness Forum (ABF) was first formed as an unincorporated body in 1992, funded only by its members. In April 2007, the ABF became an Australian public company limited by guarantee, funded by its members and governed by a board of directors. The purpose of the ABF is to operate as a peak body representing the blindness sector for the benefit of people who are blind or vision impaired. The Project Officer (Australian Blindness Forum) is located at the ABF registered office, 33 Thesiger Court, Deakin ACT 2600 – contact Margaret Verick, email margaret.verick@nds.org.au, phone 02 6283 3214. About NATIONAL DISABILTY SERVICES http://www.nds.org.au National Disability Services (NDS) is the national industry association for disability services, representing over 650 not-for-profit organisations. Collectively, NDS’s members operate several thousand services for Australians with all types of disability. NDS’s members range in size from small support groups to large multi-service organisations, and are located in every State and Territory across Australia. ?? ?? ?? ?? 1