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| Australian Human Rights Commission 2010/11 Annual Report |
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| The Australian Human Rights Commission Annual Report was tabled in Federal Parliament 1 November 2011. Read more |
| Disability Council Priorities |
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Council’s current priority issues are:
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Chair's Introduction by Cain Beckett |
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Welcom e to the November edition of i-Contact for the NSW Disability Council.
This month six of our current Council members come to the end of their four year appointments. Whilst it may be that some of the Council members rejoin us in 2012 for a further term, on behalf of the Council I would like to thank:
- Denise Beckwith;
- James Condren;
- Laurice Grovenor;
- Sylvana Mahmic;
- Tish Peiris; and
- Sally Robinson
for the significant contribution that they have made to the disability policy debate, representing the views of people with disability, their families, and carers during their term as Council members. | |
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Historic decision delivers pay rise for social and community workers |
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Prime Minister Julia Gillard recently announced the Government was prepared to provide over $2 billion to deliver an historic pay rise to 150,000 of Australia’s lowest paid workers in the social and community services sector - the vast majority of them women.
This is an important step on the road to closing the long-standing pay gap between men and women and delivering fairness to the workplace. | |
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2011 National Disability Awards recognise outstanding achievements |
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Nine outstanding individuals and organisations were honoured for their work to improve the lives of people with disability at the annual National Disability Awards on 22nd November, 2011.
Speaking at a special gala dinner in Canberra, the Prime Minister said the awards recognised outstanding Australians who have made a real difference to the lives of people with disabilities.
The calibre of both the finalists and winners highlights just how hard Australians are working to raise awareness and support for people with disability.
Nominations for the awards more than doubled this year, with more than 400 received from community and not-for-profit organisations, businesses and local governments and disability advocates across the country.
This year has been a significant year for the disability sector in Australia.
The National Disability Strategy was endorsed in February, providing a 10-year vision for all governments to ensure that mainstream services and programs address the needs of people with disability.
The Australian Government has also started work to lay the foundations for a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to provide individuals with the care and support they need over the course of their lifetime.
The Prime Minister presented a special award to Mr John Walsh AM in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the disability sector.
Mr Walsh played a pivotal role as an Associate Commissioner in preparing the Productivity Commission’s report to Government on long-term disability care and support which recommended the establishment of a National Disability Insurance Scheme.
The National Disability Awards form part of the Australian Government’s celebration of the United Nations’ International Day of People with Disability which is held each year on 3 December.
2011 National Disability Awards Recipients:
Prime Minister's Outstanding Achievement Award— Mr John Walsh AM
John served as Associate Commissioner to the Productivity Commission in its Inquiry into long-term care and support for people with disability in Australia. He is a Partner in the Advisory Practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers and in 2001 was named Actuary of the Year by the Institute of Actuaries of Australia. Mr Walsh was also a member of the Disability Investment Group, which recommended a national lifetime care and support scheme based on an insurance model.
Minister's Lifelong Achievement Award—Frank Hall-Bentick, Richmond, Vic
A tireless, grassroots campaigner for the rights of people with disability, Frank has contributed to improving human rights for people with disability for more than thirty years. Frank played a pivotal role in the development of United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and successfully lobbied for its ratification in Australia in 2008. The Convention now forms the basis for Australian Government policy and program developments for people with disability.
Young Disability Challenge Award—Katrina Lancaster, Parramatta, NSW
Katrina was the recipient of the 2011 Parramatta Lord Mayor’s Youth Award, completed a Bachelor of Community Welfare, and was named Deaf Australia’s 2009 Deaf Youth of the Year for her work and volunteer commitments with the deaf community.
Business Award—Alcoa Aluminium Smelter, Geelong, Vic
Partnering with Kommercial, a local Australian Disability Enterprise, Alcoa Point Henry provides supported employment for more than 30 people with disability, and has teamed up with highly regarded children’s program Rainbow Riders, an equine-assisted growth and learning centre.
Local Government Award—City of Mandurah, WA
The City of Mandurah is working closely with Intework to create exciting and rewarding jobs for 44 young people with intellectual disability in areas such as community equipment maintenance, environmental clean-up, gardening and repairs. They were recognised in the 2010 Count Us In Awards.
Social Inclusion Award—Technical Aid to the Disabled Incorporated, ACT
TADACT is a not-for-profit organisation, which specialises in creating or modifying equipment for people with disability, including a Kinetic Stander, which won the 2010 Australian Institute of Project Management Award in the not-for-profit category within the ACT.
Inclusive and Accessible Communities Award—Housing Choices Australia, Melbourne, Vic
Housing Choices Australia has delivered more social housing over the past two years than any other community housing provider in Victoria, including 100 high-quality units for people with disability.
Health and Wellbeing Award—Parks Victoria, Melbourne, Vic
Parks Victoria has actively embraced universal design and access principles, including introducing all-terrain wheelchair equipment in some parks and a Sailability program. Parks Victoria has also developed an accessibility guide for park rangers and grants to community organisations to help improve visitation and participation.
Yooralla Media Award for Excellence—Nance Haxton, Ethelton, SA
Nance is seen as one of Australia’s most lauded radio journalists. The judges noted her relentless, powerful and timely coverage of people with an intellectual disability, and commended her work as an important contribution to the advancement of disability rights.
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Don't DIS my ABILITY campaign news |
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More than 100 suburban and regional events will be held across NSW as part of the NSW Government’s Don’t DIS my ABILITY campaign to celebrate the diversity and achievements of people with a disability.
NSW Minister for Disability Services Andrew Constance said the theme for this year’s campaign was technology and independence.
“Social networking is increasingly helping people with a disability to connect and overcome isolation and be independent,” Mr Constance said.
“It is also enabling them to access the right services to meet their specific needs, remain informed and have a say in the way disability services are delivered.”
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Disability Council Member's Corner |
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A rural  perspective, By Lauri Grovenor
Lauri, a Counsellor, is an active and dedicated advocate for people who are blind or vision impaired in rural and regional areas living in Southern NSW. She is a Guide Dog user and the founder of the Rural Disability Network, a rural advisor for the Women with Disability Australia Network, Board Director for Blind Citizens Australia and has been a Disability Council NSW member since 2007.
40 years ago, when I lost my useful sight, I became forcefully aware of what it is to have a disability in a rural area. | |
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Don't DIS my ABILITY ambassadors announced |
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 NSW Minister for Disability Services Andrew Constance has announced that the achievements and experiences of 15 ambassadors will help drive the State Government's Don't DIS My ABILITY campaign.
“The campaign has been designed to celebrate the diversity and achievements of people with a disability and will culminate in the United Nation's International Day of People with a Disability in December,” Mr Constance said.
“The ambassadors, who come from a range of backgrounds including the arts, business, sport, volunteering and teaching, will be sharing their stories to help generate awareness about people living with a disability and what is possible.” | |
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Wheelchair tennis tournament coming to Sydney CBD |
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 Elite tennis players from around Australia will descend on the brand new Prince Alfred Park courts in Surry Hills next month for the inaugural Metropolitan Open Wheelchair Tennis Tournament.
The International Tennis Federation-sanctioned tournament is the first of its kind to be held in the Sydney CBD and comes after the five international standard outdoor tennis courts were recently upgraded to include wheelchair accessibility.
The Wheelchair Sports NSW Metropolitan Open will be held from December 2 to 4 and will coincide with International Day of People with a Disability on December 3. | |
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Upcoming Events |
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Premier's Gala concerts 6 and 7 December 2011 | |
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Inclusive technologies & learning disability 7 - 9 December 2011
in education & employment conference
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About the Disability Council NSW |
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The Disability Council of NSW is the official advisory body to the State Government on disability matters. We also provide advice to the Commonwealth on the effect of national policy at a State level. | |
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