Bulletin of the NSW Disability Council 

i-Contact - November 2011

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Dear Recipient,

Welcome to November's i-Contact. The Chair’s introduction opens this issue with an account of the National Disability Awards ceremony held in Canberra on Tuesday, 22 November. 

This issue includes information about the Don't DIS my ABILITY campaign which involves many exciting events organised throughout NSW. For more information on events in your area, please visit the Don't DIS my ABILITY website: www.dontdismyability.com.au.

This issue also includes a report on the Australian Government's important decision to deliver an historic pay rise for social and community workers, many of whom work in supporting people with disability. There are many who have said for years that the work done by social and community workers has been undervalued and underpaid.  

You may have noticed that i-Contact recently started including stories from people with disability. This month, in Council Member’s Corner, Lauri Grovenor shares her insights on living with disability in a rural area. Lauri, who has been a Council member since 2007, gives a personal and engaging account of the isolation and difficulties she faced when living in Galong, bringing up seven children and losing her sight. 

Melinda Savvides
Executive Officer

In this issue

Chair's Introduction by Cain Beckett
Historic decision delivers pay rise for social and community workers
2011 National Disability Awards recognise outstanding achievements
Don't DIS my ABILITY campaign news
Disability Council Member's Corner
Don't DIS my ABILITY ambassadors announced
Wheelchair tennis tournament coming to Sydney CBD

Chair's introduction by Cain Beckett
Welcome to the November edition of iContact 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.

New appointments to Council are subject to consideration and approval by Minister and Cabinet.

International Day of People with Disability (IDPW) is fast approaching on 3rd December 2011. Checking the IDPW website (http://www.idpwd.com.au/) recently, there were 359 events occurring around Australia so there’s something for everyone. It’s timely to focus on breaking down the barriers and using this opportunity to ensure that people with disability have the same opportunity to participate and lead fulfilling lives in the community.

This month also marked the National Disability Awards ceremony at Parliament House.

I was struck by the amazing work which all of the nominees were involved in and also the visible support from the Federal government, with the Prime Minister, Treasurer, and a number of other Ministers and Senators attending. It was good to see their support for such an important cause.

The NSW Disability Council would also like to congratulate the following award recipients:

* Mr John Walsh AM - Special Award from the Prime Minister for leading work on the establishment of a National Disability Insurance Scheme.

* Local Government Award - City of Mandurah, WA

* Business Award - Alcoa Aluminium Smelter, Geelong, Vic

* Young Disability Challenge Award - Katrina Lancaster, Parramatta, NSW

* Social Inclusion Award - Technical Aid to the Disabled Incorporated, ACT

* Inclusive and Accessible Communities Award - Housing Choices Australia, Melbourne, Vic

* Health and Wellbeing Award - Parks Victoria, Melbourne, Vic

* Yooralla Media Award for Excellence - Nance Haxton (ABC), Ethelton, SA

* Minister's Lifelong Achievement Award - Frank Hall-Bentik, Richmond, Vic

At the awards ceremony the Prime Minister spoke about the importance of the transformational changes underway for Australians living with disability.

In the Prime Ministers words, for Australians living with disability:

“Certainly your pleas fell on stony ground for many thankless years.

That happened, I think, because disability confronts us with our own worst fears and how easily fate could separate us from our easy, comfortable certainties.

We did it, also, because the scale of the problem was just too big.

But in a nation unafraid of bold policy challenges, that is a reason for action, not inaction.

It took time, but we addressed inequality in health through Medicare and inadequacy of retirement incomes through universal superannuation.

We must do the same for people with disability. Because too many of our fellow Australians have lived incomplete lives for want of support.

Because too many generations of parents have gone to their graves not knowing what the future held for their children with disability as they grew to middle age. So I say this as your Prime Minister tonight: Not another generation will face that agonising choice."

I think it’s important that all Australians hold our leaders to that promise. It’s long overdue.

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Historic decision delivers pay rise for social and community workers

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.

Workers in this sector have been underpaid for too long because their work was viewed as women’s work. They work in incredibly challenging jobs, including:

• Working with people with disabilities;
• Counselling families in crisis;
• Running homeless shelters;
• Working with victims of domestic violence or sexual assault.

The Government will put a joint submission on equal pay with the Australian Services Union to the independent umpire, Fair Work Australia. To back up its commitment the Government is prepared to provide over $2 billion to fund its share of any wage increases awarded.

The Government expects major providers and other unions will join them in providing a submission.

If the submission is accepted, these workers would for the first time be given a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.

Of the 150,000 workers in the sector, 120,000 are women. Fair Work Australia has already found that their work is undervalued because of gender considerations.

If FWA agrees to the Government’s proposal on the extent of this undervaluation, this will deliver very significant pay rises. The Government also encourages state and territory governments to commit to funding their share of the cost of closing the gender pay gap.

In 2011, it is unacceptable that women earn on average one fifth less than men full-time – the equivalent of working nearly seven weeks a year for free.

With Fair Work Australia’s approval, the increases would be phased-in over six years, starting on 1 December next year.

The phased introduction recognises the complex funding arrangements in the sector, which involve local, state and territory governments, not for profit organisations, commercial providers and the Commonwealth.

This will allow community sector organisations delivering Commonwealth-funded programs to pay the new rates, without reducing services to the community. The Government will also increase funding under Commonwealth-State agreements that cover social and community sector employees.

Through the Community Sector Wages Group the Government has been working with all parties to examine the potential implications of a pay increase, taking into account the need to ensure a sustainable and effective social and community services sector.

The Government will now work with the sector to identify opportunities for reform, from both Government and service providers, to strengthen and improve service delivery, and reduce red tape for the sector.

Improving women’s earning capacity and expanding their choice of jobs will not only aid women’s own economic security, but will lift our country’s productivity.

The Government will continue to work with industry and union leaders to close the pay gap.

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2011 National Disability Awards recognise outstanding achievements

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
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.”

Key events for this year’s month-long campaign, which culminates in the United Nation’s International Day of People with a Disability on 3 December, include:

- The Access All Areas Film Festival - a free all ages event in metropolitan and regional areas featuring movies that are open captioned, audio described, auslan interpreted and at venues that are wheelchair accessible.

- The Accessible Arts Grants and Mentoring program - seed funding to produce interactive events and workshops across all art forms. The program also provides artists with a disability an advisor or mentor to assist with artistic development.

- Get DIS Party Started - a dance party at Bonnyrigg Sports Club for Companion Card holders and their carers featuring a live DJ and roving performers.

“In addition, grants have been provided to regional areas so they can conduct their own localised events,” Mr Constance said.

“I encourage communities to get involved in the events being held across the State and learn more about the contributions and achievements of people with a disability.”

To help promote the campaign, Ageing, Disability and Home Care has produced the Made You Look publication which comprises feature articles about disability-related issues and profiles of this year’s 15 ambassadors. To read about this year's ambassadors, see the article below in this bulletin.

For further information, visit the Don't DIS my ABILITY website: www.dontdismyability.com.au.

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Disability Council Member's Corner

 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. What to do? No information seemed to be available, no referrals to service providers (whoever they were), just: "Sorry, we can't do any more for you". I had 7 children and 1 husband to care for, and "got" on with it the best way I could. For eight years, I had no information or training, and no option but to keep going, and working out different ways of managing and thinking outside the square. I had to take the "t" out of can't, and change my thinking to "I can do it".

Assistance eventually arrived eight years later in the form of the "Royal Blind Society" and "The Guide Dog Association", as they had just started moving into regional areas. The two organisations worked well together and I had an excellent training program in daily living skills and mobility. Ah, my first guide dog, "Oban". I progressed from never leaving the house to never being home, according to Brendan (my husband).

Armed with mobility and knowledge, I encountered the real problems of living in a rural area. No pathways, no transport, and no understanding of a need for any accessible facilities. Approaching Councils for access was an exercise in futility, "How could they spend that amount of money on only one person?" It was a five kilometer walk to the bus stop, which I looked on as good exercise....until the buses stopped running.

Then, I decided it was time to do something for the rural people with disability. We toured around regional, rural, and remote areas in NSW on an information-gathering trip. The Rural Disability Network was born. The Network was auspiced by a government agency (which I would rather not name), and the Executive Officer took off with the money and equipment of that organisation which included the Rural Disability Network. I found it very difficult to recoup much of the information or any of the funding. Since then, MDAA (Multicultural Disability Advocacy Organisation) have taken on the Network.

Many of the people I have met live without help, knowledge, or any idea of what is available, so are confined to a very limited existence through no fault of their own. Service providers are based in regional areas and information to the smaller rural towns and villages is in a lot of cases non-existent. Though mis-information in many of these areas is alive and spreading. Transport, when it is available can be very expensive. Communication is also expensive and education can be limited, e.g. when I decided to upgrade my computer skills about a year ago, the teacher was learning "on the go" what to teach, but my skills were more advanced than hers, hence there was no advantage in travelling the 100 kilometers to attend TAFE.

In 2007, I was very honoured to become appointed to the Disability Council, where I was going to be "Mrs. Fix It" for rural NSW. That was a dream, and sometimes I felt I was banging my head against a brick wall, and other times I felt mabye we were getting somewhere. I thank the Council for always being there, listening, and supporting the rural community and myself.

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Don't DIS my ABILITY ambassadors announced

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 Internatonal 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.”

The ambassadors include Tracie Sammut - a performer with Down Syndrome who has been awarded a mentorship through Accessible Arts. She is now sharing her skills in the fundamentals of acting and theatre-making techniques with students.

Georgia Cranko is a 21-year-old Newtown-based emerging artist who has Cerebral Palsy and uses Computer Assistive Technology. She received an honourable mention in the Dorothea Mackellar award for her poetry and is now building an interdisciplinary practice combining writing, photography, film-making and performance.

The business community is represented by quadriplegic Mark Bagshaw, the Managing Director of Innov8 consulting group who is passionate about demonstrating to the global business community the economic and business benefits of a more inclusive society.

From the sporting arena, Special Olympics softballer Melissa Eustace, Paralympic gold medal swimmer Tracy Barrell and wheelchair basketballers Rhys Baxter and CJ Grogan will inspire with their experiences and achievements.

The Minister said the theme for this year's campaign was technology and independence.

“These are timely themes as 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.”

“As part of the campaign, 100 events will be held across NSW. I encourage the community to take part in the events and meet the campaign ambassadors.”

2011 Don’t DIS my ABILITY Ambassadors:

Clarence John Grogan, known as C.J., is a young Aboriginal wheelchair basketball star who will play internationally this year after competing at all national levels. Originally from Darwin, C.J. was born with Fibular Limb Deficiency, which affects the long bones in the body. He is the first Aboriginal wheelchair basketball player at the elite level in Australia. He is currently both studying for his Higher School Certificate at St Ignatius College, Lane Cove, where he is a boarder, and competing in the National Championship Title at the Open Australian Championship.

Fiona McKenzie of Randwick was invited to join the NSW Disability Minister's Reference Group on Person Centred Approaches to represent people with an intellectual disability. This follows her outstanding work as a member, and later Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, of the NSW Council for Intellectual Disability. Her determination has driven her to compete in the Sydney City2Surf, running in her 10th race this year. Fiona also enjoys Zumba classes and reading mystery novels.

Georgia Cranko communicates without speech. Like many other 21-year-olds, the Newtown resident is studying at university and believes she can change the world. Georgia is already making this happen. Born with Cerebral Palsy, she uses her wit and humour to counteract prejudice. As part of last year's Don’t Dis my Ability campaign, Georgia devised and performed a solo piece, "Living Within Context" exploring the challenges and triumphs of life with a disability. She is a founding member of the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) interest group, AAC Voice.

Gerard O’Dwyer of Guilford is an actor and a spokesperson for Beyond the Square, Parramatta Riverside Theatre's dedicated performing arts program for people with a disability. Gerard's credits include the Tropfest short film, Be My Brother, which won him the best actor award. This year Gerard, who has Down Syndrome, won a best male actor award for his role in the short play, Beautiful, performed at the Newtown Theatre and Nida's Parade Theatre. You may remember Gerard in the government advertisement, CareCareers, which won a Bronze Award for Best Television Commercial.

Hannen Abdallah speaks in Arabic and English about giving people with a disability from non-English speaking backgrounds a voice. As a "Community Voice" for the Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association and a community educator for Vision Australia, the engaging and energetic Harris Park resident is being heard. Hannen has a learning disability and is vision impaired. She is a member of the NSW Council for Intellectual Disability and the NSW Network of Women with Disability and loves belly dancing.

Julie Stonestreet of Glenfield loves travelling the world despite her chances of even getting out of bed having been considered slim. Julie, 37, was born with 14 fractures caused by Osteogenesis Imperfecta (or Brittle Bone disease). One hundred fractures and 26 operations later, she is still defying the odds and living her own life. Julie lives independently and teaches tourism at Wollongong and Bankstown TAFE. She has travelled to the United States, including New York, plus Bali, Singapore and islands in the South Pacific.

Kate Boyd goes to work at Woolworths each weekday. After leaving school, she had completed a TAFE course on Career Education for Women. Kate's contribution to the company and to the community earned her selection as a Woolworths Hero. The St Ives resident, 35, has an Acquired Brain Injury. Through the Brain Injury Association, she gives talks on road safety to schoolchildren and lessons on how to behave towards people with brain injuries. Kate lives independently and does not have a carer.

Dr Mark Bagshaw of Pyrmont believes that addressing the problems of economically disadvantaged people makes good business and economic sense. As the Managing Director of Innov8 consulting group, he is in a position to prove the economic and business benefits of a more inclusive society. Mark, a quadriplegic, is a recipient of a number of awards including the Australian Humanitarian Award for his work as a social reformer. Education, he says, plays a crucial role in developing a just society. Mark uses his previous corporate experience as Business Development Executive for IBM to help businesses and corporations to see the light.

Melissa Eustace loves dancing and softball to an Olympian degree. The Turramurra resident is a founding member of the Special Olympics Dance Performance Group and has performed at numerous corporate and charity events. She was a bronze medal winner as a member of the Australian Special Olympics Softball team at the Special Olympics World Games in Athens this year. Every Easter since 2008, Mel has swum the annual 1.5 kilometre Rock to Rock ocean swim on the NSW Mid-North Coast.

Nick Gleeson of Padstow combines his love of athletics and global adventuring to inspire others. An accident at the age of seven left him with a retinal detachment. Nick successfully represented Australia in athletics and blind cricket. As a speaker, Nick brings his sporting and travel adventures to life. He has twice crossed the finish line in the New York City Marathon, carried the Sydney Olympic Torch, raced up the 1,576 steps of the Empire State Building, completed the gruelling 90-kilometre Comrades Marathon from Durban to Pietermaritzburg and lived to tell the tale.

Rhys Baxter is an experienced wheelchair athlete who is always willing to mentor. Rhys rebuilt his life after an injury that left him paralysed from the chest down. A move to Sydney saw him presenting road safety talks for Wheelchair Sports NSW. The Five Dock resident now works full time for Spinal Cord Injuries Australia, helping people with spinal cord injuries to live full and rewarding lives. Rhys plays in the Australian National Wheelchair Basketball League, and in the NEC Wheelchair Tennis tournaments. Recently, Rhys was selected for the Frank Ponta Cup at the Australian Institute of Sport, a development camp matching new players with experienced Australian players.

Saxon Graham of Vaucluse is an actor and international golfer. At 38, Saxon has represented Australia at the Australasian Games in Christchurch. In 2007, he won a silver medal in golf at the World Summer Games in Shanghai. As an actor, his credits include the television series GP, A Country Practice, Heartbreak High and House Gang. His has worked for 18 years at Meals on Wheels, as well as for the Special Olympics in Homebush, Woolworths and the Holdsworth Community Centre. Saxon is this year's Woollahra Council Citizen of the Year.

Steve Ripley is an actor who fulfilled a dream by appearing in an Australian theatre production of Children of a Lesser God. The play reflects his life as teacher of Auslan and independent living skills to young deaf people who have vision impairments. Gradually deaf and blind, the Claremont Meadows resident has supported parents and families of children who are deaf or are hearing impaired. Currently, Steve works as a Communications Trainer with people who are deaf and blind.

Tracie Sammut of Carringbah is a Logie-award winning actor who has appeared on All Saints, Home and Away and House Gang. Tracie, who has Down Syndrome, began her career at 14. She appeared in the 2007 Australian feature film Clubland as well as the short film Francis and Annie. Tracie moved to the other side of the camera for the short film Be My Brother in 2009. Recently Tracie completed a Professional Development Community Partnership with the Australian Theatre for Young People as a drama teacher. An accredited coach in gymnastics, she represented Australia at the World Games for Special Olympics held in Athens in June this year.

Tracy Barrell OAM is currently writing her autobiography. Her story involves having to overcome peoples attitudes toward her disability as a triple congenital amputee, despite her considerable achievements. The Benora Point mother of two boys won two swimming gold medals at the Barcelona Paralympics in 1992. Tracy considers her most prestigious award to be the Order of Australia Medal she received in 1993. She retired from international swimming in 1994 but continues to play sport and has represented Australia at Sitting Volleyball.

For further information about the Don’t DIS my ABILITY campaign, visit: www.dontdismyability.com.au.

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Wheelchair tennis tournament coming to Sydney CBD
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.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the City’s $9 million Prince Alfred Park facelift included international grade tennis and recreation facilities designed to be accessible to all Sydneysiders.

“What better way to celebrate these new facilities, which are not only wheelchair accessible but also feature the same plexi-cushion surface used in Melbourne Park, the home of the Australian Open,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Making our facilities accessible and inclusive to everyone in the community has really driven our work in Prince Alfred Park, so I’m thrilled to see Wheelchair Sports NSW open up the courts for a cast of elite and grassroots players.”

Wheelchair Sports NSW CEO Jim O’Brien said they were excited to be conducting the first Metropolitan Open at the Prince Alfred Park Tennis Centre.

“We believe there is a real need to showcase the best of disability sport and what better way to do it than at this state-of-the-art tennis centre in the centre of Sydney,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Wheelchair Sports NSW is very grateful for the wonderful support and encouragement from the City of Sydney to highlight the ability of our tennis players particularly during International Day of People with a Disability”.

“This tournament will be a great chance for Wheelchair Sports NSW members as well as interstate and possibly overseas players to gain a competitive edge coming into a Paralympics year."

“A public showcase of wheelchair tennis will send a strong message to the public of Sydney about the worth and value of a disability sporting event such as this."

“By raising awareness of disability sport in such friendly and accessible surrounds is a credit to the City”.

The Metropolitan Open is one of three ITF Futures Tournaments being held in NSW in the lead up to the Sydney International Wheelchair Tennis Open at Sydney Olympic Park in January next year.

The Metropolitan Open will include singles and doubles tournaments for men, women juniors, reserve grade and C-grade players, with a total prize pool of $2500.

Mick Connell, who runs a popular ‘Wheelies’ Wheelchair Tennis program, said the tournament would be great for players ahead of the 2012 London Summer Paralympics in August and September next year.

“This tournament is really important for Paralympics hopefuls because it will give them a chance to gain valuable points and push their ranking up so they can be selected for the games in London,” Connell said.

“For me personally, this tournament is great because I love playing at the courts in Surry Hills.”

“The atmosphere at Prince Alfred Park is really lively and there are always people walking by with their dogs or on bikes, who stop and have a look at our games.”

“I even had someone who was going past, stop and tell me that I was an inspiration.”

Wheelchair tennis is one of the more demanding and difficult wheelchair sports and follows the same rules as able bodied tennis with no modifications to court size or racquet. The only exception is that players are allowed two bounces of the ball.

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 Australian Human Rights Commission 2010/11 Annual Report

The Australian Human Rights Commission Annual Report was tabled in Federal Parliament 1 November 2011. One of the Commission’s key functions is the investigation and conciliation of complaints of alleged discrimination in the areas of sex, race, age and disability. During 2010-2011, the Commission received 18,670 enquiries, 2,152 complaints and 47 percent of finalised complaints were resolved through conciliation. Thirty eight percent of complaints were lodged under the Disability Discrimination Act.

To download the report, click here

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Disability Council NSW Priorities

Council’s current priority issues are:  Forward this article

Upcoming Events

Premier's Gala concerts   6 and 7 December 2011

The Premier’s Gala Christmas Concerts for seniors, presented by the NSW Government and produced by Ageing, Disability and Home Care is on 6 and 7 December.

Up to 30,000 seniors will attend three concerts over the two days at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

For more information including future concerts in March 2012 go to the Senior's Week website.

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Inclusive technologies & learning disability in education & employment conference  7 - 9 December 2011

The Biennial 2011 Accessing the Future: Inclusive Technologies in Education and Employment Conference follows the 2009 events in Newcastle and Sydney; the 2007 events in Sydney, Newcastle and Bomaderry; and the 2005 and 2003 Forums held in the Hunter and Central Coast.

In 2011 the Conference will be offered over three days in one location, at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley.

For further info, click here

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Contact Details of the Disability Council of NSW:

Disability Council of NSW
L19, 323 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000
Tel/TTY: (02) 8217-2800
Fax: (02) 8217-2899
Email: DisabilityCouncil@facs.nsw.gov.au
Web: www.disabilitycouncil.nsw.gov.au


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