A newsletter for
people interested in issues relevant to people from a
NESB with disability and their families and carers.
Produced by the Multicultural Disability Advocacy
Association of NSW (MDAA).
If you have any queries,
questions, comments or any other contributions please
contact us by email (mdaa@mdaa.org.au)
or phone (02) 9891 6400.
NEW at
MDAA
Job Vacancy -
Assistant Director & Individual Advocate
(Illawarra)
The leading advocacy agency for people from NESB with
disability and their families/carers in NSW, is seeking
applications for the positions of Assistant Director and
Individual Advocate (Illawarra).
Assistant Director, full time (37.5 hours per
week), SACS Award grade 6, generous salary packaging
options available. The position is based in MDAA's head
office in Harris Park.
Selection criteria:
Understanding of and commitment to social justice;
Demonstrated experience and skills in strategic
organisational development; highly developed staff
management, supervision and support skills; demonstrated
experiences and skills in strategic policy development;
superior written and oral communication skills;
demonstrated problem solving and negotiating skills;
computer and records management skills.
Individual Advocate (Illawarra), part time
(22.5 hours per week), SACS Award grade 3, generous
salary packaging options available. The position
co-locates with the Illawarra Multicultural Services at
27 Atchison St, Wollongong.
Selection Criteria:
Understanding of and commitment to social justice;
knowledge and experience of disability and diversity;
demonstrated advocacy skills; demonstrated capacity to
manage complex issues and people in crisis; knowledge of
relevant legislation and services; good written and oral
communication skills; ability to work independently and
as part of a team; computer and records management
skills.
Desirable Criteria: Current driver's license
and access to vehicle.
The positions are permanent depending on recurrent
funding. MDAA is an EEO employer and an affirmative
action policy applies to people from NESB with
disability.
For an information package call Judith. For further
details re Assistant Director call Diana, re Individual
Advocate call Susan, on (02) 9891 6400.
Send applications to: MDAA, PO Box 9381, Harris
Park, NSW 2150; or fax to (02) 9635 5355; or email to
mdaa@mdaa.org.au.
Applicants must address all essential criteria.
Applications close: Monday 15 Sept 2008.
Commonwealth
News
NEDA Report on
Refugees and Migrants with Disability and the United
Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities
On the 18 July 2008, Australia ratified the United
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN
CRPD). Australia's migration health requirement was the
subject of some discussion prior to ratification. The
Australian Government eventually took the step of issuing
an interpretive declaration in relation to the migration
health requirement, when the UN CRPD was ratified. The
wording of the declaration is as follows:
Australia recognises the rights of persons with
disability to liberty of movement, to freedom to choose
their residence and to a nationality, on an equal basis
with others. Australia further declares its understanding
that the Convention does not create a right for a person
to enter or remain in a country of which he or she is not
a national, nor impact on Australia's health requirements
for non-nationals seeking to enter or remain in
Australia, where these requirements are based on
legitimate, objective and reasonable criteria.
In early 2008 the National Ethnic Disability Alliance
(NEDA) sought legal advice from Barrister Dr Ben Saul,
Director, Sydney Centre for International Law. The two
questions that NEDA specifically sought advice on is
whether:
(a) There is an inconsistency between
Australia's obligations under the Disabilities
Convention and the Migration Act 1958 (Cth)
('Migration Act') exemption under s 52 of the
Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) ('DDA'); and
(b) Section 7(5) of the Social Security Act 1991
(Cth) discriminates against migrants with disabilities
in a manner inconsistent with article 28 of the
Disabilities Convention.
The findings of the advice are summarised below.
Migration Health Assessment
- Health requirements under migration law are in
principle permissible under human rights law in order
to safeguard scarce medical resources.
- However, the current health assessment may give
rise to unjustifiable indirect discrimination against
refugees and migrants with disability, and thus does
not comply with the equal protection obligation under
Article 5 of the UN CRPD.
- Indirect discrimination against refugees and
migrants with disability may occur because the
threshold of the health test is set too low to
adequately balance the interests of non discrimination
against people with disability with the preservation
of scarce health resources. Thus, in some cases the
health assessment may lead to discrimination that is
not proportionate to the policy objective of
preserving health resources for all Australians.
- Indirect discrimination against refugees and
migrants with disability may also occur because the
evidentiary requirements are not sufficiently strong,
for example in relation to accurately quantifying the
future costs to the community of illness or
disability.
- Finally, indirect discrimination against refugees
and migrants with disability may occur by inadequate
procedures to take into account an applicant's ability
to pay for the costs attributable to their own
disability or illness.
Disability Support Pension
- The 10 year waiting period for the Disability
Support Pension interferes with human rights to an
adequate standard of living and to social protection
under article 28 of UN CRPD, the right to health under
article 25 of UN CRPD and may in certain circumstances
be contrary to inhuman and degrading treatment
provisions in article 15 of UN CRPD.
This groundbreaking report highlights areas of
significant inconsistency between the obligations under
the UN CRPD and areas of migration and social security
policy affecting refugees and migrants with disability.
On behalf of its member organisations including MDAA,
NEDA strongly recommends the Australian Government commit
to law reform, in the areas of migration and social
security policy affecting refugees and migrants with
disability, as part of the implementation plan for UN
CRPD.
Please see NEDA website for the full report including
the full legal advice as an Appendix
http://www.neda.org.au/page/human_rights.html
Position Vacant:
Senior Policy Officer
The National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA) is the
national peak organisation representing the rights and
interests of people from non-English speaking backgrounds
(NESB) with disability, their families and carers, is
seeking applications for the position of Senior Policy
Officer.
This position provides an exciting opportunity for
professionals with a background in strategic policy
development to build their skills within a small but
dynamic national peak organisation.
- This is a 30 hour per week part-time position,
with the hours being worked over 4-5 days as
negotiated.
- The position is employed on a one year fixed term
contract.
- National Ethnic Disability Alliance is an EEO
employer and has an affirmative action policy that
applies for people from NESB with disability.
- Salary level up to $43, 469 ($56,000 pro rata)
depending on experience.
Selection criteria:
Essential:
- Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to
people from NESB with disability, their families and
carers
- Demonstrated conceptual, analytic and research
skills including the ability to interpret the social,
political & organisational environment
- Experience in policy development and analysis
- Self motivated & flexible with a demonstrated
ability to complete tasks & meet
- deadlines
- High level written & oral communication
skills, including the ability to effectively
communicate with people from diverse cultural
backgrounds
- Demonstrated interpersonal, negotiation and
networking skills with proven ability to initiate
& sustain partnership with key stakeholders
- High level computer literacy
- Willingness to travel
Desirable:
- Knowledge of project management processes
- Relevant Tertiary Qualifications
For an information pack please contact Judith on (02)
9687 8933.
For further information on this position contact Dinesh
Wadiwel on (02) 9687 8933.
Applicants must address all of the above essential
selection criteria.
Applications must be provided electronically in a Word
formatted file and be directed to the "Executive Officer"
at
office@neda.org.au.
Applications close 12 September 2008.
Upcoming
Conference:
The 4Rs - Rights, Reconciliation, Respect, Responsibility -
30 September - 3 October 2008
"Social Inclusion means many things - but to
everyday Australians it's about the things that matter,"
says conference convenor, Professor, Andrew Jakubowicz.
"How will the new climate change regime affect human
rights? What will happen after 'Sorry' for Indigenous
Australians? How does the workplace affect human rights?
What is it like being a young Muslim woman in Australia's
schools and workplaces? What happens if we think of
housing as a human right? What does it mean to be an
active citizen? How does racism affect people in
different communities? "These are just some of the
questions we will discuss at the conference."
The 4Rs Conference brings the community together with
university researchers to explore, debate and plan for a
more socially inclusive future. Four themes capture the
ideas of the conference - Rights, Reconciliation, Respect
and Responsibility.
The 4Rs Conference Website: www.the4rsconference.org
mdaa cultural
abilities - upcoming training
mdaa
cultural abilities is the
training arm of MDAA. Our July - December Training
calendar is now available on our website http://www.mdaa.org.au/training.html
mdaa cultural abilities is pleased
to introduce a 10% discount for MDAA's organisational
members registering for any calendar training. This is
an acknowledgement of the support member organisations
provide to MDAA.
Promoting to and
networking with Ethnic Communities
5 September 2008 - 9am-5pm
Venue: MDAA. 40 Albion St Harris Park NSW 2150
Outline: This is the perfect one day workshop to do
before you spend money on translations and then get
stuck with: "How do I distribute the information? How
do I let people know about my services?".
This hands-on workshop will focus on the why, who and
how. It will leave you with the skills and knowledge
to make connections, build bridges and develop
reciprocal relationships with ethnic communities that
last.
Target group: Anyone interested in promoting their
services to ethnic communities
Assessment: None
Pre-requisite: None
Costs:
NGO: $110
Government: $220
MDAA Organisational Members: 10% off above
costs.
Making your
Service accessible to people from NESB
12 September 2008 - 9.30am-16.30pm
Venue: Western Sydney Community Forum
Outline: This hands-on workshop attempts to
resolve some of the most common difficulties workers
have in trying to make their services more accessible
to people from NESB. It will outline the barriers
people from NESB experience in attempting to access
services.
Target group: Anyone wanting to make their
service accessible to everyone eligible for it
Assessment: None
Pre-requisite: None
Costs
NGO: $110
Government: $220
MDAA Organisational Members: 10% off above
costs.
cultural
diversity training in Queensland
Working Cross Culturally: Work effectively with
culturally diverse clients and co-workers - CHCCS
405
MDAA will deliver the third of four rounds of
training in Queensland in October 2008. This
nationally recognised one day training workshop is for
people working with people with disability across
Queensland. The training course is designed to give
you the cultural awareness you need to communicate and
cooperate effectively with people from diverse
backgrounds.
By the end of the training you will be able to:
- Demonstrate respect for culturally diverse
people in all your work practices
- Demonstrate effective communication with people
from culturally diverse backgrounds
- Use effective strategies to eliminate
discrimination and bias in the workplace
- Recognise cultural diversity as a fact of life
- Identify and recognise how your own culture
impacts on your practices, beliefs and experiences
The dates and locations for the October training
are:
- Gypmie - Mon 6 Oct 2008
- Maroochydore - Tues 7 Oct 2008
- Carboolture - Thurs 9 Oct 2008
- Brisbane - Fri 10 Oct 2008
- Cairns - Mon 13 Oct 2008
- Innisfail - Tues 14 Oct 2008
- Mareeba - Wed 15 Oct 2008
- Gold Coast - Fri 17 Oct 2008
http://www.mdaa.org.au/training/qld.html
News from across the
World: International
Africa: 'The Invisible
- People With Disabilities and HIV/Aids'
Aids-Free World (Boston) PRESS RELEASE
5 August 2008
Posted to the web 5 August 2008
Mexico City, Mexico
People with disabilities are at a greatly heightened
risk of HIV infection, but they are excluded from
HIV/AIDS data collection and research - and largely
ignored by providers of HIV prevention, treatment and
care.
This gross violation of human rights will be
confronted today at a press conference organized by
AIDS-Free World and Disabled Peoples' International at
the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City.
The organizations are calling for the immediate inclusion
of people with disabilities in national and global AIDS
surveys and in all AIDS research, data collection and
programming.
"We have no idea exactly how many people with
disabilities are HIV positive, how many are educated
about the risks of HIV/AIDS or how many are able to
access treatment," said Rachel Kachaje, Deputy
Chairperson of Disabled Peoples' International. "This
lack of data highlights the neglect of people with
disabilities, and makes it extremely difficult to obtain
funding, or to strategically design policies and
programming to reach this population. The fact is that
people with disabilities are dying silently of AIDS."
One in ten people - 650 million individuals worldwide
- have a disability that affects their daily lives.
Four-fifths live in developing countries, mostly in rural
areas. They are among the most stigmatized, poorest and
least educated of the world's citizens. Anecdotal
evidence suggests a risk of HIV infection twice as high
as that faced by the non-disabled population, and most of
the risk factors for HIV are increased for people with
disabilities.
Incorporating people with disabilities into all data
and research on HIV/AIDS will reduce the vulnerability of
a large, but often invisible, segment of society.
"If people with disabilities are left out of AIDS
research, policies and programming, then we are
relegating 10 per cent of the world's population to the
far margins of the AIDS response," said Professor Nora
Groce, Chairperson of the Leonard Cheshire Disability and
Inclusive Development Centre at University College in
London.
Women with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to
HIV infection since they are often wrongly assumed to be
sexually inactive. Because it is also frequently
presupposed that girls with disabilities will not marry,
many families and communities fail to give them
information on sexuality, leaving them especially
vulnerable to HIV. Women with disabilities, the vast
majority of whom have been denied educational
opportunities, have exceptionally low levels of literacy
- around 1% - and are up to three times more likely to be
victims of sexual abuse and rape.
"Disability, like HIV/AIDS, disproportionately harms
women and is intricately intertwined with poverty and
social and economic marginalization," said Myroslava
Tataryn Advisor on Disability and AIDS for AIDS-Free
World. "Women with pre-existing disabilities are often
already dependent on caregivers, whether physically,
economically or both. Contracting HIV only worsens their
situation. Some may be punished for having the 'nerve'
to be sexually active, and may lose what little social
support they have.
This additional layer of stigma further exacerbates
their poverty and marginalization." Representatives from
AIDS-Free World and Disabled Peoples' International
called on the United Nations, governments, and delegates
attending the XVII International AIDS Conference to end a
decades' long pattern of neglect and discrimination that
has rendered people with disabilities 'invisible' at all
levels of the response to the pandemic.
AIDS-Free World is an international advocacy
organization committed to speaking up with and for people
affected by AIDS, and speaking out for more urgent and
more effective global action in response to the
crisis.
Disabled Peoples' International is a network of
national level organizations of disabled people,
established 27 years ago to promote human rights of
disabled people through full participation, equalization
of opportunity and development.
Link: http://allafrica.com/stories/200808050457.html
_______________________________________
Diana Qian
Executive Director
Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW
Ph: (02) 9891 6400 Fax: (02) 9635 5355
PO Box 9381, Harris Park NSW 2150
www.mdaa.org.au
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