A newsletter for
people interested in issues relevant to people from 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
Jobs, jobs,
jobs
Individual Advocates - Part
Time (Harris Park; Griffith)
Exciting opportunities exist for 2 experienced and
skilled advocates to work with people from non-English
speaking backgrounds (NESB) with disability and their
families at MDAA's offices in Harris Park and
Griffith.
These positions are permanent part time (21 hrs/wk
Harris Park; 22.5 hrs/wk Griffith) depending on annual
funding. Salary is based on SACS Grade 3 and with maximum
salary packaging, ranges from $38,131 - $51,827 (EFT).
You will also benefit from ongoing support, training and
flexible working conditions.
Training
Coordinator
We are also seeking an experienced and skilled trainer
to manage MDAA's Training Unit. This position is full
time (37.5hrs/wk) on a 24 month contract with the
possibility of renewal depending on funding. Salary is
based on SACS Grade 5 and with maximum salary packaging,
ranges from $51,878 to $62,177. You will also benefit
from ongoing support, training and flexible working
conditions.
Individual Advocate Team
Leader
We are also seeking an experienced and skilled
advocate to lead MDAA's team of individual advocates.
This position is permanent full time (37.5hrs/wk)
depending on annual funding. Salary is based on SACS
Grade 6 and with maximum salary packaging, ranges from
$58,709 to $70,050. You will also benefit from ongoing
support, training and flexible working conditions.
For an information package with full position
descriptions including selection criteria please call
Judith on (02) 9891 6400 or download from the MDAA
website: www.mdaa.org.au
Further enquiries to Diana on (02) 9891 6400.
Applications close 21 August.
Cultural abilities
training calendar available for 2009
You can find our 2009 training calendar at
www.mdaa.org.au/training.html
State
News
CHERI Conference:
'Mental Health and Well-being of Students: Keeping it
Strong'
When: 3 and 4 September 2009
Where: Westmead Hospital
The Children's Hospital Education Research Institute
(CHERI) is holding its annual conference on the mental
health and well-being of students on the 3rd and 4th
September 2009.
This conference provides an overview of a range of
mental health problems commonly experienced by school
aged students; as well as the identification and
management of these problems, particularly in a school
setting. Information on a range of resources, on-line
services and interventions will also be presented. The
conference will be of interest to teachers, special
educators, school executives and allied health
professionals such as school counsellors and
psychologists.
Keynote speakers include:
- Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, Psychologist
- Professor Gordon Parker, Executive Director, Black
Dog Institute
- Clinical Professor David Bennett, NSW Centre for
the Advancement of Adolescent Health
- Michael Durrant, Psychologist & Director,
Brief Therapy Institute of Sydney
To view program outline and register on-line go to the
CHERI website: www.cheri.com.au/conferences.html
The Sydney Leadership Program -
Applications now open
Sydney Leadership is an annual ten month program which
was established in 1999 by The Benevolent Society as part
of its mission to create caring and inclusive communities
and a just society. Designed for people who are motivated
to lead positive change in their communities and
organisations, the program brings together a diverse
group of up to 30 talented participants from across the
business, government and community sectors for a unique
and challenging learning experience based on the
'adaptive' leadership approach developed at Harvard. The
selection process is competitive but it is not necessary
to be in a senior management position to apply.
Applications close on 1st October 2009.
More information on The Benevolent Society website:
www.bensoc.org.au
Commonweath
News
National Disability
Strategy (NDS) report 'Shut Out: The Experience of People
with Disabilities and their Families in
Australia'.
In late 2008, the Commonwealth Government released a
discussion paper asking the community to respond to a
series of questions about their experience of disability.
The consultations were intended to inform the development
of a National Disability Strategy which aims to ensure
that people with disabilities have the opportunity to
participate fully in the economic, social and cultural
life of the nation. Developed by the Commonwealth in
partnership with State and Territory governments, the
National Disability Strategy offers an unprecedented
opportunity to articulate a clear vision and to marshal
resources towards the achievement of common goals. It
will galvanise and direct coordinated action between all
levels of government to close the gap between the lived
experience of people with disabilities and the rest of
the Australian community.
More than 750 submissions were received in response to
the discussion paper, more than half of which were from
individuals and the remainder from a range of
organisations. This overwhelming response from ordinary
Australians, so often excluded from the process of policy
development, is an important indication of the depth of
feeling among people with disabilities and their
families, friends and carers. They have long called for
change. Now they want to see it.
More than 2,500 people also attended consultations in
capital cities in every state and territory of Australia,
as well as in regional and remote areas. These sometimes
fiery, often sad and occasionally funny meetings provided
unique insight into the day-to-day struggles of
Australians with disabilities.
Many of the large institutions that housed generations
of people with disabilities-out of sight and out of
mind-are now closed. Australians with disabilities are
now largely free to live in the community. Once shut in,
many people with disabilities now find themselves shut
out. People with disabilities may be present in our
community, but too few are actually part of it. Many live
desperate and lonely lives of exclusion and isolation.
The institutions that once housed them may be closed, but
the inequity remains. Where once they were physically
segregated, many Australians with disabilities now find
themselves socially, culturally and politically isolated.
They are ignored, invisible and silent. They struggle to
be noticed, they struggle to be seen, they struggle to
have their voices heard.
What you will read in the report is their attempt to
break down the walls of silence and finally have their
story told.
The findings in the report will now feed directly into
the development of the National Disability Strategy.
Australian governments will continue to work throughout
2009-10 on the strategy with the advice of the National
People with Disabilities and Carer Council and other
stakeholders. Critical thinkers and subject experts will
be brought together to develop innovative strategies and
actions to tackle identified priorities in each area
along with appropriate outcomes and targets. And most
importantly, an evaluation, monitoring and reporting
process will be developed as a means of tracking the
progress of the strategy to ensure real and meaningful
change is achieved.
The National Ethnic
Disability Alliance (NEDA) says the report is
in plain language and very direct about the difficulties
faced by people with disability. There is also a section
in the report - 2.8 - which is dedicated to the further
disadvantaged groups within disability, namely people
from 'a multicultural background', Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islanders and women. With regard to those from
multicultural backgrounds, the exclusion from the
cultural community was highlighted as well as the
difficulties posed by language barriers. In section 2.2
the exclusion of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
in the Migration Act of 1958 is used as an example of
people with disabilities being 'excluded and ignored'.
The report states: 'These consultations made it
abundantly clear that there are issues specific to these
groups that must be addressed in the National Disability
Strategy.' This is a positive sign that the National
Strategy may recognise NESB issues when it is released in
2010.
The report is on the Dept of Families, Housing,
Community Services & Indigenous Affairs website:
www.fahcsia.gov.au
New inquiry into migration
treatment of disability
The Commonwealth Parliament's Joint Standing Committee
on Migration has launched an inquiry into the migration
treatment of disability. The Committee will examine
whether visa decision-makers should be able to take into
account the social and economic contribution, as well as
the anticipated health care costs, of potential migrants
with disabilities.
Every year, millions of people apply to visit or
migrate to Australia. The grant of a visa is conditional
on a person satisfying the health requirement specified
in the Migration Regulations. The health requirement is
designed to protect Australia from public health risks,
contain public expenditure on health and community
services, and maintain the access of Australian residents
to those services.
Disability does not in itself mean that a person or a
family will be refused a visa. As part of the health
test, however, applicants with a 'disease or condition'
are assessed on the potential cost and impact on
Australian health and community services.
Committee Chair Michael Danby welcomed the launch of
the inquiry and said he looked forward to canvassing
community views on the issue.
"Potential migrants with disabilities and
their families are currently treated under the
migration system as costs to our society, and there is
little scope to take into account the contributions
they might make to their community and workplace," he
said. "Under the terms of reference we will be
examining whether the balance between the economic and
social benefits of the entry and stay of an individual
with a disability, and the costs and use of services
by that individual, should be a factor in a visa
decision. We look forward to receiving a wide range
of submissions to the inquiry about where the balance
should lie between our positive recognition of the
role that people with disabilities play in our
community, our human rights obligations, and the
realities of a health system and disability services
sector under pressure."
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator
the Hon Chris Evans, and the Parliamentary Secretary for
Disabilities and Children's Services, the Hon Bill
Shorten, asked the Committee to inquire into the matter
following several cases in recent years of individuals
and families refused visas on the basis of their own or a
family member's disability.
The closing date for submissions is
Wednesday 28 October.
For more information and the inquiry terms of
reference, visit the inquiry website at www.aph.gov.au
or contact the secretariat on (02) 6277 4560.
If you or your colleagues are interested in following
the progress of the inquiry, requests to be added to an
email distribution list for media releases may be sent to
jscm@aph.gov.au
New NEDA report: This is my
Home - Belonging, Disability and Diversity
Social policy researchers have taken an increasing
interest in moving beyond traditional measurements of
poverty and disadvantage (such as income deprivation) to
a focus on social capital and cohesion, and wellbeing as
measurements of broad participation and community
resilience.
However, culture has an effect on what people
understand by 'belonging' and 'participation.' It remains
unclear whether current understandings of social cohesion
and wellbeing are comparable across all cultural and
linguistic communities.
In March and April 2009 the National Ethnic Disability
Alliance (NEDA) facilitated focus groups in Melbourne,
Sydney and Perth with people from non-English Speaking
Backgrounds (NESB) with disability. This report documents
stories and descriptions of what it means to belong, to
be accepted and to feel socially included and connected.
The key findings of the report are that:
- Religion, faith and spirituality are an important
component of social connectivity and belonging for
many people from diverse backgrounds. Measures of
inclusion must adequately value the role of faith in
building inclusion and connectivity for many
Australians.
- Discrimination has an impact upon opportunities
and social inclusion outcomes. A social inclusion
agenda must address systemic and individual
discrimination, including racism.
- Family and friends are important gateways to
social participation and belonging. Friendship
networks in particular are worthy of further
investigation as an enabler of social inclusion.
- The ability to have a voice and be heard is a key
component of feeling included. Linking social
inclusion with human rights frameworks and support for
advocacy provides a direction for giving people
opportunities to be heard.
- Creating more positive interactions between
support agencies and consumers can have the benefit of
a stronger sense of belonging and connection for
people who face social exclusion.
These key findings provide future directions for
building cultural and linguistic inclusion as part of the
Australian social inclusion agenda. You will find the
report on NEDA's website: www.neda.org.au
News from across the
World: International
Cambodia: Readies for
Disability Law
By Ros Sothea, VOA Khmer ; Original report from Phnom
Penh, 17 July 2009
King Norodom Sihamoni recently approved a historic law
for the disabled, which seeks to improve their lives and
promote their rights.
The 60-article law, signed July 3, aims to provide
annual financial support for people with serious
disabilities, including the elderly, while providing
training for people who wish to seek jobs.
In Phnom Penh, the law went into effect Friday, while
in all other provinces and municipalities it goes into
effect July 22.
The law calls for jail sentences up to five years and
fines up to 10 million riel, or $2,500, for those who
intentionally abandon the disabled or exploit them.
"This is the first disability law to be
implemented in Cambodia's history," Sem Sokha,
secretary of state at the Ministry of Social Affairs,
told VOA Khmer. "I believe it is a very important law
for promoting the lives of disabled people and
protecting them."
Three decades of war have given Cambodia more than
half a million people with disabilities, creating a large
disadvantaged group that faces discrimination in
employment, health and education.
This year's law is the result of heavy lobbying by
non-governmental groups since 1996.
"It's great to have the law signed," said 45-year-old
Yous Pisey, who lost both legs to a landmine 21 years ago
and had lived in a Phnom Penh pagoda and sewn scarves
until the global financial crisis put her out of
work.
"I hope that from now on the government will take good
care of us and search for people with disabilities, like
me, to promote our livings by providing an actual
career," she said in a recent interview.
Not everyone is optimistic.
"I don't think a law can help all people with
disabilities," said one woman who was nine months
pregnant with one disabled leg. "I don't believe this is
so."
Whether or not it helps everyone, the law will help
promote the lives of some through education, training and
job centers, said Lash Urike, coordinator for Handicap
International France.
Ngin Saorath, executive director of Cambodia's
Organization, said his group plans to monitor the
implementation of the law closely to ensure people with
disabilities benefit from it.
Source: www.khmernz.blogspot.com
Nepal: Nepalese biker with
disability on mission to forge unity
By Scott, 29 July 2009
With his right hand amputated below his elbow
following an accident as a child, Rakesh Gole, a
Nepalese, struggled hard growing up with his disability.
Born to a farmer's family of the Tamang tribe in the
Nepalese village of Makhwanpur under the Phaparbari
district, Rakesh, now 40, grew up working with his father
in the field.
As a young man, Rakesh became a respectable farmer in
the Tamang community. His disability turned into a force
that pushed him into a visionary man. He decided to take
up an arduous journey alone on a specially designed
motorbike touring the eight Saarc countries in a bid to
forge a 'unity among physically challenged persons'.
Using his left hand, Rakesh rode to Bangladesh on his
motorcycle, Hero Honda, which is donated by its
manufacturer, five days ago. He entered Bangladesh via
India through the Banglabandha border. With Nepalese
flags on his bike and a slogan inscribed along number
plates, he was seen riding towards Dhaka past Bogra.
"My dream is to help physically challenged men, women
and children of this region unite against superstition
and social prejudices," said Rakesh in broken Hindi,
sitting on his bike by the highway.
Father of two children, a boy aged 12 and a girl aged
16, Rakesh showed dozens of certificates from different
organisations wishing him good luck for his endeavour.
"I really like the way Bangladeshis welcomed me all
along the road. It is a great inspiration for all of us,"
he said, adding that he would be heading for Sri Lanka
from here within a month.
Rakesh's physical disability has made him extra
careful while riding his bike with his left hand. He
rides slowly on his way and takes frequent breaks to talk
to people and disseminate the message he has brought with
him from the people of Nepal.
"We need unity to overcome any problems on our way to
the end of the journey of our life," he said.
Source: www.thedailystar.net
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