Covers of the Violence Manual Booklets
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UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - Update
Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission UN Convention Workshop
Advancing through Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Project - Update
Disabled People's International (DPI) Launches Convention Implementation Toolkit
WWDA Submission to the South Australian Domestic Violence Law Reforms
National One Stop Shop for Accessible Tourism in Australia
Review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002
WWDA Violence Resource Manual - Update
New Publication: Because I am a Girl: The State of the World's Girls 2007
Publications from the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women's Issues
Appendix One: Copy of Letter Received from SCAG Working Group
Appendix Two: Copy of Letters Received from Australian Government re the UN Convention
The Standing Committee of Attorneys-General (SCAG) met on 12 and 13 April 2007, where the draft (Children with Intellectual Disabilities (Regulation of Sterilisation) Bill 2006) and the outcomes of the consultations, were discussed. Following the SCAG meeting, WWDA wrote to the Federal and State/Territory Attorneys-General to request information on the outcomes of the consultations and any decisions made regarding the draft Bill. WWDA has received responses from the State/Territory Attorneys General, which are all the same as the response we recently received from the SCAG Working Group (a copy of which is provided in Appendix 1 of this Update Report).
WWDA has contacted the SCAG Working Group to request a copy of the findings and outcomes of the consultation process, however we have been advised verbally that these are 'confidential' to the Working Group.
WWDA will continue to work on this important issue and members will be kept updated of our progress.
On 30 March 2007, there were 82 signatories to the Convention, 44 signatories to the Optional Protocol, and one ratification (Jamaica) of the Convention, representing the highest number of signatories in history to a UN Convention on its opening day. It is the first comprehensive human rights treaty of the 21st century and is the first human rights convention to be open for signature by regional integration organisations. As of the 23 May, there were 95 signatories to the Convention, 51 signatories to the Optional Protocol, and one ratification of the Convention.
Following the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPWD) on 13 December 2006, WWDA wrote to the Prime Minister, John Howard, urging the Australian Government to show its leadership and commitment to Human Rights by being one of the early signatory nations to the UN Convention on the Rights and Dignities of Persons with Disabilities (a copy of the Australian Government's correspondence to WWDA on this matter is attached in Appendix 2).
WWDA congratulates the Australian Government on becoming a signatory to the Convention on March 30, 2007. WWDA is hopeful that the Australian Government will also sign the Conventions Optional Protocol. Amongst the current signatories to the Optional Protocol are: Belgium, Austria, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Croatia, Finland, Italy, South Africa, and Germany. The Optional Protocol allows the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to receive and consider communications from or on behalf of individuals or groups of individuals subject to its jurisdiction who claim to be victims of a violation by that State Party of the provisions of the Convention.
A full listing of current signatories to both the Convention and its Optional Protocol can be found at: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/
The procedures which a country undertakes to sign and ratify any UN Convention are complex. Similarly the content of any convention may not be well known or understood. To this end HREOC is convening a series of forums to give people with disabilities and other interested parties information about this specific convention (see Item 3, below). For example, signing the Convention does not bind a country to enact any of its clauses although: - 'it is a means of authentication and expresses the willingness of the signatory state to continue the treaty-making process' (UN 1999). Ratification, on the other hand, is where a country officially decides that it wants to become a State Party to a convention. This is the 'essential step needed to make a country a States Party and legally bind it to comply with the provisions of the convention' (DPI 2006). WWDA congratulates Jamaica for taking this leading role in being the first country to ratify the convention, and looks forward to the Australian Government undertaking the ratification process.
WWDA President, Annie Parkinson, will be attending the Workshop on behalf of WWDA. Future WWDA Update Bulletins will report back to members on the outcome of the Workshop and will also continue to keep members updated on the Convention ratification processes.
It is DPI's hope that persons with disabilities and DPI National Assemblies will find within the toolkit the information needed to take part in the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Please visit the Implementation Toolkit online at http://www.icrpd.net/implementation/en/index.htm.
A Discussion Paper has now been developed for the South Australian Government by Adelaide barrister Ms Maureen Pyke QC. In April this year, WWDA Management Committee member Margie Charlesworth represented WWDA at a forum to review issues raised in the Discussion Paper. In addition, the South Australian Government sought comments on the Discussion Paper (entitled South Australian Domestic Violence Laws Discussion and Options for Reform Paper). A copy of the paper is available from the Sa Department of Justice website at: http://www.justice.sa.gov.au/publications_index.htm.
In early May, WWDA developed a Submission in response to the Discussion Paper South Australian Domestic Violence Laws Discussion and Options for Reform Paper. For the purposes of our submission, WWDA elected to concentrate on addressing two main areas: the 'Definition of Relationship'; (Chapter 3) and the 'Definition of Domestic Violence (Chapter 2)'. WWDA believes that these two areas set the scope of the legislation and are of significant importance to women with disabilities in this debate for reform of the South Australian Domestic Violence Laws.
WWDA's Submission made the following recommendations.
1. The SA Domestic Violence Act should incorporate a definition and description of 'family' and/or 'domestic relationship' which is sufficiently broad to cover:
2. The South Australian Government recognise that women with disabilities have the right to the same protection by domestic/family violence laws against violence in their domestic situations as the rest of the community, and therefore amend and expand the SA Domestic Violence Act to protect women with disabilities from domestic violence as they experience it.
3. Any definition of 'domestic/family violence' must be inclusive of the forms of violence as experienced by women with disabilities.
4. The wording of the SA Domestic Violence Act must be specific enough to encompass the circumstances and contexts within which women with disabilities experience domestic/family violence.
A copy of WWDA's Submission to the 'South Australian Domestic Violence Laws Discussion and Options for Reform Paper' will soon be made available on WWDA's website. If anyone would like a copy of the Submission emailed to them, please contact the WWDA Office via email on: wwda@wwda.org.au.
For more information about the South Australian Government's Domestic Violence Law Reforms, please contact:
Review of SA Domestic Violence Laws
c/- Justice Strategy, Policy, Planning & Legislation Division
Attorney-General's Department
GPO Box 464, Adelaide SA 5001
Email: ppld@agd.sa.gov.au
The features of this e-service include:
AustraliaForAll.com.au will play an important role for travellers with physical, visual and hearing impairments, providing information that has been self assessed and/or professionally verified relating to the accessibility of accommodation and places of entertainment.
Go to: http://australiaforall.com.au
Recent winner of a special commendation under the National Wespac Community Idol 2007 awards scheme. Congratulations Sheila King, Coordinator of AustraliaForAll.com.au.
The questionnaire is designed for people with mobility disabilities to answer. However, we welcome carers/attendants, family or friends completing the survey based on the needs of those who require accessible accommodation that they travel with. For example, if you are a parent of a child with a disability you should answer the questionnaire based on the access needs of your child. Your participation in this study is highly valued whether you travel frequently or not. The questionnaire will take about 15 minutes to complete.
You can access the questionnaire at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=63033650891
The research focuses on accessible rooms (sometimes referred to as 'disabled rooms') that accommodate people with mobility disabilities as designated under the Building Codes of Australia and the referenced Australian Standards for Access and Mobility (AS1428). This research does not exclude people with hearing, vision or other disabilities from completing the survey. However, other research is currently being conducted on the tourist experiences of people who are blind or vision impaired. In addition, the Hotel Motel Accommodation Association and the Deafness Forum announced in 2005 an industry agreement regarding the provision of accessible facilities for people who are Deaf or hearing impaired. We would welcome people with any disability completing the survey if they regularly use designated accessible rooms.
If you require an alternative format or would like to complete this questionnaire by phone, please contact:
Dr. Simon Darcy
Faculty of Business
University of Technology, Sydney
Ph: 02 9514-5100 Email: simon.darcy@uts.edu.au
The objectives of the project are to: review the efficiency and effectiveness of the Transport Standards and:
An Issues Paper has been developed and is intended to assist those individuals and organisations who wish to provide a submission to the review. The paper sets out the scope of the review, provides a brief discussion of the key issues for the review, and highlights those areas where the review team is keen to receive feedback from stakeholders. In addition to seeking submissions from stakeholders, the review team will be conducting public hearings in 15 locations nationwide during July and August 2007. These hearings will provide interested individuals and organisations with the opportunity to speak directly with members of the review team. Details of locations and dates of hearings are available at the review website.
The Issues Paper and information about the Review can be accessed via the Review website. Submissions should be provided to the review team no later than 5pm Friday August 24 2007.
For more information and/or to access the Issues Paper, contact:
Allen Consulting Group
Level 12, 210 George St
Sydney NSW 2000
Ph: 02 6204 6500 Fax: 02 9247 2455
Email: dstransport@allenconsult.com.au
Web: http://www.ddatransportreview.com.au
The Manual is made up of a series of four Booklets which are also being provided on an accompanying CD Rom in audio format. WWDA completed the four Booklets to final draft stage prior to December 2006, and is still awaiting final approval from the Office for Women (Commonwealth Department of Family, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs). The Office for Women expressed some concerns about the final booklet Forgotten Sisters which is a global review of literature on violence against women with disabilities. Their concern was about the tone of the review and they also believed that some of the content was critical of the Australian government. WWDA has reworked the booklet in conjunction with the Department and we are now awaiting final approval before moving into the phase of printing and production in alternate format.
WWDA has already received a large number of pre-orders for the Manual. If you would like to register your interest in receiving an Order Form for the Manual, please contact Angela at the WWDA Office via phone (03 6244 8288) or email wwda@wwda.org.au
Covers of the Violence Manual Booklets
Millions of girls are being condemned to a life of inequality and poverty according to a new report from Plan. 'Because I am a Girl: The State of the World's Girls', highlights the appalling situation in which girls find themselves - sometimes through poverty, sometimes because they are young but often simply because of their gender. The report is the first in a series of global reports on girls to be published over the next nine years by Plan. The report presents global statistics highlighting the scale of the problem. For example:
'Because I am a Girl' warns that the Millennium Development Goals, due to be reviewed by the United Nations in two months, are unachievable without a global commitment to enforcing international laws that protect girls' rights. Included in the report is an eight-point action plan listing straight-forward steps to which every global citizen, organisation and government can contribute to improve girls' lives. By doing so, we can support a better future, not only for them but for the world as a whole.
The Report can be downloaded (in PDF) from the Child Rights Information Network (CRIN) Website. Go to: http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=13351
A Health Handbook for Women With Disabilities
Women with disabilities often discover that the social stigma of disability and inadequate care are greater barriers to
health than the disabilities themselves. A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities will help women with disabilities
overcome these barriers and improve their general health, self-esteem, and abilities to care for themselves and participate
in their communities.
A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities
By Jane Maxwell, Julia Watts Belser, and Darlena David
384 pages, illustrated
English ed. ISBN: 978-0-942364-50-7
The Book can be downloaded for free from: http://www.hesperian.org/publications_download.php#wwd
Speaking Up: A Plain Text Guide to Advocacy (4-volume set)
Written in Plain Text, the four books in the Speaking Up set were conceived and written specifically to promote self-advocacy to disabled individuals who
want to learn how to speak up for themselves. All four books are illustrated throughout with colour drawings and case studies showing the positive
results of self-advocacy on the individuals themselves, as well as on their families and carers.
Speaking Up: A Plain Text Guide to Advocacy (4-volume set)
By John Tufail and Kate Lyon
ISBN 978 1 84310 474 2
Further details and ordering information can be found on the JKP website: http://www.jkp.com/new/9781843104742
Submission from the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) on the Draft Model Bill to regulate the sterilisation of children with an intellectual disability (2006)
Go to: http://www.wwda.org.au/sterhreoc06.htm
'Surviving the Change - Menopause and Women with Disabilities' (1998)
Go to: http://www.wwda.org.au/menop1.htm
Poetry by Women With Disabilities (2007)
Go to: http://www.wwda.org.au/poems.htm
Women Entrepreneurs: 18 Inspiring Tales of Small Business Success is an Australian Government initiative which highlights the individual efforts of 18 women entrepreneurs who have overcome numerous challenges to run successful businesses. Stories range from a snake-catcher and biologist to a shoemaker to the stars of Broadway, a rose-petal grower in Victoria, a renowned international chef and an innovative IT expert.
The Better Conditions, Better Business report details family friendly provisions being offered by 1800 small and medium enterprises in Australia.
Free copies of Women Entrepreneurs and Better Conditions Better Business are available in electronic and hardcopy formats from:
Website: www.ofw.facsia.gov.au/publications
or Ph: 1800 050 009
Here are just some suggestions for how YOU can help Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA):
Remember, becoming a financial member of WWDA entitles you to nominate for the Management Committee when vacancies arise and/or vote at annual elections.
By Cherie Galbraith Of Perth Western Australia
By Marlene Fox
Dear Ms Parkinson
STERILISATION OF INTELLECTUALLY DISABLED MINORS
I refer to your letter dated 18 April 2007 to the Hon Rob Hulls, MP, Attorney-General, enquiring about the outcome of discussions at the recent Standing Committee of Attorneys General (SCAG) meeting in relation to the draft Children with Intellectual Disabilities (Regulation of Sterilisation) Bill 2006 (draft Bill). Minister Hulls thanks you for your letter and has asked me to respond on his behalf.
At its meeting on 12 and 13 April 2007, SCAG noted the views expressed by stakeholders during the SCAG Working Group's consultation on the draft Bill and agreed to the Working Group doing further work to resolve the issues that stakeholders raised. No decision was made in relation to the draft Bill.
In accordance with SCAG's recommendation, the Working Group is now working to resolve the issues raised during consultation. The Working Group is aware of WWDA's views in relation to the draft Bill and notes its submissions to the Working Group during the consultation process.
Please contact Sarah Nieuwenhuysen, Co-ordinator of the Working Group on 03 86840852 if you have any further questions.
Yours sincerely
Chris Humphreys
Director, Civil Law Policy
Department of Justice
Civil Law Policy
GPO Box 4356QC
Melbourne VIC 3001
Ph: 03 96510333
Thank you for your letter of 19 January 2007, to the Prime Minister, the Hon John Howard MP, which you also copied to me. The Prime Minister has asked me to respond on his behalf as the issues you raised fall within my portfolio.
In your letter you welcomed the United Nations' adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the Convention), and urged the Australian Government to be one of the first countries to sigh the Convention. As you would be aware, Australia was among the first nations to sign the Convention on 30 March 2007, when it was opened for signature in New York. The signing of the Convention reinforces Australia's long-standing commitment to eliminate, as far as possible, discrimination against people with disability.
The Australian Government will now commence the processes that are required before a decision can be made on ratification of the Convention. The processes include, amongst other things, further consultation with interested parties within Australia. This is consistent with the Australian Government's approach during the negotiation phase for the Convention in which it consulted widely with stakeholders including disability sector representatives, human rights, legal and business groups and State and Territory governments.
The further consultations will be undertaken in the preparation of a National Interest Analysis (NIA) which examines the foreseeable economic, environmental, social and cultural effects of the Convention; the obligations imposed by the treaty; its direct financial costs to Australia; how the treaty will be implemented domestically; and what consultation has occurred in relation to the treaty. On completion of the NIA, it will be tabled in both Houses of the Australian Parliament along with texts of the Convention.
Following tabling, the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) which examines and reports on proposed treaties, received submissions and may hold public hearings. Further information on the standard treaty making process is available at: www.dfat.gov.au/treaties.
Thank you for bringing your views to the Government's attention. I trust this information will be of assistance to you.
Yours sincerely
Philip Ruddock
Attorney-General
16 May 2007
Dear Ms Parkinson
Thank you for your letter of 13 April 2007 to the Prime Minister, the Hon John Howard MP, about the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Your letter was referred to the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, the Hon Mal Brough MP, as this matter falls within his portfolio responsibility. The Minister has asked me to respond on his behalf.
The Minister welcomes your support for Australia's decision to sign the Convention. Australia's participation as one of the original signatories during the formal signing ceremony on 30 March 2007 reinforces the government's long-standing commitment to supporting people with disability.
As you know, the Australian Government has been working with individuals with disability and allied organisations, such as Women With Disabilities Australia, throughout the successful treaty negotiations held over the past five years. The government is pleased that domestic stakeholders, including representatives of the disability sector, were able to work together to help shape and strengthen this treaty. The government extends its congratulations to all those involved in this significant achievement.
Having signed the Convention, Australia will now commence the usual processes necessary for domestic consideration of the Convention, which are required before a decision can be made on ratification. The processes include further consultation with domestic stakeholders.
Once again, thank you for writing. I hop my comments are of assistance.
Yours sincerely
David Frazer
Office of the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Indigenous Affairs
10 May 2007
This site was developed by Carolyn Frohmader for Women With Disabilities Australia.