Covers of the Violence Manual Booklets
Return to the Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) Newsletters Page
WWDA Report to the National Disability Secretariat Program
Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse National Forum
Disability Supported Accommodation Program - National Consultations
WWDA Violence Resource Manual - Update
New Journal Article: Sterilisation of people with intellectual disabilities
WWDA Online Information and Referral Directory Update
Australia's Common Core Human Rights Document
National Disability Services & Families Australia National Conference
New Report: Women and WorkChoices
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Civil Society Survey
WWDA Telecommunication Working Group News
Report: Experiences of People with Disabilities in Domestic Airline Travel in Australia
Research Study - Parents of Young Adults with Intellectual Impairment
New Report: Supporting the housing of people with complex needs
Discussion Paper: The Overlooked Consumers
Ensuring access to electronic media for the hearing impaired
WWDA Management Committee Members 2007 - 2008
WWDA recently provided FaCSIA with a submission in response to the Consultation Paper 'Working Towards a Common Understanding of Advocacy'. WWDA's submission articulates WWDA's view that the current review of the NDAP poses a good opportunity to re-think the way that disability advocacy is conceptualised. WWDA believes that the NDAP, its goal/s, objectives and desired outcomes, should be conceptualised in a human rights approach and framework. WWDA considers such an approach and framework vital in the context of the recent adoption by the United Nations General Assembly, of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
It is WWDA's view that adopting a human rights framework for the NDAP positions the program as a mechanism to assist in bringing about structural and cultural shifts so that people with disabilities can take their places in the broad landscape of social life endowed with the same possibilities and supported by the same rights as their non-disabled contemporaries.
A copy of WWDA's Submission to the Consultation Paper 'Working Towards a Common Understanding of Advocacy' will soon be made available on WWDA's website. If anyone would like a copy of the Submission, please contact the WWDA Office via email on: wwda@wwda.org.au or ph: 03 62448288.
WWDA's contract with FaCSIA contains a number of required deliverables under specified objectives. As part of the Contract requirements, WWDA is required to produce an end of year report to FaCSIA which reports against these objectives.
WWDA provides a range of other services and conducts other activities that contribute to meeting WWDA's overall mission. The funding agreement with FaCSIA relates only to those outcomes and areas of activity related to the operational funding provided through the National Disability Secretariat Program.
WWDA has recently completed its end of financial year Outcomes Report to FaCSIA. The report focuses on addressing the outcomes as detailed in WWDA's funding contract with FaCSIA for the period 2006-07.
If anyone would like a copy of WWDA's Final Project Report to the National Secretariat Program, please contact the WWDA Office via email on: wwda@wwda.org.au or ph: 03 62448288.
Registration forms and the Forum program is available from the Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse. Contact:
Karen Wilcox or Gaby Marcus
Ph: 02 9385 3843 or 02 9385 2991
Email: clearinghouse@unsw.edu.au
Web: www.austdvclearinghouse.unsw.edu.au
FaCSIA has released a Discussion Paper entitled 'Disability Supported Accommodation: A Discussion Paper' that will be used as a basis for consultation. The discussion paper is available on the FaCSIA website at: www.facsia.gov.au/internet/facsinternet.nsf/disabilities/supported_accommodation.htm
FaCSIA is seeking written submissions that provide input into the design and development of the Disability Supported Assistance Program. The closing date for submissions is 26 October 2007. Written submissions can be provided by email or post:
Disability Supported Accommodation,
PO Box 7442,
CANBERRA BC ACT 2610
Email: disabilityaccommodation@nationalmailing.com.au
For more information:
Ph: 1800 045 394 or 02 6244 1405
TTY: 1800 260 402
The WWDA Resource Manual on Violence Against Women With Disabilities has now received final approval from the Office for Women. The Manual is now in the process of being printed and produced in alternative formats.
Covers of the Violence Manual Booklets
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.
The article reports on a retrospective case note study which was undertaken of all referrals to the Official Solicitors Office (England & Wales) for sterilisation between 1988 and 1999. Using an established protocol, information was obtained from legal and clinical notes relating to the initial referral to the Official Solicitor, the opinions of experts, the court proceedings and the outcome.
Seventy three people, only three of whom were men, were referred over the 11 years. They were aged between 12 and 41 years. All but one had an intellectual disability. Twenty seven of those referred were minors. Seventy-five per cent of referrals were made by a parent of the person for whom sterilisation was sought, predominantly the mother. The main reason given by the referrers for seeking sterilization was the perceived risk of pregnancy. For ten of the women, sterilisation was part of a specific request for surgery because of menstruation difficulties such as heavy blood loss. Full applications were made for 50 of the 73, with 39 proceeding to a Court hearing. For 31 of the 39 cases, the Court ruled that sterilisation would be in the persons 'best interests'. An additional six women probably had operations resulting in sterilisation without court authorization.
The authors hypothesise that the request for sterilisation may be driven by a combination of a fear of the risks associated with the person's transition to adulthood, parental contraceptive attitudes, the requirement for a permanent solution to potential pregnancy and concern about who would care for any grandchild.
Source: Stansfield, A., Holland, A., & Clare, C. (2007, August). The sterilisation of people with intellectual disabilities in England and Wales during the period 1988 to 1999. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, Vol.51, Part 8, pp. 569-579.You can assist WWDA in this task by letting us know of any new services/programs etc that may be useful for women with disabilities, or by checking the contact details of your organisation/group and letting us know if there are any changes. The WWDA Online Information and Referral Directory can be found on WWDA's website at: www.wwda.org.au/portmain.htm
The Report is available electronically at www.ag.gov.au/humanrights
The National Association of Community Legal Centres (NACLC), along with a coalition of non-government organisations (NGOs), is producing a Shadow Report to provide the UN Human Rights Committee and the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights with a picture of the state of human rights in Australia. WWDA has contributed to the Shadow Report.
The deadline for submission of abstracts is 26 October 2007. For more information contact:
Margaret Verick, Committee Coordinator
NDS National Committee on Children, Young People and Their Families
Ph: 02 6283 3214
Email: margaret.verick@nds.org.au
The Report of the study is available in full (3.3MB) or in a Summary version (2.7MB) and can be downloaded from: www.unisa.edu.au/hawkeinstitute/cwl/publications.asp.
WWDA contributed a written response to the OHCHR Survey and is looking forward to forging closer links with the OHCHR.
More information on the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and its relationship to non-government organisations can be found in the OHCHR publication "Working with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights: A Handbook for NGO's". This publication is available in both Word and PDF formats from the WWDA website. Go to: www.wwda.org.au/unhrt.htm. You will find the book listed under the category 'Resource Materials/Publications' (Human Rights - General).
Keynote Speaker, Louise Sylvan (Deputy Chair of the Australian Competition & Consumer Council) drew on her extensive background in consumer rights as a former head of 'Choice' Magazine, to talk about empowering and protecting consumers in communications markets. Anomalies of consumer behaviour mean that competition in the marketplace does not operate in a perfect way; so that the most efficient and competitive services are not always selected. The term 'confusopoly' was used to describe the plethora of choice which confronts consumers in choosing communications products. In this sphere, consumers end up by choosing a product at random. We can all relate to this outcome in many areas where consumers are making choices about purchases.
Websites such as www.phonechoice.com.au to compare phones, www.whirlpool.net.au (use this site with caution) to compare Broadband offers are useful. The need for brokers to work in the communications field, similar to their role in the Insurance world was also discussed.
The other panels during the day expanded on the theme set, with insights into blogging, Instant Messaging, virtual communities & communications, 'freeing' the internet from commercial Service Providers, and much more.
Consumers attending were outnumbered by industry and government representatives, with most of the consumers being telecommunications representatives of some persuasion. The forum presented a unique opportunity for all involved in the communications sector to share ideas, and look at the consumer perspective. It is to be hoped that the CA-ACMA team can make such gatherings a regular event.
The Communications Alliance continues to work on incorporating new technologies into the self regulatory regime it oversees. In particular Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony is becoming an increasingly important part of the communications market, with service providers now numbering close to 300. The Disability Council continues to negotiate for services which are able to carry Voice, Text and Video over IP simultaneously. This needs adequate broadband services, with consistent quality and speed of service. Such services will enable people who are Deaf to communicate independently and in 'real time' using the video function for signing. It is essential for people who are communication aid users to be able to text someone and receive a 'real time' voice reply. A simple definition of 'real time' communication is that it is communication which enables the conversing parties to interrupt each other - which may seem impolite, but when you pause to think, this is an intrinsic part of conversation. The National Relay Service continues to operate but is expanding its role into online services. Likewise TTY's will have an important role for some time to come.
In keeping with the increased importance of the IP communication, the Communication Alliance is in the process of reviewing the names of its Reference Panels. The term 'Next Generation Networks' (or NGNs) has become redundant - because they are already here and in operation, and an Emerging Services Reference Panel is the more aptly named replacement for the Networks Reference Panel. There are other nomenclature changes in the pipeline.
The Communications Alliance is also undertaking a review of the Australian Standard AS/ACIF S040:2001. This is the Standard part of which mandates that phone keypads must have a 'raised pip' on the 5-key plus a facility for a hearing loop coupler. The Standard applies to phones which are a part of the Standard Telephone Service (STS) - and we are awaiting clarification as to what phones are currently included in the STS. Sue Salthouse has had input to the Working Group (WG) which is looking at the possibility of review. Over past months a separate WG has been amalgamating 6 Consumer Codes into a single code named the Telecommunications Consumer Protection Code. The draft has already been released for public comment (WWDA gave feedback at that stage) and should be ratified and officially published in the near future. Consumers were represented on the WG by two members of the CommsAlliance Consumer Council.
The Report is available for download from the PIAC website. Go to: http://www.piac.asn.au/publications/pubs/flightclos_20070831.html
The criteria for inclusion in this study is that participants are the parents of a young adult aged between 17-21 years of age and that the young adult has been diagnosed with either intellectual impairment, developmental delay, speech or communication disorder, Down's Syndrome or Autistic Spectrum Disorder. The research is being conducted by mail-out questionnaire which will take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete. If you wish to participate in this study, please forward your name, postal address and a brief description of your child's diagnosis to:
Gavin.Brown2@student.griffith.edu.au
or phone Gavin Brown on 0411 427 489 to arrange delivery of your questionnaire.
The Report is available for download from the AHURI website. Go to: http://www.ahuri.edu.au/publications/download/70311_fr
The Discussion Paper is available in HTML format from the HREOC (Disability Rights) Website. Go to: www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/consumer/overlooked.htm#_Toc176876010
The investigation is to be completed by 30 April 2008, with the full report of that investigation to be tabled by the Minister in Parliament. It will be coordinated by the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts in consultation with other relevant Australian Government agencies. It will include consultations and examination of the work undertaken in this area by the free to air, subscription and national broadcasters, internet broadcasters, film producers and cinema operators.
A discussion paper will soon be made available for public comment.
I Don't Want To Play
I am tired of this disease I have
I wish it would go away
I am tired of this disease I have
I am tired and I don't want to play
It robs you of your freedom
It makes you very weary
I feel I am a prisoner too this disease
And it's making my life quite dreary
I try real hard to keep my spirits up
And most of the time I do win
But just when you're not expecting it
Your meds don't work and it throws you into a spin
I'm tired of this disease I have
I wish it would go away
I would love to feel normal again
Even if it was just for one day
I could do all the wonderful things I miss
I could buy myself some beautiful shoes
The ones that have high heels
And I would walk around in them all day
Ah, that would be absolute bliss
I could go dancing and do a great cha-cha
Now that's something I would really love to do
I could pretend I was Ginger Rodgers
Well maybe not, that might be going a bit too far
I could take my grandson to the park
And play with him all day
But I have to leave time for other things
Like jogging, I miss that, cause now I look quite funny
If you have ever seen a Parkinson person run
You would know why I miss running
Oh well, I could dream like this all day
But it is not going to get me too far
Because you can wish all you want
But dreams are just what they are
Dreams
And I have to get back to reality
Because there are dishes in the sink
And I can't sit here dreaming all day
Cause in the real world it doesn't get you anywhere
Dreaming just makes you think
Of what you're missing out on
And I have to get on with what I can do
Not live in a world of make believe
To myself I must be true.
Annie Parkinson, a long-standing member of WWDA, and WWDA's Vice-President for 2003-04, has over 30 years experience in activism in the women's movement, and the gay and lesbian rights movement. She was involved in the development of the ground-breaking publication 'I Always Wanted to be a Tapdancer', a book of stories of women with disabilities published in the late eighties. She has worked as a research assistant in the disability field, and in the 1990s, co-founded an organisation called Access Plus, a group that addressed issues which particularly affected queers with disabilities. She has been actively involved in the establishment and management of several organisations, and has been a member of a number of management committees. Annie has most recently joined the management committee of a small SAAP funded housing organisation which offers short-to-medium term housing for women who have experienced sexual abuse.
Sue Salthouse has worked in the area of social justice since 1996, playing an active role in systemic advocacy for women with disabilities. Sue runs her own Consultancy company which specializes in a range of work in the disability sector - social research, government and non government policy advisor, conference facilitation, project development and management, TAFE teaching, and individual advocacy. Sue is a research and policy consultant to WWDA, coordinator of WWDA's Telecommunications Working Group, and WWDA spokesperson on Industrial Relations and Employment. She has also undertaken a number of research and advocacy projects for WWDA covering a wide range of issues of concern to disabled women. Sue is a representative for WWDA and as a WWDA-affiliate, for the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations, on a wide range of Advisory Groups. She regularly presents papers for WWDA at Conferences and other forums. Sue also convenes Women With Disabilities ACT (a WWDA-affiliate organisation).
Vicki Alipasinopoulos has been a member of WWDA since 1999. Vicki's background is in social work and she also holds a Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment. Vicki has been an active member of the disability sector and attended the first Leadership and Mentoring Workshop run by WWDA in 1999. Vicki currently serves on a number of committees in the disability sector, including the Management Committees of the Disability Resources Centre and Blind Citizens Australia. Vicki is also currently serving on a consumer feedback committee as part of the newly formed blindness agency, Vision Australia. This Committee provides feedback to staff to the Training, Technology and Employment team in Victoria. Vicki participates in voluntary work at various agencies where she provides counselling to clients who have an intellectual/psychiatric illness. Other voluntary work involves providing emergency relief, information, referral, advocacy and support.
Pamela lives in Corryong in North East Victoria and has been involved with WWDA for many years, having held positions of Secretary and Treasurer of the Management Committee. Pamela has been involved with several advocacy and disability related groups including the Victorian Women with Disabilities Network, Towong Shire Community Access Committee and the Hume Region DHS Disability Advisory Committee. She is also actively involved with numerous other community organisations in her local area. Pamela has worked in part time paid employment as an outreach employment counsellor with a disability employment agency.
Helen Meekosha is Associate Professor in the School of Social Work, University of New South Wales, Australia. She worked as a community development worker for 17 years in the UK and Australia prior to her appointment at UNSW. Her research interests cross boundaries of race, ethnicity, disability and gender. In 1996 she was instrumental in establishing The Social Relations of Disability Research Network, a group of interdisciplinary scholars interested in Disability Studies. Later she went on to be a founding member of the Disability Studies and Research Institute (DsaRI). Helen has written and spoken extensively, from a feminist and a disability perspective on citizenship, human rights, social movements, the media and the body, communications and multiculturalism. Active in the disability movement for 20 years, she has been involved with Women with Disabilities Australia since it inception over a decade ago and as President in 2001 accepted the Australian Human Rights Award in the community category. She is an Overseas Consultative Editor of Disability and Society, on the JORSEN International Advisory, a member of the International Advisory Editorial Board of the Encyclopaedia of Disability 2006 (Sage), and an editor of Volume 4. In June 2005 she was the Noted Scholar in feminist disability studies at the University of British Columbia.
Kate has a keen interest in disability policy and is an enthusiastic campaigner for the rights of women with disabilities. Kate has worked as a Policy & Research Officer for WWDA and has also worked in disability policy with the Commonwealth Government. As a qualified scientist, Kate has also worked at the Australian Museum and taught at the Australian Defence Force. Kate has undertaken a number of representative roles on behalf of WWDA including being the WWDA rep on the Board of the Australian Disability Studies and Research Institute (DSARI).
Sheila King has a long history of advocacy for people with disabilities. She is the Secretary and founding member of Access For All Alliance, a volunteer community group established to ensure equitable and dignified access to all premises and facilities whether public or private, to all members of the community. In November 2003 Sheila received an Annual Peer Award from the Physical Disability Council of Australia for her efforts in addressing the issue of access to health professionals across Australia. This took the form of a study into the lack of adjustable height examination beds in doctor's surgeries throughout Australia. Sheila serves on a number of Committees and undertakes a wide range of representative work in the disability sector.
Jo Dixon has a keen interest in human rights, disability and gender issues. She is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Laws Degree at Latrobe University in Victoria. Jo is very active in student advocacy within the University, and is the current Disability Liaison Officer where she actively promotes the needs and rights of students with disabilities. She is also the student representative on the La Trobe University Disability Advisory Committee. Jo is an active community volunteer and has undertaken voluntary work in the areas of asylum seekers and refugees; aboriginal legal aid; youth support services and domestic violence support services.
Margie has a keen interest in issues of mental health. She has been a volunteer systemic advocate since 1996 and has contributed to a number of community based disability organisations, including the Physical Disability Council of South Australia and Disability Action (SA). Margie has also held the position of Secretary for the WWDA Management Committee. Margie has undertaken a Bachelor of Social Science, at Adelaide University, majoring in Gender Studies and Politics. In 2005 Margie stepped down from the WWDA Management Committee to go to Canada to complete her studies, and re-joined the Committee on her return in 2007.
Rayna was born in New Zealand, and moved to Western Australia when she was 16. She has worked in a range of areas and has completed a year of BA in Writing, which she has put on hold in order to focus her energies on her work with women with disabilities in Western Australia. In 2003, Rayna established a network of women with disabilities in Perth, which evolved into the community based organisation Women With Disabilities WA Inc. Rayna co-ordinates this organisation on a voluntary basis. Rayna is particularly passionate about raising awareness about women with disabilities and family and domestic violence, and finding ways to reduce the isolation of women with disabilities.
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.
This site was developed by Carolyn Frohmader for Women With Disabilities Australia.