On Wednesday 10th March at 8:00pm on ABC1 The New Inventors present an 'Access and Ability Special' which features inventions by, and for people with a disability, they will look at some of the ingenious ways inventors are helping to ensure everyone has equal access to life, work and fun.

To celebrate these important innovations, James will be joined by a special panel of experts living with a disability: paralympian Kurt Fearnley, filmmaker and presenter Sofya Gollan, and Federal Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes.

The show will also include an Auslan sign language interpreter, Jemina Napier, translating for hearing impaired viewers throughout the program, a first for The New Inventors

Link for ABCTV - The New Inventors Presents ‘Access and Ability Special’

disAbility e-news Issue 148

Link for disAbility e-news Issue 148

Rudd Government continues monitoring States & Territories disability accommodation program - 16-2-10

Link for Rudd Government continues monitoring States & Territories disability accommodation program - 16-2-10

ADELAIDE FESTIVAL ACCESS INFORMATION - 26 FEB TO 14 MAR 2010

Adelaide Festival - A Little More Light, GROUPE F FRANCE “Free opening weekend Spectacular”
Be part of the first Australian outdoor spectacular to be audio described & witness the largest pyrotechnic display ever performed in SA!
It’s a free Adelaide Festival show held in Victoria Pk that will be audio described & include an accessible viewing area hosted by the Disability Transition & Arts Team with electric wheelchair charging points, water for guide dogs & some seating. You need a small radio receiver to listen to the description which will also be broadcast live on Radio Adelaide 101.5FM @ 8.45pm. It’s recommended that you bring your own radio as only a limited number will be available on the night for collection at the accessible viewing area.
Designated parking & drop-off zones will also be available on Beaumont Rd. So take blankets, radio, & take your places to celebrate the Adelaide Festival’s 50th anniversary!
Victoria Park Racecourse (Sthrn End), 27 February at 8.45pm

Document for ADELAIDE FESTIVAL ACCESS INFORMATION - 26 FEB TO 14 MAR 2010

Link for ADELAIDE FESTIVAL ACCESS INFORMATION - 26 FEB TO 14 MAR 2010

Australian Community Sector Survey Report 2010

The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) has this week released the Australian Community Sector Survey Report 2010, which reveals that vulnerable South Australians were turned away nearly 6,500 times in 2008-09 — up 19% from the previous year — from support services across a range of areas including child welfare, disability, domestic violence, legal and advocacy support, and health services.

Link for Australian Community Sector Survey Report 2010

Loop 2010 - who decides what's best? Register now.

This year’s Loop explores the nature of quality in human services. Who really does get to decide what’s best?

There are two rare and very special events in Adelaide, including international speakers, notably John O'Brien. If you have an interest in human services, be it for people living with disability, people living with mental health issues, older people, indeed anyone experiencing social disadvantage, then these special events are not to be missed.

There is also the Loop’s country SA program. Running since 2005, the Loop takes a conversation to country SA. A wealth of experience and stories emerge and the conference proceedings are published and promoted in pursuit of helpful change in people’s lives.

Places are limited for these events so we encourage you to book early.

For further information regarding any of the events please contact admin@juliafarr.org.au

Click below for a copy of the events flyers and registration forms.

Document for Loop 2010 - who decides what's best? Register now.

FOUR CORNERS program, “Breaking Point”, on ABC TV

"The system of assistance for people with a disability in Australia is broken. Carers know it, charitable organisations know it and so do the governments. Now the federal government says something must be done. It's holding an Inquiry, with the intention of creating a new and fairer system. It's even considering a national disability insurance scheme. But will the system be reformed in time to save the families now at breaking point?"

Link for FOUR CORNERS program, “Breaking Point”, on ABC TV

Pilot gender analysis workshops with women with disabilities on 18 and 19 March - UNIFEM

The pilot workshops will provide women with disabilities attending with an introduction to gender analysis. Participants will consider key concepts and a selection of gender analysis frameworks, approaches, tools and questions. Opportunities will be provided for participants to apply and further develop their gender analysis skills through the application of selected tools to policy,
project, service delivery and community related case studies. The workshops will also provide an
introduction to important international instruments including Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol.

Document for Pilot gender analysis workshops with women with disabilities on 18 and 19 March - UNIFEM

Wheelchair Sports SA Email Update

Document for Wheelchair Sports SA Email Update

disAbility e-news Issue 147

Link for disAbility e-news Issue 147

LEGAL DISPUTE WITH JETSTAR; 9 NEWS

Link for LEGAL DISPUTE WITH JETSTAR; 9 NEWS

Lack of services trap disabled in hospital - The Advertiser 14-01-10

Link for Lack of services trap disabled in hospital - The Advertiser 14-01-10

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - NGO Shadow Report - SURVEY

The Australian government must report to the CRPD Committee on its current compliance with the Convention sometime in the latter half of 2010. When this occurs, the Committee also wants to receive what are called "Shadow Reports" from civil society - i.e. non-government organisations, especially those that are run by and for people with disabilities (known at the UN as DPOs or Disabled People's Organisations).

A group of Australian disability organisations have partnered to commence a Shadow Report Project that has already begun and this website tells you all about the project and also gives you the opportunity to feed your thoughts and ideas into it.

To complete the survey, click on "Shadow Report Survey" located on the left hand side of the webpage.

Link for Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - NGO Shadow Report - SURVEY

Fix the raw airline deal for Australians with disability - AHR Media Release 15-12-09

With the release of the Australian Government’s Aviation White Paper today, Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes, urged the government to ensure airlines and airports have self regulating access facilitation plans for equal treatment of people with disability in place by mid 2010, or face government regulation if they don’t.

Link for Fix the raw airline deal for Australians with disability - AHR Media Release 15-12-09

Calling All Artists for the Julia Farr Art Exhibition 2010!

The Julia Farr Association is calling for artists for the art exhibition next year. The theme for 2010 is 'A Good Life'. The exhibition will commence in June 2010 so get to work and start creating your masterpiece!

Please see the attached document for further information.

Document for Calling All Artists for the Julia Farr Art Exhibition 2010!

JULIA FARR YOUTH

Julia Farr Youth are looking for young people aged 18-25 who live with a disability and are enthusiastic about disability youth issues to join Julia Farr Youth.

We meet once a month at JFA to discuss issues which are important to young people and come up with strategies to change thoughts and lives. We are for young people, by young people with initiative.

Our current primary focus is the design, development and implementation of a Mentor Program for children aged 11-16 years who live with a disability.

To register your interest please complete the attached application form or if you would like more information then contact Georgina at Julia Farr Association on 8373 8333 or email georginae@juliafarr.org.au.

Food and travel costs are provided!

Document for JULIA FARR YOUTH

JFA Noske Christmas Fund

The JFA Christmas Noske Fund has been developed to carry out the wishes of the late Mr. Noske who generously set aside funds to enable people living with a disability to celebrate Christmas.

Document for JFA Noske Christmas Fund

Julia Farr Association Welcomes New Mandate for Social Inclusion Board

The State Government has recently announced that it has asked the Social Inclusion Board to develop a blueprint for the reform of the disability support sector.

Attached is a media statement released by the Julia Farr Association in response to this announcement.

Document for Julia Farr Association Welcomes New Mandate for Social Inclusion Board