More children with hearing or vision impairment living in regional and remote Australia will soon have access to specialist services and therapies through the National Broadband Network (NBN).

Read more by clicking on the link below:

Link for National Broadband Network delivers disability support services direct to doorstep

Business Skills for Creative People – Develop Funds and Resources

Business Skills for Creative People – Develop Funds and Resources
Thursday (16th) and Friday (17th) February 2012
Hetzel Lecture Theatre, Mortlock Building
State Library of South Australia, Corner of North Tce and Kintore Ave, ADELAIDE
Course Cost: $25 (normally $150)

If you are a disabled artist, arts worker, volunteer, someone who works within communities or someone who would like to, this course is for you. See the attached flyer for more information.

If you are interested in taking part, contact DATT by email datt@cansa.net.au or phone
(08) 8231 0900 for more information and to register.

Document for Business Skills for Creative People – Develop Funds and Resources

Funding Opportunities for Disabled Artists

Funding Opportunities for Disabled Artists
Wednesday 15 February 2012,
11.00am to 1.30pm
Hetzel Lecture Theatre, Mortlock Building
State Library of South Australia, Corner of North Tce and Kintore Ave, ADELAIDE

A free workshop for Disabled artists, arts workers and Disability organisations on current funding opportunities (Richard Llewellyn Arts & Disability Trust, Arts SA, Australia Council, local government). CAN SA facilitator Carmel Batson leads participants through the basics of clearly outlining your ideas and how to tackle a project budget. Special guest Clare Tizard from Arts SA explains the Richard Llewellyn Arts & Disability Trust funding program.

If you are interested in taking part contact DATT by email datt@cansa.net.au or phone
(08) 8231 0900 for more information and to register.

Participants wanted for Focus Group in SA - Addressing the support needs of siblings

Families Australia is the national peak not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the needs and interests of families. It seeks to do this at the national level by acting as a conduit for information and views between, on one hand, the Federal Government and its agencies, and, on the other, individuals, families and community-based organisations. From time-to-time, Families Australia conducts focus groups and other forms of consultation to explore understandings about contemporary family issues.

Document for Participants wanted for Focus Group in SA - Addressing the support needs of siblings

Deep Quality returns to Adelaide in 2012 by popular demand

Following the success of Dr Michael Kendrick’s Deep Quality course in 2011, Purple Orange are pleased to host it again in May/June 2012.

The two-week Deep Quality course is aimed at bridging the gap between what is hoped for, and what is realistic for services to deliver when looking at person-centred approaches to supporting people.

For agencies and individuals involved in developing progressive policy, funding or services, Deep Quality is a valuable experience, not often hosted in Australia.

Before 24 February 2012, you are able to access the early bird registration.

Please refer to the attached flyer and registration form for more information and contact details.

Document for Deep Quality returns to Adelaide in 2012 by popular demand

Latest Purple Orange newsletter

Document for Latest Purple Orange newsletter

Media Release: Disability justice and reducing victimhood

The recent dismissal of child sex charges against a local school bus driver again reveals the challenges of ensuring a fair go at justice for people living with disability.

The media release is attached.

Document for Media Release: Disability justice and reducing victimhood

Media Release: Not a moment to lose to look out for neighbours

The hearing of a South Australian couple accused of murdering their intellectually disabled daughter again brings attention to the issues of social isolation and extreme pressure on individuals and their families living with disability.

The media release is attached.

Document for Media Release: Not a moment to lose to look out for neighbours

Report shows early intervention helps children with disability

The Australian Government today welcomed the findings of a review of early intervention therapies.

The report recommends that eligibility for the Better Start for Children with Disability initiative should be expanded, that early intervention services be integrated into the development of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and that the model of service effectively links families and children to appropriate early childhood supports in their local communities.

Read more...

Link for Report shows early intervention helps children with disability

Working with South Australia to get NDIS ready

The Australian Government has announced it will work with the South Australian Government on measures to help get the state ready for a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

An NDIS will make sure Australians with disability have access to the care and support they need to participate in society, no matter where they live, if they were born with a disability or how they acquired their disability.

Link for Working with South Australia to get NDIS ready

Media release: Opportunity for South Australians to be in control

The Julia Farr Association has welcomed the South Australian Minister's announcement that Individualised Funding will become the cornerstone of the disabilty support system.

The media release is attached.

Document for Media release: Opportunity for South Australians to be in control

You are invited to a presentation: Mobile Devices as Assistive Technologies

The SA Chapter of Australiasian Disability Professionals invites you to explore the potential of mobile devices as assistive technologies.
Tuesday 13 December 2011
6.30 pm for 7.00 pm start
Uni of SA City West Campus
Lecture Theatre BH2-09 (Wheelchair accessible)
For more information please email adpsa.chapter@gmail.com

Improving the lives of people with disability worldwide

The Australian Government today announced support to improve the lives of people with disability worldwide at a symposium on the World Health Organisation and World Bank’s World Report on Disability in Sydney.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd and Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas said the Australian Government will contribute $2 million towards a new United Nations Trust Fund to assist countries to implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Link for Improving the lives of people with disability worldwide

Tell Us Your Story: Accessible Taxis in South Australia

Recent concerns raised in the media about waiting lists for accessible taxis for Christmas Day functions and over the festive season have interested Purple Orange.

We are seeking to collect the lived experiences of people who are relying on accessible taxis in South Australia over the next few months. Purple Orange will use this information to identify ways to work with the State Government and the Taxi industry to enhance the accessible taxi services available.

You are invited to complete a short survey each time you use an accessible taxi until 15 January 2012. If you would like to complete this survey over the phone you are invited to call Research Officer Alicia Fidock on (08) 8373 8311 or freecall 1300 857 327. If you are calling please note that our office will be closed from 5pm on 23 December and will be reopening at 9am on 3 January 2012.

Please click on the link below to complete the survey.

Link for Tell Us Your Story: Accessible Taxis in South Australia

Need a Christmas tree? Muscular Dystrophy Association Fundraiser

It’s hard to believe but it is coming up to that time of year again and you know what that
means…it’s time to order your fresh Christmas tree from the Muscular Dystrophy Association!
Once again the funds raised will be going to help the Muscular Dystrophy State Electric
Wheelchair Sports team as they compete in national competition.

Document for Need a Christmas tree? Muscular Dystrophy Association Fundraiser

Free Workshop for Women Living with Disability

Women With Disabilities South Australia [WWDSA] is presenting a workshop VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES to coincide with White Ribbon Day - International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gendered Violence.

Document for Free Workshop for Women Living with Disability

Medical Heating and Cooling Concession

The Medical Heating and Cooling Concession is a new energy concession that will be introduced by the South Australian Government, commencing on 1 January 2012. It will provide additional financial assistance to people on low or fixed incomes who require medical heating and cooling in their home to prevent or reduce the symptoms and impact of multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinsons disease or a number of other qualifying medical conditions.
The concession will assist people who incur high electricity costs because of their medical need to use air conditioners or heaters on a frequent and/or prolonged basis to prevent the worsening of their symptoms. For more information visit the website below.

Link for Medical Heating and Cooling Concession

New report highlights the impact of multiple sclerosis

A new report into the economic impact of multiple sclerosis reveals the substantial costs associated with the condition, and highlights the need for fundamental reform of disability care and support in Australia.

The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin and the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers Senator Jan McLucas launched Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia’s Economic impact of multiple sclerosis in 2010 report in Canberra today.

More info can be found at http://www.msra.org.au/plans-prevention-and-cure-ms-promise-reduction-national-budget

Link for New report highlights the impact of multiple sclerosis

Community organisations to reduce violence against women with disabilities

Minister for the Status of Women Kate Ellis and Minister for Social Inclusion and Member for Sydney Tanya Plibersek have announced new funding today two community organisations supporting women with disabilities to take action to reduce violence against women.

The Minister for the Status of Women, Kate Ellis today announced that People with Disability Inc in NSW and Montagu Community Living in Tasmania will share in almost $400,000 as part of the Government’s National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022.

Link for Community organisations to reduce violence against women with disabilities

Siblings Australia - Information on sibling advocacy - 20-10-11

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), through the work of its Faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (FCAP), has recently published a position statement: Addressing the needs of siblings of children with disability or chronic illness.

The FCAP is asking for formal endorsement of the position statement from as many organisations as possible, to promote the importance of addressing the needs of siblings. More information on the documents and a link to an online endorsement process can be found at the following link.
http://www.ranzcp.org/policy-advocacy/addressing-the-needs-of-siblings-of-children-with-disability-or-chronic-illness.html

For more information contact Kate Strohm, Director of Siblings Australia on 0408 720 558 or kate@siblingsaustralia.org.au.