DANA Newsletter 9 December 2013

 

9 December 2013   Email Website Twitter Facebook Advokit-NDIS DANA DANAdiscuss: Staff of organisations holding current financial membership may join the DANAdiscuss emailing group, by sending a request to info@dana.org.au.  IDPwD 2013: Did you or your organisation mark the occasion of the 21st International Day of People with Disability? Share your reports and pictures of the surrounding celebrations, your reflections on the importance of advocacy, or accounts of successful advocacy on the Advocacy Stories blog POLICY AND NEWS Mal Brough appointed to chair NDIS Committee: Member for Fisher Mal Brough has been appointed to Chair the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Assistant Minister for Social Services Mitch Fifield said: “the committee will serve as a symbol of unity and also provide a forum where questions of design and implementation can be posed in a way that is not seen to partisan”. RESOURCES: Australia Council of the Arts launched their Disability Action Plan 2014-16 and announced increased funding to artists with disability and to peak body Arts Access Australia. Institute for a Broadband-Enabled Society released a white paper: Hear Me Out! Enhancing social inclusion and wellbeing for deaf and hearing impaired teens through an online peer support program Last week the Mental Health Council of Australia released a MHCA Position Paper - Mental Health and the NDIS. Frank Quinlan, Chief Executive of MHCA, recently expressed concerns regarding the challenges of achieving choice and control in the market based scheme in a column in the Sydney Morning Herald. Nick Rushworth, Executive Officer of Brain Injury Australia, also confronted these complexities in his presentation at the recent DANA Conference: “A party and nobody came, just 800 pound gorillas: imagining the NDIS for people with a brain injury”. This speech can be accessed on our conference page.    This morning, Family Planning NSW launched Love and Kisses – taking action on the reproductive and sexual health and rights of people with disability. Graeme Innes gave a speech on the occasion.    SURVEYS & CONSULTATIONS NDIA release Strategic Plan: The National Disability Insurance Agency Board has developed a draft 2013-16 Strategic Plan that outlines the Agency’s vision, mission and goals. The NDIA invites comment from people with disability, their families and carers, service providers and the general community.  Comment must be provided by close of business Thursday 16 January 2014, by email using the feedback form provided.    Safeguards against neglect and abuse: Deakin University’s School of Psychology is running a survey on Safeguarding Children and Adults with Disabilities: Development of evidence-base policies and procedure for disability service providers.  Equality, Capacity and Disability in Commonwealth Laws:  Submissions on the  Equality, Capacity and Disability in Commonwealth Laws Issues Paper close Monday 20 January 2014. An Easy English version is also available.  Submissions can be made online, by making an account on the website, which allows you to save drafts and comment on those questions and areas of law that interest you.    EVENTS NDIS Webinar - Breaking Down Barriers: Tomorrow, on Tuesday 10 December, the Agency is facilitating a webinar and online discussion for people with disability, carers, advocates, service providers and community members. People can participate by contributing questions via email, twitter or phone.   Advocacy event for people with an ABI (Bendigo): Brain Injury Matters and Self Advocacy Resource Unit are hosting a day of information and fun on 18 December 2013, with events covering self advocacy, the Victorian Disability Act and how an advocate may be able to help with problems. To find out more email sarujac@rosshouse.net.au or call 9639 6856. National Disability Summit: On 17-18 March 2013 the 5th National Disability Summit will be held at Rydges in Melbourne, focusing on disability policy reform.    Previously Advertised Events: Please visit the DANA website to explore the Events Calendar.    DANA invites members to submit events they would like promoted in the DANA newsletter or on the DANA website. Events can be sent to info@dana.org.au. Please note that DANA has criteria for events we choose to promote. For more information please consult our website.     JOBS Executive Officer (Bunbury & South West, WA): Advocacy South West Inc is seeking an Executive Officer to develop and manage advocacy services throught the South West Region of Western Austalia. Social Work degree, Police Clearance and C Class license are essential. Applications close 12 December 2013.  Chief Executive (Baulkam Hills, Sydney, NSW):  Cystic Fibrosis Australia is seeking a Chief Executive to take a leader role and drive research and advocacy for people with CF. Applications close 13 December 2013.    DANA invites members to submit jobs they would like promoted in the DANA newsletter or on the DANA website. Job details can be sent to info@dana.org.au

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