DANA Newsletter 21 May 2014

 

21 May 2014 Email Website Twitter Facebook Advokit-NDIS   DANA   From the CEO:  Hello everyone, Lots of changes happening in the advocacy world. Please keep in touch and let us know what’s up in your part of the jigsaw puzzle that makes up the advocacy effort around the country. We are doing an analysis of the Federal Budget against the UNCRPD, and we keep getting slowed down by the many other announcements that are coming in one after the other. We will finish it shortly and post it on the DANA website. The Disability peaks funding which is where DANA’s funding sits, is part of a raft of grants that were to finish at end of June 2014 and have been extended for 6 months while new arrangements are being brought in. DANA, and the other disability peak bodies, will have to apply for funding in a grant round which will open on 19th June and close on 23rd July. As well as this newsletter other ways you can keep informed about advocacy and disability issues are by “liking” the DANA Facebook page, and following DANA on Twitter. We are planning a survey of member organisations to gather your issues so keep an eye out for a Survey in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime please feel free to ring if you want to tell us how things are going, or ask us about anything related to advocacy.   Media: During May, DANA attracted attention from radio, print and television news media. Following the publication of the National Commission of Audit reports, DANA published a media release, which was quoted in Nine news online article on 1 May. When DSP changes were flagged before the Budget was released, DANA CEO Mary Mallett was approached by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Channel Ten News for comment:  9 May – Interview for ABC AM and quoted in online news article, plus live interview on ABC News 24 that afternoon. 10 May – Interview for National Report on Ten Eyewitness News    On 14 May, the morning following the release of the Budget papers, Mary also took part in the joint community sector press conference, with other representatives from disability peaks, spoke of the threats to disability rights evident in the Budget. Parts of this event appeared on Sky News and ABC News 24. Footage of Mary speaking was featured SBS World News coverage on the Budget cuts to the Australian Human Rights Commission, on 15 May.  Watch the story from 7:45 of this video.   DANA Engagement for 2014 National Disability Strategy Progress Report:  As previously outlined in earlier newsletters, DANA was asked by the Department of Social Services (DSS) to engage with our members on progress that has been made since 2011 under the National Disability Strategy.  Our lengthy submission to DSS, which was based on the survey responses of advocates, acknowledges that some significant steps have been taken, but concludes that there is "a long way to go" towards fully realising the human rights of people with disabilities in Australia. The Executive Summary has been posted on the project page.  Under each outcome, the important role of advocacy was highlighted. DANA is very grateful to all the advocates who took time and effort to respond to the survey earlier this year, providing thoughtful insightful evaluations, and valuable examples. Thank you.   Next DANA Conference in 2015:  Following our Conference last year in Brisbane, the board decided that National DANA conferences will now be held every two years, so the next one will occur in 2015. Once dates and location have been finalised, we will notify members.  We would welcome any suggestions and ideas for the Conference, to assist us in catering the event to members.   TRANSITIONS FOR NDAP   Advocacy standards replaced by National Standards for Disability Services: DSS recently informed National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) agencies that NDAP will soon be transitioning to the new National Standards for Disability Services (NSDS). These standards will replace the existing Disability Advocacy Standards (DAS).  During the 2014-15 financial year NDAP agencies will be able to choose whether they are assessed against the DAS or the NSDS during quality assurance audits. DSS has promised to provide further detail, including about the payment of $5000 to each agency to resource adjustments and the information resources being developed for agencies, auditors and consumers to assist the transition.    ‘A new way of working’- DSS grants arrangements: DSS recently informed NDAP agencies, along with other civil society organisations funded by the Department of Social Services (DSS) to provide services, about the new arrangements for grants that were announced as part of the Federal Budget last week. This information can be found on the DSS website, where you can also subscribe for updates. The Frequently Asked Questions are likely to be expanded as more providers ask questions about the new processes and rules for funding applications. Current NDAP funding agreements run for another year, but it would be useful to develop an understanding of the new arrangements before then. We recommend that members register soon to attend one of the information sessions being run by the Department, as places are limited. (A copy of the presentation will be available online.) DSS has expressed recognition of the importance of all grant recipients understanding the new arrangements and providing accurate information fairly.  DANA will endeavour to clarify and analyse the nature of the changes and understand the likely and potential impacts on member organisations and on the advocacy sector more broadly, and share this information as soon as possible.    MISCELLANEOUS   Petition: People with Disability Australia (PWD) have started an online petition calling on government and the ABC to save ABC Ramp Up and preserve this valuable space for the voices of people with disabilities in Australia.   New research: Voices against Violence is an initiative of Women with Disabilities Victoria (WDV), in partnership with the Office for the Public Advocate (OPA) and the Domestic Violence Resources Centre Victoria (DVRCV). Its final reports, reveal the extent and nature of violence against women with disabilities in Victoria.  Also launched last week was Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS). In this ABC News report, advocates highlight the inaccessibility of police stations and women’s shelters for women with intellectual disability.     Online survey reminders: NEDA’s online survey for families from CaLD/NESB background living with a disability, on experience of child protection practices.   Online survey for the National Mental Health Commission’s Seclusion and Restraint Project. Young people living with cognitive disability in rural or regional areas  online survey South Australia: Online survey on experience of voting with a disability in State election.   Victoria: Online survey on the state disability plan 2013-2016 & independent review of residential charges in group homes for people with disability.   Advocacy organisation requires Consumer Reference Group members: Melbourne-based member organisation Leadership Plus is seeking up to 6 individuals to become part of the Leadership Plus consumer reference group. This group aims to ensure the development of linkages with community stakeholders as part of Leadership Plus’s commitment to delivering an effective community oriented advocacy, capacity building and leadership organization for adults with a disability. For further information and Terms of Reference please contact Leadership Plus on 03 9489 2999.  Applications close 13 June 2014.   DANA invites members to let us know of new research, resources, projects, surveys, or other notices they would like to see included in the next newsletter.    EVENTS & DEADLINES   Upcoming Events: For more information about any of the upcoming events listed below please follow the relevant links.  Explore the Events Calendar on the DANA website to discover what’s happening around Australia and online in coming months.   NDAP funded advocacy organisations should note the information sessions being run by the Department of Social Services on their new grants programmes and arrangements, in various locations in late May and early June.   The Productivity Commission is holding public hearings in capital cities in June to inform their Access to Justice Inquiry.   Closing Dates 30 May – Feedback on airline disability access policy 30 May – Early bird deadline for DARU Advocacy Conference in Melbourne, in August 30 June – Submissions close on Australian Law Reform Commission’s equality and capacity discussion paper   Webinars  29 May – Community information seminar on Australian family law, webcast from SA 17 June –  Field webinar - Making your disability support dollar go further   Australian Capital Territory Canberra 22 May – Advocacy for Inclusion Control and Choice Expo 26 May – DSS Grants information session 28 May – Getting the best from your Disability Service Provider- ACT Human Rights Commission information session 29 May – Community conversation about mental illness and the NDIS 1 June – Family leadership workshop 2 June – Access to Justice inquiry public hearing 4 June – Conference on changing the services landscape; Choice, Control and Possibilities for (mental health) consumers   New South Wales Sydney: 20 May – Criminal justice law workshop for community sector 20 May – Workshop on cultural responsiveness in person-centred approaches 21 May – AND conference on disability employment 21 May – NSW Community Legal Centres Symposium 28 May – Domestic and family violence law workshop for community sector 28-29 May – Self Directed Approaches conference  30 May – DSS Grants information session 3-4 June – Access to Justice inquiry public hearing  4 June – Advanced negotiation skills course 5 June – Tenancy law workshop for community sector 6-8 June – National Deafblind Conference 13 June – Supporting older people with disability transition to retirement workshop 18 June – Police powers law workshop for community sector Wagga Wagga: 28 May – Resourcing  Families workshops on planning and network building 4 June – Care and Protection law workshop for community sector Dubbo: 20 May – Family Advocacy workshop 6 June – DSS Grants information session Newcastle: 5 June – NDIS Community forum 18 June – Care and Protection law workshop for community sector Gosford: 11 June – Civil law workshop for community sector  19 June –  My Choice Matters Skills workshop Maitland: 22 May – Young people and the law workshop for community sector Moruya: 22 May – Disability discrimination toolkit workshops Batemans Bay: 27 May – Family Advocacy workshop Bathurst: 28 May – Fines law workshop for community sector Mittagong: 28 May – Family Advocacy workshop Broken Hill: 3 June – My Choice Matters Skills workshops (2 June for Aboriginal community) Belmont: 3 June – NDIS Community forum East Maitland: 4 June – NDIS Community forum Coffs Harbour: 4 June – DSS Grants information session Nowra: 10 June – Family law workshop for community sector Armidale: 18 June – Resourcing Families workshops on planning and network building Taree: 20 June – My Choice Matters Skills workshop   Northern Territory Darwin: 27 May – DSS Grants information session 17 June – Access to Justice inquiry public hearing Alice Springs: 26 May – DSS Grants information session   Queensland Brisbane: 27 May – DSS Grants information session 31 May – Spinal Injuries Australia Innovation Expo 4 June – Roundtable on making sure people with intellectual disability benefit from NDIS 18 June – Access to Justice inquiry public hearing 19-20 June – Endeavour Foundation Criminal Justice Symposium  Townsville: 28 May – DSS Grants information session   National Disability Services is delivering workshops as part of the Sector Readiness and Workforce Capacity initiative to assist preparation and capacity building for the NDIS.  Some of these workshops are designed for people with disabilities and their families:  Being an empowered customer workshop: Toowoomba: 11 June,  Gold Coast: 12 June Purchasing supports workshop: Cairns:  22 May, Townsville: 23 May, Brisbane: 29 May, Toowoomba: 30 May.   South Australia Adelaide: 29 May – NDIS family information sessions   3 June – DSS Grants information session 4 & 5 June – NDIS community information sessions 5 June – Access to Justice inquiry public hearing   Victoria Melbourne: 22 May – North East Citizen Advocacy community training 27 May – CEDAW Shadow Report consultation 29 May – Violence against women with disabilities - training for community sector 29 May –  In Their Shoes seminar on legal frameworks substitute decision making at OPA 30 May – DSS Grants information session 5 June – DARU Advocacy sector conversations 5 June – Belonging Matters talk on busting the myths around profound disability 10 June – DAGER disability issues open day with Senator Fifield 10-11 June – Access to Justice inquiry public hearing 19-20 June – Younger People with Very High and Complex Needs Conference Bendigo: 27 May – Why Self Advocacy Matters – SARU Loddon area forum Mildura: 28 May – DSS Grants information session   Western Australia Perth 6 June – Access to Justice inquiry public hearing 29 & 30 May – DSS Grants information session   Tasmania Hobart 13 June – Access to Justice inquiry public hearing 27 May – DSS Grants information session   We encourage you to let us know about any workshops, seminars, deadlines or closing dates, forums, training, webinars, expos or any other events you believe would be of interest and relevance to advocates.     Events can be sent to policy@dana.org.au. Please note that DANA has criteria for events we choose to promote. For more information please consult our website.     JOBS   Individual Advocate (Adelaide, SA): Independent Advocacy SA Inc is a values driven organisation promoting valued lives for people with an intellectual disability.  Independent Advocacy is seeking to fill two part-time positions, commencinges in June 2014. The successful applicant needs to be highly motivated, have excellent verbal and written communication skills and be a team player, will have a good understanding of social disadvantage and the ability to strategise around individuals, be able to relate to people with intellectual disability, and ideally have acted in an advocacy role, preferably as an individual's advocate or ally. Salary is covered under SCHCDSI Award Level 5 and salary sacrifice is available.  A current driver’s licence is essential. For job description and selection criteria contact the Coordinator on (08) 8232 6200 or at indepadv5@internode.on.net. Applications close Friday 6 June, 2014, at 4pm.   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 policy@dana.org.au

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