Some of Our Parts

Equality, Capacity and Disability in Commonwealth Laws was released on 22 May 2014.

This Discussion Paper is the second consultation document in the ALRC’s Inquiry into Commonwealth laws and legal frameworks that deny or diminish the equal recognition of people with disability before the law, and their ability to exercise legal capacity.

Any public contribution to an inquiry is called a submission. The deadline for submissions is the 30th June 2014. You can make a submission by creating an account on the Australian Law Reform Commission website.

Stella Young is a comedian and journalist who happens to go about her day in a wheelchair — a fact that doesn’t, she’d like to make clear, automatically turn her into a noble inspiration to all humanity. In Stella’s TEDx talk, “I’m not your inspiration, thank you very much” she discusses society’s habit of turning disabled people into “inspiration porn.”

Happy exams every one! Wishing you all the best in your final assessments for this semester.

In the meantime, here are some of the best articles in disability related news this week:

• WORLD CUP! Check out some visually impaired Brazilians strutting their stuff on the soccer field.
• Speaking of strutting, you might have noticed #yesallwomen on the Twittersphere. Stephanie Woodward, Ms Wheelchair Florida has some thoughts on how this must includes Women with Disabilities.
• Personal journeys toward self-acceptance and pride are complex at best. Leah Hobson writes on the contradictions of growing up with a disability.
• You might have seen here on Some of Our Parts we promote disability specific, paid internships on a regular basis. This is why you should never be expected to work for free.
• A look at how disability will be treated at the Australian Human Rights Commission after the departure of Commissioner Graeme Innes in July.
• And how having a Disability Discrimination Commissioner can prevent issues like this.

AND HAPPY FRIDAY TO YOU ALL!

The Australian Network on Disability’s Stepping Into… Program are excited to announce our partnership with IBM to offer students with disability at your university an opportunity to apply for an internship with IBM.

Internship opportunities are available in the following disciplines:

• Business/Commerce
• IT
• Marketing
• Human Resources

Please note the IBM eligibility criteria below:

• Be in your second/penultimate year of study;
• Australian Citizenship OR Permanent Residency; and
• Credit average or above on your academic transcript.

Stepping Into… invites students to register their interest up until Wednesday 18 June 2014 5PM to Cynthia Sasongko on cynthia.sasongko@and.org.au or on 02 8270 9200.

The Social Justice Unit (of which Disability Services is a part) has launched a blog, Just for Equity.

The Social Justice Unit (or SJU) offers key areas of support in students with disabilities, medical or mental health conditions, the promotion of safe spaces for our LGBTIQ community and the implementation of anti-racism initiatives.

Check out Just for Equity for information and updates about our programs as well as related social justice news and events from around the world.

The end of SWOT-VAC is upon us… Best of luck to those who are walking into exams in the next few weeks!
For those of you who need something non-study related to read, here’s this week’s Round Up:

• We’ll start with the sad news… The ABC’s dedicated disability news source, Ramp Up will cease to operate as of June 30. The website will still exist on the internet as a resource, however all new news and opinion will conclude at the end of the month. The ABC will continue to cover disability issues in an integrated way across its online, radio and television platforms, but we will miss Ramp Up‘s exclusive coverage and advocacy for disability viability!
• For those of you who have Jen as a DLO, you might notice her new guide dog! Here’s a Ramp Up article by Andrew Devenish-Meares describing his transition from cane to dog.
• Speaking of guide dogs, have you ever heard of a guide pony??
• Anthea Skinner, a Monash PhD student and Assistant Archivist at the Music Archive of Monash Uni also has an article published in Ramp Up this week on her part-time wheelchair use.
• 5 things only deaf people and Auslan speakers will understand.
• British Thespian, Nadia Albina explains how her disability helped her connect with her character while perparing for A Streetcar Named Desire.
• How has technology such as the iPad changed the way you learn?
• Arts Access Victoria and Deakin University are developing new technology to enable blind and deafblind audience members to experience dance performance through a haptic or touch based system of communication.

GOOD LUCK WITH EXAMS EVERY BODY!

You’re invited to tell us what would encourage you to participate in a four-year study about the well-being of people living with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and people without ASD, and the kinds of things you would like as a thank-you for taking part in a research study.

Who?

We’d like to hear from you if you are aged 18+ and either:

• you have been diagnosed with ASD or Asperger’s Syndrome, or
• you are the parent, guardian, or carer of an adult with ASD, or
• you have not been diagnosed with ASD or Asperger’s Syndrome.

When and Where?

We’d like to invite you to a focus group for 1 to 2 hours in June 2014 at a venue close to public transport and parking.

To thank-you you will receive a $20 shopping voucher and we’ll also provide refreshments during the session.

Interested?

For more information or to participate, please contact us by the 30th of June:

Lahna Bradley
Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre
Telephone (03) 9479 3271
Email lahna.bradley@latrobe.edu.au

Access evening with Italian Masterpieces Thursday 12 June, 5.30–8pm

An evening viewing of Italian Masterpieces from Spain’s Royal Court, Museo del Prado for people with special needs, their families and carers. Participate in a guided tour, browse in the NGV Shop and experience the magic of the Italian Masterpieces. Tours available include Auslan, Audio Describing, All Abilities and Art & Memory for people living with dementia.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment you can call through the NationalRelay Service (NRS): TTY users can phone 133677 then ask for 03 8620 2222

Speak & Listen (speech-to-speech) users can call 1300 555 727 then ask for 03 8620 2222. Internet relay users can connect to NRS on www.relayservice.com.au then ask for 03 8620 2222

Venue NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road
Cost $22.50 Concession
Bookings recommended
Booking Code P1451
For all enquiries and bookings (03) 8662 1555
10am–5pm 7 days or email program.bookings@ngv.vic.gov.au

For those who speak English as a second language and are finding things a little complicated, the University of Adelaide has developed a new resource to assist with the trickier parts of English grammar.  The site includes video and text-based explanations, as well as practical exercises to help you understand both articles and passive voice.

Do you live in the Geelong area? Are you a Monash student with a disability?

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) would like to engage a student with disability who is studying Finance/Accounting to join them for an internship in Julybased at their Geelong office. This is a paid internship position of 150 hours.

For more information, please contact Jenny Watts-Sampson at jenny.watts-sampson@and.org.au.