Some of Our Parts

Victorian Public Sector Commission Art Competition – Prize Purse worth $5,000

Victorian Public Sector Commission (VPSC) is holding an art competition for people with disability.

The winning artwork will feature on the Victorian public sector’s first ever Disability Employment Action Plan. VPSC is developing the action plan in close consultation with government departments, agencies and offices. The plan is a collective commitment by the sector to provide flexible and sustainable employment for people of all abilities, lifting representation to 6% by 2020.

The art competition is open to Victorian residents with disability. Artworks must be designed around the theme “a fully inclusive workplace” and be less than two metres in size. Refer to the art competition terms and conditions for more detail.

There is a prize purse of $5000 to be won. This includes $2500 prize money and a $2500 licence fee for use of the artwork.

Artworks must be submitted by 5:00 pm on Friday 6 July (by post or in person) to:

Elizabeth Parkinson
Victorian Public Sector Commission
3 Treasury Place
Melbourne VIC 3002

Contact: Elizabeth Parkinson on (03) 9651 0845 or elizabeth.parkinson@vpsc.vic.gov.au *For more details and information on how to apply, see the relevant website, ‘Art for Action‘.

Everyone has ‘a moral imperative’ to uphold the rights of persons with disabilities, says UN chief

UN News, 12 June 2018

Cementing and protecting the rights of around 1.5 billion people around the world in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is a “moral imperative” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday.

He was addressing a conference of signatories to the Convention at UN Headquarters in New York, describing it as one of the most widely-ratified international human rights treaties, which reaffirms that people with disabilities are entitled to the same treatment as everybody else.

“But signing and ratifying the Convention is not enough. Implementation is essential,” Mr. Guterres said. “Societies must be organized so that all people, including those with disabilities, can exercise their rights freely.”

The Secretary-General underscored that countries apply the Convention to their development policies, investments and legal systems, which is an important step “if we are to fulfil the central pledge of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: to leave no one behind.”

“We cannot afford to ignore or marginalize the contributions of 1.5 billion people,” he stated, pointing out that more had to be done for people with disabilities to fully participate in society.

People with disabilities still often face overt discrimination, stereotyping and lack of respect for their basic human rights – with women and girls disproportionately affected.

“Every minute, more than 30 women are seriously injured or disabled during childbirth,” elaborated the UN chief.

Moreover, women and girls with disabilities face multiple barriers to accessing education, health services and jobs.

“Without women’s empowerment and gender equality, millions of women will continue to suffer from double discrimination based on both their gender and their disability,” he added.

Read the full article: ‘Everyone has a moral imperative to uphold the rights of persons with disabilities, UN Chief’

Why I won’t “try on” disability to build empathy in the design process

By Amelia Abreu {excerpt}

“..Perhaps the most popular method of invoking empathy for accessibility issues is simulation, meaning to “try on” different constraints of disabled folks. This is practiced often in groups — working groups, or professional workshops.

One common activity is to submerging one’s hands in icewater to simulate motor impairment. A local bureaucrat I know told me that he’d organized a group outing for his team in borrowed wheelchairs, where the otherwise able-bodied crew wheeled around the downtown area, with the intention of becoming more aware of ramps, curb cuts and accessibility infrastructure.

Previously, I’d thought these exercises were a good way to get people engaged. But the longer I do this work, the more reluctant I am to do things like these. They feel short-sighted and showy, and don’t engage the real people who navigate the world with differing abilities.

There’s a term you hear in hip hop: stuntin’. These activities seem like stunts, that allow us to feel like we’ve broadened our perspective, making a big deal about it, and then go back to business as usual…”

To read the full article, click here.

University students with autism and psycho-social conditions will be supported on their journey to employment through a Western Australian Neuro-diversity Hub

The hub, set to be established in Perth by Curtin University and DXC Technology, will promote employment opportunities for students with autism, post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression.

The project will be led by Curtin-based Autism Academy for Software Quality Assurance (AASQA) and the Curtin Research Autism Group (CARG), in partnership with DXC Technology.

ASSQA Founder and Director of the School of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at Curtin, Professor Tele Tan says the Neurodiversity Hub will help foster neuro-diverse workplaces.

“Under this partnership, we will work together to help students gain important work experience and internships with DXC Technology and its partners with the ultimate aim of building a pipeline of young talent for neuro-diverse friendly employers,” Professor Tan says.

To read the full Article, click here.

AI for Accessibility

Love Talking About Pop Culture? You’re Invited!

Love talking about Marvel’s cinematic universe, want to debate Harry Potter fan theories, or chatting all things star wars, pokemon, Dr Who and anything else you might be passionate about?  Then this group is for you.

A youth program based around discussion of popular books, movies and TV series. Come hang out and meet people with similar interests.

Open to 16 to 21-year-olds.

Cost $10 | Meets monthly.
5:00 PM Friday 1st June
Realm Library, Ringwood Town Square
179 Maroondah Hwy, Ringwood
Please reserve your place at this event by calling
9800 6430 or book online at www.yourlibrary.com.au

For more information about the organizers, see the Different Journeys Website and mission statement below.

And that’s a wrap on Humans on the Autism Spectrum 2018!

From the team at I CAN Network:

Thank you to everyone who has joined our movement over the last month. We have loved bringing you Humans on the Autism Spectrum – sharing stories to create inclusive schools, workplaces and societies.

Your likes, comments, shares and contributions have helped our AWEtism Rethink reach thousands of people around Australia. With your help, we are driving real change across schools, workplaces and communities all over the country.

Look back on your favourite moments from the month of April at https://ican.network/humans/. What was your favourite story? Let us know – or better yet, share it with your friends and let them know!

Although the campaign is officially over, our work is not yet done.

We will continue to create networks that enable people on the Spectrum – but to do that, we need your help. Join us by donating or giving monthly, following us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram and sharing our work with the world.

Plus, we’re looking for more stories of the Autism Spectrum to share throughout the year. Have you got a special talent you’d like to share with the world? Do you want to tell us your I CAN story? Email danielle@icannetwork.com.au and let us know all about you – we want to shine a spotlight on you!

Thank you for your ongoing support, whether through liking or sharing posts, or by donating.

Together, we are creating a world that benefits from embracing Autism.

Huge thanks,
The I CAN Team

Dylan Alcott: ‘I love having a disability and I want more people to feel like that’

The Weekly Review, April 30 

Attention: Caulfield Students

Information gathered from you during a short, informal interview is vital to this understanding and will be integrated into the design of the app for use by university students living with similar circumstances.

The responses you provide during the interviews will be anonymous and all information will be de-identified. Students can participate in the sessions anonymously or under a pseudonym / false name, although real names are required for sign-up.

We are seeking students to participate in the design process. This involves sharing your current experiences as well as giving feedback on design ideas. Participants will enjoy FREE pizza and drink at each (relaxed) session and all participants will go into a draw to win gold class movie tickets or $50 vouchers which can be used at the Campus Bookstore.

Sessions will be held on the following dates:

INTERESTED? Please fill out this Google Form and we’ll be in touch.

April is Autism Awareness Month

Join the I CAN Network to celebrate acceptance of Autism and encourage everyone to embrace the benefits of the Spectrum.

Over the month of April, I CAN will be sharing the stories of young and old Autistics, many of whom have never before shared their story publicly. They will allow them to show, in their own words, their talents, skills and how they have overcome challenges to embrace their Autism.

You can find out more at: I CAN Network Autism Awareness Month.