Some of Our Parts

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 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!

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.

Happy Monday.

The laudable Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes AM will be giving his last speech on Wednesday the 2nd July 2014 at the National Press Club in Canberra.

Mr Innes, who was appointed by the Howard Government in December 2005, finishes in the role July 4.

More details to follow.

Almost every Friday, we post disability news from around the world here on the Some of Our Parts blog.

Here’s a sample from this week’s news reel:

• Have an autoimmune disease and feel like no one gets you? Here are 15 celebrities who understand!
• Have you seen those emotional ‘Deaf Person Hears for the First Time’ videos on the net? Some thoughts about why they might not be as inspiring as they seem.
• Any biomedical engineering students out there? Here’s a rewarding task you might want to take on after exams are over.
• Check out this poignant video tackling stigmas attached to depression and mental health conditions.
• An innovative invention for those who experience hand tremors
• Spent time in a psychiatric hospital lately? How would you redesign it if you go the chance?

Washable paint walls?

What does the budget mean for you and your disability?

• It’s time to raise our expectations
• Disability advocates urge Federal Government to work with big business to create jobs
• Budget crackdown to hit younger people on disability pensions
• People on disability support pension to have ability to work reassessed
• Disability Support Pension changes unlikely to feature in May budget: Kevin Andrews
• Disability in Budget 2014

The Human Rights Arts and Film Festival is showing its commitment to improving the accessibility of the festival for all festivalgoers. HRAFF’s accessible services have been made possible thanks to the support of the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission. We make every effort to ensure our accessibility information is correct; please contact us if you find any errors so we can update our information.

Download a text version of the program here (Word)

Download a text version of the program here (PDF)

For information regarding service dogs, wheelchair access, companion cards, audio description, assistive listening, AUSLAN and captions, see the HRAFF’s accessibility page.