Some of Our Parts

Writer and runner up in the inaugural Report it Right and WIN! competition, Glenn Dwyer, has called on Monash University journalism, media and communications students to put pen to paper and enter this year’s competition.

The Report it Right and WIN! competition challenges Victorian media, journalism and communications students to write a news story or feature article about a topic relating to people with disability or the issues people with disability may face.

Glenn says he drew upon his experiences working as a part-time carer to guide his competition entry.

“The way disability is reported in the media affects public attitudes and perceptions of people with disability. The competition made me more aware of the person and not to focus on their disability. A person’s disability is hardly the most interesting thing about them,” Glenn said.

The Report it Right and WIN! competition is open to tertiary students studying journalism, media or communications at a Victorian university or TAFE. Winners will share in $5000 worth of prizes with the overall competition winner’s story being published in their local Leader newspaper.

“The industry can be hard for students to break into without having some experience. So this is a great opportunity for students,” Glenn said.

Entries in the Report it Right and WIN! competition will be judged by a panel of experts that includes representatives from the media, people with disability and a member of the Victorian Government’s Disability Advisory Council.

Judges will be looking for entries that meet the Reporting it Right: guidelines for portraying people with disability. Students are encouraged to consider the guidelines when developing their story.

The Report it Right and WIN! competition closes at 5.00 pm Monday 14 October.
Competition winners will be announced in early November. For competition terms and conditions visit www.dhs.vic.gov.au/reportitright.
The Report it Right and WIN! competition has been sponsored by the Victorian Government and is being administered by the Department of Human Services’ Office for Disability.
For competition enquiries please contact Maria Coates 03 9096 9715 or email Maria.Coates@dhs.vic.gov.au.

Congratulations to making it to week 8 every one! The mid-semester break is in sight!

• Feel like getting fit for summer? A piece on disability and exercise.
• This lady will show us all how it’s done.
• Can this video really make Stephen Hawkins’ quantum physics simple?
• Disability-lit by Robert Hoge.
• What are your post-graduation plans? Ever thought about starting your own business?
• Post-election thoughts on disability reform.
• What have you #heardwhilstdisabled?
• When Disability Discrimination is legal. An important read.

What fun things are you up to this weekend? (Image by Brad Woodard)

Spotted in Monash News this week, DLU student, Caroline Lane, who is studying a Bachelor of Arts and Business at the Monash Caulfield campus, has won a Vision Australia bursary. The bursary has allowed Caroline to buy adaptive technology including a laptop with a Magic screen magnification and speech upgrade, a DAISY player, and large video magnifier and a handheld electronic magnifier.

Congratulations, Caroline!

Read the full story here on Monash News…

Happy Friday every body!

• It’s also the International Week for the Deaf!
• Amanda Cachia is a curator, PhD candidate and disability activist – read her article on ‘Disabling the Museum’
• Sex and Disability – a BBC special radio show (Warning: This programme contains adult themes and some may find it an uncomfortable listen)
• Eleanor Longden talks at TEDx about her experiences with schizophrenia
• Comedy and Cerebral Palsy?
• Read Disability Employment Australia’s recommendations for our new government.

Beijing, China photographed by Paolo Nespoli

Monash Alumni and all-round superstar Chris Varney and Monash Student, James Ong are planning to run a camp for young people and young adults on the Autism Spectrum in February 2014. The camp/s will be targeted to 15 – 24 year olds, and they are looking for your contribution to the content, messaging, facilitation and promotion of this camp.

They have put together some planning workshops for any young person on the spectrum or any person supporting young people to come along and make a contribution. Any piece of advice – however big or small – would be GREATLY appreciated.

The purpose of the camp is to bring together young people and young adults on the spectrum and engage in personal development. It’s going to be fun, and encourage you to push yourself to be bold, share talents, quirks, positive messages, coping strategies and develop a sense of community. This will be a positive experience for young people that grows everyone’s confidence!

They are seeking your input, and there are two workshops to cater to everyone’s different geography.

City Planning Workshop: Wednesday 9 October, 5.30pm – 7.30pm at Foundation for Young Australians, 21-27 Somerset Place (off Elizabeth St), Melbourne

Eastern Planning Workshop: Saturday 12 October, 2pm – 4pm at World Vision Australia, 1 Vision Drive, Burwood East

For more information, email Chris at chris.r.varney@gmail.com

Join Monash students James Ong and Chris Varney, both of whom have Autism Spectrum Disorder, for a free lunch where you can learn about the vision for ‘I CAN Monash’ – a network of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder who support each other to achieve personal goals.

I CAN Monash is a community of students who share a good laugh about the Autism Spectrum and the interests, talents, quirks and coping strategies that come with it. We exist to ensure that students and staff together create an enabling environment for you to get the most out of uni life!

These upcoming gatherings will provide a way for you to meet like-minded others and just hang out with a cool bunch of people!

WHEN?

Thursday 19 September & Thursday 10 October
12pm – 1pm
Building 6 (Faculty of Education)
Level 1, Room TLS110
Clayton campus

WHO?
Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Livewire.org.au is a new safe online place for young people aged 10 to 20 years old, living with a serious illness, chronic health condition or disability, and their siblings.

Livewire creates a point of social connection, allowing members to find a balance in their lives despite disruptions such as time in hospital or time away from school.

The fully-moderated chat room provides members with the opportunity to connect and share experiences with other young people with similar conditions, from all over Australia! In the chat room, these adolescents encounter an opportunity for friendship, fun and connections. They also have heaps of chat guests who visit us for chat events, too!

Livewire also provides awesome articles and videos; the groups discussion pages; the opportunity to blog; and the ever popular Livewire Music Player, featuring all the latest hits, as well as the classics! Our regular competitions also give members the opportunity to score themselves some epic prizes.

Good morning and happy Friday every one!

Here’s what’s happening in the world of disability this week!

• St Kilda footballers are at it again – Stella Young weighs in on Mad Monday.
• Some insights into dating with a disability.
• The UN take moves to look at Australia’s disability human rights record.
• Unfinished Business: a photographic essay on Indigenous Australians and disability.
• This Sunday and Monday nights, check out the Songs of James Bond by the Spectre Orchestra at the very accessible Athenaeum Theatre.
• The Youth Disability Advocacy Service has launched a new interactive adventure game as part of the Victorian State Government’s WebWise cyber safety initiative, specially designed with young adults with intellectual disabilities in mind.

Travel to the Galaxy  by yeohghstudio

Women With Disabilities Victoria are calling for nominations for the Inaugural Brenda Gabe Leadership Award

Do you know a woman with a disability or a group of women with disabilities who have inspired you, or provided and enhanced opportunities for women with disabilities to participate in a safer and more inclusive community in some way?

The Brenda Gabe Achievement Award recognises and rewards women with disabilities who have made a significant contribution to improving the status of women with disabilities in Victoria. The winner of the Award receives $2000 toward a capacity building project or professional development.

NOMINATIONS CLOSE 22ND OCTOBER 2013

Nominees for this award must be female, have a disability and be a resident of Victoria.

Good morning everyone, and happy Friday! It’s been Survival Week – did you get yourself some dumplings and ASOS gear?

Here’s a wrap up of the week’s disability-themed news:

• Just over a week until the Federal Election – what does this mean for DisabilityCare?
• Speaking of the election – we’ve blogged about it before and we’ll blog about it again – telephone voting for blind and low vision voters!
• Have you been to Monet’s Garden at the NGV yet? There is an accessible evening next week!
• More art – next Saturday is the opening of By Women, Of Women at Arts Project in Northcote.
• Over in the UK, the Swindon wheelchair street dance project has been awarded a grant!
• More UK news; one year on, there’s a lot of discussion about the legacy of the London Paralymics. What do you think?

I think spring has finally sprung!  (via~astapot)