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e-Bulletin 11/20, 24 June 2020
In this issue:

Message from the Chair


Dear Members and Colleagues,
 
The strength and magnificence of the 2020 NAIDOC week poster deserves being noted and celebrated this week! We have Perth-dased artist and designer, Tyrown Waigana to thank for this uplifting piece of art. You can read more about him here. The theme for NAIDOC week this year is ALWAYS WAS, ALWAYS WILL BE. Indisputable. NAIDOC week was scheduled to run from 5-12 July, but in consideration of Covid, it will now run from 8-15 November.
 

You can download a digital copy of the 2020 National NAIDOC Poster by visiting the NAIDOC website. In coming months we are going to be able to apply for free printed copies of the Poster. WWDACT will keep you posted.
 
A fun message came from OZeWAI (Australian Web Adaptability Initiative) this week about using cooking analogies to explain the need for integrating accessibility at the beginning of a design process and for testing along the way. This is a methodology we advocate for in web design, and in every other design process for accessibility that I can think of. The humble Blueberry Muffin demonstrates very well that unless you put the blueberries in at the start of the cooking process you will end up with a muffin that doesn’t do the job. You can’t retrofit the blueberries!
 

 
The analogy goes further - If you taste some of Blueberry batter before it goes in the oven you will know if you got the recipe mix right. What a good rationale for testing a design with the end-user while the process is still in train.
 
There is a whole menu of cooking analogies here.
 
Keep an eye out for neighbours and friends – with a zoom catch-up or a quick phone call, to keep our connections intact. We need to still remember social distancing and hand washing, and to minimise unnecessary journeys.
 
Stay  safe and Regards,
Sue salthouse
Chair, WWDACT
COVID-19 information

The ACT Government has launched a website with information for non-government community, disability and health service providers in relation to COVID-19.

Local

Violence is never OK
 

The ACT Government is providing extra help for those living with domestic and family violence, during this time of potential isolation. They also provide support for those who have used violence or afraid that they might. For more information and contact details, see their website. 

Amendment to the Crimes Act

The ACT government has introduced a bill to protect people with disabilities from violence and neglect through an amendment to the Crimes Act. WWDACT supports the introduction of such offences and increased legal protection for people with disabilities.

We are seeking our members feedback on the bill by July 6th 2020.

Please read the attached information sheet and email your feedback to ceo@wwdact.org.au or call 0468 324 695. An easy English factsheet will be published in the next few days.

You can also read the bill and explanatory memorandum in full.

Free theatre program to improve communication

Speaking Role

A free program for people with a disability that affects their ability to communicate
Mondays 6:30-8:30pm school Term 3
Accessible venue in or near Civic TBA

Speaking Role is a free theatre-based program for people with a disability who would like to enhance their communication and social skills for volunteering, employment and participation in their community.

The course will suit people who have some ability to communicate verbally but have difficulty in always being understood. It is led by two experienced theatre tutors, Gretel Burgess and Sammy Moynihan.

The program will use role-play, improvisation and Forum Theatre. Some sessions will be devoted directly to job-seeking skills, especially interviews.

Classes will run on Monday evenings, 6.30-8.30pm from Monday July 27 to Monday September 21. Tutors will interview participants about their goals for the course in the week commencing July 20, before classes commence in the following week. We will have in place COVID-Safe plans to minimise any risk to participants.

Speaking Role is funded by the National Disability Insurance Agency through their Information, Linkages and Capacity-Building program, with support from the Ainslie and Gorman Arts Centres.

To express interest in being a part of Speaking Role, or for further information, please email info@rebustheatre.com or phone 0403 815 784.

Mental Health Month grants open

The Mental Health Month Reimbursement Grants Program provides funding of up to $1,000 to help local ACT groups and organisations host a mental health focused event during the month of October.​

The scope of Mental Health Month events is limited only by your imagination and enthusiasm! ​

Events should seek to maximise the wellbeing of individuals and the wider community and promote positive mental health.​

Events will also need to comply with any social distancing measures in place in the ACT in October 2020.​

More information on the website. 

National

COVID-19 survey

The NDIA is encouraging NDIS participants to take part in the new University of Melbourne survey about the changes we made to the NDIS in response to COVID-19.  

The survey gives participants, their families and carers a chance to share their experience of interacting with the NDIA and the Scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Participants, their families and carers can complete the online survey. 

Rights, Attitudes and Employment



WWDACT is seeking your input on our responses to the Royal Commission issues papers on Rights, Attitudes and Employment.

You can help by filling out the survey.

DVCS information


During these times of social isolation, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS) continues to operate and support children, young people and adults who are impacted by family, domestic and intimate partner violence, including those who use violence.
 
To support our community during this time, DVCS have a variety of resources suitable for people impacted by violence and the services supporting them, during Covid-19.  These resources include:
  1. Ways to enhance safety at home during Covid-19;
  2. Supporting someone; and
  3. Frequently Asked Questions.
Other information is available on our website: www.dvcs.org.au.
 
Clients are welcome to contact DVCS via our crisis line on 62 800 900 (24/7),  SMS to 0421 268 492, email to crisis@dvcs.org.au, our confidential contact form or via our online chat. 

International

Transforming communities for inclusion


Transforming Communities for Inclusion (TCI) held a Classic Edition Plenary in Bali in 2018. More than 70 people with psychosocial disabilities from 21 countries across the region attended. This event emphasised the imperative of working on the inclusion of people with psychosocial disabilities in all areas of social and economic development

Read the report.

International Item



UNESCO has released its Global Education Monitoring Report on inclusive education. In line with its mandate, it assesses progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) on education and its ten targets, as well as other related education targets in the SDG agenda. 

Global Resilience Fund grants open

 

The Global Resilience Fund is accepting applications from all regions and all countries. They are prioritising applications from girls and young women with disabilities, girls and young women of colour, LGBTQIA2S youth, afro-descendant, indigenous and immigrant girls and young women, as well as those living in urban slum areas, rural areas, refugee camps, occupied territories and in conflict affected settings. Apply online.

Items of Interest

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Women with Disabilities ACT Inc. is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. ABN: 74908530982.

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