Disability Rights Blog

Potential $43 billion economic boost by raising employment for people with disability

editor — Wed, 16 May 2012 07:00:45 +0000

A report launched today at the Australian Network on Disability’s (AND) National Conference reveals that Australia’s GDP could be increased by $43 billion over the next decade if more Australians with disability were included in the nation’s workforce. The report also demonstrates that increased employment participation would more than cover the costs for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Cinema access update

editor — Tue, 15 May 2012 02:36:19 +0000

Cinemas are making great progress against the original targets in the Cinema Access Implementation Plan, having made a commitment to roll-out 145 accessible screens by the end of this year. It is anticipated they will be well above the original target, as they have indicated there will be 123 accessible screens by the end June 2012.

See the latest communique from the Accessible Cinema Advisory Group

Details of accessible cinema screens and roll-out dates are provided in the updated Plan available from the FaHCSIA cinema access website.

The Cinema Access Implementation Plan is an agreement reached by the four major cinema chains (Hoyts, Village Cinemas, Event Cinemas and Reading Cinemas) with disability representative and advocacy organisations and with the assistance of the Commission and the Australian Government to provide 242 accessible screens in 132 cinema complexes across Australia by the end of 2014.

The roll-out of accessible technology, as outlined in the Plan and agreed to by the cinema chains, involves the installation of closed captioning and audio description.

Livable Housing Australia

editor — Fri, 04 May 2012 03:27:33 +0000

Livable Housing Australia’s website is now up and running at http://www.livablehousingaustralia.org.au/

Media access legislation: exposure draft released

editor — Thu, 03 May 2012 03:41:43 +0000

The exposure draft of the Broadcasting Services Amendment (Improved Access to Television Services) Bill 2012 regarding captioning requirements has been released : see http://www.dbcde.gov.au/television/television_captioning .

NDIS: 2013 commencement

editor — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:32:28 +0000

Press release today : Prime Minister

Update: 3 expert groups announced (1 May 2012) to assist in design: National approach to control and choice; Eligibility and assessment (members include Commissioner Graeme Innes); Quality safeguards and standards.

Update (3 May 2012): 4th expert group announced: Engaging the disability sector

NDIS: COAG update

editor — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:49:50 +0000

Updates on the NDIS from today’s Council of Australian Governments meeting are now available on the COAG website

Human rights education grants: applications open

editor — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 23:10:55 +0000

Applications for the 2012-13 round of the Attorney-Generals Department Human Rights Framework – Education Grants are now open.

The Education Grants Program provides small grants to a wide range of community organisations to deliver practical, grassroots human rights education projects for vulnerable groups and across the community.

The Education Grants Applicant Program Guidelines and Application forms are available at www.ag.gov.au/hrgrants.

Information about the Australia’s Human Rights Framework is available at www.ag.gov.au/humanrightsframework.

Applications for the 2012-13 round of grants must be received by the Attorney-General’s Department by 5:00pm AEST on Wednesday 9 May 2012. For any questions about the Education Grants Program please email hrgrants@ag.gov.au

Graeme Innes article on the NBN and people with disability

editor — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 23:50:14 +0000

Published on ABC RampUp today: “Why I’m an NBN Champion” by Graeme Innes

International participation funding: Event with Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women

editor — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 23:48:08 +0000

Applications are invited from representatives of disability representative or advocacy organisations for support to attend a specialist roundtable on violence against women with disability with the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women. The Roundtable will be on Wednesday 18 April, 2.30-4.30 pm , Melbourne.

For details of event and application process see http://www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/convention/participation/srvaw_invite.html

International participation funding: request for proposals – capacity building events

editor — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 04:19:53 +0000

Under the Supporting participation by representatives of people with disability in key international forums on human rights program funded by the Department of Families, Housing, Communities and Indigenous Affairs, the Commission invites interested organisations to submit proposals for

Networking/capacity/capability building events that will enable Disability Peak Organisations (DPOs) and Disability Advocacy Organisations (DAOs) to promote the work of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and/or meet Australia’s obligations under the UNCRPD.
Networking/capacity/capability building events that will enable DPOs and DAOs to promote the priorities under the National Disability Strategy (NDS)—Key Policy Area 2: Rights protection, justice and legislation.

Proposals in this round should be submitted by 13 April 2012. Further details are at http://www.humanrights.gov.au/disability_rights/convention/participation/capability_invite.html