DISABILITY ACCESS NEWS 2001
Disability Column for June 26th:
The Minister for Environment assures me that the Ulysses Walk and Heritage Trail at Mission Beach, like all new work, will be all-person accessible when it is completed at the end of August. How inclusive and en-couraging and what an undertaking!
Often people with disabilities (PWD's) can't access the natural environment and this is terribly unfair. Yes, it's often over difficult terrain, but Quicksilver and Whalesong have provided access within the marine environ-ment! It's also great to see the curtain fig tree with barrier free access.
New work in FNQ includes:
1. A bird hide and a walk at Hastie's Swamp and new picnic facilities and art at Halloran's Hill.
2. The Malanda Dairy Centre is being transformed to present our natural, cul-tural and historical heritage for the shire.
3. The Tully and the King Ranch Visitors Centres will enhance our enjoyment of that region.
4. Kuranda's Jurum Creek Walking Track is the first of five that will constitute their "Rainforest Story".I'm looking forward to seeing these barrier-free endeavours as "non-discriminatory dis-ability provisions" have had to be addressed within all Qld Government portfolios since 1999 and all refurbishment's and new work-have addressed access and equity issues for nine years.
Congratulations to all involved. Folk who are interested in saving endangered animals and trees will obviously want to help pro-vide a quality of life for all stakeholder groups. PWD's - 35% of the population are entitled to benefit from $12.8 million in Government funding.
How saddening to hear the media referring to PWD's as "disabled people".
What other people are defined by their physicality? Do we read "A big fat man won a golf tournament", or hear on the radio of a "yellow lady voted in as President" or watch the TV news and see a story on an "ugly kid being awarded a medal"?
There are no"disabled people", only people with disabilities.
A Sydney gentleman with profound dis-abilities won his substantial court case when a Supreme Court Judge deemed that he was a person who lived his life with dis-abilities, not a "disabled person".
The Wet Tropics newspaper also refers to "disabled toilets" in National Parks. They're often right, sometimes these loos are quite unusable. They're called disability toilets.
DisABILITY Column for June 12th:
News source 2UE radio Sydney 1 June 2001:
"The high court has abolished it's 213 year old law which protects road authorities from being sued for failing to carry out repair work on roads, bridges or foot paths. The English common law rule granting road owners legal immunity against damage claims over accidents caused by bad roads was overturned in Britain in 1961. Seven high court judges have voted four to three to follow Britain's example, opening the way for claims for damages by pedestrians and motorists against governments."Like many across our region, a lady has recently applied for a new wheelchair. She was told her new chair might take up to nine months to get to her. After five months she phoned to see how her request was progressing, only to be told it hadn't been processed as yet. On top of this I'm told that the Government requires a wheelchair to last for at least four years. One's needs "outside the home" are not recognised as the chair is only provided for use inside the home. Therefore, one's available means of transporting this chair is of no concern to the Government. Further insult centred around their request that she may be required to go to Cairns to see their orthopaedic surgeon (who's also her doctor) to determine whether or not she's eligible for a knee replacement operation.
When someone is waiting for their means of mobility, this waste of time is a tragedy and does not promote good mental or physical health.
1. One of the basic human rights is one's right to mobility.
2. How long a chair last would depend on the chair, lifestyle and usage. Four years is only a guideline, surely? While one person might have a chair for five years another person might need another after three years.
3. If one needs to use a wheelchair inside the home, one needs to use it outside as well. No government can impede your right to pursue your lifestyle of choice.
4. Transportation of a chair is integral to lifestyle.
5. Ordering a person to see a doctor, with that person incurring the costs of travel, time and appointment is unreasonable when one considers that whether she is eligible for a knee replacement or not, it is still up to the individual whether or not they have an operation, considering the risks.Why aren't the funds available for people to be given medical aids as needed? We've paid our taxes all our lives and this is an entitlement.
The Premier's election promises included substantial increased funding for the shortfall in providing medical aids.
I'm awaiting a reply from the Health Minister.
DISABILITY COLUMN FOR 8TH MAY - Robyn Gobert:
For the past three years I have been making myself available to provide disability access information to Far North Queensland. I am a member of the Australian Association of Consultant in Access.
Life has been extra rewarding these past few weeks. With Principal Colin Allen-Walters I was invited to be the first to ride in the new disability lift at the Atherton High School. When I met Premier Beattie a few months ago I asked him to provide the lift for this areas dis-ability designated high school. It had been promised three years ago.
Recently five PWEAS went on the first of several FOC mini holidays. I am researching data for an article for a National magazine.
We tried out Flying Leap, the tethered hang gliding in Cairns. It was exhilarating, even for someone afraid of heights! Chas Bolton tells us they've had people with quite profound disabilities having a go. It's up to the individual to decide if they are able to participate. The braver members of our party did the "Titanic". http://www.flyingleap.com.au
We stayed at the beautiful Radisson Treetops in Port Douglas. It's a lovely resort and they've made every effort to become disability accessible. The friendly, aware staff catered to our every need.
Then, onboard the accessible Quicksilver to the pontoon on Agincourt Reef, we enjoyed the sumptuous buffet lunch and took publicity photos using the disability water lift. This provides people with mobility impairments access to swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving the reef. Magnificent!
Speaking with a Scottish couple in a wheelchair in Cairns and they said they'd found ac-cess in Cairns very "hit and miss. There was no guarantee when one left the curb that there'd be access on the other side, which forced people to wheel along the street in the traffic."
20 - 26th May is Schizophrenia Week, and TCAG is one year old. Participants in the Mental Health and Psychiatric Disability training/workshops, phone 3843 2823.
For a copy of Balance, published by the Mental Health Assn of Qld, phone 3358 4988.
You may be entitled to a Mobility Allowance. If you have a significant disability and need to travel, there are no accessible buses and you have to use a taxi? Call 132 717.
Do you have difficulties using your phone at home? Call the Disability Inquiry hotline 1800 068 424.
May 14 - 20 is National Volunteer Week while 5th December is the United Nations Desig-nated International Volunteer Day. If you're planning an event, phone 02 6244 1854 to have it listed. May 8th is World Red Cross Day and 15th is the International Day of Families.
Stop to consider - six thousand Australian children act as Primary Carers, while 181,000 act as part time Carers to family members with a disability. The Carers Assn of Australia have been awarded $100,000 to asses details of all primary Carers under the age of 25.
DisABILITY COLUMN 15th May - Robyn Gobert:
Quote: "When people who are not used to speaking are heard by people who are not used to listening, real changes can be made." John Obrien. Get involved! Participation is the fun-damental right of all consumers. You don't have to be an expert to have something to say or ask for your needs to be met. Speaking out often helps someone else.
RFDS: The Royal Flying Doctor Serv-ice will be enhancing access to mental health services for rural and remote clients with their recent $600,000 Fed-eral grant. This money will provide in-creased services and education to people with mental health issues living in isolated communities. They have developed a CD-ROM aimed at ex-panding awareness surrounding men-tal health issues. Ph 4053 1952.
AWARDS: Nominations for the Qld Regional Community Awards are open until 29th June. If you've contributed to your region's economic, social or envi-ronmental development, the productiv-ity, employment, planning, manage-ment and leadership within your com-munity, influenced community behav-iour, won awards for your efforts, over-come barriers and difficulties and put in years of voluntary work to achieve this, you and your community should be nominated. To find out more please phone 5531 1541 or e-mail Queensland Awards
EDUCATION: According to a national research project in which teachers, parents, principals and academics were questioned, in the eyes of the World, Australian education facilities are dismally unsuccessful in providing an equitable experience for students with disabilities. The United Nations based criteria for physical inclusion, adapted curricular and social inclusion saw Queensland score D-. Any score below a C was considered to be a fail-ure. The winner was Tasmania, still only scraping in with a C. It can be done, however, as Western Australia, while scoring badly overall, were shown to have some examples of in-clusion that were at World's Best Prac-tice standard.
SCOUTS: Ian Phillips is an adult Scout/helper with the Atherton Scouts and he is also a paraplegic. Ian flew to Sydney for two weeks to attend the 19th National Scouting Jamboree with the Atherton Scouts. Ian said there was no problem with access regarding any type of transport, from Quantas to trains down there and there were doz-ens of adults and children Scouts in chairs attending this event. Irene Chapman, Atherton's Scouting leader said she's amased at how geared eve-rything is toward disability down there.
ICON: Yungaburra's Curtain Fig Tree will soon be accessible. My input was sought by DNR late last year and the Parks and Wildlife Service is con-structing a raised, 151-metre board-walk into this Tablelands icon. As well as disability access, issues such as environmental protection, visitor safety and needs have all been considered.
TOURISM: The Undara Lava Tubes are accessible via a disability lift. There is also disability accommodation avail-able. Just down the track the Mt Sur-prise Road House has also put in lovely new disability units. It was my pleasure to roadtest these facilities over the May Day weekend.
DisABILITY COLUMN 22nd May - Robyn Gobert:
When we talk about the disability mar-ket we are talking about an expanding, increasingly sophisticated and lucrative market.
FACTS: Today, 56% of working-age Australians with disabilities are em-ployed, compared with 71% of the overall population. Add to this those retired with disabilities and you see there is an expanding and lucrative market for accessible products and services.
People with disabilities (PWD's) are part of the rapid growth within the Aus-tralian Tourism market, with Queen-sland proving to be the most popular destination.
In this computerised age, 76% of Americans with disabilities use the www to perform business and personal tasks. (Only 50% of the general popu-lation have access to the web). Australian percentages are similar.
PWD's no longer live isolated lives. Communication between PWD's, with the availability of assistive technology, has experienced expediential growth with the convenience of E-mailing fa-cilities and mobile phones.
Whether travelling or living in a com-munity, PWD's are usually well pre-pared to meet their needs. If you ad-vertise an accessible product you will soon attract those who need to use a barrier-free environment. In addition PWD's usually, but not always, holiday with others travelling with them.
Approx 22% of the Asian population have significant disabilities with other overseas countries recording similar percentages.
19.6% of the Australian population (approx 4 million) have a significant disability.
That does not take into consideration the "hidden" disabled population who do not receive a pension.
On top of this, these figures do not in-clude other significant sectors of the population who need and use disability access provisions within our infra-structure.
Within the Cairns and Tableland region we have a higher than average popu-lation of PWD's, particularly mobility disabilities, with a higher concentration of the population being close to (or al-ready of) retirement age.
This number is growing steadily as we have an aging population and our age expectancy is increasing.
By the age of 75 we have a 68% chance of having a significant disability and by the age of 85 our chances have reached 84%. (ABS)
Nationally, 75,000 services are pro-vided to more than 63,000 people in just one day. Of these:
F 8,324 were within Queensland
F 43% were young adults
F 58% were men
F 3% were of Indigenous origin
F 49% had multiple disabilities
F 60% had intellectual disabilities as their major disability."Services of relevance to people with a disability address needs corresponding to any of the three dimensions of dis-ability ie: body function and structure, activity and participation, or may seek to improve aspects of the physical or social environment." http://www.aihw.gov.au
Cairns News 27th April - Lenore Evans:
LAWN BOWLS - THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH - STARTING 6TH MAY - WEST CAIRNS LAWN BOWLS CLUB, 216 GATTON ST - 2.30 PM TO 4.30 PM - $4 SNACK AND TEA, COFFEE - WEAR FLAT SOLED SHOES:
For more information call Bill Hannam Ph 4054 3701 - Bowls Club Ph 4051 1814.
25th March - COME AND TRY IT DAY - organised by volunteer friends, was held at the West Cairns Lawn Bowls Club (wheelchair accessible) for people with a disability, their carers, support workers, families and friends. A very enjoyable afternoon was had by many people who were shown how to play bowls. The club's volunteers did a wonderful job of helping and encouraging all the players and it is great to see the club's members prepared to give of their time to people in our community. Being so successful, another day is just as likely to be organised.(YES - SEE ABOVE) This event was supported by Sporting Wheelies, Volunteer Friends Program and Endeavour.
CBUG News 24th April - Lenore Evans:
All people access across the footbridge over Fernley St drain from Minnie St to Mann St is prevented by two very large bollards - CBUG Report 134 dated 30th September 2000 and reported again this year.
We have been informed by a council officer that "mention was made of this during a Council Committee meeting Monday 23rd April - I understand this matter is under consideration".
WHAT IS THERE TO CONSIDER?
CBUG News 5th April - Lenore Evans:
Dangerous aspects of the disabled parking in Abbott St near Woolworths was reported to the council on 25 March 2000 - CBUG Report No 123, and again this year. We are happy to advise people who use wheel chairs that the disabled parking is now located next to the driveways at Woolworths. The driveway next to the loading zone has a smooth gutter for access to the foot path. Note: The driveway next to the disabled parking has a lip at the gutter. Many thanks to Deputy Mayor, Cr Margaret Gill, Div 6, and council staff.
Disability columns for April 2001
Quote from www.abilitycorp.com.au Newsletter: "Extraordinary people are ordinary people with extra-ordinary determination." They have some wonderful disability information and articles on technological support. Find out what a "joggle switch" is.
The hard working group involved with the Ulysses walking track at Mission Beach have invited me down to road test the first stage when it is completed in April. I had briefly looked at the very beginnings of this path early last year while down there doing a needs analyses for the Promotion Bureau. This committed group have gone through hell and highwater to make their vision of an accessible walking track a reality. They've had to convince locals and seek funding to build this interpretive path, which will link the Wongaling and Mission Beach communities along the foreshore. Their inclusive attitude is highly commendable and I offer them my hearty congratulations on their dedication to making this difficult project all-person friendly.
The new Tree Kangaroo Cafe at Malanda Falls is accessible and useable. Congratulations to these good people on their hard work.
John McGlew of the Tableland Pistol Club invites you to an open day for people with disabilities on Saturday 21st April. John is a judge with the ISSF and offers information on Sport Target Shooting for recreation and up to Paralympic standard. Ph: 4096 5309.
Ability Technology assists people with disabilities to obtain maximum benefits from modern computer technology. Their services range from research projects to technical support and training for individuals. http://www.abilitycorp.com.au/
Congratulations to Bev Budden from Community Link in Tolga for her article "Growing Up In Your Own Community" featured in Issue 20 of Crucial Times. Ph 3870 1022 to receive free publication Crucial Times.
The CRU have various courses coming up and their information is available in many different formats. For some, even if you can not attend physically, you are invited to attend via the Internet. Please phone 3870 1022 or e-mail admin@cru.org.au
Deafness Resources Guide Australia provides product names and discriptions, pictures, prices and ordering information. For a copy of this useful book, phone 9895 2970 or TTY 9895 2971 Fax 9895 2972.
It will be Hearing Awareness Week 19-25 August 2001. Please contact Christine Wright on 4091 4965 for more information.
The Queensland Disability Housing Coalition Inc is powering ahead with committed funding from the Department of Housing of $100,000. Identified as a major difficulty by the Department has been "providing a service to people with mental illness or psychiatric disability that results in successful housing solutions and tenure". To receive a copy of the newsletter and for more information, please phone 3227 6156 TTY: 3227 7903.
From the QDHC newsletter: The "Home Adapt" scheme is being developed as a key strategy to offer greater housing choice to people who require modified housing. It will offer assistance to older people, people with a disability and their families, to adapt their privately owned or rented housing in order that they can remain in their own homes and live as safely and independently as possible. Once established, Home Adapt could comprise services like grants, low interest loans, advice, information and assessment.
Qld Advocacy Inc. were involved in a Forum in Brisbane to address the plight of Queensland residents with disabilities who are living in hostels and boarding houses. This provided an opportunity in which existing problems were highlighted and encouraged discussion regarding needs and how their lives could be improved.
Providers of accommodation should remove disability signs from the door of their barrier-free rooms. This sign alerts prospective burglars that a person with a disability may be using the room and increases our vulnerability.
It is encouraging to know that Holiday Inn in Cairns has undertaken extensive modifications and changes to provide a more accessible and useable environment. This exercise has also created a heightened disability awareness amongst staff.
To receive your free copy of "Disability and Carer Connections" phone freecall 1800 050 004. Other publications are available from 13 2717.
You may be entitled to a Mobility Allowance. If you have a disability and need to travel, but there is no public transport? Call 13 2717.
Do you have difficulties using your phone at home? Call the Disability Inquiry hotline 1800 068 424.
The Cairns foreshore redevelopment is well under way. Hope the finished product is going to be barrier-free and useable, not just A.S. compliant.
Thursday, 29 March 2001: Robyn Gobert.
DisABILITY COLUMN
It was very nice to have been invited to meet the Prime Minister, Mr Howard in Cairns on Thursday at the Fred Moule Pavillion. Of the hundreds of people there I saw several of us in wheelchairs and a number of senior citizens using walking aids. How very disappointing to find that no disability parking was provided for this morning tea. I was told by one of the organisers that they "hadn't even thought of that." It's time the needs of 35% of the population WAS thought of, by everyone, when organising any public event, most especially one like this.
Silvia Florer has been given an Assistance Dog for Independence. The Tolga Lions recently erected a dog run for "Sam". Silvia wanted to extend her praise to all of the businesses on the Tablelands for making Sam so welcome when he is working; especially McDonalds as management treated them like royalty, even shouting Sam a hamburger.
Congratulations to the Mt Molloy CWA and friends. They made the PWEA group very welcome when we went to have a look at their plans to put in ramped access to the CWA hall. This group will be fundraising and will appreciate all assistance.
Kuranda is showing the benefits of the Mareeba Shire Council's implementation of the all-person access plan adopted last year.
Tourism Queensland News has used some of the photo shoot material in their latest publication, as has Accessible Queensland where "yours truly" ended up on the cover! This is a well-presented book covering a schedule of providers of services and accessible public infrastructure for use by people with disabilities when visiting Queensland. TQ has also given me a CD ROM of all of the photographs from the Queensland-wide disability photo shoot and these are available to publications upon request.
People wanting something in this column are encouraged to contact me, but give me about three weeks notice, please? Web page http://www.cairnsbug.org/disability.htm E-mail accessconsultant@cyberwizards.com.au Phone 4096 5684 BH. Fax 4095 1184
Thursday, 29 March 2001: Robyn Gobert.
"This is a huge step ahead for tourism in Tropical North Queensland and for people with disabilities."
In November last year I acted as local co-ordinator and talent-wrangler for a disability photo-shoot for Tourism Queensland. About ten people took part in the shoot and all ended up with at least one photo being selected for use.
Tourism Queensland News has used some of the photo shoot material in their latest publication, as has Accessible Queensland where "yours truly" ended up on the cover! This is a well-presented book covering a schedule of providers of services and accessible public infrastructure for use by people with disabilities when visiting Queensland.
TQ has also given me a CD ROM of the selected photographs from the Queensland-wide disability photo shoot and these are available to publications upon request.
Disability Column update 19-1-01: Robyn Gobert.
A group of good folk in Herberton are continuing to gather funding in an attempt to get a lift installed inside the Herberton Hall. It is so gratifying to see the level of disability awareness and people's attempts to provide right throughout the North.
The wait for a wheelchair of your own from the Atherton Hospital is now closer to nine months than the three it was when I got my original chair two years ago. I'm told there are more people needing a chair and no increased Government funding being provided. Not good enough.... when one is housebound and needing a chair a nine month wait is a long, long time!
Ian Phillips is an adult helper with the Atherton Scouts and he is also a paraplegic. Ian flew to Sydney for two weeks to attend the 19th National Scouting Jamboree with the Atherton Scouts. Ian tells me there was not a problem with access regarding any type of transport, from Quantas to trains down there and there were dozens of adults and children Scouts in chairs attending this event. Irene Chapman, Atherton's Scouting leader said she's amazed at how geared everything is toward disability down there.
There are a number of workshops right across Queensland for people with disabilities, their families and Carers and those working in the disability industry. "Daring to dream" and "Creating Desirable Futures" are two. For info e-mail qdnbrisbane@qdn.org.au or phone 1300 363 783. Some subsidies are available.
The rates are due again, with the $90 pensioner subsidy in place. Good on you Eacham Shire Council!
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