The Voice finalist Simon Meli and his band, The Widowbirds, kick off Brain Injury Australia’s fundraiser. Meli is just one of a number of high-profile Australians who are supporting ‘Sidetember 2014’. These include […]
Category: News
Nominations open for National Carer Awards
Carers around the country are about to get more recognition in the community with the first National Carers Awards. A joint initiative of Carers Australia, Life Without Barriers and Families […]
NZ Labour Party promises free annual health checks
The New Zealand Labour Party has promised free annual health checks for people with an intellectual disability. In a pre-election policy statement Labour has also committed to employing an additional […]
Yearning for learning
Australia’s largest learning difficulties event attracted the crowds at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney. According to Learning Difference Convention director, Jillian Zocher, the convention was twice as busy as the inaugural […]
New voice recognition software a helpful teaching aid
The latest version of Dragon NaturallySpeaking software offers expanded capabilities for translating voice to text. The on-board feature are said to make it especially useful, just by speaking, for those […]
More older Australians seeking aged care services
There has been a rise in the number of people accessing aged care services in their homes and in the community. And demand can be expected to grow as the […]
Restructured funding agreements in place
The Department of Social Services has streamlined funding programs for social service providers. This will see existing grant programs consolidated into seven packages and the setting up of a Disability, […]
National disability forum announced
Acting Disability Commissioner Susan Ryan has convened a national disability forum for September. While details are still to be finalised in preparation for the forum the Australian Human Rights Commission will release a survey asking people with disabilities to identify key issues they face, especially in relation to jobs access. Survey responses will be used to guide the Commission’s future work priorities when it comes to advancing the rights of people with disabilities.
The proposed survey follows advice Ryan received from departed Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes, who had earlier called for a jobs plan to engage people with disabilities into the workforce.
“I want to reinvigorate a national discussion about how we create opportunities for people with disabilities to enter the workplace.” Ryan added that it is an area where there has been inadequate progress for the past 20 years.
The former Labor minister and Age Discrimination Commissioner, takes on the role until a permanent appointment is made.
New president for Alzheimer’s Australia
Former ACCC chairman, Graeme Samuel, has been appointed national president of Alzheimer’s Australia. Samuel was previously vice president and is a member of the National Board for the organisation. He brings first hand understanding of the impact the chronic disease can have on a family after taking care of his mother who lived with dementia.
First commercial Braille mobile phone
The first Braille mobile phone for people with vision disabilities is now available in Australia. Launched by UK based telecommunications company, OwnFone, the phone uses 3D printing technology to produce […]
Activities website for children with disability
A new website is set to make it easier for children with disability to be included in community events. Developed by disability service provider Northcott and the NSW Family and […]
‘New’ age trends keep seniors at home
A website to help older people with home modification solutions has been launched. The number of ageing Australians is increasing rapidly with 4.5 million now over the age of 60, representing nearly 20 per cent of the population.