june 2012 volume 21 issue 2 -...

JUNE 2012 | Volume 21 Issue 2

ADAM HILLS ON GAMES COMMENTATING

ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL IN LONDON

THE NDIS GETS THE GREEN LIGHT

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Cover story

14 Someofthemostinspiring,upliftingandtrulyheroicsportingachievementswillbeondisplayattheParalympicGamesinLondonfromAugust.Butwillmuchoftheworldbewatching?

14

Cover photo: James Elsby.Some images throughout the issue are courtesy of stock.xchng.

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June2012—Vol21/2 linkmagazine 3June2012—Vol21/2 linkmagazine 3

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22

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4 Ed’sletter

5 Yourletters

6 Linknewsbites

8 Seniorandsportnews

9 Australian2012ParalympicTeamuniformunveiled

10 CompanionCard–astepforwardforsocial

inclusion

11 Astudyintoyouthwithdisabilityisbeingconducted

12 WriterDanielKemp’sUK-basedbrother,Nicholas,

hascerebralpalsyandfindsitalmostimpossible

totravelbyplane

18 LondoncallsforanAdelaidejet-settingcouple

21 DignityforDisabilityMLCKellyVincentintroduces

abilltolessenhumanrightsabuses

22 Howthedisabilitycommunityisbeing

representedintheworldofgaming

26 NationalDisabilityServiceschiefKenBakeron

implementingtheNDIS

28 Newnationale-wasteschememaythreaten

employmentforpeoplewithdisability

30 VickiKay’sshortstorytouchesondepression

32 BruceMumfordfindshedoesn’thavetotravelfar

foranadventure

34 IndonesianDeddyDachihasn’tletdisabilitydeter

himfromhislove:surfing

35 AbilityOptions’chiefMattDonnellyon

community-basedaccommodationoptions

36 FlautistGillianRankinehasrediscoveredaloveof

musicafterdevelopingdisabilities

38 AbasketballgameshowsJohnnyMackayhow

self-awarenessisthegreateststrength

40 AndrewBlanchardonSizzle:AnInclusiveArts

Festival

42 Entertainmentnewsandreviews

45 Breakthroughs

46 ThemusingsofPeterCoulter

47 What’son

4 linkonline.com.au June2012—Vol21/2

Pollies visit

ParliamentarySecretaryforDisabilitiesandCarersJanMcLucas,topright,droppedintotheofficeofInprintDesign,thepublisherofLink,inAdelaideinMarch.InprintalsohadavisitfromShadowMinisterforDisabilities,CarersandtheVoluntarySectorMitchFifieldandFederalMemberforBoothbyAndrewSouthcottinMay.

Youth spotlight

NationalYouthWeekwasheldinApril.Tomarktheoccasion,LinkinterviewedyoungLaurenLinkinterviewedyoungLaurenLinkRipka,22,whohasahearingimpairment.

What challenges do you face having a hearing impairment?Ineverreceivedaproperdiagnosisuntilroughlylastyear…[so]peoplenotbelievingmehasbeenachallenge…AlsolinkingthistothinkingitwasallmyfaultwhenIhadabikeaccidentwhenIwasnine.IalwaysfeellikeIamthe‘in-betweener’asIamnotDeaf,butIamnot[ahearingperson]also...ItishardformetoacceptIamhearingimpairedsomedays…[but]signlanguageisnowmysecondlanguage.

What do you think of Australian Communication Exchange services Silent Tweets and Smart Auslan?IthinkSmartAuslan[asmartphoneappthattransformsmuseuminterpretationsintosignlanguage]isafantasticideaandanincredibleresourceforpeoplewhouseit.IfeelthesamewayaboutSilentTweets[freecommunitybroadcastingfortheDeafandhearingimpaired]...WithACE’sdevelopments,theDeafandhearingimpairedcommunitygetsthechancetocommunicatethebesttheycanandthat’sreallynice.

from the editor

Disability has been at the forefront of reality TV of late. Adelaide singer Rachael Leahcar, who has a vision impairment, stole hearts with an angelic performance of Edith Piaf’s La Vie En Rose on Nine’s The Voice.

Meanwhile,onCelebrity Apprentice,football

identityJasonAkermanisshowcasedhissignlanguageskills,whichheusestoconversewithhiswife’sparents–bothhavinghearingimpairments–andmodelNathanJollifferevealedhehadepilepsyasachild.

DisabilitywillagainbeinthemediaspotlightwiththeParalympicGamesinLondon,startingAugust.Thisissue,wheninterviewingretiredParalympianswimmerMaraykeJonkers,hertakeonperceptionsofdisabilityinthemediastruckachord.

Jonkerssaid:“Oneoftheinterestingthingshasbeentowatchwheremystoriesappearinthelocalmedia.AtfirstwhenIwas12andmademyfirstteam,itwasonthefrontpageoftheSunshine Coast Daily,butitwasverymuchahumanintereststory.‘Here’sthispoorgirlwho’sbeeninthistragiccaraccident’…[Later]itchangedtobeinginthesportssection,allaboutsportandhowmuchfasterI’dgot,andIreallylikedthatasanathlete,becauseitwasneverabouthavingago.Iwastrainingmybacksideoff.Itwasreallynicetobeinthesportspagesalongsidetheotherathleteswhereyoureallybelong.”

Let’shopecontinuedexposureofdisabilityinthemediawillkeepbreakingdownthestereotypes.

Your views on FacebookLink DisabilityMagazineisnowonFacebook.Befriendourpageandfeelfreetoairyourviewsonallthingsdisability-related,plusgetinfoonthelatestdisabilityeventsandnews.

Carla Caruso, Link editor

June2012—Vol21/2 linkmagazine 5

Book success

InprintDesignstaffmemberJacyArthur,left,whohascerebralpalsyandseveredeafness,wasecstatictoreceive$1000fromZontaInternationalandmorethan$600fromHydeParkPresstohelpwiththeprintingcostsandlaunchofherautobiography,If Only You Knew.Jacy’spicturedherewithZonta’sPaulineGlover.ifonlyyouknew.net

By contributing a letter you authorise Link to publish it in the magazine or www.linkonline.com.au. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. All published contributions earn the author a free copy of the magazine, containing the letter (or current subscribers may specify that they would prefer their free magazine as an extension of their current subscription), provided a postal address is included with the original letter. Your name, suburb and state will be published with your letter unless you specify otherwise.

Send your letter to the editor:Link, Inprint Design, 1B La� er Drive, Bedford Park SA 5042or email it to [email protected] Please include your postal address (not for publication). The best letter wins $50

letters to link

Much thanks

IjustsawthenewissueofLinkandthearticleandphotoabout[musicgroup]HotTutti.Fantastic!IjustshowedittoAimee–oneoftheHotTuttigirls–andshelovedit.Thankssomuchforincludingus.

Linda Jacobssen, Tutti Inc, Brighton, SA

A link indeed

AsamagazinepublishedinSouthAustralia,IpresumedLink Disabilitydrewitsreadershipmainlyfromthatstate.SoIwasamazedtoseetheletterbyGarryWarren,ofPeakhurst,NSW,inthelastedition.Strangelyenough,Ialsohadanarticle,Wheelchair Etiquette,inthatissue.

Onlylastweekend,wehadobtainedawheelchair-accessiblebusandgonedownthecoasttoWollongongtovisitmysonwhoisstudyingjournalismattheuniversitythereandhadjustmovedintoaflatnearby.

WhileourfamilyhadapicnicattheBotanicalGardens,wenoticedanotherfamilypicnickingcloseby,withagentlemaninatwo-wheeledchairthatmybrother-in-lawsaidlookedabitlikeaSegway.

WewentovertochatanddiscoveredthattheingeniouschairwasindeedbasedonaSegwayandseemedverygood.ThegentlemanalsohadMSandwasdownwiththefamilytovisithisson,whowasstudyingwritingatWollongonguniandhadjustmovedintoanewflat!

Onreturninghome,IopenedmymostrecentcopyofLinkandtherewasGarry’sletter.Thephotocaughtmyeyefirst.Ithought;thatchairlooksliketheoneIjustsaw–andtheman’snamewasGarry…There’satermforthat,butI’mnotsurewhatitis.“Spooky”willdo!

Bruce Mumford, Burrawang, NSW

Winning letter - Art exposure

ThankyousomuchforthelatestcopyofLinkMagazine,whicharrivedtoday.I’vebeenhavingaparticularlytoughtimehealth-wise,andtoseeit,reallyliftedmyspirits.

It’sabeautifulmagazine.Ihavebeenreadingitallandthere’ssomuchgoodstuffinthere!Allofyou,whoworkthere,arereallyinspiringandthearticlesarehighqualityandveryinteresting.

CongratulationsonajobwelldoneandthankyouforincludingmyfriendGillian’sletter[aboutmyart],aswellasaphotoofmyartworkandlinkstomypages.

I’mveryexcitedformywebsite,wix.com/shilohmoore/byshi,andblogtobe“outthere”andgettingsomeexposure.Ithankyoukindly.

Keepupthegoodworkandthankyoutoyouandallyourteam.I’lltreasuremycopy!

Shiloh Moore, Brisbane, QLD

Artwork by reader Rosie Byles


news bites

PrimeMinisterJuliaGillardannouncedinAprilthattheAustralianGovernmentwouldfunditsshareofthefirststageofaNationalDisabilityInsuranceScheme(NDIS)intheBudget.

Frommid-nextyear,peoplewithdisability,theirfamiliesandcarersinselectedsitesaroundthenationwillstarttoreceivecareandsupportthroughanNDIS.ThePMmadetheannouncementattheEveryAustralianCounts’Make It RealrallyinSydney.

Theschemewillinitiallyinvolve10,000peoplewithdisabilityfrommid-2013andwillexpandto20,000peoplefrommid-2014.TheschemewillinsureallAustraliansforthecostofcareandsupportintheeventofsignificantandpermanentdisability.

Aroundthenation,ParliamentarySecretaryforDisabilitiesandCarersJanMcLucaswasalsopresentatarallyinBrisbane,whileOppositionLeaderTonyAbbottjoinedcampaignsupportersinPerth.Abbottsaid:“Everyoneshouldgetafairgoandthat’swhattheNationalDisabilityInsuranceSchemeisabout.”

Despitehisleader’senthusiasmforthescheme,OppositiontreasuryspokesmanJoeHockey,however,toldMacquarieRadiohewasstunnedonly$1billionoverfouryearswasassignedtothescheme.“WesupporttheNDIS...butitcannotbeinapositiontoraiseexpectationsandnotdeliver.Iwasstunned…athowunderfundedtheNDISisgoingforward.”

Making an NDIS real

Helping our wounded warriors

AnewcharityprovidingsupporttoAustralia’sphysicallyandmentallywoundedsoldierswaslaunchedinApril.

SoldierOnisthefirstcharityofitskindinOzandissimilartooverseasorganisationslikeTop GearhostJeremyClarkson’sHelpforHeroesandtheWoundedWarriorProjectintheUS.ItsvisionisforAustralia’swoundedsoldierstohaveaccesstotheworld’sbestcare,sothattheycancontinuetoachievegoalsdespitetheirinjuries.

Co-foundersJohnBaleandCavinWilsonaimtoraise$1millioninSoldierOn’sfirstyear,fundingprojectsincludingimproved

rehabilitationfacilitiesatStAndrew’sWarMemorialHospitalandTheWesleyHospital,aswellascarepackagesforchildrenofinjuredservicemenandwomen.Injustafewweeks,SoldierOnhadreachedmorethan1000FacebooklikesandhadTinaArenaasoneofitspatrons.

Variety Motor Mouth Camp giving kids a voice

Communicatingwhenyoucan’tspeakcanbeabigchallenge,butitbecamealoteasierfor15childrenfromaroundthestate,attendingthesecondannualVarietyMotorMouthCampinApril.

Thefive-dayschoolholidaycampatPointWalter,WA,providedintensecommunicationtherapyforyoung

Above:PMJuliaGillardwithacampaignsupporterattheSydneyrally.Below:AbilityOptions’teamof200attheNDISrallyinSydney.

peoplewhouseaugmentativeandalternativecommunication(AAC)aidsandvoiceoutputdevices.Parents, carersandsiblingswerealsoprovidedwithinvaluableeducationandsupport.

Aidedbyateamofvolunteerspeechpathologistsandmentors,school-agedchildrencametogether

BrentGoodallmakesaballoonrocketwithhelpfromvolunteersAnnabelCarterandEmmaReeves.


New advocate for Victorians with a disability

JenniferFitzgeraldisthenewlyappointedchiefexecutiveandspokespersonofScope,oneofthelargestVictoriandisabilityserviceproviders,bringingwithhermorethan30yearsexperienceinthedisability,health,agedcareandcommunitysectors.

Fitzgeraldsays:“BothScopeandthedisabilitysectorareenteringaperiodofenormouschange.ThepossibilitiespresentedbytheNationalDisabilityInsuranceSchemegivesmetremendoushopeforchangethatwillpositivelyimpactonthelivesofpeoplewithadisability.”

PersonnelEmployment–adivisionofBarkumaInc–developedtwooftheprogramsafteritsawaneedtooffersupportingeducationandemploymentservicestopeoplewithadisabilityintheearlierstagesoftheirlife.

ExecutivemanagerCraigHarrisonsaid:“Atthetime,thereweren’tanyservicesthatsupportedhighschoolstudentsinthewaythatStateDisabilityTransitionprogramandVETtoWorkdo.”

StudentsJoshClark,front,andMishuWolianskyjcompletedaCertificateIinHospitality(FrontofHouse)throughHospitalityGroupTraining.

tolearnorfine-tunetheirskillsusingaidstocommunicate.

VarietyWAprogramcoordinatorPhilCrootsaid:“Thejoythefamiliesgotfrombeingabletoconnectmoredirectlywiththeirchildrenwasamazing.Whilealldisabilitiesarechallenging,notbeingabletocommunicateeffectivelycanbeparticularlyfrustratingandisolating.”

Voices being heard

TheSouthAustralianGovernmenthasrecogniseddisabilityemploymentserviceproviderPersonnelEmploymentasaleaderinitsfield,agreeingtoexpandthreeofitsuniquesupportprogramsidentifiedintheStrong Voicesreport.

Theprograms,whichhavepreviouslyonlybeenavailableinthenorthernsuburbs,willberolledoutthroughoutSA,allowinghighschoolstudentswithadisabilityinremotecommunitiestoaccesssupportservices.

Fresh perspective on love and life

At23,MichelleVujicicdecidedtogivethreemonthsofherlifetohelpthoseinneedinAfrica.

TheGoldCoastresidentisservingasavolunteernursewithMercyShipsontheworld’slargestprivatehospitalship,theAfricaMercy,inTogo.Vujicicgrewupwithanunderstandingoftheneedsofothers–herbrother,Nick,pictured,wasbornwithnoarmsorlegs,hence,shewasalwaysawareofhowadisabilitycouldaffectsomeone’slife.

Shesays:“Theneed[forcareinTogo]issogreatthatthousandsofpeoplequeuedonaMercyShips

screeningday,seekinghelpfortheirmedicalconditions…Thesadpartaboutallofthis,however,isthatpeoplewithobviousdeformitiesareoftenostracisedbytheirfamiliesandcommunitiesinthebeliefthattheyarecursed.Butthatiswhatissoamazingabouttheworkdonebyvolunteersonthishospitalship–livesareliterallychanged.Manygohomehealedfromtheirconditionandreturntotheirvillagesandhomes.”

MercyShipsisaglobalcharitythathasoperatedhospitalshipsindevelopingnationssince1978,providingfreehealthcareandcommunitydevelopmentservicestotheforgottenpoor,followingtheexampleofJesus.

Michelle’sbrother,NickVujicic,talkingtopatientsontheAfrica MercywhilevisitingLiberiaseveralyearsagoforpreachingandmotivationalspeakingengagements.


senior news sport news

Homebound iPad buddy program

AdelaideCityCouncilisimprovingdisabilityaccesstolibraryresourcesbyprovidinghomeboundclientswithe-readerdevicesonanongoingbasis.

TheHomeboundiPadBuddyProgrambeganonMarch29,afterasuccessfultwo-monthtrialoftheservicelastyear.Itprovideshomeboundclientswithimpairedmobilityandvisionequalaccesstothelibrary’svaste-collectionofmorethan10,000digitaltitles.EachclientispairedwithaniPadBuddyvolunteertomakesuretheyhaveaccesstothee-books,interactiveappsandinformationthey’reinterestedin.

E-readerdevices,suchastheiPad,enablehomeboundclientstoincreasethefontsizeofane-bookanduseaudiocapabilitiestoimprovetheirreadingexperience.LibrarymemberAnnetteCopley,whohasarthritisinherhands,said:“Icouldjustzip[myfinger]acrosstheiPadandturnthepage.”

The10iPadswillbeavailabletohomeboundclientsforathree-monthloanandrotatedamongclientsonawaitinglist.

SophieGreenassistinglibrarymemberBillyWarmington.

Growing old disgracefully?

BabyboomersintheUKdownfarlargerquantitiesofillicitdrugsthantheirparentseverdid–especiallycannabis–accordingtoareportinNew Scientist.

AstudybyKing’sCollegeLondonfoundthat11.4percentof50to64-year-oldsintheUKhadtriedcannabis,whilejust1.7percentoftheirparents’generationhad.Theresultsofthestudyshouldallowmedicalandsocialservicestoplanhowtheywillcareforelderlypeoplewhotakeillicitdrugs.

Australia wins bid to host 2013 Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games

TheinauguralSpecialOlympicsAsiaPacificGamesforathleteswithanintellectualdisabilitywillbeheldinAustraliainDecember2013,followingNSW’sNewcastlesecuringthewinningbidagainststrongcompetitionfromcitiesinIndiaandMalaysia.

Australiawillwelcomemorethan1700SpecialOlympicsathletes,600coaches,4000volunteersandabout200,000spectatorsfrom25nationsacrosstheAsia-Pacificregion.

TheannouncementwasmadeatapressconferencebyGovernor-GeneralQuentinBryce,followingthedecisionbytheSpecialOlympicsInternationalboardofdirectors.“IamveryproudtobepatronofthisnationalcharityanddelightedthatAustraliawillhosttheAsia-PacificGames,”Brycesaid.

AthletesMelEustaceandChrisBuntonattheSydneyOperaHousewithGovernor-GeneralQuentinBryce.Photo:PeterMuhlbock.

World-class indoor sport facility for western Sydney

NSWMinisterforSportandRecreationGrahamAnnesleyofficiallyre-openedtheKevinBettsStadiumatMountDruittfollowingamajorrefurbishment,whichwillprovideamodern,safefacilityforwheelchairsportsinwesternSydney.

Therefurbishmentwasmadepossiblebyan$888,000grantfromtheLifetimeCare&SupportAuthoritytoWheelchairSportsNSW.Featuresincludeimprovedwheelchairaccess,resurfacedplayingcourts,aswellaswallpaddingandcurtainsbetweencourtstopreventinjuries.


link | paralympics

TheAustralianParalympicTeamuniformfortheLondon2012ParalympicGameswasunveiledinMaywithParalympianstakingtothecatwalkinSydneyaspartofAustralianFashionWeek.

TheuniformfeaturesceremonialweardesignedbyiconicAustralianbrandR.M.Williams,aswellascompetitionandcasualweardesignedbysportsperformancebrand2XU.

AustraliawillsenditsbestpreparedteamevertotheLondonGames,wheremorethan4200athletesfrom150countrieswillcontest20sportsover11daysinfrontofanexpectedglobalaudienceof3billionviewers.TheuniformwasproudlymodelledbysomeofOz’sfinestParalympicathletes.

linkmagazine 9

Clockwise from top:SwimmersMatthewCowdreyandAnnabelleWilliamsmodeltheopeningceremonykitfortheLondon2012ParalympicGames.KurtFearnley(athletics)modelstheAustralianParalympictrackoutfitby2XU.CarleeBeattie(athletics),left,JackSwift(athletics),MelissaTapper(tabletennis)andKellyCartwright(athletics)modeltheircompetitionwearby2XU.Photos:AustralianParalympicCommittee

Australian 2012 Paralympic Team uniform unveiled


Article supplied by NDS South Australia

ConceivedinVictoriain1997andnowacceptedineverystateandterritory,theCompanionCardisdesignedtoassistthoselivingwithpermanentlifelongdisabilitytoparticipateatvenues,activitiesandevents.

Individualsareassessedindependentlybyaregisteredhealthprofessional,andthen,ifsuccessful,grantedacard.Underthisprogram,thecardholderisentitledtobringacompanionfreeofchargetoparticipatingvenuesandevents.InWesternAustraliaandNewSouthWales,NationalDisabilityServices(NDS)administersthecard.NDSSouthAustraliaisresponsibleformarketingthecardinthatstate.

Onceaffiliatedwiththeprogram,thevenueoreventagreestoissueacompanionticketatnocharge.Notonlydoesaffiliationincreasecustomerbase,italsoenhancespositivepublicimage,supportsthesocialinclusionofpeoplewithdisabilityandassistswithmeetingsomeoftheobligationsunderanti-discriminationlegislation.

OneinnovativeapproachisthattakenbytheAdelaideEntertainmentCentretoincludeacceptanceoftheCompanionCardintheircontractswiththird-partyhirersofvenues.“BeingaffiliatedwiththeCompanionCard[program]hasenabledtheAdelaideEntertainmentCentreanditsticketingagent,Ticketek,toeasilyidentifypatronswithaspecialneedinrelationtopurchasingticketsandgainingaccessforacarertoaneventatthevenue,”aCentrespokespersonsaid.“Thismeansaquicker,easiertransactionforthepatronandensurestheyhaveaccesstoseatingthatsuitstheirrequirements(subjecttoavailability).”

WAwasoneoftheforerunnersoftheCompanionCardinAustralia,andin2011,thestaterananAffiliateoftheYearAward.ThiswaspresentedbyWADisabilityServicesMinisterHelenMortontoAboutBikeHire.About

BikeHirehasbeenaffiliatedwiththeprogramsince2006andisapopularserviceamongstcardholders.

HelenGranville,operationsmanagerforNationalDisabilityServicesWA,said:“Overtheyears,wehavereceivedagreatdealofpositivefeedbackfromCompanionCardholdersaboutAboutBikeHireprovidinganenjoyableandtrouble-freeexperience.”

WallisCinemasinSA,affiliatedsince2008,arealsostrongsupportersoftheprogram.MarketingmanagerPaulBesankosaid:“WallisCinemasareproudtobesupportiveoftheCompanionCardprogram,whichhasenabledmanymorepatronstoattendthemovies.Wehavenoticedasharpincrease[insales]inthelast12monthsandwillcontinuetosupportthis[program].”

Formore,visitcompanioncard.gov.au.

companion card | nds

Top:WADisabilityServicesMinisterHelenMorton,right,togetherwithNDSWAoperationsmanagerHelenGranville,presentAboutBikeHiregeneralmanagerGeoffCollinswiththe2011AffiliateoftheYearAward.

Left:AnexampleoftheCompanionCard.

Companion Card in Australia A step forward for social inclusion


study | youth

We have a simple philosophy at Orana… We have a simple philosophy at Orana…

We exist to provide support for people living with a disability.We exist to provide support for people living with a disability.

We encourage, we train and most importantly we provide real life choices.

With services in metropolitan and regional South Australia, we ensure support is tailored towards personalised service.

With a diverse range of employment and accommodation options, Orana is committed to excellence through creating independence for people living with a disability.

To fi nd out more about Orana and how we support South Australian’s with a disability, visit our website www.oranaonline.com.au or phone us on (08) 8375 2000

ResearchersattheUniversityofSydneyandDeakinUniversitywishtointerviewyoungpeoplewithimpairments,aged19-26,tofindouthowtheyexperiencethetransitiontoadulthood.

What it’s about?Comparedtotheirable-bodiedpeers,youngpeoplewithimpairmentshaveanincreasedriskofnegativesocial,physicalandmentalhealthoutcomes.Yet,ofallpeoplewithimpairments,theleastisknownaboutadolescentsandyoungadults.Inparticular,littleisknownabouthowtheymakethetransitiontoadulthood.

Thisstudyseekstoproducenewknowledgewhichcanbeusedtohelpmorepeoplewithimpairmentsmeetthe

challengesoftransitioningtoadulthoodinordertobecomefully-functioning,well-adjusted,sociallyandeconomicallyincludedmembersofsociety.

What’s involved?Takingpartinthisthree-yearprojectinvolvesaninitiallifehistoryinterviewinthefirstyearandtwoshorter,follow-upinterviewsinthesecondandthirdyears.Youwillbeaskedtotalkaboutyourfamily,whoyouhangoutwith,schoollife,whatyoudoinyoursparetime,yourdisability,futureplansandwhoyouwanttobeinlife.

Who do I contact? LouisaSmithonph(02)[email protected].

Disability and ability: how young people with impairments make the transition to adulthood


accessible travel | danielkemp

Theageofmodernairtravelhasmeanttravellingtofar-flung

destinationsisincreasinglyeasier.Astechnologyhasimproved,costshaveloweredandairtravelhasbecomesaferandfaster.Foralargenumberofpeoplewithdisability,however,it’sstillnotsomethingthat’saccessible.

Myolderbrother,Nicholas,wasbornwithcerebralpalsyandusesawheelchair.In2003,afteryearsofsittinginhischair,hisspinebecametwisted.Heunderwentmajorsurgerytoinsertarodalongsidehisspine,straighteninghisback.Aside-effectisheisnowonlyabletositinspecialisedseating.

ThelasttimemyfamilyandIflewawayonholidaywastotheUSin2001.Thiswasbeforetheoperation,andtheairlineprovidedaspecialmouldedseatformybrothertositinduringtheflight.Now,withhisbackrequiringmorecare,aflightlikethiswouldsimplynotbepossible.

ImetmyAustraliangirlfriendwhileonauniversityexchangeinMontréal,Canada.IamcurrentlyinAustraliaona12-monthworkingholidayvisa,primarilytoseeher,butalsototravelaroundandseemoreoftheworldbeforeembarkingonmycareer.Beinginaseriousrelationship,thethoughtofemigratingherehascrossedmymind.

However,Iwouldfinditextremelydifficulttodoso.Mybrotherandmyfamilyareveryimportanttome,andifIweretomove,hewouldneverbeabletoundertakethe24-hourflightineconomyclassconditions.Havingafullbedinfirstclasscouldbeapossibility,buthestillrequiresaspecialisedmattresstosleepcomfortably,andthesittinguprightduringtake-offandlandingcould

NicholasKempathomeintheUKwithparentsHazelandDavid.

Wings clipped

proveproblematic.Thebiggestbarriertoflyingfirstclass,though,is,ofcourse,theprice.Thereisnowayheormyfamilycouldaffordit.

Probablytheonlywayforhimtocomeandvisitmewouldbebysea.Cruiseshipsarealsoexpensive,though,andwouldtakeupwardsofsixweekstomaketheirwayfromtheUKtoAustralia.Anotherfactor,ofcourse,istherealitythatit’softennecessarytocatchaflighttoyourcruiseship’sdeparturepointbeforeyouevenbegin.Thisobviouslymakesitprohibitivetoanysortofquickorcheapvisit.Intheend,theonlyreal

solutionistostayintheUK,soIdon’tbecomecompletelyseparatedfrommybrotherandfamily.

Itwasalwaysgoingtobeharderformybrother.Barringanunlikelylotterywin,heprobablywon’tgettoseeAustralia,acountryI’vefalleninlovewith.

Inthisageofcheapandeasyairtravel,it’sworthtakingastepbackandthinkingofthosewhoarestillunabletotakeadvantageofit–especiallywhenwe’recursingthelatestdelaytoourflightorhowuncomfytheseatsineconomyclassare.

UK-basedNicholashascerebralpalsyandfindsitalmostimpossibletotravelbyplane.Itmakesitdifficultforhisbrother,writerDaniel Kemp,tosharehisloveofAustraliawithhim,wherehe’scurrentlyliving.


cover story | theroadtotheparalympics

TheParalympicGameshaspreviouslybeendubbedthe“SecondClassGames”.Indateandbeyond,italwaysseemstotailbehindtheOlympics.Buthavethingsimproved?

KevinLiminsang,areporterforThe Vancouver Observer,thinksnot.Duringthe2010WinterParalympicsinCanada,hewrote:“Paralympicathletesexemplifyathleticism,discipline,talentandskill,yettheydonotreceivethesameamountofpublicinterest,attentionandgloryas‘regular’Olympicathletes.”

Liminsangcontinues:“Theseathletesdeservebetter.Theydeserveanequalamountofmediacoverage,corporatesponsorshipandpublicattention,but,sadly,themediaseemstoactonassumedpublicinterest,anddoesnotadequatelybroadcasttheParalympicGames.”

Aswellasanyso-calleddiscrepancies,thisfeaturewilllookatthecontroversiessurroundingParalympicsport.

The Paralympics: WILL YOU BE WATCHING?

Some of the most awe-inspiring sporting feats and acts of sheer bravery will be on display, but will the world tune in? Carla Caruso reports.

Media coverageThedifferencebetweensupportforOlympicandParalympicssportisobviousinTVland.CommercialTVnetworksNineNetworkandFoxtelholdtherightstobroadcasttheOlympicsinOzthisyear,whilecomparativelythegovernment-fundedABCwillbethenation’sofficialParalympicsbroadcaster.

Still,viewingnumbershavegrowninternationally,judgingbyfiguresfortheBeijing2008ParalympicGames.ThatyearsawthelargestcumulatedTVaudienceintheGames’historytunein.Worldwide,morethan3.8billionpeoplein38monitoredcountrieswatchedthe1800-plushoursbroadcast.

Atthetime,InternationalParalympicCommitteechiefexecutiveXavierGonzalezsaid:“Anaudienceof3.8billionismorethantwicethetotalfortheAthens2004Paralympics.ThesenumbersconfirmthattherehasbeenagreatgrowthininterestfortheParalympicGames.”

AustralianmediacoverageoftheParalympicGames–acrossallplatforms–increasedbymorethan60percentcomparedwithAthens,accordingtoIPCandAPCMedia.

ParalympianequestrianGraceBowmanandswimmerJayDohntataParalympicCorporateChallengeinAdelaideinMay.Photo:JamesElsby.

Funding and sponsorshipTherehasbeencriticisminternationallyofParalympicathletesnotreceivingequalfundingcomparedtoOlympicathletes.

AmericanParalympicathletesTonyIniguez,ScotHollonbeckandJacobHeilveilfiledalawsuitagainsttheUnitedStatesOlympicCommittee,claimingunderfunding.Thecommitteedidnotdenythefundingdiscrepancy,sayingitwasduetoitnotreceivinggovernmentsupportandhavingtorelyontherevenuegeneratedbytheathletes’mediaexposure.ThecasewasappealedtotheSupremeCourt,butnotheard.

Onourhometurf,AustralianSportsCommissionmediamanagerStuartMcLennansays:“TheAustralianGovernmentisasignificantinvestorinParalympicsport,providingfundingforhigh-performanceoutcomesandthebroadcastingofpreviousGamesandtheLondon2012ParalympicGamestoensureallAustraliansareawareofourgreatParalympicathletes.In2011-12,theAustralianSportsCommissionwillprovideover$13milliontotheAPC[AustralianParalympicCommittee],including$3millioninadditionalhigh-performancefunding,theequalhighestamountofallsports.”

RetiredSunshineCoastParalympianswimmerMaraykeJonkersconcedes“it’samazingthesupportnow”comparedtowhenshefirststarted.“Iknowthere’sbeenamassivechangejustinthepastyear.Forthefirsttime,[Paralympic]swimmersactuallygotalittlebitofmoneygiventothemfortraining,whereasinthiscountrypreviously,OlympicandCommonwealthGamesswimmershadbeengettingalotmoremoneyforseveralyears…Itmeansintegrationisstartingtoreallyhappen.”

Butthere’sstillawaytogo,accordingtoJonkers,hence,theneedforher

foundation,SportingDreams,whichassistsathleteswithdisabilitieswithgrantsforcostslikeequipment,trainingandcompetitions.“Thegoalformyfoundationisthatitbecomesobsolete,becausetherewillbegreatfundingopportunitiesandourkidswillbehigh-profileandcompanieswillwanttosponsorParalympicathletesasmuchasOlympians.But,atthemomentwe’renotthere.”

Jonkerssaysuntil“someonelike[Paralympicswimmer]MatthewCowdreyisasfamousasIanThorpe”thingswon’tchange.Personally,shewasonlyabletosecureoneofficialsponsortohelpwithcostsduringherParalympicstint–furnituredesignbusinessErgonomix.“ItwasthefirstactualsponsorIhadinmywholecareer,andthatwasgettingtomythirdParalympics,soitshowshowlongittook.”

AdelaideParalympiancyclistFelicityJohnson,whohasavisionimpairmentandhopestocompeteinBeijing,agreesit’stough.“Ithasbeenverydifficulttogainpersonalsponsorsthusfar,butIamendeavoringtocontinuetoseeksome…WiththenumberoneworldrankingformyeventduringtheParalympicyear,Ireceivesomeassistancebywayofagovernmentgrant.IholdascholarshipwiththeSouthAustralianSportsInstitute,givingmeaccesstofacilitiesandexpertise.”Still,shesays:“PotentialParalympicandParalympicathletesdonotreceiveanywherenearthesamedegreeoffinancialsupport/sponsorshipcomparedwiththeirOlympiccounterparts.”

Classifi cationsTherearesixdisabilitycategoriesfortheParalympicGames:amputee,cerebralpalsy,intellectualdisability,wheelchair,visuallyimpaired,andlesautres(thosewithaphysicaldisabilitywhodonotfallstrictlyunderoneofthefivecategories,suchashavingdwarfism,multiplesclerosisorcongenitallimbdeformities.)Withinthecategories,athletesaredividedaccordingtotheirlevelofimpairment.

linkmagazine 15


cover story | theroadtotheparalympics

Theclassificationsystemhasledtocheatingcontroversieswithathleteswhohaveover-statedtheirdisabilities.AftertheSydney2000Paralympics,aSpanishbasketballerallegedsomemembersofthegoldmedal-winningteamdidnothavetheintellectualdisabilitiestheyclaimed.AnIPCinvestigationconfirmedthisandalsofoundtheincidentwasn’tisolatedtobasketballorSpanishathletes.Allcompsforthosewithintellectualdisabilitiesweresuspended,thoughthebanwasliftedafter2008onceworkhadbeendonetotightencontrols.

Onclassifications,Jonkerssays:“You’regoingtohearathleteswhothinkit’sfairandathleteswhothinkit’sunfair,buthowdoyoupossiblycreateasystemthateverybodyagreeswith?WaybackwhenIwasverylittleandstartedswimming,thereweresomanyclassifications,youwoneverything,becauseyouweretheonlyonein[yourcategory].Butyoureallywanttotrainhard,andifyouwinamedal,knowitmeanssomething.”

Paralympians at the OlympicsInrecenttimes,ParalympicathleteshavesoughtequalopportunitiestocontestattheOlympicGames–theprecedentbeingsetbyKiwiParalympicarcherNeroliFairhall,whocompetedatthe1984SummerOlympicsinLA.

In2008,SouthAfricansprinterOscarPistoriusalsoattemptedtoqualifyfortheSummerOlympics.Thedoubleamputeeraceswithtwocarbonfibreblades,whichsomebelievedanunfairadvantage.TheInternationalAssociationofAthleticsFederationsruledhimineligibletocompete,thoughthiswasoverturnedbytheCourtofArbitrationforSport.Whilehedidn’tmakeaqualifyingtime,he’snowtryingtobecomethefirstamputeeathletetorunintheOlympicsinLondon.

Ontheissue,Jonkerssays:“There’salotofdebateaboutwhetherOscarhasanadvantageordisadvantage,becausehehas

prostheticlegs,butfromthepointofviewoftheParalympicsandtheprofileofathleteswithadisability,Ithinkhowmuchbettercanwegetthandemonstratingyoucanhaveadisability,butstillbeouttherewiththefastestrunnersintheworld?”

Adelaide’sSimonBayneisaT12paraplegicandamemberoftheAustralianParalympicPreparationProgramforpowerlifting,aimingforRio’sGamesin2016.BayneisalsobehindPistorius.“Ireckonthat’sgreat–sockitto‘em!Peoplelike[him]wouldopenpeople’seyesbigtime.Youcansay[athleteswithdisabilities]haveadvantages,butthey’vegotahellofalotofdisadvantagestoo.”

Community perceptionsParalympiansGraceBowmanandJayDohntwerepartofaParalympicCorporateChallengewithSAaccountancyfirm’sKennedyandCoFoundationinAdelaideinMay,raisingfundsforthe2012AustralianParalympicteam.

Bowman,anequestrianwithparaplegia,whohasLondoninhersights,sayswatchingtheParalympicswillhelpbroadenpeople’sminds.“Ifsomebodythinksyoucan’tdoanything,watchsomeonerideahorsewithnoarms…Oneofthebesthorseridersintheworld[Germany’sBettinaEistel]hasnoarms.Sheuseshermouthandtoes…Ifyouthinkyou’vegotittough,youreallyhaven’t.”

Fortheathletesthemselves,theGamescanalsoshiftperceptionsonapersonallevel.Dohnt,aswimmer,sufferedfromtheside-effectsofmeningococcaldiseasewhenhewas13,losingbothhislegsandhisfingersononehand.Hesays:“WhenIgotsick,thatwasprettydevastatingforme.TherewereallthesesportsIfeltIcouldn’tplayanymore…[However]halfwaythroughmystintinhospital,therewasalight-bulbmomentwhenIheardabouttheParalympics.ThatwasthepointIrealisedmylifewasstillgoingtohaveadirection.”Hewentontowinbronzeinthe400mfreestyleinBeijing–notabadeffort.


The Aussie comedian, who was born without a right foot and wears a prosthesis, is gearing up to join Britain’s television commentary team for the Paralympics.

What Paralympic sport are you most looking forward to watching?Wheelchairbasketball.IbecameenamouredbyitlastParalympics,andwatchedeverygametheAussiescompetedin.Theskillslevelsareamazing,andthespeedofthegameisastounding.Thefirsttimesomeonegetsknockedoutoftheirchairyoushiver,theseventeenthtimeyoucheer.

If you were to compete yourself, what sport could you imagine doing?Iplayedalotoftennisinmytime,andevenusedtobeacoach,soIcouldimaginemyselfjoiningthewheelchairtennisteam.Havingsaidthat,whenIsawtheathletesinaction,IrealisedthatIhaveneithertheappropriatetennisnorwheelchairskillstocompete.

Being among a line-up of presenters and reporters at the London Paralympics - half of whom will have a disability - will any topic be taboo?Itseemstomethatthereisaslidingscaleofdisabilities,andyoucanonlyjokeaboutyourowndisabilityonair.Off-air,Ihaveheardthemostoutrageous

andtastelessjokesbypeoplewithdisabilitiesaboutpeoplewithdifferentdisabilities.Buttheyhavetoremainoffair.

How do you think making a joke of your disability during your stand-up routines has helped?Formanyyears,Ididn’ttalkaboutmyfooton-stage,becauseIdidn’twanttobedefinedbyit.ThenIrealisedIcouldownit,jokeaboutitandmoveon.Ihavehadalotofpeoplewithdisabilitiessaytheyfinditempoweringtowatchmetalkaboutmyfoot,andrecentlyfoundoutthatamedicalclinicinDarwinshowmyDVDstopeoplewhohavehadamputations.Apparently,ithelpsthemtohealmentallyandphysically.

What can the public gain from tuning into the Paralympics?Someofthemostinspiring,upliftingandtrulyheroicsportingachievementsyouwilleversee.Andnotbecauseoftheirdisabilities,ordespitethem.Youwillfindyourselflookingpastthedisabilitiesandsimplyseeingeliteathletesachievinggreatthings.

Your fondest memory from the 2008 Summer Paralympics?AChineseswimmerwithnoarmsandlegswhowonsilver,hadthecrowdontheirfeet,andinspiredeveryonewhosawhimwiththewidestsmileIhaveeverseenonahumanbeing.

Q&A with Adam Hills

RetiredParalympianswimmerMaraykeJonkersheadsuptheSportingDreamsfoundation,assistingathleteswithdisabilitieswithfundinggrants.ShecompletedinAthens.Photo:MarionJonkersPhotography.

Adelaide’sSimonBayneisamemberoftheAustralianParalympicPreparationProgramforpowerlifting,aimingforRio.Photo:JamesElsby.


link | accessibletravel

Clockwise from top, left:CheralynridesthemonorailinNottingham.TheLondon

Eyeaglowatnight.ThepairruggedupinGreenwich,London.BenMortonmakesa

newfriendatUniversalStudiosinLA.


The UK capital – the setting for the upcoming Paralympics – was a stop on this Adelaide couple’s recent trip overseas.

ManytravellerswithdisabilitieswilldescendonLondonfortheParalympicGamesfromAugust.ButoneAdelaidecouple,whorecentlyvisitedtheUKcapital,warntoplanwellinadvance.

Arecenttripfortheduo,whobothusewheelchairs,proveda“logisticalnightmare”–thoughitwasanexperiencethey’dhappilyrepeat.

CheralynSmith,32,hascerebralpalsyspasticquadriplegiaandusesawheelchair.BoyfriendBenMorton,26,hascerebralpalsyspastichemiplegia,affectinghimonhisrightside.Hewalksalot,butalsousesapoweredchairwhennecessary.

Thepair’sthree-weekholidayinApril2010–alsoencompassingSingapore,theUSandNewZealand–tooksixmonthsofplanning.

Firstup,Cheralynhadtobookasupportworker–acostlyexercise.Whilecarecostswerecoveredbythegovernment,itmeantCheralyn

hadtopayforasecondperson’sflightsandaccommodation.Thetripwoundupcostingherabout$16,000intotal.“Iwassavingforalongtime–fiveyears–butIalwayswantedtogoformy30th,”Cheralynenthuses.

ThecouplehadtravelagentAndrewGriffithsfromLewisandTurnerTravelAssociates,NorthAdelaide,helpplanthetrip.“Igavehimachallenge,”Cheralynsayswithasmile.“Ihadtogivehimmywheelchairmeasurements,sohecouldfindoutaboutthingslikethewidthofhoteldoorframesandthefacilities.Therewerealotofemailsbackandforth.He’drequestimagesandhe’dshowmeandask:‘Willthiswork?’Hishelpwasinvaluable–heactuallycared.”

Oncetheholidaystartdatearrived,navigatingtheairportsprovedthenextadventure.“Ihavetohaveasuitcaseformywheelchairparts,butthatcouldn’tbecheckedinbeforemywheelchair,”Cheralynsays.“Then,onceIwastransferredintoatransitwheelchair,mycarercouldn’tleaveme,becausetherewasapossibilityIwouldfallout!”

London calling


OnceinLondon,thebesthotel,accordingtoCheralyn,wasinHeathrow.“Thehotelhadanautomaticopeningdoor,whichmeantIcouldleavetheroombymyself.Thebathroomalsohadasimilardoor.”

Gettingaroundthecityprovedinteresting.London’sdouble-deckerbuseswereaccessible,butCheralynsayseachonlyhaveonewheelchairspot.“Beingoutallday,Benneededtohavehiswheelchairwithhim,sohealwayshadtofollowmeonanotherbus10minuteslater.”

OfLondoncabs,“squishyistheword”,accordingtoCheralyn.“Ihadtotravelinthemsideways,ratherthanbackwards.”

BothBenandCheralynusedGlideSeries4electricwheelchairswhileaway,whichtheyfoundgoodfortravelling.“We’reluckywehadfoldablechairs,”Cheralynenthuses,“becausetheamountofplaceswegotBen’schairinwasunbelievable.”

Still,bytheendofit,shesays,“Iwasinsomuchpain,becausethechairwasn’twideenough.ButbecauseIwantedtogooverseas,thereweresomethingsIwouldputupwith.”

Oneday,thepairchosetotraveltheTube–London’sundergroundrailwaysystem–withoutCheralyn’scarer;notaneasytask.Theyhadtoplantheirstopstocoincidewiththelocationofthelifts.Cheralynsays:“Ifwedidn’thaveourfoldablewheelchairDecpacrampwithus,wewouldn’thavebeenabletogeton.”

AftertheParalympics,Cheralynpredicts:“Londonshouldbebetterforit[tourism-wise],becausethey’llknowwhatpeoplewithdisabilitiesneed.”

Travel tips

• Bensays:“Makesuretoorganiseyourtransport,includingtransferstoandfromtheairport.Forthis,wehadtohireaprivatevan.Also,findoutaboutthepublictransportandmakesureyoucanuseit.”

• “Bereadyforanythingtogowrong,”Cheralynsays,“thoughknowthere’susuallyawayoffixingit.Ben’swheelchairfootplatewasbentwhenIaccidentallyreversedonit.WewenttothehotelmaintenancedepartmentinSingaporeandhadaninterpretertelltheengineerwhatneededdoing.Wehaditfixedandbackinhalfanhour!”

• Bensays:“Haveagoodtravelagentandgetthemtoproperlycheckoutyouraccommodation.Plus,makesureyoucancontactthemwhenoverseasifanythinggoeswrong.”

• Cheralynsays:“Therearegoingtobepassers-bywhowillaskifyouneedhelpwhentravelling.Thebestthingtosayis‘yesplease’.You’llgetwhereyouneedtogoquicker.”

• Nexttime,Cheralynalsoreckonsshe’llinvestinasuitcasewithfourwheelsthatpivot.“Soitcanattachtomeandthesuitcasewillliterallyjustfollow.Ihadonewithtwowheelsanditbroke.I’dalsogetamorelightweightsuitcase.Minebyitselfweighed7kg.And,putextrastuffinthesuitcasewithyourwheelchairparts,astheairlineswon’tweightthis,andso,can’tchargeyouforexcessbaggage.”

• Cheralynalsoadvises:“Knowhowyourwheelchairgoestogetherandcomesapart.Theairportstaffwilltakeitapartforyou,buttheywon’tputitbacktogether.”

• OnAirNewZealand,CheralynwasabletouseanEagle2lifttogettoherplaneseat,whichshefoundhandy,butsays“onlycertainplaceshaveit”.Usingasling,thestaffemploytheEagle2tonegotiatetheaircraftaisle,straddletheaircraftseatandloweratravellerintotheirseat.

• “Ifyou’regoingtogoonatripinawheelchair,”Cheralynadvises,“you’vegottohaveagoodcarerwho’sgoingtoknowwhattodoifyoucomeintoproblems.Halfthetime,youjustenduplaughingaboutthings.”

• Cheralynalsoadvises:“DoaGooglesearchonlifters.Youcanhirethemforyourhoteltogetyouinandoutofbedorforthetoilet.”

• “WealsousedBen’swheelchairasatrolleysometimes,sowecouldgettoplacesquicker,”Cheralynsays.“WehadatotaloffourbagsasItravelwithalotofsheepskinsandpillows.Sowejusttookthearmrestsoffhischairandputtheluggageon.It’sthinkingoutsidethebox.”

• “Gettravelmoneycardstoo,”Cheralynadvises.“Travelchequesarenogoodtome,becauseIcan’tsignthesamewayeachtime.”

link | accessibletravel


opinion | kellyvincent

OnApril4,IintroducedaBilltoParliamenttoamendtheDisability Services Act 1993.FollowingthereleaseofMonsignorCappo’sStrong Voicesreport,wewereassuredthatamendmentstothisoutdatedActwereimminent.

However,sixmonthson,bothmypartyandthedisabilitysectorhavegrowntiredoftheplacatoryremarksandpatronisingpostponements.So,IdecidedtoactandintroducetheDisability Services (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2012.

Mybillproposesthreeseparateyetinterrelatedmatterstohelplessenthefrequencyandseverityofsuchhumanrightsabusesagainstpeoplewithdisabilities.ThefirstaspectisoutlinedinPart3ofthisbillwiththeappointmentofadisabilityservicescommissioner,whichisalreadywrittenintolegislationinWesternAustralia,theACTandVictoria;withVictoriabeingthestateuponwhichmuchofthisbillisbased.

Thecommissioner’sroleistosetandoverseecompliancetostandardsandguidelinesfordisabilityservicesprovision.Thecommissionermaydothisbycarryingouttheprescribedfunctionsasdetailedinthebill.Bymaintainingworkingrelationshipswithconsumersandtheadvocacybodies,aswellasothers,thedisabilityservicescommissionerwouldbeadequatelyconnectedandinformedtoperformtheirprimaryfunctionofmaking

recommendationsregardingdisabilityservices.

Thatfunction,Ithink,isreallytheaxisofthiswholebill.Yousee,itisallverywellandgoodforthegovernmenttotalkendlesslyabouttheneedforanewhumanrights-basedframeworkforthedisabilitysector–Ithinkwecanallagreeonthatneed–butthefactisthatwithoutsomeonewhosespecificroleitistoaidthegovernmentinimplementinggenuinestandardswhichthedisabilitycommunityhasarighttoexpectandtheadequateresourcesandnetworkstoaidandinformthiswork,Isimplydonotseehowthiscanbesuccessfullydone.

SomeotherproposedfunctionsofthecommissionerofwhichI’dmakespecificmention:toreceive,assess,investigateandresolvecomplaintsrelatingtodisabilityservices;and,ifappropriate,toconciliatewhereacomplainthasbeenmadeinrelationtothoseservices.

ThisfunctionoftheproposedcommissionerissovitalsimplybecauseIknowfromthesheervolumeofcorrespondencewhichmyofficereceivesfromconstituentsconcernedaboutadisability-relatedservice,whichtheyoralovedoneisreceiving,thatpeoplearecurrentlyconfusedaboutwheretogotomakesuchacomplaintandtheyareunsureoftheirrightsshouldtheychoosetomakeone.Manyreportthattheyareafraidthattheirserviceswillbecutiftheydo

complain.Acommissionerhelpsremovethisfear,andprovidesaccountability.

Thisoutlinesonlythefirstmeasure,soIurgeyoutocontactmyofficetolearnmoreabouttherestofthebill.Iamveryhappytoemailoutorposthardcopiesofboththebillandmy53-minutespeechintroducingit.Forfurtherinformationonthisoranyofmyotherwork,[email protected](08)82379543.

Calling for changeSA’s Dignity for Disability MLC Kelly Vincent has introduced a bill to help lessen human rights abuses against people with disabilities.


Tim Lince investigates how well the disability community is being represented in the world of gaming.

Videogameshaveevolvedatarapidspeedoverthedecades,andhavecomealongwayfromthedaysofpixellatedaliensandawhitedotbouncingofftwowhitelines.Asgamesincreasinglygrowinpopularity–overtakingthefilmindustryinannualrevenueworldwideandstillrising–we’reseeingalotmorediversityingames,andespeciallyinthecharacters.Sowhyhasdisabilitybarelyhadalook-inwithallthisincreaseddiversity?

Andwithmoreactivetechnology,suchastheWiiandXboxKinect,becomingthenormfortheimpendingnewgenerationofgamingconsoles,there’sariskthatthere’llbenoplacefordisabledgamecharactersinthefuture.Oristhere?

“Astimepasses,big-budgettitleswillfeaturemoreandmorecinematicdevices,”saysvideogameanalystBrianBors,whorunsgame-accessibility.com.“Disabledcharacterswillfeatureduringin-betweenstorylinesandFMVs[full-motionvideos]asmuchastheyarefeaturedinmovies,butnotduringactualgameplay.”

“ControllingorfightingagainstdisabledcharactersbringswithitsomeproblemsthatIbelievewill

alwaysbeabarrier.SoIthinkvideogameswillhavemoredisabledcharactersinthefuture,butneverasmanyasmoviesintermsofrelativescreentime.”

Helistedanumberofplayablevideogamecharactersthathavesomeformofphysicaldisability,includingthecharacter,Munch,fromtheOddworldseries,whoiswheelchair-bound,RevolverOcelotfromtheMetal Gear Solidseries,whoonlyhasonehand,andAltairfromtheAssassin’s Creedseries,whoremovesafingertoconcealahiddenblade.

Otherlesser-knowncharacterswithdisabilitiesincludeIllidanfromWarcraft 3,whoisblind,DianafromSakura Wars,HarmonSmithfrom

Killer7andBentleyfromSly 3,whoareallinwheelchairs.

“Somepeoplewouldprefernottoberemindedabouttheirhandicapconstantlywhileplayingagame,whilstsomepeoplewouldpreferarolemodeltheycanrelateto,”Borsadds.

Hespeculatestherearethreemainreasonswhyhebelievesthere’salackofdisabilityrepresentationinvideogames.“Firstly,havingadisabledcontrollablecharactermightlimittheamountofactionsaplayercando,”Borssays.“Forexample,acharacterinawheelchaircan’tjump,duckbehindcoverorgetinandoutofcarsinatimelymanner(unlessit’sacartoonygame).Forsomegenres,thisisn’t

Why do video games lack role

models with disabilities?

gaming | timlince


aproblem,butthisseverelylimitsthechoiceofmaincharactersforseveralgenres.”

“Secondly,mostgameenginescreatecharactersandtheiranimationsdynamically.Havingadisabledcharactermightmeanextendingthisdynamicsystemtomakewayforvariantwalkinganimations,blindpeoplewalkingwithastickordog,etc.TheAI[artificialintelligence]probablyalsoneedstobeadjustedforthedisabledcharacter.Again,notallgenreshavethisproblem.

“Finally,thetargetaudienceformostvideogamesremainsyoungadults.Gamecharactersareusuallysexyandpowerful.Youcancreateasexyandpowerfulvideogamecharacterwithadisability,butmostgamedesignerswon’tbothertotry.Thoughthiswillbecomelessofaproblemasthetargetaudienceofvideogamesshiftstoamorematureaudience.”

WhileBorslivesinhopethatthingswillimproveovertime,headmitsthattheoutcryaboutthelackofgamingrolemodelswithdisabilitieswillonlygrowlouderoncemorepeoplewithdisabilitiesareabletoactuallyplaygames.“Ofcourse,Iwouldlovetoseemoredisabledheroesandrolemodelsingames,butlessdisabledpeopleplaygamescomparedtothemwatchingmovies.Althoughmoviesoftenmisssubtitlesandaudiodescriptionforthedeafandblindrespectively,moviesareingeneralmoreaccessibletodisabledcommunitiesthangames.Ifgameswerebetteraccessible,moredisabledplayerswouldsurfaceandmaybetheoutcryfordisabledcharacterswouldfollow.”

A double spotlight

Afterextensiveresearch,onlytwogamesinhistoryseemtohavehadamaincharacterwithadisabilityandastorydirectlyaboutthat–Captain NovolinontheSuperNintendoandKatawa ShoujoonPC.

Captain Novolinwasreleasedin1992andfeaturedamaincharacter,whohadtype1diabetes,fighting“alieninvaders”intheshapeofjunkfood.ThegamewassponsoredbyNovoNordisk,thepopularinsulinbrand,andresearchfounditwassuccessfulinteachingpeopleaboutdiabetes.

Fromastudyinthebook,Interactive Technology and the New Paradigm for Healthcare,researcherRichardSatavasaidthatwhenheasked23childrenwithdiabetesaboutwhateducationalmaterialsthey’dliketoteachpeopleaboutthedisease,22saidthey’dprefereducationfromavideogame.

Thejournalalsonoted“allparentsapprovedofthegameandappreciateditspotentialtohelpthemdiscussdiabeteswiththeirchildren”.

Thesecondgame,Katawa Shoujo,wasreleasedforfreeearlierthisyearandisavisualnovel-stylegamebasedinaschoolforchildrenwithdisabilities.Itfeaturesfiveprominentmaincharacters,allwithaunique

Photos (L–R):AnimagefromKatawaShoujo,showingfiveofthecharacters–

includingadoubleamputeeandagirlwithseverefacialscars.Renownedgaming

bloggerandquadriplegicRuthchosetobeinawheelchairinthegameSecond

Life–theonlymajoronlinegamethatallowsyoutobeaplayablewheelchair

character.Thisisheroutsideacommunityinthegameforpeoplewithdisabilities.

OtherscreenshotsarefromCaptain Novolin,showinghoweducationalitisand

thepotentialforothergamestoalsobeusedassuchatool.

Why do video games lack role

models with disabilities?


Call anyone, anytıme

Internet relay calls are ideal if you are deaf or can’t hear well and have diffi culty using your voice.

To make a call, all you need is an internet connection – through a computer or mobile phone. You can even do it via instant messaging.

So now, you can easily communicate with anyone, 24 hours a day, even when you’re on the move.

To fi nd out how to make a call, go to www.relayservice.com.au

a phone solution for people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment

Mobility Ad-2.indd 1 26/9/07 12:38:29 PM

writershadtokeepthatinmind.Anotherbigdifficultywasresolvingthecommunicationbetweendeafandhearingcharacters,andrepresentingsignlanguageingame,”AuraexplainedtoLink.

Keepingarealisticedgetothegamewasimportant,Auraadded,andtheyactuallyhadamedicalprofessionalon-staff“forfact-checkingandextensiveresearch”ontopicscoveredinthegame.Theattentiontodetailpaidoffthough.“Thefeedbackhasbeengenerallyverypositive,evensurprisinglyso,”hecommented.“Manyoftheplayersseemtoconnectwellwiththecharactersandenjoythestories.Manyofourdisabledgamersspecificallymentionedtheirconditions,andwantedtocommentonthegamefromtheirpersonalangle.”

Generally,Katawa Shoujohasreceivedpositivefeedbackfrombothgamersandcritics,especiallyinagenre,whichisoftennottakenveryseriouslybythemassmarket(Japanese-stylevisualnovelstendtofeature18+scenesonoccasion,whichKatawa Shoujocontainsoptionally).

However,boththisandCaptain Novolin–plustherareoccasionofplayablecharacterswithdisabilities,likeMunchfromOddworldandRevolverOcelotfromMetal Gear Solid–arestillaneedleinanever-growinghaystack.

Auraagreesrepresentationofdisabilitiesisrare,butsaysit’s“alwaystricky”togetitrightwithoutreceivingnegativefeedback.“ThereareveryfewgamesthatconcentrateondisabilitiesforthesamereasontherearefewmoviesorTVshowsthatconcentrateondisabilities.ThefactthatKatawa Shoujoisspecialspeaksofthestateofthingsmorethanthegameitself.”

CaptainNovolinis tricky to track down, but the odd copy can be found on eBay Australia. KatawaShoujocan be downloaded for free at katawa-shoujo.com or read reviews and guides at gamefaqs.com.

“You can create a sexy and powerful video game character with a disability.”

disability:Hisaosuffersfromcardiacdysrhythmia,Emihasprostheticlegs,Hanakohassevereburnscars,Lillyisblind,Shizuneisdeaf,andRinhadbotharmsamputatedbecauseofabirthdefect.Thegamecameaboutfromdiscussionsonamessageboardandagroupofgamesdevelopersworkedtogetherfornearlyfiveyearstocompletethetitle.

Developer‘Aura’saidthedisabilityangleofthegamewasa“greathook”togettalentedpeopleinterestedinworkingonthegame,butprovedquiteachallengewhendevelopmentkickedoff.“Allofthedisabledcharactershadtheirownlittlechallengesforthewriterstoovercome.Forinstance,alargepartofhumanbodylanguageisinhands,sowritingRin[thedouble-armamputee]requiredinventingabodylanguageofherown,andthe

gaming | timlince


Call anyone, anytıme

Internet relay calls are ideal if you are deaf or can’t hear well and have diffi culty using your voice.

To make a call, all you need is an internet connection – through a computer or mobile phone. You can even do it via instant messaging.

So now, you can easily communicate with anyone, 24 hours a day, even when you’re on the move.

To fi nd out how to make a call, go to www.relayservice.com.au

a phone solution for people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment

Mobility Ad-2.indd 1 26/9/07 12:38:29 PM


opinion | kenbaker

Beyondtheurgentcallformoreservices,thecatchphrasethatbestsumsupthecurrentaspirationofthedisabilityreformmovementis“choiceandcontrol”.MostjurisdictionsinAustraliaaremovinginadirectionconsistentwiththisaspiration.

TheNationalDisabilityAgreementcommitsallstatesandterritoriesandtheCommonwealthtoanindividualisedapproachtoserviceplanning,fundinganddelivery.Victoriahasgoneafairwaydownthispath.WesternAustraliaisalsowell-advancedandhasrecentlyannounceditsintentiontofurtherexpandoptionsforconsumers.FromJuly1thisyear,SouthAustraliawillofferindividualisedfunding(directpayments)topeoplewithdisabilitywhohavebeenassessedaseligibleforsixhoursormoresupportaweek.Theywillchoosehowtheirallocatedmoneyismanagedandselecttheservices

thatsuitthembest.InNewSouthWales,fromJuly2014,anyonereceivingdisabilityserviceswillhavetheoptionofusinganindividualisedandportablefundingarrangement.

TheproposedNationalDisabilityInsuranceScheme(NDIS)willacceleratethetrendtowards“choiceandcontrol”.InApril,theCouncilofAustralianGovernmentsreleasedtheprinciplesthatwillguidethedesignanddevelopmentoftheNDIS.ItconfirmedthatundertheNDIS“peoplewithdisabilitywillbeabletoexercisemorechoiceandcontrolintheirlives,throughaperson-centred,self-directedapproachtoservicedeliverywithindividualisedfunding”.

Thechallengeahead–anditisasignificantchallenge–istotranslatetheprincipleof“choiceandcontrol”intoworkablepolicyandpractice.WhiletheNDISheraldsfundamentalchange,itsdesignersshouldlearn

fromexperience.Victoriaisagoodplacetostart.

Victoriahasbeenmovingdownthepathtoindividualisedfundingsincethe1990s.In2008,itcombinedseveralprogramstocreateIndividualSupportPackages(ISPs),andin2010,madeallfundingfordayservicesindividuallyattached.Accommodationsupporthasyettobeindividualised.

TheVictorianAuditor-Generalrecentlyreviewedtheeffectivenessofindividualisedfunding,asadministeredbytheDepartmentofHumanServices(DHS).Thefindingshighlightboththeopportunitiesandtherisksofthisapproachandhavelessonsforotherstates,aswellasfortheNDIS.

ItisclearfromtheAuditor-General’sreportthatoverallISPsareapositivedevelopment:“ISPsgivepeoplewithdisabilitiesgreaterchoiceandcontrolintheirlives,allowingthemtoachieve

In establishing the NDIS, careful measures need to be taken, writes National Disability

Services chief executive Ken Baker.

With choice and control come opportunity and risk

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dailytasksmoreeasily,improvebasiclifeskillsandliveindependently.”

However,theAuditor-GeneralalsofoundthatapplyingforindividualisedfundinginVictoriaistime-consuming,complexandrequiressignificantadministration.Morethan80percentofserviceprovidersalsoreportedincreasedorganisationalcostsassociatedwithISPs.

Individualisedfundingcreatesaquasi-market.Peoplewithdisabilityareallocatedfundsandeffectivelyexercisepurchasingpower.Theservicesectorrespondsbychangingtheirproductstomeetpeople’spreferences.

Whilepraisingthismarket-orientedapproach,theAuditor-Generalalsoalertsustotherisks.Choiceinamarketistwo-wayandsomeserviceprovidersmaymakebusinessdecisionsnottotakeonclients

whohavecomplexneeds,displaychallengingbehavioursorinotherwaysrequireintensivesupport.

InestablishingtheNDIS,itwillbeimportanttoensurethattherearesufficientserviceprovidersandthatservicefundingreflectsthefullcostofsupport.

Thereisanimportantdebatetobehadabouttherightbalancebetweenchoiceandsafeguards.InVictoria,consumerscanuseISPstopurchaseservicesfromorganisations,whichare“non-registered”andhavenoserviceagreementwithDHS.Inthesecases,theusualprotectionsdon’tapply.AstheAuditor-Generalnotes,thepotentialriskisgreatestforthemostvulnerableconsumers.Inaddition,organisationsthatavoidthecostofcompliancewiththeDisability

ServiceStandardshaveanunfairfinancialadvantage.TheAuditor-GeneralalsoexpressesaconcernaboutfraudulentuseofISPs.

TheAuditor-Generalrecommendsincreasedinvestmentbygovernmentinactivitiestosupportthedisabilitysector’sadaptationtoindividualisedfunding.InVictoria,asinotherstates,ISPs,ortheirequivalent,arebeingimplementedinanenvironmentofscarcefunding.Forindividualisedfundingtoworkwell,fundingneedstoexpandsubstantially.

Theexpansionofchoiceandcontrolisatrendweshouldwelcome,butnotuncritically.Toworkwell,itneedstobewell-designed,properlyfundedandadequatelysupportedbyadministrativesystems,training,riskmanagementandsectordevelopment.st

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disability enterprise | aspitech

Newregulationsfore-waste–orelectronicwaste–undertheNationalTelevisionandComputerRecyclingSchemewillbeintroducedfromJuly1,2012.ThesewillallowconsumersofTVsandcomputerstodisposeoftheiroldequipmentforfreeatregistered,drop-offfacilities.

However,thisnewscheme,fundedexclusivelybythetelevisionandcomputerindustries,mayjeopardisetheviabilityofsomeAustralianDisabilityEnterprises(ADEs),whichemploypeoplewithdisability,aslargecommercialinterestsjostletodominatethegrowinge-wastesector.

Withtighterregulationsande-wasterecyclingtargetstoincreasefrom17to80percentin2021,thee-wastebusinessissettoboom,whichhasattractedtheattentionofcommercialorganisations.

OnesuchADE–AspitechinSouthAustralia–hasbeensuccessfullyprovidinge-wasteservicessince2008andisalsoleadingthewayinenvironmentalsustainability

byre-usingandrefurbishingcomputersandcomputerperipherals.Aspitechprovidesfurtherbenefitstothecommunity,studentsandlow-incomeearnerswiththesupplyofviable,low-cost,refurbishedcomputerspulledoutofthewastestream.

Despitefouryearsofoperationandademonstratedcommitmenttohighstandardsine-wastemanagement,Aspitechisfightingacostly,competitivebattletoobtainacontractwithoneoftheNationalTelevisionandComputerRecyclingScheme’sapprovedco-regulatoryarrangements.

Aspitechsupportsthenationale-wasteschemeasitisagiantleapforwardinpushingforazerowastesocietyandconsumerscanrecyclerightwithnoaddedcosts.

However,businessservicesmanagerAndrewWallacesays:“Wearedoingeverythingrequiredtocomplywiththestandardsandwearereadynow–suchadelayinsigningupwithaco-regulatory

New national e-waste scheme may threaten employment for people with disability

linkmagazine 29

arrangementwillresultinasignificantlossofbusiness.Ifweareforcedtowaitforareviewinsixmonths,ourexistingcustomerswillnaturallygotoourcommercialcompetitorsastheywillbeabletoofferafreeservice.Lossofincomeandcustomerbaseisdetrimentalforanybusiness,letaloneanot-for-profit.Furthermore,ourchancesofsuccessfullyattainingthesecontractsinsixmonths’timewouldbesignificantlyaffected.”

Wallacecontinues:“Theamountofe-wasteisgrowingexponentiallyeveryyear–morethananyothertypeofwaste–anditismorethan90percentrecyclable.Sowhyharmtheenvironmentandpeople’shealthinaresource-dependentcivilisation?TheNationalTelevisionandComputerRecyclingSchemehasthepotentialtobealeadingefficientsystemtodiverte-wasteawayfromlandfill.However,inahighlycompetitivecommercialindustry,ADEsneedstrongsupportfromlocal,stateandfederalgovernmentsaswellasfairconsiderationfromtheco-regulatoryarrangementstostayinoperationandtocontinuetoprovideemploymentopportunitiesforpeoplewithdisability.”

Aspitech is part of SA Group Enterprises – a not-for-profi t organisation, which provides employment for people with disability across fi ve enterprises, including being a publisher of Link Disability Magazine. aspitech.com.au

Aspitechoffersaresponsiblewaytobuyanewcomputerandmanageredundanttechnologyforabetterenvironmentalchoice.Productsandservicesinclude:

Convenientandresponsiblee-wastemanagementservices

Securedataerasureandequipmentdecommissioningservices

Thebestpricesonnewcomputers,laptops,wirelessinternetandprinters

Low-costcommunitycomputers

Microsoft,MacOSX,LinuxandFOSSsupport,and

Acompleterangeofcomputermaintenance,repairandupgradeservices.

Discounts on the above services are available for low-income earners, people with disability, pensioners or community groups.

What Aspitech offers

Above:DavidSzpunar,right,getsstuckintoe-wasterecycling.Left:BusinessservicesmanagerAndrewWallaceandITmanagerChrisCichonatAspitech.Photos:JamesElsby.

fiction | vickikay

Thelittlevelveteenrabbitstaredoutacrossthefield,watchingalltheothertoyrabbitsplayfullyjumpingaboutinthelateafternoonsunshine.

Shedidn’tknowwhy,butshecouldn’tbringherselftojointhem.Theyallseemedsohappy,whilesheherselfwasnot.

Shecouldn’tevenexplainwhyshefeltsad.Therewassomuchinherlifethatshehadtobegratefulfor,yetthisinexplicablesadnessenvelopedherinherownlittlebubbleofgloom.Neverhadshefeltmorealoneorlostasshedidatthatmoment.

Shesighedandwatchedthesunbegintosinkbehindthehorizon,leavinganarrayofbrilliantcoloursintheskyabove.Itwassobeautiful,likeaglimpseofHeavenitself,yetthevelveteenrabbitdidn’tfeelworthyofwatchingitbecauseshefeltsouglyinside.

“Whatiswrong,sweetVelvet?”

Thevelveteenrabbitjumpedwhenherfriend,theSkinHorse,spoke–lostinherthoughtsshehadn’theardhimapproach.“Nothing,”sheshookherhead,asilenttearfallingdownhercheek.

“Itisabeautifulsunset,isitnot?”theSkinHorsereplied,knowingsomethingseriouswasbotheringthelittlebunny

thatsatbeforehim.

“Yes,itis…beautiful.”

“Thenwhyareyousosad,sweetVelvet?”

“Idon’tknow,”sheexclaimedasasuddenfloodgateofwordsopenedinsideofher.“Itrytobehappyandcarefreeliketheother

bunnies,butIcan’t.Ican’tenjoyplayinginthesunshine.Ican’tenjoy

watchingthesunset.Ijustcan’tseemtoenjoyanythinganymore.”

“Whydoyouthinkthatis?”theSkinHorsecoaxedhereversogently.“Whatmakesyoufeelthatway?”

“Because.”TearsnowcascadeddownVelvet’sface.“I’mnotworthyofallthesegoodthingsthatareintheworld.”


This fi ction piece is writer Vicki Kay’s own unique slant on the original Velveteen Rabbit children’s story, intertwined with a message about depression.

Velvet the sad, little rabbit


“Oh,Velvet,whatevermakesyouthinkthat?”

“BecauseI’mso…ugly.”

“Howwrongyouare.Whywithyourhoney-colouredcoatassmoothasvelvet,youareoneofthemoststunningrabbitsIhaveeverseen,”theSkinHorseassuredher.

“Butwhataboutmymissingeye?Thestitchinginmysidethathascomeundonewherethestuffingpokesthrough?Thepatch,wheremyvelveteenfurhaswornaway?Andthat’sjustontheoutside.Inside,Ifeelevenuglier.”

“Yesyouhavesomethingsthatpeoplewouldseeasflaws,butthatIseeashavinglived.Yourchild[owner]adoresyou.Shehasdraggedyoueverywherewithherformanyyearsnow.Yourfurhaswornwheresheholdsyou.Ifshedidn’tloveyou,shewouldn’tplaywithyou.Andwhileyouwouldlookjustlikenew,youwouldhavemissedoutonsomuchlove.”

“Ihadn’tthoughtofitthatway,”Velvetadmitted.“Ilovethatshelovesme.Ithasalwaysmademefeelsospecial.SowhydoIfeelsouglyinside?”

“Letmeguess,youfeellikeyouareallalone,evenwhenyouarenot?Youtrytothinkhappythoughts,butallyoufeelisemptyinside?Andthenyoustarttohateyourselfbecauseyoufeellikesomethingishorriblywrongwithyou?”

“Howdidyouknow?”Velvetsatupstraighter,prickingupherfloppyears.“Isitthatobvious?”

“Tome,itisobviousforIhavebeentheremyself.”

“Youthoughtyouwereugly?”Velvetexclaimed.“Butyouarebeautiful,kind,gentleandloving.”

“Itwasn’tmethatwasuglyandnorisityouwhoisuglyinsideorout.Itisanillnesswehavethatmakesusfeelself-loathinginside,”theSkinHorseexplained.“It’scalleddepression.”

“Soit’snotmethatisugly?”Velvetaskedexcitedly.“It’sthisdepressionthinginstead?”

“No,depressionitselfisnotuglyeither,”theSkinHorsereplied.“Itcanhelpyoutogrow,tobecomestrongerthanyoueverthoughtpossible.Itmayseemliketheendoftheworldnow,but,intime,youwillseethatyouareabetterbunnyforhavingsurvivedit.”

Withthat,theSkinHorsemotionedtotheotherbunnies,whoallstoppedtheirgamesandclamouredovertowhereheandVelvetsat.“Bunnies,Iwouldlikeyoutomeetmyfriend,Velvet,here.Shesuffersfromdepression.”

Instantly,thebunniescrowdedcloserandallbegantotalkatonce.“Whydidn’tyousayso?”“Wethoughtyoudidn’tlikeusandourgames.”“Ifonlywe’dknown.”“Ihaveittoo.”“Letushelpyou.”

Velvetfeltoverwhelmedandanothertearsliddownhercheek.Notonlydidtherabbitsunderstand,butsomehadbeentherethemselvesandwantedtohelpher.

“Oh,SkinHorse,Idon’tknowquitewhattosay.”Velvetwept.“HowcanIeverrepayyouforyourkindnessinhelpingme?IneverevenknewtherewasanameforhowIfelt.IthoughtIwastheonlyoneandnowIfindoutthatI’mnotaloneafterall.”

“Gowithyournewfriends,Velvet.Theywillhelpyoutoheal,butneverforgetwhereyouhavebeenanddon’tbeashamedintalkingaboutit.Themorewetalkaboutit,themoreotherswillunderstandanditwillstopbeingsougly.”

Theotherrabbitsallsing-songedtherestoftheSkinHorse’ssentencealongwithhim.“Becauseitcanonlybeuglytothosewhodon’tunderstandit.”

TheSkinHorsenodded,andtakingVelvet’spaw,thebunniesalljumpedoffintothesunsettogether.


lifestyle | brucemumford

AsmyMultipleSclerosishasdevelopedovertheyears,mytravelhorizonshavenecessarilynarrowed.Luckily,wegotourbigEuropeantrekinwhileIstillcould(sortof).Sincethenwe’vetravelledclosertohome:firstNewZealand,thenTasmania,thenVictoria,thenjustdowntheroadtotheNSWSouthCoast.

DuetomyMS“progressing”quiteabitquickerrecently,Ihavedecidedtore-namemyarticles“travelsaboutmyhouseandgarden”-andIhavefoundthemtobejustaschallengingandchaoticasmyformeradventures!

OnarecentSunday,aseriesofunmentionabledisasterspreventedmefromscooteringdowntothepub,despiteanall-too-rarebreakintheweather.ButIdecidedtogetoutofthehouseanywayandperambulatethepaddocksonmyelectricwheelchair.

Thoughtheskymayhavebeendarkening,Irefusedtobeintimidatedanylongerbytheelementsandwheeledoff,perhapsalittletoofarintothewoods.Afewdropsstartedtofall,soItookshelterunderaveryeffectiveUmbrellaTree(probablynotitsbotanicalname,butcertainlyitsearlyeffect),whichkeptmecompletelydry,untilthedropsbegangettingmuchbiggerandmuchmorefrequent.

Ibackedinclosertothetrunk,butgotentangledinthebranchesandleaves,whichthenbecamechannelsforgreatstreamsofwater,whichsoakedmetothebonebeforeIhadevengoneoutintotherain.

Ifumbledformyemergencyponcho,whichIalwayscarryforjustsuchacrisis,butafterfinallyrippingtheidiotpackagingundone,discoveredamanufacturingflawthathadleftitasonlyasinglesmallsheetofplastic.(PerhapsIshouldstoppickingup“bargains”attheDefectShop).

Sowiththeraingettingmoretorrential,Idecidedtomakeadashforhome,withthesheetofplasticovermyalreadydrippingheadonlymanagingtoobscuremostofmyvision.

A cautionary tale

Bruce Mumford finds he doesn’t have to travel far and wide for an adventure.


Ispiedmywayblocked,however,byabranchfallenacrossthetrack,soItriedtoturnandgobackthewayIhadcome.Thisgotmecaughtinthelonggrassoffthesideandmyattemptsatbackingandfillingonlysucceededindiggingmyselfintoverydeepmuddypitsinthealreadydrenchedground.

AsIwasabout300mfromthehouse,anythoughtsofejectingfrommychairandrollingmywayhomewereoutofthequestion.SoIsatsoddenlycontemplatingforabit,untileventuallyIrealisedtherewasreallynooptionbuttocallmywifeonthemobile–onceIhadworkedouthowtounlockthethingunderwater.

Mydearoneeventuallyarrivedandattempted,notentirelycheerily,topushandpullmeoutofmyself-madetrench,buttonoavail–apartfromaninterestingpatternofmudsprayedalloverher.

Ihavetosay,atthispoint,Louisefoundtroubleindealingwiththecrisisinacalmandsoothingmanner.Infact,sheputmost(well,all)oftheblameonme,cryingthingslike:“Whythe#@&^didyoucomeoutherewhenyoucouldseeitwasabouttorain?”

Itriednottobetoomiffedbythiscriticism,rememberingthatdiscretioncanbethebetterpartofavoidingseriousinjury.LouisetrickledbacktothehousetogetsonRohan.Hepulledmeoutinseconds.

Ispedpost-hastebackhome,tryingtoavoidasmanydropsaspossibleandswervingaroundformersmall,dirtydepressionsthathadbynowbecomehuge,muddypools.

Onceinsidethehouse,despiteallmyearliereffortsdrivingatspeedthroughthelong,wetgrassandvigorousscrubbinglater,mywheelsandundercarriagehadbecomemosteffectivepurveyorsofmudaboutthefloorandcarpet,andstillare,asthestuffdriesandflakesofffromunderneath.Isatforsomehoursshiveringinfrontofthefanheater,tryingtodryoffmyselfandmychair.

Louisehasgivenmeasternlectureaboutconsideringtheconsequencesofmylunaticactions.Iacceptthat,butstillhaveasneakingsuspicionthatwithoutthisspiritofadventure,manmayneverhaveemergedfromtheprimevalslime.ThefactthatIalmostslidbackintoitisneitherherenorthere.

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sport | surfing

themoreIwatched,themoreIwasthinking,‘Whytheycansurf?WhycanInot?Whycan’tItry?’Iwasfeelingsojealous,youknow.”

ThefirstobstacleforDeddywaslearninghowtoswim.“Itriedonmyown...IwouldwalkouttothewaterandpaddlewhereIcouldstillstand.”

Notsurprisinglythiscaughttheattentionofthelocalvillagers–andwhenDeddy’sparentsheard,theywerenaturallyworried.“Whenmyparentsfoundout,theytriedtostopmefromgoing,”Deddysays.“Peoplearoundthevillagewouldsaytomyfather,‘Whydon’tyoulookafteryourson?He’sgoingaroundeverydaywithno-onetolookafterhim.’Itmademyfathermadtobetoldthis.Still,everydayIwouldgo.Theywouldgotoworkintherice-fieldandIwouldsneakouttoteachmyselfhowtoswim.”

Deddycontinues,“WhenIwasswimmingokay,Iwouldtrywithtimbertoridethewhitewave.ThenIwouldfindbrokensurfboards,snappedinhalf,andIlearnedtogoacrosskindoflikeaboogieboard.”

WatchingDeddynowashesurfsoversharpreefonfastwaves,it’seasytofeelthesameworryashisparents.Hehasdevelopedatechniqueofpullinghimselfontohissideandusinghistorsotoarchiswayalongthewaveswithgreatsuccess.

DespiteNia’sremotelocation,Deddy’sambitionsbeartruetomanyyoungpeople.“Ihavetofindajob,soIcansavesomemoney.Iwanttolearntobeindependentwithoutmyparents,andIwanttotravel.”James Rynd is a freelance journalist, who splits his time between Sydney, Indonesia and Sweden. While researching this story, James was working with LEAP, an Australian-based non-government organisation, helping remote communities in Indonesia.leapin.org

TheislandofNias,125kmofftheSumatrancoast,isontheveryfringeofIndonesia’sarchipelago.Unknowntomosttravellers,ithasbecomefamoustoAustraliansurfersduetothequalityofitswaves.Niasisadifficultdestination,challengingtotravelto,aswellastolivein.

DeddyDachiis28yearsold.HewasbornnearNias’southerntip.Havingpolioatagethreeaffectedhislegs,sothatwalkingwithoutcrutchesorusingawheelchairisalmostimpossible.Hisupperbodyandarmsarestrong,butbearscarsfromthereefandlife.

Deddysays:“Iwasbornthesecondoldestson.Myparentswerefarmersandworkedallday.Whenmymotherwaspregnant,shewasoutinthefields.Whenshefeltmecoming,shecouldn’tgethomeintimeandgavebirthtomerightthereinthericefield.”

Deddy’schildhoodwasspentintheinsularconfinesofthevillageofBotohilitano.Closebyisanow-famoussurfingreef,LagundriBay.Itsperfectwaveshaveluredsurferssincethelate‘70s.Deddy’sfirstglimpseofthesurferstheresparkedinterest.“ThefirsttimeIsawsurfing,

Indonesian Deddy Dachi hasn’t let a disability deter him from pursuing his love of the waves, writes James Rynd.

Sumatran surfari


opinion | mattdonnelly

People with disability should have the opportunity to have a home and be a member of the community just like everyone else, writes Ability Options’ chief executive Matt Donnelly.

I’msurewe’veallbeenfrustratedatsomepointwithamessyhousemate,aleakingtaporaneighbourwhomowstheirlawnat7amonaSunday.But,attheendoftheday,mostofushavemadeaconsciouschoicetolivewherewedoandwithwhom.

Forasurprisingnumberofotherpeopleinourcommunity,it’snot.Mostpeoplewithdisabilityhaveneverbeenentitledtothisbasichumanright,eventhoughtheUNConventionoftheRightsofPersonswithDisabilitiessaystheyshould.

Inthemid-70s,AbilityOptionswasthefirstorganisationinNSWtosupportpeoplewithdisabilityoutofinstitutionallivingintothecommunity.

Thishappenedaheadofmajorpolicyreforminthe1980s,whentheNSWgovernmentacceptedthefindingsoftheRichmondreportandbegantheprocessof“deinstitutionalising”peoplewithdisabilityfromlargecongregatecarefacilities.

ManyofthesefirstserviceusersarestillwithAbilityOptionstoday.Theydecidewhotheyletintheirhome,whattheywanttocookfordinner,whocanstayoverandwhatactivitiestheydoawayfromthefourwallstheylivein.Theywilltellyouthatlifeismuchbetternow.

However,it’samistaketothinkitisallrosesoutthere.TheAustralianGovernment’s2009Shut Out report1tellsofmanyharrowingstories:awomanwithphysicaldisabilitybeingabusedbytwomalehousemateswithautism;aparentofan18-year-oldladywithhigh-supportneedswhoworriesaboutthelackof

careoptionsforherdaughter;andpeoplewithdisabilitywithterminallyillcarers,waitingfortheirsituationtobedeemeda“priority”.

Studiesshowcommunity-basedlivingoptionsforpeoplewithdisabilitydeliverbetteroutcomes,includingbettersocialnetworks,moreprivacyandindependence,andimprovedqualityoflife.2

Governments,serviceandhousingprovidersneedtobecreativeaboutthemodelsthatdelivertheseoptions,focusingonwhat’sbestfortheindividual—whetheritbesomeonetodropinandprovidesupporttoapersonintheirownhome,havingahousematewhoserentissubsidisedtobethereifneeded,orprovidingtheinitialcapitalforpeopletopurchasetheirownhome.

TheAustralianGovernmentrecentlyannounced$60milliontohelpbuildcommunity-basedaccommodationforadultswithsevereorprofounddisabilitythroughtheSupportedAccommodationInnovationFund(SAIF).TheCompassHousing/AbilityOptions’SAIFpartnershipwillsupportupto20peoplewithdisabilityintheHunterregion.

WemustrememberaccommodationoptionsneedtosupportafuturewherepeoplewithdisabilitygettolivealifewithotherAustralians,notjustmoreofthepastwheretheyhavebeencongregatedandsegregatedfromsociety.

Making a house a homeEnsuring community-based accommodation options for people with disability

1 TheAustralianGovernment(FaHCSIA)(2009)SHUTOUT:TheExperienceofPeoplewithDisabilitiesandtheirFamiliesinAustralia,21-25

2 Emerson,E.,Robertson,J.,Gregory,N.,Kessissoglou,S.,Hatton,C.,Hallam,A.,Knapp,M.,Jarbrink,K.,Netten,A.&Linehan,C.(2000).Thequalityandcostsofcommunity-basedresidentialsupportsandresidentialcampusesforpeoplewithsevereandcomplexdisabilities. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 25(4),263-279.

ChiefexecutiveMattDonnelly,right,withoneofAbilityOptions’firstserviceusers,RonFardell,whoisstillsupportedtoliveindependentlytoday.


different beats | antheaskinner

GillianRankineisaclassicallytrainedfluteplayerandteacher.ShetaughtattheQueenslandConservatoriumandplayedsecondfluteandprincipalpiccolointheQueenslandPopsOrchestra.In1999,Gillianpermanentlydamagedherankle,andin2000,shedevelopedararebowelconditionthatputanendtoherprofessionalperformingcareer.However,herloveformusicremained,andbythinkingoutsidethebox,shehasbeenabletotaketothestageagain.

“Initially,Ididn’tallowthedisabilitytogetinthewayatall,”saysGillian,“IntheorchestraconcertsatQPACConcertHall,I’dwalkonstageoncrutcheswithmyinstruments–whichIhadalreadywarmedupintheorchestraroomdownstairs–intheircasesonmyback.”

“Theflutesinanorchestraareonariser,”sheexplains,“Iwasontheend,soIwouldleteveryoneelsegetup

first,thengetupwiththecrutchesandshovethemunderthechairsandunpackmyinstrumentsonstage.Orchestraetiquetteisthatoncetheorchestramembersareseated,theleaderoftheorchestrastandsandindicatestotheprincipaloboetogivethetuningnote.Thenalltheinstrumentstuneinacertainorder.Theflutesandpiccolotunefirst,soIhadtobeveryquickunpackinginordernottomissthetuningnote!”

PlayingtheflutebecamemoredifficultwhenGilliandevelopedachronicillness.“WhenIdevelopedthebowelcondition,Icouldnotplaymodern-dayfluteataprofessionallevelanylonger.Iwasveryillatthattimeandoweahugedebtofgratitudetomythen12-14yearolddaughterwhowasmycarer.Myfamilyalsohavebeen100percentsupportive.Iwasunabletoresumeanymusicalactivitiesuntilmid-2004.Chronicpain,chronicfatigueandahopelesslydysfunctionalbowelremnantremainthehugestobstacles.”

Gillian’sloveformusicneverwavered.“Intheworldofprofessionalmusicians,Ihaveobservedtwotypes,”sheexplains,“Thereisthekindofmusicianwhoworksinmusicpurelyasajobandwalksoutthenextseasonandrunsacoffeeshop.Thesecondkindisthemusicianwholives,breathes,eatsandsleepsmusic.Ibelongtothesecondcategory.

Flautist Gillian Rankine has rediscovered her love of music after developing disabilities, Anthea Skinner writes.

Top:GillianRankine,wearingherpatellartendon-bearingconcertorthotic,intheparkwithherdog,Tipsy.Below:GillianRankineplayingtenorrecorder.Photos:GusHarvey.

Reconnecting


Ifyoutakeawaythepossibilityofmusic-makingfromthistype,thegrieftheysufferisasacuteasthegriefsufferedinbereavementwhenapersonlosestheirnearestanddearest.Ithasprobablybeenthechiefdrivingfactorforme.Idon’tthinkthatwithoutmusictoreconnectmewithsociety,andmyself,thatIcouldpossiblyhaveemergedfromthelevelofillness/disabilityIexperience.”

Sowhenacarersuggestedshevolunteeratasing-a-longatthePaddingtonDayRespiteCentre,Gillianjumpedatthechance.ShealsobeganplayingrecorderwiththeEarlyMusicSocietyofQueensland,whereafriendsuggestedthattheBaroqueflutemightbeeasiertoplaythanastandardinstrument.Unfortunately,therewerenoBaroqueflutesforsaleinQueensland,andnoonequalifiedtoactasherteacher.Unfazed,GillianorderedaninstrumentfromGermany.Atfirst,shethoughtshewasmadtotakeonthechallenge.“Iwasn’tmad,IwasjustreconnectingwiththepersonIam,”shesays,“Iamtoounwelltotraveltogetlessonsonbaroqueflute,butfolksinthesociety–Catherine

Ph. 08 8241 5086 Mob. 0414 232 040Email. trevor@harrison-consultants.com.auwww.harrison-consultants.com.au

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Harrison Consultants Pty LtdLeaders in access advice since 1988!

Stirling,ShannonScheltemaandMargaretCaley–havehelpedmeenormously.”

Gillian’sadviceforotherpeoplewithdisabilitieswantingtogetinvolvedwithmusicissimple.“Bebold,usetheinternet,listen,beflexible,talktopeople,andaboveallthinkoutsidethebox.”Shegoesontosay,“Ifyoureallyareserious,thenit’sliketheParalympians–along-term,high-disciplinepursuit,whichmaytakeoveryourlife.Evenifitisjustahobby,thinkcarefullyaboutyourdisabilitywhenselectinganinstrument.Voiceisthemostaccessibleformostpeopleandthereareliterallyhundredsandperhapsthousandsofmusical

instrumentsintheworld.AtinwhistlemaybebetterthanaclarinetandaChineseerhubetterthanaviolin.Listentorecordingsandifthesoundofaninstrumentmakesyourantennae‘zing’,thenchancesareyouwillplaythatwell.Theinternetisahugeresourceandmanypeopleachievethebestresultsbeingunconventionalandcreative.”

Tocelebrateher50thbirthday,Gillianheldaconcertinsteadofaparty.Itwasaculminationofmanyyearsofhardwork.“Itwasthefirsttimein10years,Ihadperformedseriousfluterepertoire.Ihadsomuchfun!Forme,musicisessentialsoulfoodandisprofoundlyconnectedwithmyChristianfaith.Musicismybeing.”

GillianRankine,left,onbaroqueflute,MargaretCaleyonbaroqueviolin,andShannonScheltemaonvioladagamba.

Reconnecting


opinion | johnnymackay

Therearemanyaspectstotheworkwedo.Butwhetheritiswriting,ritual,training,supportworkoranyotherinteractionwithindividualsandcommunities,astrengths-basedapproachunderliesitall.Thisincludesnotonlywhatmaybereferredtoasworkingtime,butrestingandplayingtimetoo–life,inallitscapacitiesandcolours.

MyAWENwebsite,awen.moonfruit.com,proudlyboastsamissionstatementwhichreads,inpart:“Our mission is to provide the training environments and resources necessary to educate professionals and students … about the strengths within us.”

A weekly basketball game, run by a human services organisation, has shown

writer Johnny Mackay that self-awareness really is the

greatest strength of all.

THE COURT OF LIFE

“Whathappensoutthereonthecourtcannotbeunderestimated.”

IfyouweretologontotheKansasUniversity’sSchoolofSocialWelfare–StrengthsInstitutewebsite,youwouldfindasimilarmission.ThisisnotbecauseIhavestolentheideasofanotherorganisation.ItisbecausemyvaluesandthedirectionofmyworkwithAWENisparalleledwiththatoftheKansasSchool.

Iwouldn’tthinkitunusualtodiscoverasimilarstatementinanynumberofprogressiveandstrength-basedorganisationsaroundtheworld.Theeducationofhumanservices,afterall,isparamounttoreducingstigma,improvingourunderstandingofthe“real”issues,andbetteringsocialinclusion.Idid,however,have

toaddalittleextrainorderforthestatementtomoretruthfullyreflectmyentirephilosophy.Theadditionalwordingturnsthestatementintosomethinglikethis:“Our mission is to provide the training environments and resources necessary to educate professionals and students and service consumers and the general public about the strengths within us.”

Generallyspeakingthen,toofferaphilosophyofstrengthstoallpeople–andtherationaleissimple:theideaofrecognisingstrengthswithinourneighboursisaprocess,whichflowsnaturallyfromthatsamerecognitionwithinourselves.Professionalsdoneed

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tounderstandandpracticeinthesewayswhenworkingwithotherpeople,butsodowewhenconsideringourownabilitiesandinnerbrilliance.Oneofthecornerstoneachievementsofstrength-basedpracticeistoacknowledgeandappreciatethemeaningofequality.

Empowering“strengths”workcanminimise,ifnoteliminate,the“power-over”scenario,whilesimultaneouslyencouraginganattitudeof“power-with”equalisation.Thisispossiblebecauseoftheunderlyingprincipleinthephilosophythateveryindividualpossessesstrengths.Appreciatingtheseindividualstrengthsinsideeachotherbutalso,insideourselves,canleveltheplayingfield.

AnAustralianhumanservicesorganisation,aspartofitsvarietyofservicesoffered,holdsweeklybasketball“meetings”withworkers,clientsandcoaches.Otherpeoplecomealongtowatchandcheer.ButIamchoosingmywordspoorly,becausetheabovestatementsdonotreflectthemoremeaningfulnatureoftheevent.

Inreality,therearenoworkers,noclientsorcoaches,andtoseeotherwisewouldbeadistorted,stigmatisedview.Onthecourt,overthree20-minuteintenselyphysicalterms,thereareonlypeopleandweallshareacommonpurpose.Thereisaquestwithineachteamtoscoreandwin,thoughthereisnoencouragementtoindividualisetheperformanceorinflictharm.Weareall,passing,moving,shootingforgoals,hustlingaftertheball.

Ifyouhaveawheelchairoranintellectualdisability,arefemaleormale,are205cmtalllikeourcoachorjust171cmlikeme,ifyouareoverweightoruncoordinated,ifyou

areamasterofPlayStationorhaveadegreeinscience,ifyouhavephysicallimitationsorplaymeanelectricguitar,wereborninJapanorwearglasses,areateenageroranelder,itdoesnotfactorasadifferencewhenyouareonthecourt.

Youarejustaslikelytoshootabasket,takeaballtothefaceorcopamisdirectedyetunintentionalforearmasisthepersonnexttoyou.Thisistheequalisingnatureofagame,suchasbasketball,playedwithinthecontextofastrengths-basedperspective.

Ontheirown,programsofopportunity,designedtoservespecificminoritygroups,canbeproblematic.Theycanbeinadvertentlyexclusiveandcreateentrapmentforthepeopleinvolved.Thereisaneedtoensurethatprogramsareorchestratedcarefully,inclusivelyandwithinthecontextofempowering,notspirit-breaking,behaviours.

Itiscrucial,therefore,toensurethatorganisations,workers,participantsandthegeneralpublicareallawareofthepurposeandphilosophy,whichunderliessuccessful,progressiveimplementation.Andwhenitisdonewiththisdueconsideration,whathappensoutthereonthecourtcannotbeunderestimated.

Wearebuildingourself-esteem,growingourconfidence,appreciatingthepowerofteamworkandinter-dependence,learningtotrust,facingourfears,appreciatingoursistersandbrothers,andmostimportantlyofall,recognisingourownpersonalcommitmentandstrength.Thedifferenceisdiscernibleonthecourtandoff,afterthegame,onthedaysweplay,andonotherswedon’t.

Inalmostadecadeofservicework,Iamyettoseeamorepotentially

inclusive,empoweringmethodofbringingpeopletogetherandcelebratingtheirstrengths.Andoverthecourseoftime,asnow,IhavebeenprivilegedtomeetandworkwithsomeofthestrongestpeopleIwilleverknow.But,ofcourse,Iamnotreferringtorepsandkilos.Iamtalkingaboutresilience,theabilitytocopeinsituationsthatwouldbringmostofuscrashingdown–qualitiesofkindnessandselflessbehavior,determinationandpersistence;attributeswhichwillcontinuethroughlife.Iamtalkingabouttheawesomenessofthehumanspiritandtheindividualstrengths,whichdefineit,insideeachofus.

Myprogramofstrength-basedTAO(pronouncedDOWandmeaning‘way’)isnamedsoforareason.Strengths-basedpracticeisbutanelementofsomethingmuchgreaterthanthewordsandactions,whichfollowitslead.Itisnotadestinationanymorethanitisadefinedsetofrules.

Insteaditisaphilosophyofthought,whichdrivesthepractice,anditisthedeepconsiderationforeverypersonwhichunderliesitssuccess.Itistheactofliving.Dailyreflectionontheindividualstrengthsthatallpeople,andasimportantlyourselves,bringtothe“courtoflife”,isundoubtedlyoneofthemosthealingandsociallybeneficialwayswecanlive.

Understandingandappreciatingourownstrengthscomesalivethroughself-awareness.Frommyexperience,thatreallyisthegreateststrengthofall.Johnny Mackay is the author of RebelYell and Sonja’sSongandtheLegendofaThousandTears. He is an accredited trainer, has worked in human services for almost a decade, and a civil celebrant.

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link | art

Thereislowchatterinthegalleryassmallgroupsgathertoadmiretheartworksdisplayedproudlyonthewalls.There’sasenseofquietawewithoccasionalburstsofexcitement

assomeonepointsouttheirpiecetofamily,friendsandcarers.

It’sSizzleDayatthePenrithRegional

GalleryandTheLewersBequest,whererevellersatthemonth-longfestivalarelettingdowntheirhairtocelebrateanotherprogram,which

promisestobeacorker.RunningfromNovember16toDecember15lastyear,Sizzledisplayed105worksofart,includingpaintings,collage,shortfilmsandphotography.Andifthatwasn’tenough,therewerealso13actsbyparticipantsfromdayprogramsandgrouphomes.

Asidefromthebigparty,thisisafestivalthatcelebratesthecreativityofpeoplewithdisabilitiesinwesternSydneyandbeyond.NaomiMcCarthy,oneoftheorganisersofSizzle,isfullofexcitementasshetalksabouttheprogramthatwasalsochock-fullofworkshops,aimedatcarersandbuddingartists.“Wereally

L-R:Proudandhappy.Amazingchoreography.

Thereislowchatterinthegalleryassmallgroupsgathertoadmiretheartworksdisplayedproudlyonthewalls.There’sasenseofquietawewithoccasionalburstsofexcitement

assomeonepointsouttheirpiecetofamily,friendsandcarers.

It’sSizzleDayatthePenrithRegional

GalleryandTheLewersBequest,

Once a year, the disability community descends on NSW’s Penrith for Sizzle: An Inclusive Arts Festival, which brightens gallery walls and more with its artistic showcase, writes Andrew Blanchard.

The artist’s brush


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wantedtotapintothatcreativity!Toencourageparticipationandcreativeproduction,”Naomienthuses.

Theworkshopsincludedsensorystorytellingforchildrenandtheircarers,agallerytour,audiodescriptivetourandcreativeinitiatives–thelatterofwhichinvolvedcarersandtheirclientsparticipatinginahands-on,art-makingworkshop.Theworkshopsprovedsopopulartheywerebookedoutwellbeforethefestivalbegan.

TheSizzlefestival,supportedbytheJoanSutherlandPerformingArtsCentreandateamofdedicatedvolunteers,hasgrownfromyeartoyear,runningsince2007.ThePenrithRegionalGallery,whichhasalwaysbeenapopularplacewiththedisabilitycommunity,continuestobeabigsupporter.“It’safunexchangeofcreativity,talentandideas,”Naomienthuses.

Anotherexcitingpartofthefestivalisthementorshipprogramonoffertoastand-out,emergingartist,whoexhibitedatthegallery.TheprogramofferedoneartistthechancetogainprofessionalguidancefromcontemporaryartistCatherineO’Donnell,alongwitha$100giftvouchertospendonartsupplies.ThiswaswonbyTimSmith.

NotonlywasTimawardedthementorship,buthewasalsovotedthepeople’schoicewinnerforhisartworkonshow.“IhadthepleasureofmeetingTimandlookingathisportfolioofwork–hisworksweredelightful,”Catherineenthuses.“Heshowedmealargecollectionofdrawingsintextaandbiro,whichhehadproducedoveralongperiodoftime.Thesemeticulousdrawingswereofsuburbanlandscapes,filledwithhouses,shops,roadsandcars,

allbrightly-coloured.TakenfromTim’simagination,viewingtheseworkswerelikegoingonajourney–themoreyoulookedthemoreyoudiscovered!”

Thisyear’sSizzlealsoinspiredacollaborativeeffortacrossgenerations,withPenrithHighSchoolputtingonadynamicdance/movementperformanceandseniorssubmittingartworksandparticipatinginachoir.Asmallstagealsofeaturedperformancessuchasbelly-dancingandapianoperformance.

Co-organiserNaomidescribestheenergyofSizzleas“fun,maverick[and]charming.”Infuture,thefestivalcanonlypromisetocontinueitsproudtraditionofshowcasingtheartistictalentandcreativeinfluenceofthedisabilitycommunity.


entertainment

Q&A with Terry MoorerAmerican Terry Moorer, who has cerebral palsy, has 20 years’ experience in the entertainment business, with a background in PR and marketing. He also does disability work. Link spoke to him.

Have you ever let your disability stop you from doing anything?Never!IhaveastrongfaithinGodandbelievethateveryoneputstheirpantsonthesameway–onelegatatime.SoIcandoanythingIputmindto.

Through your work, you have met celebs like Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul, Wesley Snipes, Madonna and Ice-T. Any you particularly connected with?ThetwothatIrememberthemostwouldbe[rapper]Tupacand[singer]Aaliyah.ImetTupacattheApolloTheatrethenighthismovie,Juice,hitthescreens.Irememberhowhelaughedandwasjustverycarefreeaboutlife.Thenextday,Juicewasacriticalsuccessandhiscareertookoff!Asafreelancewriter,I[also]hadthechancetointerviewAaliyah.Wehadsetupaphoneinterviewandlaughedandtalkedlikehighschoolbuddies.SheinvitedmetohershowthatnightandIactuallydidn’tgobecauseIwastired.Afewyearslater,Aaliyahwaskilledinaplaneaccident.I’vealwaysregrettednottakingheruponheroffertohangoutwithherattheshow.AlsowhenIwasabout14,ImetMuhammadAliathistrainingcamp.Istillrememberhisjokesandjusthangingoutwithhisfans.

What was it like being in the company of President Obama at the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act at the White House?Itwasanincredibleexperience…standingjustinchesawayfromPresidentObama–aonce-in-a-lifetimeopportunitythatIwillalwaysremember.themaxxcorp.com

Goss

• ActressLaurenPotter,whohasDownsyndrome,hasdebutedonhitshowGleeasBeckyJackson,theschool’snewestcheerleader,or“Cheerio”.TheexperiencemirrorsreallifeforPotter–theteentriedouttobeacheerleaderatherhighschool,thoughdidn’tmakethesquad.Whennotacting,Potterattendsalifeskillsprogram.

• AnewTVseries,Touch,starringKieferSutherland,hasairedonTen,involvingasingledad,Martin,whoishauntedbyaninabilitytoconnectwithhismuteson,Jake.WhenMartindiscoversJakecanpredicteventsbeforetheyhappen,however,everythingchanges.

• FormerMissUniverseAustraliaLauraDundovic,whopresentsFOX8showDating in the Dark,hasrevealedshe’shadalongbattlewithchronicfatiguesyndrome.

• BrisbaneartsandculturaldevelopmentcompanyContactIncandToronto’sMammalianDivingReflexhavecollaboratedwithyouthwithdisabilitiestocreateacontemporaryperformance,basedontheirexperienceoflove,romanceanddating,dubbedThe Best (I’ve Ever Had).TheperformancewasshowcasedatBrisbanePowerhouseinMarch.


BooksThe Boy Who Fell to Earth by Kathy Lette (Transworld)

ToldwithKathyLette’srazor-sharpwit,thisisafunny,quirkyandtenderstoryofamother’sloveforherson–arelationshipthathasnochanceofrunningsmoothly.MeetMerlin.He’sLucy’sbright,beautifulson,whojusthappenstohaveautism.(Lette’sownsonhasAsperger’s,thoughthisisafictionalworkofhers.)SinceMerlin’sworkaholicfather,Jeremy,lefttheminthelurchafterMerlin’sdiagnosis,Lucyhasmadehersonthecentreofherworld.Whensherealisesshe’sbecomingcynicalaboutlifeingeneral,sheresolvestodipatoebackintotheworldofdating.Thingsdon’tgoquitetoplan,yetjustasLucyisresolvedtoalifeofsingledomoncemore,themostimperfectlyperfectmanforherandhersonlandsonherdoorstep.Butthen,sodoesJeremy,beggingforasecondchance.

Skin Deep by Laura Jarratt (Hardie Grant)

Afterthecarcrashthatleavesherbestfrienddead,Jennaispermanentlyscarred.Shestrugglestorebuildherlife,buteverystareinthestreet,everytimeshelooksinthemirror,makesherwanttoretreatfurtherfromtheworld–untilshemeetsRyan,alsoanoutsider.Whenheandhismotherarriveintown,shetellshimthistimeitwillbedifferent.Hedoesn’tbelieveher–untilhemeetsJenna.AsJennaandRyangrowcloser,repercussionsfromthecrashcontinuetoreverberatethroughthecommunity.Andthenabodyisfound.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (Penguin)

LouClarkknowslotsofthings.Sheknowshowmanyfootstepstherearebetweenthebusstopandhome.SheknowsshelikesworkinginTheButteredBunteashopandsheknowsshemightnotloveherboyfriend,Patrick.WhatLoudoesn’tknowisshe’sabouttoloseherjoborthatknowingwhat’scomingiswhatkeepshersane.WillTraynorknowshismotorcycleaccidenttookawayhisdesiretolive.Heknowseverythingfeelsverysmallandratherjoylessnowandheknowsexactlyhowhe’sgoingtoputastoptothat.WhatWilldoesn’tknowisthatLouisabouttoburstintohisworldinariotofcolour.Andneitherofthemknowsthey’regoingtochangetheotherforalltime.

TV/� lmAlby Mangels ventures into diabetes fi lm

Morethan70episodesofAlbyMangels’Adventure BounddocumentariesareairingonChannelOneHD–manyforthefirsttimeinOz.

Theadventurer,filmmakerandconservationisthasonlyagreedtocomebackintothelimelighttoalsoraise

awarenessofthediabetesepidemicthroughafilm,Don’t Feel like a Prick.Heisdevelopingthetwo-hourtele-featuredocowithhismanager,LynnSanter,picturedwithhim,HollywoodguruPaulMasonandDiabetesAustraliachiefLewisKaplan.Theaimistoencourageeveryonetogettestedregularlyfordiabetes.Santerhasdiabetesandbothherfatherandunclediedfromthecondition.

Telstra proudly supports a National Disability Insurance Scheme

TelstrawelcomestheFederalGovernment’scommitmentof$1billionintheMayFederalbudgettodeliverthefirststageofaNationalDisabilityInsuranceScheme(NDIS)inselectregionsacrossAustraliafrommid-2013.TheNDISwillgoalongwaytowardsbuildingastrongerandfairerAustraliaforpeoplewithadisability,theirfamiliesandcarers.ThefirststagewillmakeanNDISrealfor10,000peoplewithsignificantandpermanentdisability,increasingto20,000peoplefrommid-2014.

TelstraisproudtosupporttheintroductionofaNationalDisabilityInsuranceSchemeandisamajorsponsorofthesuccessfulgrassrootsEveryAustralianCountscampaignfortheintroductionofaNDIS,includingthetwo-dayDisabilityandCarerCongressin2011andthe30Aprilralliesaroundthecountry.

Telstrahasalonghistoryofsupportingpeoplewithadisabilityandunderstandsthetransformativepoweroftelecommunications.Today,morethan90,000TelstracustomersusetheDisabilityEquipmentProgram(establishedin1981),andlastyearTelstra’sDisabilityEnquiryHotlineansweredmorethan40,000callsfromAustralianslookingforhelp.

TelstraandtheTelecommunicationsJournalofAustralia(TJA)haveannouncedthe2012winnersoftheTelstra-TJAChristopherNewellPrizeforTelecommunicationsandDisability.Fourpapers(includingoneinternationalpaper)havebeenawardedprizesandacceptedforpublication.The2012awardwinnersare:

First prize:Rob Garrett and Toan Nguyen,NovitaChildren’sServices,SA.

Equal 2nd prizes:Floris Müller, Marlies Klijn and Liesbet Van Zoonen,UniversityofAmsterdam,TheNetherlands.

Katie Ellis,MurdochUniversity,WA.

Darryl Sellwood, Denise Wood,UniversityofSouthAustraliawithParimala Raghavendra,FlindersUniversity,SA.

The$15000Prizepoolrecognisesandcommemoratestheground-breakingworkthelateRevdCanonDrChristopherNewellAMundertookwithinthetelecommunications

industryrepresentingtheneedsofpeoplewithdisability.

Smartphones,tabletsandinternettechnologiessuchasWeb2.0arecreatingnewmeansofengagement,particularlyforpeoplewithdisability.Thisprizeaimstomakeacontributiontotheliteratureondisabilityandtelecommunicationstofurthertheopportunitiesandthoughtleadership.

ThewinningpaperscanbeaccessedintheMay2012editionoftheTJAbyvisitingwww.tja.org.au.Detailsforentrycanbeobtainedbyvisitingwww.acs.org.au/acstsa.

Christopher Newell Award

breakthroughs

Visiting professor says fl avour and pain are the same thing

Mining industry encouraged to combat mental illness

AreportreleasedataconferenceinNSW’sHunterValleyinAprilfoundmentalillnesscoststheminingindustryupto$450millionayear,accordingtotheABC.

Thereport,preparedbytheHunterInstituteofMentalHealthandtheUniversityofNewcastle,foundabout8000to10,000mineworkersexperienceamentalhealthillnessovera12-monthperiod.

Mentalillnesswasthemaintopicatthetwo-dayNSWMineralsCouncil’sOccupationalHealthandSafetyConferenceatPokolbin,whichincludedanaddressfromformerrugbyleagueplayerAndrewJohnsonhismentalhealthchallenges.

InstitutedirectorTrevorHazellsaidmentalillnesscostsasinglemineupto$400,000ayear.“Therearethreemainareas:oneisabsenteeism,peoplewhoaresufferingfromanxietyordepressiondotakemoretimeoffwork.There’spresenteeism–that’scomingtoworkwhileyou’reunwellthenthey’llbelessproductiveeventhoughthey’renotoffwork.Thenthethirdareaofimpactisinjury.”

Blind man “sees” through sonar

ACalifornianman,whoisblind,sayshecan“see”usingsound.DanielKish,wholosthissighttoretinalcanceraged13months,callshisbat-liketechnique“flashsonar”.

Throughit,heusessoundstodetectobjectsinhisenvironmentbysensingechoesfromtheobjects.Hecombinesthiswithusingacane.

“It’sanactiveformofecholocationthatallowsablindindividualtoseeusingflashesofsound,insteadofflashesoflight,”KishtoldtheABC.“Anindividualemitsflashesofsound–andtheymaybeintheformofatongueclick–andusesthoseflashestoilluminatetheenvironmentandextractinformationfromthereturningsoundwaves,thatreturnfromsurfacesintheenvironment.Andthenwecanconstructimagesbasedontheinformationwehaveextracted.”

Kish,whoheadsnon-profitorganisationWorldAccessfortheBlind,wasinAustraliainFebruarytoholdworkshopswithstudents.

AninternationalpainconferenceinAdelaidehasbeentoldthattasteandpainareconstructedinthesamewaybyourbrains

OxfordUniversityexperimentalpsychologyprofessorCharlesSpencetoldtheNOINeurodynamicsandtheNeuromatrixConferencethatwhilechefsareengagingthebrainasawayofcreatingflavoursensations,paincouldalsobetreatedandrelievedinasimilarapproachbyclinicians.

SpencecollaboratedwithHestonBlumenthaloncreatingaseafooddishforthechef’srestaurant,TheFatDuck,andbelievespainsuffererscouldalsobenefitfromamulti-sensoryapproach.“I’mreallyinterestedin…whythesamefoodandwinetastesdifferentwhentastedindifferentsettings,”Spencesaid.“Paintooisexperienceddifferentlyindifferentsettingsandsimilartoflavourandtaste,ourexperienceofpaincanbemanipulatedbychefsandthere’sevenevidencetosuggestthatflavourcanbeusedtotreatpain.”

Visionisintegraltothediningexperience,accordingtoSpence.“Inthesameway,wecanmanipulateourexperienceofpainbyusingillusionsandimagerytoshrink,sayalimb,andbymakingthepainfulareasmallertooureyes,we’vefoundthatthepainbecomessmalleralso.”

Telstra is proud to support Link Breakthroughs


opinion | petercoulter

VindicationIt’samazingwhatyoucanfindifyoulookhardenoughandemploysomeselectiveediting.ItseemsthatIamafruitflyandinmorewaysthanone.Drosophila Melanogaster,thefruitflyislikeme,orIamlikeoneofhim?

AnewstudybytheUniversityofCalifornia,accordingtoNew Scientist,showsthatrejectedmalefruitfliesbehaveinessentiallythesamewayashumanmalesdowhentoldtotakeahike–theydrinkfarmorethanluckyflieswho’vehadtheiramorousadvancesreciprocated.Indeed,I’vebeenknowntodothesamething!

Flieswhogetluckyandhaveaquickbuzzabouttheoldfruitbowlsecreteahormonethingyintheirbrainsthatmakesthemsohappy,theydonotneedtogoandgetplastered–sexualgratificationisapparentlyenoughforthem.

Thosewhoarerefusedandknockedback,though,seeksolaceingrog,whichmimicsthishormone.AnassociatedhormoneisthoughttohaveasimilareffectonthedepressedbrainandalsoamelioratePTSD(Posttraumaticstressdisorder).

Photo:stock.xchng/juliaf

From fruit flies to the NDIS, our regular columnist is all abuzz.

The musings of Peter Coulter

Thisisabsolutelycruelandunethical.Thepoorlittleflynevergetsabonk,isplasteredtothepointofhappinessandthenbumpedoff,sosomegitinawhitecoatcanchophisbrainout.Leaveusalone.Ijustwanttobeanalcoholicsexmaniac!

NDISIloatheacronyms.Theyonlyservetoconfuseandsavenotimeoreffort,becauseoftenonehastogoandlookthemupanyway.Indeed,thefirsttimeIheardthisone,Ithoughtimmediatelyofsomeobscurediseasepeculiartothedisabilitycommunityforwhichourbelovedgovernmentwasgoingtohelpus–notthenanddefinitelynotnow.

SowhatdoesNDISstandfor?Itstandsforsomethingwehaveallwantedandinmanycasesneededforalongtime:NationalDisabilityInsuranceScheme.

Butithasbecomeapoliticalfootballandweallknowthatthismakesthingsextremelyawkward,becausepoliticalpartiesneverseemtoagreeonwhetherornottoplayonalevelplayingfield.Thegameoflatehasconsistedofscrapingmudfromtheslopingpitchandtossingoverthefenceattheopposition.

Unfortunately,asoftenoccurs,thisacronymmaynowstandforNoDeal,I’mStuffed.


what’s on

Events and activities

New Directions in Elder Abuse Prevention Conference7–8JuneBrisbaneConvention&ExhibitionCentre,QLDeapu.com.au

National Early Childhood Intervention Conference 7–9JuneSibu,Sarawak,Malaysiawww.agapesibu.org/about-us/necic2012/Contactperson:084-217912

FESTofALL 24JuneTheBeachouseGlenelg,SAfestofall.com.au

Disability Inclusive Research Collaboration Conference 13–19JuneTheUniversityofSydney,NSWunsw.edu.au/events

International Men’s Health Week 13–19JuneMen’sHealthInformationandResourceCentre

Medical and Rehabilitation Robotics Workshop 2012 19–20JuneShahAlam,Selangor,Malaysiawww.rehabrobot.net

The Second National Settlement Conference - Creating Our Future 27–29JuneAdelaideFestivalCentre,[email protected]

National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week 30June–5Augustcerebralpalsyaustralia.com

Third International Conference on Sport and Society 23–25JulyCambridge,UnitedKingdomsportandsociety.com/conference-2012

6th international Convention on Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology 24–26JulySingaporewww.icreateasia.org

Australia’s Disability Employment Conference 2012 8–9AugustGrandHyattMelbourne,VICdisabilityemployment.org.au

Victorian Autism Conference 9–10Augustamaze.org.au/events-info/vac/

Stronger together - 2012 disability conference 14–15AugustAdelaideCupRoomMorphettville,[email protected]

Family Planning NSW Annual Conference on Reproductive & Sexual Health ‘Raising the Bar 17–18AugustSydney,NSWwww.fpnsw.org.au/raisingthebar

ARATA National Conference22–24AugustSydneyMasonicFunctionCentre,NSWarata.org.au

NDS Employment Forum 2012 6–7SeptemberPanPacificPerth,WAnds.org.au

Disability Action Week 9–15Septemberdisabilityactionweek.com.au

Minda Corporate Gold Challenge 21SeptemberGlenelgGolfClub,NSWContactMarionZafry0884226286

5th World Summit on Arts and Culture 3–6October

Buddy Walk Melbourne 14OctoberHorsham,[email protected]

World Sight Day 11October2012vision2020australia.org.au/events

Spart: Creative Arts Festival 24–26OctoberStanwellPark,NSWwww.thejunctionworks.org

21st Congress of the International Association for Disability and Oral Health 28–31OctoberMelbourne,VICiadh2012.com

23rd PANDDA 2012 Conference, 23NovemberVenuetobeconfirmed.0408878538

Pathways 11 Conference28–30November,2012AdelaideConventionCentre,SApathways11.com.au

Education and training

The MS Readathon 1–30Junemsreadathon.org.au

Digital photography30April–25JuneTareeCommunityCollege,NSWtareecc.nsw.edu.au


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Can’t find the right staff?

Ask us how we achieve success for

Australia’s Biggest

Disability Service Providers

through our Staffing Solutions!!!

That’s why if you’re elderly or have a disability, we offer a range of solutions to help at no extra cost to a standard rental phone.

IT’S HOW WE CONNECT

TELSTRA’S DISABILITY EQUIPMENT PROGRAM

Get in touch to ask for a brochure: Call 1800 068 424 (Voice), 1800 808 981 (TTY) email: [email protected] find it online at: www.telstra.com.au/disability/catalogue

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We want to make communication as easy as possible for all of our customers.

LINK 2011 December telstra ad.v2.indd 1 8/11/11 5:08 PM

june 2012 volume 21 issue 2 -...

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