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NEDA News August 2009 Welcome to ‘NEDA News’ August 2009. It is a time of change in the Australian disability sector and NEDA has been working hard to ensure that people from culturally diverse and non-English speaking backgrounds (NESB) do not miss out. Migrant and Refugee Rights for People with Disability The Joint Standing Committee on Migration finally announced a migration and disability review last week. The review comes after several high profile cases – in Dr Siyat Abdi (see below) – where migrants with disability have faced unfair barriers to gaining residency in Australia. More information can be found at : http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/mig/disability/index.htm. NEDA will be working actively with a range of organizations to encourage the Australian government to end discrimination against migrants and refugees with disability seeking an Australian residency visa. Senior Policy Officer Zel Iscel is currently collecting case studies to profile migrants with disability actively participating in their community. If you or someone you know would like to share a story of achievement, email Zel at zel@neda.org.au. Dr Abdi Secures Work Visa In May 2009 NEDA publicly supported Dr Siyat Hillow Abdi who was facing deportation. Dr Abdi had completed his PhD at Flinders University and became the first blind person to be registered as a teacher in South Australia. With immense public support, Dr Abdi has secured a work visa and is currently employed in a senior role with the South Australian government. NEDA would like to offer thanks to organizations that offered support, and congratulates Dr Abdi on gaining a work visa so that he can continue to make a valuable contribution to the Australian community. Dr Abdi’s case was covered in the national media, including ABC lateline: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/28/2583815.htm. Independent Disability Equipment Program In early 2009 Senator Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Telecommunications and the Digital Economy, announced plans to conduct a feasibility study into the establishment of an Independent Disability Equipment Program (IDEP) for telecommunications technology for people with disability. NEDA contributed to the study with a submission in which we expressed our support for an IDEP but urged the government to ensure that the program also includes provisions for an outreach service which is flexible to cater for people with restricted mobility. We also highlighted the importance of information about the program and equipment being made available in alternative formats and languages. NEDA’s submission to the IDEP review is available at: http://www.neda.org.au/page/consumer_issues.html Following the feasibility study for an independent disability equipment program, the Government also called for submissions for its plans to develop a national broadband network. Here, NEDA lobbied for the network to be accessible and affordable, so that all members of the wide Australian community will benefit. Consumer Relations Industry Codes NEDA made a brief submission on Consumer Relations Industry Codes Development. In this submission, we lobbied for stringent implementation, enforcement and monitoring of the consumer related telecommunications Codes, which takes into account the voices of those from NESB and other disadvantaged groups. NEDA’s submission on Consumer Relations Industry Codes is available at: http://www.neda.org.au/page/consumer_issues.html NEDA has also compiled a Fact sheet on Telecommunications issues for people with disability from NESB. The fact sheet is available at: http://www.neda.org.au/page/fact_sheets.html Migrants and the Disability Support Pension (DSP) Migrants with disability are exempt from the Disability Support pension (DSP) in the first 10 years of their residence here (unless they receive their visa on humanitarian grounds). These migrants often face significant financial difficulty, and barriers to accessing services. In May 2009 NEDA released a report on this issue entitled Migrants with Disability and the 10 Year Qualifying Residence Period for the Disability Support Pension. The report can be accessed at: http://www.neda.org.au/page/migrants_with_disability_and_social_security.html
Cultural and Linguistic Inclusion NEDA has released two reports on social inclusion this year. In February 2009 NEDA released Cultural and Linguistic Inclusion? The report featured a literature review of social inclusion indicators and the possibilities for including culture and language in the social inclusion agenda. In August 2009 NEDA launched its second report this month entitled, ‘This is my Home – Belonging, Disability and Diversity’. This report builds on the literature review and explores the meaning of belonging, acceptance and social connectedness for people with a disability from NESB. The report is based on three focus group sessions held around Australia comprising people with disabilities from NESB. Their stories highlight significant diversity in how people experience belonging and feel socially included. Both reports are available for download on the NEDA website, at: http://www.neda.org.au/page/cultural_and_linguistic_inclusion.html. National Human Rights Consultation The Australian Government is currently consulting in relation to Australia’s human rights framework. NEDA has so far submitted two submissions to this consultation. NEDA together with the Aboriginal Disability Network (the national peak representing indigenous people with disability) have written a joint letter to the Human Rights Review Taskforce on the need for improved recognition for complex forms of discrimination, particularly race and disability. NEDA also provided a full submission to the review, highlighting the need to recognise the right to effective means and modes of communications for all and the protection of the human rights of people who are not Australian Residents/citizens and for all Australian residents/citizens to be treated equally, including those who have a disability. Both submissions are available at: http://www.neda.org.au/page/human_rights.html Further consultation is anticipated so please call or email us at NEDA if you wish to discuss this matter or make comments. Women from NESB with Disability NEDA responded to the call for submissions on the new National Women’s Health Policy by the Dept of Health and Ageing. The NEDA submission comprises a discussion of the barriers for culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) women with disability, particularly those from a non-English speaking background (NESB). The submission also contains comments on the principles underpinning the new women’s health policy and a list of recommendations that includes: o Information translated into alternative languages also be available in audio formats o All health professionals receive continual accredited, quality training in cultural difference and diversity and disability awareness. You can read this submission here: http://www.neda.org.au/page/health.html Points of Departure NEDA is participating in the Expert Advisory Committee (EAC), established by the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health, to advise its Points of Departure (POD) project. The POD project is working to develop Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Leadership and Advocacy skills. To this end, a tool kit on self advocacy for refugee and migrant women is currently being compiled. NEDA is working to ensure that the tool kit includes information and guidance to migrant and refugee women who have a disability/mental illness. For further information on this matter, email Zel at zel@neda.org.au . National Disability Strategy On 5th August, the National People with Disability and Carers Council (NPWDACC) launched the National Disability Strategy report, ‘Shut Out: The Experience of People with Disabilities and their Families in Australia’. NEDA commends the strength of the report, which highlights the difficulties faced by people with disability in their every day lives in plain language. The report also gives hope that the National Disability Strategy may recognize NESB issues when it is released in 2010. Section 2.8 is solely dedicated to the further disadvantaged groups within disability, namely people from ‘a multicultural background’, Aboriginal and Torris Strait Islanders and women. With regard to those from multicultural backgrounds, the exclusion from the cultural community was highlighted as well as the difficulties posed by language barriers. Furthermore, in section 2.2 the exclusion of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) from the Migration Act of 1958 is used as an example of people with disabilities being ‘excluded and ignored’. To read the full report, go to: Following the launch of the report, Dinesh and Zel were interviewed on SBS’s ‘World View’ program. National Emergency Forum on Warnings to the Community Zel attended the supposed last meeting of the National Emergency Forum on Warning to the Community in February, which took place as the bush fires in Victoria began to subside. If you have any comments or stories about a person with disability from a non-English speaking background who has experienced a catastrophic situation, such as a bush fire, please phone or email Zel. Participation of People With Disability From NESB in The Federal Elections Early this year NEDA sought information on the issues facing people with disability voting in the federal elections. The issues raised were discussed at the Australian Electoral Commission’s meeting on its Disability Action Plan. However, to make a stronger case, Zel is collecting information to present to the AEC. If you would like to discuss this further, email Zel at zel@neda.org.au . Employment In April 2009 Dinesh met with the advisor to then Employment Minister, Brendan O Connor, and with senior staff in the Department of Employment and Workplace relations to express its concerns in relation to the lack of direction by the Australian Government in addressing employment outcomes for people from NESB with disability. NEDA has also been collaborating with the ACE Network (the peak representing disability employment services) to highlight the lack of interpreter assistance available for job seekers from NESB with disability. If you require further information on anything in this update, please email office@neda.org.au. |
