News Archive 2004
Charity Computers
Supplier for ACT Government PC Reuse Scheme
Posted: December 22, 2004
VISION
To receive donated computers and supply a low cost, fully supported computer to disadvantaged people in Australia.
WHAT WE DO
Charity Computers supplies computers to the most disadvantaged sectors of the community that have no other means to get this valuable resource. To be eligible, all that is required is that the person be the holder of a concession card, or, be 'a not for profit organisation', or someone who has been referred by a school, government, or community organisation in Australia.
This operation allows children to complete homework, disadvantaged people to access government services, complete training courses, and/or apply for employment.
The computers are supplied at the following prices, Pentium I $50, Pentium II $100, and Pentium III for $200. All computers come complete with Monitor, mouse, keyboard, operating system and 12 months warranty.
Donations of computer equipment are received from private households, businesses; ACT Government PC Reuse Scheme, NSW Government Re-connect Scheme. Microsoft Australia has donated Windows 98 licences.
This year we will supply 5,000 to 10,000 computers to concession cardholders and not for profit organizations in Australia.
NEED
According to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, there are 43,000 households in the ACT and approximately 2,000,000 households Australia wide without a computer. To help meet this need, Charity Computers is now seeking large quantities of used computers from the Federal Government to be refurbished and supplied to those in need.
HOW YOUR ORGANISATION CAN HELP INDIVIDUALS GET A COMPUTER
Individuals may be referred form community organisations. Charity Computers can invoice your organisation after they attend. This means that no cash needs to be given to the client or exchanged. The referring organisation needs to send an email to admin@charitycomputers.com prior to the client attending and we will return email the invoice when they have picked up their computer.
IMPACT
This service effectively breaks the Digital Divide, by allowing numerous community and government organisations as well as individuals to have accessed to our low cost computers for themselves and their clients.
Charity Computers has established a refurbishing centre in the ACT at Charnwood, and distribution centres in Goulburn, Cooma and Queanbeyan and will increase this number to 20 in major towns in southeastern NSW by July 2005. Further expansion throughout NSW and interstate is planned for the financial year 2005-2006.
Contact:
Charity Computers
46 Lhotsky Street
Charnwood ACT 2615
Phone: 02 6259 8539
Fax: 02 6259 8034
Email: admin@charitycomputers.com
Web: http://www.charitycomputers.com
Bundaberg Regional Access Advisory Committee
Posted: December 22, 2004
Alan Ganley, the President of our local Bundaberg Regional Access Advisory Committee announced the availability of the committees website detailing the accessible buildings in the region from 1770 to Childers.
The buildings were physically inspected by his committee and recorded as 'wheelchair user friendly'.
Bundaberg C B D, tourist attractions, motel and caravan park accommodation, wheelchair access public toilets, restaurants, and much more can be downloaded direct from the website
"This has been a 12 month project by our volunteers to inspect and collate the huge volume of information which will greatly assist our local people with disabilities to more easily get around our towns. Interstate people wanting to visit can now plan their accommodation and tourist attractions from their home, where ever they are before leaving home. This site makes it so easy for people with disabilities and the aged with movement difficulties to enjoy our town and region". The website was designed as a community project by 17 year old Shanan Howe and his father Russell, who operate the local community orientated bundabergonline.com.
"I wish to pay tribute to these fine men for the massive voluntary effort put into the site. It's only about one third complete to date." Alan concluded. www.accessbundaberg.org is the site address
Authorised by Trevor J Hinwood Hon Secretary. Bundaberg Regional Access Advisory Committee Inc. Phone: 41544494
Pinchpot
Posted: December 21, 2004
Pinchpot is a calendar of ceramic art classes with Natalie Valiente that are designed for people with a disability to build confidence and techniques in handworking, pinching, glazing and decorating clay art.
Launched at the Celebration of Ability expo at the Liverpool Catholic Club on the International Day of People with DisAbility 2004, the workshops continue on the first Friday of every month at the Clayhouse, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre.
Who?
People with a disability
Where?
Clayhouse, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre.
1 Casula Rd, Casula NSW 2170
When?
First Friday of the month: 7 January, 4 February, 4 March, 1 April,
6 May, 3 June, 1 July, 5 August, 2 September, 7 October & 4 November 2005
Cost
$5 per participant
Bookings
9824 1121 or reception@casulapowerhouse.com
Canberra DisAbility Arts Festival 2004
Posted: November 8, 2004
As in past years, on the International Day of People with DisAbility, many community events are being planned throughout Canberra to celebrate the abilities and talents of people with disabilities.
This year, the premier function to celebrate the Day on Friday 3 December in Canberra will be an Arts Festival and night market in Garema Place in the city center from 4pm until 10pm. The festival will bring together and showcase the talents and abilities of the disability and arts sectors.
Disability ACT, People with Disabilities ACT and Arts and Recreation Training ACT are working in partnership to bring together an art exhibition, night market, opening and award ceremonies, music and other performances, culminating in a digital screening of artwork. The Festival will be officially launched at 6pm.
You can download the Arts Festival Poster here.
For Further Information
Nepean Disability Expo 2004
Posted: October 12, 2004
Thursday 2nd December, 2004 10am to 6pm
St Marys Leagues Club
Cnr Forrester and Boronia Roads
Nth St Marys
Everyone Welcome - Admission FREE
Wheelchair accessible transport will be available from St Marys Railway Station to the Expo
Community transport to the Expo is available - bookings are essential Exhibitors will include
- Disability related equipment
- Specialised transport
- Communication and Mobility Aids
- Accommodation
- Augmentative Technology
- Government Services
- PSO/ATLAS
- Adult Day Programs
- Supported & Open Employment
- Special Education
- Respite
- Community Organisations
- Support Groups
- Early Intervention
For Further Information
Anglicare Nepean Region - Cathy or Diane: 02 4731 8399
Penrith Disability Resource Centre (PDRC) - Di or Kevin: 02 4732 2363
Fax - 02 4721 8168
Email pdrc@pdrc.org
Tasmania to Lead the Nation in 'Barrier-Free Tourism'
Posted: June 22, 2004
A new tourism venture that will make Tasmania a national and international leader in catering for people with physical disabilities and mobility restrictions was launched in Launceston on May 7th.
The Devils Playground will create a 'barrier free' touring circuit of Tasmania providing self-catered accommodation and facilities for a range of visitors, but especially those with a physical disability or mobility restriction.
The brain-child of former NSW tourism developers, Kerry and Jane Winberg, The Devils Playground comprises new accommodation facilities at strategic locations around the State based on Tourism Tasmania's touring routes.
These facilities are in Launceston, Boat Harbour, Queenstown, Westerway (near Mt. Field National Park), Oatlands and Branxholm.
Development of two other already purchased sites will further enhance The Devils Playground touring experience. Land purchased from the West Coast Council at Tullah, will be developed into a fully accessible lake-side lodge and motor home/caravan park complex while a 51ha bushland site near Nabowla, in the State's north east, will be developed into an eco-tourism chalet park, again with a focus on being barrier free.
"The circuit enables guests, and particularly those with access and mobility problems, to tour the entire State with complete confidence that their accommodation needs are going to be fully met wherever they want to travel". Mr Winberg said.
"The 'barrier free' concept is a first for Tasmania and possibly set an international precedent which would open up a huge new tourism market for the State". he said.
"We have been planning this project for several years now and came to Tasmania almost 12 months ago to the day to begin. We're very excited that it's all now starting to come to fruition".
"We researched extensively with the help of some of the country's recognised experts in this field and can say with confidence that such a comprehensive touring holiday opportunity for people with access or mobility challenges simply does not exist anywhere else in the country".
"There is a massive group of people whose recreational and holiday needs have, until now, been almost totally ignored".
"Add the two family members and/or support worker that statistics show typically travel with these people and you begin to see just how big this market really is".
While catering for a wide range of interstate visitors, The Devils Playground will also cater for many Tasmanians, including:
* People with a physical disability who could only travel with the full-time help of a support worker;
* Families whose travel options were limited by a family member with a physical disability;
* Aged people with mobility problems, and;
* Rural families with family members with a disability who found it difficult to visit Launceston on business or for overnight excursions.
A rare opportunity to acquire a former aged care home in the Launceston suburb of Prospect created the foundation for The Devils Playground.
The now 46-room, 120 guest facility was fully refurbished to prepare it for a new role as the central hub for the company's state-wide tourism activities.
"To build a similar facility from scratch would be virtually impossible today, you simply couldn't get a return on your investment, so we grabbed the opportunity with both hands when we saw it," Mr Winberg said.
"The remainder of our facilities - with the notable exception of the Tullah and Nabowla properties - are former homes converted to provide similar standard accommodation and modified to allow complete access for our guests with access and mobility challenges".
"Every property will provide a 'five-star backpacker' level of accommodation and, critically, will allow all our guests to mix in all the areas of the motel - providing the type of interaction people with disability much prefer after being more used to isolation and 'special' treatment."
Mr Winberg said the well-recognised features that already made Tasmania one of Australia's most popular holiday destinations were precisely the features that would give the State a unique edge in attracting people with access or mobility problems.
"The State's compact size, variety of scenery and attractions, excellent roads and the increased interstate access offered by the 'three Spirits' will yet again prove to be a winning combination for this market," he said.
'We believe that, properly developed, this new market will have significant impact throughout the industry in this State and we're hoping to connect with other operators who share our vision for developing it". he said.
More Information: Kerry Winberg 03 6343 3119, email: info@thedevilsplayground.com.au or visit our website at: www.the devilsplayground.com.au
Nican 5th National Conference - 20th to 22nd September 2004
Posted: June 22, 2004
MEDIA RELEASE: 23 May 2004
Universal Access in Australian Tourism
Nican 5th National Conference - September 2004
The 5th National Nican Conference promises good business for tourism this September, at the 'Out of the Blue . Valuing the Disability Market in Tourism' at Rendezvous, Observation City.
Australia is a fantastic destination for travellers who have diverse access needs. The release of the Federal Governments Tourism White Paper earlier this year, recognises the market as significant and requiring further exploration. The Brand Australia initiative also values inclusion, diversity and participation, setting a stage for universal access & design practitioners and the disability sector to build on partnerships with the tourism industry.
The 'Out of the Blue' Conference facilitates exploration of the issues surrounding the potential of the disability market as a relatively fresh commodity, which will potentially boost clientele for tourist groups.
The benefits to disability individuals, their families and associated groups is recognising the potential tourism avenues themselves and learning how to best access information that will lead to positive travels.
The conference will run for three days from 20th - 22nd September, presenting a mix of keynote speakers, three breakout sessions and two specific off-site tours.
The keynote speakers will address matters topical to the theme of tourism and disability, and highlight unexplored areas for tourist organisations to consider broadening their market clientele. Issues such as equal opportunities, new initiatives and barriers to tourist experiences will also be addressed.
The breakout sessions will present an option of three streams to attend; Families and Individuals, Good Business for Tourism, and Policy and Academic Research. So this Conference is an excellent opportunity for learning and networking to benefit the wide cross section of delegates expected to attend.
Tourist organisations and services will obtain a competitive advantage in their market research to secure new business, including leading initiatives to influence and acquire new customers.
The off-site tours include an experiential visit to the Royal Perth Yacht Club and sampling some sailing options available to all users. The Cultural Arts Tour will provide an informative visit to a selection of arts venues acclaimed for their upgrades to incorporate universal access to their facilities.
For more information or registration to the 'Out of the Blue' Conference, contact the coordinators:
Victoria Wardlaw 08 9284 4220 or Anne Oliver 08 9494 2972.
Email: info@nican.com.au or Nican direct: 1800 806 769
Telstra Catalogue - Products and Services for older people and people with a disability
Posted: November 15, 2003
The catalogue is an integral part of Telstra's ongoing commitment to providing accessible and affordable telecommunications. It contains information about:
- Telstras Disability Equipment Program - including new products such as a Large Visual Display teletypewriter (TTY) and a Braille TY for customers who are Deafblind;
- Telstras extensive range of products and services that may be useful for older people and people with a disability, such as Telstra's new standard rental phone T1000s which now has a volume control feature; the new voice activated 1# Feature Assistant, Home Messages 101 and other Homeline features; Telstra mobile network, handsets and accessories; accessible payphones, including TTY payphones that you can now find the locations of online at: www.telstra.com.au/disability/ttypayphones/
- How to get Telstra information in alternative formats, including forms and contracts, and bills in large print and Braille;
- Other ways to help customers stay in touch, such as Telstra's Pensioner Concession Scheme, Bill Assistance Program, and InContact and Homelink 1800 products;
- Telstra Disability Action Plan and Disability Forum.
To obtain a catalogue
Copies of the catalogue can be obtained from: http://www.telstra.com.au/disability/catalogue/index.htm
Or by contacting the Telstra Disability Enquiry Hotline Ph: 1800 068 424
TTY: 1800 808 981
Email: disabilityenquiryhotline@team.telstra.com
International Day of People with DisAbility Event Registrations Roll In
Posted: August 22, 2003
Although event registrations have not officially been called for 2003, the Nican office has already started to receive registrations for events taking place on December 3. International Day Coordinator, Jane Crawford said "the fact that organisations are well advanced in their planning for their 2003 events augers well for this year to be the most celebrated ever." Crawford also added that "events do not have to be grand scale operations and I encourage individuals and organisations to be creative in celebrating the day."
Registrations of events can be done by either returning the tear off section of the registrations form (soon to be distributed widely).
"It is important that all events are registered, regardless of the size, as it allows us to estimate how many people were involved in the day" said Crawford. "We also can only provide additional resources to events that have registered"
We are available to discuss your events ideas with you during business hours (EST) on 1800 806 769.