There was some “monkey business” with Mail Chimp (the new bulk email system we’re using) so the new look will be postponed until next week. We did promise a change so this issue is using the new heading structure that brings it in line with our wonderful new website.

DARU Update8 October 2012

IN THE NEWS

NEW RESOURCES AVAILABLE

INQUIRIES & CAMPAIGNS

UPCOMING EVENTS

PAID AND VOLUNTARY POSITIONS

In The News

In the News is provided in the DARU Update to alert readers to stories published in the mainstream media that relate to disability and disability advocacy. DARU provides excerpts and links as information only. We do not endorse or reject any of the statements and opinions they contain.

Disability Care to be Proud ofJulia Gillard, The Mercury, 4 October 2012

People with disability have waited decades for a proper system of care and support. Decades where basic daily needs went unmet, their opportunity to contribute to society was stalled, and their parents grew old worrying.

Remember, disability doesn’t discriminate. You could fall off a ladder or have a stroke tomorrow. You could have a child born with cerebral palsy or Down syndrome.

But the lottery of life should not be compounded by a lottery of care — where the care and support you get depends on the state you live in or whether you’ve been able to navigate the maze of support.

Today, around 400,000 Australians have significant and permanent disabilities that require ongoing care and support. Of them, around 300,000 get some support, while others are left without the support they need.

Those statistics are a disgrace. But today there is a practical, comprehensive solution at hand — the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Few things in politics have given me more pleasure than announcing our commitment to this scheme in April because the NDIS will change lives for generations to come, just like Medicare and universal schooling.

This historic journey will take a system that is “unfair, underfunded, fragmented and inefficient” and turn it into a coherent national scheme offering people the care and support they need, when they need it.

Unlike the current program-driven system, the NDIS will be people-driven. People with disability will receive individual care packages based on their own their goals for the future, including the freedom to choose between service providers.

Since April, we’ve identified five launch sites: the Barwon region in Victoria; the Hunter region in NSW’ the ACT; South Australia; and right here in Tasmania where we will focus on helping young people aged 15-24 as they transition from school to further education, training or employment. In fact, today I’m visiting COSMOS, a great Hobart based non-government community organisation that provides exactly the sort of opportunities for young people with disability that we need to see spread across the country.

The NDIS will commence in these launch sites from the middle of next year, and it’s our plan to roll it out across the nation.

We have a lot of work ahead of us to put the structures, training and care models in place, and to put people with disability in control.

People ask where the money will come from and it’s a reasonable question. My reply is that Australia is a prosperous country, as well as fair, country. So with some sensible budget decisions, we’ll deliver this important change — a change we need to make.

The more important question to ask is whether we can afford another decade without a national disability support system.

To read this article online, visit:http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2012/10/04/363112_todays-news.html

Does Disability Sport Get a Fair Go?Deb Anderson, The Age, 25 September 2012

With a haul of 85 medals, Australia’s Paralympics Team punched well above its weight at the London Games — Monash University staffer Martin Doulton has figures to prove it. But the flipside is community participation in disability sports still lags non-disability sports, he says. Despite growing interest, it seems our national mindset is still off the mark.

Your research is informed by your time as a director of Australian University Sport?

Yes, and at the world university level, where I sit on the executive committee of the equivalent of the International Olympic Committee. That gives me an understanding as to how these things fit from a management perspective. And for disability sports, there’s a missing link at the moment.

There is a link missing in the pathway between national sporting organisations and the Paralympics bodies — and that link is the tertiary education system?

Is there growth overall in disability sports?

There is a growth trend in the number of Australians involved in Paralympics activity. The APC has done an amazing job since Sydney 2000 with talent identification. In 2010-11, 675 school-aged children born between 1995 and 2002 were classified into Paralympics sporting arenas — an increase of 235 from the year before. That’s really good because those kids will be in the frame for Rio 2016. We also know Paralympics athletes have a much longer opportunity for participation if they’re given the support.

What forces are shaping growth in Paralympics sports?

Certainly the Australian Sports Commission has increased funding for the APC in recent years, up to a total of $23 million in the lead-up to London. But to put that into context, Team Great Britain for its Paralympics sports put in $75 million . . . That says something for our international competitiveness, particularly when Australia was still in the top five on the medal tally.

How about at the community level?

In the census in 2006, 6.1 million — or 40 per cent — of Australians over age 18 indicated they had a disability or long-term health problem. Out of that 6.1 million, we had just 500 sportspeople highlighted two years ago for Team Australia to go to the Paralympics. That’s at the elite level. In the community, you find physical activity participation levels of people with a disability (28 per cent) are much less than people without a disability (68 per cent).

So what needs to change?

It will be interesting to see how the amount of media coverage given to the London Paralympics — on a sport basis — affects participation. I think there’s a lot more credibility given to disability sport as a sport now, rather than as “rehabilitation” exercise. We’re now seeing that people who compete in wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and floorball are considered athletes first and foremost. That acceptance perhaps also relates to the fact that, in the past two-year period, more than 300,000 schoolchildren went through a disability sport class — a massive increase on the two years before.

So we’re talking about a cultural shift?

Absolutely. The other issue we have to look at is accessibility. Community leisure centres are required from a compliance perspective to be physically accessible, but it’s [also] … about how people feel welcome. While people with a physical

disability have higher sport participation rates than people with an intellectual disability, whether one of the key barriers is a feeling of lack of acceptance, or uncomfortableness, in coming to those centres from those potential participants — that’s a big issue we need to grapple with.

To read the full article, visit:http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/does-disability-sport-get-a-fair-go-20120924-26gqw.html#ixzz28OYD3Op0

Campaign for Equal Access to ABC TV Kicks Off TodayAustralian Consumer Action Network (ACAN), Media Release, 3 October 2012

Australian blindness and consumer organisations have today launched a national campaign to promote the importance of audio description currently being trialled on ABC TV, and appeal to Communications Minister Senator Stephen Conroy and ABC Managing Director Mark Scott to make the service permanent.

The groups say the ABC audio description service has given over 600,000 Australians who are blind, vision impaired or can benefit from the service proper access to television for the first time.

Audio description*, or ‘AD’, provides an audio narration of what’s happening visually on screen during television programs.

The campaign, It’s As Easy As ABC, will coordinate thousands of Australians to send postcards to Mark Scott and Stephen Conroy, requesting the service be made permanent beyond the AD trial’s scheduled end date of 4 November.

“Having access to audio description on the ABC has been incredibly exciting as it’s meant that many people who are blind or vision impaired have been able to enjoy television for the first time,” says 26-year-old campaign spokeswoman Lauren Henley, who lost her vision in 2006 due to a motor accident.

“We are encouraging everyone to get behind the ‘It’s As Easy As ABC’ campaign by sending a postcard to Senator Conroy and Mark Scott. Access to television is about so much more than simply watching the latest soap opera. It’s about choice, civic participation and the ability to be informed.”

AD is already widely available on TV in the UK, USA, Canada, Europe and New Zealand. The campaigners say that it is vitally important that the service continues on the ABC and becomes a permanent feature for Australian audiences.

Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes says it is important that all Australians have equal access to television.

“Thanks to the ABC trial for the first time I know what’s happening during a TV program, rather than enduring long periods of silence or dramatic music. I hope that Mark Scott and Stephen Conroy give all Australians equal access to TV by continuing audio description beyond the trial’s end date,” said Innes.

The postcards are being distributed around the country via the groups. They can be ordered via www.audiodescription.com.au and are available in a range of accessible formats.

The Gillard Government has funded the trial to investigate the possibility of delivering the service permanently, something the advocates say is essential.

“It’s extremely important that the fantastic service that is currently being delivered on the ABC continues for the benefit of Australians who are blind or vision impaired both now, and in the future,” said Henley.

The campaign is being jointly run by Blind Citizens Australia, Vision Australia and the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network.

For more information and to order postcards, visit:http://www.audiodescription.com.au/

There is more news, opinion and discussion on the broader disability sector available online at:

DiVine: http://www.disability.vic.gov.au/ Ramp Up: http://www.abc.net.au/rampup/

New Resources Available

Have Your Say on the NDIS - Engagement Forum SummarySharon Granek, DARU, 5 October, 2012

On Tuesday 2nd October the National Disability & Carer Alliance held a forum in Melbourne for people with disabilities, their families and carers to provide feedback to the government regarding the National Disability Insurance Scheme – NDIS.

The NDIS will provide a secure and sustainable pool of funds to support people with disabilities who have been deemed eligible. People will be assessed according to the impact their disability has in areas such as communication self-care and/or self- management. The most important feature of the scheme is that people with disability will be at the centre choosing how when, where and how they receive the supports they need.

From July 1 2013 the scheme will be piloted from a number of launch sites throughout Australia. Barwon is the designated launch site in Victoria. It is anticipated that nationally, 10,000 people will participate in the scheme, increasing to 20,000 people by 2015.

The government has asked the National Disability & Carer Alliance to consult in the following areas:

Supports (involvement of people with disabilities and carers in the rollout and co-design of the scheme)

Planning Innovation Choice Control Review Complaints

Areas of concern voiced at the forum included: The cut off age of 65 discriminates against older people with disabilities. To be eligible the impairment has to have a significant impact on people’s

lives. How is significant defined? Are people from cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds and all

socio- economic backgrounds represented on the advisory groups that the government has established?

There was general consensus that independent advocacy has an important role to play in all areas of the scheme but particularly in relation to the review and complaints process. Forum participants had questions regarding where the funding for advocacy would come from and in particular funding for systemic advocacy.

If you didn’t make it to one of the forums you still have an opportunity to have your say by completing the NDIS Engagement Project Survey at:http://disabilitycareralliance.org.au/survey/

To keep up to date with NDIS developments visit: The official government website - http://www.ndis.gov.au/ National Disability and Carers Alliance website-

http://disabilitycareralliance.org.au/ Every Australian Counts website - http://everyaustraliancounts.com.au/

AAA e-newsArts Access Australia (AAA), 28 September 2012

To view this newsletter online, visit: http://artsaccessaustralia.org/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=archive&task=view&mailid=32&key=63ef24c2b153c19a9a6fdcbedc973d41&subid=4509-5a2c572b60f3503e008e070ac177a5be&tmpl=component

To subscribe, visit:http://www.artsaccessaustralia.org/

DnD NewsletterVol.2 Issue 3: July – September 2012

This is the quarterly newsletter from Disability and Diversity (DnD), a division of Migrant Resource Centre Northwest.

To download a copy of this newsletter, visit:

http://www.daru.org.au/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Dnd-Newsletter-July-Sept-2012_new.docx

NDIS Ready BulletinNDS Victoria

These bulletins on the transition to NDIS readiness feature the latest developments in the implementation of the NDIS; an update on NDS’s Transition Plan and related activities and a case study of effective innovations from around the sector

To read this bulletin online, visit: http://eepurl.com/n9IUX

PDF and accessible versions are available or subscribe at: http://eepurl.com/nUIiH

Inquiries and Campaigns

It's as Easy as ABCBlind Citizens Australia, Vision Australia and Australian Communications Consumer Action Network, 3 October 2012

The audio description (AD) trial on the ABC is currently bringing enhanced access to TV to over 600,000 Australians who are blind, vision impaired or can benefit from using audio description.

AD is a form of narration which allows people who are blind or vision impaired to enjoy television. Delivered during gaps in dialogue, it describes actions, settings, costumes and other visual cues that are important to understanding what is occurring on screen. Without it, people are left to guess, or rely on family and friends to fill them in.

But on 4 November 2012, the vital service is scheduled to be switched off.

Help keep AD on Australian TV by sending a postcard asking the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, and the ABC’s Managing Director, Mark Scott to keep the service going.

Every postcard sent helps convince these two key decision makers, so tell your friends and family to do the same.

After all, it is our ABC too.

Order your postcards online at:http://www.audiodescription.com.au/

Involuntary or Coerced Sterilisation of People with Disabilities in Australia - Inquiry AnnouncementJournals of the Senate No.113, The Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, 19 September 2012

The Chair of the Community Affairs References Committee (Senator Siewert) gave a notice of motion as follows: To move on the next day of sitting—that the following matter be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 24 April 2013:

The involuntary or coerced sterilisation of people with disabilities in Australia, including:

1. the types of sterilisation practices that are used, including treatments that prevent menstruation or reproduction, and exclusion or limitation of access to sexual health, contraceptive or family planning services;

2. the prevalence of these sterilisation practices and how they are recorded across different state and territory jurisdictions;

3. the different legal, regulatory and policy frameworks and practices across the Commonwealth, states and territories, and action to date on the harmonisation of regimes;

4. whether current legal, regulatory and policy frameworks provide adequate:5. steps to determine the wishes of a person with a disability,6. steps to determine an individual’s capacity to provide free and informed

consent,7. steps to ensure independent representation in applications for sterilisation

procedures where the subject of the application is deemed unable to provide free and informed consent, and

8. application of a `best interest test’ as it relates to sterilisation and reproductive rights;

9. the impacts of sterilisation of people with disabilities;10.Australia’s compliance with its international obligations as they apply to

sterilisation of people with disabilities;11. the factors that lead to sterilisation procedures being sought by others for

people with disabilities, including:12. the availability and effectiveness of services and programs to support

people with disabilities in managing their reproductive and sexual health needs, and whether there are measures in place to ensure that these are available on a non-discriminatory basis,

13. the availability and effectiveness of educational resources for medical practitioners, guardians, carers and people with a disability around the consequences of sterilisation, and

14.medical practitioners, guardians and carers’ knowledge of and access to services and programs to support people with disabilities in managing their reproductive and sexual health needs; and

15.any other related matters.

Details regarding the Inquiry will follow in a few weeks.

Forum for Individuals with an ISP and their Families and or Carers

The purpose of the forum is to hear your views about your experiences with ISPs.

Date: Tue 16th Oct, 2012Time: 10:00 am - 12:30pmRegister: http:/ / dysonconsultinggroup.com.au/ surveys/ survey.asp?

ContainerID=isp-forums-2012

Forum for Service Providers Regarding ISPs

The purpose of this forum is to hear your views about your experiences with ISPs.

Date: Tue 16th Oct, 2012Time: 1:30pm - 4:00pmRegister: http:/ / dysonconsultinggroup.com.au/ surveys/ survey.asp?

ContainerID=isp-forums-2012

Upcoming Events

If you have an event that would be of interest to the disability advocacy sector, you can submit your event directly to the Events Calendar on the DARU website by completing the Submit an Event form available at: http://www.daru.org.au/submit-an-event

Equal Opportunity and Human Rights and Disability

Around one in five people in Victoria has a disability and discrimination features frequently in their day-to-day life. Understanding Victoria’s discrimination and human rights laws can be a vital first step in overcoming discrimination, receiving and providing better service and creating opportunities to participate more fully in community life.

Recommended for people with disability, carers, advocates, employers, providers of goods and services, and public authorities.

Date: Thu 11th Oct, 2012Time: 9.30am–12.30pmCost: Free for community members and volunteers | $66 for advocates from

community organisationsRegister: RSVP to (03) 9032 3415 or email education@veohrc.vic.gov.au

“One Destination: Different Journeys” - A Transcultural Mental Health Forum

The forum will explore and acknowledge the importance of beliefs, cultural practices and traditions dealing with mental illness and wellbeing within ethnic communities. Consumers and carers from ethnic backgrounds will share their lived experiences during the session. The forum will showcase some of the cultural practices and highlight their importance to people from different communities.

An Expo of Mental Health and Multicultural Services will also be on display

The Forum is for Clinicians, Community Mental Health Providers, Multicultural Service Providers.

Speakers will include:Karen Toohey, Acting Commissioner – Victorian Equal Opportunity and

Human Rights Commission.Mr Arnold Zable – Award winning Australian writer, educator and human

rights advocate.Consumers and Carers – from culturally and linguistically diverse

backgrounds.

Date: Wed 17th Oct, 2012Time: 8.45am – 2.00pmCost: Free for Consumers/Carers | $80 Participants | $200 Stall

HolderRegister: http:/ / www.adec.org.au/ documents/ Registrationform.pdf

Success with Mainstream Schooling

Parents and carers in the southern region are invited to attend a workshop hosted by the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre Southern Region and facilitated by Julia Seedsman, Psychologist from Outside the Square Psychology.

Sending your child to mainstream school and maintaining a successful relationship with your child’s teacher can be a challenge. How do you advocate for your child and still keep the school / teacher on your side?

Julia Seedsman is a psychologist with over twelve years experience working with children, adolescents and adults with ASD, developmental delay and intellectual disability.

Parking is available onsite. Morning Tea provided.

Date: Thu 11th Oct, 2012Time: 10:00am - 12:00 noonRegister: http:/ / www.respitesouth.org.au/ news/ success-mainstream-schooling-

session-parents-and-carers-11-october

2nd World Congress on Adult Guardianship

Guardianship and the United Nations Disabilities Convention, Australian and International Perspectives, Melbourne

Bringing together Australian and International experts in the ageing, disability and guardianship fields, this congress will consider the effect of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on national and international guardianship laws and practices.

The Keynote speakers include well known law reform campaigners, the Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG and former-VLRC Commissioner Prof. Neil Rees. In addition there is a diverse line-up of Australian and International experts speaking on relevant issues such as:

We are also offering 4 optional workshops on key guardianship issues on 17 October 2012. These workshops promise to be interactive and informative.

This is a once-off opportunity to hear the world’s best guardianship experts speaking on the future of guardianship right here on our doorstep.

Date: Mon 15th Oct - Tue 16th Oct, 2012Register: https:/ / www.secureregistrations.com/ WCAG2012 More Info: http:/ / agac2012.conorg.com.au

Conduct a Building Access Audit - CPPACC4005A

This nationally recognised course is ideal for people who have responsibility for reviewing, planning, designing, managing or maintaining buildings, as well as those who are required to provide advice to others regarding access issues in the built environment. The key elements of access to buildings, including relevant legislation and Access to Premises Standards are incorporated. The course provides participants with a practical framework and tools for undertaking an access audit of a building. It aligns with national units of competency from Certificate IV in Access Consulting and CPP50708 Diploma of Access Consulting.

The course provides a framework for participants to undertake an access audit of a building and covers the essential key components of access to buildings including:

Date: Mon 15th Oct, 2012 & Tue 16th Oct, 2012Cost: $1,300.00 (no GST) per person includes all course materials and

cateringRegister: http://www.daru.org.au/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Access-

Auditing-Flier-

“Trans-institutionalisation” - Public Lecture with Oliver Lewis

Many European countries have ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the CRPD), yet the institutionalisation of those with disabilities continues. Instead of deinstitutionalisation, there is now a process of transferring persons with disabilities to “new” institutions where the same old practices continue. For example, there have been recent allegations of abuse and neglect in the “Ray of Hope Rehabilitation Institution”, which houses 116 people with intellectual and other disabilities in a gated facility on the outskirts of Budapest. There have been reports of staff beating residents, the use of chemical sedation and a severe lack of basic hygiene and adequate therapeutic services.

This lecture will consider the practice of “trans-institutionalisation”, what lessons can be learned in Australia from this practice and how the provisions in the CRPD setting out the right to be free from torture and ill-treatment, the right to be free from exploitation, violence and abuse, and the right to physical and mental integrity of the person can be implemented.

Oliver is the Executive Director of the Mental Disability Advocacy Center, an international human rights organisation based in Budapest, Hungary. He is recurrent Visiting Professor in Law at the Central European University in Budapest, and is a faculty member of the International Diploma on Mental Health Law and Human Rights, run by the Indian Law Society in Pune, India.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Date: Wed 17th Oct, 2012Time: 5:30pm registration for 6:00pm startCost: $25 General Admission | $10 Students and Concession Card HoldersRegister: http:/ / ecommerce.law.monash.edu.au/ product.asp?pID=225&cID=5 More Info:

http:/ / www.law.monash.edu/ centres/ calmh/ docs/ 20121017-olewis- seminar-leaflet.pdf

Not For Profit Summit

The 2012 NFP Summit offers a unique opportunity for the sector to come together for a day of ideas, workshops and networking. The day will feature a range of exciting speakers, sector exhibitors and practical workshops.

Date: Thu 18th Oct, 2012Time: 9:00am - 4:00pmRegister: http:/ / www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/ not-for-profit-summit-register More Info: http:/ / www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/ community-sector/ not-for-profit-

summit

Leading: The Next Steps

How you can think, plan and achieve goals for your child and family

How can you create a fulfilling life with choices, purpose, friendship and happiness? If you want to take the lead in achieving these goals for your child (0-18) and family, then this workshop is for you!

The presenters are parents or siblings of a person with a disability so they understand issues from a family perspective.

Morning tea and a light lunch included.

Date: Wed 24th Oct, 2012 - Wed 31st Oct, 2012Time: 9:30am – 2:45pmCost: $20 members | $40 non-members - Note: Membership is free for

families for the first 12 months so they can join at the time of booking and only pay the $20.

Register: For Southern Region: http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=32010%20or%20phone%209818%202000

For Hume Region: http://www.trybooking.com/BWTO%20or%20phone%209818%202000

More Info:http:/ / www.acd.org.au/ community_ed/ Downloads/ 2012%20 Aug%20 Leading%20 the%20 next%20 steps%20 Flier%20 Hume.pdf

Arts Activated Conference

Desire and Destination

Arts Activated brings together national and international leaders, artists and arts workers with and without disability, presenting to the broader Arts & Disability sector Australia-wide.

Keynote speakers, Associate Professor Petra Kuppers from the University of Michigan USA and Alfred Deakin Professor of Australian Studies, David Walker from Deakin University VIC, join a range of presentations, plenary and break-out sessions.

A social and cultural program runs concurrently, including the Walsh Bay Arts Table 2012 with guest speaker Robyn Archer, Creative Director of the Centenary of Canberra (2013) and the new Deputy Chair for the Australia Council for the Arts.

“There is a growing desire for a stronger arts and disability culture in Australia, as well as a deeper understanding of the value of participation in the Arts by people with disability. We hope you will join us to strengthen arts and disability in Australia,” said Conference Convener Amanda Tink.

Date: Tue 30th Oct, 2012 - Wed 31st Oct, 2012Register http:/ / www.aarts.net.au/ arts-activated-2012/ registration-

2/

More Info: http:/ / www.aarts.net.au/ arts-activated-2012/

Paid and Voluntary Positions

Community Building Officer – Metro Access

Banyule City Council’s Youth and Community Partnerships team is now offering an exciting and challenging position that will deliver enhanced opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in community life.

As our Community Building Officer you will coordinate Council’s Metro Access project, a State Government funded community building initiative. This project has a strong emphasis on working with a broad cross section of community agencies, people with disabilities, their families and carers to identify gaps and develop collaborative approaches to deliver strategic outcomes. Working four or five days per week (negotiable) until October 2013 your main outcomes in this position will be:

Building increased potential for individual choice and decision making Creating a greater emphasis on early intervention and other phases of life

that represent periods of transition Promotion of more integrated community support services, complemented

by more effective planning and coordination which includes people with a disabilities and their families, disability support services and local communities

Increased capacity for equitable distribution of resources based on local planning

Effective supervision and development of a small team of casual project officers

To download a position description, visit:http://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/CouncilJob.aspx?ID=6618

Applications close: Wednesday 17 October 2012

For more information about this position please contact Frances Gianinotti on 9457 9962.

National Advocacy Adviser

An exciting opportunity exists to become a key member of Vision 2020 Australia’s National Advocacy team. Reporting to the Director, National Policy, you will work within a busy team to implement and refine the organisation’s advocacy strategy.

This position was previously advertised on a part-time basis but has now been made full-time. Previous applicants need not reapply.

Vision 2020 Australia is a member-based not-for-profit organisation. Our vision is the elimination of avoidable blindness and vision loss by the year 2020 and

ensuring that blindness and vision impairment are no longer barriers to full participation in the community.

An exciting opportunity exists to become a key member of Vision 2020 Australia’s National Advocacy team. Reporting to the Director, National Policy, you will work within a busy team to implement and refine the organisation’s advocacy strategy.

We are looking for an individual with knowledge of national public policy across health and disability portfolios.

The successful applicant must be experienced in managing a diverse range of stakeholders and be able to demonstrate a deep working knowledge government structure and practices.

The position requires a degree in arts or health sciences with expertise and experience in implementing advocacy campaigns and influencing activities. Candidates must have a minimum of three years experience in a similar role.

Responsibilities include: Project manage advocacy activities to achieve strategic objectives Inform stakeholder group on policy developments and implications Identify relevant public policy Implement appropriate advocacy initiatives Focus on national advocacy.

This is a fixed term, full-time (37.5 hours per week) contract for 24 months.

Vision 2020 Australia is a national partnership of organisations working together to prevent avoidable blindness and improve vision care and is part of VISION 2020: The Right to Sight, a global initiative of the World Health Organisation and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.

To download a position description, visit:http://www.vision2020australia.org.au/about-us/employment/national-advocacy-adviser

Applications are due close of business Friday 12 October 2012.

Applications can be sent to: applications@vision2020australia.org.au.

If this newsletter has been forwarded to you and you would like to subscribe, visit: http://eepurl.com/liOIr. If you no longer wish to continue receiving the Update you can unsubscribe at: http://daru.us4.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=302b7fc3cb039a9e08bba4cb3&id=6a368d4028

DARU has been funded by the state government. It is run by a governance group, including members of the Disability Advocacy Network (DAV) and the Victorian

Council of Social Service (VCOSS). DARU’s staff currently includes a Co-ordinator, Sharon Granek, and an Administration Officer, Natasha Brake.

Sharon and Natasha are always happy to hear from people who are interested in what we do. If you have a question, an idea, some news you’d like to see in the next update, or even if you just want to tell us something we’re doing is good or bad, get in touch! Call us on 03 9639 5807 or email admin@daru.org.au.

Please note that material contained in the DARU Update copy does not necessarily reflect the policy of DARU or the views of any staff members. Statements in the DARU Update do not comprise advice and readers should avail themselves of professional advice where appropriate.