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ABILITY PLUS

September 1998, Issue No. 16
Newsletter for Students with Special Needs.

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We are fast running down to the end of the academic year and I can always tell when assignments are due as the number of callers in the office declines markedly as everyone gets frantically busy.

NEW LOCATION

The Disability Support unit will relocate next year to the new student services building on the top of the Commonwealth Bank . The latest time I have for this is April. There will be lift in the building but this will be for people with a disability only and accessed by a student card with a specific function built in to it. There will also be a requirement for people to be trained before they can use this lift as it is not a general purpose lift but a class 16 lift for people with disabilities. Those who use electric scooters will need to use the ramp , which will also be remodelled to conform with standards , as the lift is not wide enough for these. I have had a number of discussions with the architects and Facilities and services about this project and although it is not ideal I think it is the best we could achieve within the budgetary constraints and as I said the ramp access will also be improved.

It will be great to be in the hub of things and much easier for people to drop in than at present at H block. There will be tea making facilities accessible toilet and a foyer to display the variety of information I receive on various disabilities.

EMPLOYMENT MATTERS

The Careers and Employment Centre has asked me to let you know that they now put Graduate jobs on their web page and to keep your eyes out for the ACT public service vacation work and their graduate program which seems to come up in August . Sorry but I didn't have time to alert you to this earlier but maybe next year! Neil has also been making new links to our homage with Centrelink which is worth looking at . Some of you may be eligible for the new Youth Allowance as there are some new arrangements here particularly with rent assistance . Have a look at the web site http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/WebPagesByTitle/Youth+Allowance+Intermediate+Page I have included an easy to understand precis of YA and Bronwyn Evans the welfare officer can also assist you with this.

IBM are recruiting graduates for 50 positions in NSW and are strongly encouraging people with disabilities to apply Contact Robyn or Ian on 0396424477 or email : service@cms.asn.au or look at their web site http://www.cms.asn.au

The web site for our new Careers home page is : http://macserv1.canberra.edu.au/careers/welcome.html

We have just updated the Disability in the Workplace booklet on our home page to better reflect the Centrelink changes and correct Phone numbers etc. so have a look.

TYPING COURSE

Occupational Health and Safety will be starting typing courses in H block . The cost will be $60 for 10 days from 9-10:30 For details contact Faye McNeven ext 4593 It's possible that we could run a specific course for students with disabilities if there was enough interest and maybe get it at a cheaper rate . Let me know how you feel.

TAX RETURNS

Bronwyn Evans , the welfare officer is also offering lessons on how to do your tax return . I gather students from Commerce are conducting these free.

Students with a hearing impairment

Some snippets out of the SHHH digest from NSW .
All prime time TV is to be captioned from 2001
Three banks have set up TTY SERVICES Commonwealth bank ring freecall 1800240889 for statements, pay bills and transfer funds , National Australia 1300363647 for account balances and to order cheque books ,St George 1300361246 normal bank transactions and queries.

I have a copy of the application form for the Gloria Marshall Scholarship for a deaf student in Higher education . If interested come in and I will give you one.

ACCESS ISSUES

There is a new disabled toilet in the Chancelry annex so if you are at Student Administration turn right down the passage and you will see it

The new Graduate house is nearly ready for occupation and there are two rooms purpose built for people with disabilities and two with adaptable space.

More work is being done on bringing toilets up to standard and with Keith Walkers help we should overcome some of the past problems.

SUPPORT GROUPS

The Counselling service recently ran a group for CFS suffers which was very successful. Contact the Counselling service for more information.

Learning Disabilities

I circulated most of you with the name of the testing service in Western Sydney that charges only $130 but if you have lost it come and see me as you will need a referral from me to go there.

Neil has installed TEXTHELP on one of the Resource room computers which has great benefits for editing and writing . Contact him on 2344 for a demonstration.

Vision Impairments

Neil has also just installed JAWS and MAGIC the new screen enlargement and we have purchased a new scanner. Any one needing to use this again please contact him on 2344 Screen enlargement can also be installed on any of the computer labs accessed by students.

Writing Disabilities

I have included a survey which was published in the RSI support group newsletter and they would be delighted if you could fill it in and return it to them. They also mention waist packs which are useful to assist with carrying things. This is something I am often asked about for students. I gather they are available at Kathmandu for $50 and Mountain designs have a different model . They are bigger than Bum bags but take the strain off the shoulders.

I include an easy recipe from their newsletter that takes little cutting
Lamb with olives
600gm lamb fillets cut up by the butcher
1 onion sliced
I clove garlic crushed
15ml sp. tomato puree
150 ml beef stock
110ml red wine
12 olives
oil

Brown lamb add onions and garlic. mix tomato puree with stock and pour over lamb and onions. Cover and cook at 190 degrees Celsius for 45 minutes for 1 hour. Serve with couscous and salad.

CONFERENCE

A student will be coming with me to Perth to the Pathways conference in early December and I will ask her to write her impressions for the first newsletter next year. There are usually a lot of students with disabilities present and a great way to meet new people in a similar situation yourself. Unfortunately it only happens every two years. I will also report on it early next year.

SPANNING IDENTITIES CONFERENCE

Access Plus is a working party on issues affecting Gays Lesbians bisexuals and transgenders with disabilities or HIV/AIDS. The conference will be held in Sydney in October . Contact Ian Archer Wright Ph 0293606687 Fax 0293805848

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT PACKAGES

There have been discussions with various groups on a person based funding model for ISP'S If you want to hear any more about this contact Elaine Pulleine on 6205 1217 or email dene_nash-basnett@dpa.act.gov.au

STUDY SKILLS

A new book is to be launched at the end of September "How to Pass exams" by Fred Orr Price $12.95 publisher Allen and Unwin and the Co-op book shop should have it soon. There will also be a new Learning Disabilities kit out soon from Melbourne University also and they will send me a copy if any one wants to see it.

DIAL IN FACILITIES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

The Disability Advisory group has now produced some guidelines for access to subsidy for payment for services through Ozemail for access to the Internet.Subject to approval by DAG they are as follows:

This year the University has outsourced dial-in services to Ozemail requiring students and staff to pay for these services. A sub-committee of the Disability Advisory Group met on 30 July 1998 to discuss the issue of subsidising costs of dial -in services to students whose disability makes it difficult for them to come on campus as often as their peers.

It was agreed that

• the student must be registered with the Disability Support Unit and apply for the subsidy;
• at the Disability Adviser's discretion, providing there is a valid reason and after discussion with the student, the following service may be authorised:
  1. the DSU budget will refund a student for the cost of 30 hours a month @ $19.95 per month for 9 months of the year ($179.55 a year). This is to be reviewed at the start of each year with the student;
  2. at this stage there will be a limit of 25 students supported in any one year or up to $4500 a year;
  3. funding will not be provided from the Endowment for Excellence Fund unless access to dial-in services is part of a package for a high-cost support need student;
  4. the student will be required to provide the Disability Adviser with a copy of a receipt of payment to Ozemail prior to reimbursement. The Disability Adviser to arrange with the Business Officer of SASS for a cheque to be sent to the student at the end of each semester.
• postgraduate students may also access the fund in the Graduate School for students with a disability providing it has not been exhausted by other students in that year.

Another Post Graduate initiative that is being explored and I will keep you informed of the outcome , is that Peter Chen, the acting president of PARSA, is seeking funds for an equipment pool for access to software and computers for graduate students with a disability which may be lent to students.

Regulatory impact statements

These are out for both Transport standards and the Building code of Australia and you will see an attachment that calls for letters to the Minister of Transport supporting the standard as it is said that there is a lobby group mounted by members of the transport industry to work against implementation of the standards for accessible transport. If you wish please sign and send.

EXAMS

A reminder for all new students who need alternative arrangements for exams that you must put in the paper work at least three weeks before exams and some of you may need new medical certificates.

STUDY ABROAD

Why dont you think about studying abroad? Brit Helgeby from the International Education office in the Chancelry annex has just been to the USA for a conference on studying abroad as a student with a disability and she would be glad to tell you about the scheme from ANU'S end . We have students with disabilities studying here now from the States. Depending on the nature of your disability you should discuss with Brit the types of accommodations that you will need and their availability.

DANCING FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

I have had a conversation with Graeme Morriss who gives lessons in dancing to people with a disability ussually located on middle Southside area. If people are interested in this please get in touch with me and we can set up a group for University students . The cost is $5 and hour and available times are Tuesday or Wednesday afternoons or evenings. Wheelchair users are welcome and the nature of the disability is immaterial . Sounds a great idea and a good fun.

FREE COMPUTER CHAIRS

OH&S have some second hand ergonomic chairs that they are willing to give to students with a disability if they want them. Please contact me asap if you are interested . They are in reasonable condition.

SAFETY ON CAMPUS

There has just been a launch of a safety program on campus and you will see the leaflets and posters about. One point to remember is that you can call security on 2249 and they will provide an escort service after dark for you to your car or back to the college. People with disabilities are some what more vulnerable than others in this respect and you should feel ok about asking for this service.

This is the last newsletter for the year so I will wish you a happy holiday season even though it is still a while away. Those who need to work during the holidays ,do make sure that you leave enough time for a break some where , relaxation is vital for all of us as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Cheers