Vicdeaf
http://www.vicdeaf.com.au/
Go4 NewsGo4 Multimedia.Donovan Craig <donovan@go4.com.au>
http://www.vicdeaf.com.au/news/newsitem.html?news_id=344
National Relay Service updateMurph becomes a celebrity
A short NRS documentary – the true story of Murph Emond, ex truckie from Meredith in rural Victoria – has become a bit of an internet and TV hit. In fact such a hit, that Murph was honoured in June with a certificate handed to him by the Minister for Communications Stephen Conroy.
Murph, who has had a severe hearing impairment since he was a child, only discovered the NRS a few years ago, but it changed his life. In the doco Murph recalls the day he was able to use the NRS to call his interstate daughter - for the first time.
The original documentary became a short community service announcement or CSA run nationally for free by the TV networks. The CSA became so popular that the NRS even received complaints that we were “spending too much money” on advertising.
Read more about Murph: http://www.relayservice.com.au/news/3900.html
You can view Murph’s video: http://www.relayservice.com.au/murph
Or view the community service announcement: http://www.relayservice.com.au/multiattachments/3695.html
Third of the population know about the National Relay Service
Awareness is a valuable tool when you are promoting a service like the NRS.
Not just among those who can benefit directly from it, but among the Australian community as a whole.
The more people know of the NRS and what it does, the more people are likely to recommend it to friends and family and the less likely it will be for relay users to meet misunderstanding or even refusal to accept a call.
From time to time the NRS includes a question in Newspoll surveys to find out what proportion of the population know about the NRS.
Six years ago the figure was 19%. Last year it was 23%. This May, 31% of respondents had heard of the service – almost a third of the population!
Find out more about the NRS www.relayservice.com.au
Lance D Hately
Education & Information Officer, National Relay Service
Level 3, 340 Albert Street, East Melbourne 3002
P 03 9473 1160 | TTY 03 9473 1149 | F 03 9473 1144
SMS Only: 0438 580 615 (new number)
lance.hately@relayservice.com.au | www.relayservice.com.auLatest NewsLuke Moulton <luke@go4.com.au>
http://www.vicdeaf.com.au/news/newsitem.html?news_id=345
National Disability Insurance Scheme SurveyWhat Is National Disability Insurance Scheme?
It is a proposal put forward to the Australian Government. The idea of the scheme is to support an individual with a disability accessing services of own choice. It is also to provide support and assistance to all people with a disability no matter how or when they got the disability.
What is this inquiry about?
For a long time, many people with a disability and their families or carers have been frustrated with the system and how it works.
Currently the Australian Government asked Productivity Commission to have a look at this system in improving care and support for all people with a disability and their families.
This inquiry is to find out what kind of system should be used to improve services and support for people with disability and how this system can be organised, funded and administered.
Deaf Australia has received funding to consult with the Deaf Community to find out what is important so barriers to everyday life are removed. Deaf Australia believes this is a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity for changes in the system and it is very important for the Deaf Community to have a big say about what type of system they would like to see.
Please take a few minutes to answer this survey. Now is your chance to contribute your ideas.
A submission will be sent to the Productivity Commission, due on 16th August.
Please fill out the questionnaire on line at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YXM272J
If you can’t fill out the questionnaire on line, please click here to download a Word document, fill it out below and send it to:
Rachel Miers
Deaf Australia
PO Box 1083
Stafford Qld 4053
Fax: 07 3357 8377
By 8th August 2010Latest NewsLuke Moulton <luke@go4.com.au>
http://www.vicdeaf.com.au/news/newsitem.html?news_id=342
Excellence in support for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing recognised in Victorian Training AwardsThe Centre of Excellence for Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing has been nominated as a finalist for two categories in the 2010 Victorian Training Awards.
Nominated in both the Victorian Training Initiative of the Year and the Victorian VET Client Service/Support Excellence Award categories, the Centre of Excellence had to complete a rigorous application and interview process to make it to the finalist stage.
The nomination for Victorian Training Initiative of the Year is in recognition of the Centre’s delivery of the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment in Auslan while the nomination for the Client Service/Support Excellence Award category was based on the overall work undertaken by the Centre of Excellence.
Operating under the auspices of NMIT (Preston campus), the Centre of Excellence has been in existence since 1993 and is funded by Skills Victoria to work on a systemic level to provide information and advice to the VET (Vocational Education and Training) sector – particularly teaching staff – in order to enhance the participation and learning experiences of Deaf and hard of hearing people. It also provides niche training programs for Deaf and hard of hearing people. The Centre works closely with disability liaison staff across all TAFE institutes in Victoria.
The Centre’s coordinator, Cathy Clark, said, “The staff of the Centre have worked tirelessly for many years and it is exciting to have our work recognised in this way. It is a tremendous honour to be a finalist in two categories.”
The Victorian Training Awards program promotes and rewards outstanding achievements and innovations by students, apprentices, trainees, teachers, employers and training organisations across 14 categories to build a world class vocational education training system in Victoria.
The winners of all 14 categories will be announced at the Victorian Training Awards Presentation Dinner on 14 September 2010. For further information about the Awards, go to www.skills.vic.gov.au/awards.
To learn more about the Centre of Excellence, go to www.nmit.edu.au/excellence.
Source: Media Release from NMIT's Centre of Excellence for Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing - 27 July 2010
INTERVIEW/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Media enquiries should be directed to Cathy Clark at:
p: 03 92698306 or 03 92698366
f: 03 9269 8315
e: cathyc-vp@nmit.vic.edu.auLatest NewsLuke Moulton <luke@go4.com.au>
http://www.vicdeaf.com.au/news/newsitem.html?news_id=343
The Melbourne Writers Festival is committed to providing access to people with disabilitiesDeaf Community:
In 2010, Melbourne Writers Festival will provide Auslan interpreters at certain sessions of our 2010 program based on your interest. We wish to be guided by the deaf community so that we can use our available resources in the best way possible. So, to tell us what sessions you would like to see interpreted, follow the link to the attached survey and follow these steps:
Read the program guide carefully
Select your preferred sessions or events and enter the details in our online survey
NOTE: All surveys must be completed by Friday 6th August.
Based on your selections, Melbourne Writers Festival will allocate interpreters according to the most requested sessions. These interpreted sessions will be clearly marked on the website from 7th August. You can then buy your tickets.
We look forward to receiving your input with great interest and welcome your participation in the Melbourne Writers Festival 2010.
The Keynote Address will be interpreted.
Hearing Loops: Most venues have hearing loops. Please phone 03 9999 1199 or email ticketing@mwf.com.au for details on how to book these seats.
NOTE: Are you interested in the workshop Deaf Can Write – see program for more details.
Wheelchair/Mobility Access:
All Festival venues have wheelchair access, however if you use a wheelchair or have a mobility impairment, assistance will be required to gain access at the some of our venues.
If booking for Melbourne Town Hall, RMIT Capitol Theatre or The Toff in Town, please ring the box office on 03 9999 1199 to book your tickets and register your request for wheelchair/mobility access. An usher will then be available to assist you to the venue.
Additional accessibility information
If you would like further information or require assistance to attend any of our Festival venues please contact the festival on 03 9999 1199 or email ticketing@mwf.com.au.
Source: http://www.mwf.com.au/2010/content/mwf-2010-standard.asp?name=Disability-accessLatest NewsLuke Moulton <luke@go4.com.au>