Thank you to the person who types my column. Very good! DISABILITY ACCESS NEWS - JULY 2000
Robyn Gobert's DisABILITY column for 11th JulyGreat to see a number of events organised for Disability Access Week. I'll be guest speaker at the Colonial Club scrumptous morning tea on Wednesday 12th. Ph 4053 8809 before 10th July for bookings.
Terrific to see the new accessible path into the ramp at the Malanda Clinic. However, the right-angles in the ramp still present a problem.
Fur 'n' Feathers Rainforest Tree Houses have accessible accommodation that would be usable by the majority.
Two people have contacted me regarding needle disposal units and the disability toilets doubling as a Mother's Room at Smithfield. Sharps disposal units are necessary. They provide a safer solution than finding needles left on the floor. The disability toilet wasn't being designated as the preferred needle user's place of operations as sharps units were also available in the other toilets. However, disability loos don't have to be used as Mother's Rooms and that may be changed.
Another complaint surrounded the provision of parent's parking bays. The complainant was concerned that these bays are being provided at the expense of disability bays. While disability parking is policeable via a permit on show, parents' parking relies on the honor system. In the absence of disability parking, we're not expected to park in those zones. I've contacted the Cairns City Council on this one.
People who only have the use of one hand find soap dispensers in public toilets that require one hand to push a button and one hand to catch the soap quite impossible.
The Atherton Shire Council has nice clean disability toilets that are open to the public.
Access to affordable and suitable housing is a fundamental issue for people with disabilities. Do you need information or could you offer help in some way? Write to the Queensland Disability Housing Coalition Inc, Unit 1B, Reply Paid 66929, Greenslopes 4120.
The Queenslanders with Disabilities Network's Townsville number is 1300 363 783.
Dementia patients now have to wait an average of upwards of 90 days for a bed in aged care facilities. Three years ago the delay was 56 days. Waiting lists for beds in metropolitan areas have doubled and it's not uncommon for the list to be 100 people.
DisABILITY column for 18th July
Well done Cooktown! Their new Local Area Coordination Scheme is a community-based support for people with disabilities to help them to participate in their community.
Effectiveness and power lies in collective minorities becoming a majority. We have a plethora of groups out there working for specific disability rights and to meet a diversity of needs. Look at the positive changes other minorities have achieved, against incredible odds, by presenting a united front. Household names like Women's Lib, Gay Lib, the anti-gun lobby, people fighting for Aboriginal rights and the Anti-smoking Council. Agree with them or not, they have changed our society.
More than 100,000 Auzzies with disabilities travel overseas each year. Most haven't been able to get insurance. Now they can through TravelSure. Their Carers and equipment can also be covered for a realistic premium.
The Tableland Community Council will meet on August 10th. They are working on developing more effective strategies for writing funding submissions within the Tableland communities. Talk to Kevin Thommason at the Atherton Neighborhood Center for more information. Ph 40913733.
Phone 3870 1022 before 25th July to register for the Community Resource Unit's workshop in Cairns, August 15th on providing support for people with intellectual disabilities.
Bus companies around the State are taking advantage of Queensland Transport's Accessible Bus Scheme. Is anyone looking into this scheme up this way? I have been asked to advocate for an accessible bus service to Cairns.
Ability Access Vehicle Hire Lease and Tours is accessing the advantages of embracing the disability market. Phone Tony and Della on 40336293.
disABILITY column for 25th July
The Eacham Shire Councillors are to be congratulated for promptly reversing their decision to take the $180 per year rates subsidy from disability pensioners and only give it to those receiving the Aged Pension. A number of PWEA and Para and Quad members wrote to the Council and, as it was considered to be very unpopular, they immediately reversed their decision.
A huge hand to Quicksilver Connections in Port Douglas for their innovation. They invited me to roadtest their disability water lift as part of a segment being filmed by the Channel 7 program The Great South East. The Program goes to air at 5.30pm on Sunday 30th July.
The first of it's kind for Queensland, their hydraulic lift was developed and made locally. It is on board the pontoon at Agincore Reef. Gentle and safe, it allows people with physical impairments to swim, snorkel and dive the reef. Access to the boat and the disability toilet may require assistance for some. Professional photos of the day will be used within their Olympics and Paralympics publicity.
Thank you to the Radisson Reef Resort in Port Douglas, who have tried to think of everything for their excellent disability rooms.
Tableland Community Link is holding "an important meeting for people who are interested in the direction of services for people with disabilities". Hosted by DSQ at 9am to 12 on Wednesday 9th August at the International Club, Atherton. Phone Neville on 4095 4608 to book as light refreshments will be provided.
The Cairns Colonial Club hosted a morning tea to mark Disability Access Week. As guest speaker it allowed me to meet some and renew acquaintances with others from within Council and Government, as well as Cairns disability-sector representatives. It was very encouraging to be invited to other events that marked this important date and to know that various displays and information outlets were organised in Cairns.
Anyone wanting disability related information in this column is most welcome to contact me. Ph 4096 5684. Fax 4095 1184. Email ando@cyberwizards.com.au
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