DisABILITY Accessibility Information Resources

September - October 2005
Number 35

e-Bility News is a bi-monthly newsletter distributed by e-Bility Inclusive IT. It presents information on updates to e-Bility's web site, news about disability related issues on the Web, as well as other information of general interest to the disability and health sector.

What's new on e-Bility.com?

Brochure stand

EQuality Vehicle Conversions: EQuality is a wheelchair accessible vehicle specialist with experience in a variety of vehicle conversions, including modifications for wheelchair access, driving, seating, lifting and wheelchair restraints. Talk to us today to find a solution that best fits your needs!
Spectrum Educational Consulting: Sandra Christianson specialises in on-site preschool and school integration programs for children with autism and other social and/or communication impairments. Individual (child-centered) office-based play workshops and social skill-builders also available. Sandra is a qualified educator and developmental play therapist with over 10 years of practical educational experience.

Buy and sell

Shoe Swap: e-bility is considering setting up a Shoe Swap directory to make it easier for amputees and people with different sized feet to exchange new spare shoes with other people in a similar situation in Australia. Please let us know if there is a need for this service. To get the project started, there are two New Balance Performance Shoes in odd sizes advertised under Buy & Sell.
Mobility and personal care equipment: Includes three different wheelchairs and a stainless steel shower chair
Nexus Series 3 Modular Ramp: An elevated modular ramp system suitable for accessible independent living. The ramp was purchased in 2004 and has never been used.

Articles

Emanuel Leplin - symphony composer and mouth painter: Emanuel was an award-winning 20th century symphonic composer and artist, who contracted polio during the 1954 epidemic in San Francisco. He continued to write great music and taught himself to paint again, using his mouth to control the paint brush. This article is a tribute by his son Rocky.
Planning for Christmas: Lisa Sampson, a playwright and performer, suggests some fun ways to make the Christmas holiday season memorable and enjoyable for people with intellectual disabilities.
Access all areas - Tips from an access auditor: Two short articles on Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant solutions for the built environment, including the often overlooked issue of egress (access out of the building in an emergency) and the importance of colour contrast for people with vision impairments.
Sit ski weekend in the snow: Enthusiasm, fun and a sense of adventure are the recollections of an AQA Victoria skiing weekend, enjoyed by five first time sit skiers with recent spinal cord injuries.

Directory of disability links

RSS disability news feeds: A growing list of web sites providing customisable syndicated live news feeds on disability, accessibility and health topics.
Mental health: A collection of links to quality mental health and well being web sites on the Internet

News items

Carer's Access Card program: The Carer's Access Card program is a collaborative project between Carers Queensland (Wide Bay) and Bundaberg Regional Access Advisory Committee. Its aim is to encourage businesses to provide free admission to carers of people with disability. The initiative has been developed as an easy way to demonstrate the genuine requirement of a carer and is currently being trial in the Bundaburg area.

What's new on the WWW?

Services

DIRC (NSW) has moved: The Disability Information Referral Service is moving from Bondi to Suite 208/35 Buckingham Street, Surry Hills. The premises are accessible and for the time being they can still be contacted on the old number 9387 4199 for information referrals or enquiries (until the new number is available).
Australian Dyspraxia Support Group: A resource centre for parents, professionals and teachers who work with or care for children with developmental oral, verbal and motor dyspraxia. The group also have a series of workshops being run in Sydney and regional NSW from September to November 2005.

Research

Open Doors 2005 Market Study: The Open Doors Organization in cooperation with the Travel Industry Association of America has released the findings of its 2005 research study, showing that disability travel is on the rise. The 2005 study confirms that there is a strong disability travel market and reveals which destinations (domestic and international) are most popular among travelers with disabilities. It also provides new data on Internet use, rental cars and ground transportation.

Blogs

Inaccessible Unacceptable: A new blog concerning access to premises has just been launched by the Physical Disability Council of Australia (or PDCA for short). Its a place for sharing experiences about accessibility in Australia, as part of the Inaccessible Unacceptable campaign.
Rolling Rains: Precipitating dialogue on travel, disability, and universal design, this blog is a must to bookmark for its well researched and topical discussions on accessibility.

New legislation

Disability Standards for Education 2005: In August 2005 new Disability Standards for Education came into effect in Australia. The Standards clarify the obligations of education and training providers under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the rights of students with disabilities.