DisABILITY Accessibility Information Resources
September 2007
Number 45
What's new on e-Bility.com?
Brochure stand
Autism: To help me you need to understand me
This practical manual was prepared by a mother of a child with Autism, with input from members of her daughter's professional support network including speech therapists, psychologists, and special educators. Published by Innovative Communication Programming, it empowers the reader by imparting knowledge, sharing everyday experiences and providing a range of successful strategies to assist in managing the challenges posed by sharing a life with an individual with Autism.
Print Disability: Developing Individual Lifestyles in a Technological Age
Papers and abstracts from the 2007 Round Table Conference are now available for download from their website.
FSF posters
Families Supporting Families has recently created a series of downloadable posters with information about current and future projects of interest to families with a child or children with a disability as well as health professionals living in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the lower Hunter Region.
ARATA 2008 Conference Update
New dates have just been announced for the ARATA Conference in Adelaide from Monday 22 to Wednesday 24 September 2008. The conference theme is "AT: Creating Value Through Participation" addressing issues such as cost/benefit analysis, impact of assistive technology on quality of life, clinical research findings and solution development with regional partners in the Asia/Pacific.
Disability classifieds
Second hand equipment for sale
Several new postings of second hand equipment have been added to Buy & Sell since the last e-Bility News, including an R82 Flamingo child's shower/commode chair, an adult tilt table, a Jenx Humphrey standing frame (suits child 3 - 7 years), Josh chair and Invacare electric wheelchair.
Second hand accessible vehicles for sale
There are a variety of wheelchair accessible vehicles currently listed for sale. Recent additions include a modified Ford Transit (with room for 2 wheelchair passengers), a Kia Carnival with rooftop Flo Con auto-lifter wheelchair hoist and a Toyota Hiace Commuter adapted for 2 wheelchair passengers. Other vehicles listed include Ford Flashcabs and a Chrysler Voyager.
Disability news
Ceiling Hoist users Club
Do you know of any accommodation or transport (ferries, cruise ships) that have fixed ceiling hoists? The Ceiling Hoist users Club have been working closely with Intercontinental Hotels Group in the UK who have recently installed hoists in 3 of their flagship London hotels and are collecting similar information from all around the world so that there is an online accommodation directory for ceiling track hoist users.
Good vision initiative 2007
The Optometrists Association of Australia is offering free materials to schools, parents and kids on vision, including how to identify children with vision problems and how to look after your vision.
Greenhouse friendly
W3Green
e-Bility has sought to reduce its impact on the environment through an associated project we are working on called Energy Today. We have offset our website hosting and related energy consumption by purchasing certified abatement credits from genuine demand reduction activities. Our office is also powered by 100% renewable energy, accredited under the National GreenPower Accreditation Program.
Articles
Targa Tasmania 2007 Car Rally
In 2006 Naz and Alan formed the first team with disabilities to enter and compete in the Targa Tasmania, an exciting International Classic Rally Drive held annually in and around the picturesque roads and landscape of Tasmania. In 2007 they take up the challenge for a second time to show others that having a disability is not the end, "We can and do get on with our lives"
Ski Able water skiing tournament
The focus of Ski Able is the water skiing tournament for people with disability, including physical disabilities or vision impairment.
A weekend in Walhalla
Recently after reading a Getaway segment in the Sunday Age on Walhalla's Star Hotel and it's attractions, including the fact it had a wheelchair accessible suite, my wife Lesley and I headed off for a quiet couple of days at Walhalla.
Swimming with the dolphins
We were soon noticed by the resident dolphin and he made us his audience as he sailed by, having a good look at us on his way past. He seemed to get excited when we waved and clapped his every movement, and came back time and again, jumping and splashing, ostensibly in an effort just to impress us.
Linux accessibility for people with vision impairment
In the early 1990s Linux, a free operating system, was introduced into the computer world. More importantly, the source code was freely available. Since its release individuals and companies have volunteered their time to develop a wide range of free software, including screen readers for people with vision impairment.
Book corner
Technology for Communication and Cognitive Treatment
This highly acclaimed practical guide will help professionals, volunteers, communication partners and families feel more confident about using technology as a communication tool for people with speech, language, learning and cognitive disability.
What's new on the WWW?
National Relay Service
Within the next month (exact date to be confirmed) the National Relay Service (NRS) will be providing their new Internet Relay. This service provides an option for people who have difficulty accessing a TTY or using their communication device over the Speech To Speech relay. Provided you have internet access you will be able to use the NRS Internet Relay to make calls to mobile and land lines in Australia directly from your computer, using whatever assistive technology you need.
Disability WA
The new information rich website for the Disability Services Commission in Western Australia, with Read Speaker enhancement to listen to the content.
IDPWD 2007 Registration & Grants Opportunity
International Day of People with a Disability (IDPWD) is an official day declared by the United Nations to celebrate the achievements of people with disability. The NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) is organising the "Don't DIS my ABILITY campaign" and Accessible Arts is coordinating the Arts program for IDPWD. Event registrations open on Monday 27 August 2007 and can be entered via the IDPWD website.
History of Disability in South Australia
DIRC SA have recorded the changing landscape of disability in South Australia and the experiences of people with a disability in the State. The website, funded by a grant from Community Benefit SA, acknowledges, commemorates and celebrates the lives of SA citizens with disability and identifies the contribution they have made to the South Australian community.
Fashion Freaks
Meagan Whellans is originally from Australia and has a degree in textiles. Together with Susanne Berg, a freelance writer from Sweden and a wheelchair user for more than 25 years they have created a website about fashion and clothing from a seated perspective. The site includes patterns for downloading, simple sewing instructions, tips and other useful ideas for making good looking clothes that are a comfortable fit.
Centre for Learning Innovation
The Centre for Learning Innovation's Adaptive Technology site now contains a News and Reviews section. Several product reviews are available as well as news snippets on adaptive technology developments. There is also a link to Upcoming Events, where information on relevant conferences and seminars is provided.
Qantas Charter for Customers with Specific Needs
Qantas has updated their information for traveller's requiring mobility assistance, including people using wheelchairs, walking canes, crutches and walking frames, travelling with an escort or carer, service dog or needing a stretcher.
Scratch
A useful free fun teaching tool for kids that allows you to make lots of different activities for lots of different purposes. Adding customised content is quite simple and there are hundreds of activities available on the MIT website - many made by kids. There is also the option of a USB sensor ("Scratch Board") that can be set up to activate the activities you've made in various ways including sound, motion, and variable pressure as well as a simple switch.
Spinal Works
SpinalWorks is a TAFE project designed to help you get back into training and work after spinal injury.
Australia for All
A destination finder where Australian tourists with disability can obtain information about the accessibility of accommodation and tourist venues they wish to visit.
Snappy Swim School
The Snappy special needs aquatic program offers swimming lessons for pre-schoolers with disability in the Hills District NSW.
[with] tv
A start-up corporation in America devoted to providing television by and for people with disability.
