Electronic Australian Disability Newsletter
What's New on e-bility.com?
Brochure Stand - Updated Web Sites:
http://www.e-bility.com/brochure.php
GTK Rehab:
http://www.e-bility.com/gtkrehab/
The GTK Rehab web site has been updated and now includes an expanded online catalogue for a wide range of wheelchairs, customised seating and mobility equipment, including: 24 hour positioning, lifting and transfers, modular seating systems for postural support, pressure relief, tilt-in-space, adjustable headrests, personal care, manual and powered wheelchairs/scooters and much more. Search by category, brand or A-Z to find rehabilitation equipment solutions and ideas for both children and adults.
Innovative Programming:
http://www.e-bility.com/talktogether/
Innovative programming is a dynamic business that provides support to people with severe communication impairments. Ylana Bloom, Speech Pathologist, offers a range of solutions to facilitate effective and interactive communication whilst taking into consideration each person's own abilities, environments and tasks that need to be accomplished. Products and services include: Softpics Picture Literacy Image Library, the Lets Talk Together Great Ideas Manual, Lets Read Together Literacy Programme, Participation Through Communication Guide, training workshops and individual/group Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) assessments.
ARATA Conference "Technology - Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday":
http://www.e-bility.com/arata/conf.php
Planning is well underway for the ARATA 2004 National Conference in Melbourne. The conference theme is "Technology - Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday". Information and conference updates are now available on the ARATA web site and expressions of interest are being sought from interested presenters, delegates, exhibitors, sponsors and advertisers.
Carrie Writes:
http://www.e-bility.com/carrie/
Carrie was born with cerebral palsy. In recent columns she talks about relationships and the importance of loving yourself first, as well as a local initiative to set up hearing loops in public places.
Exhibit Hall:
http://www.e-bility.com/exhibithall/
Trade exhibits are a popular part of every conference. e-bility's online Exhibit Hall, open 24 hours a day, is a place where people can visit at their leisure to find the products and services that interest them.
Automobility:
http://www.e-bility.com/exhibithall/automobility.php
Automobility has developed a unique fully flat floor rear entry wheelchair accessible conversion for the Kia Carnival. Self-drive configurations are also available, as well as rear and side entry conversions of other vehicles to suit your requirements.
Article of the Month:
http://www.e-bility.com/articles/
Short, informative articles to be published in this section are always welcome. If you have a story you would like to share please drop us a line. Articles recently published include:
My Trip to Noosa:
http://www.e-bility.com/articles/noosa.shtml
Andrea Holliday from the Australian Quadriplegic Association Victoria reports that her recent holiday to Noosa and the Sunshine Coast was a pleasant, relaxing and accessible experience. Hastings Street is a dream to get around and local attractions, such as Eumundi Markets, Underwater World, Noosa National Park, restaurants and the Noosa Cinema all cater well for wheelchair access.
Making A Difference - Reflections on using the Disability Discrimination Act:
http://www.e-bility.com/articles/dda.shtml
2003 marks the 10th anniversary of Australia's Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). In this article Bruce Maguire offers a personal account of his experience and motivation for using the DDA and his desire to participate, along with all Australians, in the excitement of the Sydney Olympic Games. Bruce is one of a number of Australians who have used the DDA to bring about positive change for themselves and others. As a result of this DDA action awareness has been raised internationally about the importance of web accessibility.
Directory of Links:
http://www.e-bility.com/links/
Learning and Reading Difficulties:
http://www.e-bility.com/links/reading.php
This page includes links to many local and international organisations, online resources, tools and sources of information to help individuals, parents, teachers and professionals in understanding and developing skills in reading and learning strategies, for people with dyslexia and other specific reading and learning difficulties.
Enabling Software:
http://www.e-bility.com/links/software.php
Here you will find information on affordable software programs (freeware and shareware) designed for the web, such as text readers, magnification programs, literacy tools, voice dictionaries, on-screen keyboards, switch access and a variety of other useful applications to assist people with disabilities eg Text Aloud, Read Please, Cob Shell, Text Reader Dictionary.
What's New on the WWW?
Wheelabout Second Hand Vehicle Sales:
http://www.wheelabout.com/secondhand.php
The Wheelabout web site now has a new section for sales of second-hand accessible vehicles in Australia. If you are looking to buy or sell a car this is a great place to start.
ORMOSA
http://www.ormosa.com.au/
ORMOSA (Orientation & Mobility Services Australia) provides orientation and mobility instruction to people who have vision impairment or blindness. ORMOSA now have a new web site with additional information, services and resources to assist people to travel safely, efficiently and independently to a chosen destination.
Cart Collect (Recycling Australia):
http://www.cartcollect.com.au/
Your organisation can directly benefit from the recycling of used toner cartridges. Cart Collect provides an empty toner cartridge collection service that is free and will actually pay you money to use it! You can choose to donate your reward to a community organisation or receive the award as a cheque. So, don't throw away your empties!
Opening All Options:
http://student.admin.utas.edu.au/services/options/
This site provides information and resources about improving accessibility of education to students with learning disabilities.
Principles of universal design:
http://www.design.ncsu.edu:8120/cud/univ_design/princ_overview.htm
A group of universal design advocates is working cooperatively to try to develop a set of universal design principles. The goal is to see whether there are some general high-level principles, which apply across environments, products, and communication. This is an ongoing project, and input is solicited. If you would like a copy of the principles a text version is available for quick printing and a colour poster can de downloaded as a pdf file.
SMARTA
http://www.aqa.com.au/SMARTA.htm
SMARTA (Selling and Marketing Accessible Real Estate to All) is a joint initiative between The Australian Quadriplegic Association and the Department of Fair Trading. Through consultation with industry and disability representatives SMARTA aims to establish a modular education program to inform property services operators in disability awareness and the good business of inclusive service delivery, as well as how to identify and market universally accessible real estate within the common market.
Reader Contributions
Mental Health Inquiry e-Form:
http://www.mhcc.org.au
The Mental Health Coordination Council has designed an electronic public forum for anyone interested in developing and moving forward practical strategies around the implementation of the Mental Health Inquiry recommendations (NSW Upper House). The electronic forum is where you can voice your opinion on the 8 key topic areas, including organisation, policy and funding, service provision, housing and homelessness, multicultural and indigenous issues, dual diagnosis, older people, young people, and forensic mental health. Once practical strategies have been developed in this collaborative manner, users will be able to establish working parties around particular topic areas, with the support of MHCC and other interested peak bodies.
Switch Man!
http://rjcooper.com/switchman/
Hi All, I'm the guy that creates software and hardware for persons with special needs. We will be releasing our new SwitchMan software this month - I'm quite excited about making a new cause/effect program because this one does have a 'twist' to it - it has a built-in, full-screen, 'guide' to help the learner. He's SwitchMan! Please check him out, as well as our other software programs for learning and training.
A National Invitation to the Abilympics South Australia:
http://www.abilympics.com/SthAust
You are invited to the Abilympics, an international competition held every 4 years to promote the occupational skills of people with disabilities by way of competition and exhibition. The Abilympics is best described as an "Olympics of Abilities" and is designed to provide an insight to those people who have disabilities and the opportunities that are available to them. This is done by focusing on vocational skills and quality of life other than sporting competitions.
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