CEOs Report

Here is an overview of current activities of the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO). This is not an exhaustive list nor does it discuss any area of work in any detail. It is anticipated that for future issues of this newsletter, articles on particular projects or policy initiatives will be provided.

AFDO has developed a Strategic Plan which is available on our website (www.afdo.org.au). The plan covers the work of AFDO over a five year period, from 2006 - 2010. To guide the work of the organisation each year, a more detailed business plan is developed and regularly reported against for the Board.

The AFDO Strategic Plan identifies five strategic objectives. They are:
• A fairer income support system for people with a disability
• Develop a proposal for an effective & fair system/model of providing disability services
• Work to achieve a national employment strategy for people with disability
• Influence Government policy which relates to disability
• Develop policies and processes that strengthen AFDO and support its policy priorities

AFDO staff and Board undertake work on each of these strategic priorities, to differing degrees. For example, in the area of the employment, the primary work for AFDO for 2006/2007 is undertaken by the Board employment sub-committee. To progress work in some areas, AFDO works to obtain project funding.

In recent months the work undertaken by AFDO staff and project workers has included:
• Consulting with people with disability on the operation of the Commonwealth- State/Territory Disability Agreement for the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
• Developing an Access to Premises campaign
• Collecting case studies about the impact of the Welfare to Work policy
• Preparing a submission to the Australian Fair Pay Commission 2007 review of minimum wages
• Inputting to the Australia Fair campaign and
• Participating in a national forum about the way that emergency services communicate with the community during emergencies.

AFDO is represented on a number of committees and forums putting forward the interest of people with disability. Some of the committees and forums are in areas like human rights, Medicare, transport and the Access Card. We are also regularly called upon to comment on issues and make presentations on a wide range of topics.

In the area of governance, AFDO is currently developing a risk management strategy. We expect this to be finalised by June. AFDO is also in the process of recruiting a new CEO.

Future issues of this newsletter will include more detailed articles on our work.

Frank Hall Benetick

Frank Hall-Bentick has a life long disability, lives in Melbourne and has been involved in disability empowerment for the last thirty years. During this time he has been employed in the Equal Opportunity Unit of the Australian Public Service Board, as Coordinator of Disability Resources Centre and as a Disability Officer at Centrelink. Since 1981 the International Year of Disabled Persons he has been at the forefront of Disability Rights in local, state, national, regional and world organizations, founding and leading many of these groups. For the last fifteen years he has worked closely with the United Nations in Bangkok as Resource Person and invited Expert. More recently he has been an active member of the International Disability Caucus and it’s work on the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities in both Bangkok and New York. During this time he has received a number of Awards including * 1992 – International Plaque awarded for distinguished and unstinting service in the cause People with Disabilities in the Asia Pacific Region, * 2001 - Rotary International "Shine on Awards, Certificate of Commendation" and * 2003 - Australian Centenary of Federation Award for long service to disability organizations and People with Disabilities. Currently Frank is; * Asia Pacific Steering Committee Representative, International Disability Convention Caucus; * World Councillor, Disabled Peoples' International; * Treasurer, Asia Pacific Disability Forum; * Treasurer & International Representative, Disability Australia; * Board member of Disability Resources Centre, Disability Rights Victoria & Leadership Plus; * Committee member of the Yarra Local Government Authority DAC.

CSTDA Update

In 2006, the Senate conducted an inquiry into the operation of the Commonwealth-State/Territory Disability Agreement.

The Inquiry confirmed that pressure is growing on our already overstretched disability services system. Levels of unmet need for disability services are unacceptably high and are expected to worsen significantly as the population ages.

The report of the Inquiry unanimously called for both the States and Territories and the Commonwealth to:
• commit substantially increased funding to the next CSTDA;
• work cooperatively to improve the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of CSTDA services; and,
• develop a National Disability Strategy to provide high level, strategic coordination.

AFDO and its members, with other organisations including ACOSS, wrote to the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, in February to outline our concern that the goodwill and momentum for urgently needed reform created through the Senate Inquiry was dissipating as the Commonwealth and the States and Territories engaged in a debate about cost-shifting.

AFDO argued that the Senate Committee recommendations provide a sensible way forward for responding to increasing demand, emphasising the need for increased base funding and for improved efficiency in the use of existing funding.

We requested that the Australian Government continue its commitment to improving the quality of life for people with disability by committing substantial growth funding to the 4th CSTDA and agreeing to work with people with disability and other stakeholders to develop a National Disability Strategy that will provide a strategic framework for CSTDA expenditure.

AFDO – The Early Days -- Maryanne Diamond

As I prepare to move on from AFDO, it is a good time to reflect on where we came from, where we are and where we might be in the future.

In this article, I will talk about the first few years of the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) from my perspective as the inaugural CEO.

In the beginning
For many of us working in the disability sector, it seemed a very long time from the day that Minister Newman announced the Government’s intention to establish a federation of disability organisations, to when AFDO finally opened its doors for business.

It would be true to say that prior to the establishment of AFDO I, like many, recognised the possibilities of a peak body but was unsure how it would work.

The history of disunity in the sector made me think that it might take some time to find a way to work together effectively.

I was mistaken
Since AFDO became operational we have demonstrated the strength that comes from working cooperatively and strategically, knowing when to work together and when issues are best addressed by a specific organisation.

AFDO was registered as a company in late 2003 and in early 2004 the inaugural board of AFDO undertook recruitment for a CEO. At that time I was employed as the Executive Officer of Blind Citizens Australia. I was successful in my application and commenced on 2 August 2004.

Lou-Ann Lind who was at that time the Executive Officer of NEDA had provided secretarial support to the AFDO board during the recruitment phase. We negotiated with NEDA for her to continue in this role until November 2004.

AFDO had a Board, part-time secretarial support provided remotely and a CEO based in Melbourne. For the first two months we operated out of the offices of BCA before moving to premises in Ross House. Ross House is a building located in Melbourne’s CBD that has been left in trust for small self-help organisations. The accessibility of the building, low rent and co-location of other community-minded groups were a perfect fit for AFDO.

At the same time we began the process of recruiting two staff members, developing a brand for the organisation and completing all the necessary tasks that are part of setting up a small organisation.

We planned two events, the first Annual General Meeting of AFDO and the launch of the organisation. These events were held on 18 November 2004 at Parliament House in Canberra. Both were great successes with a great deal of interest from politicians, senior public servants, community sector representatives and people with disability.

In November 2004 Collette O’Neill commenced as National Policy officer and Brenda Lacy as our Administration Officer.

Membership
The nine founding members of AFDO were:
• Australian Association of the Deaf
• Blind Citizens Australia
• Brain Injury Australia (formerly Head Injury Council of Australia)
• Deafness Forum of Australia
• National Council on Intellectual Disability
• National Ethnic Disability Alliance
• National Indigenous Disability Network
• Physical Disability Council of Australia and
• Women with Disability Australia.

At the first AGM, AFDO members unanimously agreed to invite the Australian Mental Health Consumer Network and the National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS to join AFDO and to offer them founding member status.

Unfortunately, in 2005 the National Indigenous Disability Network withdrew from AFDO due to internal reasons.

The same year the AFDO constitution was amended to allow state-based, cross-disability organisations to join AFDO and to give them representation on the Board. Since then, two state-based organisations have joined:
• Disability Resources Centre (Vic) and
• Access for All Alliance (Qld)

Putting the Basics in Place: Year 1
In 2005 the AFDO constitution was rewritten. It had become clear that it needed to be redrafted to match the reality of what we could and did do.

There was much to do in establishing the organisation as well as important work in the policy area. We developed a strategic plan, governance and policy manual, undertook development of a communications strategy and some development for board members in the area of governance and their responsibilities as a director of a company.

A great deal of work was put into development and expansion of networks in the disability and wider welfare sector. We invested a great deal of time and effort into developing relationships with politicians, public servants, and organisations like ACOSS as we recognised the gap between our large aim and our small resource base.

Some of the areas of policy we pursued in our first year were:
• Supporting the disability representatives on the access to premises standards development committee;
• Working for the introduction of the Disability Standards for Education;
• Undertaking aconsultation on the draft UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities with PWD Australia;
• The proposed, and then implemented, changes to income support and employment assistance for people with disability.

Moving Forward: Year 2
During 2006 AFDO moved from the establishment phase to a consolidation phase. We undertook a second consultation on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as well as a consultation for the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs about the Commonwealth-State/Territory Disability Agreement.

We put a lot of effort into seeking resources for projects and initiatives which would support and build our capacity. The Reichstein Foundation has been particularly generous, supporting three AFDO projects to date:
• Campaign Enable, which aims to reverse cuts to the incomes of people with disability living in income support;
• the Welfare to Work case study collection project; and,
• building the capacity of people with disability through a campaign for the introduction of Disability Standards for Accessible Premises.

AFDO has been fortunate to obtain pro bono support from skilled people such as Mark Madden from the Agenda Group and Jane Evans from Dragongale. Mark has worked with staff and the Board to develop a strategic plan, business plan and risk management strategy, as well as working with the Board on improving their understanding of governance. Jane worked with staff, the board and AFDO member organisations to develop a communications strategy for AFDO which has provided the framework for AFDO’s work in this area.

Looking Ahead
As I wrote above, one of the strengths of AFDO has been that we have been proactive about working with organisations outside our membership, both within the disability sector and in the welfare sector more broadly.

We have also been particularly fortunate that we have employed hard working, talented and great staff. I certainly consider the opportunity to lead the small team here at AFDO one of the highlights of my career.

We have put into place sound policies and practices which I believe are based on good business principals. It is clear that AFDO is highly respected and recognised as an organisation working strategically with all stakeholders.

It is difficult to know where AFDO may be in the future. One of the greatest challenges facing AFDO in my view is developing resources to ensure the organisation is sustainable. Meeting the non-optional costs of disability has been challenging and I believe will continue to be difficult for AFDO.

I have learned a great deal over the last few years which I value and appreciate and which will assist me in my future work. I have seen first hand the strength we have when we work collectively.

Accessible Transport Watch Project

Accessible Transport Watch Project

Disability Resources Centre Inc, a member of AFDO, the Victorian Council of Social Service and the Disability Advocacy and Information Service Inc. are running a project about accessible public transport.

The project has two goals:
• to investigate, monitor and report on the accessibility of transport in Victoria for people with disabilities with a view to achieving improved accessibility outcomes and
• to strengthen the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport.

The project was formed because the majority of public transport in Victoria is inaccessible for people with disabilities and the frail aged. This presents a significant barrier to participation in community life for many people, leaving them isolated and without access to services, shopping and social activities. Lack of access to public transport was identified as one of the most serious issues in people’s lives in the consultations for the Victorian State Disability Plan 2002-12 and is consistently raised as a problem issue in disability and aged forums.

Under the Transport Standards, the Victorian Government is obligated to make all public transport accessible by 2032, with 25 per cent accessible by 2007. The 25% compliance benchmark is due in December 2007.

The Transport Standards are being reviewed this year and the findings of the project will be used in submissions to the review.

The project has five aims:
1. To analyse the information available about the accessibility of Victorian transport and to develop an initial outline or summary of the state of accessibility.
2. To recruit, train and support teams of people with disabilities to investigate a planned series of priority targets.
3. To develop, test and refine pro-forma reporting tools for the disability teams to use in their investigations.
4. To identify priorities for investigation of transport access in metropolitan and regional Victoria.
5. To develop a statewide report.

AFDO has accepted a place on the project Steering Committee.

For further information about the project, contact the project officer Glenn Cardwell via: glenn.cardwell@vcoss.org.au

The Accessible Transport Watch project is funded jointly through the Reichstein Foundation and the Helen McPherson Trust.

Are you affected by Welfare to Work? Tell your story and make a difference.

Are you affected by Welfare to Work? Tell your story and make a difference

Are you having problems with Centrelink or with an agency that is helping you to look for work or to get ready to look for work?

Have you been affected by the Federal Government’s recent changes, called Welfare to Work?

Are you a person with a disability?

If so, the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations would love to hear from you.

We are collecting stories from people with disability about their experiences dealing with Centrelink and other agencies. We will use the stories to help the Government and the media to understand the impact of Welfare to Work.

You can find forms to help you to tell us your story on our website, or you can call us on 03 9662 3324 and we can post them to you.

If you would like to talk to someone about your story, or you need help to tell it, call us on 03 9662 3324. If you live outside Melbourne we will call you back.

We gratefully acknowledge support from the Reichstein Foundation for this project

Launch of free online media and communication tools for community organisations

Community organisations across Australia will benefit from access to a series of new online tools that was launched by the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, the Hon. Mal Brough in March 2007.

Developed by Media Team Australia, the online tools are designed to assist individuals and organisations to review their work and help with capacity building and communications planning.

“In the communication age all community organisations, from the local meals on wheels service to those promoting disabled people in the workplace, need to be able to communicate their success to the wider community.

“Community organisations that take a professional approach to their media and marketing work are more likely to attract business partnerships, high calibre volunteers and wider support from the community. It’s fantastic that the Federal Government is working to assist organisations through this unique initiative,” said Annie O’Rourke, Executive Director, Media Team Australia.

The online tools are available free of charge to all organisations and consists of the following:

• Personal Media Effectiveness Audit
• Strategic Communications Plan Generator
• Promoting Positive Partnerships
• Communication Audit for Organisations
• What Makes a Good Media Release
• Staging Successful Events
• Preparing for an Media Interview

“Community organisations will benefit greatly from this easy to use resource. It will give them and their business partners a much better chance of having their good work in the community recognised and rewarded,” said Minister Brough.

The tools are available at www.mediateam.com.au

Making Australia Fair

Australia Fair is a new national initiative which aims to get the community active and involved in making Australia fair.

Launched in 2006, Australia Fair has a vision of achieving a more equal Australia:

We want a country where no Australian is left to struggle on their own. We work towards giving every Australian an adequate standard of living and a fair chance at participating in our economy and society. We seek support from all Australians to help the people who most need it: men, women and children who do not have a secure home, a job, an education, good health and other services they need.
- Australia Fair website

Australia Fair is an initiative of the Australian Council of Social Service and is supported by the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations.

AFDO encourages everyone to get involved in Australia Fair. You can join via the website www.australiafair.org.au and receive updates on activities, take part in discussions and take action to make Australia fair.

Through the website you can:
• join the Australia Fair Action Network which lets you email your local politicians in three simple steps to express your concern about current issues
• use the Australia Fair Media Resource to write to the editors of your local newspapers and call local talkback radio and television programs to have your views heard
• find information about Australia Fair Citizens’ Juries – where a representative group of people of different ages and backgrounds hear experts and give advice on what actions are needed to make Australia fair
• contribute to Australia Fair My Postcode; tell others what is fair and unfair in your local area and add your photo to the Australia Fair petition to encourage governments to set targets and take action to make Australia fair

You can also contribute your idea of the ten things we need to do to make Australia fair.

Last year Australia Fair asked the Australian community to nominate the essentials that were needed to make Australia fair and they said: Fair Education, Fair Health, Fair Welfare, Fair Environment, Fair Work, Fair Community, Fair Reconciliation, Fair Housing, Fair Services, Fair Rights & Responsibilities.

AFDO and its members contributed to this discussion. We said:

A fair Australia is a place where the human rights of people with disability are respected, realised and protected through strong human rights enforcement tools. A fair Australia would:

• ensure that people with disability live free from abuse, neglect and mistreatment, irrespective of their living arrangements
• reduce the over-representation of people with disability in the criminal justice system
• address violence against people with disability, particularly against women
• end the unlawful sterilization of women and girls with disability
• create accessible environments including streetscapes, transport, public buildings and private housing
• improve economic participation opportunities for people with disability through greater access to education, training and employment
• develop responsive and accessible generic and disability specific services
• provide financial assistance to support the economic and social participation of people with disability
• guarantee access for all people with disability to a secret, independent vote
• provide information to all people in the form they need

For more information, go to: www.australiafair.org.au

Prime Minister’s Employer of the Year Awards 2007 – nominations now open

If you’re part of a company or organisation that strives to include people with disability in its workforce, consider nominating for this year’s Prime Minister’s Employer of the Year Awards.

Each year, these Awards recognise excellence in the employment of people with disability, and acknowledge employers who put in place proactive and innovative strategies to recruit, train and employ people who have disability. A disability can cover a broad spectrum of conditions - including mobility issues; mental illnesses; vision or hearing impairment; or other physical or psychological conditions that may be a barrier to finding and keeping a job.

The Awards acknowledge small, medium and large employers and also recognise the efforts of Providers of Australian Government Employment Services who help job seekers with disability find and keep jobs in the open labour market.

Last year’s Employer of the Year was Benbro Electronics Pty Ltd. The Sydney-based electronic equipment design and manufacturing company has adapted many areas of its business to accommodate people with disability. Many tasks and work areas have been redesigned to accommodate employees with disability – with many of these new areas designed and developed by colleagues.

People with disability are willing and able to work. In the right job, with appropriate training and support, they make an important contribution.

Don’t delay - nominations close 30 April 2007.
For more information visit www.workplace.gov.au/eya or phone 13 17 15.

Sterilisation of Children with Intellectual Disabilities

Women with Disability Australia (WWDA) reports that it is continuing its systemic advocacy work in relation to the Federal, State & Territory Government's proposal to develop draft national, uniform legislation which sets out the procedures that jurisdictions could adopt in authorising the sterilisation of children who have an intellectual disability.

In November 2006, the Standing Committee of Attorneys General (SCAG) released for consultation with selected stakeholders, its draft Bill (Children with Intellectual Disabilities (Regulation of Sterilisation) Bill 2006).

Over the past few months, in response to the draft Children with Intellectual Disabilities (Regulation of Sterilisation) Bill 2006, WWDA has actively sought to re-iterate its recommendation to the Australian Government and the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General (SCAG) that:

the Federal Government develop universal legislation which prohibits sterilisation of children except in those circumstances which amount to those that are a serious threat to health or life. In the case of adults, WWDA also strongly recommends that sterilisation be prohibited in the absence of the informed consent of the individual concerned, except in those circumstances where there is a serious threat to health or life.

WWDA understands that the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General (SCAG) next meets in April 2007, where the draft (Children with Intellectual Disabilities (Regulation of Sterilisation) Bill 2006) and the outcomes of the consultations, will be on the agenda. In recent correspondence to WWDA from the Victorian Department of Justice (Civil Law Policy) WWDA has been advised that:

‘An outcome of the consultation process is that a number of stakeholders have raised important issues in relation to the draft model Bill which will require the Working Group to revisit certain key aspects of the draft Bill. While it is our view that the draft Bill provided to WWDA for comment has been superseded due to the issues raised by stakeholders in relation to it...’ (22 March 2007).

WWDA is continuing our systemic advocacy work in this area, and has recently updated the WWDA website so that information relating to our current campaign is available. The following information can now be found on the WWDA website:

• WWDA Systemic Advocacy on the Unlawful Sterilisation of Minors with Disabilities – Background, Context & WWDA Position;
• Draft Children with Intellectual Disabilities (Regulation of Sterilisation) Bill 2006 [PDF version only];
• Standing Committee of Attorneys General (SCAG) Issues Paper on the Sterilisation of Intellectually Disabled Minors (September 2006);
• Responses to WWDA’s Sterilisation Advocacy Campaign (includes: Responses from the United Nations; Responses from Politicians; Other Stakeholders; Government Departments/Agencies; Submissions from Other Organisations/Bodies to the Draft Bill);

Go to: http://www.wwda.org.au/steriladv07.htm

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The Australian Government signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the United Nations in March 2007.

This was an historic day in the lives of people with disabilities here in Australia and around the world.

“The Convention upholds the values of all people with a disability irrespective of the type of disability, their language or geographic location,” AFDO Chairperson, Samantha Jenkinson said. “Its development would not have been possible without cooperation between governments and civil society. In this process people with a disability have been acknowledged as the experts on our own lived experiences. Our experiences have been the catalyst to create a more just and inclusive world,” she said.

Throughout the process of developing the Convention, AFDO has worked along side the international and Australian disability communities as well as the Australian Government to voice the experiences of people with disability. This has ensured a convention that articulates what is needed to uphold the basic human rights of people with a disability.

AFDO looks forward to being active partners in the process of ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We anticipate active participation at all levels of Australian government and society in the implementation phase by organisations of people with disabilities. The stipulated requirements for consultation will be embraced as an opportunity to learn and work together.

The signing and ratifying of the Convention by the Australian Government will move us toward a society in which all people with disability are active citizens.

The text of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities can be found at http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/rights/convtexte.htm

What's in a name? -- Kaye Gooch

An organisation’s name is important. It’s the means by which we let the public know exactly who we are, what we do, what we’re on about.

There’s been a disturbing trend lately, in names chosen for disability organisations. Increasingly, names of disability organisations are becoming very vague and generalised – giving the public absolutely no idea of what the organization does, what its work is.

In the past, disability organisations’ names were plain and clear. The Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind; the Spastic Society of Victoria; the Deafblind Association – all these and others, were clearly understood. People with a disability, or a disabled family member, would know just where to go for help and guidance.

But now, the trend is towards vague, generalised names, that give the “man in the street” no idea of what the organization does. The various blindness organisations have merged into Vision Australia. The Spastic Society of Victoria is now Scope. The Deafblind Association has become the Able Association. (In fairness, the federal body of cerebral palsy associations is still the Cerebral Palsy Association).

What would the outsider make of these names? “Scope” – scope of what? “Able Association” – what are they able to do? – what’s their line of business? “Vision Australia” – oh, probably something to do with sight and vision, and eye care – but what, exactly?

Logos, too, are becoming more abstract, less clear in giving a visual representation to the public, of what the organization stands for. Vision Australia’s new logo is a case in point. The old RVIB “lighthouse” logo – which people understood – has become the Braille letters V and A. But what does this mean to a sighted person who doesn’t know the Braille alphabet? The logo looks like the standard letter L made up of green dots, with a black dot alongside it.

The logo would be meaningless to most people – its symbolism is only clear to “insiders” – those working with Vision Australia, who know the Braille alphabet. To the general public, it means nothing.

Most commercial businesses have names that clearly denote the firm’s line of business; and a logo that gives a clear visual representation of the firm’s activities. This is sound marketing practice. People know exactly what the firm does, how it can help them. (The exception here, as far as logos are concerned, would be the Commonwealth Bank. Its logo looks like a Sao biscuit dipped in Vegemite! – doesn’t suggest anything to do with banking!)

What has caused this trend toward vague, unclear names for disability organisations? “Political correctness” – whose mission seems to be to make everything as vague as possible – because it’s “offensive” to mention skin colour, disability, disadvantage?

By giving disability organisations names that don’t spell out the disability clearly and simply, we are giving the message that disability is something to be ashamed of, something “not to be talked about”. But a disability is nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to speak in hushed tones about. We did not choose to be disabled – we have nothing to hide, or only talk in whispers about.

Also, unclear names of disability organisations make it more difficult for people seeking help and advice in coping with a disability. Parents with a disabled child; someone who has become disabled through illness or accident – they need to know just where to turn for help. An organization whose name doesn’t denote the disability, doesn’t say “We help with your disability – it’s what we are here to help with”. For example, parents of a deafblind child, wouldn’t know that the “Able Association” dealt with deafblindness. They wouldn’t even look under “Able” in the phone book for direction! – they’d look under “deafblindness” – but find nothing explicit there, to direct them to a source of help.

So, disability organisations, in deciding on a name, need to bear the following in mind:

• Does our name clearly indicate exactly what we do? Is it a name people would look for in the phone book, to seek help in managing a particular disability?
• Are we comfortable with mentioning the disability clearly and simply, with no subterfuge? (This is a message constantly given by Epilepsy Victoria, to help dispel stigma. Their journal’s editorial column is titled, “Speaking Openly”). Being clear, open and direct with the name, gives the message that the disability isn’t something to be evasive about, but rather, accepted naturally.
• What about our logo? Does it give good visual symbolism to the general public? Or would only “insiders” understand it?

Mind you, there are still some disability groups that do state clearly what their mission is. I’m Deafness Forum’s representative on the Board of AFDO; and also on the Committee of Management of the Victorian branch of Better Hearing Australia.

In 1981, the International Year of Disabled People, much work was done to foster acceptance of disability. We mustn’t undermine this – but do everything in our power, to make disability acceptable in the wider community.

The best way to do this, is to speak of disability clearly and naturally. Don’t go for vagueness or subterfuge. Speak openly and plainly. In so doing, we’ll be furthering acceptance of disability; and giving people clear direction in seeking help.

Just in time for Easter: Chocolate improves blood vessel function

Just in time for Easter: Chocolate improves blood vessel function

According to a health report researchers have found that eating or drinking dark chocolate improves the way blood vessels work.

The results, presented at the annual American College of Cardiology scientific meeting in New Orleans, add to mounting evidence of the health benefits of dark chocolate.

You can read the full article here.

Next Issue

The next issue will be coming out at the end of June 2007. Deadline for content will be 15 June 2007.

If you have something you would like the rest of the AFDO members to know about send it to the editor care of office@afdo.org.au