Leah Hobson
For those of you who haven’t yet been introduced to me, I came to AFDO from a policy officer role within a member organisation – Blind Citizens Australia. I am working on my Master’s degree in Social Science at RMIT University. As a person who is deafblind, I have lifelong experience of disability.
The last few months have seen me settling in to AFDO, with the focus on attending meetings and conferences to raise the profile of AFDO. These have included meetings with key organisations such as the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), the Australian Human Rights Commission, Disability Studies Australia Research Institute, People With Disability and member organisations.
During this time, there have been several key issues in policy for AFDO:
Access to Premises
During February and March the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee called for submissions regarding the draft Access to Premises Standard. AFDO led a sector wide group aimed at promoting discussion of the draft Standard so that a consistent voice could emerge from the disability sector on key issues. AFDO also presented at the hearings on this matter and will continue to lobby the government to ensure positive change.
Key issues raised by AFDO representatives and other disability groups were:
1. The need for inclusion of Class 2 buildings (apartment blocks) under the Standard. Some groups argued that all areas of Class 2 buildings should be included while others sought for all common areas – such as restaurants and gyms – to be part of the Standard.
2. Emergency egress should be included in the Standard. Some areas of emergency egress – such as the need for accessible fire stairs and ramps – have been excluded altogether, while others, such as accessible information and alarms, have not been mentioned at all.
3. Smaller multi-storey buildings should be included under the Standard no matter what their floor space. At present there is an exemption for buildings under 200 metres squared.
4. Exemption criteria for eco-lodges and caravan parks should be higher.
The Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee has now finished taking submissions and will table a report in Parliament on June 15th. For more information about the inquiry, including transcripts of all hearings and copies of submissions made public, please visit:
http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/laca/index.htm
AFDO has a special website dedicated to Access to Premises news and information. To find out more, visit:
http://accesstopremisesstandards.afdo.org.au/
Telecommunications
In the AFDO office, we have:
1. Attended the Signposts for Change forum and made a submission to the Independent Disability Equipment Program;
2. Provided support as necessary to the Consumer Telecommunications Network and the Communications Alliance Disability Council with regards to code development issues and the disbanding of the Communications Alliance Disability Council;
3. Met with the new ACCAN CEO to begin dialogue on pressing telecommunications issues and the transition of TEDICORE from AFDO’s auspice to be within ACCAN.
Same Sex Legislation and Income Support
There will be further information on this issue in a dedicated article within the newsletter. AFDO has signed on to a sector wide position statement and continues to work with specialist groups, such as National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS and the National Welfare Rights Network, to support the rights of people in same sex relationships who are on the Disability Support Pension.
National Human Rights Consultation
During April, May and June the Australian government is conducting consultations on human rights within Australia. AFDO attended the Melbourne face to face consultations and will be making a written submission to the inquiry. Information about the inquiry can be found at:
http://www.humanrightsconsultation.gov.au
The Australian Human Rights Commission is also conducting workshops which ‘follow’ the consultations and has provided resources for community groups. More information can be found at: