Australian Federation of Disability Organisations

auDA Foundation grants to close 31 July
Not-for-profit and research organisations are invited to apply for grants to enhance the use of the internet for the benefit of the community.

The funding, provided by the auDA Foundation, can be used for community demonstration projects, public education and awareness initiatives, scholarships and research initiatives.
Funded organisations in 2006 included:

• Association for the Blind WA, for developing a customised web browser for blind people;
• Goulburn Valley Family Care, for developing a website to help support a suicide prevention program aimed at young men;
• Australian Theatre for Young People, for providing young playwrights with access to online resources and professional tutoring, especially playwrights in remote areas;
• Community Technology Centres Association, for teaching internet safety courses to children, parents and seniors throughout New South Wales.

The preferences of the auDA Foundation Board are that projects focus on local, regional and national community groups, enhance internet access of people living in rural and remote communities and improve access for disadvantaged groups.

Applications for grants close on Tuesday 31 July.
For more information and to apply, visit the auDA Foundation website at www.audafoundation.org.au/default.htm..

Alcoa Foundation 2007 Outstanding Community Worker Award
In the community sector people work because they're committed to a vision - not so much for money and position. Salaries are much less than the commercial sector, there is little opportunity for promotion, perks such as training and staff development are harder to come by and the group usually has to survive on the smell of an oily rag.

The workers are not complaining - there are other satisfactions in doing the work that they love, for causes that they believe will make the world a better place - but it's a hard cold world out there, and there are going to be moments when the community workers must wonder if anybody cares.

Community workers throw their hearts, minds, and souls into their jobs unflinchingly, work harder than they have to, and observe the most exacting ethical standards. They're clever, innovative, unbiased, flexible, dedicated, determined, client-centred, and socially responsible. They risk misunderstanding, prejudice, frustration, and burnout. And their work is largely unsung and unrecognised.

Until now.

The Alcoa Foundation has developed the first award in Australia to recognise the contribution to the nation's life made by the men and women working in community groups. The Foundation will award $5000 to the community sector worker who best exemplifies the sector's ideals of dedication, excellence, and service.

The award is for community sector workers - an award for the enormous unrecognised efforts. The nominees will display the qualities that make the sector so productive and so exciting.

Any worker from an Australian community organisation can be nominated for the Award (volunteers aren't eligible; this one's for the staff who don't usually get thankyous).

They're people who get paid for it - but who aren't in it for the money. They can be full-time or part-time, junior or senior, administrator or client worker, specialist or generalist, credentialed or paperless, working in the back room or the clinic or the front office. Closes 19 October 2007.
Website: www.ourcommunity.com.au/training/training_article.jsp?articleId=2876

Publications and Research - AAA Training and Publications Handbook 2007
Access Audits Australia's Training and Publications Handbook details a wide range of training programs, presentations and Access Awareness Handbooks.

Topics include Access Awareness for a wide range of staff within organisations, including:

• Customer Service;
• Publications and Marketing;
• Designers;
• Architects;
• Engineers;
• Home Care;
• Festivals and Events;
• Tourism;
• Good Access is Good Business;
• Streetscapes;
• Parks and Outdoors and many more.

Contact Access Audits Australia for any queries regarding publications or presentations. Their website is at www.accessauditsaustralia.com.au/
Australian Healthcare Reform Alliance (AHCRA)
Reform in the Australian Health Sector
30 July 2007 - 31 July 2007
Old Parliament House, Canberra

Australia’s health care system needs reform. There is a widespread belief that, despite good life expectancy and health outcomes in Australia overall, there is a serious need for improvements in the system. The Australian Health Care Reform Alliance (AHCRA) is committed to a leadership role in discussing and effecting such improvements.

More details at this website www.healthreform.org.au/