Accord 2004 Winter - SCI Resources Library
Transcription
Accord 2004 Winter - SCI Resources Library
7A 28 28 28 7A 36 2 28 36 2 No. 5 Winter 2004 ISSN: 1448-4145 Estimated Readership: 10,000 Spinal Cord Injuries Australia ACN 001 263 734 ABN 93 001 263 734 Incorporated in NSW 1 Jennifer Street, Little Bay NSW 2036 Tel: 02 9661 8855 1800 819 775 (for consumers outside Sydney) Fax: 02 9661 9598 Email: [email protected] Website: www.spinalcordinjuries.com.au Level 1, 184 Bourke Road, Alexandria NSW 2015 Tel: 02 9693 1666 Fax: 02 9669 1761 TTY: 02 9669 5812 208 Corrimal Street, Wollongong NSW 2500 Tel: 02 4225 1366 Fax: 02 4225 1933 Address correspondence to: The Editor Accord PO Box 397 Matraville NSW 2036 Journal of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia Patron: His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC (Retd) Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia CONTENTS... 2 From the CEO 3 From the Chairman 4 Searching for a Cure 6 Japanese Perspective for Disability Employment Services 7 Greg Moran Lights, Camera, Action! 9 After Over 30 years, AQA Lives On 10 Collaroy: a Community Effort 11 Whats the Good Oil on Fat! 12 Goods and Services 13 Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! 15 Access to Entertainment Venues Options, Opinions, Codes and Standards 17 Canadian Access Challenge Advertising Manager: Greg Killeen 19 New Publications Design: Elizabeth Kemp 20 The Role of the Consumers Telecommunications Network 21 Taxi! 22 Regional Round-up 25 National Round-up 27 Miss Megabyte 28 Computer Mailbox 29 Making Connections Update 29 Classifieds 30 New Technologies Editorial Committee Paul Versteege (Editor), Greg Bergan Elizabeth Kemp, Greg Killeen, Monique King Margaret Noonan, Jane Robson, David Stern Printer: Macdonald & Masterson Printing Pty Ltd Accord Contributions Spinal Cord Injuries Australia always welcomes articles for Accord. Please feel free to send in your contribution. Articles will be published at the discretion of the Editor. The opinions expressed in Accord are not necessarily those of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia or of the Editor. They are published to create a forum for debate on issues related to people with disabilities. Original material in Accord can be reproduced only with permission from the Editor. Donations towards production costs are greatly appreciated. Information in Accord is furnished solely as a guide to the existence and availability of goods or services. Accord has neither the staff nor the facilities for testing and evaluating any of the services or items and therefore can assume no responsibility for the effectiveness, safety or quality of any such items or service. Accord is funded by the Department of Family and Community Services and the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care. Front cover: Greg Moran on the set of Backtalk. FROM THE CEO we deserve their support. impact certainly delivers that message. impact is being mailed to our friends and supporters and will be a great means of introducing our organisation and its services to many other people. Accord will continue to be published, providing the much needed disability specific information and articles that many of you have requested in your feedback to us. Of course, if you have any comments or requests on either publication, please forward them to our editor as we value your input. Greg Bergan Enclosed with this edition of Accord you will have found a copy of our brand new supporter newsletter, impact. I would encourage all of you to read and pass on your copy of impact to your friends and family, as we can certainly do with their support. You can obtain more copies by contacting our friendly staff at the Little Bay office on 02 9661 8855 or for those outside of the Sydney metropolitan area on 1800 819 775 or from www.spinalcordinjuries.com.au/ publications. Apart from letting people know about what we are doing through communications and events, SCI Australia has been busy planning for the future. Efforts have been directed towards enhancing service delivery wherever possible. Over the next twelve months, members should begin to see new developments in many of the areas we have traditionally been involved in. I am very excited about the introduction of impact because it is Spinal Cord Injuries Australias next step in involving the community in the great work that we do. In past editions of Accord I have written about the need to have the community understand who we are, what it is that we do, and why Advocacy has always been a strong part of our identity as an organisation and this will continue to be the case into the future. Individual advocacy makes up a large proportion of our Community Support & Individual Advocacy Officers role and it has been pleasing to see a greater level of interaction between Lesley Davies and the SCI Workforce team. Employment and related Centrelink benefit issues unfortunately provide a seemingly endless stream of advocacy issues. Being in touch with so many people at the grass roots level obviously puts us in a good position to escalate any issues that emerge as a systemic problem. It is in this area that we are perhaps making the biggest changes. With the recent appointment of Paul Versteege as our new Policy Coordinator, a greater emphasis will be placed upon solid, well founded research and the subsequent development of policy statements on all manner of issues related to physical disability. The aim is for our SCInfo team to work closely with other advocacy organisations, peak bodies and government, providing resources, information and expertise in a collaborative approach to solving ongoing issues. Other areas to which SCI Australia remains committed are the provision of our vital Peer Support and Regional Services. Our dedicated team of Peer Support Officers have helped many people over years past come to grips with their injury and move back into community life. Our talented Regional Staff have also received a boost, with Alex Traill managing our Regional Services from the Illawarra Office. Alex and his team are doing a great job at covering so many bases and we will continue to focus on raising our profile and coverage in regional areas. In future editions of Accord you will be introduced to our staff so that you can put a face to their names and hear more about what it is that they are doing on behalf of the community in which we serve. n Spinal Cord Injuries Australia Board of Directors - 2004 President Chairperson Director Director Director Director Director Monique King * Brian Newton OAM * Peter Carmichael * Michael Godfrey-Roberts Richard Klinger * Jennifer Lee * David OBrien * 02 9519 4378 02 9349 4608 02 6643 5888 02 9639 3914 02 9314 2759 02 4225 8026 02 9349 8121 * Denotes a person with a disability 2 ACCORD WINTER 2004 0408 882 302 0413 327 500 0429 916 428 0405 356 920 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] david.o[email protected] FROM THE CHAIRMAN D iscussions are still being held with the Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association of NSW over a proposed merger with our organisation. Members of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia overwhelmingly voted Yes to a final merger proposal on 6 April 2004 that set out a number of conditions for a merger to go ahead, including a date on or by 1 September 2004 for the merger to take effect. This timeframe was previously agreed to byDirectors representing both organisations in the negotiation process The final merger proposal was forwarded to the Board of the Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association of NSW on 7 April 2004 with a request that, if their Board supported a merger, the proposal needed to be voted on by their members before 1 July 2004. This was necessary to allow time to prepare for the ultimate merger. It appears at this stage that the proposal will lapse as the Board of the Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association of NSW has not called an Extraordinary General Meeting of their members to vote on the merger. A new financial year is soon to commence and strategic planning for the next three years is close to completion. Whilst the prospect of a merger will need to be put on hold for now, the Board of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia will continue to pursue the possibility of a merger with the Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association of NSW over the coming years. Merger updates will be available on the Spinal Cord Injuries Australias website. Board elections are looming for Spinal Cord Injuries Australia and members are asked to consider becoming a Director. If you have expertise in advocacy, marketing, finance or any other area of the organisations operations, your nomination would help ensure that the Board has the appropriate skills to direct this vital organisation. Perter Carmichael, a long standing advocate and a person with diverse business knowledge, will be retiring from the Board this November. His expertise will be greatly missed but an opportunity will then exist for a member to seek election and for other members to contest positions of Directors required to stand down by the Constitution. Spinal Cord Injuries Australia has a Board of seven Directors (including the President) who are elected for a two year term. Three Directors stand down at the Annual General Meeting in November of each year and the President also stands down every second year. The President is elected by the members and reports at least annually to the membership. The President acts in an ambassadorial capacity on behalf of the organisation and provides input into membership and advocacy dealings. The Board Chairman is elected by the Directors themselves after each Annual General Meeting and is primarily responsible for managing Board affairs and for liaising with the Chief Executive Officer. Board meetings are currently held on the fourth Thursday of each month and Directors may participate in Board Meetings by teleconference, although they are encouraged to attend in person whenever possible. The Board of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia has adopted the ten (10) essential corporate governance principles as recommended by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. The ten (10) principles are: Lay solid foundations for management and oversight Structure the Board to add value Promote ethical and responsible decision-making Safeguard integrity in financial reporting Make timely and balanced disclosure Respect the rights of members Recognise and manage risk Encourage enhanced performance Remunerate fairly and responsibly Recognise the legitimate interests of members Directors are also required to take on the following key responsibilities: - To bear the ultimate responsibility for the overall management and legal requirements of the organisation and, as a Board, act as the ultimate policymaking body and goal setter of the Brian Newton organisation - To work towards ensuring the future viability and growth of the organisations services and the maximum outcomes for members and consumers - To monitor the achievement of the organisations policies, goals and strategic directions - To support and monitor the employment performance of the Chief Executive Officer - To act with care and diligence in carrying out the role of a Director All Spinal Cord Injuries Australia members eligible to vote will receive nomination forms in September 2004 for the 2004 Annual General Meeting, which will be held in November 2004. Nominate as a Director this year - your expertise will benefit present and future operations. Members will also be asked to vote on a proposal at the 2004 Annual General Meeting to allow two Invited Directors with particular expertise to serve on the Board for a two year term, thus increasing the Boards numbers to nine. These additional Directors would not only add value to the Boards decision making but would enhance the organisations public image. Full details will be provided to members eligible to vote when Business on Notice is circulated for the 2004 Annual General Meeting. n JOURNAL OF SPINAL CORD INJURIES AUSTRALIA 3 RESEARCH Searching for a Cure Lakshmi Bangalore, Ph.D. Copyright 2004, Paralyzed Veterans of America, by permission of PN/Paraplegia News. A t the Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research, basicyet complexquestions have captivated researchers interest for the past two decades. Located at the VA Medical Center in West Haven, Conn., the Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research was established in an effort to helpthrough biomedical researchpeople with nerve and spinal cord injury (SCI). The Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), an ardent supporter since the centers inception in 1988, has played a pivotal role in its success as a world leader in research on restoration and preservation of neurological function. The facilitys scientists include molecular and cell biologists, biochemists, electrophysiologists, clinical neurologists, imaging specialists, and surgeons with links to the nearby Yale University School of Medicine. Although they come from a wide range of scientific disciplines, these investigators have a common goal: to understand the fundamental basis for conduction disorders and to discover effective treatments that will improve the lives of millions of people worldwide with SCI, multiple sclerosis (MS), and related disorders. Using state-of-the-art technologies, researchers look at neurons up close, at the molecular and cellular levels, for clues on how damaged nerves can be coaxed to rewire and regain function, why people with nerve injury experience abnormal pain, and what mechanisms trigger further nerve damage in these individuals. These basic, yet complex, questions have captivated their interest for the past two decades, providing the thrust for experimentation. They record electrical impulses from nerve fibers, study the molecular batteries that produce them, probe the genome (complete set of chromosomes) for clues about the origins of neuropathic pain, and test a variety of cell-based strategies for their ability to repair damaged nerves. Here, briefly, is a description of some of the ongoing studies 4 ACCORD WINTER 2004 at the Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research. myelin as if it were foreign, short-circuiting signal transmission. Restoring Communication In an effort to repair demyelinated nerves, the centers researchers take on the role of electricians and test a variety of strategies to restore insulation around nerve fibers. They extract myelin-producing cells from various parts of the body, grow them to large numbers in laboratory dishes, surgically transplant the laboratory grown cells into injured animals, and look for signs of recovery. Among the different types of cells used are olfactory ensheathing (cells lining inside of the nose), Schwann (those that insulate peripheral nerves), and genetically modified cells that resist immune rejection. The researchers already have shown that insulation and transmission of nerve signals can be restored when myelin-producing cells are introduced into injured animals. Recently they demonstrated that stem cells extracted Our ability to flip the pages of this magazine, walk up and down the stairs, feel the discomfort of a paper cut, or yelp with pain from a stubbed toe depends crucially on communication of signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Like a high-voltage cable leaving the transmission tower, the spinal corda bundle of nerve and support cellscarries signals to and from the brain and serves as the primary channel for this communication. And just as damage to a power line breaks the circuit and disrupts power supply, the injured spinal cord, unable to transmit signals, disrupts movement and sensation in an injured person. Although damage can be in the form of complete severance or separation of nerve This is a cross section of a bundle of nerve fibers as seen through an electron microscope. In (a), the dark outlines represent myelin, the insulating sheath around nerve fibers. Photo (b) shows a higher magnification of the same, showing layers of insulation around nerve fibers. fibers from the circuit, it is more commonly damage to myelin, the insulating sheath surrounding nerve fibers, that is cause for disability. In the latter case, although the connections are well and intact, the nerve fibers, like electrical wires with damaged insulation, are unable to transmit signals. Damage to the insulation also takes place in MS, when the bodys immune system attacks from adult bone marrow are also capable of repairing damaged nerves, when injected directly into the injury site or intravenously. Exciting as they are, these studies remain to be reproduced successfully in human clinical trials, and every effort is being made to rapidly move forward in that direction. Preserving Function Although MS is typically associated with loss of myelin, it is well known that the primary cause for fewer remissions (i.e., permanent damage) is destruction of nerve fibers. In an attempt to slow disease progression and preserve function in people with MS, the centers researchers performed detailed studies that helped identify the molecular chain of events that lead to destruction of nerve fibers. These studies demonstrated that entry of massive levels of calcium into the injured nerve cell ultimately leads to its death. With knowledge of the molecular routes for abnormal calcium influx, researchers then applied drugs that target key molecules in the path to destruction and were the first to demonstrate it is possible to protect nerve fibers from further damage in MS. These studies performed initially with nerve cells in laboratory dishes and subsequently in experimental animals have led to an increased understanding of the fundamental basis for nerve damage and to the planning of a first in-human clinical trial of neuroprotection in people with MS. Similar studies to protect neurological function in people with SCI are also underway. Questioning Pain Neuropathic pain, characterized by exaggerated or excruciating pain in response to normally painless stimuli, severely affects the lives of nearly 50% of people with MS and SCI. In contrast to normal pain that goes away as damaged tissue heals, neuropathic pain persists because injured nerves malfunction and signal pain even when paincausing factors are not present. In their effort to understand this phenomenon, the centers researchers study molecular batteries (sodium channels) present on the nerve-cell surface to generate and transmit signals. About a dozen sodium channels are known, each with its trademark signal and place of operation. Studies at the center demonstrated that the placement of sodium channels within the body is drastically altered after nerve injury, allowing for improper signals of pain to be generated and transmitted. This finding has opened the door to myriad other questions such as what triggers the altered placement of sodium channels, how the misplaced channels can be silenced without affecting the others, and what molecules serve as accomplices in this malfunction. In their search for answers, the investigators have already screened tens of thousands of molecules, identifying many potential targets and strategies to alleviate pain. With improved understanding of the molecular players that produce pain, and innovative strategies to target them, better treatment for pain in MS and SCI will eventually follow. Channelopathy Three years ago, the centers researchers demonstrated abnormal sodium-channel behavior within the brain in MS, identifying a new pathology in this disease. In their studies, performed on rodent models of MS and autopsies of human MS tissue, they showed that the sodium channel type Nav 1.8 is erroneously produced in the cerebelluma region of the brain that controls balance and coordination. Presence of these channels within nerve cells of the cerebellum alters the way they signal, possibly affecting the way they behave within that region of the brain. This identification of a previously unrecognized pathology in MS has opened up the opportunity of using molecular pharmacology to retune the nervous system in MS. Studies on the contribution of improperly placed channels to clinical symptoms will enable identification of strategies to block it, and ultimately lead to development of new therapies that will improve balance, coordination, and visual function in people with MS. Looking Ahead The field of neuroscience and regeneration research is advancing at a rapid pace. Research will ultimately translate into cures that will greatly improve the quality of life in people with nerve dysfunction. In its search for cures, the center has also trained more than a hundred graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, medical students, and visiting scientists, and is thus helping launch the next generation of researchers in the field. These investigators from countries around the world including Great Britain, Germany, Sweden, Israel, Switzerland, Italy, Japan, and France continue to build the numbers and discover and create new knowledge that will ultimately help win the battle against SCI and MS. Lakshmi Bangalore, Ph.D., is scientific liaison officer at the PVA-EPVA Center for Neuroscience Research, VA Rehabilitation R&D Center for SCI and MS, Yale University School of Medicine, in West Haven, Conn. n JOURNAL OF SPINAL CORD INJURIES AUSTRALIA 5 EMPLOYMENT Japanese Perspective for Disability Employment Services Maya Verma, Employment Service Manager S pinal Cord Injuries Australia recently hosted visitors from a Japanese disability employment service. Coordinated by the Sydney based Australia Japan Health Care Network, the tour became an enlightening experience. The Australia Japan Health Care Network was contacted by the Japanese Workshop 99 based in Osaka. Workshop 99 wished to visit Spinal Cord Injuries Australia to learn about support and training for people living with a physical disability outside of Japan. The Director of Australia Japan Health Care Network, Chizuru Greenup Kuramochi had clearly made an impression. Chizuru interpreted, We do not have group housing in Japan. People with disabilities must live with their families. The houses in Japan are very limited in size and this is difficult. They want to go back to Japan and look at a way to establish something similar to what they have seen today. During their tour of the SCI Geo and Data Service the visitors expressed their impressions of the service size, training, and equality between staff both with and without a disability in performing high end data entry and analysis. The SCI Geo and Data service provides full and part time with severe disability to enter the employment market. This is why Workshop 99 came into existence. Chizuru translated for Ms Eiko Hata, Workshop 99 was originally formed in April 1999 and was authorised as a Workshop (NOP) in March 2003. We are still young. Relatively new they may be, but Workshop 99 generates progressive thinking. In addition to supported employment it promotes public disability awareness, advocates for human rights, and encourages participation in community life. Its vision translates as, Contribution to make a better society where everyone is embraced. Workshop 99s activities include: product and rehabilitation production; sales and display; community salon operation; public seminar provision; advocacy for every independence; physical aids; introducing health food products and supplements; home based services; and study groups. This visit demonstrated that there are indeed strengths in the Japanese system that may improve services available in Australia. The Japanese health care and whole person approach appeared completely holistic in practice and not just a policy ideal. Computer Coding Manager, Cathy Willis (1st from left), and Employment Service Manager, Maya Verma (4th at rear from left) with the Workshop 99 visitors at SCI Australias Alexandria office. commented on a trend shift in Japanese information seeking tours from aged care provision to focusing on meeting with disability organisations for an international perspective. The five Japanese visitors and Chizuru remarked enthusiastically about their previous site visit to the SCI Australia group residential house. Residential Services Manager, Katrina Jolley, and the people who have made their home there, 6 ACCORD WINTER 2004 employment and training for people with disabilities in the area of data interpretation and processing, computer mapping and office skills and is headed by Cathy Willis. During the visit to SCI Workforce one visitor living with cerebral palsy commented, You find work for people with severe disability. This is difficult in Japan. Her co-workers commented that she was intelligent and skilled in many areas but in Japan it seems more problematic for people Further to this the Japanese wheelchair technology captivated staff attention, and the government program of equipment provision is impressive. The core of international disability information our employment services have had exposure to focuses on systems from America and Canada. These have been of value. However, perhaps it is time to emulate if nothing else, the open curiosity of the Japanese to seek examples from a wider diversity of countries. It is difficult to ascertain who learnt more from the tour, the Workshop 99 visitors or SCI Australia Employment Services. n PERSONAL STORY Greg Moran Lights, Camera, Action! Greg Killeen, Information Officer Aspiring actors are always looking for that big break to give them experience and exposure. Some of the actors have since appeared in Australian television and film productions, despite having been in my films. Begging for It was followed by Backtalk, which won best short picture at the Canadian Picture This film festival for films with a disability theme. In Backtalk, the main character explores the possibilities for a person with quadriplegia to practise self-defence, but is lucky to survive basic training. Greg Moran directing car scene H ow does this grab you for a disabilitythemed short humorous movie? A person with quadriplegia doing a selfdefence course, mercilessly hurled to the ground. Film-maker and scriptwriter Greg Moran, himself a person with quadriplegia after a maul collapsed on him during a Year 10 rugby match, makes no bones about it, If I can take the mickey out of people with disabilities, its a good thing. or somewhere, and people start giving you money. What do you do? You dont want to embarrass them. They mean well! Gregs very modest about getting this short movie produced, I funded and produced it, but I only had to pay the cameraman for wear and tear on his equipment. The actors worked for free, well lunch anyway. Making Backtalk was much easier, because this time round I actually knew what I was doing. For a start, I knew the film scene and the people much better than before. My focus now is on feature films. I dont plan to do short films anymore. I would like to make films about universal ideals. A film should allow the audience to empathise with the characters. When I watch a film, I want to have a life experience through the characters. (continued next page) Interested in art and writing from a very early age, Greg had not planned to be an artist or a writer, let alone a film-maker. But he has taken advantage of the opportunities that have come his way. Thats how he came to make two short films Begging for It and Backtalk. In Begging for It, a person with quadriplegia is waiting by the side of the road to be picked up by his wife. Well-meaning passers-by put money in his lap, much to the annoyance of a professional beggar nearby. Greg co-wrote the script for Begging for It with a friend, Paddy Donohoe. Begging for It is based on my own experiences. Youd be waiting in a shopping centre JOURNAL OF SPINAL CORD INJURIES AUSTRALIA 7 (continued from previous page) I like making black comedies because its a good way to present more serious issues. The best reaction is where half the audience laughs out loud and the other half wonders why they are laughing. Favourite films of mine are American Beauty, Pulp Fiction, Thin Red Line, Dead Man Walking, A Bronx Tale, Adaptation, Shine, and series like The Office. At the moment I have two projects, both for feature films. One I have provisionally titled Asylum. Its about who we are as Australians, how we see the world, our values, multiculturalism and the ironies involved. The other film is Rasputin. Its about a serial killer and compares Catholicism with new age spirituality. Greg made his first short film in 1998. He sustained his injury in 1983. What happened in the intervening fifteen years? After five months at Royal North Shore Hospital Spinal Unit, I moved to Ashton House in Maroubra, where I lived for three years until I finished high school in 1987. This was a great experience but longer than planned. During that time my parents were building a house near my school that took a couple of years to build so I moved there after I finished school. I wasnt much of an academic at school. I was more into playing sport but I always did a lot of reading and wrote short stories. I wasnt sure what I wanted to do careerwise, before or after quadriplegia. Greg Moran (left) and Matt Brunner editing Backtalk. I initially used a chin-control electric wheelchair for mobility, but after a couple of years I built up enough strength in one arm to operate a hand-controlled electric wheelchair. In Year 11, a teacher showed me some paintings done by mouth and foot painters. He thought this might be the sort of thing I would want to do. I did some paintings holding a paintbrush in my mouth and did a self-portrait as my major work for Art for the Higher School Certificate. I then did a Bachelor of Arts at Sydney Uni. I did Fine Arts, English and History, but Fine Arts was purely theory, very dry. I enjoyed English and writing, though. I took forever to finish my degree, from 1987 to 1991. After that, I did short courses in short story writing, novel writing and script writing which I decided to pursue. I wrote some scripts and I did more painting and did art courses, but these courses werent always right for me. I mean, I wanted to develop professionally and these courses were more for recreational artists. I then did a diploma in colour and design before a friend introduced me to the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists. I was about to apply for a full-time course in script writing at the Australian Film, Radio & Television School near Macquarie University in Sydney. As I couldnt juggle both I decided to accept a student scholarship from the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists thinking that if I got good at this I could eventually do it to support myself while writing. I then largely put my writing on hold while I had 8 ACCORD WINTER 2004 private art lessons for 3 years although I still did some film short courses at Australian Film, Radio and Television School. The Mouth and Foot Painting Artists scholarship was great, because, at the time, they paid you a basic wage of around $200 per week and if you painted something suitable to be turned into a card, they would buy the painting off you for, say, $500. In 1999 I moved to Murrumbateman, near Canberra, to manage Doonkuna Estate, our familys winery, where I was also doing a degree in wine growing by correspondence at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga. In 2003 though I realised that if I wanted to be a successful film-maker I needed to focus solely on it, so I decided to leave the winery and return to Sydney. During this period I had been painting less and less and this year I resigned from the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists as well. I think they would have been happy to see me go because I was probably their least productive artist. Im still doing occasional film and acting courses at Australian Film, Television and Radio School and at the National Institute of Dramatic Art, but Im now mainly researching and writing and hoping to eventually develop these scripts into feature films. Greg Moran can provide copies of his short films so contact SCI Australia on 02 9661 8855 and we will forward your contact details. n FUNDRAISING After Over 30 years, AQA Lives On Matt Lattin, Business Development Manager L ast year our organisation made a number of changes, the most significant of these was changing our name. The Australian Quadriplegic Association, or AQA as most of us knew it, became Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCI Australia). As Russell Chudleigh always says, words can paint a thousand pictures and the phrase spinal cord injuries explains a lot more than the word quadriplegic when mentioned in relation to our businesses and services. What you may not know is that the AQA brand lives on in the form of our Field Appeals street collection division. AQA is very much a division of SCI Australia from both the legal side and more importantly the family side of SCI Australia. From Field Appeals we send out our employees to shopping centres, hotels and clubs, door-todoor and of course we still have the street collections. We have kept the AQA brand for very specific reasons. Most importantly, we have been collecting under the AQA banner for many years and the general public recognises our logo. Changing the brand would threaten our ability to raise funds from an increasingly sceptical public. We are not willing to take that risk. We are however in the process of updating our uniforms which includes new AQA branded shirts with the message Supporting the Spinal Cord Injury Community on the back. Works a treat, for just the other day one of our collectors was chased down the road to be given $10 after the person had seen the message on the back of their shirt. But as you are aware not everyone is compelled to chase us to donate money, we must get out there and create a presence to constantly remind people of the need to donate. is high there is a huge opportunity for us if only we had more collectors. We could triple our employees in field appeals and still not reach everyone in Sydney. Most of our 35 collectors work in the Sydney region. We also have a few collectors in the Central Coast and Newcastle regions and in the Illawarra. From time to time our employees like to venture out into rural NSW to do a country run. There was a time when we had over 60 collectors. Our history shows that the more collectors we have the more funds we raise. We have a number of employees who work 4 or 5 days a week (4 hour shifts) but the majority work only 1 or 2 days a week. Attracting collectors through advertising as you would do with most jobs is an incredibly difficult task. That is because it takes a special and very particular style of person to take on such a role. Our current employees in field appeals are some of the most dedicated people I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Just the other day I was sitting back enjoying listening to a story about how one of them had played a ghost on Runaway Island, got dunked in a river while performing their own stunts and sacked for not being part of the union. When Michelle Daffy (Field Appeals Coordinator) recently injured herself one of our staff travelled via two trains and over a few hours to visit her and make sure that she was all right. Now, thats the type of special person who works in our field appeals team and without the funds raised by them, SCI Australia would struggle in providing many of our services. There must be more than 35 people in Sydney who have these attributes and would like to work for us. We just have to get the message out there. Word of mouth is still the best method for this and we can all help to spread the word. If you know someone or you are a person who likes to get out and about, have a bit fun, work for a worthy cause and earn some money on the side, spread the word and give Michelle a call at our Surry Hills office 02 9281 8214. AQA wants you! n As we are all aware, the quest for the dollar is very competitive. We see collectors from the Salvation Army, AIDS Foundation, Greenpeace and many more every single day. However, there are over 4.1 million people in Sydney and we are currently trying to canvass them with only 35 collectors. So even though the competition for each dollar JOURNAL OF SPINAL CORD INJURIES AUSTRALIA 9 FUNDRAISING Collaroy: a Community Effort Monica Fernandez, Marketing and Communications Coordinator Haminex, Inglewood Wines, Jupiters Gaming, Kemvale, Konami Australia, Manly Daily, NSW Rugby Union, Orlando Wyndham, Pittwater R.S.L. Club, Plateau Food Distributors, C.S.B.C. Golf Club, Raine and Horne Collaroy, Ray Pallister, Sanyo Office Machines, SKY Channel, Star Games Corporation, Tyrrells Vineyards, and Zultys Technologies. Thank you to everyone who participated at the golf day. We look forward to seeing you all again on the green next year! ASX-Reuters Raise the Roof for SCI Australia Collaroy Services Beach Clubs Director David Ford hands SCI Australias CEO Greg Bergan the proceeds of the Clubs golf day. I t is always an honour to accept the generosity and the support of the community. And the Collaroy communitys support towards the Collaroy Rehabilitation Centre has been very encouraging. Support has been given not only in morale but also through tireless efforts of fundraising and promoting community awareness. On 5 May, the Director of the Collaroy Services Beach Club, David Ford, presented a cheque for $14,273 to SCI Australia Chief Executive Officer, Greg Bergan. This amount was raised from a successful golf day organised and operated entirely by the Club last March for the planned SCI Australia Collaroy Rehabilitation Centre. On accepting the cheque Greg Bergan said, We thank the Collaroy Services Beach Club for their unwavering support and efforts to help us reach our vision; a holistic rehabilitation centre which will welcome those with newly acquired spinal cord injury and help them go from strength to strength. 10 ACCORD WINTER 2004 And of course we cannot forget the sponsors of the Collaroy Golf Day, whose involvement made the day so successful and enjoyable. They are: Ainsworth Game Technology, Albert Crocker & Sons, Aristocrat Technologies Australia , Avon Products, Ballande Group Australasia, Betta Wardrobes and Shower Screens, C.A. Australia, Carlton and United Breweries, Coca Cola Amatil, Doyle Spillane, The Australian Stock ExchangeReuters Foundation has taken on the SCI Australia cause and is listing us as one of their beneficiaries for its 2005 annual charity golf tournament and gala dinner. This annual event has distributed nearly $14 million dollars to charities in the last 17 years. To support this worthy effort, we will be selling Art Union tickets from 1 September this year with the draw on the night of the gala dinner. The list of Art Union prizes will be published in a later edition of Accord. In the meantime, if you would like to support SCI Australia by selling some tickets on our behalf, please call Monica Fernandez on 02 9313 9426. n Kurandah Homestay Same as Autumn 2004 edition HEALTH Whats the Good Oil on Fat! Grant Nickel F oods often go through trends and tend to be either in or out of favour. Fat has the reputation of being the bad boy on the block. In its defence, fat would have to be the most misunderstood nutrient going. Understanding the role of fat in our diet can help us fine tune our health. Particularly those of us with a physical disability, who need to understand the additional demands we put on our bodies as well as getting the balance right so that fat consumption doesnt lead to gaining weight. Is a Fat Free Diet Healthy? Dietary fat is essential for life and carries essential vitamins. Fat also makes up the building blocks for many of the bodys hormones. Without these essential vitamins and hormones we would become very ill and abruptly die. If we were to become deficient in these vitamins and hormones by means of a very strict low fat diet what would result is poor health. For a person with quadriplegia being deficient in fat soluble vitamins may make a simple common cold evolve into something more serious like pneumonia. Not forgetting the old enemy for anybody that sits on their buttocks for up to 16 hours a day, the risk of reduced skin integrity leading to pressure areas. Being deficient and having low resistance, the open sores have a greater chance of becoming infected and septicaemia setting in. A fat deficient diet wont kill you outright, however, the poor health which results may. 150 g of salmon contains approximately 7 ml of oil high in polyunsaturated fatty acids. The polyunsaturated oil in fish has the added benefits of being rich in omega-3, which are of great benefit Understanding the Nature of Fat Understanding the difference between oil and fat is similar to noting the difference between water and ice. Water and ice are both made from the same compound, H2O. Water is the liquid state of H2O and ice is the solid state of H2O. Similarly, oil and fat are made from the same compounds, fatty acids (collectively known as fatty compounds). Oil is the liquid state of fatty acids and fat is the solid state of fatty acids. However, whereas ice has a universal melting point of anything above 0OC, fatty compounds act very differently. Each fatty compound has its own melting point and it is the ratio of the saturated, polyunsaturated and unsaturated fatty acids in a fatty compound that determines whether its a liquid or a solid at a given temperature. For instance, a saturated fat called dripping (the fat collected after cooking sausages and steaks) is a solid at room temperature (24OC). Dripping even has the potential to be a solid at body temperature (36.6OC) and this is directly owing to the very high number of saturated fatty acids in its compound. Butter is also known as a saturated fat but only just makes a solid at room temperature. The reason butter melts more easily is because there are fewer saturated fatty acids in its compound compared with dripping. Olive oil on the other hand, which is still a liquid at 0OC, has a high number of monounsaturated fatty acids, a significant amount of polyunsat(continued next page) 150 g of battered fish contains around 23 g (4.5 tsp) of fat. In addition to the batter absorbing a large amount of fat, the type of oil commonly used by take-away shops is a saturated fat. The cut of beef on the left is a lean 100 g sirloin; the fat content is approximately 9 g (2 tsp). The cut on the right is of similar size but does not have the visible fat removed. The inclusion of this visible fat increases the overall fat content to 15 g (3 tsp) conservatively, up to 26 g depending on the cut. The visible fat is heavily saturated and needs to be trimmed before cooking. The use of a non-stick pan and a light splash of either polyunsaturated or monounsaturated oil will replace the need for the visible fat. JOURNAL OF SPINAL CORD INJURIES AUSTRALIA 11 (continued from previous page) urated fatty acids and very few saturated fatty acids in its compound. Knowing What Causes Harm How does knowing the difference between the usually solid saturated fat and the free moving liquids such as polyunsaturated and monounsaturated oils relate to good health? Imagine your blood. Its role is to flow and carry nutrients, hormones, oxygen, etc. It flows away from your heart through your arteries and flows back to your heart through your veins. It would not be good for the flow of blood if arteries became narrow or for that matter blocked. So, just as the highly saturated dripping fat remains a solid at body temperature, so can a formation of saturated fatty acids (known as low density lipoproteins or bad cholesterol) become a solid, collecting on the inside of the cardiovascular system as plaque. The higher a persons diet is in saturated fat, the higher the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and heart attack. How Much Dietary Fat do we Need to Eat? It is proposed that an average male and female need to consume about 70g and 50g of fat per day, respectively. Due to paralysis, energy requirements of people with a spinal cord injury are significantly lower and logically this reduces the need for energy. For males and females on a low fat diet, figures of 50g and 30g of fat/day respectively are commonly used. I would strongly encourage people not to go under these amounts as they will be running the risk of becoming nutrient deficient. It would be more sensible to eat the recommended amount of fat (70g for males and 50g for females) reassess your health and whether you are gaining, maintaining or losing weight. If you gain weight, look at increasing your activity (if possible) before reducing the fat in your diet. If you have no option but to go on a low fat diet remember that rapid weight loss is unhealthy (more than 2kg/wk) and is particularly bad for skin integrity. If you maintain your weight you have struck the ideal balance. And if you lose weight, look at increasing your fat intake and eating foods with the good oils. Putting it All into Context In establishing that dietary fat is necessary for our well being and poly- and monounsaturated oil is great for our health, it is important to look at the whole picture! Try to work out your ideal balance of fat intake and reassess how you are fitting into your favourite pair of jeans every month or so. Take into account whether you have been active or not and alter what you eat accordingly. And at times be mindful that fat intake is just one of the many components to a healthy balanced diet. n Where are the Healthy Fats? Polyunsaturated Sunflower oil Safflower oil Soybean oil Linseed oil Fish Peanuts Monounsaturated Canola Olive oil Macadamia Avocado Walnuts Where are the Unhealthy Fats? Saturated Butter Cream/sour cream Chicken skin Meat/animal fat Sausages Take away/fried foods Cakes and biscuits Coconut oil Palm oil Goods and Services The Independent Living Centre NSW has moved to 1 Fennell Street North Parramatta NSW 2151. The new telephone number for product inquiries is 1300 885 886, fax 02 9890 0966. All other calls should be directed to 02 9890 0940. The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has information regarding air travel for passengers with a mobility disability or vision impairment. Tips on travel include the use of aisle chairs, on board bathroom facilities, mobility aids, stowing of wheelchairs, assistance by cabin crew etc. www.casa.gov.au/airsafe/disable/ The City of Canada Bay Council has a new brochure Services for People with Disabilities in the City of Canada Bay available from Citizens Services tel: 02 9911 6555 www.canadabay.nsw.gov.au. Warringah Councils Disability Information Service can provide the booklets Accessible Community Facilities in Warringah and Leisure for Youth and Adults with Disabilities 12 ACCORD WINTER 2004 in the Northern Beaches. For more information tel: 02 9942 2686, www.warringah.nsw.gov.au/disab.htm. The Spastic Centre has launched CP Helpline a telephone information and support service operating in NSW 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays). CP Helpline can be contacted by phone 1300 302 920, TTY 1300 302 925, through the National Relay Service 13 3677 or the Translating and Interpreting Service 13 1450, by email cphelpline@ tscnsw.org.au or by mail CP Helpline, PO Box 184, Brookvale NSW 2100. The FreeWheeler Beach Chair which is designed for rough terrain, sand and snow can be hired (charges apply) from the Northcott Society tel: 02 9890 0100, 1800 506 071 email ets@ northcott.com.au, www.northcott.com.au. It is also available for loan free of charge from Wollongong Council 02 4228 0023, Manly Council 02 9976 1562 or the Lifeguard 02 9977 3434, Mosman Council 02 9978 4120 and Tweed Shire Council 02 6674 1311. PARALYMPICS Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Penni Lewer, Australian Paralympic Committee W heelchair rugby in Australia is a different sport now than it was five years ago when our team was considered a bunch of rogues. Since then, attitudes have changed, largely due to one determined American. Terry Vinyard is based in Brisbane. He moved to Australia in 2001 after coaching the Australian team to a silver medal at the 2000 Paralympic Games. Back then he was still part-time, flying over every couple of months since the beginning of 1999 to turn The wheelchair rugby at the Paralympic Games in Sydney was one of the most popular sports, with spectators turned away for almost every game. The final against the USA attracted a loud, boisterous crowd. As Porter recalls, We were blown away by the level of support. The final was one of the showcase games of the Sydney Paralympics. And The Steelers didnt disappoint. After a gripping fight, the Australians lost by one point. Everyone but the players and a fledgling side into a competitive team that could take on the worlds best in Sydney. It was tough, says Vinyard of those early, hurried trips down-under. I couldnt really track the athletes properly and it was August 2000 before we found our best lineups that looked like they would click when it mattered. their coach were a little surprised by the home teams performance. Long-time player, Steve Porter, says that Vinyard immediately brought a lot more structure to their training and games. We always had the talent in the country. We were ranked fifth in the world at the time but, to be honest, we probably never would have gone any further. Terry had 12 years of experience and knowledge of the sport at the highest level. Even now there may only be two other coaches in the world of his standard. We are lucky to have him. Following Vinyards success at the 2000 Paralympic Games, he made the decision to move from Florida to Australia on the strength of a promise by his current employer, the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC). It was a tough decision to leave everything that I had built in Tampa. We had a quality program with a strong tradition but I saw it (moving to Australia) as a great opportunity and challenge. The fact that the APC wanted to I really felt like we could get to the medals matches and compete as long as we believed in our game plan and didnt put the higher ranked teams on a pedestal, said Vinyard. win and was committed to excellence was a determining factor. He wanted to give Australian players more opportunities to play, starting with a national league. With administrative support from Wheelchair Sports Australia, Vinyard kicked off the Australian Wheelchair Rugby League in 2002 and players all over the country benefited instantly. Members of the national squad played an extra 15 matches that year. The league now plays a vital role in the sports development and in the preparation of the Australian team, explained Vinyard. National training camps are usually run in conjunction with league events, helping Vinyard to make the most of his limited budget. After their results at the 2000 Paralympic Games, Australia was clearly one of the teams to beat at an international level and thats exactly what happened at the World Championships in Sweden two years later. The team was confident of a medal, if not the title. But, after an unexpected and disappointing loss to the US in the semi-final, the Australians finished third and also slipped to third on the world rankings. (continued next page) JOURNAL OF SPINAL CORD INJURIES AUSTRALIA 13 (continued from previous page) It may prove to be a turning point for the team, said a guarded Vinyard. The guys came away feeling they could have done more. They were very disappointed. I think theres been a shift in team culture since then. Weve also made some changes to the program. The guys keep training diaries and our testing is more comprehensive and accurate. But it wasnt enough for Vinyard. The team lacked international competition, particularly in comparison to their competitors in the US, Canada and Europe. International tours are expensive and our budget was cut by at least ten percent about a year ago. Our competitors in the northern hemisphere have ready access to so much more competition that I feared we would be left behind, said Vinyard. The team toured the US for two weeks in January but that was the only international trip the trimmed budget would allow in the lead-up to the Paralympic Games. Vinyard had to find another solution. He looked to sixth-ranked New Zealand, against whom they played a number of matches in the lead-up to the 2000 Paralympic Games, almost to the point of boredom according to Steve Porter. It was one of Terrys strategies and it worked. New Zealand over-ranked us when Terry started but we learned how to beat them consistently and that made a big difference in Sydney, said Porter. Says Vinyard, Even now New Zealands international ranking is misleading. Like us they dont have a huge budget and they simply havent played the ranking tournaments. We play New Zealand as much as we can because, if we can beat them on their good days, we can beat anyone. Its a formula and partnership that seems to be working. Together Australia and New Zealand funded and organised the first international wheelchair rugby tournament in Australia (outside the 2000 Paralympic Games). The Super Series was held in Sydney at the beginning of May and drew teams from Japan and Great Britain. It was a triumph for Vinyard who decided that if we cant go to the international competitions, well bring the international competitions to us. At the end of the league-type tournament there was a threeway tie for first between Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain. After a points count-back, Australia was declared the 14 ACCORD WINTER 2004 winner. But, according to Vinyard, the tooclose results were an eye-opener for a lot of teams around the world. The team from Great Britain was the biggest surprise. They have a huge budget and its really paying off. But the New Zealanders are a big worry when they are in form. Wheelchair Rugby is an intense, physical team sport for quadriplegic (tetraplegic) male and female athletes. It originated in 1977 in Canada and is rapidly developing around the world. Wheelchair rugby combines elements of basketball, football and ice hockey and is played on a basketball court. There are four players in each team and up to eight substitutes. Players are classified according to their ability and are assigned a point value from 0.5 to 3.5 points. The four players on the court cannot exceed 8.0 points. A volleyball is used and it can be carried, dribbled or passed but cannot be kicked. The ball must be bounced at least once every 10 seconds. Athletes score goals by carrying the ball over the opponents goal line. Wheelchair Rugby is played in four eight minute (stop-time) quarters. Vinyard predicts the wheelchair rugby tournament at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens will be the closest and toughest yet. There are five teams who could win. It will come down to a call or a bounce or an error, he said. But Vinyard is excited and looking forward to the Games and the challenges that follow afterward. Hes already decided he wants to stay. I know the rugby world considers me Australian, he laughs. I want to be around for the future of this Australian team. Ours was already the youngest side at the 2000 Paralympic Games and were getting younger. We have a couple of exciting youngsters who have replaced some retiring veterans. I would like to celebrate my 20th year in the sport with a gold medal in Beijing. I think thats a very feasible goal with this team. He is quick to point out though that they can still be a winning team now, and especially in September in Athens. Next on the calendar is the Chris Handy Cup against regular foes New Zealand. They will play the five-match series in Cairns in an effort to simulate the hot Athens conditions. Always looking for that edge Vinyard has made an inspection trip north to see how far he can push the exercise. We chose Cairns firstly for the climate but also because most of the guys have never been there. Its an unfamiliar place, an unfamiliar venue and an unfamiliar court. Ive even booked athletes village-like accommodation. I want the players to practice adapting to new conditions and a new environment, he said. He is hoping for a close tournament, with New Zealand in good form at the recent Super Series. New Zealands rise is a byproduct of his work in Australia that he didnt consider when he first took on the coaching role back in 1998. Another zone member, Japan, has also improved as a result of better and increased competition. Back in 1996 in Atlanta, there were no fulltime wheelchair rugby coaches anywhere in the world. By 2002 there were three and now you would struggle to find a part-time coach. That shift inevitably raises the bar and teams have no choice but to step up, explained Vinyard. He admits he has to work hard these days to stay ahead of the competition but, to some extent, he only has himself to blame. Many of his ex-players in the US are now coaches and two of them are coaching topranked international teams Canada and Great Britain. Its almost like playing against myself when we come up against them. I often know what they are doing and why and I laugh when they use my signals, he says with a smile. But its testimony to Vinyards long-time involvement with the game and a passion that just keeps building. He is excited about the continued development of the sport in this country and happy to be a part of it. Im helping to create players and coaches now. We have some intelligent players who will some day lead Australia in competition. I expect to hear my own calls coming out of other peoples mouths for some time to come. n ACCESS Access to Entertainment Venues Options, Opinions, Codes and Standards Greg Killeen, Information Officer O rganisations and individuals continue to advocate to ensure people with disabilities, their families, friends and carers can obtain equal access to the built environment, services and facilities which should be available to all. employee or performing artist. Access to, from, in and around venues will differ greatly due to other factors including: People with disabilities who are interested in attending the performing arts often encounter access difficulties. Australia has many types of venues for the performing arts ranging from small theatres to large sporting arenas and parklands. Barriers to Equal Access Access to these venues for people with disabilities may differ depending on whether the individual is a patron, the venue being built prior to the application of relevant access codes and standards; the venue being built with poor design features and without appropriate facilities for people with sensory disabilities; the venue not having accessible toilet facilities; access to the venue for people with physical disabilities being via the main entrance but through a back door via a laneway and kitchen etc.; the viewing and seating areas for people with disabilities being poorly located and/or having only one location (often in the most expensive category of seating or at the rear of the venue); and the venue closing its accessible doorways and entries before, during and/or after the performance preventing access into or egress from the venue. These are just a few examples as there are far too many issues and scenarios to list here. Building Codes and Standards A number of standards, codes and legal requirements try to ensure equal access to, (continued next page) MASTER LOCKSMITH ACCESS KEY MLAK Providing after hours access for people with disabilities to accessible toilets and other facilities. For the location of your nearest locksmith who can supply the universal lock and key call the Master Locksmiths Association on 1800 810 698 For more information and the locations of facilities fitted with MLAK call (02) 9661 8855; 1800 819 775 or download from the Spinal Cord Injuries Australia website: www.spinalcordinjuries.com.au/faqs JOURNAL OF SPINAL CORD INJURIES AUSTRALIA 15 through a rear lane etc. While the offer of assistance to people with disabilities is generally appreciated, a number of issues should be considered where a person with a disability is carried on a staircase. The increase in litigation and recent increases in the cost of insurance premiums have implications for all involved, including the carrier, the carried, and the owner and/or management of the venue. Apart from the potential danger to the person with a disability if he or she were to be dropped, there are issues of insurance, OH&S and WorkCover for the staff and/or patrons of the venue who are assisting and at risk of injury themselves. (continued from previous page) and egress from, venues, facilities, services and the built environment for people with disabilities including: Australian Standards such as access standard AS 1428, lift standard AS 1735 and parking standard AS 2890; the Australian Building Code and guidelines; state and local government planning policies; the federal Disability Discrimination Act; various state anti-discrimination legislation; the HREOC Advisory Notes on Access to Premises. These requirements provide the basis to design accessible facilities for new and existing venues. When new venues are being designed there is the opportunity to ensure that appropriate design features are included and to apply best practice in access for all. However with the redevelopment and/or upgrading of an existing venue, access may be compromised. For example, depending on the size, type and layout of an existing venue, vertical access can be provided by a variety of equipment: lift (between floors); porch lift (for maximum heights of 1 metre); stairway platform lift (for short distances or between floors); and portable stair climber (batterypowered, operated and guided by SCI Access Checklist 2004 The Access Checklist is used for auditing streetscapes, buildings, parks etc. It has been updated with the latest requirements for Braille tactile signage and AS1428.4 tactile indicators. You can purchase a hard and electronic copy for $200. This also comes with an agreement to reproduce copies for internal use. Contact SCI Access Australia on tel: 02 9313 9413, fax: 02 9669 1761 or email: [email protected] 16 ACCORD WINTER 2004 venue staff, attaches to the wheelchair with seated occupant, only suitable for manual wheelchairs). Although all have been designed to provide access many people with physical disabilities dislike using some types of equipment. The majority I have spoken with generally do not like using portable stair climbers or stairway platform lifts. They cite safety, dignity and operational requirements (e.g. where a key is required to operate the equipment) as reasons for their preferences. Safety should not be an issue because this type of equipment must meet various standards and lift codes. And after installation it must pass the inspection of workplace safety and building authorities (such as WorkCover and the local council). Locating a key or staff member to use locked lifts is time-consuming and inconvenient. Perhaps employing the one key fits all Master Locksmith Access Key (MLAK) should be considered. As a person who uses an electric wheelchair, I prefer to use the same entry and exits as all other patrons. However, if alternative access is the only option I am willing to use any or all of the above-mentioned access equipment except a portable stair-climber. I am reluctant to be carried but will grudgingly submit for up to two stairs, definitely not for a whole staircase. I have a portable ramp that I take if I am aware there are one or two steps. Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) and Litigation Although some with physical disabilities do not like using the various types of access equipment, there are many who do not care how they get into a venue as long as they see the performance. Many people are willing to be carried up or down a staircase of a venue (either in or separated from their wheelchairs) to enter via a kitchen or Obstacles to Creating Access The requirements to provide equal access to an existing venue may be impeded due to: the size and structure of the building; the access equipment and any structural alterations which may be necessary; and the cost for the developer/building owner (the DDA offers an exemption where providing access would be considered an unjustifiable hardship). Also, when upgrading an existing venue, general access may be impeded if the only option is to install a stairway platform lift. Conclusion This article focuses on access to entertainment venues for people with disabilities and highlights the options for and operational difficulties associated with various types of access equipment. However, this equipment is only one element of the access/egress needs of people with disabilities, their families, friends and carers. Other important access issues include the provision of vehicle parking and drop-off zones, appropriate seating/viewing areas to accommodate a persons wheelchair or mobility aid that include unobstructed sightlines, accessible toilet facilities, appropriate lighting, signage and hearing loops etc. As a society we need to ensure all people have equal access to services, facilities and the built environment. Although statistics show that approximately 20% of people in Australia have some form of disability now, we also need to plan for the needs of our ageing population. n ADVENTURE Canadian Access Challenge Reprinted by permission British Columbia Mobility Opportunities Society H e never thought hed say it, but Mike Nemesvary couldnt wait to get back into his wheelchair. After spending two nights and three days in the protective confines of a specially designed sleeping bag, while being pushed, pulled and lifted through the wilderness to the base of Black Tusk Peak in British Columbia, Canadas Garibaldi Provincial Park (near Whistler), Nemesvary considered his wheelchair to be a luxury. Nemesvarys excursion marked the British Columbia Mobility Opportunities Societys (BCMOS) fourth annual Access Challenge a three-day backcountry wilderness expedition that combined adventure, competition and education with camping, hiking and mountaineering. From 2022 August, six hikers with disabilities, each fuelled by four nondisabled participants, trekked their way across 36 kilometres of mountainous terrain. Using the uniquely designed TrailRider access vehicle, sherpas guided their teammates with disabilities through alpine meadows, over jagged rocks and across raging waters. Each team had been educated on the practices of no trace camping. The event demonstrated what can be accomplished through a combination of strong will, enduring spirit and undeniable trust. Nemesvary, 45, is president and CEO of Round the World Challenge. Its just a blast for me to get back into the mountains, he said from his office in Ottawa. I love that environment. But you get used to the comforts of home. The mummy bag did its job of keeping me warm and keeping the bugs away, but I was glad to get out of it. A former World Cup champion freestyle skier and Canadian junior trampoline champion, Nemesvary injured his spinal cord in 1985 when a routine trampoline workout went wrong. Practicing a full infull outa laid out double twisting, double back fliphe lost his orientation and landed on his neck, leaving the then 24-year-old quadriplegic at the C4-5 level. While participants of the outdoor expedition admitted that day one was indeed a slog, from cameras and chaos in the parking lot to a 3,500-foot climb across six kilometres of treed terrain, their tireless efforts proved to be a worthy price to pay for reaching the alpine section. When they reached an elevation of 5,100 feet, the six teams had the pleasure of seeing clouds disperse and the sun highlight their temporary quarters in Taylor Meadows. There, after everyones adrenaline settled, participants were able to enjoy a time of outdoor relaxation and, surprisingly, some epicurean cuisine. Our team made a Thai noodle dish one night, and Mexican meatless burritos the other night, said Kurt Turchan, one of the able-bodied volunteers on Nemesvarys Quad Hoppers team. But one of the teams had steak and red wine on the second night. That was quite impressive. I dont know how they managed to keep the steaks cold. Incidentally, Turchan and Nemesvary had a chance to reconnect with their youth the two had played lacrosse together as young boys in Ottawa and had not seen each other in almost 20 years. On the morning of day two, the teams awoke to a misty fog blanketing the meadow, prelude to the most magical of days. Enthusiastic participants navigated their way across a 10-kilometre stretch of trail, through fields painted colourfully by wildflowers and sparkling white snow, eventually descending into the cinder flats underneath Panorama Ridge in the shadows of Black Tusk. Helm Creek campsite served as the teams evening accommodations. While the first day of the Challenge represented a huge accomplishment, unbelievable is how Turchan described the second day. It felt like we were in the far north. Definitely my favourite day. Nemesvary echoed that sentiment, commenting, Day two was the most pleasurable, being up at the snowline. Turchan also described hiking with the TrailRider as a combination of hiking and mountain biking. You have to pick clean lines for the TrailRider, which is a mountain biking skill, and yet you are on foot and enjoying the trails as a hiker. The TrailRider can be thought of as the offspring of a rickshaw and a wheelbarrowa specially designed, multi-terrain access single-wheeled chair with handles in the front and back that can be simultaneously pushed and pulled by nondisabled hikers. During Access Challenge, participants with disabilities were seated in mummy bagssleeping bags specially designed for TrailRider users who are not able to maintain core body temperatures as easily as their nondisabled teammates. The bags are designed to protect TrailRider users from wind, rain, and cold temperatures and are equipped with handles to make transfers to and from TrailRiders easier for able-bodied volunteers. The birth of the TrailRider can be credited to Sam Sullivan, a quadriplegic Vancouver City councillor. An avid outdoor adventurer before a 1979 skiing accident robbed him of the full use of his arms and legs, Sullivan founded BCMOS in 1985a not-for-profit organization that helps people with disabilities enjoy the great outdoors. He teamed up with long-time friend, engineer and Tetra Society of North America volunteer Paul Cermak to design and build the first TrailRider. Tetra is a sister organization of BCMOS that recruits technically skilled volunteers to create (continued next page) JOURNAL OF SPINAL CORD INJURIES AUSTRALIA 17 (continued from previous page) customized assistive devices for people with disabilities. In the summer of 1999, Sullivan, Derek Pritchard, an Outward Bound director, and the Skagit Valley Environmental Endowment Commission created the first Access Challenge, held in the Skagit Valley east of Vancouver. Technical assistance in laying out the route for Access Challenge 2002 was provided by Scott Flavelle, a consummate climber and master mountaineer, well known in the Whistler area. Flavelle is also recognized for his work as technical director for Discovery Channels Eco-Challenge series. Key supporters of Access Challenge 2002 included Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, British Columbia Paraplegic Association and the Rick Hansen Institute. While this was Nemesvarys first time participating in the event, Sullivan has taken part in all four Access Challenge expeditions, most recently as a member of Team Advil. Nemesvary and Sullivan met in early September, 2001, when Nemesvary was nearing completion of his Round the World Challengea seven-month journey across 20 countries, making him the first quadriplegic ever to drive around the world, raising $10 million for spinal cord research. He drove every kilometre himself, in a specially equipped 1991 Chevrolet Blazer. When the homestretch of his journey brought him to Vancouver, Sullivan invited Nemesvary to join him on an hour-long hike with TrailRiders in the hills above Spanish Banks, located near the University of British Columbia. During the hike, Sullivans talk of Access Challenge intrigued the ambitious world traveller. The two men kept in touch, and Nemesvary eventually signed up for Access Challenge 2002. And although the expedition was not marketed as a race, it became apparent that some friendly team rivalry surfaced throughout the three days. I know Sam well enough to know that while the event isnt promoted as a race, he definitely has a competitive streak in him, said Nemesvary. As it happened, most of the rivalry was between Sullivans Team Advil and team Raging Estrogen, the only all-female team, headed by Michelle Amerie of Toronto. On the morning of day three, Raging Estrogen was the first team out of camp, and as they disappeared along the trail into the wilderness, they looked back and chanted, nah nah nah nah, nah nah nah nah, hey hey hey, goodbye. The friendly teasing 18 ACCORD WINTER 2004 quickly got Team Advil scrambling, a team comprised of three Eco-Challenge participants. In hindsight, Raging Estrogen realized that chanting might not have been their most strategic move. However, the women, complete with sprains, bruises and blistered feet, remained ahead of the überathletes for a respectable portion of the homestretch. Ultimately, Team Advil took the lead, but the women continued to catch up with them whenever Team Advil stopped to enjoy the scenic views. As it turned out, Sullivans team mates were actually stopping to catch their breath and to listen for the voices of the raging women behind them, indicating that it was time to move on. going! It was appropriate, then, that team Quad Hoppers mantra during the three-day Challenge was a twist on the 80s rock classic, We Will Rock You, by Queen. Nemesvary altered the chorus of the song and got his team to chant, we wont, we wont drop you. While Nemesvarys team mates sought to push themselves, they didnt let the pressure of finishing in a specified time or before the other teams prevent them from enjoying their surroundings. Nemesvary wanted to take it all in. As he put it, It takes going all the way around the world to appreciate what is in your own backyard. The teams efforts eventually brought them to the Cheakamus River, and to what many participants considered to be the climax of the outdoor expedition. The participants, including their TrailRiders, crossed the Cheakamus Canyon suspended via a zipline engineered by the North Shore Search and Rescue team, marking the first time such a feat had been completed by high quadriplegics and people with significant physical disabilities. Search and Rescue volunteers were present to assist the participants, and kayakers were stationed below in the river. The 20-kilometre trek on day three took the teams over challenging switchbacks and down steep rocks, proving to be the hardest portion of the outdoor expedition. Nemesvary admitted that he expected the third day to be similar to the first, when they ascended the switchbacks. Instead he found that the narrow trails covered by jutting rocks and slippery tree roots made it difficult to accommodate everyone plus the TrailRider. I was scared, he said. And Ive taken lots of risks. It definitely got my adrenaline The arduous terrain on the third day put big-time strain on the Quad Hoppers. Communication became more challenging because there were more risks involved. The team had to regroup, think differently, and fine tune their strategy on how to descend the steep rocks. Communication between the team members guiding and operating the TrailRider was crucial. The zip-line was the idea of Susanne Olovson, program coordinator for BCMOS. She wanted to add a water componentabsent from previous eventsto Access Challenge 2002. A person with a disability had expressed to me an interest in water, Olovson explained. I wanted to make the event challenging for everyone. By incorporating afraid of a new challenge. For him, one of the biggest highlights of participating in Access Challenge was the incredible accomplishment he felt from facing his fears head-on and tackling something so demanding. Living with a disability is difficult in itself, but taking on additional physical challenges takes stamina, endurance and a huge amount of inner strength. According to participants, this is what excites, educates, enriches and makes life interesting. The unknown piques interest, and the thrill of a challenge sustains participants to the end. the zip-line, even the rescue workers were challenged. For Nemesvary, he felt very much at home floating through the air and tilting back. I loved it! It capped off the event nicely. I had a big smile on my face coming across the zip-line. The event culminated once the teams crossed the river to the finish line. After being greeted by many friends and family, participants were treated to a catered barbeque, an awards ceremony and a massage tent staffed by volunteers from the University of British Columbia massage therapy clinic. As if they werent exhausted enough, a number of diehards continued the celebration late into the evening in Whistler. The event was first class from beginning to end, from the route that was chosen, to the equipment that was used, to the refreshments, food and awards at the end, commented Nemesvary. There is nothing else designed anywhere in the world that gets you into such inhospitable surroundings. I mean, why should that part of nature only be reserved for able-bodied people? Other Access Challenge 2002 participants with disabilities were Alexis Chicoine of North Vancouver, Brad Jacobsen of Vancouver, and Linda McGowan of New Westminster. Nondisabled participants originated from the Vancouver area, northern British Columbia, eastern Canada and Washington, D.C. Nemesvarys personal care assistant, who accompanied him on the hike, was from Bali. For those contemplating taking part in the annual outdoor expedition, Nemesvary says, Go for it. Dont be intimidated or Nemesvary still stays in touch with his team mates, mostly via email, and while he is considering participating again next year, he would make more of an effort to train for the event. Turchan has vowed to lose fifteen pounds, Nemesvary will try to lose seven pounds, and together they will vie for time and team spirit as they refine their game plan. For those interested in participating in Access Challenge, please contact British Columbia Mobility Opportunities Society, Box 27, 770 Pacific Boulevard South, Plaza of Nations, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5E7 Canada. Tel: +1 604-688-6464 www.reachdisability.org/bcmos, email: [email protected] n New Publications Disability: the Use of Aids and the Role of the Environment (Disability Series AIHW cat. no. DIS 32) was recently published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The report is based on 1998 statistics and other related research. The report can be downloaded at www.aihw.gov.au/publications/dis/duare/ duare.pdf or purchased for $23 from The Publications Officer, Media and Publishing Unit, AIHW, 26 Thynne St, Fern Hill Park, Bruce ACT 2617. Access Sydney Books available now $10.00 plus p&h Tel: 02 9661 8855 From There to Here: Stories of Adjustment to Spinal Cord Injury published by No Limits Communications relates how 45 people with SCI have adapted to their paralysis. The book is available from the publisher and from Amazon.com for $US18.95 plus $US15 postage and handling. For more information on the book go to www.newmobility.com/bookstore.cfm or email kim@leonardmedia. Send mail orders to No Limits Communications Inc., PO Box 220, Horsham PA 19044, USA. Paralysis Resource Guide by Sam Maddox and recently published by the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation is available free of charge to any individual or organisation (single copies only) anywhere in the world by contacting the Paralysis Resource Center, 636 Morris Turnpike, Suite 3A, Short Hills NJ 07078, USA email info@paralysis. org, or order online at www.paralysis.org. The guide covers a number of paralysisrelated conditions, health management, paralysis research, sport and recreation, equipment and technology, etc. Yes, You Can! a Guide to Self-Care for Persons with Spinal Cord Injury (3rd edition) published by the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) has been updated with new chapters on pain, substance abuse, exercise, alternative medicine, equipment and staying healthy. It is available by ordering item no. 5200-149 from PVA Distribution Center, PO Box 753, Waldorf MD 20604-0753, USA, www.pva. org/publications/pdf/PubsCat.pdf, for $US15 + $US15 postage and handling. If you have any queries regarding the above publications or any of the resources in our library, which are available for loan to readers anywhere in Australia, please call Jane Robson 02 9661 8855, 1800 819 775 (for consumers outside NSW) or email [email protected]. n JOURNAL OF SPINAL CORD INJURIES AUSTRALIA 19 TELECOMMUNICATIONS The Role of the Consumers Telecommunications Network Sarah Wilson, Policy Officer, CTN T he Consumers Telecommunications Network (CTN) is a national coalition of consumer and community organisations, and individuals. We represent community interests in the national policy arena on telecommunications issues. Our work involves advocating for better access, quality of service and affordability of telecommunications services for residential consumers. Our national secretariat is based in Sydney, as we have been for the past decade or so we have existed. We are largely funded through the Department of A Bequest shows that you care Would you like to be involved in helping people with severe physical disabilities take their place in the life of the community? And would you like to do it without parting with your money - or other assets - and without needing to make a pledge? Sounds too good to be true? Well, it isnt. Just a few words written into your Will, or added to it as a codicil, is all it takes. You can leave anything of value: for example, money, shares, real estate, works-of-art. Whatever you leave to Spinal Cord Injuries Australia in your Will helps a person with a severe physical disability to return to a satisfying and productive lifestyle. If you are leaving a bequest in your Will to Spinal Cord Injuries Australia, please let us know so that we can thank you. Like to know more? Please contact us on Ph: 02 9313 9426 Fax: 02 9669 1761 Email: mfernandez@ spinalcordinjuries.com.au 20 ACCORD WINTER 2004 Communications, Information Technology, and the Arts. Our members are national and state organisations representing a broad range of consumers, including those from nonEnglish speaking backgrounds, consumers with hearing impairment, indigenous people, low income consumers, people with disabilities, young people including children, pensioners and superannuants, rural and remote consumers, women, and consumers in general. We represent our constituents in a range of ways, such as ensuring industry and regulators incorporate the needs of consumers into their decisions. One way we do this is by representing consumers on a number of committees in the Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF). ACIF is the industry body that determines the self-regulatory regime at the national level. Our active participation in debates and policy development ensures the voices of people with disabilities are effectively heard in the area of telecommunications regulation. CTN regularly submits papers and reports to government inquiries on matters of relevance to consumers. Recent issues we have commented on include the use of customer information by telecommunications companies (including whether or not this information should be available to telemarketers), and technology that can locate where mobile calls are coming from, to help improve the handling of mobile phone calls to the 000 emergency call service. These issues are of direct concern to all Australians and we are determined that the views of all are adequately considered to ensure equitable telecommunications policy outcomes. CTN holds an annual forum where we discuss contemporary issues of importance to consumers and the broader need for consumer action with industry, other consumer and community groups, government representatives, and other stakeholder groups. Our most recent conference, which took place in Sydney in March, focused on what the real advantages are to consumers in the roll-out of new technologies. Topics addressed at the conference included the benefits of mobiles with videos (3G), broadband internet and how consumers are coping with new technologies. Transcripts from the conference are available on our website www.ctn.org.au. We recently launched a free weekly email news service CTN WebNews. WebNews is sent to subscribers via email and contains breaking news, interesting links and editorial content to keep recipients up to date with relevant happenings concerning consumers in the Australian telecommunications sector. Feedback from subscribers tells us that WebNews is a valuable resource, so please feel free to join via our website. If you are interested in becoming a personal member of CTN or simply finding out more about us, please visit www.ctn.org.au or call our office on 02 9572 6007. n SCI Australia Consumer Committee Do you have a spinal cord injury or similar disability and would like to get involved in a quarterly forum for consumers to discuss issues such as provision of equipment, accommodation, personal care, home maintenance and modifications etc? If so, please contact Deni Gliddon - Rehabilitation and Peer Support Manager Tel: 02 9661 8855 (1800 819 775 for consumers outside Sydney) Email: [email protected] TRANSPORT Taxi! Paul Versteege, Policy Coordinator S oon to kick off, the review of the Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme (TTSS) and, also, the Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Review, both in New South Wales. There may never be a taxi when you want one, but the same cannot be said of taxi reviews. Both reviews are overseen by John Whelan, who heads up the NSW Ministry of Transports brand new Land and Community Transport Division. The Ministry of Transport claims that 4 per cent of eligible users account for 47 per cent of the TTSSs $15 million annual budget. Why is this so? There are lots of theories but no answers based on demonstrated fact. The TTSS review will focus on how the scheme is administered. At the moment, Cabcharge collects information as part of the payment system. This information is limited to name, address and Medicare number. The smartcard might improve things and allow an understanding of why the TTSS is used the way it is used, by systematically collecting information about each trip, including, one would hope, the time the trip was booked for and when the taxi turned up. It would also provide for the ability to monitor what proportion of time taxis are used by TTSS clients. The smartcard is set to replace the paperbased system, which many claim exposes the TTSS to widespread fraud. The Ministry of Transport appears to share this view. It is already talking about putting savings through fraud prevention back into the TTSS. It seems unlikely that this will result in increased subsidies for customers. There is talk of widening eligibility criteria to include children under the age of five. While the TTSS review is very limited in its scope, the Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Review is going to be as wide as it could possibly be. It will focus on the limited availability of accessible taxis, ways of improving this situation according to an agreed timetable and the financial implications of this. An interim report is scheduled for 30 August 2004 and the final report for 30 October 2004. It would seem that the data collected as part of the smartcard trial would be extremely relevant to the wider review. Given the tight timeframe for the wider review, it is doubtful whether the TTSS smartcard trial will be able to adequately feed into it. But it is also true that in the history of bureaucracy no single review has ever fixed all the problems that its terms of reference stipulated it to address. SCI Australia is participating in both reviews and will drive home the message that all taxis should be wheelchair accessible. Accord is keen to receive your taxi stories, so if you would like to share them, please ring Paul Versteege on 1800 819 775 or email [email protected] DIARY 1-7 August 2004: Continence Awareness Week. Public seminar will be held by the Continence Foundation of Australia and ParaQuad NSW at Newington. For more information call 02 8741 5699. 24-26 August 2004: ACROD Ageing and Disability Conference, Wrest Point Convention Centre, Hobart Tasmania. Tel: 03 6234 1424 fax: 03 6231 5388, mail@ conventionwise.com.au. 8-10 September 2004: Diversity Within Disabled Peoples International (DPI) World Summit 2004, Winnpeg, Canada. For more information contact DPI Headquarters, 748 Broadway Winnipeg, Manitoba R3G 0X3 Canada, tel: + 1 204 287 8010, fax: +1 204 783 6270 www.dpi.org/en/events/events.htm, [email protected]. 15-17 September 2004: 7th Australian Injury Prevention Conference, Mackay, Queensland. For more information contact 07 3847 2055, www.aipn.com.au. 17-28 September 2004: Paralympic Games, Athens, Greece www.athens2004.com. 18-20 September 2004: On Common Ground IDEAS Expo 2004 Dubbo, NSW. For more information contact IDEAS Inc on 1800 029 904 or email [email protected]. 20-22 September 2004: 5th National NICAN conference Perth, WA. For more information contact 08 9284 4220, info@ nican.com.au. 21-22 October 2004: Transforming Communities conference 2004, Novotel, Brighton-Le-Sands, Sydney. For more information contact 02 9543-4240 / 0417 290 283 Michelle Hegarty OT Australia NSW Scientific Program Co-ordinator or email: [email protected]. 10-13 November 2004: 13th National Conference on Incontinence: continence the ultimate goal, Fremantle, WA. For more information contact 07 3855 3711, www. continence.org.au. 2-5 December 2004: The Other Film Festival: Melbourne Disability Film Festival. For more information contact 03 9699 8299 or email [email protected]. 8-12 December 2004: Designing for the 21st Century international conference on universal design will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. For more information contact 07 3379 9482 Margaret Ward, Convenor, Australian Network for Universal Housing Design. n JOURNAL OF SPINAL CORD INJURIES AUSTRALIA 21 NETWORKING Regional Round-Up Alex Traill Illawarra Regional Manager Phone: 02 4225 1366 [email protected] resources. Under the old schemes many operators built up large fleets of vehicles that stand idle for long periods of the day because of the usual small demand outside peak periods. The State Government provides approximately $1.6B in taxpayer monies to subsidise transport through various schemes such as the School Student Transport Scheme, the Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme (TTSS) and generally via fare subsidies on buses, trains and ferries. Mr Whelan mentioned the transport disadvantaged, including the elderly, disabled and remotely located, as a group to be considered in developing new transport strategies and funding under the transport subsidy schemes. Some of the funding could go to broadening community transport so that it can cater for those who are not included in HACC transport services. As we know the TTSS is currently under review with major changes likely. This scheme does not provide an effective or affordable form of daily transport for users, particularly in rural areas and those travelling across the city. In Wollongong a trip from the northern suburbs to a central location such as Port Kembla Hospital can cost over $80 each way meaning a $100 out-of-pocket expense for a TTSS user. Following on from the Unsworth Report on public transport there is to be an overhaul of all schemes with a view to greater efficiency and better utilisation of A major point of Mr Whelans address was the announcement of the appointment of a transport coordinator for Wollongong commencing 1 July. Part of the On 29 April the Local Member of State Parliament for Wollongong, Noreen Hay, held a public transport forum in Wollongong. The forum was addressed by John Whelan, Director of Community Transport, who focused on the development of integrated service plans for bus and taxi services throughout the state. Spinal Cord Injuries Australias Network NEW SOUTH WALES Sydney .................................. Little Bay ......................................... 02 9661 8855 Illawarra ............................... Wollongong ...................................... 02 4225 1366 Central West ......................... Craig Lees ................. 02 6372 1892/0427 289 003 Dubbo ................................... Wilson Te Whata ....... 02 6885 3428/0421 056 127 Hunter & Central Coast ........ Grant Nickel ............. 02 4925 3592/0413 367 515 New England ........................ Greg Gambetta .......... 02 6772 3267/0427 257 471 Northern Rivers .................... Paige Ridgeway ........ 02 6689 5935/0421 055 992 Peer Support Officers ........... Tony Leggett .................................... 0422 001 659 Rick Stewart ..................................... 0413 367 522 INTERSTATE Northern Territory ................ Michele Castagna ............................ 08 8951 5177 Queensland ........................... Tony South ....................................... 07 3344 1098 South Australia ..................... Sharron Neeson ................................ 08 8355 3500 Victoria ................................. AQA Victoria ................................... 03 9489 0777 Western Australia ................. Graham Law .................................... 08 9527 9331 22 ACCORD WINTER 2004 coordinators role will be to gather public views on transport issues for the Wollongong LGA, and I presume Shellharbour and Kiama LGAs, and convey them to the NSW Department of Transport. I assume transport coordinators will be located throughout the state. Craig Lees Regional Officer Central West and Orana Phone: 02 6372 1892 Mobile: 0427 298 003 [email protected] Medical Spinal Outreach Program Clinic in Dubbo In late April this year, a flyer was sent out announcing that a spinal clinic would be held at the community clinic rooms at Lourdes Hospital in Dubbo. The clinic was to be held as part of the Medical Spinal Outreach Program (MSOAP). In attendance would be Dr Sue Rutkowski, Director of Spinal Cord Injury Medicine, Royal North Shore Hospital, along with allied health professionals from the Spinal Outreach Service (SOS) and the Rural Spinal Cord Injury Project (RSCIP). Referrals were initially very slow for the clinic, only to see an eleventh hour rush on places as word got around. Both days of the clinic, held on 11 and 12 May, were eventually booked solid. Apart from bookings from Dubbo, attendees also travelled from outlying areas that included Wellington, Trangie, Gilgandra and Tottenham. Wilson Te Whata, SCI Australias Regional Officer for Dubbo, and I recognised this event as an opportunity to facilitate some peer support, particularly for those from more isolated areas. On the first day of the clinic we organised a BBQ to encourage attendees to linger and have a chat. Unfortunately many were not in a position to stay for very long. As a result, attendance was disappointingly sporadic throughout the day. Nevertheless it was a good opportunity to talk shop with some of the professionals in attendance including Steven Lord (from Paraquad), Adrian Byak (physiotherapist from SOS), Cathy Skulander (clinical nurse from SOS) and Rob Vandartel (rural spinal network officer from Macquarie Area Health). positive impact in the region with the support we are starting to put in place. The BBQ on the second day got off to an awkward start. Apparently the hospital next door had taken the gas BBQ I had been using it was International Nurses Day. I spent the next couple of hours assembling a camping gas BBQ and running around town trying to buy cartridges for it. Nevertheless, by 11am everything was moving along nicely. Soon we had a dozen or so people sitting around chatting and eating. I plan to continue establishing myself as a point of contact for the medical profession and organisations as well as those in the community that need our expertise. With Craig Lees at Mudgee and myself in Dubbo I feel confident Spinal Cord Injuries Australia will help change the quality of life for many wheelies. The second day eventually turned out to be all that Wilson and I had hoped for as far as peer support was concerned. As well as providing peer support for many individuals with spinal cord injury, it was also an opportunity to meet and chat with families and carers. Many contacts were made and many details were exchanged. While consultations for the clinic finished at 2pm, people continued talking until about 3.30pm. It turned out to be a very encouraging day indeed, particularly considering many had long distances to drive. As far as the clinic was concerned, there really were no surprises. For fifteen consumers seen by the spinal clinic, the recurrent issues were bladder care, bowel care, skin care/pressure areas, seating and equipment (or lack of due to PADP wait times), sexuality and autonomic dysreflexia. Many of the people attending were long overdue for an assessment. The fact that there is no urologist in Dubbo and nowhere to get an MRI compounds some of these issues. Melissa McCormick, Project Manager for RSCIP, reported that 24 allied health professionals attended the education session held on Wednesday afternoon. Those in attendance included occupational therapists, physiotherapists, community nurses and workers from the Commonwealth Rehabilitation Scheme. The GP Education Night, held as part of MSOAP, reported 10 doctors in attendance. Wilson and I are keen to maintain contact with many of the people we met through the spinal clinic. Hopefully these clinics Recently a spinal clinic was held in Dubbo (see Craig Lees article) which was a great success and hopefully the first of many. It is much easier and cheaper for people to see a spinal specialist locally than to make long trips to Sydney! Wilson Te Whata at the first Dubbo spinal clinic. will become regular events, as there were some interested consumers who were unable to attend. Anyone unable to attend who would like to know more about the clinic or anyone interested in getting involved in an informal peer support network can contact Wilson or me on 02 6885 3428 or 02 6372 1892 respectively. Wilson Te Whata Regional Officer, Dubbo Phone: 02 6885 3428 Mobile: 0421 056 127 [email protected] I started with SCI Australia in February 2004 and it has been a big learning curve for me and a responsibility I do not take lightly. I have met some terrific people in that time and feel privileged to have this opportunity. I have become aware of the great need in my region for the support of an organisation like SCI Australia and its workers. I have started a support group in Dubbo and we plan to meet once a month. This has been a great blessing to me personally and to others. We all have much to share and experience from our own personal circumstances to help and encourage each other. The best way of learning tricks of the trade so to speak is from those who are really in the know, those who have been wheelchair users or injured for some time. They have a wealth of knowledge. I would like to be an influence in my community. I feel we can make a real and Greg Gambetta Regional Officer, New England Phone: 02 6772 3267 Mobile: 0427 257 471 [email protected] Our service in the New England region has seen a significant increase in information inquiries and requests for advocacy services. Glen Innes In conjunction with the local access group, SCI Australia is looking to develop an access map for the Glenn Innes area. We will be recruiting volunteers to conduct an initial survey of the CBD and recreation facilities and expect that this project will take 6-12 months to complete. The Glen Innes Council was dismissed by the State Government a few months ago, however the Access Group has been assured by the administrator that funds already allocated for the project will continue to be made available. Armidale The Armidale Interagency Disability Expo has been scheduled for Wednesday 20 October 2004, to be held once again at The New England Girls School. I have been invited to co-chair the planning subcommittee. The National Disability Abuse & Neglect Hotline information sessions were held in mid March. Armidale Dumaresq Councils Department of Planning and Community Services is JOURNAL OF SPINAL CORD INJURIES AUSTRALIA 23 currently working on a Community Social Plan for Armidale with the final report due to be completed by June 2004. Grant Nickel Regional Officer Hunter Valley and Central Coast Phone: 02 4925 3592 Mobile: 0413 367 515 [email protected] Taxis are Back on the Agenda The provision of wheelchair accessible taxis (WATs) in the Greater Newcastle region is the worst in the State of NSW. There are only four WATs to serve the half a million people living in the Lake Macquarie and Newcastle municipalities. People in the Greater Newcastle region who rely on WATs are constantly frustrated by the lack of service. Many would have little or no hesitation in arguing that their quality of life and human rights are greatly diminished due to having such a second class service which people without a disability do not experience. However, recently there have been some positive signs that the State Government who recognises the problem with WATs in Newcastle and has expressed a desire to address the issue. In addition, the State Government has indicated that by using Newcastle as a test case, lessons may be learnt in addressing the issue of improving WAT service provision throughout the state. Factors driving the need for the WAT service to be improved in the Newcastle regions are coming from two interests but both involving the State Government. The first is the national deregulation of the taxi industry where the Federal Government has requested and placed the responsibility on state governments to introduce and enforce deregulation or be fined heavily. In light of this, the State Government has set the target that in 2008 the waiting time for a WAT should be the same as for a standard taxi. The second factor is a new initiative by the State Government to improve the provision of public and community transport as a whole for the Lower Hunter. The State Government, having identified service gaps and inequities within the current system (with WATs being on top of the agenda), goes on to say that for the amount of money spent on transport it believes a better, more tailored system should be available to the public. 24 ACCORD WINTER 2004 Unlike the 2001 HREOC inquiry into the delivery of WAT services I believe the initiatives taken up by the State Government will result in better service provision. That is because HREOC does not have the constitutional power to make organisations within the taxi industry change their operations. HREOC can only make recommendations. However, State Governments do have the legal power to effect change as well as a very big incentive not to be fined by the Federal Government for not deregulating. Revised LEP and DCP for Lake Macquarie Lake Macquarie Council recently gazetted its Local Environment Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plan (DCP) with the inclusion that all new commercial and high density residential development applications will require an accredited access auditor to inspect the plans and approve the design of a dwelling, ensuring access under the DDA. Lake Macquarie Council has joined Newcastle City Council (NCC) by introducing this measure. NCC has had its policy to ensure access for new developments for just over a year and the results are now coming to fruition. In Newcastle, where there has been a quick turnover of development application requests for new works (for example along areas designated for restaurants and shops), the streetscape is evolving becoming more accessible and it is hoped that the same will happen in the Lake Macquarie Council area. Paige Ridgeway Regional Officer, Northern Rivers Phone: 02 6689 5935 Mobile: 0421 055 992 [email protected] in the Clarence Valley than access alone. It is with this in mind that Phyllis is putting out a call for expressions of interest to form a local networking group for people with physical disabilities. The aim of this group would be to get together on a regular basis in order to hold discussions and take action with regard to issues that matter to people with physical disabilities in the region. Living in country regions can get a little isolating at times, and a group like this would provide an excellent opportunity for people to get together and support each other a little more. Phyllis hopes to kick off the group in association with Spinal Injury Awareness Week towards the end of the year. If youd like to become involved in the group, please contact Phyllis on 02 6642 6079. SCI Australia Trains at NOWSA Conference A group of SCI Australia staff recently attended Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training sessions and were wasting no time in putting them to use! D Day at the National Organisation of Women Students Australia (NOWSA) conference in Lismore is 14 July. The day has been titled Smashing Stereotypes and will highlight issues relating to women with disabilities, such as disability rights and pride, disability awareness, and mental health issues including depression and eating disorders. The day will include a plenary session with Sue Salthouse from Women With Disabilities Australia. Organisers Jacki Brown, Shari Webb and I will then hold a workshop covering disability cross cultural awareness and the social model of disability. The whole conference looks to be fantastic and 14 July is undoubtedly the pick of the bunch. NOWSA 2004 is open to women from all walks of life. You can contact me on 02 6689 5935 if you have anything to contribute, or would like to attend. Networking Group for Grafton Byron Bay Council Launches Beach Access Ramp Theres a new resident in Grafton, and the town looks never to be quite the same again! Phyllis Harding, long time SCI Australia/ AQA member and former Paraquad volunteer, has recently relocated to Grafton from Bundaberg in Queensland. Phyllis has an enormous amount of experience in dealing with issues that relate to people with physical disabilities, and has wasted no time in becoming involved with local groups, such as the Grafton Access Committee. However, Phyllis believes theres a far broader range of issues affecting people with disabilities On 20 May, Byron Shire Council and the Byron Bay community launched their first beach access ramp at Clarkes Beach, Byron Bay. The ramp is a fantastic structure and is the result of nearly ten years of the joint efforts of the Byron Shire Access Committee and Byron Shire Council. Mayor Jan Barham said that the ramp was just the beginning and that the council aspires to similar ramps being present at all major beach access points in Byron Bay. The launch of this particular ramp demonstrates (continued next page) NETWORKING National Round-Up Nazim Erdem A.Q.A. Victoria Ltd Phone: 03 9489 0777 [email protected] Australian Grand Prix A month leading up to the Australian Grand Prix, AQA Victorias information department started receiving inquiries from our members and interstate wheelchair users about the upcoming Formula One Grand Prix. Questions ranged from accessible accommodation while staying in Melbourne, the accessibility of the track and other events to go to while in Melbourne at Grand Prix time. To find out more information about wheelchair access we rang the Melbourne Grand Prix Hotline. They told us the event was wheelchair accessible and as in previous years, there are three special viewing platforms set aside for people with a disability. One major concern of members was that they had not received their Companion Card yet and needed their carer to attend the event with them. The hotline was aware of the new Companion Card scheme and that not everyone would have received their cards yet. It advised that it was necessary only to see a concession card when the (continued from previous page) councils commitment to working hard to achieve objectives associated with its disability action plan, and we congratulate Byron Shire Council and the Byron Shire Access Committee on seeing this vision through to completion. People wishing to use the ramp to access the beach can obtain a key and instructions for the use of the beach wheelchair from Clarkes Beach Caravan Park. n ticket was purchased. That was great news because the situation is not the same at the MCG and Telstra Dome where you MUST have a Companion Card if you want a carer admitted free of charge with you. A number of AQA employees and motor sports enthusiasts decided that we would meet at the track on the Saturday morning and find a good viewing position where we could all sit together. We used various means of transport. Free accessible buses ran from Olympic Park and Spencer Street Station to the Albert Park race track. New accessible trams could be used to get to the track as well on route 109 from Box Hill through the city to Port Melbourne going past Albert Park. One of our group was originally going to park in the city and catch an accessible bus to the track but thought hed try his luck and find parking next to the track somewhere, even though there were very tight parking restrictions in the area while the race was on. Sometimes it does pay to try your luck because he managed to get past two police road blocks and park right outside one of the track entrances. Once inside the gates, we headed towards one of the three accessible viewing platforms. Getting to the platform wasnt easy for those using manual chairs as we had to push over grass and patches of sand but we eventually got there thanks to Jody and Aliza. Pushing up onto the viewing platform was not a struggle at all because the gradient of the ramp was fine. The platform was about two metres off the ground and the view of the track was fantastic. Thought had been put into the location of the viewing platforms and there was plenty of room. We could definitely see a lot more from the platforms than able-bodied people could see from the ground. The atmosphere on the platforms was great, I found everyone to be very friendly and helpful. Only wheelies, their families, friends and carers were allowed on the platforms. There were also track attendants on the platforms to help. The Australian Grand Prix Association contracted Wheelabout Wheelchair Accessible Van Rentals to take wheelies around the track to different locations, free of charge. Peter, Naz and Ronin took the opportunity to take a ride in one of their vans and saw some sights that they wouldnt have been able to before. Their forty minute van adventure gave them the chance to see the track and grandstands from the inner side (lake side) of the track by way of a tunnel under the track. Seeing all the V8 super-cars racing teams pits and the logistics side of things was an eyeopener. It was also great to see other members of AQA enjoying a great day and getting out and about. Full marks go to the Grand Prix Association for providing good access for wheelchair users. Michele Castagna Network Officer in Northern Territory Phone: 08 8951 5177 [email protected] I recently went to see Intimate Encounters, a photographic exhibition that explores sexuality and disability. The exhibition has toured internationally and began its tour of the NT in Alice Springs. The exhibition has created a great deal of interest, debate and controversy. Many people find the subject confronting and disturbing and one they would rather not acknowledge. The grand opening of the exhibition was at Charles Darwin University (CDU) Library. While this was not the ideal location for a photographic art exhibition it did have several advantages especially the fact that JOURNAL OF SPINAL CORD INJURIES AUSTRALIA 25 the library is well utilised by both students and the general public. The photographer, Belinda MasonLovering, has travelled around Australia over the last two years collecting images that examine the relationship between sexuality, self image and people with disability. Mason-Lovering has captured images that reflect the personal emotional journey of people with disabilities. The exhibition has allowed the people involved to show a side of themselves which is not often put on display. The images are both powerful and inspiring and it is extremely brave of the subjects to put themselves on public view. It was a brave and bold move by CDU to hold the exhibition in the library, considering the numbers of students at secondary level who use the venue as a place of study. A book was made available for comments by viewers. These were very interesting, here are some of the students remarks. Makes me uncomfortable Pornography is NOT art! perverted, interesting, meaningful, in some ways too revealing. The reason so many people have a problem with this incredibly insightful and REAL exhibition is because these human bodies arent hairless, size 10 supermodels!! Get educated and learn anti-discrimination. WOW! Long time coming. I wish my daughter who has a disability was here to see this. Great exhibition interesting diversity of people and perspectives! The following week I facilitated a public forum at CDU relating to disability and sexuality. The afternoon consisted of personal views and experiences from local and interstate people with disability, question and answer time and a section for participants to express their points of view. Kiersten Fishburn, Development Officer, Accessible Arts (New South Wales) gave a wonderful presentation titled Disability and Photography: from objectification to participation which was truly memorable. Ashley Heenan a wheelchair user from Victoria and a participant in the photographic exhibition with his wife, spoke of his experiences and emotions in undertaking the photographic session. Local content was provided by two people with disabilities, Jan Richardson who spoke of Learning and Loving Single Handedly and Annette Smith who spoke of Enabling 26 ACCORD WINTER 2004 Relationships. The sharing of personal experience can be most moving and educates the community in a more profound way than an academic dissertation. I would urge all readers to take the opportunity of seeing this exhibition should it ever come to their area. Although consultations continued until April, it is already clear that the major areas of concern are: Sharron Neeson Network Officer in South Australia Phone: 08 8355 3500 [email protected] Draft Disability Services Framework 2004-2007 In South Australia, there has been an extended consultation period following the release of the Disability Services Framework draft document in October 2003. The framework is presented as a new vision of disability services in this state with several key policy components providing the foundation for this vision: 1) Community development (the process by which the communitys formal and informal helping resources are gathered together to assist vulnerable citizens to participate in community life) is undertaken as the core concept in achieving disability services. 2) Citizen aspirations for people with a disability are enhanced through specialist disability services, together with other specialist and mainstream agencies. 3) The legislative framework for disability services reflects the intentions of the new strategic directions. The following underlying needs were identified in the framework: directions for disability services that extend the Disability Services Planning and Funding Framework 2000-2003; a legislative framework for disability services that is strengthened to ensure compliance with standards; the choice to live in community housing for the 940 people with a disability presently in inappropriate institutional care; a single system of options coordination to promote equity and access across disability groups; and clarification of service responsibilities for government and non-government agencies on behalf of families/carers and individuals with a disability. 1) What constitutes personal support and should the disability services program limit funding to personal support? 2) Is one options coordination agency (case management) the best structure for disability services and how would it impact on consumers? 3) What are the implications of transferring non-personal support activities and funding to mainstream agencies? At the time of writing it is not possible to discuss the outcome of the consultation process. In the next Accord I should be able to provide information on the final Disability Services Framework and its impact on disability services in South Australia. Tony South Network Officer in Queensland Phone: 07 3344 1098 Mobile: 0407 670 892 [email protected] Improved Chances Spinal Injury Unit Beds Over recent times it has been with great distress and sadness that I have known of a number of Queenslanders with spinal cord injury or newly acquired injury who have been unable to gain admission to the Princess Alexandra Hospital Spinal Injury Unit due to the lack of beds. Whilst the unit used to have 40 beds, Queensland Health reduced it to 36 about two years ago. This year it has been returned to 40 beds and an additional 4 emergency beds were available until 1 July 2004. With an average 84 traumatic spinal cord injuries in Queensland each year, and exceptionally long waiting times for spinal cord injured people with chronic pressure areas, it is hoped that the Health Department has a heart and makes the four temporary beds permanent. More Funding for Disability in Queensland The Beattie government announced in February 2004 an additional injection of $65 million to be spent in the disability (continued next page) MISS MEGABYTE Searching the Internet This Tip will help you narrow down your internet searching: Get to know www.google.com if you havent already discovered it. To narrow down your internet search, enclose any search phrases in speech marks. e.g. Business Essentials. That way, youll only get pages with the actual term Business Essentials (continued from previous page) sector over the next three years. $15.5 million has been earmarked for Adult Lifestyle Packages. How much of the balance will end up meeting the needs of people with high level spinal cord injury? Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) The inaugural board meeting was held in January 2004. The aim of the federation is to champion the rights of people with disability in Australia and to help them participate fully in community life. AFDO covers the full range of disabilities, spinal injury being represented by Maurice Corcoran, Director Physical Disability Council of Australia. For more information contact Sue Egan [email protected] or see website www.disfed.org.au. Peer Support for Queensland Most states take for granted peer support for people with paraplegia or quadriplegia. This is not the case in Queensland as until now it has been provided on an ad hoc voluntary basis by caring people who find some time to visit the spinal injury unit. At last the Paraplegic & Quadriplegic Association of Queensland has received funding to provide two peer support positions. Any Queenslander interested in applying should call 07 3391 2044 or email [email protected]. n appearing. Without the speech marks, youll get lots of pages with the word Business, lots of pages with the term Essentials, and then pages with the term Business Essentials. Use a plus sign with any words that MUST appear in the search results. Similarly, use a minus sign with any words that MUST NOT appear in the search results. (There is no space between the symbol and the word) e.g. real estate listings +hawthorn richmond. When you come across a page that you will be visiting often, make sure you bookmark it by adding it to your list of Favourites. With the page displayed, simply go up to the Favourites menu and choose Add to Favourites. If you are like me and you have an endless list it would be a good idea to sort them into Folders too. My Website Tip is: Re-live your childhood, or impress your own children by visiting www.howstuff works.com to discover the mystery behind all sorts of everyday things, like How Brakes Work, How 4x4s work, How hypnosis works, even How e-commerce works. Creating a Shortcut on the Desktop You already have a few shortcuts there, but I bet you dont use half of them! Drag those ones into the Recycle Bin by just moving your mouse to them, clicking and holding down the left mouse button and dragging on top of the Bin. Now, put some useful shortcuts there - to documents you need to access regularly, programs you use all the time and photos you love to revisit: Press Windows Key and M to minimise all windows and get back to the Desktop Right mouse click anywhere on the Desktop and choose New from the shortcut menu, then Shortcut. Click Browse to locate the program, document or photo you want to use and click it, then click OK Click Next and give your shortcut a name if you like Click Finish, and there you have it! Remember, this is just a shortcut to the original file. If you want to get rid of it, drag it to the Recycle Bin and youll still have the original in its original location. n Public Education People with disabilities are consumers of goods and services but not all businesses/organisations are tapping into this market. Spinal Cord Injuries Australias Public Education Training will help you attract more clients by: Developing a corporate culture that promotes equity and access. Removing the physical and attitudinal barriers that prevent people with physical disabilities from making full use of your services. Enhancing your ability to tap into this niche market of 1.5 million. Increasing your staffs knowledge of the needs of people with disabilities as they relate to your business/organisation. Meeting the requirements of the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and DDA. Contact Public Education Coordinator 02 9661 8855 or 1800 819 775 or email [email protected] JOURNAL OF SPINAL CORD INJURIES AUSTRALIA 27 and gives a much more rewarding internet experience. It is now more important than ever to keep your operating system and virus protection up to date, and downloading these updates (often several megabytes) can be a test of patience on a dialup system. Head Control Options I have no arm movement and I can only move my head. My voice is also not good because of breathlessness. What possibility is there for me to be able to use a computer? Graeme Smith answers readers queries on computer and technologyrelated subjects. You can contact him at Ability Technology or through Accord. Ability Technology undertakes assessments of the computer needs of people with disabilities. These assessments are provided for legal cases, insurance companies and rehabilitation organisations. The Centre, which has its own therapy and technical staff, also undertakes research into issues related to disabilities and technology. It is based at Seaforth in Sydney. Phone 02 9907 9736, Fax 02 9907 9599, Email [email protected] Dialup or Broadband? My internet usage has increased and I need to upgrade my access. I am considering getting a second phone line or else upgrading to broadband (cable). Is broadband worth the extra cost? In your case, broadband internet connection will actually cost you less. There are three costs associated with dialup internet access: the cost of an additional phone line (say $25 per month), the cost of dialup access through an internet service provider (ISP) at say $25 per month, and then the cost of the phone calls to access the service, including redial after drop-outs (say 3 calls a day, at 25c per call, making $22.50 per month). The total, $72.50, is above the cost of most broadband options. But cost is not the only factor. Cable internet is many times faster than dialup 28 ACCORD WINTER 2004 There are basically three functions required for computer control: moving the cursor, activating mouse clicks and entering text. Each of these is possible, even if you can only move your head. A number of devices use infrared systems to control cursor movement (such as the SmartNAV, HeadMouse Extreme and Tracker). You wear a sticky dot on your head or glasses, and this acts as a reflector for the infrared beam. Through this system your head movements are translated into cursor movements on the screen. So far so good. To activate mouse clicks you need either a switch (in your case, a sip/puff switch may be the best option) or else a program that activates dwell-clicking automatic clicking after a pre-set period of time. These programs allow you to select whether your next click will be a left click, right click, double click or click-lock (drag). To enter text you would use your mouse control system in conjunction with an onscreen keyboard. These give you an image of a keyboard on your screen. You point to the letters you want in order to create text. Your selections are received by the computer as if you had typed them using a standard keyboard. Some of these onscreen keyboards also incorporate functions such as word prediction, to speed up the creation of words and sentences. The systems outlined above are not perfect, but they allow a person with just head movement to control most computer functions independently. OTHER NEWS Cheap Environmental Control Option We have been testing a cheap device that gives the user voice control of key household appliances and functions. Commands are trained into the VoiceMe from an existing remote. Up to three functions can be linked to an individual voice command, and this enables two or three stage commands to be stored, or three devices to be trained with the same command. Up to 30 voice commands can be recorded. We used a Marmitek 8-in-1 remote control device to train some X-10 commands. Without getting too technical, these commands (with the appropriate modules) enable control of lights, fans, doors and other household functions that use mains power. Finally we used the VoiceMe to dial prestored numbers in the TS Phone and TS Phone Controller. This gives some voice control of phone functions. At a cost of $239, the VoiceMe offers a basic but effective environmental control option. We have a full analysis of the product on our website (www.ability.org.au) and have also prepared some guidelines on how to get the most out of it (just email info@ ability.org.au). Printer Cartridges It is no secret that while ink jet printer prices have come down, the cost of ink cartridges remains very high. But there are further problems. Ink replacement warnings are often very premature, prompting users to replace ink unnecessarily. To give an example, we started receiving warnings about requiring a replacement colour ink cartridge in October 2003. It worked happily for a further five months before requiring replacement! Some brand printers dont let you keep printing once the warning has been displayed these brands should be avoided. So keep a spare cartridge on hand, but dont be bullied into replacing your old one prematurely. And dont forget if your black cartridge runs out, you may be able to get out of trouble by changing your text to say dark blue, and then printing it out with the colour cartridge. Virus Protection The recent spate of virus infections has caused trouble to many computer users. You may not have noticed, but new computers usually now only come with 3 months of anti-virus protection, instead of 12 months. This has meant that some purchasers have been caught out, not expecting to have to update their virus protection so early. Dont take risks keep your subscription up to date. It will save you anguish and great inconvenience later. n NEWS UPDATE Making Connections Update N ews from the website established following the Premiers Forum on spinal cord injuries and conditions in 2003 (www.spinalforum.com/) includes details of the inaugural Making Connections online forum which was held from 24-30 May 2004. The forum received over 160 messages during the week when seven forum guests were available to respond to questions and stimulate discussion between scientists and the SCI community. Discussion ranged throughout the week from the types of research currently underway in Australia and overseas to alternative therapies, fitness and wellbeing. The full discussion can be viewed online at www.spinalforum.com/bulletinboard/. Latest Research and News Nasal cells key to paralysis cure: Sunday Herald, 6 June 2004 www.sundayherald. com/42401 Scaffolding hope for Parkinsons: AAP, 5 June 2004 http://news.ninemsn.com.au/ article.aspx?id=9781 Community Survival Kit Community Survival Kita collection of key contact details and information sources for people with SCI and similar conditions. Copies of the Kit are available from SCInfo tel: 02 9661 8855, 1800 819 775 (for consumers outside Sydney) or w w w. s p i n a l c o r d i n j u r i e s . com.au/publications. UN treaty on rights for people with disabilities may be ready for signing next year: UN News Centre, 4 June 2004 www. un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID= 10960&Cr=Disabled&Cr1=law encouraged to grow into the cell, and out of the cell into the spinal cord, using a combination of drugs including rolipram, already clinically approved for treatment of depression and used in clinical trials for MS. The British government is to pump £16.5m into stem cell research to treat disease: BBC News, 27 May 2004 http://news.bbc.co.uk/ 1/hi/health/3752651.stm Dr Mary Bunge, who has been with the Miami Project for more than 15 years, said of the findings, This is the most exciting and important work that has been done in my laboratory. The worlds first stem cell bank has been officially opened in the UK: BBC News, 19 May 2004 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/ 3725935.stm Australian Researcher Leads Breakthrough in SCI Treatment An Australian researcher, Damien Pearse Ph.D, working with Mary Bartlett Bunge Ph.D and colleagues at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, has found that a new combination therapy restores 70 per cent of normal walking function in injured rats. The findings have been published in the June edition of Nature Medicine. The study tested an innovative treatment that combined Schwann cell grafts with the administration of a cell messenger molecule (cyclic AMP) and rolipram in animals with contusion injuries. Cyclic AMP influences the inner workings of cells and is important for guidance of axons and for their growth within inhibitory environments. Rolipram prevents the breakdown of cyclic AMP. Speaking on ABC Radio, Dr Pearse described the treatment, What we do is, we transplant that is, put inside the spinal cord cells from the nerves in your arms and legs and these form a bridge upon which nerve fibres can grow. These fibres are then While trials on humans may be some way off Dr Naomi Kleitman, from the US Department of Health, has called the advance very important and said that the therapies tested in this study were selected for their likely feasibility in humans. From the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis website www.miamiproject.miami.edu/ news.asp n Classifieds 1996 Toyota Hi Ace: 5 speed manual, Tieman hydraulic hoist, 2 x wheelchair restraints, quick release seats, dual air con, power steering. 200,000 kms. $17,000 ONO. Contact Dennis 02 4777 4334. Deceased sale: near new manual lightweight folding wheelchair, fold down backrest, attendant brake control. Purchased Jan 2004. Contact Mike 0410 446 205. Wymo hoist: Rarely used. Contact Mike 0410 446 205. New Members Gary Bridger Tom Armington Deborah Worsley Sonja Ckorovska Rod Genders COFFS HARBOUR STONEVILLE MAROUBRA KOGARAH ADELAIDE NSW WA NSW NSW SA Brett Grant Kim Kwak Rodney Benning Mick Parr Ken Bucci ALEXANDRIA CAMPSIE MARRICKVILLE NIMBIM CUDMIRRAH NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW JOURNAL OF SPINAL CORD INJURIES AUSTRALIA 29 INNOVATIONS New Technologies Voice Activated Infrared Remote Controls now in Australia Step into the future with MicroGrams new voice activated infrared controllers. Two models are currently available, allowing voice commands to control any device using an infrared remote control. These infrared controllers learn from other remotes and issue the signal when triggered by a voice command. personalized voice recognition; considerate auto mute function; and intuitive easy operation. Available from: MicroGram Computers 1/14 Bon Mace Close Berkeley Vale NSW 2261 Phone: 02 4389 8444 Fax: 02 4389 8388 www.mgram.com.au The Independence iBOT The Independence iBOT 3000 is a new mobility device unlike any other, with the ability to climb stairs and curbs, raise you up to eye-level and navigate uneven terrain. Cat No. 9179 (RRP $199) has basic remote control functions. However it also allows voice commands to be issued with the press of a button. The operator can store up to sixty commands or thirty for two separate people. It features: voice & manual control of home electronics; universal infrared learning capability; the operation of 8 home electronic devices at the same time; use by one or two users; intuitive and instant operation; user-friendly design; and considerate auto mute function. The five functions of the iBOT include the ability to: Move around as you would in a traditional power chair. Climb up and down stairs, with or without assistance. 30 remote voice control of home electronic devices; universal infrared learning capability; omni-directional IR emission; operation of 3 home electronic devices at the same time; constant alertness to voice; ACCORD WINTER 2004 It can also be controlled by an assistant using the detachable joystick to manoeuvre it unoccupied into a vehicle for transport. The iBOT Mobility System contains an integrated combination of sensor and software components that work together to mimic the principles of human balance. The electronic balance system is customprogrammed and calibrated to the users centre of gravity, allowing the device to constantly realign and adjust its wheel position and seat orientation, providing safety and stability. Cat No. 9180 (RRP $239) enables true hands free voice activation. One voice command is given to initiate the unit and another voice command to issue the infrared signal. Thirty voice commands with three infrared signals for each can be stored. It features: Climb curbs and easily traverse grass, gravel, sand, mud, puddles and other forms of uneven terrain. Move around at a standing persons eye-level. The iBOT has been designed by Independence Technology, a company of Johnson & Johnson. The wheelchair would be expected to retail at around $A52,000! You can see more details at www.independencenow.com. n Complaints Resolution and Referral Service (CRRS) CRRS is a service that helps people with disability sort out complaints they may have about disability employment and advocacy services funded by the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services. The CRRS does not take sides when looking at a complaint and will get both sides of the story. There are a number of ways that the CRRS can address a complaint. The CRRS can: Encourage the person to take their complaint directly to the service Have a meeting where the person making the complaint, the service and the CRRS are present to talk about the problem (conciliation) Conduct a formal investigation. Once the investigation or meeting about the complaint is complete and the ideas on how the complaint can be addressed are written down, the CRRS will call the person making the complaint and the service within 3 months to make sure that the ideas are implemented. If you want more information about the CRRS, or would like to make a complaint they can be contacted on: Phone: 1800 880 052 TTY: 1800 301 130 Fax: 02 9318 1372 Email: [email protected] Postal: Locked Bag 2705 Strawberry Hills NSW 2012 Are you sick of being at home? Why not come along to the SCI Australia Social Groups for people with spinal cord injuries and other similar disabilities? We gather monthly. Activities include visits to the movies, cafes, parks, pubs, beaches, museums and more! For Sydney social groups please contact Deni on 02 9661 8855 or Tony on 0422 001659 for more information For those people who live in the Wollongong area The South Coast Southern Highlands regional office situated at 208 Corrimal Street Wollongong offers peers support and social activity every Thursday between 10.00am and 4.00pm. Spinal Cord Injuries Australia SERVICES DIRECTORY REHABILITATION AND PEER SUPPORT SERVICES can provide assistance to you in various ways: peer support, individual advocacy and information, community support, group activities, professional support to rurally-based allied health workers. Our team is based at Little Bay and can visit you in hospital or at home (Greater Sydney metropolitan area). Country visits and clinics can be arranged through your local Spinal Cord Injuries Australia Regional Officer or the Rehabilitation and Peer Support Manager. Telephone 02 9661 8855. ACCESS CONSULTANCY delivers access auditing, building design solutions, training and education for the government, commercial and community sectors. Our fee for service consultancy provides expertise in the assessment of public buildings, commercial and community premises, sporting facilities, streetscapes and plan appraisals. We also conduct disability awareness and access training tailored to your specific needs.Telephone 02 9693 1666 POLICY AND INFORMATION POLICY COORDINATION focuses on the development of disability specific social policy. The unit also works in partnership with Physical Disability Councils and other bodies to advocate these policies on a systemic basis. INFORMATION SERVICE provides you and your family, carers, professionals and the general public with a wide range of information on severe physical disability and services. The information service also helps people with individual advocacy issues to find representation through specialist disability advocacy services. What? Where? Why? How? Contact SCInfo. Telephone 1800 819 775 (outside Sydney) Sydney 02 9661 8855. RESIDENTIAL SERVICES provides transitional and respite accommodation in Sydney and Coffs Harbour. Call for availability. Telephone 02 9661 8855. WORKFORCE is your one stop shop for vocational services - from work assessment, career guidance, vocational training, job placement to post-placement support for people with physical and sensory disabilities. Employment is available in data processing at Spinal Cord Injuries Australia. Telephone 02 9669 5277 or TTY 9669 5812. REGIONAL AND NATIONAL NETWORK Spinal Cord Injuries Australias advocacy and community support services are available throughout NSW through a network of Regional Officers. Spinal Cord Injuries Australia stays in touch with issues that matter to you around Australia via a network of national representatives in the other states and territories. See page 22 for contact details. JOURNAL OF SPINAL CORD INJURIES AUSTRALIA 31 Postal Address: PO Box 6440, South Sydney Business Hub, Alexandria 2015 Phone: (02) 9693-1666 Free Call: 1800 819 775 Web Site: www.spinalcordinjuries.com.au Fax: (02) 9669-1761 ABN No: 93 001 263 734 Patron: His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC (Retd) Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Spinal Cord Injuries Australia Membership Application Form Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA) has a vision for Australians to embrace people with spinal cord injuries and similar conditions as equals, giving them the care and support they require to reach their full potential and to actively participate in family and community life. Members are eligible to vote 6 months after a membership application is approved. Subscriptions become due after June 30 each year. If a membership application is approved after April 30, the annual subscription fee will not become due until June 30 the following year. MR/MRS/MS/MISS/COMPANY: ____________________________________________________________________________ RESIDENTIAL OR BUSINESS ADDRESS (required): _____________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ STATE: __________ POSTCODE: ___________ POSTAL ADDRESS: _____________________________________________________________________________________ PHONE (HOME): (______)_________________ (BUSINESS): (______)_________________ FAX: (______)________________ DATE OF BIRTH: _______/_______/_______ OCCUPATION: ____________________________________________________ DISABILITY & LEVEL (if applicable): __________________________________ ONSET OF DISABILITY (if applicable): ________ EMAIL ADDRESS: ______________________________________________________________________________________ I WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE ACCORD, THE ORGANISATIONS QUARTERLY MAGAZINE: YES NO SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT: ___________________________________________________ DATE: _______/______/______ NAME OF PROPOSER* (please print): _______________________________________________________________________ SIGNATURE OF PROPOSER: ____________________________________________________ DATE: _______/______/______ NAME OF SECONDER (please print): ________________________________________________________________________ SIGNATURE OF SECONDER: ____________________________________________________ DATE: _______/______/______ *If you are unable to supply a proposer or seconder, who must be current financial members of the organisation, we will arrange this for you. Free introductory membership status until the next annual subscriptions become due will be granted to people with disabilities, their family members and carers who have not previously been members of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia. Ordinary (Pensioner): $ 5.00 Membership Fee: $ _________ Payment Enclosed: Ordinary (Non-Pensioner): $10.00 Donation: $ _________ Charge My Credit Card: Corporate: $20.00 Total Remitted: $ _________ Free Introductory Membership: Method of Payment: Cheque Money Order Mastercard Visacard Amex Bankcard Diners Club Cash Card Number: Name on Card: ____________________________________________________________ Expiry Date: _____/_____/_____ Signature: _____________________________________________________________________ Date: _____/_____/_____ Registered Office: Level 1, 184 Bourke Road, Alexandria NSW 2015 CFN 12817 - Donations of $2 and over are tax deductible EK-18/05/04 Back Cover Freedom Motors Ad Same ad used in Autumn 2004 edition