Have forwarded your reply on to Tony Web, but, what do you mean by BRT? Stay well Jacob Kruger Blind Biker Skype: BlindZA '...fate had broken his body, but not his spirit...' ----- Original Message ----- From: Estie Van Zyl To: blindza@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2012 11:37 AM Subject: [blindza] Re: Sponge News, AUGUST 2012 HI I DO NOT KNOW ABOUT A BRT IN PTA? I SOME TIMES NEED TRANSPORT WHEN MY HUSBAND IS AWAY WITH BISSNES? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: blindza-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:blindza-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Tony Webb Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2012 7:23 AM To: BLINDZA Subject: [blindza] Sponge News, AUGUST 2012 THE.SPONGE NEWS & VIEWS - AUGUST 2012 (Sharing information on disability issues) Our email address is the.sponge.project@xxxxxxxxx For more about us see http://thespongeproject.yolasite.com Look for us on Face Book, follow us on Twitter FORWARDS * South Africa still does not have an 0800 DISABILITY call centre so we offer a unique free disability info service to anyone who sends a short SMS to 0721722623 with their name, town, disability and the info they need. * Our database of over 6000 rehab resources is there for all to use. Download it as an Excel list from our website http://thespongeproject.yolasite.com . Use Ctrl-F to find who you are looking for. * Please don't struggle to find info about any aspect of disability. If you can't find what you need in our database just send an email to the.sponge.project@xxxxxxxxx and we will point you in the right direction. * If you have been boarded from your job due to a disability don't lose touch. Get involved with your local Ward Committee, DPO, Rehab or Inclusive Education Forum. They need your skills and experience to keep in touch with the real world. * Have you got some time to assist your local green campaign? You could play an important role as a green activist and help to make the planet inclusive. APPEAL * If you meet a disabled person (including disabled students) who is not a member of a DPO, please encourage them to join. This will enable DPOs to get a better picture of their local constituents, and enable the disabled individual to get involved, and to get back-up when required, e.g. when they are facing discrimination, or have problems getting a grant or assistive device. ADVOCACY * The Children's Rights Centre, www.childrensrights.org.za have circulated an interesting report from www.bettercarenetwork.org about 'Why supporting children with disabilities must be at the heart of successful child care reform' REHAB AND HEALTH * Senecio Backup, Western Cape, is a new programme offering people the opportunity to get "back up and out there" following a spinal cord injury. Back Up is for people of all ages, backgrounds and levels of injury and aims to increase confidence, motivation and independence. www.senecio.org.za * Laughter Clubs - there may be one in your area to help you unwind www.laughter4africa.org.za * Inclusive Solutions www.inclusivesolutions.co.za provides AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) equipment for people with physical, communication and intellectual disabilities. They would like to make contact with AAC-experienced therapists across the country in both rural and urban settings, in order to set up a network of people with whom they can work and refer people to for AAC assessments. Contact Lisa Ellis, lisa@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx MEDIA * ZA Difference - look out for the next issue featuring disability issues. www.zadifference.org * Just read another super newspaper. http://dailymaverick.co.za ACCESS * We are still looking for a spec for children's toilets and bathrooms * Did you know that Beacon Island hotel at Plettenberg Bay has an accessible paraplegic facility for the use of their guests? It includes a toilet and roll in shower with grab rails etc. What a great idea.. * RampUp is an initiative of the Leprosy Mission in partnership with disAbility Connexion to promote the inclusion of disabled people in faith communities. www.rampup.co.za includes practical tips for becoming a disability-friendly church. TRANSPORT * Is there a BRT (Bus Rapid Transport) system in your area still not providing you with accessible transport? We have just read an article that said that each BRT project should have an Access Officer to ensure that the system is universally accessible. And available? How many accessible buses are still mothballed in Municipal garages? We think there are some in Nelson Mandela Bay. Action please, Amanda!! EDUCATION * After much deliberation, we conclude that there are no formal recorded best practices for educators in LSEN schools - they just do the best they can and learn how to do it from each other. The D of Education appears happy to live with that. * Comrade Angie is still going for gold. How can we assist LSEN schools to prepare for the 2013 textbook delivery and take action in time to avoid another Limpopo? We invite any LSEN school to tell us how they were affected by the non-delivery of textbooks for 2012. * Comrade Angie is recruiting a Deputy Director: Inclusive Education. At a salary of R434 000 we hope he/she is good at delivering books, buildings, educators, transport.. See http://www.thutong.doe.gov.za/inclusiveeducation . are we talking about the same department?? HIGHER EDUCATION * Is Comrade Blade aware of the unacceptable differences in accommodations for disabled students between the universities in SA? Maybe that is why he has sent the Deputy Minister of the DWCPD on a Capacity Building Road Show to some of the universities to find out. We look forward to the outcomes. * Do the members of the SA Association for Counselling and Development in HE embrace all aspects of disability in their counselling? www.saacdhe.org EMPLOYMENT * Are any disabled people benefiting from the '93000 Jobs for Mandela Day' campaign? We could not find any related info on http://www.93000jobsformandeladay.org HOUSING * Western Cape Network on Disability, wcdisability@xxxxxxxxx , reports that a new Social Housing Development is being built by Communicare in Bothasig, for households earning between R2500 - R7500. Rentals start from R650 per month. Some houses will cater for people with special needs. Contact Wasima Fisher, wfisher@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Is there such a development in your area? FUNDING * Lotto - is No News, Good News ?? BACKWORDS Sad to see that that crazy term 'Persons Living With Disability' still creeps into some reports. If you are dead, we are too late. A big Thank You to our SMS sponsor Axxess DSL and our other supporters. Global Disclaimer - Oh yes please - we write from the heart. Regards Tony and Tim, Port Elizabeth. SMS (only) 072 172 2623 "I stayed up all night to see where the sun went. Then it dawned on me. (Punography) " ^*^*^*^***^ IPS Disclaimer and Confidentiality Note :This e-mail, its attachments and any rights attaching hereto are, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the property of Integrated Processing Solutions (Pty) Ltd.It is confidential, private and intended for the addressee only. 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