To BCA SA, Beyond Blindness, Insight SA & others
Update in SA
SA Water.
Several of us have met with a senior management team who are looking into
persons with a disability & how to better service their needs. I was as able
to present a comprehensive presentation. Annette holden & Tony Starkey have
also provided substantial input. Its very positive to see a government
utility considering alternative perspectives.
NDIS Portal
I was asked to be a tester & commenter on the new Portal planned for release
June 2021 - many of my prior complaints I have represented from members
feedback have been rectified.
Some of the upgrade features include
* Easier navigation
* A debit style to track how much remains in the Plan under each
category & being able to download.
* Being able to share your Plan with agencies without financial
aspects being accessible to third parties.
Education Policy
The National Policy Committee is currently updating its Education Policy &
the last newsletter asked SA membership as to issues with education as we
are focusing on this policy review. Its not too late to send me comments we
can consider & include.
We are looking at an Education Policy update - for consumers & those
delivering. It is here I would like feedback to assist. The areas include,
* Application to undertake a course
* Access to building & rooms
* Course information in various formats
* Computers with assistive technology & their availability
* Ability to accommodate our assistive technology
* Challenges with Covid & having to study from home
* Ability to gain assistance when needed.
QR Codes
I corresponded with EOC, Minister for Disability & Minister for Health re
issues members are articulating in regard to no smart phone, cant take
photos, cant get assistance with a sign in process & concerns re
confidentiality re sign in sheet left out for all to read. After more than
three months - no reply except from EOC who said words to the effect that
the covid needs out way specific disenfranchised groups & Minister Lensink's
office passed on to the Minister of Health.
We have worked on a National Policy on QR codes & should soon be released
for distribution.
Submission to the Royal Commission on Violent, Abuse & Neglect.
Its not too late to have your say. You may like to consider neglect of duty
of care by major corporations such as NDIS, Centrelink or ATO as an example.
I have produced a 9 page submission as to vision & deafBlind. Its a great
opportunity to give feedback. Others may like to consider My Age Care & the
impact of neglect.
https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au/share-your-story/make-your-submiss
ion
SA Ambulance
We are still seeking resolution of Terms of Contract documents being
distributed in size 4-6 font despite advice this would cease in 2018.
The web site is still being re-modelled to make it WCAG compliant.
We had a think tank meeting with local health networks, RSB, GDSA. Lions
Hearing, PQA last week to further progress issues relating to the carrying
of, safeguarding, transporting issues around animal & mechanical mobility
aids. To date no State/Territory has solved this not has UK when I was asked
to evaluate options.
NDIS
I had an 80 min link up with senior NDIS managers as to areas that are not
working from the deafblind perspectives. I found it of interest that the
senior manager honestly states he had never heard of deafblind & had to look
at the web site I had prior sent. We also discussed the feedback I have
received on vision impaired & blindness & the challenges NDIS had created in
accessing some of the services from agencies they were prior providing,
costs & Plan issues.
David
Dr David Squirrell Retired Medical Consultant
* Blind Citizens Australia (Adelaide Branch) President
* BCA National Policy Committee
* DeafBlind Australia National Board Vice President
* SAAS Community & Consumer Advisory Committee - Disability Rep
* SAAS Clinical Governance Committee - Community Rep
* Adelaide City Council Access & Social Inclusion Committee -
Disability Rep
* Electoral Disability Advisory Committee - Disability rep
* Marion Council environment & footpath risk assessment (Hallett Cove
region)
* Disaster Resilience Committee - Disability rep
* SA Government On Line Web Access committee
* Paul Harris Fellow & Member Paul Harris Society
* 2019 Blind Aust of the Year Award finalist
* 2020 Australian of the year award finalist
