I am now officially employed as a high school teacher for 2012

Exciting stuff!

My first presenting gig! Let me know what you think

Over the past few months, I’ve had the privilege of working on a website for a new and hugely exciting social change movement: Be. Accessible. I attended their fantastic launch last night, and rubbed shoulders with Government Ministers, leaders in the disability world, and plenty of attractive women. Yup, it was a pretty good night all round, really.

The greatest thing about Be. Accessible is that it really is the perfect execution of what I’d hoped to create with this site, Walking is Overrated. And I feel incredibly honoured to have been able to work with Minnie Baragwanath, Qiujing Wong and the rest of the Be. Team to make it a reality!

Anyway, if you haven’t heard of Be. Accessible, check out the website at www.beaccessible.org.nz.

I’m sure you’ll agree it’s awesome.

Interesting. One of those things you never really think about, until it’s waved in front of your face. Then it’s a “holy crap” moment.

A LEADING domestic violence researcher says studies indicate up to half of all women with disabilities will be subjected to physical or sexual abuse.

Women’s Affairs Minister Hekia Parata will this week launch a new self-help and awareness booklet, Domestic Violence and Disabled People.

The book was produced by the Domestic Violence and Disability coalition.

Coalition member and women’s issues advocate Debbie Hager said the rate of abuse of disabled women was “horrendous”. While a comprehensive nationwide study had yet to be carried out, available research indicated up to half would be affected.

Full article here.

The Cerebral Palsy Alliance of Australia (nee Spastic Centre) certainly seems to think so:

I’m speechless, really. Philip Patston sums it up well, though:

Instead of saying “disabled kids need your help because bureaucracy is inefficient and you might as well make a donation and make your tax dollar go somewhere useful,” some half baked advertising exec has come up with a heart-wrenching diatribe of worrisome, fearful, world-shattering, devastating, agonising testimony from weary parents.

What do you think?

Hi folks!

Welcome to the official liveblog of the 2010 National Disability Conference, hosted by the Health and Disability Commissioner, entitled “Making It Easy To Speak Up”. This post will automatically update throughout the day, and I’ll be doing my best to bring you all the action from this year’s conference.

If you have any questions, suggestions or comments, use the comments form below. I’m sure it’ll be a great day!

- Enter liveblog -

Take 300 young people aged 18 to 25 from 98 countries committed to creating social change in their respective communities, bring them together in Delhi, India for eight days, and what do you get? An amazing mix of colours, cultures, incredible diversity, and the Oxfam International Youth Partnerships Kaleidoscope Conference 2010. From November 21-29, I was one of the very fortunate 300 young people to take part in this amazing, once-in-a-lifetime event in a place I have always wanted to

The 3rd annual Attitude Awards took place at a black tie event on Wednesday 1st December, where some incredible people were recognised for their contribution to the disability community.

The winners were:

• Alex Snedden (Youth Award)
• Jayne Parsons (Courage in Sport)
• Adam Hall (Sport Performer)
• Celeste Strewe (Artistic Achievement)
• Don McKenzie (Hall of Fame Inductee)
• Melrose Kiwi Concept Chairs (Employer Award)
• ACC Supreme award and Spirit award: Melanie Sloan

Check out the videos of the finalists by clicking ‘More’ below.

What a joke. Lazy, apathetic, despicable attitude from the NZQA.

Story from stuff.co.nz:

A blind Christchurch schoolboy is frustrated he has to miss out on NCEA credits because exam organisers say they cannot accommodate his disability.

Hagley Community College year 13 pupil Dylan Neale cannot sit Tuesday’s level-three National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA) drama exam because it requires watching and analysing a DVD.

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority has said it does not know how to enable that to happen for Dylan, 18. The authority has ruled out providing a reader/writer or speaker.

“If I could just do the exam like everyone else, it’d be good, as I’d get more credits and it sounds like an interesting exam.”

With dreams of being a comedian, Dylan said he enjoyed the freedom drama provided. Being unable to sit the drama exam “loaded a lot of extra pressure on the major production we had to do, which was worth five credits, as it meant I really had to get it right and it was stressful”.

The exam is worth four credits and Dylan needs 42 to reach his University Entrance (UE) goal. He still expects to gain UE, but does not want other sight-impaired pupils disadvantaged in a similar way.

read more...

Hey folks! You’ve only got until November 12 to register for the National Disability Conference, ‘Making It Easy To Speak Up’. Organised by the Health & Disability Commissioner, it’s being held on the 6th of December at the Waipuna Conference Centre, Auckland.

Important documents:

• For registration forms, click here
• Download the conference flyer as a PDF here
• Check out the conference programme here
• Read the conference FAQs over here