If you missed seeing PDA’s Ambassador, Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM, on The Project on Monday night, make sure that you check it out here:
“Doctor Dinesh Palipana was paralysed in an accident but always dreamed of walking again one day. Now, he’s using virtual reality to make it happen, and it could be the key to helping other paraplegics walk again.”
If you missed PDA’s (or just want to watch it again) “When do you stop being nice?” presentation, you can now find it on our YouTube channel by going to:
In this powerful presentation, the ways that we are impacted by the actions or views of others (whether well meaning or otherwise) are explored and we’re introduced to some valuable tools to use when being nice is not an option.
Along with our PDA presenters, qualified counsellor Dorte Dyrbye will provide support, tips and resources to assist you in overcoming situations and people who need to understand that kindness isn’t just about the feel good factor for the giver.
We encourage you to check it out.
Don’t forget to subscribe to PDA’s YouTube channel whilst you’re there, so that you don’t miss other exciting PDA videos.
Physical Disability Australia believes that knowledge is power and that everyone has a story to tell.
Our posts highlight news and happenings that directly impact Australia‘s disability community and our blogs, presentations and webinars ensure that we are informed and that ideas and experiences are shared.
Feedspot recently released its 35 Best Australian Disability Blogs and Websites and the PDA Team is absolutely wrapped that we were once again named in the Top 10 (https://blog.feedspot.com/australian_disability_blogs/). A big thank you to Feedspot for this recognition.
With our incredible blog contributors having their articles published on our website (https://www.pda.org.au/blog/) and covering an incredibly diverse range of topics, honest and frank conversations and subjects to educate, inform and spark discussions, we are incredibly proud and grateful for their role in this recognition.
Thank you to all of our bloggers for your efforts.
A big thank you too to all of you who have enjoyed reading our blogs, social posts and attending (or viewing) our webinars. PDA is here for you and we’re so happy to have you beside us in our journey to empower, represent, include and support our members and wider community.
If you have a blog that you would like us to feature on our blog page, please reach out to us at promotion@pda.org.au.
We’d love to share your stories and experiences.
Whilst Tom Cruise may have inadvertently shot himself in the foot when he told 60 Minutes’ Peter Overton to “put his manners back in”, these words from a 2005 interview have stuck with me and maybe shaped me a little.
When someone is inappropriate, oversteps the mark or is blatantly rude or controlling, why do so many of us not confront them or let them know that they should put their manners back in?
How can we bring about change, chisel at ableist attitudes, improve behaviours, and educate people on the errors of the ways in which they interact with those of us living with disabilities, if we do not stand up for ourselves and say “enough is enough”?
Next Thursday (7th March) we’ll be running a free presentation around “when do you stop being nice?” and in it we’ll unpack some of the issues that peeve our presenters off and learn some of the tools that give us the power and confidence to stand up for ourselves and teach others to behave and respect who we are.
So if you’re over the stares, fed up with people assuming that their take on being kind matches our wants and needs, or want to give your fake smile a break, join us on March 7th.
6:30pm NSW/VIC/TAS/ACT
6:00pm SA
5:30pm QLD
5:00pm NT
4:30pm WA
Share your experiences and pet hates (if you want).
Learn some skills and tools from our qualified counsellor that could help you to overcome situations and people who need to understand that kindness isn’t just about the feel good factor for the giver.
To register for this FREE EVENT go to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYldeyvrTIuEt2SPv2LMizx1idioznOlP8z
We hope that you can join us for this event.
Feel free to leave your fake smile at the door.
Sick of the stares?
Over answering inappropriate and unwanted questions?
Fed up with dealing with idiots who think they know more about you and what you need than you do?
Had enough of dealing with rude people with a smile on your face?
On Thursday March 7th we’re going to be hosting our “when do you stop being nice?” presentation.
Hear from others about their experiences, their pet hates and how they navigate a world with people who just need to butt out. Learn how to deal with people who just need to put their manners back in and when it is okay to just say it as it is.
6:30pm NSW/VIC/TAS/ACT
6:00pm SA
5:30pm QLD
5:00pm NT
4:30pm WA
Learn some skills and tools that could help you to deal with the stupidity or misunderstanding of others when being nice is just not an option.
During the presentation, qualified counsellor Dorte Dyrbye will provide support, tips and resources to assist you in overcoming situations and people and putting yourself first.
To register for this FREE EVENT go to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYldeyvrTIuEt2SPv2LMizx1idioznOlP8z
This is going to be a good one folks.
With Australia being struck by Mother Nature from all sides in terms of severe weather conditions, flooding and fires, do you know what to do in the case of an emergency?
University of Sydney, in conjunction with Queenslanders with Disability Network, has prepared a Person-Centred Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) Toolkit – an all-hazards approach to enabling emergency preparedness.
Co-designed and tested with people with disability, P-CEP provides a template that allows people to self-assess their preparedness, capabilities and support needs. Through this, personal emergency arrangements can be developed and guidelines put in place to allow for emergency support need management plans and support network action plans to be clearly defined and instigated in the lead up to, during and after a disaster.
No matter where you live, having a plan in place could be a lifesaver and ensure that you are kept safe, comfortable and as unaffected as possible during times of upheaval and challenges.
For more information and to take the first step towards being prepared, go to:
On Sunday 4th February the second Physical Disability Awareness Day was successfully held.
We had a wonderful turnout of people at the online DisabiliTEA and had a lot of fun and laughs.
In-person events were also held at a number of Australian sites, giving people the opportunity to catch-up with friends (both old and new), to raise awareness of physical disability and to celebrate our community.
Next year we will be celebrating the third Physical Disability Awareness Day (Sunday 2nd February 2025) and we hope that you will join us to recognise and help grow this important event.
The online DisabiliTEA will continue and we hope to increase the number of live catch-up venues for people to meet face to face.
If you would like to host an event local to you, please let us know by emailing promotion@pda.org.au.
We are also looking for people interested in being part of the organising committee. If this sounds like something that you’d like to be involved in, please let us know by also emailing promotion@pda.org.au.
Together let’s make Physical Disability Awareness Day a recognised and celebrated day for everyone!
South Australian residents living with a physical disability are invited to attend an online forum to provide feedback to better understand the issues surrounding disability housing in South Australia.
Round Table Conversations, led by Krystal Matthews, will be facilitating a group forum around disability housing on behalf of the SA Government’s Housing Authority on Wednesday 28th February at 6pm SA Time.
All feedback will be anonymous, and participants will be paid $50 (in the form of a Prezzee gift card) to attend this 1 hour session.
Feedback will involve answering questions about the participant’s housing journey, including personal experiences, housing aspirations, barriers experienced, and ideas around assistance in maintaining or seeking secure and safe housing in the future.
You do not need to be in public or community housing to participate. You may still live with your parents, in a private rental, Specialist Disability Accommodation, or own your own home.
To register your interest, go to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pduusqD8uHtVkIn2CED4wm9u73VwW60qs?os=ipad#/registration
On Sunday 4th February Physical Disability Awareness Day brought together the disability community for the second time.
Providing an opportunity to highlight, celebrate and recognise physical disability, face-to-face events were held in Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Ipswich (QLD) with an online DisabiliTEA once again proving popular and bringing together Australians from all over.
It was truly a great opportunity, a lot of fun and wonderful to see the growth in interest and support for this very important day.
Thank you so much to those who helped to organise and run these events, those who attended the events, those who supported and promoted the events and those who helped to grow and strengthen Physical Disability Awareness Day.
We look forward to running the third Physical Disability Awareness Day on Sunday 2nd February 2025 and invite everyone to get on board with helping to plan and steer the day into the future.
To register your interest in being involved in the organising committee, please email promotion@pda.org.au.
#PhysicalDisabilityAwarenessDay
