Join us to hear what we’ve been up to in 2022, what our plans are moving forwards and to be part of the Physical Disability Australia conversation.
With updates from PDA Ambassador, Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM, and the PDA Team, our Annual General Meeting will be a great chance for Members to be an active part of the PDA community.
We hope that you join us and look forward to welcoming you.
Wherever you are in Australia, you can attend via Zoom.
All you need is a phone, laptop, tablet or computer.
But you will need to register by going to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcvdO6orDkqG9DcjONXLQKDcEUDwdf3P6_N
If you don’t have a Zoom account, signing up is free, quick and easy. Follow the prompts to create an account.
If you experience problems, please email us at promotion@pda.org.au or call 1800 PDA ORG (1800 732 674).
2:00pm Sydney/Melbourne/Hobart/Canberra
1:30pm Adelaide
1:00pm Brisbane
12:30pm Darwin
11:00am Perth
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Meeting documents will be circulated ahead of the AGM.
We really look forward to you joining us and saying “hi”.
A recent Pro Bono Australia article (https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2022/08/research-shows-economic-cost-of-declining-mental-health) highlighted the findings of an “Impact Economics and Policy report” commissioned by a number of organisations including the NSW Council of Social Service – NCOSS (NCOSS) and the Mental Health Coordinating Council.
This report included the rising rates of mental health disorders during the Covid-19 pandemic, the associated economic and social costs and the spate of natural disasters that have exacerbated the situation.
“People with a disability are four times more likely than people without a disability to experience high levels of psychological distress and are up to four times more likely to die during a natural disaster.”
In March this year a coalition of 40 leading disability rights (including Physical Disability Australia), advocacy and peak body organisations wrote an open letter to politicians across the country prior to the election, in which they demanded improved disaster and emergency responses for people with disability.
You can read this by going to https://qdn.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Final-Joint-Open-letter-leave-no-one-behind-310322.doc.pdf
With flood devastation currently impacting much of Australia, our Government must action the development and implementation of a comprehensive and disability inclusive disaster preparedness plan to reduce the human impact of disasters.
#LeaveNoAustralianBehind Mr Albanese.
Featuring the Hon. Bill Shorten MP (Minister for the NDIS) and Co-Chairs, Professor Bruce Bonyhady AM and Ms Lisa Paul AO PSM, THIS WEBINAR IS OPEN TO EVERYONE and will be a great opportunity to hear more about the Review and how you can get involved.
AUSLAN interpretation and live captioning is available for attendees requiring these services.
Simply join the webinar online at the starting time by going to:
YOU WILL NEED WEBEX MEETINGS. If you don’t already have this make sure that you have it installed ahead of the webinar by going to:
https://apps.apple.com/au/app/webex-meetings/id298844386
OR
you have the option to call in (AUDIO ONLY) on 61-2-9338-2221 at the time of the webinar.
The webinar will also be recorded for those unable to attend the live event.
Coming up on the 2nd and 3rd of November, Australia’s Disability Strategy National Forum will take place and you’re invited to join this important event via livestream.
Providing an opportunity to participate in panel discussions with industry experts and community representatives with disability, you’ll be given a chance to have your say on Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-31. This is a Strategy that will shape our country’s disability policy in crucial areas such as employment, housing, education, health and wellbeing.
Key speakers will include:
Registrations are limited and close 1 November 2022 so don’t delay.
REGISTER NOW by going to:
https://adsnf.bettercast.io/?mc_cid=c256bb16ea&mc_eid=fca9123436
Auslan Interpreter and live closed captioning will be available for the live stream. More information on using the platform will be sent closer to the event.
If you have other accessibility requirements or questions, please let us know by sending an email to disabilityreform@dss.gov.au.
It is with sadness that I write to inform you of the passing of one of PDA’s long-standing members, Janine Neu.
I served with Janine on the Committee of Management of People with Disabilities WA from 2017 to 2019. I fondly remember very robust discussions regarding finances and how to best utilise them. This usually involved me wanting to spend, and her telling me that I couldn’t.
Janine was a very quiet person, reflective, until she had something to say, and then you knew you were being spoken to!
On behalf of the Board, Staff and Members of PDA, we would like to offer our most sincere condolences to Janine’s partner, Bernard and all her family, friends and colleagues.
RIP Janine.
Signed Andrew Fairbairn (PDA President)
Congratulations to Kurt Fearnley on his appointment as new NDIA Chair, and also to Graeme Innes, Marie Diamond and Dennis Napthine in their roles as Directors and Rebecca Falkingham as Chief Executive.
With the number of people with a disability serving on the board now sitting at five and with Kurt being the first person with a disability to chair the board of the agency, there is great hope that Australia’s disability community will finally be seen and heard and that the NDIS will finally reflect and uphold the intended principles that accompanied the Scheme’s formation 10 years ago.
Judy Antonio was the Patron of the Business DisABILITY Awards before she sadly passed away in 2016 with this illustrious Award recognising a business, group or individual that epitomises the values of social inclusion espoused and lived by Mrs Antonio.
Following the sad passing of John Moxon, tributes have been flowing strongly for a man who was admired, not just for his character and presence, but also for his incredible contribution to Australia’s disability community.
Jeremy Muir knew John both professionally and as a friend and has written a fitting accolade of gratitude, respect and admiration to a giant among men.
He has kindly allowed us to share his memories and heartfelt celebration of John and his legacy that he has left us all.
“If you looked up the word ‘conviction’ in the dictionary you would most likely find ‘John Moxon’. John was one of those people who knew how to fight the good fight and he did so with intelligence, research, conviction and good old fashion gusto. His energy was endless and contagious.
John was long time member/President of the Physical Disability Council of NSW (PDCNSW) and then was a founding member and former President of the PDC Australia, now PDA.
John fought for the rights, not just of people with physical disabilities but disability rights in general. John worked tirelessly for over 30 years advocating for the rights of people with disabilities at a national and a local level. He won well deserved awards and was applauded by those at the highest level. He was truly an amazing human being.
John was a friend, a much better friend to me than I was to him. He taught me so much about living, about how to live successfully with a physical disability. John helped me believe I belonged and that I had every right to belong. He helped me understand that it was okay to ask for help and to give it. He truly embodied the word empowerment and he never waived from its depth and meaning.
John was great fun. Some of my fondest memories are of having dinner at a suitable accessible restaurant after a day-long meeting with him, his wonderful wife Margaret, the dry and smart Kevin Byrne (RIP), the formidable Maurice Corcoran and the always encouraging and clever Sue Egan where we would often talk and laugh for hours. I especially loved listening to John’s stories of his racing car driver days and when he was on student radio at university. He felt to me like such a rebel leader, which I found fascinating. He had such confidence, always, always.
John always appeared to love what he did, and I used to think how can I bottle that self belief. John loved Margaret, he loved his children and his grand children with that same conviction. John didn’t do things by half.
When you are accessing an accessible building, riding on accessible transport, attending an accessible concert or event, know that it is because John fought for it, John audited it, John campaigned for it, John contributed to the policy and legislation for it.
The world is now a better place because of John Moxon and I’m a better person for knowing him.”
Vale John Moxon.
1938-2022
It is with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of PDA’s founding President and tireless disability advocate, John Moxon.
A true gentleman, deeply respected by the PDA Board, its Members and the disability community.
John’s friendship, support and guidance was always appreciated and we will miss him greatly. A truly wonderful man.
We send our love and thoughts to Margaret, Bruce, Ray, Karen and grandchildren.
John, you will be greatly missed.
R.I.P.
“Queensland Disability Advisory Council members announced.
Queenslanders with disability will continue to have a strong voice with the appointment of fourteen members to the Queensland Disability Advisory Council (QDAC) for a three-year term to June 2025…
Dr Sharon Boyce, Chair, QDAC was excited to chair the Advisory Council for next three years.
“It’s important we continue the great work already achieved by the previous advisory council, to represent the diverse interests of Queensland’s disability community and the disability sector,” she said.
“The Advisory Council will provide specialist advice to government on a wide range of disability initiatives and issues, including new national and state disability strategies and the National Disability Insurance Scheme.” “
1800 732 674
