S1: From Vision Australia. This is talking vision. And now here's
S1: your host Sam Colley.
S2: Hello, everyone. It's great to be here with you. And
S2: for the next half hour we talk matters of blindness
S2: and low vision.
S3: If we step back and recognize that around 20% of
S3: Australia's population are people with disability, you might only get
S3: a request for one type of inclusion. But if you
S3: are able to include people with disability and all people
S3: with disability, then you're actually ensuring that 20% of our
S3: population has full inclusion in society.
S2: Welcome to the program. This week we speak with Megan
S2: Spindler Smith, the deputy CEO of people with Disabilities Australia
S2: following the Australian Government's response to the Disability Royal Commission,
S2: which came out earlier this month. That conversation is coming
S2: up very shortly, so make sure to stick around. Coming
S2: up later in the show, for our library lovers out there,
S2: we have a treat in store for you. As Sarah Bloedorn,
S2: the manager of the Vision Australia Library, joins me to
S2: have a chat about the latest events coming up over
S2: the next few weeks and some releases from the library
S2: for people to enjoy. I hope you'll enjoy this week's
S2: episode of Talking Vision. I started my conversation with Megan
S2: by asking her about the Disability Royal Commission, and to
S2: give us a bit of an overview of the latest outcomes. Comes.
S3: Absolutely. So the Disability Royal Commission has. I'm hoping many
S3: people do know was a very momentous and also horrible
S3: at the same time. Time for us, for our community,
S3: talking about the situations that we have been in and
S3: the abuse and violence that we have been dealing with
S3: as a community with regards to general society, the services
S3: we've had access to, and being able to make sure
S3: that we can be more included in society or more
S3: so society can meet us where we need them to
S3: meet us. And so that has been a really momentous
S3: moment to have disabled voices being at the forefront of
S3: talking about what it is. We need to be fully
S3: included in society and to end segregation and to end
S3: the abuse and violence of people with disability. That big
S3: report came out at the end of last year, and
S3: of course, we responded to it with our recommendations of
S3: what should be focused on by the government. And then
S3: at the end of July, there was a response from
S3: the government. And sadly, it wasn't necessarily exactly what we
S3: were all hoping for. There's definitely still some work to
S3: do to make sure that inclusion for all people with
S3: disability in society is possible, and it's going to be
S3: so important for us to be able to work with
S3: the government to make sure that all 222 recommendations are
S3: considered and actioned in the best way possible for our community.
S2: To put a couple more numbers out there and give
S2: a bit of perspective for our listeners. Of those 222 recommendations,
S2: there were, I believe, 172, which fell under the government's
S2: full or partial responsibility. And of those 172, they've only
S2: really accepted 13 of those fully. And, you know, on
S2: the face of it, that's quite disappointing. And as you've said,
S2: something for the disability community to going forward, advocate strongly
S2: for and work together with them to improve that outcome
S2: for the disability community. So what are people with Disability
S2: Australia's immediate thoughts or actions or immediate priorities for addressing
S2: that situation in the short term?
S3: So for us, our biggest thing is making sure that
S3: the government is moving forward with genuine co-design and that
S3: people with disability are at the forefront of these. So
S3: when we talk about the initial response and we talk
S3: about the sadly low numbers that were put forward as accepted.
S3: What we do know is those things, we should be
S3: seeing action on them now, and we know that there
S3: are things like the Disability Discrimination Act, which needs to
S3: happen ASAP. That needs to be one of the first
S3: things that happens. And people with disability need to be
S3: genuinely not just part of the conversation, but supported to
S3: lead how the changes happen. Because we know that currently
S3: the DDA doesn't ensure that we have enough equity of access,
S3: especially when it comes to employment across the whole of Australia.
S3: And it's not always equally done in every single state.
S3: So from our perspective, that's one of our big call outs,
S3: is this needs to happen now and it needs to
S3: happen ASAP, and that also includes ensuring that Australia is
S3: able to implement the CRPD, which is the way we
S3: should be, and we've signed on to this as a
S3: as a country. We have actually signed on to this,
S3: but it's not currently fully enacted in law. And what
S3: that means is that with many different people with disability,
S3: we only have kind of a patchwork setup of human
S3: rights protections, and the law plays a huge role in
S3: our lives. And so the mixture of a DDA and
S3: ensuring that the Human Rights Act is able to demonstrate
S3: a way to ensure that our rights equal to, but
S3: equitable to everyone else in Australia.
S2: And, Megan, you mentioned the CRPD in there. Could you
S2: give a bit of an overview of that for our listeners?
S3: Absolutely. So the CRPD and I can sometimes be known
S3: for saying acronyms when I shouldn't is the convention on
S3: the Rights of Persons with disabilities. So this is something
S3: that is linked to the United Nations Convention, and it
S3: is ostensibly to promote and protect and ensure the full
S3: and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms
S3: by all persons with disability, and to ensure that we're
S3: able to promote respect for our inherent dignity. So it's
S3: actually made up of two different documents, which is one
S3: is the convention on the Rights of Persons with disability.
S3: And that kind of contains the main aspects around what
S3: do we mean by the rights and provisions that can
S3: do that. And then the other is the optional protocol.
S3: And that is really around some of the additional aspects
S3: To help us understand the next steps and how we
S3: can put some of these things into practice. And basically,
S3: Australia became a signatory in about August 2008, and you
S3: can see some really great information, including an easy read
S3: version of information about it on the human rights. Gov.uk.
S3: But also we have some fantastic stuff on our website
S3: as well. Pwda is website is fantastic for that as well.
S2: Okay. And we'll get those details about the website and
S2: other contact details for P.w.d. at the end. Megan. But
S2: for the time being, I'm interested to raise the point
S2: about how people with disabilities still perhaps aren't seen as
S2: a priority by government over the time, but also, I suppose,
S2: and this is a bit of a point of you know,
S2: how society views us more broadly and overcoming those perceptions.
S2: Let's talk a bit about how much that played a
S2: role in this entire situation. I think that's definitely worth
S2: covering there. What are your thoughts on that?
S3: From our perspective? Part of the reason, and definitely from
S3: my perspective, part of the reason that we are not
S3: necessarily yet treated as equitable or necessarily have access to
S3: equitable rights. And you might notice, I'm saying equitable over equal,
S3: because we've got to get equitable first before we can
S3: have equality. So it's really important to recognize that we're
S3: not starting at the exact same point as everyone else.
S3: So we need the equity to get to the equality.
S3: So when we're thinking about those things, we've got to
S3: think about the fact that the current system for education,
S3: for many people with disability is through a segregated Lens.
S3: And that means that right now, mainstream schools are not.
S3: And the mainstream schooling system is not actually fully inclusive.
S3: And so we need to consider that when it comes
S3: to employment, when it comes to education, and when it
S3: comes to housing opportunities, that segregated model is in place
S3: because of the fact that we do not currently have
S3: an inclusive society that ensures that if a person with
S3: disability was to go into a mainstream school right at
S3: this moment, I'm not saying it can't happen. I absolutely
S3: do believe it can. But if they were to right
S3: this second, the mainstream system does need to change and
S3: it needs to be able to be more inclusive of
S3: everyone's needs and learning capacities. And that's the same when
S3: it comes to employment and housing. And so those are
S3: the kind of things that we need to be conscious
S3: of as.
S4: To.
S3: Why we're not necessarily yet fully seen as having all
S3: of the same rights, because we're not necessarily set up
S3: societies not set up to allow for that equity yet.
S2: Mhm. And Megan, that does tie in with quite a
S2: few of the experiences, lived experiences and otherwise of quite
S2: a few people I've spoken to over the past weeks, months, even,
S2: you know, years on talking vision where we've had stories
S2: where people have come back to them and said, oh,
S2: this is, you know, just one person that's making this
S2: complaint or giving this feedback or that's not enough of
S2: a business case. It's not important enough. You know, we
S2: don't need to make X, Y, and Z accessible if
S2: there's only one person who is experiencing this problem, we
S2: don't need to do anything about it, blah, blah, blah.
S2: So addressing that and overcoming that and flipping that around to,
S2: you know, have more voices saying, we need this to improve.
S2: We need this to be better. We need this to
S2: be able to fully take part in society. And that
S2: is a huge mountain to climb. So that's definitely something
S2: that's ongoing. So it's very important for us to be
S2: speaking today because, you know, we've both experienced these sorts
S2: of things over our lives. First and foremost, what are
S2: you looking to see long term as a final point
S2: for things to improve for the lives of people with disabilities, full.
S3: Inclusion in society in the way that we still have
S3: choice and control in how that happens. And we have
S3: to remember. Yes, absolutely. I hear that we've only had
S3: one person ask this. We've only had one person. But
S3: if we step back and recognize that around 20% of
S3: Australia's population are people with disability. You might only get
S3: a request for one type of inclusion, but if you
S3: are able to include people with disability and all people
S3: with disability, then you're actually ensuring that 20% of our
S3: population has full inclusion in society. It's not a simple
S3: or straightforward process, and it shouldn't be because we need
S3: to be able to recognise that we should be allowed
S3: to lead that. But in the long run, it's about
S3: having the ability to be part of non-segregated living spaces,
S3: non-segregated schools and non-segregated employment. Those things are basic 101
S3: things that we should have absolute choice to be able
S3: to do in a way that is absolutely accessible. It
S3: means that simple things like being able to have access
S3: to easy English.
S5: Or.
S3: Auslan versions of all communications should be available as the
S3: first step, not the second or third, or the reminder
S3: step afterwards. It should be that all forms of apps
S3: that we have to use for our job are fully
S3: accessible to screen readers. That should again be just the
S3: first step of the conversation, not the third or the
S3: patch step of how we're doing things so we can
S3: do our jobs in the exact same way that we
S3: need to, to be as effective as possible. Those are
S3: the key aspects we need to make sure that there
S3: is a genuine partnership with people with disability, with us
S3: and the government and our society, so that we can
S3: be fully included.
S2: Megan, before we wrap up, if people would love to
S2: get in touch with people with disabilities Australia, what is
S2: the best way for them to do that. And what
S2: sort of things can you offer for people who may
S2: be experiencing quite a lot of feelings and concerns following
S2: these outcomes?
S3: Absolutely. So we do have a great website that has
S3: a lot of really helpful information, as well as some
S3: overview of what you can do. So you can go
S3: to poody.org. So org.edu. And on our website we've got
S3: a lot of different pieces of information. However you can
S3: also give us a call. We have got A18 hundred number.
S3: And sometimes that's much more accessible for people. So that
S3: number is 1800 422 015. Or you can send us an email
S3: at poody@poody.org dot a you and we can support you
S3: with multiple things. So obviously as part of it, we
S3: do have membership available, free membership available for any person
S3: with disability that wants to be kept in the loop
S3: on what is happening. We also have advisory groups that
S3: you can be part of, and we keep you up
S3: to date with the latest news in the disability community.
S3: We also have some really great resources around things like
S3: language guides, Auslan videos, easy read information, and some great
S3: resources for journalists as well. But also we can provide
S3: independent support and advice so we can do individual advocacy support.
S3: We can talk to you and support you around housing
S3: and accommodation, the NDIS, especially around discrimination, abuse and neglect
S3: and we can also support students with disability as well.
S2: That was Megan Spindler Smith, deputy CEO of people with
S2: Disabilities Australia. There who joined me today to chat about
S2: the Disability Royal Commission and the latest outcomes from the
S2: government's response earlier this month. I'm Sam Culley and you're
S2: listening to Talking Vision. On Vision Australia Radio, associated Stations
S2: of Reading Radio and the Community Radio Network. If you'd
S2: love to listen to a full version of our conversations today,
S2: they will be available as interview highlights later this week
S2: to enjoy. But if you'd like to listen to the
S2: programme in full at another time, you can also do
S2: that of course, through the Vision Australia Radio website at
S2: VA radio.org that's VA radio.org. Or you can find the
S2: program on the podcast app of your choice or through
S2: the Vision Australia library. And speaking of the Vision Australia Library,
S2: it's my great pleasure to welcome library manager Sarah Bloedorn
S2: to Talking Vision. I started off our conversation today by
S2: asking Sarah about some events that are coming up in
S2: the Vision Australia library over the next few weeks.
S6: Yeah, absolutely. Always lots happening in the library. We've got
S6: some exciting things happening very soon. First of all, we're
S6: launching our next series of memoir writing. We hold memoir
S6: writing probably twice a year because it's so popular. Every
S6: time we advertise those series of memoir writing, we get
S6: booked up with a waitlist. So I encourage you, if
S6: you've thought about doing your memoir before, maybe you've heard
S6: about our program but haven't had a chance to jump
S6: on and be involved yet, please get in touch and
S6: get signed up. So this one starts August 30th. So
S6: you've still got a few days and we've still got
S6: some spots in there And what it is is it's
S6: a six week online program, so it doesn't matter where
S6: you are across the country listening to this. You can
S6: be part of our program. So we've got an amazing
S6: bunch of authors that will help you. Whether you've just
S6: started writing your memoir or whether you haven't started or
S6: whether you've started and put it down years ago. Wherever
S6: you're at, absolutely take a chance and get involved in
S6: that program. It's free. All of our programs are free.
S6: I probably should mention that for anybody that hasn't heard
S6: about our programs before, all of them are free to join.
S6: On the 2nd of October, we have an in conversation
S6: with Candice Fox. Candice Fox is an amazing Australian author.
S6: She's a crime fiction author, so I haven't read a
S6: lot of her work. Sam, maybe you have, I'm not sure,
S6: but I know a lot of our listeners and a
S6: lot of our readers love their crime stories. So Candice
S6: will be with us on the 2nd of October for
S6: around about an hour, and we have the opportunity to
S6: chat to her about everything from what inspires her to
S6: write these gritty crime novels, to what's her writing process like.
S6: And you can ask questions yourself. So once again, this
S6: is an online event. So join from wherever you are
S6: in the comfort of your home. If you have questions
S6: for Candice, that's wonderful. If you just want to have
S6: a listen, that's also wonderful too.
S2: I haven't personally had a read of Candice Fox, but
S2: I know quite a few friends and family out there
S2: who are big crime buffs. They may have heard of Candice,
S2: so I'll be sure to have a chat with them
S2: about that. Though I'm big fans of the crime genre
S2: going all the way back to, you know, Raymond Chandler
S2: back in the 30s and all that sort of thing
S2: and all the way through. I love a good Agatha Christie,
S2: all those sort of ones. But, um, yeah. So we'll
S2: get back to the details about how people can register
S2: and find out more about the library at the end.
S2: But in the meantime, Sarah, I'd love to hear about
S2: some new releases from the library that members can look
S2: forward to having a read or listen to.
S6: Yeah, absolutely. So one that stood out to me in
S6: this month list is called The Librarian Next. Hopefully I'm
S6: saying that right. I think I just like the title
S6: by Patrick DeWitt. So it's about a man called Bob
S6: who's a retired librarian passing his days surrounded by books
S6: in his house in Oregon. One morning on his daily walk,
S6: he encounters a confused elderly woman lost in a market
S6: and returns her to the senior center that is her home,
S6: hoping to fill the void he's known since retiring, he
S6: begins volunteering at the center, and this is the basis
S6: for this story where we get to enjoy learning about
S6: this man. The librarian, as he's called it, says it's
S6: a melancholy, but also a bright comedy full of bizarre
S6: and outsized players, which just sounds great to me. Sounds
S6: like a really nice, feel good book. Probably not a
S6: crime novel from the sound of that, but sounds really lovely.
S6: And there's another one that has been popular, and along
S6: with crime, we often we find our historical fiction is
S6: very popular. And there's one called The Scent Keeper, about
S6: a woman called Emmeline who lives on a remote island
S6: with her father learning all about his experiences and his
S6: understanding of the natural world. As she grows, so does
S6: her curiosity, until one day the unforeseen happens and she
S6: is vaulted into the real world, a place of love, betrayal,
S6: ambition and revenge. To understand her past, Emmeline must unlock
S6: the clues to her identity, a quest that challenges the
S6: limits of her heart and imagination. So that's another one
S6: that has been popular with our readers this month, and
S6: we actually have a whole session about historical books. Whether
S6: you like your historical romance or your war novels, with
S6: one of our Treat Your Shelf coming up soon. Okay,
S6: so our treat yourself, as I'm sure you know, Sam,
S6: is an opportunity really to hear from you, our listeners
S6: and our readers, about what you enjoy reading. And the
S6: theme of our August 27th one is Upending the Hourglass.
S6: So it's all about historical fiction, taking the reader beyond
S6: what's available to time traveling between the pages So come
S6: along and share your favorite historical fiction reads. It's not
S6: all bonnets and lords and ladies. There's a wealth of
S6: new release modern historical fiction to enjoy.
S2: All right, that's really cool. And you know, if people
S2: would love to sign up to those events, they're listening
S2: to this and thinking, oh my God, that's amazing. I'd
S2: love to get involved in writing my own memoir, or
S2: finding out a bit more about historical fiction, or taking
S2: part in all the other events that are in store
S2: for people out there. What is the best way for
S2: them to get in touch and contact the library and
S2: get online and find out more?
S6: Yeah, the quickest way to join is generally online. So
S6: Vision Australia. Org slash library. And on there you'll see
S6: all of our upcoming events. So anything that I've spoken
S6: about today. But there's also things that I haven't had
S6: a chance to mention or ones that are coming up
S6: in the future. Generally you just register online, so we
S6: just ask for a few details, get you signed up,
S6: and that way you're in the system and we'll email
S6: you ahead of the program to remind you, hey, you're
S6: coming along and keep you in touch with the library.
S6: You can also call, though, if you would like to.
S6: We're very happy to register you online or do it
S6: for you through the phone. So that's 1300 654 656. I'll just
S6: repeat that one again. It's 1300 654 656. And you can also
S6: email library at Vision Australia. Org with any questions. So
S6: it might be about one of the programs I've mentioned today.
S6: Also a book that you're interested in, whether it's one
S6: that I spoke about or a book that you just
S6: want to see if the library can get. That's always
S6: the best email to start the conversation, and we'll make
S6: sure we direct you to whoever can help you with
S6: your query.
S2: Okay. And, Sarah, I think it's also worth letting our
S2: listeners know a little bit more about the formats that
S2: they can access their favorite book or audio book, because
S2: we haven't really done that for the past little while.
S2: So it's always good to refresh people's memory. What sort
S2: of formats can people access their favorite books?
S7: Sure.
S6: Well, we we love to set the library that we
S6: want to help you read in whatever way you choose.
S6: And so for each of us, that might be different.
S6: We do specialize as a library in audiobooks, particularly we
S6: have over 60,000 titles in audio, which is amazing. They're
S6: all human narrated. So it means you're listening to a
S6: real person read the book, which is a lovely experience.
S6: And we have every genre under the sun. We also
S6: have a Braille library. So again, with both audio or braille,
S6: if we don't have something, you can suggest it. And
S6: because our library exists for our clients and our readers,
S6: we're going to do our very best to get it
S6: for you. So when you join the library, you can
S6: let us know how you like to read. Some people
S6: like to read both ways. They like Braille and audio,
S6: and we'll help to support you in that. If you
S6: are an audio reader, we have an app that can
S6: go onto your smartphone or tablet that a lot of
S6: people make use of. We do also have some other
S6: devices that you can access if you're not wanting to
S6: use our phone or a tablet. So again, very happy
S6: to have that conversation with you at any point and
S6: support you to find that with Braille we do have
S6: physical braille. So a braille book that will be posted
S6: in the mail. But we also have E Braille. So
S6: if you use an E Braille device you can access
S6: the files. Yeah. So however you like to read we're
S6: here to help you.
S2: Perfect. Well if you'd love to find out a little
S2: bit more about that and perhaps sign up as a
S2: member or find out if your favorite book is available,
S2: or just sign up for one of those events, or
S2: many more that Sarah has mentioned there. Feel free to
S2: get in touch with the library anytime. I've been speaking
S2: today with Vision Australia library manager Sarah Bloedorn about the
S2: latest releases available to members at the Vision Australia Library,
S2: along with some exciting events coming up over the next
S2: few weeks And that's all the time we have for today.
S2: You've been listening to Talking Vision. Talking vision is a
S2: Vision Australia radio production. Thanks to all involved with putting
S2: the show together every week. And remember, we love hearing
S2: from you. So please get in touch any time on
S2: our email at Talking Vision. At Vision australia.org. That's talking
S2: vision all one word at Vision australia.org. But until next
S2: week it's Sam Coley saying bye for now.
S1: You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us anytime during
S1: business hours on 1300 847 406. That's 1300 847 406 or by visiting Vision australia.org.
S1: That's Vision australia.org.