DEAN - Disability Education Association NSW/ACT Inc.

Livewire is a free, safe and fun online community for young people aged over 10 and under 21 living with a disability, serious illness, or chronic health condition.

It is a place for them to hang out, connect, share experiences, creatively express themselves and realise that they are not alone. Chat hosts and moderators trained in adolescent health ensure that Livewire remains a supportive and fun place 7 days a week. Livewire is working with the Australian Federal Police to make certain all members of Livewire remain safe while engaging with the community.

This great online community offers:
• chat rooms where young people can meet people their own age across Australia
• the chance to enter competitions and win awesome prizes
• online games
• forums and blogs
• the latest news, reviews and interviews

To become a Livewire member:
• Go to Live wire site and click on the ‘Join Livewire' button; or
• Contact the Livewire Support Team on (02) 8425 5971.

Livewire.org.au is an initiative of the Starlight Children's Foundation

Developed by the Australian Employers' Network on Disability, the Opportunity' publication articulates the business case for including people with disability in all areas of business.  The 'Opportunity' resource includes examples of how Australian businesses have maximised their markets as well as tapped into talent. 

Copies of "Opportunity" are available free of charge from the Employers' Network on Disability website. For more information about the resource please visit http://www.aend.org.au/ or phone Rachel Butler on 1300 363 645.

Stories of Indigenous people with a Disability

A new DVD designed to raise the profile of Indigenous people with a disability was launched on December 3, International Day for people with a disability.

YouthWorX NT Local Community Partnerships, in collaboration with the National Disability Coordination Officer, both funded by the Australian government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, has worked within a series of remote Northern Territory Indigenous communities to identify Indigenous perspectives on "disability".

The DVD can be ordered through http://www.cdu.edu.au/ndco/dvd.html. Copies are limited to one per organisation.

This resource has been written for mainstream teachers who have, or are about to have, a student with a disability in their classroom. The booklet may also be useful for teaching assistants, parents and others. The resource is based on recent research and experience in schools and classrooms across Australia.

The resource is divided into 3 sections:

1. Students with a disability in mainstream classrooms - theory and practice including:

• How Australian society is responding to "difference"
• The impact on schools and teachers
• What is driving inclusive practice
• What supports do teachers need if they are going to teach inclusively

2. Strategies for teachers including:

www.techdis.ac.uk/index.php?p=5_1_1&id=274

TechDis, in collaboration with E.A. Draffan, have produced a report on the provision and support of Assistive Technology (AT) in the UK. The report covers the assessment, funding and support of AT across an individual's lifetime from birth, throughout education.

The website also has a useful resource and reference subsection that includes the following categories:

https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/communityed/disabilityacces/da_employment.htm  

Developed by the TAFE NSW Disability Programs Unit, Beyond Expectations features 55 video profiles of people with a range of disabilities who are making their mark in the workforce.

DVDs are available free of charge and may be ordered from: