Part Four: Sector News.

10: Inaugural Attitude Awards 3 December 2008.

The Attitude Awards are a new initiative developed to honour the outstanding achievements of disabled people.

Attitude Enterprise Award - won by Samuel Gibson.  It was sponsored by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.  This award aims to recognise an individual, team, organisation or company whose activities, innovation and achievements have improved the lives of persons with a disability and/or their families.

Attitude Sportsman Award - won by Cameron Leslie.  Sponsored by Invacare.
For the athlete whose level of achievement in 2008 represented excellence in sport at the highest level.

Attitude Sportswoman Award - won by Sophie Pascoe.  Sponsored by Invacare.
This will be awarded to the athlete whose level of achievement in 2008 represented excellence in sport at the highest level.

Attitude Youth Award - won by Kerry Bonner.  Sponsored by The Wayne Francis Charitable Trust recognises and rewards outstanding young New Zealanders with a disability aged 12 to 24 years.

Attitude ACC Employer Award - won by 4Dice Business Group.  Awarded to an organisation that demonstrates their support, commitment & innovative approaches to disabled employee's throughout their organisation.

Attitude Community Award - won by Mike and Lyn Ryan.  Sponsored by New Zealand Relay.  Awarded for the outstanding contribution made by an individual (either from an organisation or from within a family) to a member or members of the disability community of New Zealand.

Attitude Arts Award - won by Suzanne Cowan.  Sponsored by Air New Zealand.
Awarded for outstanding achievement in the arts.

Attitude Spirit Award - won by Charlotte Cleverly-Bisman.  Sponsored by Southern Cross Healthcare.  Awarded to an individual who epitomises the positive spirit that we seek to promote through the Attitude TV series.

Attitude ACC Supreme Award - won by Suzanne Cowan.  Awarded to the person whose accomplishments are truly inspiring, and who acts as a beacon highlighting the possibilities available to people with a disability.
Suzanne is currently doing a Masters at the University of Auckland where her thesis is on how dance and disability can be combined as a powerful way of shifting perceptions around disability.
"ACC was extremely proud to be the principal sponsor of these Awards," says Dr Jan White, ACC Chief Executive. "We work closely with people who live with disabilities every day, and hear wonderful stories about rehabilitation and injured people returning to their jobs and their communities. Now, with these Awards we have the opportunity to showcase and celebrate the achievements and determination of the finalists."

The Lion Foundation, Southern Cross Healthcare, Air New Zealand, NZ Trade and Enterprise, NZ Relay, Invacare, Westpac and the Wayne Francis Charitable Trust were also key sponsors of the event, supporting the Awards with travel prizes, business mentoring and grants.

For more information:
Contact:  Robyn Barker, Project Manager, Attitude Awards
Phone:     09 309 4015
Mobile:     027 622 5111
Email:      robyn@attitudetv.co.nz

11: Disabled People's Assembly (DPA) elections.

The new National Executive Committee of the Disabled Persons Assembly was elected at the AGM in October.

Eamon Daly (Christchurch) is the new President and Wendy Neilson (Tauranga) is the new Vice-President. Matt Frost (Wellington), Hemi Hema (Christchurch) and Sean Parker (Fielding) are on the committee for the first time.

They join Mike Gourley, David Corner, Rongomaiwahine Higgins, Ken Talbot (all Wellington), Brendon Murray, John Scully, Dot Wilson (all Invercargill), Beverley Grammer (Whakatane) and Debbie Mudgway (Hastings).

DPA is an umbrella organisation representing people with all types of disabilities, the organisations involved in advocacy on their behalf, and service providers.  DPA has a nationwide network of regional assemblies who advocate on local issues.

For more information about DPA or to become a DPA member:
Contact:         The Chief Executive Officer, DPA (New Zealand) Inc
Phone / TTY:   04 801 9100
Fax:                04 801 9565
Email:             gen@dpa.org.nz
Website:         http://www.dpa.org.nz

12: Certificate and Diploma in Employment Support 2009.

A Certificate and Diploma in Employment Support is being offered by the Association for Support Employment New Zealand (ASENZ).  People interested in registering for either the Certificate or Diploma are invited to register.  The venue of the programme will depend on the numbers registered before Christmas 2008.  It is anticipated that there will be two workshops, one in the top half of the North Island and another in the lower half and the South Island area.

For more information:
Contact:  Ian Harper, Executive Officer ASENZ
Postal:     PO Box 261, Wanganui NZ
Phone:     06 342 3899
Mobile:     0274 574 744
Email:       asenz@asenz.org.nz
Website:   www.asenz.org.nz

13: Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Disability Studies) applications.

Applications for entry to the 2009 session of the Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Disability Studies) programme at Massey University are now being accepted. The programme is offered extramurally and can be completed part time. The application deadline is 31 January 2009. However, prospective students are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Information, admission details and application forms are outlined on the programme website at Massey University:
http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/study/programme-course-and-paper-search/programme.cfm?prog_id=93245&major_code=2507

For more information contact:

Dr Martin Sullivan
Senior Lecturer
School of Health & Social Services
Massey University PB 11-222
Palmerston North
Phone: 0800 627739 ext. 2833
Email: M.J.Sullivan@massey.ac.nz

14: Disabled Sailing Trust NZ.

The Disabled Sailing Trust NZ is seeking help to fundraise, build and operate a 15-metre purpose-built catamaran that can be sailed by a disabled crew.  Families and caregivers will also be able to enjoy sailing adventures and water activities from a few hours to a few days.

The catamaran will be able to take groups of up to 20 on day excursions and
8 on overnight trips.  One of the key features of this catamaran is that it will be one level from the aft deck through into the saloon/galley area allowing wheelchair users full access down in the hulls via hydraulic lifts.
A disabled person will be able to take full part in sailing the catamaran through the adapted controls under the supervision of a qualified skipper.

The yacht will be based in Auckland, probably in the Viaduct Basin, but possibly operating out of Wellington or Christchurch two or three months of the year.
The estimated cost for the yacht is $2 000 000 (in the water cost excluding GST), with an annual operating expenses of $200 000 (excluding GST).

The Trust is particularly interested in hearing from potential users of the catamaran, both groups and individuals.

For more information:
Email:      trustees@disabledsailingtrust.org.nz
Website:  www.disabledsailingtrust.org.nz

15: Supporting the needs of people with disability in hospital: A resource for health care staff Canterbury District Health Board/Canterbury Polytech

The resource has been developed to help its staff and others to better support the needs of disabled people in hospital and was commissioned by Canterbury District Health Board Chief Executive Gordan Davies following feedback from patients and family members.

Canterbury District Health Board and Canterbury Polytechnic Institute of Technology collaborated to produce the resource which took 18 months to put together with input from disabled people.  The resource which was written by Caroline Mohr and Chris Taua is now available to Canterbury District Health Board staff and other District Health Board.

For more information:
Contact:  Chris Taua, Principal Lecturer Nursing Studies
Phone:     03 940 8074   x 8613
Email:       tauac@cpit.ac.nz
Mobile:     021 1232963
Postal:     Canterbury Polytechnic Institute of Technology,
PO Box 540 Christchurch, 8015
Fax:          03 940 8019

16: Aspirations and Success Stories -Deaf and hearing Impaired DVD.

The Aspirations and Success Stories DVD contains stories to encourage and motivate Deaf and hearing impaired youth to realise and achieve their potential to fulfil their dreams.  The stories are presented in New Zealand Sign language and spoken English with English subtitles.  Copies of the DVD have been widely distributed.

Sponsorship and support for the DVD came from the Deaf Development Trust, Pelorus Trust, Deafinitely Youth Group, Deaf Association of New Zealand, Auckland Deaf Society and the Office for Disability Issues.

For more information:

Deaf Association of New Zealand
PO Box 15 769, New Lynn, AUCKLAND 0640
1836-1848 Great North Road, Avondale, AUCKLAND

Email:  recepak@deaf.co.nz
Phone: 09 820-5038
Fax:      09 82 5039
TTY:     09 820-5036

17: International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity: Christchurch.

The International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (IFAPA) has decided  that New Zealand will host the International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity in 2011. The Halberg Trust was confirmed as hosts by the IFAPA Executive Committee.

The Symposium will take place at Canterbury University, Christchurch from
4-9 July 2011.

For more information:
Contact:  Graeme Taylor, Chief Executive, Halberg Trust
Phone:       09 579 9931
Mobile:      027 289 4940
Email:        gkt@halberg.co.nz