DEAF TRUCK DRIVERS

(If you want to see the below in Auslan, please let Deaf Victoria know)

I met with Tina Vasiliadis at VicRoads. She is the medical review board manager. I explained our concerns about the Assessment of Fitness to Drive guidelines and she noted them and told me the following:

- The guidelines are made by the National Transport Commission, not by VicRoads, but VicRoads are obliged to follow them

- They are only GUIDELINES; they can be a bit flexible.

- With Medical Reviews, refer to page 64, third column, second last paragraph which says “Further assessment of the person may be arranged with the driver licensing authority and advice may be sought regarding modifications to the vehicle to provide a visual display of safety critical operations” this means, if you fail the medical review, you can always go to VicRoads medical board, explain your experience driving and talk with them. They WILL consider this on a case-by-case basis and talk about what modifications you can make to the truck to make it safer to drive.

- Tina recommended that we should work towards asking the National Transport Commission to create an Exemption process for Deaf and hard of hearing drivers, because unfortunately those drivers thinking about getting their truck license NOW, may not pass because of the new restrictions.
Deaf Victoria’s next step is to contact the National Transport Commission and talk to them about setting an Exemption process in their fitness to drive guidelines.

For more information contact  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

DEAF DEAF WORLD

Did you know if you book DEAF DEAF WORLD for your work place to experience is 100% reimbursement from Employment Assistance Fund (EAF)! Tell your Boss or Manager now that you would like to have Deaf Deaf World at your work place. This is fun / educational and clear awareness of what challenges deaf people face daily. We looking forward to coming to your work place! See photos of some of our teams and how much fun we have - and of course at the same time, your work colleagues would understand YOU better. See photos - (Facebook) Click Here

FROM ACCAN - AUSTRALIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISION

Agreement for more captioning on pay TV

Captioning levels on subscription television services will be increased over the next three years, under an agreement reached between the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA).

The agreement was reached together with leading captioning expert body, Media Access Australia and has been endorsed by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

The agreement will see captioning levels increase by approximately five to ten per cent each year across existing subscription TV channels, and includes minimum captioning levels to be provided on all new channels.

Over the next three years, captioning of some subscription movie channels is intended to increase from 55 % to 75 %, captioning of some subscription general entertainment channels from 35 % to 55%, and captioning of subscription sports channels from 5 % to 15 %.  

In return, subscription TV providers will be exempt from Disability Discrimination Act complaints about levels of captioning until 2015 so long as they carry out the terms of the agreement.

“I commend the members of ASTRA for their commitment to continued increases in captioning levels. I’m very pleased we were able to reach this agreement,” said Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes.

This week’s agreement is the latest in a series of decisions by the Australian Human Rights Commission which have resulted in captioning levels increasing by around 5% every year since 2003 for free to air TV, and since 2004 for subscription TV.

“This agreement will ensure that over 2 million Australians who are deaf or have a hearing impairment will have more choices in the programs they can watch,” said Commissioner Graeme Innes.

The number of people with hearing impairments is expected to increase further with the ageing of the Australian population.

“As well as benefiting people who are deaf or have a hearing impairment, captions are also used by many other people, such as in noisy environments like sports bars or airports, or family homes at dinner time,” said Commissioner Graeme Innes.

NATIONAL DISABILITY INSURANCE SCHEME (NDIS)

NDIS - "Deaf People Need Access" video clip

See here

BUNNINGS FUND-RAISING

Deaf Victoria's latest fund-raising at Bunnings in Port Melbourne - they managed to raise just over $1,000.00, massively thanks to the members of Deaf Victoria board for giving up their Sunday time for this remarkable fundraising...see photo below.