Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme

As of 1 July 2006, Northern Territory Carers who are in receipt of a Commonwealth Carer’s Allowance from Centrelink are eligible to apply for membership to the Northern Territory Pensioner and Carer Concession Scheme (NTPCCS), formerly known as the Northern Territory Pensioner Scheme.

The Scheme offers Carers a broad range of concessions including:
• Urban Bus Travel
• Spectacles
• Electricity
• Motor Vehicle Registration
• Driver's Licence
• Council Rates
• Water, Sewerage and Garbage Rates

For further information telephone 1800 421 887 (local call charges apply)

 

‘The Road Ahead : A Northern Territory self-help planning guide to post-secondary education, employment and training for people with a disability and chronic medical conditions’

This work book has been produced for people with a disability (which includes a chronic medical condition) who are considering their post-secondary education and training, for example, secondary school students, VTE (Vocational and Technical Education) students, potential New Apprentices and people looking to change their career direction. It is hoped it will be used by secondary school students in Year 11 or earlier. Teachers and trainers facilitating group work on career planning with people with a disability could also use it. This was a joint project of the Regional Disability Liaison Officer Initiative and the Disability Coordination Officer Programme in the Northern Territory.

Download (pdf format)

A limited number of hard copies are available.
Contact Rob Bowman on 8953 4488

 

Disability Services Census 2004

Data on people with a disability who used specialist disability employment services during the 2003–04 financial year. The report also provides information on other Australian Government funded disability services; respite, advocacy, information, and print disability.

Download

 

 

Charles Darwin University Tertiary Enabling Program

If you have been out of study for a while, or not completed high school,
the Tertiary Enabling Program (TEP) gives you the pathway to a degree.

TEP gives you the opportunity to develop the skills and gain the knowledge you need for successful achievements in higher education study. Successful completion of the Tertiary Enabling Programme means you will gain the entry requirements for most Charles Darwin University degree programmes.

TEP is offered externally or at Darwin and Alice Springs campus to fit in with your needs. You can study on campus, benefiting from the direct teaching and tutorial support of the lecturers or you can study externally, allowing you to continue studying alongside your family and/or work commitments. The Tertiary Enabling Programme is available part time or full time.

Degrees offered at CDU include engineering, business, law, education, information technology and specialist areas such as tropical and desert studies.

For more information
telephone George Lambrinidis (08) 8946 7097
fax (08) 8946 7144
email   george.lambrinidis@cdu.edu.au

 

Take Another Look, a review of Charles Darwin University's Disability Action Plan, Implementation Manual and Policy for Students with a Disability has been released.

Download

 

 

The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER)
has released a statistical compendium,

People with a Disability in Vocational Education & Training.

Looks at VET students with a disability, focusing on their participation levels, achievements and outcomes and identifies gaps and/or issues with the existing data.

Download

 

 

Low cost Internet service

A low cost Internet service is now available to people on a Disability Support Pension, a Disability Services Pension, a DVA Entitlement Pension or an Aged Pension Card thanks to a partnership arrangement negotiated by Technical Aid to the Disabled Australia (TADAust) with wholesales communications provider, ispOne.

At the rate of only $5.50 a month, including no set-up fee, unlimited downloads and flexible contract arrangements, this is the cheapest dialup service on the market today.

TADAust is a national organisation that together with health care professionals assesses the needs of the frail aged and people with disabilities in order to design aids that will improve their independence.

For more information contact: TADACT on 1300 735 439 or (02) 6287 4290 or go to www.tadaustconnect.org.au to register.

 

Cheap Computers

Green Peripherals and Components, otherwise known as GreenPC, has now developed as a successful social enterprise initiative of   Infoxchange Australia that operates to service low income people on a national basis.

Green PC's are recycled personal computers that are refurbished and repackaged and then made available to low-income communities, individuals and community organisations.  

All computers have Windows 98 and Microsoft Works installed and are "Internet ready".

Prices start at $150 (plus delivery) for those taking their first steps into the world of Personal Computing. This level is ideal for young school children, people wanting to use a PC only on occasion, and for senior citizens looking to learn about computers and the Internet at their own pace.

If you want to design or create web sites, use multimedia or digital imaging or work with sounds and music, more powerful computers range in price up to $500.

The only qualification for an individual or family to have access to a Green PC computer is that they are holders of a current Health Care Card or are able to verify their low income status in some other way.

Purchase on the internet at

greenpc.infoxchange.net.au/shopcart/browse.chtml

or telephone	(08) 9434 0530 (Western Australia)
	(07) 3255 8300 (Queensland)
	(03) 9486 9344 (Victoria)
	(02) 6251 5617 (ACT)

 

  

 

Every new apprentice and trainee will be offered $300 to buy essential work gear, such as clothing, boots and tools of their trade, while apprentices starting out in a skills shortage area will be offered $500.
Download media release

 

The Directions Paper Skilling Australia – New Directions for Vocational Education and Training sets out possible models for a new national training system from 1 July 2005.

Go to this link to Download

Disability Standards for Education were formulated under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and tabled in Parliament on 17 March 2005. They came into effect in August 2005.

Go to this link to Download

Changes to the Lists of Recognised Disabilities

Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Kay Patterson, said that a review of the lists had been conducted to ensure they remained consistent and objective. Recommendations from the review have lead to the inclusion of a number of new childhood disabilities and medical conditions that automatically qualify for payment of the Carer Allowance.

Changes include:

• adding some conditions to the Lists such as Asperger's Disorder and Lamellar ichthyosis;
• modifying the descriptions of some existing conditions;
• developing new categories to simplify the Lists and allowing for the future inclusion of other conditions;
• increasing the flexibility and longevity of the Lists without compromising their integrity; and
• streamlining the assessment process for medical practitioners.

Go to a ministerial media release about the changes.
Go to the FaCS web page about Carer Allowance.

 

The Commonwealth's Government's Response to the Productivity Commission's review of Disability Discrimination Act.

Download

Read review

 

Deaf Auslan users across Australia can now access a national booking service, which will provide Auslan interpreted access to medical and health consultation, free of charge. The new National Auslan Interpreter Booking and Payment Service (NABS) will book and pay for interpreting services for both deaf adults and children. The service will accommodate situations where a deaf adult and hearing child, or hearing parent and deaf child attend a private medical consultation.

Telephone 1800 24 69 45
Fax 1800 24 69 14
TTY 1800 24 69 48
Email Bookings@nabs.org.au
SMS 0427 671 261

www.nabs.org.au

National Auslan Interpreter Booking and Payment Service
930 Gympie Road
Chermside
Qld 4032

 

The Australian Institute of Health & Welfare has just released the report
Carers in Australia.

Download

 

Results from the Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC) conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) throughout Australia, from June to November 2003 were released on 15th September.
View a summary of results.

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