Physical Disability Council

PRESIDENT’S REPORT PDCSA 2008/09

1

During the last year PDCSA had no choice but to move to our new office at 302 South Road, Hilton.   Again this was due to not being financially independent.

We did get a larger and better office but it was less than half the initial size we were promised still making wheelchair maneuverability somewhat difficult.  We have been assured that the kitchen and toilet will be made fully accessible when funding grants become available.

Other problems with the new office location being that there is no protection from the elements when members travel by mobility aid and there are no disable car park spaces available and due.

2

PDCSA took part in the Disability Expo 09 which resulted in good networking and most important new membership.

3

The loss of Cathy Nirta last year resulted in the lack of Newsletters.  We now have a new editor in Paul McCoy and I believe that we are back on track and look forward to some great informative reading.  If there are any members who have any articles they may like to submit for future Activator newsletters, please don’t hold back.   If you have read something that needs revisiting, or got a joke or your favorite easy to prepare recipe.  These just some of the things which add interesting reading.

It is extremely encouraging and most important when members submit their stories whether big and meaningful or just small stories that reflect people’s feelings on disability issues.

 

4

We do have a website which is outdated and as such we are in the process of building a new user friendly website.  As you are no doubt aware that having a website is extremely important and to that extent Charlie Johnston has done some great work

5

We have renegotiated our CSTDA?  Agreement with the Office of Disability and Client Services to something more manageable.  One main forum and two joint forums.  If we had the personel with transport and other inherent qualities we would be in a better position to do much more

6

I believe it is essential for PDCSA to become an independent human rights organization for people with disabilities and it is hard to believe that any Government will hand out grants to organizations who criticize them.

We need sponsorships and business arrangements to to do our job properly.

This is important when we look at the example of similar groups,  with one organization in  particular being Arts Access who had created a dependency on Government money, like many other organizations, then to have their grants cancelled or slashed as has also happened to DIRC and other support groups.

It is imperative that we have independence without fear of losing our meager funding.

In the last 12 months PDCSA has raised $2,500 profit from the Australian Central Lottery.   This was our first attempt at establishing a fundraising arm for PDCSA.  Much more needs to be done.

7

Looking to the future.

PDCSA     Identified area of concern

ACCESS – MEMBERSHIP – EQUIPMENT – ADVOCACY – FINANCIAL

MEDIA – SOCIAL–TRANSPORT

Stuctures need to be put in place so actions can be carried out and followed up on.

Admin  -  Telephone Referral Services

Sub committees need to report to main committee

Starting with the need to recruit members for manning the telephone during office hours.      This will result in more action that will need attention.    A telephone referral system enquiries can be referred to other organizations which have the people with the expertise to deal with.

Issues such as Access, Finance, Membership, Media, Equipment etc., These areas will be run by subcommittees on top of our core running team who attend to the day to day running of affairs.

Sub committees will need to be formed to deal with the issues when they come to light and must be allowed to evolve.

Currently the majority of all activities are done by most of the board members all of whom are volunteers.  We desperately need members who are willing to offer services within their ability. If you have a skill which can contribute to the success of your organization whether it be a couple of hour a week or more, let us know.  This callout will be in the next edition of the Activator with details of tasks required.

PDCSA still has many problems with its management.  There is so much to do with so few on hand to do the work needed.

 

 

Media Sub Committee.  After speaking with lawyers I was advised that the best and only tool we have available is the media.  This is the most effective tool in making the public aware and the politicians on notice that we are a force to be reckoned with.

These are desperate times for people with disabilities after a decade of neglect by firstly the Howard Government and then by the S.A. Rann Government.

I know our preferred option is for these issues is Awareness and Education training which has been don for over ten years or moe with very little progress.  Often our voice is overlooked by more powerful Government or strong advocates of the able bodied variety, business etc.,

 

Members are anxious for results and thus can’t wait for equipment and services.  Disability still needs a round table of Peak Disability Groups to ensure a plan for the future with the disability sector being on the same page.

 

 

I would like to thank Charlie Johnston who was the Vice President of PDCSA has recently resigned due to personal health reasons.  To Lorna and Isobel  who been a pillar of support for me. I have been very greatful to Lorna and Isobel for their frankness and honesty.  To Phil and Roxeanne  for their energy and being a great help to me. Many thanks to all the other board members for being part of a great team.

 

I now take this opportunity to announce that I am resigning my position as President of the PDCSA board due to health reasons and now leave space for another to take up the position.

Unfortunately there is still so much to be done and I wish the new board every success for the future.  I strongly believe that we are now in a much better position than we were four years ago both financially and with personel but the problems with Government are growing daily for people with disabilities and  with the state election soon upon us it is now the time to confront   the issues.  New members are desperately needed so grab a couple of membership forms to pass on to others who are keen to keep the politicians honest.

 

Cheers and love to all.

Ray Scott.