further to johns message,
this news story is of interest.
MEDAL SHORTAGE: Winners of medals in multi-disability events at the
Australian
Olympic swimming trials are asked to return their medals to allow ceremonies
for able-bodied events to go ahead.
http://www.ananova.com/sport/story/swimming_olympics_30828.html
Adrian Higginbotham
SURFACE
Salford University, Research Focus on Accessible Environments.
----- Original Message -----
From: John Homan <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>; Angela Baker <[log in to unmask]>;
Breda Wall <[log in to unmask]>; Chris Leach
<[log in to unmask]>; Chris Smith <[log in to unmask]>; Connie Young
<[log in to unmask]>; Len Ebelt <[log in to unmask]>; Carmel Mason
<[log in to unmask]>; Campbell Macrae <[log in to unmask]>; Dianne
Alexander <[log in to unmask]>; John Homan <[log in to unmask]>;
Kalkiah Respite Centre <[log in to unmask]>; Lyn Colyer
<[log in to unmask]>; M Kennedy <[log in to unmask]>; Mark
Kennedy <[log in to unmask]>; Dani Stehlik <[log in to unmask]>;
David Anderson <[log in to unmask]>; Debbie Wilkinson
<[log in to unmask]>; Deirdre Croft <[log in to unmask]>;
Denver Beanland <[log in to unmask]>; Des Quinn
<[log in to unmask]>; disability list <disability-research@m
Cc: Aoife O'Toole <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2000 12:48 PM
Subject: discrimmination at the sydney olympics
Good morning all,
The following message comes from Brian Parker, Chairman of the Disability
Council of Queensland (DCQ)
I believe his outrage is fully justified, and support him in the stand he
is taking: To do everything possible to prevent this blatant collective act
of discrimmination to be sanctioned by HEROC, and hence be rewarded.
I am sending you this email trusting that you too will support this stand
and will let your displeasure be known with HEROC, in the community and the
media.
May the force be with you,
rgds John Homan
Member of DCQ
I have been informed by a Queensland Councillor on the National Disability
Advisory Committee (NDAC) that despite knowing over 2 years ago that Sydney
and Australia in general would require additional wheelchair accessible
transport during the Olympic games (mainly buses and maxi taxis) the
Olympic Roads and Transport Authority (ORTA) and Australian bus operators
have failed to plan for this situation and buy or modify the necessary
vehicles. Having deliberately neglected this obligation ORTA and the
operators are now applying to have the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity
Commission (HREOC) grant them exemption from the Disability Discrimination
Act (section 55 ) for the period of the requirement.
A question for DCQ is will it allow a blatant and deliberate act of
discrimination by transport operators to be ignored and those in the
disabled community who depend on public transport to pay the price in terms
of more expensive transport or more isolation. This injustice is further
proof of public indifference and I see the precedent being used by others
to avoid obligations to the disability community.
The cost of the Olympics should not be imposed on those least able to bear
the cost.
Today I have taken steps to advise the Minister and Chair of NDAC of DCQ's
opposition to grant exemptions to the operators. I also intend on a
personal basis to lobby a variety of disabled organisations to oppose this
process in any way they can and I invite you to do the same if you share my
feelings and are incensed by this event.
Regards
Brian Parker
Chair
ps: Appropriate websites for further information are: www.hreoc.gov.au and
orta.nsw.gov.au
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