VCOD email news for 2003

Monday, 17 March 2003

Lucky Draw prize to be win if you pay your membership to VCOD before 21^th March. You will win one night accommodation at an apartment in the city and dinner. (Those who have paid their membership will be included in the draw.)

VCOD has now released the membership form for 2003 and you can join VCOD as an individual or an organisation. Fee for individual is $30 ($5 rise due to overall cost of living going up such as stamps) and Organisations are $50 (no price rise)
You can ring Melanie on 9521 2466 to get a membership form or email admin@vcod.com.au or download from the web at http://www.vcod.com.au/contactus/membership.html

DTAN coming to Melbourne

Cathy Clark from the AAD Deaf telecommunication and Networking Project will be in Melbourne on 3^rd April to encourage Melbourne people to “Have a Say.”

The Australian Association for the Deaf (AAD) is conducting a National Community Consultation Forum in Melbourne as part of the “Deaf Telecommunications Access & Networking” Project (DTAN). To date, Forums have been held n most Australian capital cities. AAD is now keen to find out issue of concern that affect Rural and remote Australia

The main reason for the Forum is to provide an opportunity for the Deaf people in Ballarat and Western Victoria to inform AAD of their needs for future telecommunications access and here what is happening in this area.

So come along on 3^rd April at 7pm to have your say about telecommunication. Please RSVP to Melanie by 2^nd April. No interpreter/ loop has been booked but if you want one please let Melanie know asap.

Deaf Deaf World

Deaf Deaf World workshops will be held in Echuca, Swan Hill, and Mildura between 18^th March to 21^st. Bendigo on 31^st March. To check dates, cost etc go to www.vcod.com.au/whatsnews and click on left column called Deaf Deaf World. If you like Deaf Deaf World at your work, then contact Melanie for more information at admin@vcod.com.au

Advocacy Services in Horsham

Due to Grant work requirements, the visit to Horsham has been cancelled until after the end of April. Grant apologies to any one if they were planning to visit him on the day. However feel free to ring or email if you have any issue to discuss.

Deaf Expo 2004

This is to inform you that a weekend Expo is to be held in March 2004. This is similar to the Deaf Expo organised by VSDC and the Parents Federation in 2000 at Melbourne Exhibition.

At this stage the venue has not being picked but if you have any queries please contact Tamara Pearce at NMIT on Tamara Pearce TamaraP-ACC@nmit.vic.edu.au or ring 03 9269 8306 Phone
03 9269 8354 TTY 03 9269 8315 Fax

Disability Outreach Forum organised by EOC

Brent Phillips former manager of VCOD is now working for the Equal Opportunity Commission in Melbourne. A forum has been organised and the information is below. To access the flier go to www.vcod.com.au/whatsnews/legal_&_Politics

DISABILITY OUTREACH PROJECT FORUM

The Equal Opportunity Commission Victoria (EOCV) recently began its Disability Outreach Project and has appointed Brent Phillips as Project Officer. This is a

12-month project which aims to increase awareness of equal opportunity and human rights legislation and the services provided by the EOCV to people with disabilities, their carers and service providers. A forum is being held to introduce our services, launch the project and invite you to provide us with feedback on what you want from the EOCV.

The meeting is on Tuesday 8^th April 2003, 11.00am – 3.00pm (light lunch provided)

Cochlear Implants Seminar

Public lecture at the University of Melbourne (Sunderland Theatre, Medical Building) from 6pm to 7pm Tuesday 1 April - "Have Cochlear Implants Cured Deafness" by Professor Richard Dowell. People who are interested in attending must RSVP first - they can either email gael@unimelb.edu.au or phone 038344 9800. 2 Auslan interpreters and loop will be available on the night

VSDC Camp

A camp for families in being held in Gippsland (Coonawarra), which is being organised by VSDC. For more information on this camp which is on March 21^st to 23^rd, please contact VSDC on 9510 7143 TTY or 9510 9961 voice or go to www.vcod.com.au/whatsnews/events and scroll to March

Free Lecture with Professor Ceil Lucas

ASLIA Victoria, Vicdeaf and VSDC are pleased to organised Professor Ceil Lucas to present a talk on "Sociolinguistic Variation in Sign Language. Professor Lucas is a Professor of Linguistics at Gallaudet University(USA). Professor Ceil will be at Vicdeaf on 20th March from 7 30pm. This is a free public lecture.

Alice Ewing fourth instalment of her trip to Antarctic

BARKING OWL THEATRE with AUSLAN INTERPRETER

Central Victoria’s resident theatre company, Barking Owl Theatre, is providing an Auslan interpreter at one of their performances of GRAVITY for the Castlemaine Fringe Festival 2003.

GRAVITY is the theatre company’s inaugural production and in keeping with their commitment to provide their community with accessible and relevant theatre, they have engaged the services of an Auslan interpreter for their 6:30pm show on Wednesday 2 April 2003. Barking Owl Theatre recognise that they are a part of a diverse community that includes people who, even though they may be deaf or hard of hearing, still enjoy a good night out at the theatre!

In addition to the show, Barking Owl Theatre is providing a free discussion forum after the show where some local health workers and the writer/director, can openly discuss with the audience, the work and the social issues raised in the play. The Auslan interpreter, Jan Palethorpe will be present for the Wednesday night forum as well.

Gravity is an original play written by Barking Owl member, Catherine Ryan. It is the story of an Australian astronaut and her daughter. At a crucial, life-changing moment the play’s hero is confronted by unraveling memories, past and present choices, guilt, confusion and grief. How does a parent care for a child? Pursue a career? Function as a member of a family and a community? Grief and loss are central themes in the play.

Barking Owl Theatre formed in 2001 as a not-for-profit organisation in Castlemaine and are committed to creating works that are not only relevant but also accessible to the community, which includes low-ticket prices as well as opening their work to the deaf community. This project has been well supported with financial sponsorship from Beyondblue: the national depression initiative, the Regional Arts Fund, Mt Alexander Shire Council, Gravity Espresso, St Luke’s Anglicare, Mt Alexander Employment & Training Service and the Castlemaine Fringe Festival of the Wheel 2003.

The season of 10 shows will run throughout the festival, from Sat 29 March till Sun 6 April at Barking Owl Theatre in The Diggers’ Store, 61 Main Rd (on the midland Hwy) Campbells Creek (3kms south of Castlemaine). Tickets are only $15 full-fare or $10 concession & groups of 10+. Seating is limited, so it is advisable to book asap on 5470 6504 or 5470 6500 (sorry - both numbers voice only) or email barkingowl@gcom.net.au. Don’t forget - Auslan interpreter present at 6:30pm for the show + forum on Wednesday 2 April 2003*. Call or email now to book or for more information.

*Please note that this show contains some nudity and is suitable for mature audiences.

I am writing you because, in my experience, hearing impaired people usually come off worse when negotiating price for their new cars.

Also, if you have any suggestions as to how we could make our site more "friendly" for hearing impaired people, I'd love to hear them!

Other Events

· Come and say Good Luck to Victoria Team on April 4^th at the Melbourne Deaf Club. Free entry and drinks at Bar Prices.

· Young and Jackson on 26^th April from 6pm onwards at Swanston and Elizabeth St

Please feel free to add any news you have by emailing to Grant at info@vcod.com.au

VCOD email news for 2003

Membership for 2003

Alice Ewing fourth instalment of her trip to Antarctic

BARKING OWL THEATRE with AUSLAN INTERPRETER

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