Chris Bunton: gymnast, actor, an accomplished young man

Chris Bunton, From St Clair in Sydney has had a very big few weeks - check out both of these articles for the fabulous photos that accompany his press interviews:

Actor stars in Cronulla Riots movie but still finds time to win gymnastics medals overseas

Elisha Pearce, Mt Druitt-St Marys Standard, 5 August 2016
Chris Bunton is a very busy man.

When he spoke to The Standard he had just flown into Sydney from Florence, Italy where he won five medals at the Trisome Games — a competition for people with Down syndrome — and was about to leave to visit Melbourne where Down Under, a feature film he played a prominent role in, will premiere ...

Chris Bunton home from World Trisome Games for Down Under opening

Heath Parkes Upton, St Mary's Mt Druitt Star, 4 August 2016

Chris Bunton is living his dream.

Fresh from a five-medal haul at the World Trisome Games, Mr Bunton was straight on the press junket on Thursday ahead of his big screen debut.

Chris stars as ‘Evan’ in Australian black comedy Down Under, which opens on August 11.

An accomplished gynmast, Chris travelled to Florence, Italy in early July to compete against the best Down syndrome athletes in the world ...

Latest additions to 'events' page

• Click here for Down Syndrome NSW events

These links provide information about events run by other organisations that might be of interest to people with Down syndrome, their families, carers and professionals who support them 

• All current events listings 

Strengthening Communities - Making the Most of the NDIS
Imagine More's 2016 Conference will offer an opportunity to hear from international, interstate and local stories of what is possible when you make the most of the NDIS whilst strengthening communities.
Thursday 25th and Friday 26th August 2016 - Canberra

Inclusive Education: From Promise to Practice

Family Advocacy - presented by internationally acclaimed speakers Bruce Uditsky and Anne Hughson. After more than 40 years of practice and research, the full inclusion of students with intellectual and other disabilities in regular education classrooms continues to be problematic and often controversial. Attend this workshop to define and embark on quality inclusive schooling that benefits ALL children.
Tuesday 6 September 2016 - West Ryde

Inclusive Tertiary Education: Learnings from more than 30 years of practice

Centre for Disability Studies -  workshop presented by Bruce Uditsky and Anne Hughson.

While inclusive education in primary and secondary schools remains a controversial issue, inclusive tertiary education, which was developed by the presenters more than 30 years ago, continues to expand with proven results and unabated support from parents, university and college students, faculty and administrators ... The workshop will be of interest to: parents; students; educators; tertiary faculty and leadership; advocates; policymakers; funders; and disability-related professionals.

Wednesday, 7th September, 2016 - Camperdown (Sydney University)

Community Pathways workshop
Family Advocacy - what authentic inclusion is has already been seriously misunderstood to the detriment of people with disability. This workshop will clearly define what it means to be included and how to be mindful of the trappings of less effective practices. Speakers Bruce Uditsky and Anne Hughson.
Thursday 8 September 2016 - West Ryde

Reading OUR Way webinar and workshop 
Down Syndrome Association of Queensland - Reading OUR Way is an exciting reading program that is designed for students who are visual learners.

The program supports early reading and word recognition and is a valuable literacy tool in the home or the classroom, using the whole word approach. 

To register for the workshop or webinar, contact DSAQ for a registration form on 07 3356 6655 or office@dsaq.org.au
Webinar: 5 - 7 pm 8 September 2016 (link will be sent on registration and payment)
Workshop: 5 - 7 pm 12 September 2016 - Brisbane

Nepean Disability Expo 2016

Weekend reading and viewing: 6 - 7 August 2016

Things People With Down's Syndrome Are Tired of Hearing

BBC 3, 2 August 2016

From being spoken to as if they are children, to assuming they can't work or have relationships. These seven statements are guaranteed to annoy people with Down's Syndrome ...

My daughter has Down syndrome. Would I "cure" her if I could?

Amy Julia Becker, Vox, 3 August 2016
... "What are you researching?" I ask. I try to sound casual, as if I am not greedy to hear more. This fourth-grade year is the first one when she has been willing, or able, to give me details about her day consistently.

"Down syndrome," she says. "My big question that I wrote on my piece of paper is, ‘Why is Down syndrome scary?’ ... I haven’t answered the question yet. I know you were scared when I’s born. But I don't know why."

Down Syndrome couple's lives touched community

Patrick Hite, News Leader (USA Today), 3 August 2016

If the doctors who thought John Ozyjowski and Dottie Baker would never be productive members of society had only seen what so many saw last week, you wonder what they would have thought.

Julius, billy goats and a little inclusive story

Catia Malaquias, Starting with Julius, 4 August 2016
... There was nothing extraordinary. Nothing inspirational. But something more … there was something legitimate, something common and something that should be ordinary ...

The Evolution of an Accidental Meme

Craig Frohle, 15 April 2016
Several versions of this graphic representation of the difference between equality and fairness/justice have often been used in discussion of barriers faced by people with disability. This one from 2014, removing all barriers to produce 'liberation', is sourced from The Meme Centre.

The meme was originally produced in 2012 by Craig Frohle, who is 'stunned and delighted' by its evolution, and application to a wide range of discriminatory practices world-wide.

Local elections: easy read voting guide from NSW CID

NSW Council on Intellectual Disability provides an impressive range of information and resources about the broad functioning of our communities for the benefit of people with intellectual disability, much of it through social media channels, making it readily available. Inclusion at work.

In case you are not following NSW CID on Facebook (and we would recommend that you do if you use Facebook), here is their helpful message  about the September NSW local council elections:

Did you know that many local Councils are going to an election on 10 September 2016? 

NSW CID has produced the following Easy Read guide for the NSW Electoral Commission. 

• You can download the guide on this link  

Councils that were not amalgamated will go to an election on 10 September 2016. 

Councils that were amalgamated go to an election in 2017.

Employment, work, jobs

Disability doesn't mean entrepreneurial inability
Tony Featherstone, Sydney Morning Herald, 7 July 2016
Entrepreneurship might seem an unlikely pursuit for Australians with disability. But greater focus on self-employment can transform disability into ability, boost income security and social inclusion, and increase labour market participation ...

What I've Learned By Hiring More Employees With Disabilities
Scott Monette, Fast Company, 21 July 2016
Everyone deserves a chance to succeed. And by my estimation, no group has been refused that opportunity more than people living with disabilities (PLWD). Sadly, less than one-fifth of this population is employed ...

Melbourne café gives staff members with intellectual disabilities a chance to thrive
Tilly Graovac, Nine News, 28 July 2016
Michael Otto says he has already made “too many” coffees to count since the opening of the Chancez café in Epping last Wednesday. ...

International news and commentary

Australian appointed as Chair of the International Disability Alliance.

International Disability Alliance, 1 July 2016
Today Mr. Colin Allen assumes the Chair of the International Disability Alliance (IDA), from Australia; elected by the Alliance’s 13 voting Members in March of this year. Colin Allen is a leading advocate for persons with disabilities globally, including as President of the World Federation of the Deaf since 2011. He is the second deaf person to serve as the Chair of IDA, of which the World Federation of the Deaf is a founding member. Mr. Allen succeeds Ms. Maryanne Diamond, AO, Immediate-Past President of the World Blind Union, and IDA Chair from July 2014 to June 2016 ...

"I am very pleased that as a deaf sign language user, I will be able to advance IDA goals and promote its vision in my own language - sign language - and perhaps through my international leadership hasten the removal of barriers experienced by other deaf people in the world, thereby pursuing and fulfilling the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Sustainable Development Goals. While I am very concerned about the removal of barriers for the Deaf Community, as Chair of IDA, I am equally keen that current obstacles experienced by all people with disabilities are eradicated as only then will we have a truly inclusive community."

People with Disability Australia has welcomed Mr Allen's appointment.

A brief extract on their work from the International Disability Alliance website:

... The cornerstone of our work is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD). We promote the effective and full implementation of the UN CRPD, and compliance by governments and the UN system, through the active and coordinated involvement of representative organisations of persons with disabilities at the national, regional and international levels. The 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals are also integral to IDA's work to promote inclusive, sustainable development in line with the UN CRPD and the rights of persons with disabilities ...

Nigeria: Three Million Children With Disability Out of SchoolJudd-Leonard Okafor, AllAfrica, 14 July 2016
Among an estimated 10 million children reported out of school in Nigeria by the UN Children's Fund, more than 3m of them are children with disabilities because "school environments are not inclusive and accessible" to them, says the Joint National Association's of Persons with Disabilities, JONAPWD ...

Why Channel 4’s Paralympics advert risks alienating disabled people more than ever

Katie Grant, iNews (UK), 17 July 2016
... the superhumans appellation is intended to apply not just to the athletes but “anyone with a disability”, according to Dan Brooke, chief marketing and communications officer at Channel 4. And here a problem emerges.

While our Paralympic stars may be treated with wide-eyed wonder and hailed by the public as superhuman, this simply does not reflect the reality for thousands more people in the UK who live with disabilities ...

Focus on capabilities of kids with disabilities, ensure their rights
Rose-An Jessica Dioquino, GMA News, 19 July 2016
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) called on communities to focus on the capabilities of children with disabilities as well as look after their rights in order to understand them and integrate them better in society ...

I Am a Black Woman With a Disability. Hear Me RoarCrystal R. Emery, Time, 20 July 2016
Living at the intersection of 3 marginalized identities has made me stronger ...
Disabled lives matter. We need to toughen the law on disability hate crime Nicola Clark, The Guardian, 28 July 2016
Two incidents have occurred in the last seven days to highlight the fact that the rise of hatred, which I have campaigned against for eight years, needs greater attention in a specific area ...

Get More Skills Workshops - for people with intellectual disability

From NSW CID e-news, July 2016:
NSW Council on Intellectual Disability has been running groups for people with disability to help them prepare for the NDIS, make change in their community and meet new people. They are excited to be running two new groups starting in the next month and would love you to come along and be part of them. The details of the groups are below, and if you would like to come, please contact Brandon on 1800 424 065 or email brandon@nswcid.org.au

South West Sydney NetworkMeets at Revesby Workers Club on the last Wednesday of every month. Open to anyone with disability and co-facilitated by a CID member. Download flyer here.

Ballina and Wagga Wagga Networks
Contact Brandon for further details.

Food is provided at each meeting and they are a great way to make some new connections and get ready for the changes that are happening with NDIS roll out.

DSA national journal, Voice - July 2016

Down Syndrome Australia publishes the national journal Voice three times per year, in April, August and December.

Subscription to the national journal is a membership privilege only, and is included in the membership fees of Down Syndrome New South Wales, Down Syndrome Victoria, Down Syndrome Western Australia, Down Syndrome South Australia, Down Syndrome Tasmania and Down Syndrome Association Northern Territory.

The latest issue was released in July 2016, focussing on 'Inclusion - what does it really look like, in schools, the workplace and the general community?'

Scrapheap Adventure Ride 2016 - revving up

Planning is well advanced for the 2016 Scrapheap Adventure Ride taking place 30 September - 2 October, to Tilpa. You can follow along by joining the Scrapheap Adventure Ride Facebook page. This article focusses on the intense preparation by the dedicated Team Inverell, who have supported and promoted the Ride, and participated over several years. They deserve our support too:

Inverell riders hit road to raise awareness for down syndrome event
Michèle Jedlicka, Inverell Times, 28 July 2016
Two Inverell men have set out on an 5000 kilometre adventure to raise awareness of an annual charity event.

Mick O’Brien and Col Meacham departed Inverell for the 2016 Off Centre Rally in Mungerannie, SA, via locations such as, Bourke, the Darling River Run, Broken Hill, Flinders Ranges, Oodnadatta, Track, Simpson Desert, Birdsville Track, Strzelecki Track and Cameron Corner.

The motorcycle enthusiasts climbed aboard their older model Suzuki 185cc ag bikes to travel some of the most iconic outback roads in Australia purely to promote the September 2016 Scrapheap Adventure Ride, a now-annual event to raise funds for Down Syndrome NSW, and raise awareness of Down Syndrome ...

'Reading OUR Way' webinar and Brisbane workshop

From Down Syndrome Association of Queensland:

DSAQ is excited to announce an upcoming 'Reading OUR Way' webinar  and workshop.

Reading OUR Way is an exciting reading program that is designed for students who are visual learners. The program supports early reading and word recognition and is a valuable literacy tool in the home or the classroom, using the whole word approach.

Webinar: 5 - 7 pm 8 September 2016 (link will be sent on registration and payment) 

Workshop: 5 - 7 pm 12 September 2016 - Brisbane

To register for the workshop or webinar, contact us for a registration form on 07 3356 6655 or office@dsaq.org.au

For more information about the program, visit Reading OUR Way or contact Rachael at info@readingourway.com.au or 07 3356 6655

People with Down syndrome

Annette Telfer Team Manager Australian Down Syndrome Swimming Team
Shannon Byrne, Grandstand (ABC radio), 24 July 2016 (10m 32s)
The Australian Down Syndrome Swimming team are world champions after a successful week in Italy. They will be bringing home 14 world records. Annette Telfer, team manager, spoke with Grandstand's Shannon Byrne about the teams success ...

Is this the world's oldest woman with Down's Syndrome? Frances battled breast cancer and tuberculosis defying all the odds to reach her 75th birthday

Stephen Matthews, Daily Mail Online (UK), 29 July 2016
A woman who is celebrating her 75th birthday this weekend is believed to be the oldest woman in the world with Down's syndrome ...

Taranaki's Arthur May celebrates 70th birthday, joins ranks of New Zealand's oldest citizens with down syndrome

Hannah Lee, Taraniki Daily News, 24 July 2016

For New Plymouth man Arthur May, celebrating his 70th birthday is an exceptionally major milestone.  The two time gold medallist has joined the ranks of those with Down Syndrome who have entered their (eighth) decade ...

Jamie Brewer meets the  Up Club
While Jamie Brewer was here in Oz for 'Kill Off', she also met members of Down Syndrome NSW's Up Club! Watch the reel of the event, which includes her stirring speech as well as snippets of 'Kill Off'. Also, a big thank you to the generosity of the Sherry-Hogan Foundation for supporting the event!

Back from London with his trophy

Margot Taylor, Otago Daily News, 26 July 2016

Dunedin man Carlos Biggemann is lost for words when it comes to describing how he feels after winning the international section of the United Kingdom Down Syndrome photography competition.

Through tears and a wide smile, he eventually explains it means "everything'' to him.

In June, Mr Biggemann (25) travelled to London with his mother and sister to receive the Stephen Thomas award for his photograph Colours of Fire of a sunset over Uluru, Australia ...

Introducing Our Ambassadors, Abby Earl And Nathan Basha!

Bus Stop Films, 29 July 2016
Bus Stop Films (BSF) is excited to welcome Abby Earl, star of Channel 7’s ‘A Place to Call Home’, and Nathan Basha, international speaker and award winning disability employment advocate, into the roles of ambassadors for Bus Stop Films. Together they bring with them a wealth of knowledge about the film industry and a passion to help us usher more diversity and inclusion into our cinematic landscape.

For almost five years, Nathan Basha has eagerly participated in BSF workshops. He’s a high achiever and in 2015 he won the award for Excellence in the Employment Inclusion at the NSW Disability Industry Innovation Awards. Recently, he was a finalist in the 2016 NSW Young Australian of the Year Awards as well as the 2016 Young Achiever Awards ...

Canberra conference

• Click here for Down Syndrome NSW events

These links provide information about events run by other organisations that might be of interest to people with Down syndrome, their families, carers and professionals who support them 

• All current events listings 

Strengthening Communities - Making the Most of the NDIS
Imagine More's 2016 Conference will offer an opportunity to hear from international, interstate and local stories of what is possible when you make the most of the NDIS whilst strengthening communities.
Thursday 25th and Friday 26th August 2016 - Canberra

Post-school expos

Weekend reading and viewing: 30 - 31 July 2016

Actors with Down Syndrome take spotlight at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Vikki Ortiz Healy, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2016
Even their parents had serious doubts: How could a group of theater students with Down syndrome perform a play by Shakespeare — with its conflicted characters, surprising plot twists and quick-paced soliloquies?

When You Are the Father of a Child With a Disability, Stereotypes of Manliness Disappear
Mel Beck, The Good Men Project, 24 July 2016
Behold! Fatherhood. Manliness optimized. This is your golden moment as the dominating species and you have everything—a wonderful wife, a great job, a beautiful home, and now, children. You are right on track for a cup runneth over with fulfillment. Soon to come are baby’s first steps, the first day of kindergarten, sporting achievements, first dates, graduations, college, weddings, grandchildren, and more. You are The Man and you are providing for your family. Life could not get better ...

8 ways to include kids with special needs in programs, events, classes, camps, wherever

Love That Max, 16 July 2014
As parents of kids with special needs, we want our kids to enjoy the same activities that other kids do—but in reality, it doesn't always happen. My son has been turned away from programs and recreational activities, as have the children of many distressed parents I hear from. So I asked the CEO of Kids Included Together (KIT) Torrie Dunlap, to share a practical list with how-tos. This nonprofit teaches inclusive models to YMCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs, city recreation programs and preschools, among others. Serving more than 20,000 people a year, KIT has worked in 45 states and 10 countries. Clearly, they know what they are doing ...

What will you do when he grows up?
Mardra Sikora, Listen to Your Mother, 14 July 2016
Mardra tells the story of raising her son with Down Syndrome and how she learned to answer the question, "What will you do when he grows up?"



Focus on Ability Short Film Festival - online viewing and voting
You could make it a movie weekend, with the Focus on Ability Short Film Festival - 194 entries from 18 countries are now up on the website for viewing and online voting. We haven't had time to look at all of them yet (!)  and they are all worth watching, but we have seen these two that feature people with Down syndrome:

Dance is Life (John Rado)
I am (Studio ARTES Northside Inc)

• Focus on Ability on Facebook

If you wish to follow up on the responses of people with disabilities to the attack in Japan on 26 July, a list of links is at the end of this compilation of tweets from activist Alice Wong:

Ableism, Violence and Sagamihara
Alice Wong, Disability Visibility Project, 27 July 2016
... If you are non-disabled and unfamiliar with #ableism, what happened in #Sagamihara is a clear-cut example of as you’ll ever get ...

News and commentary on the NDIS (51)

NDIS and Me
People with Down syndrome and/or their families and carers can join the closed Facebook Group, NDIS and Me, for discussion specifically about the NDIS and people with Down syndrome.

Disability Loop eNews Issue #22, 26/07/2016

National Disability Insurance Scheme website

NDIS Ready
Archive of the NDIS webinar broadcast on 7 July 2016
... Hear from our panel as they discussed what it means to be an NDIS participant, how people will enter the NDIS and how it is being rolled out. The panel shared first hand experiences of the NDIS, lessons learnt from trial and tools and tips for getting ready ...

My NDIS Pre-Planning kit Advocacy for Inclusion
Over 20 pages of plain english information and Easy English worksheets. Use this booklet to identify:

1. What you are doing now in each area of your life
2. What would you change in each area if you could?
3. How could you make these changes happen?
4. How will you keep these changes permanent?

By identifying these 4 things, it will help you work out what supports you want and who you would like to support you.

Available in hard copy only - ordering details 

The NDIS is not enough - we need strong advocacy tooVictorian Council of Social Services, 1 July 2016
The National Disability Insurance Scheme will give people with disability many things, including choice, control, and a lifetime approach to their needs. But these advancements must not come at the expense of something equally important: their voice.

Strong, independent advocacy empowers people with disability, their families and carers. It helps them understand their human and legal rights, communicate their needs, and have those needs met. It also helps promote these rights to the wider community and acts as a safeguard against abuse or neglect ...

Porter prioritises savings to fund NDIS, childcare for Senate talks
Laura Tingle, Australian Financial Review, 25 July 2016
Social Services Minister Christian Porter has nominated a $1.4 billion budget saving that is to be redirected to the National Disability Insurance Scheme and cuts to family tax benefits to fund the Coalition's childcare package as his priorities for Senate negotiation when parliament meets next month ...

NDIS ILC Consultations Summary Report released NSW CID e-news, July 2016 The NDIS held consultations about the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building Commissioning Framework. CID ran one of the consultations for people with intellectual disability. Click here to read the report.

People get ready… as the NDIS becomes a reality

George Taleporos, Every Australian Counts, 19 July 2016
Up until now, for many of us living with disabilities or caring for someone with a disability, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has been something that we have only advocated for and dreamt about. But on 1 July, the NDIS moved from trial phase to full rollout and for thousands of Australians, the advocacy will finally pay off and it will be time to turn those dreams into reality. Here is some advice on what you need to do to get NDIS ready ...

Disability service standards at risk
AAP, 9 News, 20 July 2016
Disability service providers who most need to upgrade staff training may not do so because of the costs under the NDIS structure, a child protection expert warns ...

Podcast: Is the Disability Sector NDIS Ready?Ellie Cooper, Probono News, 7 July 2016
The National Disability Insurance Scheme promises choice and control for people with disability, but both Not for Profits and participants face teething problems as the service is rolled out nationwide ...

Understanding the NDIS
The Conversation, 6 - 13 July 2016
A series of seven articles on various aspects of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and the population it aims to serve, the supports it can fund, and some perceived limitations.

NDIS is a game changer full of opportunities Graeme Innes, Sydney Morning Herald, 14 July 2016
John was 40 when his quad bike rolled. Two vertebrae were crushed causing paraplegia. After a time in hospital, John did not return to his wife and kids on their Hunter Valley farm. He had high support needs and went to live in an aged care facility. The impact of his disability on John and his family was stark – he lost a loving family, and they lost a husband and dad.

Q and A with Upcoming Leader Quang Nguyen

My Choice Matters, July 2016

I attend workshops with other people with a disability or people who are carers of a person with a disability. We learn how to develop our skills in public speaking, organisation, team work, and how to think outside the square. I learn about leadership and how to use that in my own life and with people in the community ...

Abuse hearing takes NDIS focus    

AAP, Sky News, 19 July 2016
The child sex abuse royal commission will spend two days hearing from government agencies and NGOs on the quality of services provided to keep children with disabilities safe in institutions ...

Quality Living for Individuals and Families: seminar

SMC Conference and Function Centre, 66 Goulburn St, SYDNEY

$155 Down Syndrome NSW members,  $175 non members

Register now!

Flyer

NDIS Champions: paid employment opportunity for people with disabilities

The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) is the national voice representing people with disability in Australia. AFDO and our member organisations are run by and for people with disability, which we believe is very important to truly represent the voice and lived experience of people with disability.

AFDO is looking for 30 people with disabilities to become NDIS Champions. We are especially interested in emerging grassroots leaders – people who are great communicators with a fresh voice.

NDIS Champions programPeople with disabilities are not often asked to provide information about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to their peers and community. AFDO is now offering an NDIS Champions program that will put together a group of people with disabilities from all around Australia who can confidently provide information on the NDIS. Training will be provided to the NDIS Champions to make sure they have the necessary skills and knowledge.

Who can apply?

• The NDIS Champions Program is only open to people with disabilities
• Applicants must provide an Australian Business Number (ABN); either a personal ABN or through their employer (not AFDO)
• Applicants must be covered by insurance; either personal accident and indemnity insurance, or WorkCover through their employer (not AFDO)

• All details are here, on the Disability Loop website

Education matters: new resources and calls for investigations of abuse

The first two of these links are to newly released resources, but both the IncludED section of the Starting with Julius website, and the SWIFT You Tube channel are good sources of many others, and well worth book-marking. The last two highlight ongoing calls for investigation into incidents of abuse of disabled students in Australian schools - this too is confronting (see previous post), but a current matter of real concern:

Making the 'big idea' achievable: including all students in the same curriculum - practial tips for teachers (N0 4, Part B)

Robert Jackson and Catia Malaquias, Starting with Julius, July 2016
This is the Part B of the fourth article in a series of short articles aimed at providing practical tips for teachers to improve the inclusiveness of their general education classrooms. You can read the earlier articles at SWJ IncludED and their respective titles and weblinks are also listed at the end of this article ...

• Starting with Julius on Facebook

Together, and Whatever it Takes
Schoolwide Integrated Framework for Transformation (SWIFT), University of Kansas, 23 July 2016
Two new, free documentary films showing inclusive education in action at schools in Maryland, Mississippi and Oregon. These two films are available on the SWIFT Youtube Channel for unlimited distribution and screening. 

Call for UN to investigate treatment of disabled students (audio file 10m 53s)

Jonathon Green, Radio National Drive (ABC radio), 21 July 2016 6:15PM
A group of disability organisations has asked the United Nations to investigated dozens of incidents in which children were allegedly assaulted, locked-up and restrained in Australian schools.

The harrowing cases were collected by six groups including Autistic Family Collective, Children and Young People with Disability Australia, United Voices for People with Disabilities and disability advocate Julie Phillips.

But what exactly can the UN do, and have all domestic options been exhausted?
UN asked to probe ‘school system in crisis’Robert Ballantyne, The Educator 25 July 2016
The United Nations has been asked to investigate dozens of incidents involving assault against children with a disability in Australian schools ...

Commentary on the attack in Japan: disability perspective

How do people with disability feel about the very recent attack on people with disability in Japan, and the way it has been reported?  As distressing as it is to confront, people with Down syndrome are not exempt from such actions, we cannot assume they will not know about it, and need to process unwelcome information and the feelings it engenders. There will be more commentary (perhaps not much in the mainstream press) - here is Dave Hingsburger's immediate response:

Japan, Hate and 12 Days

Dave Hingsburger, Of Battered Aspect, 26 July 2016

... His statement to the police upon turning himself in that 'it's better that disabled people disappear' isn't a deranged rant by someone out of control, it's a calm statement of fact that echoes the sentiment of many in society. People with disabilities know this sentiment, we hear it, we experience it and we have come to fear what it will do. Our lives are devalued, are needs seen as special and therefore burdensome, our rights are declared to be gifts rather than guarantees ...

• The Guardian's article referred to in the blog post: Japan care home attack: picture emerges of modest man with horrifying vision

And from disability journalist and blogger, David Perry (who is also the father of a young son with Down syndrome):

Violence, Disability, and the Lessons of Sagamihara

David Perry, Pacific Standard, 27 July 2016
The ableist attack on a residential center for people with disabilities highlights the violence that disabled people face around the world — and how far we have to go ...

News from Down Syndrome Education International (2)

Professor Sue Buckley receives Education Award from National Down Syndrome Congress Down Syndrome Education International, 24 July 2016
DSE’s Director of Science and Research, Professor Sue Buckley OBE, has been presented with the National Down Syndrome Congress’ Education Award for her work improving education for children with Down syndrome.

Professor Sue Buckley OBE was presented with the National Down Syndrome Congress’ Education Award “for improving the lives of children with Down syndrome by developing innovative research-based education techniques.”

The award was presented at the Opening Plenary Session of the National Down Syndrome Congress’ 44th Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida, USA.

Presenting the award, NDSC’s President, Marilyn Tolbert, recognized Sue’s distinguished career serving people with Down syndrome and their families worldwide through research and support services, including the earliest research showing children with Down syndrome could learn to read and – more recently – the first randomized controlled trial of an educational intervention designed for children with Down syndrome ... read more here.