Hot Topics
Major References
Disability Discrimination Act 1992
Australian Commonwealth law makes it unlawful to treat people with a disability less fairly than people without a disability.
Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (Western Australia) : a Guide to Making a Complaint
Western Australian state legislation sets out the grounds on which it is unlawful to discriminate, including impairment.
Disability Services Act 1993
Western Australian legislation requires public authorities to produce disability service plans.
Disability Services Commission (Western Australia)
The Commission's mission is to make a positive difference to the lives of people with disabilities, their families and carers in Western Australia. Includes publications and links.
State Library Services
Access Technology and Equipment in the Alexander Library Building
All the resources in the Alexander Library Building are accessible to people with print disabilities by means of the latest text scanning technology and Closed Circuit Television Enlarger.
State Library Disability Access and Inclusion Plan
The State Library of Western Australia is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities, their families and carers have the same opportunities, rights and responsibilities as others to access equitable library and information services.
To implement this vision the Library is developing a Disability Access and Inclusion Plan, that will be available for public comment shortly.
Public Libraries
Public Library Resources for People with Disabilities
A wide range of information on disabilities, as well as books in large print, talking books and captioned videos, are available in public libraries in Western Australia.
Public Libraries in Western Australia
There are 239 public libraries in Western Australia. Use the Australian Libraries Gateway provided by the National Library to find a free public library near you.
Specialised Libraries
Braille & Talking Book Library
If you or someone you know has a print disability and likes to listen to books on tape, the Association for the Blind of Western Australia (Inc) has a large collection of audiobooks for loan to individuals or to public libraries in Western Australia. They can also provide braille books on loan and customised braille transcription and audio recording services to eligible members.
ACTIV Foundation Library
An excellent and highly regarded collection of resources on intellectual and developmental disability - for parents and professionals.
Resource Unit for Children With Special Needs (RUCSN)
This library contains books, videos, toys, equipment and information on disabilities and special needs as they affect children and relevant support agencies. It is available to childcare staff and students, and RUCSN members.
Noahs Ark Toy Library and Resource Centre for Children With Special Needs
A toy lending service to any child of any age with any special need. The library also provides parent support and information, a computer club on Saturdays, and computer based school holiday programs. Country and metropolitan mobile services are also available.
Services
Independent Living Centre
A non-profit community service organisation which provides impartial, expert advice on equipment, building and design, access and resources for people with disabilities, their advocates, carers and service providers.
National Relay Service
A service provided by the Australian Communication Exchange (ACE) to provide access to the telephone network between people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment and the wider community. To use the NRS, call 133 677 or 1800 555 677 (within Australia).
City of Perth Services - People with Disabilities
The City of Perth is a very accessible city and you can find general information about disability access, including an access map, parking and contact details. For detailed access information about a wide range of facilities in the Perth central city area including hotels, restaurants, carparks, cinemas, theatres, gyms and shopping areas check the You're Welcome - WA Access Initiative.
Medical Information
Medical Aspects of Disabling Conditions and Syndromes
A comprehensive guide to finding medical information, including library resources, on-line databases, directories, web links and contact details for relevant agencies.
Community ResourcesInterest/Support Groups
Infolink Government and Community Information Database
Want to join a dance group for people with disabilities? Discover horse riding for the disabled? Need to find a self-help group or family support? Infolink is a database of information about a vast array of community groups and State government agencies, including much of relevance to people with all kinds of disabilities.
People With Disabilities (WA) Inc
The peak disability consumer lobby group in Western Australia representing people with disabilities - physical, intellectual, psychiatric and sensory.
Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia
All about the Association and the programs and services it offers, including the Early Intervention Program and Children's Respite Services. Also has links to other great web sites.
Association for the Blind of Western Australia (Inc)
Offers a wide range of products and services to clients with vision impairments, including Low Vision Centre, training in technology, audiobook library and guide dogs. Their web site is well designed and speech friendly.
Better Hearing Australia (WA)
Works for the preservation and improvement of hearing. The association provides assistance to those with impaired hearing, including lip-reading and aural rehabilitation classes for hearing-impaired adults.
Western Australian Deaf Society
This is a community interpreting and employment service for people who are deaf and hard of hearing. The Society provides premises for social and sporting activities. Its target group is mainly profoundly deaf adults who communicate in Auslan.
ACROD [WA Division]
A national non-government peak council on all matters relating to disability. ACROD issues parking permits.
Ethnic Disability Advocacy Centre
Providing advocacy and information to ensure that people with disabilities, regardless of ethnicity, gain equitable access to a range of services provided by government and non-government agencies.
Kalparrin Centre
A website for families of children with special needs in Western Australia.
Special Dates
International Day of People with DisAbility
Celebrated worldwide every year on December 3 to highlight the experiences and expertise of people with disabilities. Includes a Resource Kit to help you or your organisation to participate and details of Events and Activities planned around Australia.
Net Links
Disability Links Galore
The World Wide Web hosts hundreds of useful web sites, some covering disabilities in general and others focusing on particular disabilities, including deafness and blindness. Everything from government agencies, databases of organisations and services and the latest technological products.
On-line Access
More and more information on accessible on-line resources is available on the web, including principles for designing web sites that are accessible to people with disabilities. Everything you want to know and more.
HearLinks
A variety of web sites relevant to people with an interest in deafness and hearing impairments.
VisiLinks
A select list of web sites relating to products and services for people who are blind or whose vision is impaired.
Developmental Disabilities
Australian and international sites of interest.
Seniors and Disability
A guide to key resources for seniors, including library resources, newspapers, community resources, Seniors on the Web and International Year of Older Persons.