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February 2010 |
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VDD Donates $US1500 to Argentinian medical NGO
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September 2009AN ACCESSIBLE BUILT ENVIRONMENTIn late September, Ralph Green and Mary Ann Jackson, Directors of Visionary Design Development Pty Ltd, were delighted to spend two days with seven participants from Timor-Leste delivering VDD’s short course, An Accessible Built Environment. The course was part of the program, Developing Disability-Inclusive Water and Sanitation Policy and Practice in Timor-Leste, being provided by the CBM - Nossal Institute Partnership for Disability Inclusive Development. “Access to clean water and adequate sanitation are basic necessities for survival, and fundamental human rights. However, people with disabilities are often excluded from water and sanitation development activities, resulting in a higher incidence of illness and secondary disability; and the reinforcement of dependency and poverty. In Timor-Leste, people with disabilities are generally excluded from water and sanitation programs due to the limited technical capacity to plan and implement disability-inclusive water and sanitation activities. This program will bring together key stakeholders from the NGO sector and Disabled Persons Organisations to strengthen individual and organisational knowledge in disability-inclusive development, enhance technical skills in disability-inclusive water and sanitation planning, and strengthen cross-sectoral networks within Timor-Leste.” (CBM - Nossal Institute Partnership for Disability Inclusive Development.) Visionary Design Development Pty Ltd would like to thank the CBM - Nossal Institute Partnership for the opportunity to be involved and would also like to specially thank our invited guests: Chris Porter, Architect and Access Consultant; Francesca Davenport, Architect and Access Consultant; Vickie Feretopoulos, Senior Social Planner, Access and Inclusion, City of Melbourne; Annie McIntyre, Senior Project Manager, Housing and Building Policy, Department of Planning and Community Development; Matthew Bond, Engineer, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, and Rural Energy, for their valuable assistance. Government organisations, DPOs or NGOs interested in An Accessible Built Environment contact Mary Ann Jackson, Managing Director, Visionary Design Development Pty Ltd. |
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South America Trade Mission May 2009 5 DAYS, 16 MEETINGS, 4 CITIES, 2 COUNTRIES While many developed-world countries are struggling with the demands of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), the global crisis doesn't seem to have affected direct foreign investments in Latin America and the Caribbean. These investments are showing a significant resistance to economic meltdown and in 2008 reached a record US$139 billion up 9.4% from the previous year according to the United Nations Conference on trade and Development. Together Argentina, 40 million, and Brazil, 190 million, accommodate approximately 230 million people. These two countries also contain three of the top twenty five mega-cities, namely in descending order Sao Paulo (approx 21 million), Buenos Aires (approx 14 million) and Rio de Janeiro (approx 12.5 million). Such numbers indicate the scale of urbanisationand attendant challenges in South America. Victoria’s Construction and Related Industries expertise, experience and innovation have helped create Victoria’s great quality of life and Melbourne one of the world’s most liveabe cities. Therefore, improving commercial and cultural exchange between Victoria and South America in relation to sustainable development will definitely benefit both sides. Tremendous opportunities exist for Victoria to export its sustainable development expertise, technologies, products and services particularly in the fields of; urban planning, architecture, environmental technologies, engineering and ESD. Specific sectors of the Construction and Related Industries where opportunities lie include:
For more information about Construction and Related Industries opportunities in Latin America, contact Mary Ann Jackson, Managing Director, Visionary Design Development Pty Ltd.
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1 August 2009Fiji Access ConsultingFred Hollows Foundation New Zealand (FHNZ), supported by NZ Aid and AusAID, will be constructing a new Eye Clinic and upgrading an existing diabetic retinopathy clinic, in Suva Fiji. FHNZ have appointed Visionary Design Development Pty Ltd as the Access Consultant. All parties are committed to the provision of a world class eyecare facility. In accordance with AusAID’s Development for All: Towards a Disability-Inclusive Australian Aid Program 2009-2014 it is intended that the project also provide a model of accessibility for the region.
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31 July 2009Sustainability Assessment TrainingMary Ann Jackson, Managing Director, achieves Accredited Home Sustainability Assessor Trainer. Home Sustainability Assessors have a working knowledge of how to affordably improve a home’s environmental performance, heating and cooling, energy consumption and water use making homes more comfortable, saving householder’s money and the environment. Assessor training requires attendance at an intensive 4 day course. The Home Sustainability Assessment Scheme program is supported by the Australian Government Department of Environment, Heritage, Water and the Arts.
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15 July 2009 ArtAbility returns to Fed Square in 2009 From 26 November 2008, thousands of visitors to The Atrium, Federation Square, viewed a magnificent collection of over 120 artworks created by 60 ethnic artists with a disability. Over half the works were sold, garnering income and recognition for the artists.
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June 2009 THE BRIEF The new work, fittings and finishes are to flow with the character of the existing house and adhere to the principles of the Heritage overlay. Storage space is to be maximised, as is outdoor living space. An off-street car park is required. CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT |
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