This edition contains the following articles:

Editorial:  Changing hearts and minds

Sharyn Pacey

From the President

Mike Duggan

Reflections From The General Assembly Of The United Nations

Kevin Cocks is the Director of a systems advocacy organisation in Queensland. He has always been interested in issues of social justice focusing on human rights for disadvantaged people, in particular for people with disability. In 2005 Kevin was awarded the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission (HREOC) Human Rights Medal. In 2006 Kevin attended the United Nations as part of the delegation from Australia to participate in the ratification of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities. In this article, Kevin shares the experience of this moment in time that will provide a legal framework for people with disability to understand, aspire to and realise their human rights.

Rights Issues In Human Service: Signposts On The Pathway To Community

Fiona McGill works as a teacher of people who work or are studying to work as support or welfare workers. She previously worked as a service manager. In this piece, Fiona discusses the nature of autonomy, empowerment and rights and the importance of recognising how and when to provide support and encouragement to others.

Making The Most Of Autonomy And Choice

John Armstrong is one of Australia’s senior trainers in Social Role Valorisation. He travels extensively both throughout Australia and internationally teaching, consulting and conducting evaluations. He has much contact with families and support workers and gets to see the trends in services that impact powerfully on people's lives.

The Value Of A Rights-Based Argument In Building Social Change

Michelle O'Flynn is a long-term member and former President of a parent-led systems advocacy organisation in Queensland. Michelle is a strong, determined advocate for the rights of people with a disability. Drawing on her own experience, she discusses the role of redressing issues of discrimination by legal challenge as a necessary step in the broader context of social change.

Rights to talk: An allergic reaction

Christopher Newell AM is Associate Professor of Medical Ethics in the School of Medicine, University of Tasmania. He is a person with disability and publishes and speaks regularly on matters associated with the situation of people with disability.