News
The ACT is hosting their annual Canberra Day Appeal, a community event supporting charities through the Territory.
One of the charities is TADACT, whose aim is to modify equipment to suit the needs of aged persons and people with disabilities.
The equipment is sold at reasonable prices at their shop.
Full transcript:
Unknown Speaker 0:00
It's party. Stands for Technology for aging and disability, a CT. We were previously known as technical age and disabled, a CT, the same acronym, right? But of course, with our aging population, we're now helping people who are aging, oh yes, all the time, things like mobility scooters and walkers and so on and special aids, right? And how long has tad act been going? It was started back in 1979
Unknown Speaker 0:31
so it's got a few years on its up its sleeve, definitely. And tell me about what the activities are. Well, we have a team of volunteers who make and modify equipment for the older people and people with disabilities. And we also have what we call an op shop where we refurbish donated equipment make them suitable for people who perhaps modify them and make them available at affordable prices for people who have needs for assistive equipment. And I also have Chris Diener on the line, and Chris, you're the chairman. How did you get involved in tad act? About 1980 or thereabouts, I was coming back from a work function with some other people from work, and one of the guys talking about his involvement with tad act said, Gee, that sounds great. Maybe it's something I could do when I retire.
Unknown Speaker 1:29
When I retired, I were actually asking for applications for technical project officer, and that happened at the same time, so I became a volunteer and technical project officer at the same time. And so what was your background that you were able to be a technical project officer? I'm an electrical engineer. Oh, excellent. That would give you some excellent skills to help with equipment. Yes, yes, most of the stuff I've done is not electrical, but mechanic, mechanical or carpentry and things like that. But I must admit, I do like inventing things if you like developing ideas. Yes, right? Because people have such a range of different needs. Just a few examples, I've done several cots for mothers that have had disabilities.
Unknown Speaker 2:25
So changing from the standard cot, which has pull up gates on it to gates where you can open them with your foot or slide them open and said,
Unknown Speaker 2:37
that's one. I did a specialized bottle tipper for one less who wanted to so she pour drinks out into a saucer so she could drink them from the saucer.
Unknown Speaker 2:52
Yes, there's all sorts of interesting things. Yes,
Unknown Speaker 2:58
you know, Radio One, RPh, we provide services, particularly for people who are blind or low vision. Have you got any examples in that area? I did develop some tiles for the guide dogs association or their moon alphabet tiles where you could feel the characters and make up your messages at the different tiles, a bit like Scrabble tiles
Unknown Speaker 3:26
with raised services so that
Unknown Speaker 3:29
you could, yes, I see, perhaps now, if I go back to Graham and what are the things that you're raising funds for In this Canberra day appeal. I guess the first thing is, it's going to help our survival
Unknown Speaker 3:47
organization. We're run by volunteers, because we can't afford to pay salaries, and we have the cost of a small office here in holder there's a little mobility ban we use for deliveries and keeping these things going does take a little bit of money, and the hands across Canberra scheme is is really helpful. Yes. Well, I wish you all the best for the appeal, if people wanting to contact you or to find out about what mobility or accessibility aids they could get. What's the best way to contact you? Well, firstly, let's give you the email address, yes, which is info I n, f, O, at, Tad, act, T, A, D, A, C, t.org, dot A, U, and we have a phone number, 62874290, 6287429062874290,
Unknown Speaker 4:48
and physically, we are at 27 Mully Street in holder, the old holder high school, but we're only open here on Mondays and Wednesdays each week, right? You can also.
Unknown Speaker 5:00
To access our op shop by the things we've got for sale that have been refurbished as well. So give me that website address. So it's www, dot, T, A, D, A C, t.org.au.