Inclusivity, Diversity, Equality and Accessibility Calendar
The IGEA Inclusion, Diversity, Equality and Accessibility (IDEA) working group is proud to present our IDEA Annual Calendar.
Packed full of important dates for LGBTQIA+, Disabled, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and gender diverse people, this calendar aims to help the industry plan out their year while supporting diversity on their team.
This calendar will be reviewed and updated every 6 -12 months, as many dates change from year to year.
It’s a living calendar, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to Sav@igea.net for any queries, concerns, or if you think there should be an event listed here that is not currently.
A PDF version is also available here:
IDEA Calendar Dates March 2022
THIS RESOURCE AND CALENDAR WAS LAST UPDATED ON THE 04/03/2022
INITIAL RESOURCES WAS CREATED 27/04/2021
New Help Button to Provide Advice and Assistance on Online Risks
The Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy have created a CyberSafety Help Button to assist internet users in having easy online access to cybersafety information.
The help button is a free application that is easily downloaded onto personal, school and library computers. It provides help and advice on a range of online risks including cyberbullying, unwanted contact, scams and fraud, and offensive or inappropriate material. The Help Button Icon can be placed on your desktop or in the taskbar. Then you just click it twice if you ever need help or advice about something unsafe or upsetting that you have encountered on the internet.
To download the button, click here
To read a fact sheet with further information, click here
To read the Press Release, click here
Whizkid Games Receives the Premier’s Recognition Award for Special Design
As reported by Jason Hill at Screenplay, a package of free online games for children with autism has received an accolade in the Victorian Government’s 2010 Premier’s Design Awards.
Whizkid Games was created by a group of final year multimedia design students from Swinburne’s Faculty of Design in collaboration with Swinburne’s National eTherapy Centre (NeTC) and Bulleen Heights Autism School. Whizkid Games aims to help autistic children learn life skills. Focusing on areas such as coping with change, recognising emotions and non-verbal communication, the 16 therapeutic games are themed around everyday activities such as getting dressed, going to school and following a schedule.
To read the article, click here
The ESA’s Essential Gaming Facts
The ESA have just released their annual report titled Essential Facts About the Computer and Video Game Industry Report. The 2010 survey confirmed that computer and video game play remains widespread, and that game play is an increasingly social activity. Sixty seven percent of American households play computer and video games, and 62 percent of gamers say they play with other gamers in person at least one hour per week. Family play has also grown in popularity, with nearly half of all parents (48 percent) reporting they play with their children at least once per week.
The report not only underscores the increasing popularity and broad appeal of computer and video games, but also provides a window to the industry’s future. ESA’s 2010 data suggests the interactive entertainment software industry is well positioned to enjoy a continued period of growth and expansion, and remain a dominant player in the American economy.
Safer Internet Day 2010: Think before you post
Safer Internet Day is an annual international event which aims to raise awareness about the safe and responsible use of new technologies—especially among children and young people. Organised by Insafe, the European internet safety network, Safer Internet Day will take place on Tuesday 9 February 2010.
This year’s theme is ‘Think before you post’.
In 2009, Safer Internet Day was celebrated through 500 events in 50 countries all over the world.
Safer Internet Day activities are co-ordinated in Australia by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (the ACMA). Australia has participated in Safer Internet Day celebrations since 2004, when the event was launched internationally by the European internet safety network, InSafe.
‘Think before you post’ is an important topic for young people as the risks are both personal and can have an impact on others.
The ACMA, through its national cybersafety education program, Cybersmart, will mark the day with a series of internet safety events and activities. These include:
- a Cybersmart Detectives activity involving schools across Australia
- Launching cybersafety-themed videos produced by children and young people on the Cybersmart website
- A ‘Hot Seat’ in children’s networking website SuperClubsPLUS Australia for upper primary and lower secondary school students
- A mailout to all Australian local councils and public libraries with Safer Internet Day posters and other cybersafety materials.
A broad network of partners supports Safer Internet Day across Australia.
Think before you post
‘Think before you post’ is an important internet safety message for children and young people. It applies to both their use of the internet and mobile phones. A simple technique of stopping to think about the consequences before sending or posting online may help to reduce the negative experiences online.
The Cybersmart website provides easy-to-recall tips which detail some of the most important points. These include:
- Think before you hit send or post. Once something is posted, it can be online forever.
- Don’t post anything you don’t want others to know—or that you wouldn’t say to them face to face. Treat others as you would like to be treated.
- Remember that private images and videos you send or post on a social networking site may be easily passed on to others and uploaded to public sites. Once they’re up, it’s almost impossible to remove them completely.
- Respect other people’s content and be aware that if you post or share their content it might breach copyright laws. For example, a photo that your friend took is their property, not yours. You can only post it online if you have their permission.
- Keep your personal information private. Don’t share personal details like your name, address or school with people you don’t already know in real life.
- If you plan to send private information to anyone using your mobile phone, talk to a trusted adult before you send. Be cautious.
For more information, visit www.cybersmart.gov.au
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The ACMA’s Cybersmart program
The ACMA provides comprehensive cybersafety initiatives and education programs as part of the Australian Government’s cybersafety policy. The ACMA’s program, Cybersmart, includes undertaking targeted information and awareness-raising campaigns, activities and programs, developing cybersafety education materials for use in schools and at home, and researching current trends in cybersafety.
The Cybersmart program includes:
- The Cybersmart website www.cybersmart.gov.au. This website provides a comprehensive, one stop shop for cybersafety information aimed at young people, parents and teachers.
- Cybersmart Online Helpline service—provided by Kids Helpline, this service offers free, confidential online counselling to young people who have encountered negative experiences online. The Cybersmart Online Helpline is accessed through the Cybersmart website.
- Targeted information and awareness-raising campaigns and activities, such as Safer Internet Day and participating in National Child Protection Week.
- Developing cybersafety education materials for use in schools and at home. These programs are designed for children from 5 to 15 years and include Hector’s World™, CyberQuoll, CyberNetrix, Cybersmart Detectives and Wise up to IT.
- The Cybersafety Outreach program of Professional Development for Educators and general internet safety awareness presentations for parents, teachers and children.
- Researching current trends in cybersafety and young people’s use of online media.
- The Cybersafety Contact Centre offering callers information and advice about internet safety issues and concerns. Telephone 1800 880 176.
- A complaints hotline for members of the public to report offensive internet material. Visit: www.acma.gov.au/hotline.
GameSpot AU’s Classification FAQ
Everythig you need to know about video game classification in Australia
If you’re an Australian and you’re a gamer, then you’re probably already aware that game classification in this country has some problems; namely, that the lack of an R18+ rating means any title deemed unsuitable for anyone under the age of 15 is refused classification, which effectively bans that game from sale. But do you know why Australia doesn’t have an R18+ rating? Who’s to blame? Why do we need an adult rating for games? What do the opponents of an R18+ say? And what can you do about it? This GameSpot AU feature aims to answer all your questions, and more.
Jump over to the GameSpot AU FAQ here.
For the latest coverage on the R18+ issue check out here.
The Dance Revolution Steps out of the Arcade
As reported by Simon Tsang at smh.com.au, a popular video game that involves following stepping moves on a special light up mat, has been modified by medical researchers to help the elderly undertake regular exercise.
To read more click here
Melbourne High School uses gaming to get students running to class
A Melbourne High School has recently introduced Game Design, a Year 10 elective subject, where students create games using industry standard tools.
Director of information and communication technology (ICT) , Adrian Janson is the man behind the subject. He is embracing new technology and using the world of gaming to increase engagement amongst students, and is having a bit of fun at the same time.
Entertainment Software Association’s (ESA) FY09 Report
The ESA is an industry association dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of companies that publish computer and video games.
To view their full annual report, click here.
How to Spot a Pirated Game
Top 10 Tips to Avoid Buying Pirated Games (more…)
Videogame Piracy – An Overview
Game piracy is the unauthorised copying or “burning” of games, sharing games on peer-to-peer networks, or illegal download of games from the Internet.
Each year these actions cost the industry $100 million in lost sales, as well as hundreds of full and part time Australian jobs. Australia has a world-class computer and video game industry. Every pirated game is damaging the future of games development in Australia. (more…)
Useful Links
o Australian Attorney-General’s Department – Copyright
o Australian Attorney-General’s Department – Copyright Ammendments
o Australian Copyright Council
o Australian Copyright Council/Pricewaterhouse Coopers: Making the Intangibel Tangible: The Economic Contribution of Australia’s Copyright Industries
o Australian Customs Service
o Australian Federal Police
o Australian Federal Police IP Crime Data Sheet
o Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft
o Creative Commons
o International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition
o IP Australia
o Music Industry Piracy Investigations
o Police Federation Australia
o The Entertainment Software Association of America Anti Piracy Program
o World Intellectual Property Organisation
Grand Theft Childhood
Despite the media hype and political posturing, new, federally funded research in the US on violent video games and teenagers indicates that the politicians and even some health professionals may have it all wrong! (more…)