Call for immediate proactive response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) for Australians with disability. The following is a list of issues that need to be addressed urgently to ensure the wellbeing of people with disability during the current COVID-19 public health emergency. Endorsed
This campaign is calling for people with disability who are not eligible for the NDIS to stop falling through the cracks. These people should have equitable access to the assistive technology they need to lead full and active lives. Assistive technology benefits us and our communities. It allows us to stay involved in public life, stay working if we want to, remain in our homes, and look after ourselves. We are asking the Australian Government to establish a single National Assistive Technology Program for all people who are not eligible for the NDIS, both younger and older.
Sign this petition to add your support the Statement of Concern on COVID-19: Human rights, disability, and ethical decision-making, The Statement of Concern emphasises that key human rights principles and standards on the rights of people with disability must be included in the policies, protocols and guidelines that determine decision-making in the context of lifesaving medical treatment during COVID-19.
It’s all about social distancing and the challenges for the blind and low vision community. Guide dogs can’t read signs So if you notice someone with a white cane or a guide dog looking a little confused, please don’t just grab them on the arm. Say hi and ask if they need any help. Social distancing is difficult for everyone, so consider the challenges if you can’t see the markings on the floor, the new signs on the wall or the screens that have been installed.
Children and young people with disabilities and their families need to be part of efforts for disability inclusive responses and recovery to this pandemic. Children and young people with disabilities should not have their rights compromised, as they already have challenges to accessing the right and appropriate support and resources to give them an equal chance to thrive and reach their potential. Progress made towards disability rights and inclusion – such as access to equal and accessible care and treatment to support dignity and safety, inclusive education, lifelong learning, employment, independent living, a right to family life and social protections – should not be undone. To ensure this, the rights of children and young people with disabilities must be respected and protected.
Victoria must eliminate seclusion and restraint practices within mental health services, and respond to damaging impacts for individuals, including human rights breaches, and physical and emotional harm! “Now that many of us have had a taste of what being cut off from human interaction is like with the COVID 19 restrictions and lockdowns, surely Victorians are more aware of the psychologically damaging effects of seclusion.”
There are 2 distinct categories of DSP payments. There is a standard DSP, and then there’s another category for people who are legally blind. This second category was introduced in 1952 and has NOT been afforded to all DSP recipients. The difference is that legally blind recipients have no income or asset test applied and as such get to keep their entire wage. This disparity is discriminatory, demeaning and divisive. That’s why we’re calling on Scott Morrison to increase the standard disability support payment to align with the ‘legally blind’ category immediately.
The NDIA is introducing independent assessors to replace the input of health professionals when applying for the NDIS and for yearly reviews and any life changing events. Now, someone paid by the NDIA will “assess” the applicant’s disability in 1- 4 hours and use standard assessments to decide the funding they need. This is madness. … Continued
Spinal Life Australia has lead the advocacy for accessible and inclusive built environments, including housing, since 1960. We are now launching this campaign calling on home builders and designers whose ethos and practice supports access for everyone to join our list of leaders in the industry. Accessible homes are affordable, doable within current industry practices and change people’s lives for the better. Add your organisation now by contacting John Mayo:
E: jmayo@spinal.com.au
Join the campaign! The Disability Royal Commission has been running for over a year without offering full confidentiality for people with disability who want to make submissions. People are being asked to share personal, often distressing, stories of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation, without a guarantee that the perpetrators will never have access to the … Continued