Samantha Donovan reported this story on Friday, January 16, 2015 08:16:00 The federal and state governments are being urged to give people with intellectual disabilities more say in the design of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Advocates for the disabled say their call is supported by recent recommendations from the Australian Law Reform Commission.
In the final days of 2014, the meagre funding granted to disability advocacy groups was cut. It ended an annus horribilis for the sector When there’s cricket on the radio, the sun is shining, and boats and beaches beckon, it’s easy to forget how tough last year was for Australians with disabilities. The final blow … Continued
There’s something about the end of a year that inspires hope for change. As the final hours of 2014 fold themselves away, many of us will find ourselves daydreaming of social possibilities. We may muse on the kind of Australia we want to live in, and wonder what practical steps we can take to get … Continued
There will always be Stella Young in this world as long as we continue her legacy of calling out injustice and demanding better, writes her friend and Ramp Up colleague Karen Palenzuela. Kids ask a lot of peculiar questions. Stella, on the whole, loved her interactions with them. Many of their questions made great material … Continued
An advocacy group has called on Victoria’s new premier Daniel Andrews to sack the board of disability service provider Yooralla, claiming misappropriation of taxpayer funds. United Voices for People with Disabilities on Tuesday night distributed an “Open Letter to Premier Andrews” to the media. The letter alleges excessive payments of up to $1.6 million were … Continued
Hundreds of public tributes are being made for the disability activist, writer, speaker and comedian Stella Young. Stella died suddenly and unexpectedly on the weekend. uration: 3min 35sec
One of the few bipartisan policies of the Victorian election campaign was to hold a Parliamentary inquiry into abuse of people with disability. When two opposing sides join together to support a cause, it sends a powerful message: we can not tolerate the abuse of people with disability. This bipartisan support was sealed last week … Continued
Victoria’s ombudsman has launched a major inquiry into the bungling of sex abuse allegations involving Yooralla amid new allegations the disability services provider may have also engaged in financial misconduct. The new allegations are being separately probed by the Victorian government and Yooralla and involve claims that senior managers exaggerated the severity of their clients’ … Continued
Former Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes has been sharing his memories of Stella Young with Glen Bartholomew. Ms Young performed comedy around the country and was a broadcaster on ABC radio and television. She advocated for better access to live music venues for people with disabilities and spoke out against family violence. Duration: 2:23
People with Disability Australia (PWDA) expresses our shock and sadness at the passing of well-loved disability activist, Stella Young, and sends our heartfelt condolences to Stella’s family and friends. PWDA President, Craig Wallace provides the following statement: Like everyone I am heartbroken and devastated at the passing of my dear friend, colleague and disability advocate … Continued
The rate of unemployment for people with a disability is 7.1 per cent. You might think that’s not too bad, except that the unemployment rate doesn’t really tell you much. The more telling statistic is that their workforce participation rate is almost three times worse than the rest of the population. Some people with disability … Continued
One of Australia’s largest disability providers bungled the handling of rape and sexual harassment cases while some of its facilities have been riddled with corruption and mismanagement, leaked documents and whistleblowers say. The revelations come with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten backing calls from Graeme Innes, who left his post as national disability commissioner in July, … Continued
National Peak Disability Consumer and Advocacy Organisations applaud the Senate vote to block the passing of the Business Services Wage Assessment Tool (BSWAT) Payment Scheme Bill 2014. In blocking the Bill, the Senate has shown support for the human rights of people with disability to seek fair and full compensation for lost wages through the … Continued
The review of the Australian curriculum raises major concerns about access to a quality curriculum for students with disability. Under the guise of creating greater inclusivity, the review recommends a separate curriculum for some students with disability. A separate curriculum is discriminatory The Australian curriculum has been at the centre of public attention since its … Continued
Students with disabilities are being babysat at school rather than being given the resources and time they need to learn, Western Australia’s Primary Principals’ Association says. President Stephen Breen said a leaked report by PricewaterhouseCoopers showed the average number of students with a learning disability was 18.6 per cent, but only 5 per cent received … Continued