Government set to increase NDIA staff cap
The federal government is increasing the National Disability Insurance Agency’s staff cap, as part of a suite of workforce changes designed to deliver a “better experience” for people with disability.
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We can all help to improve communication for people with disabilities
Around 5% of the population, or 1.2 million Australians have a communication disability. Communication disability can arise if a person has a health condition affecting their speech, language, listening, understanding, reading, writing, or social skills.
Disability is a design problem and I’m working on it
Disability didn’t exist before industrialisation. Sure, there were blind people, and people with cognitive impairments and amputees – but they were never grouped together. There
Disability advocates welcome new Social Services Ministers
Disability advocates have welcomed the appointments of Paul Fletcher and Sarah Henderson as social services ministers, after outgoing minister Dan Tehan was moved to education amid a cabinet reshuffle.
NDIS IT systems to face official probe
The inquiry will scrutinise the impact of ICT infrastructure on the implementation of the scheme, as well as the appropriateness of NDIS-facing IT systems and the MyPlace Portal used by participants and providers.
Improved experience for NDIS participants and providers
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will deliver a better experience to participants thanks to improvements that will commence to be rolled out from October. Workforce improvements, including staff numbers and training are also included in the planned improvements.
Unpaid carers facing significant economic disadvantage
Unpaid carers in Australia face a significant economic disadvantage, research reveals, prompting the launch of a campaign to bridge the gap between unpaid care and workforce participation.
ILC Grants Announced: One Step Forward?
awarding ILC grants, with the announcement of the outcomes of their new non-competitive, ‘invite only’ ILC Remote Grants.
Advisory group plans to improve NDIS outcomes for Australians with autism
The Autism Advisory Group, established as a voice for people with autism participating in the National Disability Insurance Scheme, announced its four key issues of focus for the next 12 months.
Redesigning the role of disability support practitioners
It is hoped a collaborative project between leading disability providers will redesign the role of disability support practitioners, helping to increase choice and control for clients and improve the effectiveness and job satisfaction of workers.
Research shows employers want more guidance in hiring people with disability
According to the research, 79 percent of Australian employers across these industries are open to hiring people with disability, however, only 58 percent of businesses are currently doing so.
Children and women with disabilities, more likely to face discrimination
“Children with disabilities are among the most marginalised groups in society. If society continues to see the disability before it sees the child, the risk of exclusion and discrimination remains,” Georgina Thompson, a media consultant for UNICEF, told IPS.
Hotline data released – hundreds report abuse of people with disability in government-funded services
Australian Government has released the National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline data. There were 472 reported cases of abuse and neglect of people with disability in government-funded services between July 2016 and June 2018 – more than one every two days. Social Services Minister Dan Tehan did not put out a media statement announcing the release of the data. He has refused to answer a number of questions about it.
Big step forward for SDA tenant rights in Victoria
The Bill creates a special section in the State’s Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) for SDA residencies. This means that from 1 July 2019, all tenancies in the state are covered by the same legislation. The changes will be relevant to all SDA residents, whether they are funded through the NDIS or the Commonwealth’s Continuity of Support Program.
Julia Gillard: Mental illness should not be a barrier to employment. Employers should see value in diversity
“Yes, they may need flexibility, reasonable adjustments, time off from time to time. But who doesn’t? And too often, all employers see is a diagnosis, not the value of the richness of experience these people bring. Too often employers view mental health in the workplace through the lens of deficit and risk.”