Posted October 19, 2020
There are two online training modules that have been designed to assist disability workers operating in, or working with people with disability, in high risk bushfire areas.
The modules include:
1. Bushfire safety for workers – For any person who works in, or travels through, high risk areas over summer to learn about the risks, what preparedness means and how to stay safe on the roads and survive.
2. Bushfire planning: How to support your clients – For any person working with clients or patients in their homes, supporting them to live independently. You will learn about different types of risk environments, your responsibility in helping your clients as well as questions to get the bushfire safety conversation going and tips on how to build the Bushfire Survival Plan to leave early.
Posted September 18, 2020
As the panel discussed social fragmentation, Ms Kayess agreed it could lead to loneliness and said those living with a disability were highly exposed to it. “That specific [physical] segregation is structurally embedded for people with disability, the way they’re segregated in education, the way they’re segregated in terms of residential care and services,” she said.
Posted September 15, 2020
On an episode of the ABC’s Q&A dedicated to loneliness last night, Ms Kayess revealed she had a visceral reaction when she examined how COVID-19 patients were being triaged for treatment. “It was such a visceral reaction that I had. It was so in my face that I was dispensable … that my life wasn’t valued. And I was dispensable.
Posted September 11, 2020
Coronavirus cases among National Disability Insurance Scheme participants have been made public for the first time. There are 129 active cases across the country, including 41 participants and 88 workers. Almost all of the cases are in Victoria.
Posted September 8, 2020
How we prepare for, get through, and recover from disasters have sadly become increasingly pressing questions. But the impact of disasters, and people’s needs in these conditions can be very different according to their circumstances.
Posted September 4, 2020
What happens when an entire population group is absent from decision making forums? It makes it possible to forget them. The people who are most affected and should be central considerations in emergency responses are left out.
Posted August 30, 2020
At the latest disability royal commission hearings, witnesses testified to how little regard has been given to people with disabilities during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Posted August 30, 2020
Despite the refrain throughout the COVID-19 pandemic that ‘we are all in this together’, the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability last week revealed the many hardships encountered by people with a disability over the past six months.
Posted August 27, 2020
The reporting will ensure accurate and timely information is being provided to the community. The data is collated through reporting mechanisms of the NDIS Quality and Safeguard Commission and compiled by the Commonwealth’s NDIS Critical Response Group.
Posted August 21, 2020
Australians with disabilities have suffered higher rates of domestic and family violence, are experiencing suicidal thoughts, and felt “expendable” during the Covid-19 pandemic, a royal commission has heard.
Posted August 21, 2020
More than 700 people with disability and their families filled out the survey that asked about your experiences during the first wave of the Coronavirus pandemic. What impact did the pandemic have on your lives? How did you cope and what you thought of the changes made to the NDIS during this time?
The problems raised were the usual issues – confusing, changing and inconsistent information, lengthy delays, lack of flexibility, poor treatment at the hands of Local Area Coordinators or NDIA staff. These issues are bad enough at the best of times. But in the middle of a global pandemic they stood in the way of people with disability getting what they needed to stay safe and well.
Posted August 21, 2020
The Australian and Victorian Governments will enhance the coronavirus response in disability residential care through a strengthened Disability Response Centre to coordinate and manage outbreaks and keep residents safe.
Posted August 21, 2020
A disabled woman has caught COVID-19 from a support worker after the National Disability Insurance Agency refused to allow her sister to provide care instead during the pandemic. Sheree Driver told the disability royal commission on Wednesday that her sister’s mental state had rapidly declined after being without care for almost a month as a result of the decision.
Posted August 21, 2020
Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Stuart Robert, today announced the Commonwealth will commence providing data on infection rates of COVID-19 for NDIS participants and workers.
Posted August 21, 2020
Victorian Disability Minister Luke Donnellan first highlighted issues within the sector on April 8, and called on the Commonwealth to extend financial support and set up a crisis accommodation response team, both of which were rejected by federal counterpart Stuart Robert.
