Building regulations should include mandatory disability access, advocates say
An alliance of 800 disability advocates and ethical designers are calling for mandatory disability access in new homes.
News and blogs
Between Two Worlds- being deaf in a hearing world
This is the story of Sian. Sian is a deaf person, who can speak and hear quite well, and is having issues progressing in her workplace due to the unintentional barriers in place, that limit her ability to access vital information. This post also explores the identity issues she has faced in being a deaf … Continued
Thousands still using disability support services – report
Almost 334,000 people used disability support services in 2014/15 under the National Disability Agreement (NDA) with another 4000 already transitioning to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, according to a new report.
Sector Concern Over Ride-Sharing Taking Over the School Bus Run
Experts in the Not for Profit sector have voiced concerns over reports that children with disabilities could soon be catching Uber-style transport to school.
Coroner recommends new safety measures after Katrina ‘Katie’ West chokes on dinner at Scope supported accommodation in Lilydale
A CORONER has recommended new safety measures after an intellectually disabled woman choked on her dinner at a Lilydale supported accommodation facility.
Domestic violence victims with intellectual disability often turned away or not investigated
Closing date: May 26, 2016
An interview with Nance Haxton exploring the issues around domestic violence victims with an intellectual disability.
Mother raises concerns about access to justice for people with intellectual disabilities
The mother of an intellectually disabled woman who was repeatedly abused in respite care says her daughter was barred from accessing justice because of her disability.
We must do more to help people with intellectual impairments stay out of prison
People with cognitive and psychiatric impairments are over-represented in the prison system.People with cognitive and psychiatric impairments are at high risk of re-entering the justice system without receiving the crucial support they need, including assistance to reduce offending.
Tolerance (or the lack of it!)
Closing date: May 19, 2016
The Rebuttal is an Independent Ezine and website that aims to promote and create discussion about Deaf and hearing impaired issues. This post is an interesting account on the Deaf vs. hearing, signing vs. speech debate and the need for tolerance for different lived experiences of deafness.
Police shooting victim left worse off after signing up to National Disability Insurance Scheme
After signing up to the National Disability Insurance Scheme this year, Mr Crowley finds himself about $1000 a month worse off.
Susan Ryan’s guide to ending discrimination in public sector jobs
Workforce diversity is not just about a fair go, it’s also increasingly seen as a smart business decision. A new report lays out a plan for government to create opportunities for people with disabilities and older Australians.
Intellectually disabled deaf man found unfit to stand trial on murder charge
One of three deaf people accused of murdering a deaf man, who fell from an apartment balcony in Melbourne’s outer east, has been found unfit to stand trial due to an intellectual disability.
To get young people out of nursing homes, we need to back up the NDIS with housing – here’s how
Young people with disability living in nursing homes are one of the most marginalised and isolated groups of people in our society. More than half of them, 53%, receive a visit from a friend less than once a year. They generally lead impoverished lives, characterised by loneliness and boredom.
Gloves that convert sign language to speech ‘to empower the deaf community’
Two second-year university students in the US have developed a pair of gloves that can translate sign language into speech and text, a tool they hope will empower the deaf community.
Access problems at super stops prompt trial of wheelchair ramps on new trams
The height difference between platforms and tram floors is big enough to have put the Victorian government in breach of national disability discrimination laws, a problem that was identified before E-Class trams were first ordered in 2010, but has never been fixed.