The Government has today announced the appointment and reappointment of members of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Independent Advisory Council (IAC). Minister for the NDIS Bill Shorten said he was pleased to welcome disability advocate Mr Gavin Burner to the IAC. Mr Burner’s appointment is significant as it strengthens the IAC’s representation of people … Continued
I’m Aaron Ducker, an autistic magician. Let me tell you about something that happened a couple of years ago. I walked out onto the stage just as I would any other night. This night was different though. Nestled amongst the crowd was a reviewer. I steeled my nerves.
Lawyer Giancarlo De Vera says International Day for People with Disabilities is a day for people with disability to ‘celebrate our humanity’.
Felix Waiss doesn’t speak, but he’s learning to communicate in his own way. By pushing icons on a device, the non-verbal four-year-old is figuring out how to formulate sentences and express what he has to say. Next year, Felix will start kindergarten at Tasmania’s Northern Support School, where all staff are trained in using augmentative and alternative … Continued
From classrooms to laboratories and conferences, working in chemistry presents huge challenges to disabled, chronically ill and neurodivergent people. Some simple fixes can help to shift the dial.
The Australian Government’s commitment to stopping fraud is helping to protect the funding that supports Australians living with disability and saving the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) millions of dollars, NDIS Minister Bill Shorten MP said today. The Fraud Fusion Taskforce (FFT) recently marked 12 months since its establishment, with data showing the significant progress … Continued
It’s one of society’s biggest “isms”. But according to disability advocates, ableism is still all-too-common and often remains unchallenged.
The Australian Human Rights Commission welcomes the appointment of Rosemary Kayess to the role of Disability Discrimination Commissioner. “On behalf of Commissioners and staff I warmly welcome Ms Kayess to the Commission. She is a leading disability and human rights lawyer who has been extremely influential in her work in international human rights law for … Continued
In this article for Cinema Australia, Natalia Stawyskyj writes about her film All Silent Dogs. All Silent Dogs is streaming as part of https://www.artsaccess.com.au/toff/. Online and free until Thursday 7 December via ACMI Cinema 3.
Single father Peter Voelker is fighting an uphill battle to find out why tens of thousands of dollars were suddenly stripped from the plan that treats his daughter, who has severe disabilities. Eight-year-old Ellie needs care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Women living with disabilities are almost twice as likely to experience domestic violence than those without, but most will not seek help.
As minister Bill Shorten prepares to release the findings from a sweeping review of the NDIS, the head of its regulator faces allegations she was aware or should have been aware of abuse exposed by the media
A new report from People with Disability Australia (PWDA) has revealed the significant barriers women and children with disability face when accessing domestic and family violence services. The report, produced as part of the national peak body’s Building Access Project, outlines the roadmap forward to ensure these essential services are safe, inclusive and accessible to … Continued
I stumbled into comedy in 2019. I enrolled in a six-week workshop in Byron Bay, to challenge myself creatively. In the first week, the teacher asked why we were there. I said: “I’m disabled, and I have stuff to say.”
Minister for the NDIS and Government Services, Bill Shorten talks about Disability Royal Commission, NDIS and other issues at this door stop interview.