Posted April 16, 2021
She felt the reason it took so long for her to gain employment after being open about her diagnosis was because of the negative preconceptions hiring managers had about it.
“The biggest barrier by far is mindset,” Ms McKay said. “Employers have to have the mindset that autism is a completely normal, natural human thing that is welcome in the workplace. It’s not a problem to be solved. It’s not some risk. It’s not an issue. It’s just a different set of needs that just need different considerations.”
Posted March 29, 2021
People with permanent disabilities will no longer need to be reassessed by doctors every few years to renew their permit, instead they can qualify for one for life. Disability advocates have welcomed the changes but said more still needs to be done around enforcement and public awareness. “Even when you have a permit it’s hard to get a space and that seems to be consistent across most areas, there just aren’t enough spaces,” said Disability Resources Centre Advocate Kim Collinson.
Posted March 25, 2021
Independent Assessments are putting complete control over my ability to live an ordinary life in the hands of seven groups of professionals that I’ve never had contact with – and providing me no recourse if they get it wrong. The possibility of them getting it wrong is extremely high. I’m the best judge of my function and capacity; no one knows what I need more than I do. But you don’t even have to trust me – instead listen to the specialists who’ve known me my entire life and who understand my disability.
Posted March 25, 2021
The Migration Act is one of the few pieces of legislation in Australia where it’s OK to discriminate against people based on their disability. Exact data on how many children are ordered to leave because of their condition is not available, but advocacy groups say they come across about a dozen cases each year.
Posted March 19, 2021
You’ve already been told by your potential employer that your resumé is the best they have ever seen. The employer has every intention of giving you the job. The interview is just a formality. But, when you arrive for the interview, you find yourself unable to enter the building. Because of this, no matter how perfect you are for the position, you won’t get the job.
Posted March 11, 2021
A relative of an Aboriginal man with a cognitive disability who has been held in indefinite detention for 15 years has told the Disability Royal Commission he was given “shut up medicine”, held in a restraint chair and given limited access to his community and culture.
Posted March 11, 2021
Jo Abi fears what will happen to her two autistic teenage sons when she is no longer around to communicate when they need health care, she told the Disability Royal Commission on Tuesday.
Posted March 4, 2021
With independent assessments soon to become compulsory for National Disability Insurance Scheme participants, advocates are speaking out about major flaws in the process, which will prevent people from directly appealing a decision.
Posted February 26, 2021
Advocates for a First Nations man detained for 14 years in a “hopeless and desperate situation” say they will renew his case for justice with the United Nations to move him to accommodation where he can live his life with “dignity”.
Posted February 26, 2021
Michael* hasn’t showered or changed his clothes in three weeks, but when the National Disability Insurance Scheme independent assessor asked him how much difficulty he had washing his body, getting dressed and eating, he replied: “None.“
Posted February 19, 2021
Melanie’s story was revealed as part of the disability royal commission’s examination of the experiences of people with cognitive disabilities in the criminal justice system who are locked in indefinite detention in forensic mental health facilities.
Posted February 15, 2021
‘Mum’s a big advocate for the idea that children are not the chattel of their parents, but independent human beings with their own rights. She created the space for me to come to my own view about myself as a person, and then my cerebral palsy as a subset of that aspect of personhood.
Posted February 5, 2021
A rich collection of writing from those negotiating disability in their lives – a group whose voices are not heard often enough Contributors include senator Jordon Steele-John, paralympian Isis Holt, Dion Beasley, Sam Drummond, Astrid Edwards, Sarah Firth, El Gibbs, Eliza Hull, Gayle Kennedy, Carly-Jay Metcalfe, Fiona Murphy, Jessica Walton and many more.
Posted February 5, 2021
Victoria’s taxi industry has voiced fears its business will be further eroded now that people with a disability will be allowed to use a taxi subsidy on Uber.
