Posted April 3, 2020
Disabled people know better than most that in a crisis, in times of confusion, fear, and deprivation, rules and norms meant to protect us can disappear like wisps of smoke. But we just don’t know how things will actually play out. That’s another familiar experience for most disabled people … the gap between the way things are supposed to be, the way people think they are, and the way they actually are for people with disabilities.
Posted March 24, 2020
Disability advocates say governments across Australia need to better communicate their plans for at-risk groups. A survey of over 200 families by the Australian Coalition for Inclusive Education (ACIE) and Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) found that COVID-19 was causing havoc and fear for the disability community.
Posted March 24, 2020
Unless Governments and communities take action, discrimination against people with disabilities could increase during the COVID-19 pandemic, an expert with the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.
Posted March 23, 2020
While the Australian Government has a targeted response for the aged care sector, Professor Dickinson said this is not the case for the disability sector. “Both sectors have many similarities including congregated settings, a precariously employed and inadequately trained care workforce, and families and carers who may face significant challenges meeting the care needs of people with disability in Australia,” Professor Dickinson said.
Posted March 23, 2020
As a growing number of businesses and services shutdown in response to the COVID-19 the disability sector says it’s increasingly vulnerable. The Australian Greens are calling for an emergency plan for a stand-by workforce for the sector.
Posted March 20, 2020
People with disabilities have had their national disability insurance scheme and other support services cancelled and been unable to get essential medication and supplies during the coronavirus outbreak, according to a survey by peak bodies in the sector.
Posted March 20, 2020
There are concerns the disability sector is being left behind in the national coronavirus response. Disability was absent from Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s public health announcement last week and a webinar for home and community aged care providers held on Friday heard there had been “no specific” conversations regarding the sector.
Posted March 20, 2020
The disability sector is pleading for clearer guidelines on how the government will protect disabled children and young people during the coronavirus crisis.
Posted March 20, 2020
“We call on the Federal Government to urgently update the Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 to include the needs of people with disability. In addition, people with disability must have a place at the table when talking about how we respond to this emergency.”
Posted March 20, 2020
Australia needs a targeted response to coronavirus for people with disabilities and the disability service sector, experts warn. Leading health and disability researchers say people with disability are a vulnerable group in the COVID-19 pandemic and that the health and disability sectors were underprepared for the crisis.
Posted March 20, 2020
Closing date: December 21, 2020
Call for immediate proactive response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) for Australians with disability. The following is a list of issues that need to be addressed urgently to ensure the wellbeing of people with disability during the current COVID-19 public health emergency. Endorsed
Posted May 21, 2015
Australian building legislation does not currently mandate an inclusive approach to the safe evacuation of buildings. This poses a significant risk for the 20 per cent of the population with some form of disability, particularly the 10.5 per cent with a mobility disability when the options for evacuation in a multi-level building are generally limited … Continued
Posted January 22, 2014
As Australian authorities urge the general community to prepare and plan for bushfires, the early warning systems and public awareness campaigns are often failing to consider the needs of persons with disabilities. Advice on the ground specifically for people with disabilities is pretty slim, and for bushfires is centred on the message of “leave early”. But recent research by the Bushfire Collaborative Research Centre finds many people instead choose the “wait and see” option. In fact, less than 1% would leave their house on days of extreme or catastrophic fire danger.
Posted October 14, 2013
The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) and partners, consulted nearly 6,000 persons with disabilities in 126 countries on how they cope and prepare for disasters through an online survey. The results show that people living with disabilities across the world are rarely consulted about their needs in times of disasters. Also highlighted is the … Continued