Independent review into matters related to the death of Ann Marie Smith
The death of NDIS participant, Ann Marie Smith, in South Australia is absolutely shocking and the circumstances that led to her death must never be allowed to happen again.
Resources
‘We need an agency with real teeth’: disability sector calls for reform following David Harris’ death
Harris’ sister Leanne Longfellow told Inq she couldn’t believe there had been no protocols breached in the lead-up to Harris’ death. His body wasn’t discovered until around two months after he died, when Longfellow — who lives interstate — called NSW Police to conduct a welfare check.
Ann Marie Smith’s carer wasn’t screened by Integrity Care
More details have emerged from a number of investigations into the death of Adelaide woman, Ann Marie Smith, who police say died as a result of shocking neglect last month. The acting head of South Australia’s Human Services Department today told a parliamentary committee there had been several “flags” against her carer, Rosa Maoine and the company that employed her – Integrity Care over the years.
Sex and the NDIS: the Case That Has Everyone Talking
The Federal Court recently decided it was reasonable and necessary for an NDIS participant to receive funding for sex work. Sara digs into the must-read details of this fascinating ruling.
Ann Marie Smith death prompts demand for answers from federal and state authorities
The Federal Government says it “wants answers” on the death of disability care recipient Ann Marie Smith in what police described as “degrading circumstances”, as pressure mounts on federal and state authorities to explain how her case was overlooked.
The tragic death of Ann-Marie Smith has shocked us all
The essence of human rights is the right of everyone to live a dignified life. A life with shelter, food, access to health care, safety, inclusion in the community and respect. As a community we should value human rights because we value people. People from all backgrounds, living circumstances and abilities. People like Ann-Marie. A police investigation is now underway, and Ann-Marie’s death has been declared a major crime.
NDIS investigating Ann Marie Smith’s death as Anglicare confirms carer was subcontracted
She died on April 6 from severe septic shock, multi-organ failure, severe pressure sores, malnutrition and issues connected with her cerebral palsy after being stuck in a cane chair for 24-hours-a-day for more than a year.
Adelaide woman’s ‘degrading’ death shows community’s ‘devaluation’ of people with disabilities
The case of an Adelaide woman who died after being left by carers in a cane chair 24-hours-a-day for a year shows the community still does not value people with disabilities as much as it should, advocates say. Her death, which Detective Superintendent Des Bray described as happening in “disgusting and degrading circumstances”, is now the subject of a manslaughter investigation.
Court rules NDIS must fund sex workers
Sex workers are a “reasonable and necessary” item to be funded by the NDIS, the Federal Court has ruled. Disability advocates welcomed what they described as a landmark decision and said the NDIA must accept it.
Carer accused of filming and abusing disabled children
A disability carer allegedly secretly filmed videos of himself physically and verbally abusing five vulnerable adults and sexually abusing two children in western Sydne
Family of victim calls for investigation into disability sector
Mrs Kidd said there were institutional failures to keep Australian children safe, as she and others had raised concerns with the disability service about Lizzul’s actions before the November date when Lizzul administered the morphine.
Victoria eyes revamp of prisoner mental health services
The Victorian government has admitted it needs to overhaul the way prisoners with mental illnesses and cognitive impairments are treated, concerned they are over-represented in jail, suffer more in custody and are more likely to reoffend on release.
Melbourne carer jailed for sexual assaults
A Melbourne disability carer sexually assaulted two intellectually disabled women in his care within an hour, telling one of them not to say anything or he would lose his job.
Disabled and with IQ of 50, one man seems destined for juvenile detention
Children’s Court president Judge Amanda Chambers has lashed out at the Department of Health and Human Services for leaving her with little option but to send a profoundly disabled young man – who may not understand what he has done wrong – to juvenile detention.
Ask An Expert: The Balancing Act of Supported Decision Making
The right to make your own decisions. It doesn’t get more fundamental than that when considering what makes us human. Questioning a person’s capacity to make decisions is one of the gravest insults one can make, yet in disability it can be thought of like an item on a grocery list. The assumption that people with disability have the right to make their own decisions, and should be given every support to do so, is a transgressive idea in our society. And as with any rights based social change, implementation can get a little tricky.