42 disability rights and advocacy organisations call for an end to the segregation of disabled people in Australia
People with disability and our rights and advocacy organisations are fighting to end the segregation of people with disability in Australian education, housing and workplaces. We urge the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Disability Royal Commission) to recognise that segregation of people with disabilities is discrimination and a […]
Source: AFDO
Victorian Budget and inclusive education
There were many positive announcements by the Victorian Government yesterday for people with disability in the State Budget. However, we are disappointed that after committing to achieving inclusive education with the recent announcement of the needs-based funding model, the Victorian Government has announced $388m to be spent on special schools . Segregated education is NOT inclusive education! […]
Source: AFDO
Update on confidentiality of Disability Royal Commission submissions
You may remember that DANA, with other National disability peak organisations, sent a joint letter in September to the Hon. Christian Porter MP to express concern about the lack of long-term legislative protections for confidentiality. The Attorney-General published a media release on 20 October announcing these amendments will be made, indicating that: I have instructed my department to work swiftly on the amendments, with the aim of introducing in the Autumn sittings of 2021.” DANA has been hearing from advocates that this lack of assurance is adding uncertainty and complexity to the process of making submissions or deterring people from sharing their story.
Source: DANA
The role of advocacy highlighted in the DRC Interim Report
The Disability Royal Commission Interim Report, released on 30 October 2020, acknowledges and reflects the extremely important role of disability advocates and advocacy organisations in supporting people with disability to heard during the DRC processes. This is also evident in the numerous references to evidence given by advocates at hearings and advocacy organisations’ submissions throughout the lengthy document. We have heard from many advocacy and representative organisations that increased advocacy is a key measure to address violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and would lead to a more inclusive society. We have also heard that there is a lack of advocacy services, including for First Nations people with disability and people with complex needs, and that existing advocacy services are under-funded. (page 18)
Source: DANA
Helping families make choices for childrens’ hearing health
Hearing Australia has created a new resource for parents and families: Choices is a free resource for families of children who are newly diagnosed with hearing loss from birth to twelve years of age. The book provides valuable information to help families confidently make the right choices for their child throughout their hearing journey. Alison […]
Source: Deafness Forum of Australia
One of the last Indigenous languages lives to sign another day
Like all hearing people in North-East Arnhem land, the head of the local school at Yirrkala grew up using sign language as much as she spoke – in the same way hearing and non-hearing Indigenous people in northern Australia had communicated for 60,000 years. It was an everyday thing, said co-principal of Yirrkala School, Merrikiyawuy […]
Source: Deafness Forum of Australia
