DANA eNews – Mid August 2022
Check your inbox and junk folder for DANA eNews!
This edition of DANA’s eNews is out and full of the latest news about advocacy, the NDIS, the Disability Royal Commission, and COVID-19 information.
People With Disability Need a COVID Recovery Plan
Organisations representing hundreds of thousands of people with disability across Australia are calling on political parties to commit to establishing a COVID Recovery Plan for people with disability. The groups want the incoming Australian Government to urgently implement a plan to address the fact that people with disability are being left in lockdown – while the COVID-19 virus is left to surge in the community.
People with disability need significant support to stay safe with so much COVID-19 in the community, so a comprehensive Recovery Plan must be developed with people with disability, their advocates, supporters and representative organisations.
Read more about People With Disability Need a COVID Recovery Plan
Have your say about your vision for the future of disability advocacy around Australia
The Australian Government is encouraging people with disability, their families and carers, disability advocates and other interested stakeholders to share their views on what is important to improve and include in the new National Disability Advocacy Framework 2022-25 (the Framework).
Visit DSS Engage to take part and to find accessible resources to help. The consultation is open until Friday 8 July 2022.
Voting, accessibility and supports
With the Federal Election fast approaching, here are some useful resources and information sources about accessibility and voting, from the Australian Electoral Commission and other bodies.
National Disability Advocacy Program funding announcement
On Thursday 7 April, a media release from Senator Anne Ruston (Minister for Families and Social Services) and Senator Linda Reynolds (Minister for the NDIS) announced “$100 million to uphold the rights of people with disability” in the form of continued funding for the National Disability Advocacy Program. Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA) chief executive Mary Mallett welcomed the Government’s continued investment in disability advocacy, including an increase to organisations delivering NDIS Appeals. However, she also questioned whether the additional funding would be sufficient given the rising demand for appeals advocacy.
Read more about National Disability Advocacy Program funding announcement
Disability Sector Calls for Pre-Election Commitments to Improve Disability Emergency and Disaster Support
A coalition of 40 leading disability rights, advocacy and peak body organisations has endorsed a pre-election open letter to politicians across the country demanding a new approach and more resources for improving disaster and emergency responses for people with disability.
In the wake of two years of rolling calamities, the letter outlines a series of key outcomes being sought by the disability sector to develop planning, programs and services that will better prioritise the needs of people with disability during floods, bushfires, cyclones, droughts and pandemics.