Category General
DRC Final Ceremonial Sitting held on 15 September – Transcript now available
After four years, the Disability Royal Commission has come to an end with a final ceremonial sitting, ahead of the release of its final report. Before the report is tabled in government on Thursday 28th September, we are reflecting on…
Statement of Support for the Voice
Disability Advocacy Network Australia affirms its support for the proposed First Peoples of Australia Voice as part of the 2023 referendum on proposed changes to Australia’s Constitution. Establishing a Voice through an amendment to the Constitution is consistent with the…
Consumer policy responds to NDIS Review “What we have heard” report
Gerard Brody, Chair of the Consumer Federation of Australia, has examined the consumer issues about the NDIS, in collaboration with DANA and a range of other disability representative organisations, for a submission to the NDIS Review. In his submission to…
Media Release: Watering the NDIS desert – including all people with disability
Watering the NDIS desert – including all people with disability A new investment of $1.7b per year is needed to fix the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) ‘oasis in the desert’ says a new paper released today from the Disability…
IDPwD 2022 Roundup: Celebrations and Stories
International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) was held on Saturday, 3 December 2022, with the theme being: Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fueling an accessible and equitable world.
In Australia, IDPwD celebrates the contributions and achievements of the 4.4 million Australians with disability, both visible and invisible. Across Australia, organisations have been hosting events and facilitating discussions around people with disability this month.
DANA eNews – October 2022
Check your inbox (and junk mail) for DANA monthly eNews - October 2022!
This edition of DANA’s eNews is out and full of the latest news about advocacy, this week's Federal Budget, the NDIS, the Disability Royal Commission, and COVID-19 information. There are some significant recent updates about the NDIS, systemic advocacy, the DRC public hearings and many events and opportunities for the community.
Free, independent and confidential counselling and advocacy support for the Disability Royal Commission
The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Disability Royal Commission) is happening now and will run until September 2023.
Free, independent and confidential counselling and advocacy support is available for people with disability who have been hurt, taken advantage of or treated badly. Support is also available for anyone who is engaging with or affected by the Disability Royal Commission.
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.
Act now to achieve minimum accessibility housing standards for NSW!
Many within the disability advocacy sector would be aware that a majority of state and federal governments recently voted to include minimum housing accessibility standards in the National Construction Code (the NCC). Victoria, Qld, ACT and TAS will be accepting the new accessibility provisions and will be importing them into their own jurisdictions.
But NSW is planning to actively ignore the new sections, and won’t even provide clear reasons why. Together, we can make sure people with accessibility needs in NSW aren’t left behind.
Time needed for people with disability to tell their stories
To truly reap the benefits of the substantial public investment in this historic Royal Commission, granting the requested 17 month extension is essential. This extension must include extended funding of DRC support services including individual and systemic advocacy and counselling (through DSS) and legal support (through the Attorney-General’s Department) for people who have experienced disability violence, abuse, neglect and/or exploitation.
We urge the Commonwealth Government to ensure that Australians with disability have the opportunity to have their voices heard.
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