Transcript:

Hi everyone!

I’d like to begin today by acknowledging the recent media reporting about the deaths of people with disability. We recognise that for many in our community, this coverage has been really distressing. We’re saddened by the loss of life and we hold the families, friends and communities
affected in our thoughts.

We recognise the depth of grief and harm that follows these events. We’re also aware, though, that some of the public commentary around these reports has been really harmful. Violence against people with disability is never acceptable, and language or explanations that minimise or excuse harm towards people with disability cause further pain to our community.

Any response must center the dignity, safety and humanity of people with disability and be guided by lived experience, care and respect for human life. Preventing harm requires collective responsibility, strong safeguards and systems that genuinely listen to and value people with disability.

If you’re finding this news difficult, and that would be very understandable, please be gentle with yourself and reach out for support in whatever way feels best for you.

I’d also like to acknowledge the passing of Nick Rushworth, CEO of Brain Injury Australia, on the 27th of January. Nick was a highly respected advocate for people with acquired brain injury. Some of you might have known or worked with Nick.

I worked closely with him over many years and always really appreciated his frank and fearless advocacy, and also his kindness and compassion. We recognise Nick’s contribution to the disability sector and extend our condolences to his family, colleagues and the Brain Injury Australia community at this time.

So DANA is in the second year of a supported employment advocacy pilot, partnering with Inclusion Australia and advocacy organisations in each state. You can learn more about the project and the different organisations involved by visiting the projects page on our website www.dana.org.au.

The project provides advocacy services for people with disability, particularly people with intellectual disability and high support needs in supported employment, for school leavers, and for other people at various stages on their employment journey.

Last week we launched a National Peer Network for supported employment advocates, which is creating a space for discussion, debate and skills exchange. The network’s been really well-received by advocates. 71% of attendees strongly agreed, and 29% agreed that the sessions would improve their practice. So that’s fantastic.

I’ve also been working closely with the DANA policy and advocacy team, and the National Centre for Disability
Advocacy to finalise an additional paper that builds on our Individual Disability Advocacy Program submission that I spoke about in a recent update.

This paper draws on both policy expertise and capacity building insights to highlight some key design tensions
for the program. It was submitted to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing on the 30th of January. We’ll continue working with the department, with our members and stakeholders to explore these design tensions and propose solutions that centre the experiences of people with disability.

Now, you might be wondering why I keep talking about the Independent Disability Advocacy Program in these videos. And that’s because it will be the biggest reform to independent advocacy and the sector in 30 years. So DANA and the National Centre for Disability Advocacy are really working hard to determine what kind of support, we can provide to the sector through these changes. And obviously, most importantly, to make sure that people with disability receive the independent disability advocacy that they need and deserve, particularly at a time of significant reform across the NDIS and the sector more broadly.

So that’s all for this week. Thank you again for joining me,
and I look forward to speaking to you again next week.