COVIDau

Tag COVIDau

DANA eNews – July 2022

Text reads Disability Advocacy eNews July 22 is here, with pictured email alert icon, call to subscribe at www.dana.org.au and photo collage of three images from eNews: Commissioner Andrea Mason OAM, Black Banner reading July is Disability Pride Month, and Mary Mallett, CEO of DANA

Check your inbox and junkmail! 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.

This edition includes July Disability Pride Month celebrations, recent events, reports, and consultations plus updates about current inquiries, job and funding opportunities, grants, and resources from Australia’s Disability Advocacy Sector and Community.

People With Disability Need a COVID Recovery Plan

Photo of woman with disability wearing a mask - TEXT: People with Disability need a COVID-19 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 the latest DANA eNews – March 2022

Disability Advocacy eNews - DANA logo below illustration of diverse people standing in line

This edition of DANA’s eNews is packed full of the latest news about advocacy, the NDIS, COVID-19 tests and vaccinations, and the Disability Royal Commission, plus current events, inquiries, consultations, and new resources.

More time for the Disability Royal Commission to listen

Women smiles at another woman sitting across from her, typing at a laptop and explaining something.

DANA is very pleased the requested 17-month extension to the Disability Royal Commission (DRC) into violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability has been granted, as we have heard from many advocates the urgency for additional time needed for people with disability to tell their stories. The Final Report (from the DRC to the Governor-General) will now be due on 29 September 2023. 

#WeNeedMoreTime! Join the campaign to extend the Disability Royal Commission!

Extend the Disability Royal Commission - #WeNeedMoreTime Our rights. Our voice. Our justice. Image of clock on blue background and url" www.ourroyalcommission.com.au

The Disability Royal Commission has been asked to investigate the violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with all kinds of disability in all settings within an Australian context.

This is a truly enormous task, and the Hon. Ronald Sackville, Chair of the Disability Royal Commission, has requested a 17-month extension.

Along with our fellow disability representative organisations, DANA supports this call, and we ask you to do the same by writing to the Attorney-General Michaelia Cash. 

Public hearing to investigate COVID-19 impact

Image Description: Man in wheelchair receives box of supplies at front door - both are wearing mask over their mouth and nose.

The next Disability Royal Commission (DRC) public hearing will investigate the experiences of people with disability during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.The Chair Ronald Sackville AO QC said unless there are significant changes in circumstances, the hearing will take place in Sydney in August. ‘The hearing will gather evidence from people with disability, peak advocacy groups, public health and disability experts, as well as government representatives.'

COVID-19 – New Disability Information Helpline

Man in thinking pose with though bubbles visualising housing, hand-washing and social distancing

A new service called the Disability Gateway is available for people with disability who need help because of coronavirus (COVID-19). It can help families, carers, support workers and services, too.

You can contact the Disability Gateway on 1800 643 787 to talk about your concerns in relation to coronavirus (COVID-19).