Tag human rights
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.
DANA eNews – September 2021
Check out the latest DANA eNews – September 2021 Edition. It includes the latest news about advocacy, the NDIS, the Disability Royal Commission, and COVID-19 information, plus current inquiries, consultations, jobs, resources and updates...
DANA eNews – August 2021
Check your inbox for the latest DANA eNews – August 2021 Edition.
It includes the latest news about advocacy, the NDIS, the Disability Royal Commission, and COVID-19 information, plus current inquiries, consultations, jobs, resources and updates.
Community Coalition Demands Immediate Action To Vaccinate People With Disability Against COVID-19
A coalition of more than 60 disability organisations, including DANA and a number of disability advocacy organisations, has released an open letter criticising the Australian Government for failing to vaccinate and protect the most clinically vulnerable people with disability in the nation.
More time for the Disability Royal Commission to listen
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!
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.
Joint statement on the Australian Government’s planned reforms to the NDIS
People with disability, their families and the organisations that represent them are all worried about changes the Australian Government wants to make to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
These changes will fundamentally alter the individualised and personalised nature of the NDIS. While we all want greater consistency, we are very concerned this increasingly automated process will not adequately consider individual need and circumstance.
This is not the NDIS we fought for.
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.
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.
National Disability Strategy for beyond 2020
The Australian Government is leading the development of a new National Disability Strategy for beyond 2020. Commonwealth, state, territory and local governments across Australia are working together in consultation with people with disability, their families and carers, advocacy organisations, and peak bodies to develop the new Strategy.
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