Category: News

Delegates from Australia and overseas headed to Sydney for the inaugural Australian Universal Design Conference.  Here are some highlights from an event that produced lively discussion and support for establishing a Centre for […]

The Government has committed $173 million to support employees in Australian Disability Enterprises. The funding will be used in part to develop and implement a new productivity wage based tool, […]

People with disability are accessing the NDIS in record time, according to the latest quarterly report.  There was also other good news in the data for the first year taken […]

The Voice finalist Simon Meli and his band, The Widowbirds, kick off Brain Injury Australia’s fundraiser.  Meli is just one of a number of high-profile Australians who are supporting ‘Sidetember 2014’. These include […]

Carers around the country are about to get more recognition in the community with the first National Carers Awards. A joint initiative of Carers Australia, Life Without Barriers and Families […]

The New Zealand Labour Party has promised free annual health checks for people with an intellectual disability. In a pre-election policy statement Labour has also committed to employing an additional […]

Australia’s largest learning difficulties event attracted the crowds at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney. According to Learning Difference Convention director, Jillian Zocher, the convention was twice as busy as the inaugural […]

There has been a rise in the number of people accessing aged care services in their homes and in the community.  And demand can be expected to grow as the […]

The Department of Social Services has streamlined funding programs for social service providers.  This will see existing grant programs consolidated into seven packages and the setting up of a Disability, […]

Acting Disability Commissioner Susan Ryan has convened a national disability forum for September. While details are still to be finalised in preparation for the forum the Australian Human Rights Commission will release a survey asking people with disabilities to identify key issues they face, especially in relation to jobs access. Survey responses will be used to guide the Commission’s future work priorities when it comes to advancing the rights of people with disabilities.
The proposed survey follows advice Ryan received from departed Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes, who had earlier called for a jobs plan to engage people with disabilities into the workforce.
“I want to reinvigorate a national discussion about how we create opportunities for people with disabilities to enter the workplace.” Ryan added that it is an area where there has been inadequate progress for the past 20 years.
The former Labor minister and Age Discrimination Commissioner, takes on the role until a permanent appointment is made.