You know that thing when you hire a cleaner and then go around making sure that the house is tidy enough for the cleaner because you are embarrassed and you don’t want them to think you are hopeless?
You know that feeling of dread you get when you have to “ask your cleaner to do something?”
It’s like you are asking a huge favour and they are not obligated at all to comply. I mean seriously, are they are doing you a favour coming into your home for money to wash your clothes and clean your bathroom?
Okay, let us take out “cleaner” and insert “support worker.”
Why is it that so many disabled people (including my self) feel nervous and scared of rejection if we ask support workers to simply do their job?
I often hear myself asking “can you do me a favour?” if I am asking them to check the mailbox, get the bins in or make me a cup of tea. It feels like I’m imposing. Does this happen to anyone else or is this an internalised ableism?
I don’t think so. When we talk about the relationship between support worker and disabled person there is the warm and fuzzy – the helping and gratification model of support work, where the person is a hero for preforming the work, rather than a dedicated professional engaging in their work.
In contracts or “service agreements” there are “how we will treat you” and “how you will treat us” clauses that speak of mutual respect and kindness. So why does it feel like I will hurt a support worker’s feelings if I cancel a shift or choose someone else to do a shift instead of them? Is it the worry that they won’t come again and I will lose their services?
In looking at the “how we treat you”, there is a gaping hole of detail that does not acknowledge the power imbalance, the trauma that a disabled person carries with them, and the unique and personal experience of discrimination, subjugation and ‘othering’ that the person with disability has been a victim of all their lives.
We should be skilling our support teams with trauma informed practice. They should least have a basic understanding of how their presence is in fact that of power over us.
How many times have I heard “that client was mean” from support workers? Seriously, that person has a complex and difficult life and your feelings are hurt?
We are doing a disservice to professional and skilled support workers by allowing our leadership to allow the rogue element of workers, motivated by money, rather than professionals to populate the workforce – but how do we make a standard that protects everyone?
Scenarios that make us fearful include support workers not turning up for a shift or ringing at the last minute to say they are unwell.
Similarly, gaslighting where a support worker says that they don’t feel well and so, to make it easier on them, you scale back their work for the day and change your plans, so that you do not go out.
Also, If we change their agreed hours from say 8 hours to 5 hours and this results in their sudden inability to work for you anymore. They reason that they just cannot make ends meet with a reduction of hours. I mean with no overheads other than insurance and a base rate of $67 they are not that bad off.
These are real situations.
So how does policy and quality and safeguards protect the person with disability?
In light of the terrible flooding in NSW, and ongoing issues around cost of living, accessing services and housing availability, caring for our mental health is ever important and we want to remind everyone that help and understanding is available for anyone in need of an ear to listen, a shoulder to lean on or a heart to care.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and in need of support, please reach out to family, friends or a support organisation.
Keep in touch with your loved ones and be aware of those around you.
Take care of yourself and others.
You are not alone!
If you have been impacted by the NSW floods and need immediate (life-threatening) assistance, call 000 immediately and identify yourself as a person living with a disability.
For non-life-threatening flood and storm emergency help during severe weather, contact the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500.
The Australian Government also provides a helpful factsheet for those impacted by floods – https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2022/11/health-supports-for-flood-affected-australians.docx
Download the Hazards Near Me App (https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/hazards-near-me-app) for the latest warnings and information.
Residents can visit a Recovery Centre (https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/floods/recover/flood-recovery-updates#Recovery-centres-to-open-from-Tuesday-27-May) for practical recovery advice and support.
Learn more on flood safety and clean up advice (https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/recovery).
Lifeline on 13 11 14
Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
headspace on 1800 650 890
The severe weather system that brought record flooding across northern NSW is moving south and causing considerable damage on the NSW Central Coast, extending to parts of the South Coast.
For people living with a disability, this can be a particularly difficult and dangerous time and we encourage you to reach out for support if you are concerned about your safety.
Remember help is available and to make contact early, don’t wait until your circumstances are dire.
PDA’S President and QLD Director, Dr Sharon Boyce, was recently recognised at the 2025 Toowoomba Business Disability Awards.
As winner of the Education & Training Award, this accolade celebrates excellence in education and/or training within the Toowoomba and Darling Downs regions.
A most deserving recipient.
Congratulations Sharon.
Australian Communications Consumer Action Network – ACCAN is currently gathering insights and case studies to support their policy and advocacy work.
They want to make sure the communications experiences of people with disability are reflected in the issues they raise with government and industry.
Your help, through sharing feedback based on your experience and knowledge (even brief or de-identified), would be incredibly helpful.
ACCAN is particularly interested in:
If you are able to help work with ACCAN to shape their focus and work and moving forwards, please contact
Dr Amelia Radke (she/her)
Senior Policy Adviser
Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN)
PO Box A1158 Sydney South, NSW 1235
P: 02 9288 4000
E: amelia.radke@accan.org.au
One thing that we’re very proud of here at PDA is our great community of members, supporters and partnerships.
We love it when people get involved in our events and activities, and help to grow our organisation by sharing what we’re doing and encouraging others to join as members.
With this being National Volunteers’ Week, we thought we’d take advantage of this very special week to invite you to join us and make PDA the best it can be.
You can do this by:
However you want to get involved, we’d love to hear from you.
The Department of Social Services wants to hear your views on the way forward for supported and open employment – particularly in regards to:
This consultation is part of the DSS’ ongoing commitment to improve employment outcomes for people with disability.
Findings from the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability Final Report in relation to employment for people with disability, will be considered alongside this consultation.
Consultation closes on 22 June 2025 at 5pm AEST.
To be involved, please read the discussion paper (https://engage.dss.gov.au/next-steps-in-supported-employment-consultation-on-the-way-forward/supported-employment-discussion-paper/)
and then visit
where you can make a submission responding to the questions and topics.
You can also provide a submission by emailing SEPolicy@dss.gov.au.
For more information, please go to:
www.engage.dss.gov.au/next-steps-in-supported-employment-consultation-on-the-way-forward/
Join Participant First to have your say.
The best way to make the NDIS stronger is to listen to people with lived experience of disability and the NDIS.
The Participant First group is one way NDIS participants, families and carers can have their say about how to improve the NDIS experience, systems and processes.
The NDIS is calling for people within this demographic to sign up for the Participant First group and take part in activities such as:
Some of these feedback opportunities are paid.
Participant First members receive a newsletter every 2 weeks offering new opportunities to get involved.
As a member, you can choose to register for opportunities you’re interested in.
All feedback is confidential and doesn’t get added to official participant records.
Hear more from Participant First members by clicking on this video below:
If you’re interested in joining Participant First, go to:
If you have any questions, you can contact participant.engagement@ndis.gov.au.
Following the Australian Government’s ministry announcement, PDA congratulates Minister Mark Butler and Minister Jenny McAllister on their appointments.
Minister Butler has taken on the mantle of Minister for Health and Ageing, and the Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and Minister McAllister has stepped into the role of Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
In joint responsibility for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Butler is expected to lead negotiations with state government on hospital agreements and foundational supports, whilst delivery and implementation of that work will be led by McAllister.
With some concern around health, ageing and disability all being plunked in the same basket, Australia’s disability community now looks with interest at what will come.
With Government having taken on board the call for a Minister of Disability, let’s hope that Australians living with disability will still be provided with world-leading and life-changing supports.
The best way for this to happen is for those with lived experience to be part of the conversation and to provide insights necessary to make things work – not just on paper, but in the real world of disability.
Ministers Butler and McAllister, we’re happy to meet with you for a chat over a coffee or a pint. Give us a call and we’ll get something in the diary.
JUNE’S SOCIAL HOUR HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED to MONDAY 9th JUNE.
SOCIAL HOURS WILL RETURN TO THE FIRST MONDAY OF THE MONTH FROM JULY ONWARDS.
We look forward to seeing you there.
6pm VIC/ACT/TAS/NSW/QLD
5:30pm SA/NT
4pm WA
To register, go to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqc–qqjkjG903J2KoieI9ASVSig7b4mxr
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1800 732 674
