Author: Natasha Nobay

“Melbourne family’s flight harness ordeal spurs call for better airline disability protocols.

A Melbourne family says a recent travel experience has highlighted different airline approaches to disability seating on flights.

The Qasim family have urged airlines to adopt more inclusive policies to assist passengers.

Disability advocates are calling for national changes in the wake of a comprehensive paper released last year…

The CEO of Physical Disability Australia Ltd (PDA), Jeremy Muir, said the family’s experience was frustratingly common.

“If you went to the airlines and asked them what their rules were, they would probably clearly state that they ensure that every passenger is treated equally,” Mr Muir said.

“But on the ground it doesn’t always happen that way.” “

READ Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) article:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-01/melbourne-family-cerebral-palsy-refused-harness-qatar-oman-air/104988898

WATCH Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) News’ video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7-u_x206HA

People with disability can sometimes be vulnerable to unfair treatment at work. As people living with disability, we’ve all heard the stories – some of us might even have personal experience of poor treatment.

On Wednesday 19th March at 6:30pm (AEST) – Joseph Mitchell, Assistant Secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), will be joining us to talk about the work unions are doing to ensure the rights of workers are upheld including specific work that supports people with disability.

It is important to remember that everyone has a number of basic rights at work, including:

• the right to fair pay and conditions
• the right to equitable treatment
• the right to speak up about working conditions
• the right to relevant training
• the right to be safe
• the right to belong to a union.

Without the work of unions and union members over the last century, we wouldn’t have many of the conditions we take for granted today – the eight hour day, paid sick leave, parental leave, superannuation, penalty rates and fair pay.

This webinar is a must for anyone interested gaining a better understanding of workplace rights. Even if you are retired, you might pick up important points that could help friends and family members.

To register for this webinar, go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bOuj9sSPTF6pF4dRKiBfvA

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

If you have any questions around employment that you would like Joseph to answer, please email promotion@pda.org.au or ask a question via the online chat during the webinar.

The AEC (Australian Electoral Commission) is working hard to provide equitable access to voting for people with disability.

With the federal election looming, they have provided a range of accessible information and services that will be available to support participation.

Recent changes to the Commonwealth Electoral Act have modernised language, and enhanced access to voter services by broadening the eligibility criteria for postal and pre-poll voting to include people with disability and their carers.

Alternative voting options are available for people unable to attend a polling place or those who cannot vote on election day. These include:

• * Telephone voting – for voters who are blind or have low vision
• * Postal voting – for voters, including people with disability and those caring for them. Applications for a one-off postal vote will open when the election is announced to then receive ballot papers in the mail. If the voter has difficulty writing, a friend or family member can help a person complete the ballot paper and envelope.
  To receive ballot papers in the mail for all future elections people can apply to be registered as a general postal voter.
• * Early voting will be available and commence two weeks before election day. The AEC anticipates that over 500 early voting centres will open nationally.
• * Mobile voting teams will visit many people who can’t travel to a polling place including people living in residential facilities for people with disability, residential aged care, and in some hospitals and mental health facilities.
• * Polling place assistance – people who need assistance to vote can be supported by a person they nominate, such as a family member, friend or carer. AEC staff are also trained and available to assist people where required.

Accessibility of services

The AEC’s commitment to increase the number of accessible polling places for the next election will see around 7,000 polling places for the 2025 election for both early voting and on election day. Of these approximately 43% will be fully wheelchair accessible and a further 48% will have assisted wheelchair access.

Once the election has been called, locations and hours of polling places will be published on the ‘Where to vote’ tool on the AEC website (https://www.aec.gov.au/voting/ways_to_vote/). This will include the accessibility rating and services for each polling place so that voters are able to make informed decisions about the most appropriate polling place to visit.

The AEC will also maintain the use of assistive technology including:

• * Auslan interpreters – every polling place offers access to a virtual Auslan interpreter service, accessed by scanning the QR code on the poster in the polling place.
• * Hearing loops and text to speech pens will be available in selected polling places in each electoral division. The location of these devices can be searched in the ‘Where to vote’ tool on the AEC website (https://www.aec.gov.au/voting/ways_to_vote/) or by calling 13 23 26.

Physical Disability Australia – PDA will provide updates as they are made available.

ACCAN (Australian Communications Consumer Action Network) has developed Accessible Telecoms.

It is an extremely useful free service to find independent and up-to-date information on telecommunication products and services that are suitable for seniors and people with disabilities.

On the website you can access information on topics such as:

• Devices Search – to search for phones, tablets, accessories or apps suitable for people with specific needs or disabilities.
• Telecom Training – search for training about how to use telecommunication devices.
• National Relay Service – learn how the NRS can assist you in making phone calls. This service is particularly useful for people with hearing loss or speech impairment.

https://www.accessibletelecoms.org.au

Written by Laura Scurr – PDA’s QLD Associate Director

When I finished my accountancy degree in 2010, I couldn’t begin to imagine the challenges I would face trying to secure work as a graduate with a disability or that it would take three years before I secured meaningful employment. I ‘ve had a colourful and varied career journey since then, owning three businesses and experiencing a multitude of highs and lows. Which is why, when I first heard about the YConnect program (which is delivered by YWCA Australia) in late 2021, I instantly recognised the need for the program and the positive influence it could have on employment for people with disability. 

The YWCA YConnect program assists women and gender diverse people living with a disability to achieve their career development goals by participating in a range of professional development activities including networking opportunities, career counselling sessions, classes and workshops. YConnect also works with the business community to actively tackle the myths and fears associated with employing people with disability. The programs offered by YWCA Australia’s YConnect have been developed based on consultations with our participants. The programs offered cover topics such as; how to dress for work, basic, intermediate and advanced computer skills, your rights and responsibilities in the workplace, bullying, how to talk to your employer about your needs, how to create a LinkedIn profile and much more. We’ve even offered a series of workshops on what you need to consider when starting your own business.

Had this program been available 10 years earlier, I have no doubt that it would have assisted me in my employment journey. In addition to being a part of the organising committee and a facilitator and/or co-facilitator of many of the workshops, I’ve personally gained great value by joining some of the workshops as a participant, particularly the bullying workshop. Sadly, like many workers with a disability, I have experienced workplace bullying and the topics covered in the bullying workshop gave me a better understanding of the warning signs to look for when faced with these issues and more importantly where to go for help.

Whilst the YWCA Australia YConnect program is currently only available to those living in the Toowoomba region, it would be great to see it expanded nationwide. The issue of disability employment is not confined to a single region and it would be great to see this fabulous program available to more people.

PHOTO ABOVE: The YWCA Australia YConnect Advisory Committee – (Left to Right): Tanja, Laura, Alyce, Francene

“The Australian Government’s Digital ID app is now known as myID.

It has a new name and new look, but how you use it remains the same.

What you need to know

There’s nothing you need to do.

You still have:

• * The same details: there’s no need to set up a new myID. Your login details (including email address) and identity strength remain the same.
• * Continued use: your existing app should have automatically updated – if not, you can manually update it from the App Store or Google Play.
• * Access to services: you can continue to access the services you used with your myGovID. When logging into an online service, you may now need to select myID as your identity provider.

While we transition, you may see references to both myID and myGovID.

Why the change

The change aims to reduce the ongoing confusion between the app’s previous name ( myGovID) and myGov.

The new name for the Australian Government Digital ID app reflects the community’s evolving understanding of Digital IDExternal link and demonstrates how a whole-of-government ID provider can help protect Australians from identity theft and fraud.

Avoid scams

It is important to be aware of fraudulent websites, apps and phishing scams.

While we transition, you may see references to both myID and myGovID.

You do not need to set up a new myID or reconfirm your details. If you’ve been prompted to go to a website to do so, this is a scam.

Be cautious as scammers can make fake websites or apps that look just like myID or myGovID.

To help protect yourself:

• * don’t click on suspicious links, open attachments or download any files from suspicious emails or SMS. We will never send an unsolicited SMS that contains a hyperlink
• * When logging in to an online service with myID, ensure that the URL displayed in your browser includes ‘https://www.myID.gov.au’ or ‘https://myID.gov.auExternal link’.
• * only download the myID app from the official app stores (Google Play or the App Store).”

https://www.myid.gov.au/mygovid-now-myid

The effervescent Rayna Lamb was a guest speaker at our Physical Disability Awareness Day’s online DisabiliTEA event on February 2nd 2025.

She shared her story and gave cautionary advice on avoiding burnout and always being mindful of our health and wellbeing.

To watch this great talk, click below

Whilst you’re there, we invite you to subscribe to PDA’s YouTube channel.

The charismatic Peter Tully spoke at this year’s Physical Disability Awareness Day’s online DisabiliTEA event around his personal story and how through sharing our experiences and being involved in co-design can lead to positive change.

To watch this great talk, click below.

Whilst you’re there, we invite you to subscribe to PDA’s YouTube channel.

The fabulous Alyce Nelligan was one of the guest speakers at this year’s Physical Disability Awareness Day’s online DisabiliTEA event.

She shared her story and her thoughts on the importance of days such as mPhysical Disability Awareness Day in bringing about positive change for all people living with disability.

To watch this great talk, click below.

Whilst you’re there, we invite you to subscribe to PDA’s YouTube channel.

#physicaldisabilityawarenessday

On Sunday 2nd February we hosted the 3rd Physical Disability Awareness Day and were incredibly fortunate to have four amazing speakers attend our online DisabiliTEA event.

Dr Dinesh Palipana OAM (PDA’s Ambassador) was one of these illustrious guests.

Dinesh Palipana joined us whilst on duty in the A&E Department at Gold Coast University Hospital. He shared his thoughts around his recent 15 year anniversary of becoming a quadriplegic, where he believes things need to change in regards to healthcare and other issues of concern to people living with disability and how we can help to drive positive change.

A big thanks to you Dinesh for joining us on the day and his ongoing support of PDA and Australia’s disability community.