With the new NDIS laws coming into effect on Thursday (3rd October), there’s a lot of concern, confusion and stress around the way that this will impact participants of the scheme.
These adjustments will bring new rules for participants and how their funding can be used.
Whilst the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), has made assurances around keeping participants informed, there is still no definitive clarity or reassurances ahead of Thursday’s changes.
We can only hope that these modifications are clearly and easily understood and that the NDIS keeps those it was established for central and paramount to this new version.
PDA would appreciate hearing your thoughts and concerns around these changes. Please leave a comment below or email us at promotion@pda.org.au.
A collaboration between People with Disability Australia and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia is taking place to develop comprehensive educational resources for court professionals.
This initiative underscores the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia’s commitment to enhancing accessibility and support for individuals with disability who engage with the court system.
The first phase of the project involves a Lived Experience Survey to gain insight into the experiences of people with disability who have accessed the FCFCOA in the last three years.
The insights and findings from this survey, along with individual feedback sessions from court staff will be used to tailor education and training programs for court staff.
If you are a person with disability who has had experience with the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia in the last three years, please complete the survey or share with anyone you know who fits these criteria.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VJXM5C9
Did you know that physical disability accounts for *76.8% of Australia’s disability community?
There is a huge myriad of conditions that fall under the umbrella of physical disability, which is defined as affecting a person’s mobility, physical capacity, stamina or dexterity.
Physical Disability Australia has been around since 1995 and is one of a very small handful of Australian disability organisations that actually has members and board representation in every Australian state and territory.
This gives us a national footprint and allows PDA to truly have its finger on the pulse of disability in our country.
It is through this representation that our strong voice is heard and that we are included in Australia’s disability conversation.
If you haven’t yet signed up for our FREE MEMBERSHIP, we encourage you to do so by going to our signup page:
It’s quick, easy and available to Australians living with physical disability, their families, friends, carers, support workers, providers and anyone with a supportive interest in being involved in an organisation that truly understands and stands for the needs, rights and consideration of its members.
Together with the support of our incredible members and the ongoing work of our Board, we will continue to shine as an informed, influential, visible, active and connected organisation that puts disability rights at the forefront of all that we do.
If you haven’t signed up for FREE PDA MEMBERSHIP, what’s stopping you?
Join today.
You’ll be glad that you did.
*https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/disability/disability-ageing-and-carers-australia-summary-findings/latest-release
In supporting our members and Australia’s disability community, Physical Disability Australia understands the importance of being kept up to date with news, opportunities, events and important issues.
We also value hearing the thoughts and experiences that give perspective on what’s truly happening and affecting our people.
That’s why we encourage you to stay in the loop in a number of key ways:
You’re also invited to join our monthly online catch-ups via Zoom:
Join us!
Together we are a voice that will be heard and a force that will continue to steer positive change for Australia’s #disability community.
As the Labor Government moves to begin mandatory registration of all NDIS providers, disability advocates and participants are concerned that this needs to be looked in to further and that co-design has to sit front and centre of this process.
With great fear that added associated regulatory burdens will lead to sole traders and small organisations being pushed out of the market, participants’ choice and control will be further flattened – particularly in services with poor supply or availability issues.
Are you concerned about the impact that enforced provider registration will have on your supports and choice?
With the release of the Disability Reform Roadmap for 2024 and 2025, a clearer picture of governments’ agenda and calendar has been revealed.
https://www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers/disability-reform-roadmap
However, is this transparency and scheduled action dates enough of a commitment and promise to Australia’s disability community and how much input, consultation and co-design will come from those dependent on the Scheme being made right and fit for purpose?
We’d love to hear your thoughts.
PAID OPPORTUNITY
The Health Care Consumers’ Association, in conjunction with the Australian Medical Council, is currently undertaking a review of the Specialist Medical Program Standards which looks at how specialists are trained in Australia.
www.amc.org.au/accredited-organisations/specialist-medical-programs-standards-review/
As part of this, they will be running focus groups to hear about the experiences of consumers with specialist doctors and trainees and want to hear the perspectives of people with disability living in Australia and their carers who have seen a specialist or specialist trainee in the past 5 years.
Focus groups will be held online in October or November 2024 and participants will receive a $75 gift voucher for participating.
If you’d like to be involved, you can find out more and register your interest by going to:
https://forms.office.com/r/JB7xEfZV1L
With changes to NDIS legislation set to hit on 3 October 2024, there has been a lot of confusion, concern and frustration around how this will impact participants.
NDIA’s CEO, Rebecca Falkingham, has penned a response to help alleviate the uncertainties and apprehension around this major revamp.
You can read it by going to https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/10372-message-ceo-about-changes-ndis-legislation
There have been promises of a commitment by the NDIA to work with the disability community to make the NDIS stronger through feedback and co-design and to ensure that changes made are done right.
So what are your thoughts and feelings on this new NDIS chapter?
What concerns do you personally have as an NDIS participant?
Where do you see a need for reform or direction?
What really needs to change in the way the scheme operates?
Today is the official day highlighting the importance in asking R U Ok?, but it’s also important for us to be aware that people need support, kindness and understanding each and every day of the year.
Don’t assume that a smile means that everything’s fine and that someone isn’t going through a tough time or struggling to feel connected and supported.
So when you feel that someone is in need of a hug, a chat, a vent or simply to be seen and acknowledged, reach out and genuinely ask “are you OK?”
Be prepared to listen to them and be present.
You may help someone and make a hugely positive mark in their life…and your’s.
Be the person who cared and made a difference, not the person who walked away.
A conversation could change a life.
If you are concerned for your safety or the safety of others, please seek immediate assistance by calling Triple Zero (000).
If you’re struggling and need help or support, please reach out to family, friends, colleagues, your GP, or any of the services below NOW.
You are worth it. You are important. You are loved.
Lifeline (24/7)
13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au
Beyond Blue (24/7)
1300 224 636 beyondblue.org.au
13 YARN (24/7)
13 92 76 | 13yarn.org.au
Support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
QLife (3pm-midnight)
1800 184 527 | qlife.org.au Anonymous, free LGBTIQ+ support
Kids Helpline (24/7, for ages 5-25)
1800 55 1800 | kidshelpline.com.au
Suicide Call Back Service (24/7)
1300 659 467 suicidecallbackservice.org.au
MensLine (24/7)
1300 78 99 78 | mensline.org.au
1800RESPECT (24/7)
1800 737 732
1800respect.org.au
24/7 free counselling and support for people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence.
Following our plans to restructure, and as we begin the search for PDA’s first CEO, there have been a few changes in our ranks.
Andrew Fairbairn has stood down from his role as President to support the team as interim Executive Officer and, after elections were held by our Board yesterday, Tim Harte has moved to fill the position of President until November’s AGM.
We are very excited about the moves we are making and a future of tremendous growth and success.
Please join us in welcoming Andrew and Tim to their new roles within PDA.
1800 732 674
