A review of the Impairment tables have been undertaken by the federal government. The impairment Tables help manage the DSP (disability Support Pension). AFDO has made a submission to the senate committee enquiringly about the changes. They have some concerns about the changes.

AFDO's submission to the Committee can be found Here.

For more information about the changes, please look Here

For Immediate Release January 16th 2012

Law Clipping the Wings of People with Disability

The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) has called for an overhaul of disability discrimination laws in light of Friday’s Federal Court ruling in King vs. Jetstar. The ruling found that while Jetstar had discriminated against Ms Sheila King, a wheelchair user, by not allowing her on a flight which already had two other wheelchair users, it had done so for reasons of unjustifiable hardship. Jetstar argued that a higher cap on the number of wheelchair users per flight would lead to longer turnaround times and ultimately, fewer flights.

AFDO End of Year Update

Below is some information about the work undertaken by AFDO staff and AFDO representatives over the past year. If you would like to find out more about any of this work, or to discuss other issues of concern, please contact our office on 03 9662 3324 or office@afdo.org.au.

National Disability Insurance Scheme

In February 2011, the Productivity Commission released their draft Report into Disability Care and Support, sparking a second round of consultations. AFDO conducted consultations in rural and regional Australia thanks to a grant from the Department of Families, Housing, Community Affairs and Indigenous Affairs. Some of the grant money was given to other organizations to consult within their local networks.

The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) believes that Article 32 International Cooperation is one of the key articles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as it requires States, UN Agencies and International Organisations to involve disabled peoples organisations (a disabled peoples’ organisation is run and controlled by a majority of persons with disabilities) as equal partners in all areas of international development both internally and externally.

AFDO has made its submission to the Productivity Commission inquiry into a Long Term Care and Support Scheme for people with disability. Should you have any questions about this submission, please contact Leah Hobson by emailing leah.hobson@afdo.org.au or calling 03 9662 3324.

Update: A second and final round of submissions have gone out in April 2011. AFDO has continued to monitor the situation and is lobby for a positive Government response in between July and November.

Each year AFDO writes a policy paper. This year, AFDO looked at social inclusion. How good is the information about people with disability and social inclusion? Do the government and the community recognise the needs of people with disability in all areas of social inclusion? This paper especially responds to the government's social inclusion policy agen

The Consultation report on the National Disability Parking Scheme has now been released.

To view a copy of the report go to

For a copy of the consultation report go to

National Disability Parking Scheme

Attached is the AFDO Submission to the Inquiry conducted by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FAHCSIA) into the Harmonisation of Disability Parking Schemes during 2009. Thanks to everyone who has given us valuable input towards this submission through posts on our website and Facebook page, and through our member organisations.