Australian Federation of Disability Organisations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 14TH SEPTEMBER 2009

The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) today welcomed the release of the Federal Government’s National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy.

“We’re pleased that the government has committed to reforming the Disability Employment Network and to educating employers,” said Lesley Hall, AFDO CEO. “However, we’re concerned that some of the measures within the Strategy which are about encouraging people with disability to work paint a picture that people with disability are work shy. We know that people with disability want to work. The Australian government should be showing that fact to the rest of the community through clear, compulsory targets for public service jobs for people with disability.”

In late July members of the disability and ageing sectors met to discuss the 'Access All Areas' report on the draft Access to Premises Standard, released by the House of Representatives Legislative and Constitutional Affairs Committee. The organisations at that meeting endorsed the following sector wide statement, which has now been sent to the relevant politicians.

AFDO is keen for other organisations in the disability and ageing sectors to endorse this statement, so that our ongoing work in this area can have a stronger impact.

‘Shut Out’ Report Welcomed by Peak Disability Group

For Immediate Release 5th AUGUST 2009

The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) today congratulated the Federal government for continuing to meet its election commitment to improving the lives of people with disability by releasing a report on the barriers they face.

“The Shut Out report clearly tells us that now is the time for positive change,” said Lesley Hall, AFDO CEO. “No matter what disability you have or when you become disabled, if you live in Australia at the moment you’ll face the results of decades of systemic neglect.”

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. 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.

If you have any questions or tho

The House of Representatives Legislative and Constitutional Affairs Committee recently released a report on the draft Access to Premises Standard called Access All Areas. The report contained a number of recommendations which are now being considered by the government.

AFDO has produced two documents for people interested in responding to the report. They are:

The Australian government has committed to creating a National Disability Parking Scheme to replace the different schemes currently operating in each State and Territory. At the moment, the government is asking the community how the new national scheme should work. AFDO will be talking to the government about the scheme and would like to be able to put forward the views of people with a range of disabilities.