Australian Federation of Disability Organisations

Do you have a disability and require support workers to assist you? What are some of the issues you are facing with regard to your support workers?

AFDO is holding consultations around these issues and we’d like to hear directly from people with disabilities. During Round 1 there will be focus groups in Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth. If you live elsewhere and would like to be involved in a focus group during Round 2 let us know. For information on the focus groups, please click here

For the last few years the Australian Rail Association (ARA) through its Standards process of Rail Institute Safety and Standards Board (RISSB) has been compiling an Accessible Rail Services Code of Practice. This Code of Practice will set out the Standards whereby operators in the rail industry must provide accessibility for people with disabilities to the rail environment under the provisions of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport (2002) under the Disability Discrimination Act (1992).

In November 2009, the Federal Government announced a Productivity Commission inquiry into disability care and support. You can find out more about the inquiry by going to the Productivity Commission website.

Two things have led to this inquiry.

The National Disability and Carer's Alliance has been calling for a National Disability Insurance Scheme to make sure people with disability can get funding for supports. You can find out more about the Alliance and the Scheme by visiting the National Disability Insurance Scheme site.

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.

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: