Australian Federation of Disability Organisations

Here is an overview of current activities of the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO). This is not an exhaustive list nor does it discuss any area of work in any detail. It is anticipated that for future issues of this newsletter, articles on particular projects or policy initiatives will be provided.

AFDO has developed a Strategic Plan which is available on our website (www.afdo.org.au). The plan covers the work of AFDO over a five year period, from 2006 - 2010. To guide the work of the organisation each year, a more detailed business plan is developed and regularly reported against for the Board.

The AFDO Strategic Plan identifies five strategic objectives. They are:
• A fairer income support system for people with a disability
• Develop a proposal for an effective & fair system/model of providing disability services
• Work to achieve a national employment strategy for people with disability
• Influence Government policy which relates to disability
• Develop policies and processes that strengthen AFDO and support its policy priorities

AFDO staff and Board undertake work on each of these strategic priorities, to differing degrees. For example, in the area of the employment, the primary work for AFDO for 2006/2007 is undertaken by the Board employment sub-committee. To progress work in some areas, AFDO works to obtain project funding.

In recent months the work undertaken by AFDO staff and project workers has included:
• Consulting with people with disability on the operation of the Commonwealth- State/Territory Disability Agreement for the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
• Developing an Access to Premises campaign
• Collecting case studies about the impact of the Welfare to Work policy
• Preparing a submission to the Australian Fair Pay Commission 2007 review of minimum wages
• Inputting to the Australia Fair campaign and
• Participating in a national forum about the way that emergency services communicate with the community during emergencies.

AFDO is represented on a number of committees and forums putting forward the interest of people with disability. Some of the committees and forums are in areas like human rights, Medicare, transport and the Access Card. We are also regularly called upon to comment on issues and make presentations on a wide range of topics.

In the area of governance, AFDO is currently developing a risk management strategy. We expect this to be finalised by June. AFDO is also in the process of recruiting a new CEO.

Future issues of this newsletter will include more detailed articles on our work.