Australian Federation of Disability Organisations

From the Chair

On behalf of the board of AFDO I would like to thank Jeremy for his time and commitment to ensuring the voice of people with disability was heard while he was at AFDO. We wish him the best in his future roles.

We are also welcoming our new CEO, Lesley Hall, who will be starting at AFDO in mid September. Lesley has a wealth of experience in the disability sector, particularly in Victoria, and has worked in community organisations as an advocate and activist. We look forward to Lesley’s input into AFDO.

Samantha Jenkinson
September 2008

The Work

The new government appears to be well entrenched and with this they have created a significant amount of work for those organisations working with in the disability sector, us included.

For your information the National Disability Strategy development is underway with Maurice Corcoran (SA) and Claire Thorne (VIC) being seconded to FaHCSIA for a six month period. Indications are that the government want the actual development stage to be completed by December this year, so that means there is plenty of work to be done. Obviously it is expected that AFDO and its members will have significant influence on the development of the strategy.

Other consultations we have ensured we are involved in or have been asked to be involved in have included:

• Inquiry into Better Support for Carers - submitted
• Tariff concessions – points forwarded to FaHCSIA
• UN Convention (ongoing)
• Business Services Awards – provided information relating to award criteria
• National Disability Advocacy Program
• Job Capacity Assessments/ Disability Employment Networks - submitted
• National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy - submitted
• Social Inclusion Agenda - submitted
• National Aviation Policy - submitted

Other Activities we have undertaken include:

• Contributions and consultations on the (NMH&DES)
• Conversion of the Easy English Governance Manual
• Facilitated and engaged Ashley Heenan to undertake further consultations around the Transport Standards review

Members Meeting

We held our second member’s meeting of the year in Hobart on the 3 & 4 June, and yes it was cold.

We discussed a number of issues and 4 staff from FaHCSIA attended and listened to a range of issues from the members. It was great learning curve for the new FaHCSIA staff and I believe they left knowing that we are very committed to our cause on improving the lives of people with disabilities.

AFDO Conference

The AFDO conference will be going ahead in the first half of 2009, so preparations are well underway. The final date will be distributed soon. We expect to have a great line up of international and Australian speakers with more to follow.

Sponsorship is still being sort for the conference, so if you know any organisations that may be interested in sponsoring a part of the AFDO conference please contact Brenda in the AFDO office.

Other Information

Niki Sheldon commenced with us on the 21st July for a period of six months as the new National Policy Officer. We are very excited in having Niki join AFDO as she brings a great deal of knowledge and experience to the role. I think it is also safe to say that Niki is also very happy about working for AFDO.

Leah Hobson from Blind Citizens Australia is also assisting in the AFDO office one day a week. Thanks Leah!

I wish AFDO, the staff, the Board and its member organisations all the best for the future and believe that there is an excellent opportunity for the facilitation of positive change in the lives of Australians living with a disability.

Jeremy Muir
CEO