Welcome to the next issue of the AFDO newsletter.

In this issue ....

In the office

AFDO inaugral CEO elected President World Blind Union
AFDO congratulates Maryanne Diamond on her election, unopposed, to the presidency of the World Blind Union.

Bill Shorten, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services
In the six months since Prime Minister Kevin Rudd gave me the privilege of serving with Jenny Macklin as Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, I have been shocked to learn of and witness first hand the entrenched second class status afforded to Australians with a mental illness or disability.

Fire or Flood? Is the Slow Burn at an End?
Samantha Jenkinson, Chair of the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations presented a speech on employment to the Julia Farr "The Good, The Bad and the Unfair" forum.

Shine on Christopher!
It is with joy and immense sadness that I write this tribute to Christopher Newell. Joy – in having known a person who has touched me with his kindness, friendship and his intellect and immense sadness because he is no longer with us.
(Article published in Link Magazine)

The 5th National Deafness Sector Summit
AFDO Board member Kaye Gooch report

The National Disability Strategy. Can it make connections for people with a disability?
The federal government's announcement of the social inclusion agenda left people with disability feeling hopeful. The further announcements of the National Disability Strategy (NDS) and the National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy (NMHDES) made us feel that maybe change can happen.

Samantha Jenkinson
AFDO Chairperson

Accessible Accommodation
The University of Tasmania has accommodation available over the summer period (start of December to end of January) at it's Hobart site.