In my short time with AFDO I have spent most of my time consulting with members about what we should say to the Federal Government about the Pension Review. It was a fascinating piece of work to do. The submission has now been sent off and thanks again for every ones input and support in its writing. I really do think that the AFDO’s call for an allowance to cover our extra costs of disability has been heard. The Pension Review Report will test this.

Since beginning work here at AFDO I have attended meetings about : the strategy promoting the employment of people with disabilities and the future of the Disability Employment Services, the needs of carers, the future of reference groups for Centrelink, an initial meeting with two members of the Social Inclusion Board, senior government officers about disability employment services, the social compact and research options for the Fair Pay Commission.

I am currently involved in developing AFDO submissions to government in response to: the Discussion paper on the Future of Disability Employment Services in Australia, the proposed legislative amendments to the Disability Discrimination Act and analysing AFDO members’ submissions on the National Disability Strategy in preparation to write our own submission.

I would like to thank AFDO for this unique opportunity of working with you all and to say how challenging and thought provoking the experience has been. I really do believe that new Federal Government is determined to listen to people with disabilities and we now have an opportunity to put lots of positive proposals and ideas to them. It’s now up to organisations like AFDO to develop some new and fantastic projects which will lead and show people where the services and systems can and should go.