Australian Federation of Disability Organisations -

Disability Support Pension(DSP) and Impairment Table Changes.

mitchell — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 00:00:00 +1000

A review of the Impairment tables have been undertaken by the federal government. The impairment Tables help manage the DSP (disability Support Pension). AFDO has made a submission to the senate committee enquiringly about the changes. They have some concerns about the changes.

AFDO's submission to the Committee can be found Here.

For more information about the changes, please look Here

AFDO and PWDA: Disability representative organisations welcome funds for NDIS

leah — Tue, 08 May 2012 21:40:48 +1000

MEDIA RELEASE

8 May 2012

Disability representative organisations welcome funds for NDIS

AFDO and PWDA tonight warmly welcomed the strong commitment made in the budget to the development of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The allocation of $1billion over 4 years will go towards the building blocks of a revolutionary new scheme, which will eventually replace the current broken, unfair and underfunded system across the country.

AFDO and PWDA: Budget should prioritise disability

leah — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:30:28 +1000

Federal Budget should Prioritise Disability

The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) and People with Disability Australia (PWDA) have called upon the Federal government to provide a strong focus on supporting people with disability to be included in the community as part of tonight’s Budget.

“People with disability have the same rights to be included in all areas of Australian life as every other citizen,” said Lesley Hall, AFDO CEO.

Communique from the Joint Sector Meeting on the NDIS

leah — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:35:38 +1100

On February 16th and 17th disabled people's organisations from across Australia came together to discuss their collective ideas for the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The group talked about progress so far and agreed to a number of working groups to look at specific areas in more detail. The next joint meeting will be held on May 2nd in Canberra.

Attached is a Communique from the February meeting.

AFDO Submission: Response to the National Human Rights Action Plan

leah — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:11:33 +1100

The Attorney General's Department is currently developing a National Human Rights Action Plan. AFDO has provided feedback to the government about the Draft Plan and the proposed actions which would affect people with disability.

For more information about the government's work in this area, go to the

AFDO Submission: Response to the National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan

leah — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:49:47 +1100

As part of its commitment to a National Disability Strategy, the Federal government has worked with states and territories to produce an Implementation Plan. AFDO provided the attached comments to government during a consultation ahead of the next COAG meeting to be held in early 2012.

AFDO Submission: Roadmap for Mental Health Reform

leah — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:44:05 +1100

The federal government recently asked for comments on the Roadmap for Mental Health Reform. Attached is AFDO's submission.

AFDO Submission: Consolidation of Anti Discrimination Laws

leah — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:43:03 +1100

The Federal government is currently looking to combine several anti-discrimination laws - the Disability Discrimination Act, the Age Discrimination Act, the Racial Discrimination Act and the Sec Discrimination Act - to form one law. AFDO has made a submission to the government about what the changes should include.

If you have any questions about this submission, please contact Leah Hobson, Nat

AFDO Media Release: People with disability tell Mr Abbott "Commitment is great, but why should we wait?"

leah — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:36:14 +1100

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 31st January 2012

The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) today congratulated Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott for clearly endorsing the idea for a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). However, Mr Abbott’s statement that the NDIS should wait until the Budget had a “strong surplus” drew stern criticism.

“At the moment, many people with disability are struggling to get even their basic rights met,” said Ms Lesley Hall, AFDO CEO. “There are people living without crucial equipment, such as hearing aids, or personal supports, like a worker to help you shower more than a couple of times a week. These people are sick of waiting for the things other Australians take for granted, and we challenge Mr Abbott to tell us why they should.”

AFDO Media Release: Law Clipping the Wings of People with Disability

leah — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:18:19 +1100

For Immediate Release January 16th 2012

Law Clipping the Wings of People with Disability

The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) has called for an overhaul of disability discrimination laws in light of Friday’s Federal Court ruling in King vs. Jetstar. The ruling found that while Jetstar had discriminated against Ms Sheila King, a wheelchair user, by not allowing her on a flight which already had two other wheelchair users, it had done so for reasons of unjustifiable hardship. Jetstar argued that a higher cap on the number of wheelchair users per flight would lead to longer turnaround times and ultimately, fewer flights.