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 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.

AFDO 2011 End of Year Update

leah — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:50:37 +1100

AFDO End of Year Update

Below is some information about the work undertaken by AFDO staff and AFDO representatives over the past year. If you would like to find out more about any of this work, or to discuss other issues of concern, please contact our office on 03 9662 3324 or office@afdo.org.au.

National Disability Insurance Scheme

In February 2011, the Productivity Commission released their draft Report into Disability Care and Support, sparking a second round of consultations. AFDO conducted consultations in rural and regional Australia thanks to a grant from the Department of Families, Housing, Community Affairs and Indigenous Affairs. Some of the grant money was given to other organizations to consult within their local networks.

AFDO responds to Article 32 CRPD for OHCHR Study

mitchell — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 14:37:59 +1100

The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) believes that Article 32 International Cooperation is one of the key articles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as it requires States, UN Agencies and International Organisations to involve disabled peoples organisations (a disabled peoples’ organisation is run and controlled by a majority of persons with disabilities) as equal partners in all areas of international development both internally and externally.

AFDO Productivity Comission Submission

mitchell — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 11:17:16 +1100

AFDO has made its submission to the Productivity Commission inquiry into a Long Term Care and Support Scheme for people with disability. Should you have any questions about this submission, please contact Leah Hobson by emailing leah.hobson@afdo.org.au or calling 03 9662 3324.

Update: A second and final round of submissions have gone out in April 2011. AFDO has continued to monitor the situation and is lobby for a positive Government response in between July and November.

AFDO Social Inclusion Policy Paper

leah — Mon, 10 May 2010 17:22:04 +1000

Each year AFDO writes a policy paper. This year, AFDO looked at social inclusion. How good is the information about people with disability and social inclusion? Do the government and the community recognise the needs of people with disability in all areas of social inclusion? This paper especially responds to the government's social inclusion policy agen