AFDO Update – 20 June 2014

A fortnightly update from Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO).

CEO Update

I've received a number of calls recently for interviews regarding the NDIS, particularly in relation to individual stories in the trial sites. There are some real advancement's with the NDIS which don't seem to be getting a mention.

Firstly, the NDIA is always open to discussion on how to improve their systems for people with disability, however in the old state systems there were a vast number of 'givens' like institutionalisation and unit cost. For a scheme that has been going for only one year, the NDIS offers a lot more flexibility.

Secondly, Victorian people with disability and their carers have also had their lives destroyed by long waiting times on the Disability Support Register (waiting list for services). People in crisis situations have had no services and have experienced significant trauma over months and years. The trial sites however have funding to remove the waiting lists altogether, yet many of these progressive reforms are also not getting the recognition they deserve.

NDIS Information

NDIS Planning guide and workbook - NEW

The Planning workbook has been designed to assist you to identify your needs, goals and current supports and start the planning process. To download the NDIS Planning guide and workbook follow http://www.ndis.gov.au/document/820

Information for families and carers

You provide help and support that cannot be provided by formal services or paid support workers.
One of the core aims of the National Disability Insurance Scheme is to better support families and carers, in your caring roles. http://www.ndis.gov.au/families-and-carers/information-families-and-carers

Brochures and booklets

Deaf Australia Survey:

Have your say about the NDIS trial sites http://deafaustralia.org.au/survey-have-your-say-about-the-ndis-trial-sites

Call for Volunteers

Disability Networking Zone: World AIDS Conference 2014 - Sunday 20 to Friday 25 July

During the World AIDS Conference here in Melbourne in July, the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO), the Australian Disability and Development Consortium (ADDC) and People With Disability Australia (PWDA) have joined with the International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC) to establish a Disability Networking Zone, to inform participants at the conference of the issues regarding people with disabilities.

The Disability Networking Zone will be located within the conference's Global Village. It is free to the public and open to the 15,000 participants attending the conference so it will be a vibrant meeting place for people from all around the world. The Global Village will have 20 other networking zones and 81 booths representing organisations globally.

If you would like to be part of these activities during the conference and would like to volunteer your time to help out in the Disability Networking Zone, we will be happy to have you involved.

Unfortunately, we are unable to contribute to any public transport fares, meals or other costs as we are working to a very small budget to get this event up and running. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to hearing from you.

Please e-mail Frank Hall-Bentick fhallbentick@optusnet.com.au to indicate your interest and availability and to ask any questions about volunteering in our Disability Networking Zone.