The abilityNEWS Daily
The Big Story
Carol Taylor
‘No, It Can’t Be Done’: Carol Taylor’s Life-Saving Battle with Bias in Healthcare
A webinar organised by Physical Disability Australia features contributions from people who have encountered challenges and unfairness, professionals, government representatives and academics in the disability access space.
Carol Taylor might have thought nothing could be worse than suddenly finding herself quadraplegic after a terrible car crash 24 years ago.
In 2001 the car she, and her newlywed husband Robert, were driving in hit some black ice and rolled twice. On that second roll, the roof collapsed, severing her spinal cord. In that split-second Carol’s life utterly changed. She was quadriplegic, completely paralysed from the chest down and unable to use her hands.
Through incredible determination and supported by the strong love of a wonderful husband - and later a child - a family emerged from that wreckage. Carol began a career as a mother, lawyer, and later entrepreneur. But, of course, she always remained in that wheelchair . . . and that still continues to frame who she is, for so many people she interacts with.
This is the story Carol brings to Physical Disability Australia’s special webinar.
How simple, yet vital, it was for her to overcome the unconscious bias that could have prevented her, as a ‘cripple’, from receiving the mammogram that identified the cancer that was beginning to creep through her body and that could have killed her.
Carol’s story continues on the link below. Information on the 5 August webinar, focusing on how to achieve inclusive healthcare for people with disability, can be found using the second link.
The Briefing
New University Partnership focused on Housing
by Summer Foundation
The Summer Foundation has partnered with La Trobe University to launch a research centre focused on housing and support for people with disability. This initiative aims to strengthen evidence-based policy recommendations as reforms to the NDIS continue to evolve.
New Homelessness Outcomes Framework to drive system-wide change
by SA Department of Human Services
The government has introduced a Homelessness Outcomes Framework aimed at improving coordination and measuring performance across services. It is designed to drive long-term reform by focusing on prevention, wellbeing and sustained housing outcomes.
Empowering young people to recognise sexual violence
by Mental Health Australia
The Office for Women has launched a 10-week social media campaign to help young people understand consent and sexual violence. Research shows many teens remain unclear on boundaries, with troubling misconceptions around control and physical touch.
The Wrap
New app reduces wait times for NDIS participants
by Uni of Melbourne
A new web app developed is dramatically reducing wait times for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) recipients by simplifying the process of finding practitioners. Startup Support Sorted connects NDIS participants with clinicians including speech pathologists, occupational therapists and psychologists that match their individual needs.
Disability advocates say NDIS changes disregard alternative therapy benefits
by ABC
Cooper, who also has autism, accessed equine therapy through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). However, that stopped in October when the federal government introduced significant changes to the NDIS to reduce costs, including no longer funding equine therapy.
NDIA responds to criticism over travel allowances
by Western Plains App
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has defended changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) pricing system, after widespread criticism from providers across the Western Plains region. Last week, Marathon Health held a roundtable with service providers, including Dubbo Regional Occupational Therapy, Elephant in the Room, Orana Early Childhood Intervention, and Out West Occupational Therapy.
What happens if I go over or under on my NDIS plan? And what do shorter funding periods mean for me?
by The Conversation
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is undergoing another round of major reforms. One key change relates to the funding periods in which participants are allowed to spend their budgets.
The Diary
