The abilityNEWS Daily
Editor’s Note
This week will see shorter Daily editions as we prepare for expanding coverage of the sector.
Have a great week and remember, you can contact us at any time to offer help, money, or for just a chat at [email protected]
Best, Nic Stuart
The Briefing
“Jessie & Paul” (image courtesy Humantix)
Understanding the NDIS - Self Managing an NDIS Plan and other Sessions
by ndis.gov.au
The NDIS provides many sessions updating individuals and providers. These include: (1) informative webinars on self managing an NDIS plan. to decide what NDIS supports you buy to pursue your plan goals. (2) PACE Provider Information Session - Claims and Payments, and; (3) Introducing Section 33 budget changes for providers. The image above is from the Humantix link.
$130 million for research into intellectual disability, infertility, and childhood brain cancer
by Health Minster
Australia’s leading scientists have received a vital boost for their research with the Albanese Government awarding 71 research projects a share of $130.4 million through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). Treatment for childhood brain cancer, improving pregnancy outcomes, and the health of people with an intellectual disability are a few of the complex projects aiming to deliver better health outcomes for Australians.
WA addresses barriers to employment for people with disability
by WA Govt
$300,000 is being spent extending an employment project aimed at building capacity of small and medium-sized businesses to hire people with disability. Ability Link supports businesses to employ people with disability across different industries
NSW Taxi Council and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program
by NSW Taxi Council
Training empowers the staff to provide the right support, ensuring passengers feel respected, understood and safe. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program is being rolled out across the Taxi Industry, extending its reach beyond Sydney Airport.
Disability Accommodation in inner Brisbane for sale
by commo.com.au
Three specialist disability accommodation (SDA) properties in Brisbane are being offered to the market, reflecting demand for healthcare and disability housing investments. With bifurcation currently underway in housing between reputable providers and less scrupulous ones, capital is "flying to quality" in the SDA sector.
MSO launches Disability Inclusion Plan
by Limelight
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will mark the release of its inaugural Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) with a high-profile discussion on access and equity in classical music. Two-time ARIA-nominated pianist and composer Nat Bartsch and the acclaimed one-handed British pianist Nicholas McCarthy will play.
Auslan Choir at the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (courtesy Limelight)
The Wrap
Disability employment provider Bedford's financial situation concerns SA, federal government
by ABC
The federal disability minister says his concerns about the financial state of the country's second-largest employer of people with a disability have grown. Federal Minister for Health, Ageing and Disability Mark Butler told ABC Radio Adelaide the extent of the financial struggles Bedford faced had become clearer since McGrathNichol stepped in to develop a recovery plan "if at all possible. The process of this financial and structural review is still underway, and we are unable to provide comment on what the outcome will be."
Ben found his dream home - and saved the NDIS millions
by The Australian
Alternative forms of housing for people with disability should be rolled out widely in Australia to allow greater choice, independence and autonomy as evidence emerges that some NDIS participants are receiving supported accommodation packages that cost far more than necessary.
Aspiring filmmakers gain hands-on experience with Bus Stop Films' Accessible Filmmaking Program
by ABC
Ms Higgins wrote and directed the film 'Lost Treasure'. (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke) Bus Stop Films' Accessible Filmmaking Program provides hands-on training in filmmaking to people living with disabilities in Tasmania. As part of a 40-week program, participants recently spent a day on-set shooting their cohort's short film alongside 16 experienced crew and mentors. The film, shot in Hobart, will screen in a national showcase and be entered into film festivals. Participants are hopeful the program will lead to more opportunities in the film industry.
I kept my daughter alive for four years under a broken NDIS system but days after she left my care she died alone
by Daily Mail
Koa was diagnosed with a rare and incurable neurological condition called Lissencephaly when she was five weeks old. She died in July, after she caught influenza. Koa's genetic condition causes severe intellectual and developmental delays. When an accelerated puberty exposed additional illnesses, Kia's mother said an adequate extension of NDIS assistance was not offered.
NDIS minister promises to ‘escalate’ blind boy Leo Hall appeal for prosthetic eyes after funding snub
by thechronicle.com.au
The NDIS Minister has promised to escalate the case of a boy whose funding for new prosthetic eyes was taken away by the NDIS. The eight year old, who was born with no eyes, and tiny eye sockets, needs on average two pairs of artificial eyes a year as his face grows, at $5000 a pop. The NDIA says that while ocular prosthesis assists with maintaining the structures of the eye, it does not “assist in the control and function of a person’s neuromuscular skeletal system” and therefore cannot be funded as an NDIS support.
PERSONAL FINANCE Mental health crisis hits disability insurance claims and affordability
by The Australia
Surging total and permanent disability claims for mental illnesses are pushing up premiums and threatening to make the cover unaffordable for many people. Mental health struggles are impacting millions of Australians and it’s having a big knock-on impact for the insurance sector. TPD mental illness claims for one age group have surged more than 700 per cent in a decade for an insurance product that was initially designed to cover physical disabilities. Total and permanent disability is one of four key planks of life insurance – along with death cover, income protection and trauma insurance – and figures from regulator APRA show premiums for individuals with non-superannuation policies have jumped almost 40 per cent in four years to an average $1891 annually.
Man claims council bid to remove 'therapy' roosters is contrary to human rights conventions
by ABC
A council has taken a disability pensioner to court after he failed to comply with notices to remove his allegedly noisy roosters. The man asked the court to stop the case from proceeding, arguing the birds are his "therapeutic animals" and alleging the council is acting contrary to anti-discrimination law. What's next? The court dismissed the man's application, and the case will proceed through the court.
The Diary
