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Down Syndrome NSW
Level 6/410 Church St, North Parramatta
9am-5pm Monday - Thursday
T: 9841 444


Thursday 28 April 2016

Governments and disability in the news this week ...

New disability commissioner on the way
Nine News via AAP 28 April 2016
The federal government has gazumped a Labor policy by moving to appoint a new disability discrimination commissioner.

Federal cabinet has agreed to appoint a full-time commissioner to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities, reversing a 2014 decision to abolish the role, which was absorbed into the age discrimination commissioner's job ...

Disability Program Review Calls for Public Input
ProBono Australia News, 27 April 2016
The federal government is asking Not for Profits to provide input into the review of the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) to ensure the organisation meets the needs of people with disabilities.

The NDAP funds agencies that provide advocacy services to people with disabilities.

The government said the review is part of an ongoing process of improvement ahead of the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Assistant Minister for Disability Services Jane Prentice said that the NDAP has been largely unchanged since it was introduced in the 1980s ...


ADHC Transfer Update
NSW Council for Intellectual Disability via Facebook, 28 April 2016
Minister for Disability Services, John Ajaka has announced today details of the expression of interest process for the transfer of ADHC services to the NGO sector in the 14 page document, Specialist Disability Services PreEOI Release

Director of Advocacy at CID Aine Healy has said that ... 
"CID is pleased to see some more details on the transfer process, this has been a very stressful time for people with disability and their families." 
However, with our initial review of the process some questions remain –
  • We appreciate that people will have some choice, albeit limited, in choosing their future providers – but what happens if people with disability and where required their families or carers do not like any of the providers short listed in their area?
  • What happens if the market does not provide? This is a particular concern for people with complex needs and there needs to be assurance that their needs will be met.
  • Properties will be leased to service providers, but who will retain ownership of these? How will the conflict of interest be managed of a service provider being both an accommodation provider and a support provider?
  • Will people with disability or their representatives be involved in the first phase of the EOI selection process?
  • Who will provide independent oversight of the transfer process? Where will people with disability and their families receive independent information from during this process?
CID will continue to review the EOI documents and process and provide a more detailed report shortly.

CID would ike to hear from you - what are your thoughts? Are you happy with this process? Do you have any concerns?

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