Jacquie Petrusma, Minister for Human Services
22 September 2015
Tasmanian living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) should have every opportunity to reach their goals and to achieve their full potential.
The Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to providing improved support for Tasmanians living with ASD, and that’s why last year we established the Autism Advisory Panel.
The Department of Human Services, together with HP Australia and Specialist People Foundation have expanded their acclaimed Dandelion program to Brisbane, giving young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder access to a career in the IT sector.
Minister for Human Services Senator the Hon Marise Payne said 13 people have this week commenced a three year traineeship with the department where they will work as software test analysts.
Statement by AFDO, people with disability and family organisations
Today the Federal Government has placed an advertisement in newspapers calling for nominations for the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Board.
There is currently no more important government appointed role for people with disability and their families than the NDIA Board.
The NDIA Board is responsible for safeguarding the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and ensuring that it is delivered on time and on budget.
The number of people who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) continues to rise in Australia. Autism, once considered rare, is now 31% of NDIS participants, the largest disability group in the scheme according to recent the NDIS Quarterly Report issued in June 2015.
The number of NDIS participants with autism indicates that growth in autism diagnoses is not, as some commentators suggest, just due to greater autism awareness and diagnosis of milder cases.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported enormous growth in the number of people with autism with data it collected in 2009 and again in 2012 through its Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC).
Steady growth can also be seen in the number of families getting Carer Allowance (child) for children (data from Centrelink) who are diagnosed formally with Autistic Disorder or Asperger's Disorder, just two of the autism spectrum disorders.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide input to your review of the National Disability Advocacy Framework.
Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia, known as A4, is a nation organisation that focuses on systemic advocacy for the growing number of people living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Australia. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) estimates that the number of Australians with ASD over recent times has been …
year
1998
2003
2009
2012
autism '000s
13.2
30.4
64.4
115.4
5 year growth
2.3
1.9
2.6
severe & profound
87%
74%
73%
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), most people who are diagnosed with ASD have severe or profound disability.
The Australian Government wants to get more people with disability into jobs. We see a future where people with disability, like other Australians, can enjoy the economic and social freedom work brings.
Their task force published an Issues Paper and invited submissions.
A4's sent a submission, available via the link below, that points out that the Australian Bureau of Statistics has repeatedly reported abysmal employment outcomes for people with autism/ASD. A4's submission concludes:
I am hugely encouraged by the growing public awareness of autism spectrum disorders and the increase of public services to many of those affected. World Autism Awareness Day not only fosters greater understanding, it empowers parents into seeking early intervention therapies and calls for the full integration of persons with autism into society. It also invites policy-makers to encourage schools to open their doors to students with autism. With adequate support, they can -- and should -- be educated in the heart of their communities.
Two United Nations human rights experts today called for an end to discrimination against autistic persons and a celebration of diversity. Speaking ahead of World Autism Awareness Day, the Special Rapporteurs on the rights of persons with disabilities, Catalina Devandas Aguilar, and on the right to health, Dainius Pūras, noted that about one per cent of the world’s population -some 70 million people- is estimated to be on the autism spectrum worldwide. “As part of human diversity, autistic persons should be embraced, celebrated and respected.
Autistic Minority International included a section from A4 in its submission to the United Nations Day of General Discussion (DGD) on the right to education for persons with disabilities.
The section from A4 says ...
"While the Australian government readily signs up to many international human rights conventions, it refuses to take the required next step, that is enacting laws that ensure the protection of human rights for its citizens. This lack of legal protection for rights of Australian citizens with a disability results in especially poor outcomes. Australia has the worst poverty of people with disability in the OECD.
The Government announced that it will continue the Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) package until the NDIS starts. John Howard created HCWA in 2007 and Bill Shorten implemented it. HCWA funds about 5% of the early intervention that the Government advised a child with autism needs.
Funding extensions for disability and carer programmes
A new Alliance representing the interests and views of all people with disability will provide advice to the Australian Government on improving social and economic participation, and breaking down barriers.
This appears to be the Government taking credit for something where it did little or nothing (editor).
03 February 2015
Senator the Hon Marise Payne Minister for Human Services
In an Australian-first 11 people with Autism Spectrum Disorder have begun traineeships designed to harness their unique abilities at the Department of Human Services in Adelaide.
Australian Greens spokesperson on Disability Senator Rachel Siewert has labelled a decline in work force participation for people with disability over 20 years as ‘a sign that our government is not doing nearly enough to create equity in the workplace for people with disability’.
Please vote today for an Inquiry into abuse and neglect of people with a disability when the matter comes before the Senate. Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia (A4) is confident that the community supports having an Inquiry; we are not aware of any opposition in the community to such an Inquiry.
This week saw a major milestone for autism advocacy in Australia. The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) helped Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia (A4) prepare and distribute a media release. It was the first time ever that the wider disability community in Australia recognised and helped advocate for specific issues/needs of people living with autism.
Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia (A4), the national peak body for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is appealing to Scott Morrison MP, the Minister for Social Services not to turn his back on people with autism.
Friday, Feb 6th, 2015