The following list shows A4's recent advocacy. This list contains both publications (including briefs and submissions) and communications (letters & emails).

To find a (free) disability advocate to help you, try:

NDIS: DRCO Forum 1 July

By convenor |

Subject: Fwd: DRCO Forum 1 July [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date: Tue, 28 Jun 2022 16:14:28 +1000
From: Bob Buckley (A4 Convenor) <convenor@a4.org.au>
To: <XXX@ndis.gov.au>

Hi XXX

I notice that the Actions from the last DRCO Forum says you would contact "the Autism Alliance and any other interested organisations about the NDIA business system and Participant Portal". I am an interested party who raised stuff relating to this issue in the meeting. I have heard nothing more. Has anything happened?

Please involve the autism community in creating a National Autism Strategy

By convenor |

Subject: Please involve the autism community in creating a National Autism Strategy.
Date: Fri, 10 Jun 2022 13:31:52 +1000
From: Bob Buckley (A4 Convenor) <convenor@a4.org.au>
To: The Hon. Mr. Shorten MP <Bill.Shorten.MP@aph.gov.au>
CC: Senator Carol Brown <senator.carol.brown@aph.gov.au>, ...

Dear The Hon. Bill Shorten MP

Free Webinar: What's in the Senate Inquiry Report on Autism?

By convenor |

The Australian Autism Alliance is holding a webinar on Tuesday 29 March (from 12.15pm-1.00pm) at which Chair of the Select Committee, Senator The Hon. Hollie Hughes, and Deputy Chair, Senator The Hon. Carol Brown will outline the report’s key findings and recommendations.

A4's Monique Blakemore will be chairing.

Click here to Register.

 

Brief & meeting with Health officials - autism is a distinct disability

By convenor |

On 17/1/2022, A4 and a couple of our friends from the autism sector met (via video-link) with several officials from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing. A4 provided a briefing document for the meeting (see below). Following is a summary report on the meeting.

Positives for A4 and the autism sector in Australia from the meeting were that

RE: Escalating risks for people with disability from Omicron and access to RAT and PCR tests

By convenor |

Subject:RE: Escalating risks for people with disability from Omicron and access to RAT and PCR tests [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]
Date:Wed, 5 Jan 2022 21:52:49 +0000
From:Lowe, Jamie <Jamie.Lowe@ndis.gov.au>
To: ...
CC:...

Dear Bob

Thank you for drawing this to my attention. We endeavour to align all our messaging to Health messaging to avoid confusion and will immediately review our website and social media content to ensure that the information we provide is up-to-date and aligned to Health messaging.

interim submission on the sustainability of the NDIS

By convenor |

A4's interim submission on the sustainability of the NDIS is available online.

The submission contains some recent data about the number of people diagnosed formally with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and receiving either an NDIS plan or Carer's Allowance (child). These diagnosis rates are often interpreted as indicators of autism prevalence in our community.

The following data is reported in Annex A.