PEOPLE with cognitive impairments will be better protected from sexual abuse after new offences were added to the state’s Disability Justice Plan.

The new laws start today and will better protect people with an intellectual disability or cognitive impairment.

A cognitive impairment is defined as an intellectual disability, developmental disorder (including autistic spectrum disorders), neurological disorder, dementia, mental impairment and brain injury.

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.

Clare Colley

Reporter at The Canberra Times

Bureaucratic "gobbledygook", a lack of respite and transport funding, and inexperienced planners are just some of the problems creating anxiety around the National Disability Insurance Scheme, participants have told a public hearing into the ACT roll-out.

THIS is for the mother at the supermarket who told me to “control your child” and the elderly lady who took it upon herself to tell my son “oh you are being a naughty boy”.

And to everyone else who stares at us each and every day; everyone who has rolled their eyes or made rude remarks about my son.

My 5-year-old son is not naughty, he has autism.

The future of six childcare centres that support autistic children has been secured, with Tony Abbott announcing more than $16 million in funding to keep them operating for at least 3½ years.

The Prime Minister’s announcement came just in time for childcare manager Kathryn Fordyce, who was concerned she would lose staff while waiting for new funds for her centre in Burnie, northwest Tasmania.

By Jonathan Andrews

A survey released to 5 live Breakfast has found that more than three-quarters of disabled students and graduates are afraid to let potential employers know about their disability. It is a classic dilemma for people with disabilities - and it's one I've been facing myself.

By Jacob Kagi

A purpose-built clinic in East Fremantle providing "applied behaviour analysis" (ABA), run by a private operator called The Complete Advantage was set to cease that service within months.The West Australian Government is being urged to ensure the survival of a provider of a type of intensive autism therapy which is set to shut down.