When advocating for people with a disability in Australia, one becomes indurated to the disappointments provided by the Government. We were treated to another example this month, writes Dr James Best.

Dr Best believes if children with Level 2 ASD are removed from the NDIS automatic qualification list, already strained families will face more red tape before they can access the scheme.

Viola Cheung, Carol Weitzman  

Heidi Brandis

In response to Angela Shanahan’s misguided article in the Weekend Australian, I wrote this to the editor of the paper last night:

Dear Editor

Hoping you can assist - I’m in a quandary as to which of Angela Shanahan’s myriad misguided, incorrect, offensive and ignorant comments to address first? (“On spectrum of needs, NDIS should axe ASD”, 26 May).



Let’s address each one:

We have two options, says Jane Salmon. Raise the Medicare levy for NDIS and support autism or destroy human rights and breed more austerity.

Rachel Moseley, Bournemouth University and Julie Kirkby, Bournemouth University

In the last paragraph of this letter (MS18-000877, 23/5/2018), the Minister appears to commit to "extensive consultation with stakeholders and the community" before making any changes to NDIS operational guidelines (that affect access and eligibility).

Stephanie Gotlib

Unfortunately, bullying of students with disability, including abuse and violence at school is not a new, unusual or unknown experience, writes Children and Young People with Disability Australia CEO Stephanie Gotlib.

Many in our community were rightly sickened by the footage which emerged recently of a young boy with disability being violently assaulted by peers outside a secondary school in Melbourne.

Luke Michael

It has been confirmed that eligibility rules for people with autism under the National Disability Insurance Scheme are under review, after a document outlining changes to direct eligibility for autism cases was accidentally published online.