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.

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.

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.

Rick Morton

Rob De Luca isn’t ready to speak with you yet.

The young, newly installed chief executive in charge of the $22 billion National Disability ­Insurance Scheme was adamant he didn’t want a public email when he took over the reins in August last year.

He uses a made-up first name, keeping the address off the books because he doesn’t want ­direct emails from “normal mums and dads, agency staff and participants”, according to one disgruntled staff member.

The parents of two boys with disabilities say they were shocked with how the NDIS responded to their request for funding for basic equipment.

Hobart couple Michael and Jasna Baric are full-time carers for their sons Joshua and Lucas, who have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

The condition means the boys' muscles are progressively degenerating and becoming weaker.

"The disease is degenerative; it won't get any better," Ms Baric said.

'They'll physically lose their ability to walk and use their body.