NDIS is an illusion for people with Complex Needs

By bobb |

Luke Michael

Many National Disability Insurance Scheme recipients with complex and challenging support needs are not seeing the benefits the NDIS is meant to deliver, Victoria’s Public Advocate says.

A new report from the Office of the Public Advocate said a poor quality of services under the NDIS was impacting on the human rights of people with disability, and significantly compromising their ability to achieve chosen life goals.

Byron Bay officer could be charged after teen hit multiple times

By bobb |

Warning: this story is about violent abuse by police of an autistic boy.

Tom Livingstone

A police officer who struck a naked autistic teenage boy multiple times on the NSW Far North Coast used excessive force and could potentially be charged with assault, the NSW police watchdog has found.

In a report presented to parliament this morning, the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) suggested the officer could be prosecuted over the January 2018 incident and sacked by the police commissioner.

key message - A4 and NDIA meeting, 4 July 2018

By convenor |

Bob Buckley, A4 Convenor, met with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Chairman, Dr Helen Nugent AO, and NDIA CEO, Robert De Luca, along with Ms Vicki Rundle and Mr Peter De Natris, at the NDIA’s Canberra office on 4th July 2018. Mary Mallet, DANA CEO, also attended.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss how to improve outcomes substantially for autistic people of all ages, including children.

In relation to children, this includes:

Sophie's bruises appeared after a day at school but the Victorian education department won't say why

By bobb |

Farrah Tomazin & Tammy Mills

It was the marks on Sophie’s* arms that started it. The moment she came home from school with those bruises, her parents demanded answers.

What happened? How did the bruises get there? Had a form of physical restraint been used by her teachers?

As a child with autism, Sophie has tendency to act out – regularly and severely. How the school responds to her when she does is the great unknown.

NDIS Autism Advisory Group sets priorities

By bobb |

Minister's Media Release

The new Autism Advisory Group (AAG) will provide a strong voice on behalf of people with autism who are participating in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Minister for Social Services Dan Tehan said the Australian Government established the AAG because of its commitment to a collaborative, fact-based approach to autism and the rollout of the NDIS.