Margaret Paul reported this story on Thursday, February 12, 2015 18:55:00

PETER LLOYD: The ABC has obtained a draft copy of the National Disability Insurance Agency's proposed safeguards to prevent abuse and reduce the use of medication to restrain people who are violent. 

Disability advocates say it's a good start, but unions are warning safeguards will be useless unless the scheme has more money. 

Margaret Paul reports.

Woman with knife shot dead by police

• ‘She was like a zombie, as if possessed’: Witness
• Devastated mother collapsed when told daughter was dead
• Police led toddler away from horror scene

THE 22-year-old knife wielding woman shot dead by police yesterday had Aspergers.

People with Autism Spectrum Disorder are more likely to be targeted by the authorities because their behaviour can be wrongly interpreted as being aggressive, says a disability advocate and consultant.

A young woman fatally shot by police in Sydney after she was seen waving a kitchen knife on Tuesday morning had Asperger's Syndrome.

But the former head of Autism Victoria, Murray Dawson-Smith, said the 22-year-old may not have been intending to threaten violence.

Dear Senator,

Please vote today for an Inquiry into abuse and neglect of people with a disability when the matter comes before the Senate. Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia (A4) is confident that the community supports having an Inquiry; we are not aware of any opposition in the community to such an Inquiry.

Media Release

This week saw a major milestone for autism advocacy in Australia. The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) helped Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia (A4) prepare and distribute a media release. It was the first time ever that the wider disability community in Australia recognised and helped advocate for specific issues/needs of people living with autism.

Media Release

Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia (A4), the national peak body for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is appealing to Scott Morrison MP, the Minister for Social Services not to turn his back on people with autism.

The Hon Scott Morrison MP
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Dear Minister Morrison MP

Subject: Open letter on people living with autism, and request to meet

Your website shows that with new responsibilities in Social Security you have turned your attention to “our welfare system” and “our safety net”. Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia (A4) asks to meet you to discuss the serious issues relating to welfare and supports for people living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).