Disabled not rorting the support pension, Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes hits back

By bobb |

Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes has slammed suggestions the disability support pension is being rorted. Photo: Wolter Peeters

Disability Discrimination Commissioner Graeme Innes has hit back at the idea that there are too many people on the disability support pension, slamming claims that the system is being rorted as "completely unhelpful".

National disability scheme is excluding people affected by autism

By bobb |

Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme's (NDIS) Operational Guidelines – Access are dysfunctional in relation to autism spectrum disorder. The NDIS fails many people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), denying them the services and supports they need.

People with ASD are among the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in Australia. The Government is not giving people with ASD a fair go. The message is simple. Government needs to act to support people with ASD and to improve their outcomes. The NDIS eligibility criteria are designed to exclude some people with autism spectrum disorder from the NDIS, people who are assessed as needing disability services by allied health professionals with specific expertise in ASD. And for those people with ASD who are deemed eligible for the NDIS service and support, NDIS individual planners (gatekeepers), who mostly lack expertise in and understanding of autism, reject some requests for essential disability services and supports.

Following is the evidence and justification for this simple claim that the NDIS, the scheme created to address the enormous disadvantage that Australians with a disability experience, in its initial implementation is failing people with ASD.

letter to Senator Abetz

By convenor |

A4's Convenor posted a letter to Senator Abetz this morning. The letter requested a meeting to discuss matters arising from things he said on the ABC's Q&A program first broadcast on 17/2/2014.

The letter contains links to the video of the show ... and our transcript of the section of concern of the show.

It also gives detailed reason for our concerns ... and evidence to support our case.

A4 is concerned that Minister Abetz and the Government:

  • misunderstand and misrepresent people who receive a Disability Support Pension ... often portraying them as welfare bludgers

Government repeating disability "welfare to work" expecting a different outcome

By bobb |

The following newspaper reports relate to the Abbott Government ignoring information and advice from stakeholders (see http://a4.org.au/a4/node/742 and http://a4.org.au/a4/node/779). The Government is intent on rerunning policy that has already failed repeatedly.

Please note Samantha Maiden and the Sunday Telegraph disgustingly branded people with disability explicitly on their front page as bludgers without any evidence to this effect.

BLUDGERS BUSTED

22 Dec 2013, The Sunday Telegraph (Sydney), SAMANTHA MAIDEN

Abbott Government ignores completely stakeholder advice on disability employment

By bobb |

Following misinformation in the media (see http://a4.org.au/a4/node/742), A4 wrote to the newly elected Prime Minister warning about policy that vilifies people with severe and profound disability for being unemployed.

This information is essential for the Treasurer and the Finance Minister ... but the Prime Minister's office chose to not send the letter to most of the key agencies and Ministers. Apparently, they sent it only to the Department of Social Services. The Social Services Department's response (download below) shows little or no recognition of the letter's content.

New study gives hope on autism

By bobb |

Cathy O'Leary, Medical Editor, The West Australian

A leading WA autism researcher says a new US study has added weight to a theory linking autism to gut problems that could be treated.

Scientists have found a link between mice with gastrointestinal problems caused by changes in bacteria in the gut and autism-type behaviour.

Their results, published in the medical journal Cell, also found that giving affected mice so-called good gut bacteria helped problems such as anxiety-like behaviour disappear.

Autistic boy's family appeals to Scott Morrison

By bobb |

A BANGLADESHI family with an autistic son is waiting for the federal Immigration Minister Scott Morrison to personally intervene in their case after they were refused permanent residency because of the son's medical condition.

Enamul and Siuly Kabir had their appeal to the Migration Review Tribunal knocked back in October because their son Srijon's condition could "likely result in a significant cost to the Australian community in the areas of health care and community services".

But Enamul Kabir, who works as a statistician at the University of Queensland, said Srijon required no medication or therapy.

Susan Boyle diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome

By bobb |

Susan Boyle: diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. Photo: Getty Images

Scottish singer Susan Boyle has revealed that she has been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism.

Boyle, a 52-year-old church volunteer who became a global singing sensation, told Britain's Observer newspaper she had been diagnosed a year ago and spoke of her relief after years of bullying for her learning difficulties.

I think people will treat me better because they will have a much greater understanding of who I am and why I do the things I do.

"It was the wrong diagnosis when I was a kid," she said.

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