Craig Allen

Gordon Douglas spent most of his 20s on welfare, struggling to find an employer who would look past his "differences" and give him a break.

The 34-year-old battled his way through job application after job application but, despite being highly qualified and intelligent, he often fell out of contention when it came to face-to-face interviews.

Subject:RE: Escalating risks for people with disability from Omicron and access to RAT and PCR tests [SEC=UNOFFICIAL]
Date:Wed, 5 Jan 2022 21:52:49 +0000
From:Lowe, Jamie <Jamie.Lowe@ndis.gov.au>
To: ...
CC:...

Dear Bob

Thank you for drawing this to my attention. We endeavour to align all our messaging to Health messaging to avoid confusion and will immediately review our website and social media content to ensure that the information we provide is up-to-date and aligned to Health messaging.

Regards
Jamie Lowe

Antonia O'Flaherty

When applying for jobs, Emma did not reveal she is neurodiverse because she was concerned prospective employers might judge her.  

"I can relate to the insecurity, to insecurities about revealing your neurodiversity, and about whether or not you would be judged on that," Ms Sellars said. 

"Or if you feel your job would be secure if you made a mistake.

The National Disability Insurance Agency’s (NDIA) spending on private law firms to battle participants appealing its decisions rose 30% last financial year, new figures show.

Data released under freedom of information laws shows the agency paid about $17.3m in 2020-21 to firms representing the agency in “external matters” such as legal challenges at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

The figure is an increase from $13.4m the previous financial year, the data shows.

Allanah Sciberras

This story contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

La Trobe University researchers have developed a website to help people better identify and respond to suicide risk in their family members and friends.

Commission claims provider’s litany of alleged failures left the safety of Merna Aprem – who had autism and epilepsy – at ‘real and significant risk’

Two and a half years after Merna Aprem was found drowned in the bath of her NDIS funded care home in Sydney, the industry watchdog has announced a historic lawsuit accusing the provider of a litany of failures.

The lawsuit is the first of its kind from the Quality and Safeguards Commission, which formed as part of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in July 2018.

Nick McAllister

For 10 years, I was unemployed because I was autistic.

Every time I was forced to tick the "I have a disability" box, it made me feel insignificant as a human being.

It became the focal point of who I was — and I knew when I would get that automated rejection email telling me I didn't get the job, it was because of my condition.

There are both misconceptions and fears about employing a disabled person, but also ignorance and prejudice.