World Autism Awareness Day 2 April 2018 Empowering women and girls with autism

By convenor |

Australian Autism Alliance logoMedia Release

As declared by the United Nations, the 2018 World Autism Awareness Day focuses on the importance of empowering autistic women and girls and involving them and their representative organisations in policy and decision making to address these challenges.

"Girls with disabilities are less likely to complete primary school and more likely to be marginalised or denied access to education. Women with disabilities have a lower rate of employment than men with disabilities and women without disabilities. ...

'It's a horror story': Carers, family speak out on NDIS regional care

By bobb |

Maani Truu & Natassia Chrysanthos

Natalie Vernon was trying to enjoy a holiday in Tasmania last October when she received a call from her distressed daughter, informing her Mrs Vernon’s son was threatening to kill himself.

Liam*, aged 28, has autism, developmental delay, schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder, and lives full-time in disability-supported group accommodation.

His care is managed by LiveBetter Community Services, formerly CareWest, which is the largest National Disability Income Scheme (NDIS) provider in rural NSW.

NDIS and the AAT - is this a game changer?

By convenor |

Does your NDIS plan fall short? This article may help understand NDIS strategies and tactics ... and how you (and others) might combat them.


Budget pressures are mounting, staffing for the NDIA and its LAC partners is becoming more and more difficult, and dissatisfaction with the Scheme is growing, as the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) made a big, pointy, important decision last week.

Section 34 of the NDIS Act, the “Reasonable and Necessary” definition, is among the most important, and contentious, frameworks of the NDIS. It is used to determine what supports and services will be funded in an NDIS plan. However, its interpretation varies, almost on a day to day basis, with the NDIS trying desperately to protect its budgets. The AAT’s ruling last week on the case of young LNMT (name redacted to protect her privacy) has set a precedent that is indeed, a game changer.

How the justice system is letting down disabled offenders

By bobb |

By Adam Cooper

Ryan was destined for a life of disadvantage. Mum's drinking while pregnant caused fetal alcohol syndrome, and he was born with an intellectual disability into a dysfunctional family in a rural town.

Well behind from the first seconds of life, Ryan was exposed to physical and possibly sexual abuse as a child, was in state care from 11 and using alcohol and drugs in his teens. Now 21, he has been diagnosed with ADHD and has the literacy skills of a prep.

Concerns over AAT processes for NDIS reviews [DLM=For-Official-Use-Only]

By convenor |

Thank you.

Bob Buckley


Mr Buckley,

I have referred your feedback to management for consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Kate Lynch

Executive Officer

Administrative Appeals Tribunal

Principal Registry


Dear Ms Lynch

Thank you for your interest. However, I am concerned that ongoing reviews of decisions relating to young children who need early intervention are delayed indefinitely in the AAT process.