Women with Disabilities Australia (WWDA) No images? Click here WWDA News10 December 2019All of our work is based on supporting the rights of women and girls with disability. Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with DisabilityThird Public Hearing - Focus on the experiences of people with disability in group homes What is it? The third public hearing of the Royal Commission took place from Monday 2 to Friday 6 Dec at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The living arrangements experienced by people with disability are a key area of inquiry for the Royal Commission. The Royal Commission heard from people with disability about their personal experiences in group homes and from a number of other experts and disability advocacy groups. The aim was to highlight the issues with the current housing options available to people with disability and to help determine what can be done to improve them. If you would like to watch the webcast recording of the Hearing held in Melbourne, you can do so by going to the Royal Commission website. WWDA members front and centre WWDA member, Jane Rosengrave, took the stand at the Royal Commission on Monday to give evidence about her experiences with group homes. The Sydney Morning Herald has written a summary on Monday's hearing which includes some of Jane's statements: Royal Commission: Neglect and abuse in group homes leaves deep scars. WWDA members and the media Another WWDA member, Jane Britt, has written a piece directly to journalists and those working in the media industry on how to report on the Disability Royal Commission. Her article here: Tips for media covering the Disability RC. It's a busy time for our WWDA Executive Director, Carolyn Frohmader, she spoke with Hamish Macdonald on Radio National about the Royal Commission. Click to listen to Carolyn's Interview. Read more on the Royal Commission Hearing in Melbourne: Group homes dehumanise and unjustly punish people with disabilities, royal commission hears. Written by the ABC Yooralla under pressure at Disability Royal Commission. Written by the ABC Woman slams Australian group homes. Written by the AAP How can you have your say about group homes? To coincide with the Melbourne hearing, the Royal Commission has released an Issues Paper about group homes. A list of questions is included in the Issues Paper to help people and organisations who want to make contributions to the Royal Commission about group homes. You don't have to answer them all and your response does not have to address any of the questions. If you have experience of violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation in group homes you can also make a submission via the Royal Commission’s website. You can download the Issues paper - Group homes from the Royal Commission’s website. Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with DisabilityWWDA & The Commissioners Last week, WWDA Executive Director, Carolyn Frohmader, met with Senior Counsel Assisting Dr Mellifont and Commissioners Barbara Bennett and Rhonda Galbally. Carolyn discussed a range of issues with the Commissioners, Senior Counsel and Royal Commission staff, including the importance of outreach work to ensure the Royal Commission hears from people with disability in hard to reach settings – such as group homes, boarding houses, hostels, prisons, as well as homeless persons. Amongst other things, Carolyn also highlighted the importance of the Royal Commission being able to advise people with disability as soon as practicable, about how they can give their evidence in private sessions. Many WWDA members and others are contacting our organisation asking for advice about giving their evidence privately to the Royal Commission. Hobart Community Forums The Royal Commission held two Community Forums in Hobart last week which had a great turn out. Prior to meeting with the Commissioners, WWDA Executive Director, Carolyn Frohmader attended one of the forums to listen to and support those who were able to speak of their experiences. A number of people spoke at the Hobart Community Forum on issues including: violence and abuse in residential settings (including group homes); violence and abuse perpetrated against students with disability in educational environments; lack of supports to be able to live independently; restrictive practices; and much more. Royal Commission: Education and Learning There is still time for submissions on The Royal Commission's Issues Paper on Education. The Royal Commission is encouraging responses from individuals and organisations on the 13 questions around violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and inclusion in education for people with disability. If you would like to respond to the Issues paper head to the Royal Commission website and download the Issues paper for Education and Learning. Responses close on 20 December 2019. Support available for those wishing to participate in the Royal Commission If you are considering to tell your story as a formal inquiry at the Royal Commission but not sure where to start, there is support available. The support available includes:
To find out more about these services and how to access them head to the Royal Commission website. The Morrison Government recently announced the organisations successful in securing funding for free and independent support services for people engaging with the Disability Royal Commission. For a list of those organisations, read the Media Release from Senator the Hon Anne Ruston, Department of Social Services. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)NDIS Quality Safe Guard Commission The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission is an independent agency established to improve the quality and safety of NDIS supports and services. You can learn more about it on the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission website. If you have a concern about your current NDIS supports or services, it is important that you talk about it. For information on how best to raise your concern, check the How to make a complaint about a provider page on the website. NDIS worker orientation module now available The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has released an online training module for NDIS providers and their workers. All new and existing workers are encouraged to complete the training to better understand their obligations under the NDIS Code of Conduct. It takes approximately 90 minutes to complete the four modules and once completed, workers will receive a Certificate of Completion. You can access the module on the NDIS website. If you are interested to find out if those working with you have completed the training please check with your providers. The NDIS Annual Price Review 2020-21 The NDIS has started its Annual Price Review for the next financial year. ‘This pricing review is part of our commitment to building confidence and certainty for the provider market, as well as ensuring participants are able to access supports that represent value for money,’ Minister Robert said. ‘We are calling on participants, their families and carers, providers, peak bodies and community representatives to have their say on NDIS pricing matters, by submitting their feedback through the consultation process.’ If you would like to submit feedback head to the NDIS website and download the Annual Price Review 2020–21 Issues Paper. Submissions close at 12 midnight AWST, Sunday 2 February 2020. Our Place is coming soon...16 Days of ActivismEach year, WWDA joins in the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign to encourage action and investment in the elimination of all forms of violence against all women. For each of the 16 days between 25 November and 10 December, we have posted key messages to our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. This year the campaigns focus is on the Australian Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. The campaign will speak directly to women with disability to encourage and empower them to get involved and have their voices heard. Another important focus of the campaign is keeping the Australian Government accountable for the outcomes of the Royal Commission. International Day for People with DisabilityLast Tuesday (3 December) was the International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD). The day aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate their achievements and contributions. Many people have stepped up into the spotlight to celebrate their achievements on this day and one we would like to share with you is the story of Beth O’Brien who is calling for a more accessible future for people with disability. Watch her on The Project by clicking the image below. Stay up to date with us via the WWDA website, Facebook and Twitter! |