Read about current inquiries and consultations plus advocacy news, jobs, resources and updates from the disability sector. You can also read tributes to a number of departing CEOs/ Managers who have been dedicated defenders of the rights of people with disability over many years, and our welcome to new faces in the disability advocacy sector.
Current inquiries, submissions and consultations
Purpose, intent and adequacy of the Disability Support Pension
On 13 May 2021, the Senate referred an inquiry into the purpose, intent and adequacy of the Disability Support Pension to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 30 November 2021.Further detail about the scope of the inquiry is provided in the terms of reference.
Submissions have been extended to 9 July 2021.
Senate Inquiry – National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Improving Supports for At Risk Participants) Bill 2021
On 17 June 2021, the Senate referred the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Improving Supports for At Risk Participants) Bill 2021 to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report.. The reporting date is 12 August 2021. Find out more on the Parliament of Australia (aph.gov.au) website.
Submissions are sought by 12 July 2021
Successor Plan to the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children
The Australian Government through the Department of Social Services is developing a successor plan to the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020, in collaboration with state and territory governments.
Community Services Ministers have agreed that the successor plan will prioritise young people and/or parents and carers living with disability and other vulnerable people.
To know more and to make a submission, visit https://engage.dss.gov.au/implementing-the-successor-plan-to-the-national-framework/
Submissions will close on 26 July 2021.
General issues around the implementation and performance of the NDIS
The Joint Standing Committee seeks information about the implementation and performance of the NDIS. In particular, the committee invites submissions and information from participants, their carers and family members, service providers, and representative organisations.
Submissions close 31 July 2021.
Review of the DSP Impairment Tables
The Social Security (Tables for the Assessment of Work-related Impairment for Disability Support Pension) Determination 2011 (the Impairment Tables) will expire on 1 April 2022.
The Impairment Tables are used to determine eligibility for the DSP by assessing how a person’s functional impairment affects their ability to work.
Prior to a new legislative instrument being implemented by 1 April 2022, a review of the Impairment Tables is being conducted.
The department is seeking the views of stakeholders including people with disability, advocacy and welfare groups, disability peak bodies, and members of the public to inform the development of the new Impairment Tables.
The opportunity to provide comments and input to the review process is available to everyone who is interested.
The issues paper provides background to the review and the scope of the review.
You can make a submission until the 31 July 2021. More information is available here.
The NDIS wants to hear from you
As the NDIS plans for their future, they want to hear your feedback, “to ensure it works for you.”
Over the next 10 weeks, they are asking for your feedback to inform the development of a Home and Living policy and Support for Decision Making policy.
They are seeking feedback on two consultation papers via online surveys on their website:
• Consultation paper: An ordinary life at home
• Consultation paper: Supporting you to make your own decisions
Submissions are open until 5 PM, 27 August 2021. You can have your say via the NDIS website. Tap to learn more and submit your feedback: https://bit.ly/3gtlK5I
Request for participation for a joint submission by Disability Resources Centre and the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations
The Disability Resources Centre and the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations are partnering to author a Submission to the Disability Royal Commission on the Experience of Institutional Abuse and Neglect for People with Disability during the Eligibility and Review Process of the Disability Support Pension.
The Submission working group is hoping to collect stories from people with disability, Disability Support Pension (DSP) Recipients, welfare rights advocates and disability rights advocates about the personal impact of the interaction with the DSP and describe how such experiences constitute institutional abuse and neglect.
To share your story, or to know more about the submission, contact Natasha Thomson at AFDO – natasha.thomson@afdo.org.au.
Provide feedback on the Disability Gateway
During the 2019 election campaign, the Australian Government committed to develop the Disability Gateway to help improve the lives of people with disability, their families and carers.
The Disability Gateway aims to be your first step in finding information and services for people with disability, their families and carers.
Visit www.disabilitygateway.gov.au or call the dedicated Disability Gateway phone line on 1800 643 787.
DANA encourages everyone to provide feedback on the accessibility, clarity and ease of the Gateway’s information and how and whether they are linking people to relevant disability advocacy services to meet their needs: https://www.disabilitygateway.gov.au/feedback
Ask Izzy Disability Reference Group
Ask Izzy is a free website that can help anyone find essential services in their local area such as housing, food, health care and counselling.
They are looking to hear from the following people who are interested in being part of a Reference Group to help inform the improvements we make:
- People with disability
- Carer of people with disability
- Close family member of a person with disability
- People who work in the disability sector and also provide direct support/care to people with disability
Please submit your expression of interest here.
In this month’s DANA eNews you can also find updates about:
- Advocacy News
- National Disability Insurance Scheme
- Disability Royal Commission
- Events – details on upcoming webinars and face to face events
- Resources
- Funding
- Farewells and Welcomes – celebrating the achievements of departing leaders and welcoming new faces
- Jobs – positions advertised in the advocacy sector
- In the News – key happenings in the disability sector