Disability discrimination
Media and commentary about our test cases and policy work to secure equal access to services and public spaces for people with disability.
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9 News: Woman takes Qantas to Federal Court because her assistance dog is banned from flying
Because of her disability, Rachael Fullerton always travels with her assistance dog Strike, but the pair are barred from flying with national carrier Qantas. She can fly with Virgin Australia and board a Rex flight with the loyal border collie, who is registered as an assistance animal, and she can travel with him on any…
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NDIS participant takes Qantas to court over denying travel to assistance dog
An NDIS participant is taking Qantas to court over allegations of disability discrimination after the airline barred her assistance dog from travelling with her on its planes, AAP reports. Rachael Fullerton and her border collie assistance dog Strike first made the request to Qantas for approval in late 2022, but the airline has failed to…
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Qantas taken to court for refusing to let assistance dog on flight
An NDIS recipient is taking Qantas to court over allegations of disability discrimination after the airline barred her assistance dog from travelling with her on its planes. Rachael Fullerton and her border collie assistance dog Strike first made the request to Qantas for approval in late 2022, but the airline has failed to recognise her…
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Qantas taken to Federal Court after refusing to let assistance dog on flight
Rachael Fullerton can’t imagine travelling without her assistance dog, Strike. Ms Fullerton, who lives with multiple disabilities, said her faithful border collie has helped her reach unprecedented levels of independence since he came into her life a few years ago. … PIAC senior solicitor Sheetal Balakrishnan said Ms Fullerton could not fly without Strike, as…
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Qantas in court over Strike the assistance dog
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) has taken Qantas to the Federal Court on behalf of their client Rachael Fullerton, for not allowing Rachael’s assistance dog Strike to travel with her on Qantas fights. Rachael has a disability and Strike has been trained to provide Rachael with psychological and physical support. The National Disability Insurance…
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Why are travel insurers still denying mental health cover?
A CHOICE mystery shop of 15 travel insurance providers finds discrimination against people with mental health conditions. … The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) has also played a major part in pushing the industry toward fairer treatment of people living with a mental illness. In a 2021 report, PIAC highlighted cases where travel insurance claims…
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2SER: the Disability Royal Commission calls for fundamental reform
After four years of often harrowing evidence from people with disability, 32 public hearings and nearly 8,000 submissions, the Disability Royal Commission has released its final report. Its findings are damning. According to the Royal Commission, people with disability ‘experience high rates of violence and abuse,’ and ‘continue to be excluded from participating in many areas…
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Australia urged to strengthen response on audio description
Disability advocates are urging the Australian Government to commit to changing the law to require audio description be provided on Australian television, in line with a UN Committee recommendation. The Government commits to providing ongoing support to increase audio-described content on the ABC and SBS, and intends to work with commercial free-to-air broadcasters and subscription…
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Recent changes to federal discrimination powers and complaint processes
In December 2022, changes were made to how the Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) can handle complaints and tackle discrimination, and to how discrimination claims can be run in the federal courts. The changes to the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth) (AHRC Act) implement recommendations of the Respect@Work: Sexual Harassment National Inquiry…
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Australian Government urged to strengthen response on audio description
Disability advocates are urging the Australian Government to commit to changing the law to require audio description be provided on Australian television, in line with a UN Committee recommendation. Audio description gives verbal narration of important visual elements such as scenes, settings, actions, costumes and on-screen text. Following a complaint from disability rights advocate Lauren…