Disability rights
Media and commentary related to our work to make society more accessible, supportive and fair for people with disability.
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Ramping up public transport access for people with disability
Both PWDA and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) have taken the stance that a breach of the Transport Standards is unlawful, constituting ‘unlawful discrimination’ under the DDA. … Amongst the recommendations made in PIAC’s submission, it advocated that “the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth) be amended to insert a cost determination model”. That model…
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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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Explainer: Understanding the NDIS Review
We break down the key recommendations from the NDIS Review in this Explainer, which is reproduced in full on this webpage.
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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: Fighting the NDIS age cap at the UN
PIAC is representing Dr Peter Freckleton in a discrimination complaint to the UN. After contracting polio when he was six-years-old, Peter has had paralysis in both legs since childhood. However, his application for NDIS support was rejected as he was over 65 when the NDIS was introduced. This leaves him unable to access necessary support for…
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UN asked to rule on whether NDIS age cap is a human rights breach
Dr Peter Freckleton, an Australian with a severe and permanent disability, is alleging the Australian Government is discriminating against him by denying him access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) because of his age. In a complaint to the UN, Dr Freckleton says this breaches his fundamental right to protection from discrimination under the…