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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Many families in Australia need our government to support the NDIS
Opinion by Jonathon Hunyor, PIAC CEO The National Disability Insurance Scheme was set up to give independence and improved quality of life to people with disability. It has been said that it “exists to help Australians with disability live ordinary – and extraordinary – lives”. But it has become a political football in a game…
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PIAC case study – NDIS funding for a psychiatric assistance animal
In 2022, PIAC supported a client who was appealing an NDIA decision to refuse funding for a psychiatric assistance animal. The client’s story has been covered by the ABC. PIAC is sharing a case study about the client’s experience and an information sheet about the NDIA Assistance Animal Guideline to assist others who would like…
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Melbourne woman wins battle against National Disability Insurance Agency for mental health assistance dog
Following a two year legal battle, our client Sally* finally received NDS funding for her assistance dog Toby.
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The NDIA’s faulty guidelines on assistance animals are forcing people to battle for critical support
A recent case in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) has exposed the National Disability Insurance Agency’s faulty policy on psychiatric assistance animals. Assistance dogs provide cost-effective, clinically proven support to people with a broad range of mental health conditions, yet the NDIA refuses to fund them unless extremely narrow criteria are met. Under current guidelines,…
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2SER interview: Parliamentary inquiry into the capability and culture of the NDIA
A Federal Parliamentary Committee is holding an inquiry into the capability and culture of the NDIA, the agency responsible for overseeing the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Over half a million Australians rely on the NDIS for support. But many of those people are reporting difficulties in dealing with the NDIA and getting access to the…
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NDIA inquiry presents an opportunity to put people ahead of process
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) will call for the NDIA to take a people-centred approach to decision-making at its appearance at the Joint Standing Committee Inquiry into the Capability and Culture of the Agency in Sydney this Friday. PIAC’s work with people appealing NDIA decisions has revealed that policies and practices tend to favour…
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2SER interview: UN calls on Australia to act on TV accessibility
The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has found Australia has breached the rights of people who are blind and vision impaired. The finding came after disability rights advocate Lauren Henley made a complaint to the UN Committee, represented by PIAC, when the Australian Government refused to mandate any ‘audio description’ on…
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“It’s the system that’s the problem”. How airlines are failing people with disability
COVID closed off air travel for most Australians but you could argue that for people with disability, it’s never really been open. From wheelchair user limits, to inconsistent policies and inaccessible public transport, the disability community is increasingly isolated and unable to participate in society. This program explores how people with disability feel about flying…
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UN recommends Australia legislate on audio descriptions
A seven+ year campaign to have Australian networks provide audio descriptions for the blind and vision impaired community has resulted in a United Nations committee finding Australia in breach of an international human rights treaty. The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has recommended that Australia take “the necessary legislative and policy…
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Lack of audio descriptions on Australian TV a human rights breach, UN committee finds
A United Nations committee has found Australia breached an international human rights treaty by failing to provide audio descriptions on free-to-air television for the blind and vision impaired community. The finding from the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities comes after a long-standing human rights complaint from 36-year-old Melbourne disability advocate Lauren…