People with Disability Australia (PWDA)

Restrictive practices are currently permitted in Australian schools under certain conditions. This week SBS News spoke to parents and advocates who say the practices are being overused and underreported. The Disability Royal Commission (DRC) cited concerns about reporting, investigating and responding to incidents in schools and made recommendations that include the collection and publishing of data on the use of restrictive practices, that should include the child's disability status. However, to date, governments have not implemented the recommendations. Read the article at: https://buff.ly/4fz2kZ6 PWDA has long called for the full elimination of restrictive practices. https://buff.ly/3UE9wLs PWDA, in collaboration with National Disability Research Partnership and Inclusion Australia, are holding an online event on Thursday 5 December - 'Evidence to Action: Exploring the evidence to enable the elimination of restrictive practices in Australia'. Register now at https://buff.ly/3AfFwyE ID1: Representatives of disability groups (L to R) Simon Burchill, Marayke Jonkers (front), Matilda Alexander and Michelle Moss at press conference following the DRC response. ID2: White graphic with the NDRP logo. Text says “Thursday 5 December. Evidence to action. In collaboration with" and shows Inclusion Australia and People with Disability Australia logos at the bottom of the graphic.

The government is seeking feedback on Foundational Supports and how these should work to suit your disability support needs. Foundational Supports are new disability supports that will exist outside the NDIS. They will be available to ALL people with disability under the age of 65 whether you access the NDIS or not. We want to know what you think. 📆 Register for Consultation Session 1: Wednesday 6 November 5.30pm – 7pm (AEDT) https://buff.ly/48xNKie 📆 Register for Consultation Session 2: Friday 8 November 1pm – 2.30pm (AEDT) https://buff.ly/48xHW8i 💻 Complete our survey: https://buff.ly/4dZYUxa Your feedback will help shape our response to the government on Foundational Supports. ID: Image shows a man sitting at a desk with computer. Text reads Foundational Supports Online member consultations and dates and times listed in the post.

#RECRUITMENT: Come work with us! PWDA has an exciting opportunity for an Executive Assistant & Program Coordinator. PWDA offers hybrid working arrangements. This role can be based remotely for the right candidate. Applications close Friday 22 November. More information and how to apply can be found here: https://buff.ly/3TJnLNU #jobopportunity #excitingopportunity #pwd ID: Graphic reads We're hiring! On a dark blue background with green and light blue circles

📚 Our 2023-24 Annual Report, including Easy Read and audio versions, is available to view and download from our website at: https://buff.ly/3C4vSPC The Annual Report looks at what we've achieved including examples of where we have made a positive difference to the lives of people with disability during 2023-24. Highlights include: 📌 1,379 clients supported 📌 226,263 website visitors 📌 18% increase in membership 📌 47 training sessions delivered to over 1,800 people 📌 76 reports, position statements and submissions ID: An image of a tablet showing the front cover of the annual report, alongside tablets showing pages of the internal content. Text reads PWDA Annual Report.

Want to know where can you find PWDA this month? PWDA are involved in a variety of events every month to engage with community. Find where we'll be this month here https://buff.ly/3JV2GeS. ID: Text reads November Events with bubbles showing details of events.

On Wednesday 30 October, PWDA hosted a Restrictive Practices workshop exploring the roadmap forward for their elimination. We explored the broad range of settings where change is needed, and workshopped ✔️ human rights-focused objectives, ✔️ priorities, ✔️ current initiatives, ✔️ potential next steps, and ✔️ areas for further consultation. We're grateful for the broad range of voices and insights represented in the room and depth and richness of the discussion on such an immensely important issue. A big thank you to those who were able to attend. We will follow up with an online session to discuss the key outcomes for those unable to attend. ID: Image shows PWDA staff and Disability Representative Organisation attendees at the Restrictive Practices Forum.

TW: Neglect of person with a disability Deputy CEO, Megan Spindler-Smith spoke with ABC following reports of the recent death of a 26-year-old woman with disability who was living in "squalid conditions." They have called for a strong independent referral pathway to report abuse that is co-designed with people with disability. "We've heard so many of these harrowing accounts that there needs to be active change because this should not still be happening after all the work that has been done. "I think also the big issue is we have to acknowledge that people are inside and outside the NDIS. "When we're talking about safeguarding we have to acknowledge that those who do not have access to the NDIS are very much reliant on family and friends to do the reporting but then they can also be the perpetrators. "We know that there is not a strong enough independent or safeguarding process that allows anyone who witnesses or is concerned about abuse to report it. "Until that occurs in every state and territory under legislation with independent bodies to oversee it … we're always going to have the limitations and the lack of oversight and inflexibility when you've got people on multiple systems." Read more: https://buff.ly/3Ypn0vv ID: Image of Megan Spindler-Smith wearing red lipstick and glasses

Cervical screening is for everyone with a cervix aged 25 to 74, including people with disability. Cervical screening helps identify the virus that causes almost all cervical cancers before it has a chance to develop. If you are aged 25-74, and you have ever had any sexual contact (with anyone), ask your doctor or nurse if you’re due for a screen. Watch the film and find out more at https://buff.ly/3BTIObh ID: Image shows a person smiling with text reading Cervical screening is for all women and people with a cervix.

Our second blog unpacking the 2022 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) disability-related findings looks at discrimination, abuse and neglect, and social and community participation statistics for people with disability. It's unacceptable that people with disability continue to experience high rates of discrimination, and little has changed since 2018. Challenging ableist and discriminatory attitudes must be a key priority of all governments. Read more: https://buff.ly/48pLJo7 ID: Image shows a person sitting down against a wall with hands out in front of them in a defensive position

📅 On 5 December, the National Disability Research Partnership (NDRP) is holding its first Evidence to Action Event. We’re pleased to be collaborating with the National Disability Research Partnership - NDRP and Inclusion Australia, on the topic “Exploring the Evidence to Enable the Elimination of Restrictive Practices in Australia.” The event will discuss the rights and safety of people with disability and the evidence for eliminating restrictive practices. The NDRP’s Evidence to Action program will hold inclusive events that explore evidence, identify gaps, build connections and discuss barriers. 📅 Date: Thursday 5 December 2024 🕑 Time: 1-4pm AEDT 💻 Venue: Online Zoom event with Auslan and Captions 💲 Cost: FREE A Safety and Wellbeing Officer will support the event. 🔗 Register now: https://buff.ly/3YzV6y7 For more information, contact Sue Tape (Head of Evidence to Action) at info@NDRP.org.au or call 03 9000 3813. ID: A white graphic with the NDRP logo and colours in the top right corner. The graphic says “Evidence to action. Exploring the evidence to enable the elimination of restrictive practices in Australia. Thursday 5 December. In collaboration with Inclusion Australia and People with Disability Australia.” The two collaborating organisations’ logos are at the bottom of the graphic.