David Turner's new book on UK disability history argues that while public attitudes remain poor, disabled people have consistently fought for progress. It highlights figures like Duncan Campbell, May Billinghurst, and Megan du Boisson, showcasing their resilience and determination.
Annette Nicholas, a mother from Western Australia, is concerned that proposed changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) could prevent her intellectually disabled and autistic son, Tre, from achieving his dream of independent living.
Annette Nicholas, a mother from Western Australia, fears proposed NDIS reforms could jeopardize her son Tre's future independence. Tre, who has Williams syndrome and autism, relies on the NDIS. Nicholas, who works as a disability support worker with her husband, is concerned about new provider rules and potential funding cuts impacting Tre's quality of life and ability to live independently.
A Royal College of Nursing report reveals a "crisis" in UK learning disability nursing, with numbers falling by a third since 2009. This leaves 1.5 million people with learning disabilities without adequate care, impacting their legal right to equitable health services.
Labour MP Lauren Edwards is reintroducing the assisted dying bill to the Commons, aiming to bypass potential obstruction in the House of Lords. Disability rights campaigner Marie Tidball and former minister Alex Davies-Jones will co-sponsor the bill, which previously ran out of time in the Lords.
A parent criticizes the Australian government's proposed NDIS bill, arguing it makes accessing support harder and unfairly burdens caregivers. The bill's definition changes and functional capacity criteria are seen as a way to reduce costs by excluding eligible individuals, despite the high threshold already in place.
Disability activists and charities warn that a proposed ban on social media for under-16s could isolate disabled children, cutting off vital lifelines for friendship and support. They argue the ban disproportionately affects those who struggle to connect offline and prevents them from finding role models and communities.
Victor Harbor resident Jackson Baker, who has neurofibromatosis and an intellectual disability, experienced severe respiratory issues due to South Australia's algal bloom. His mother, Kirsty Whitehead, criticized the SA government's "inaccessible" and "inconsistent" public health information, particularly the lack of "easy read" formats. A volunteer survey by The Algal Bloom Shed collected symptom data, revealing common issues like coughs and headaches, which were not fully reflected in official advice.
Health Minister Mark Butler has labelled criticism from state and territory disability ministers regarding the NDIS overhaul as "extraordinary," stating they agreed to a plan involving spending cuts. Treasury modelling indicates over 240,000 people may exit the scheme, with states expressing concerns about service gaps.
Turkish police have arrested 13 suspects in a crackdown on two organized crime groups accused of issuing fake disability reports. The operation, spanning 12 provinces, uncovered a scheme where real patients' samples were used to create fraudulent documents, with each report costing around 150,000 TL. The scam allegedly caused 100 million TL in public damage through tax exemptions and illicit benefits.
Taiwanese disability and caregiver employer groups strongly oppose the nomination of Sun Yi-hsin, Secretary-General of the Taiwan Alliance for Social Welfare, to the Control Yuan. They cite his strong advocacy for migrant worker rights, particularly ending the "one-day departure every three years" rule for foreign laborers, while allegedly neglecting the severe caregiving challenges faced by Taiwanese families with disabled members. Concerns are raised about potential conflicts of interest and a lack of objective, neutral perspective for the oversight role.
A Labor-led human rights committee has found proposed changes to Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to be 'retrogressive' and lacking alignment with an independent review. The changes, which could remove over 200,000 participants, raise human rights concerns regarding access to disability support.
The Albanese government's proposed changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to cut spending and reduce participant numbers have drawn heavy criticism from advocates and people with disabilities during a Senate inquiry. Shadow NDIS minister Melissa McIntosh also discussed concerns about the legislation.
Australia faces various political challenges: One Nation's surge in popularity and fundraising, debates over AUKUS partnership stability, criticism of Labor's NDIS changes, concerns over gambling ad regulations, and AI regulation disputes.
The UK's competition watchdog has ruled that mandatory fees are unfair under consumer law, potentially impacting various industries and consumer contracts.
State and territory disability ministers are sounding the alarm over the Albanese government's proposed NDIS overhaul, warning they cannot provide 'like-for-like services' for over 200,000 participants expected to be moved off the scheme by 2031. They express concerns about a lack of consultation and the risk of unmet needs and cost-shifting to state systems.
State disability ministers have accused the Albanese government of pushing NDIS reforms that contradict previous agreements and risk the safety of people with disability. They warn the pace of change, focused on expenditure constraint, may lead to fragmented service delivery and inappropriate care, urging genuine consultation and co-governance.
State disability ministers accuse the Albanese government of pushing NDIS reforms that disregard previous agreements and risk the safety of people with disability. They warn the pace of change, focused on expenditure constraint, could lead to fragmented service delivery and inappropriate care.
Australian state and territory disability ministers are alarmed by proposed NDIS reforms, warning they cannot provide equivalent services for over 200,000 participants expected to be moved off the scheme by 2031. They cite a lack of consultation and risk of unmet needs and cost-shifting to state systems.
An Australian Federal Police investigation has led to the charging of a National Disability Insurance Agency employee over an alleged $5 million plot to steal funds from the NDIS and a disability services provider. The 48-year-old woman faces multiple charges including fraud and disclosing protected information.
The Greens are pushing Labor to extend Senate inquiries into NDIS cuts and tax changes, potentially delaying the government's agenda. They oppose rushing NDIS reforms and may align with the Coalition to demand longer scrutiny, despite generally supporting the tax reforms.
Cameron Bloomfield, a repeat child sex offender, was mistakenly honored as Victoria's "disability pride champion" before the government department realized his criminal past and revoked the award. Bloomfield's offenses date back to 2005, including indecent assault and attempting to procure sex with a child.
The Grattan Institute has strongly criticized the Australian Labor government's proposed NDIS budget cuts, calling them 'blunt and inequitable' and 'underpinned by dubious logic'. The thinktank argues that slashing social participation budgets could lead to 'absurd' outcomes for participants, potentially undermining the scheme's core purpose.
Campaigners and disability groups are urging the UK government to halt plans to cut funding for specialist assistive software under the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). They argue that free, mass-market tools cannot replace the functionality of specialist software, risking wider attainment gaps and increased student withdrawals.
