Respect in the workplace training
We are offering training for advocates and staff of ADEs about respect in the workplace.
Disability Royal Commission report handed down
The Disability Royal Commission handed down their final report last Friday. It includes 222 recommendations about how to make Australia a better place for disabled Australians. The government has said they will set up a taskforce to work through the recommendations. That means they won’t be commenting on which recommendations they agree with, at least…
Statement of Support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart
Villamanta explicitly supports the full Uluru Statement from the Heart. The Uluru Statement is an invitation to the broader Australian population to create a better future; for everyone. The Statement calls for three actions: Voice, Treaty and Truth. Villamanta wholeheartedly supports Constitutional Recognition and the Voice to Parliament in the upcoming referendum. We recognise that…
Jess Harriott speaks out on NDIS saga
North Geelong single mum Jessica Harriott describes handling the National Disability Insurance Scheme for herself and her son as a “full-time job”. Ms Harriott, 43, has autism, while her 10-year-old son William also has the condition, as well as ADHD, an intellectual disability, chronic anxiety and a severe language delay. Will joined the scheme, which…
Single occupant SDA decision at AAT
The AAT this week overturned an NDIS decision to deny single occupancy Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). The participant, Anna Boicovitis, was deemed eligible to be funded for High Physical Support SDA but the NDIA stated that she was only eligible for dual occupancy SDA. That is, she could only have accessible housing that met her…
CYHY to be funded for his assistance dog
CYHY is an 8 year old boy who has autism, social communication disorder, generalised anxiety disorder and ADHD. CYHY’s mother requested that he be provided with an assistance dog from Smart Pups Assistance Dogs for Special Needs Children Inc. in exchange for a “donation” of $20,000 to be funded under the NDIS. The NDIA rejected…
Vaccination Certificate
We’ve had questions about how you can get a COVID vaccination certificate if you don’t have access to MyGov. There’s information about that here: https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines/certificates BUT the quickest way is to go to a doctor or pharmacist who knows you (or the one who vaccinated you) and ask them. They can download your COVID vaccination…
Applying to the AAT
To request a review of an NDIA decision you think is wrong, first you need to make a request within 3 months of receiving the decision.
Whose job is it – further clarification from the Tribunal
In our recent post Whose job is it? we discussed the issues with: a) the supports the AAT can consider following an internal review; and b) what happens if the plan is due to end, or the participant is running out of funding A recent decision of the AAT gives us some further clarification on…
Villamanta wins disability award
Villamanta are honoured to be the recipients of the 2021 Victorian Disability Award in the category of “Excellence in promoting rights, fairness and safety”. We congratulate Family Safety Victoria who received a commendation for their Yara program, and acknowledge the excellent work of finalists Deaf Victoria and ermha365. More details about the awards, and finalists…