Media Releases - 2011
20/12/2011 Report shows early intervention helps children with disability
The Australian Government today welcomed the findings of a review of early intervention therapies.
20/12/2011 UN Declares March 21 World Down Syndrome Day
The Australian Government today welcomed a resolution by the United Nations to designate March 21 as ‘World Down Syndrome Day.’
19/12/2011 Working with South Australia to get NDIS ready
The Australian Government has announced it will work with the South Australian Government on measures to help get the state ready for a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
14/12/2011 Reforming the Disability Support Pension
A new report released today confirms the Gillard Government’s reforms to better target the Disability Support Pension (DSP) are working.
09/12/2011 Forging ahead towards a National Disability Insurance Scheme
More than 80 Far North Queenslanders joined Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Jan McLucas and Queensland Minister for Disability Services, Curtis Pitt in Cairns today in support of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
06/12/2011 Government delivering disability reform
The Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas today met with representatives from the disability sector at the National Disability Services CEO meeting in Canberra...
05/12/2011 Improving the lives of people with disability worldwide
The Australian Government today announced support to improve the lives of people with disability worldwide at a symposium on the World Health Organisation and World Bank’s World Report on Disability in Sydney.
05/12/2011 Providing more options for people with disability
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers Jan McLucas and Member for Greenway, Michelle Rowland today joined with disability support organisation Ability Options to celebrate International Day of People with Disability.
03/12/2011 Designing a National Disability Insurance Scheme
The Gillard Government today announced a new agency will be established to lead the Commonwealth’s work to design the launch of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
03/12/2011 Sign up and stay in touch on new National Disability Insurance Scheme website
To kick off International Day of People with Disability, the Australian Government has gone live with a new National Disability Insurance Scheme website.
03/12/2011 Playgrounds of all abilities: Olivia’s legacy
An all-abilities playground built in memory of a young New South Wales girl whose life ended at the age of 8 months from a rare illness was today a place of celebration as part of International Day of People with Disability.
02/12/2011 International Day of People with Disability
Celebrations will occur throughout Australia this weekend to mark 2011 International Day of People with Disability.
30/11/2011 Capital grants for Australian Disability Enterprises
The Australian Government has awarded more than $500,000 to 27 organisations providing supported employment to people with disability to help strengthen their businesses.
22/11/2011 2011 National Disability Awards Recognise Outstanding Achievements
Nine outstanding individuals and organisations were honoured today for their work to improve the lives of people with disability at the annual National Disability Awards.
22/11/2011 Supporting Australians with psychosocial disability
Supporting people with a psychosocial disability is the focus of report released today that will help to further develop mental health policy in Australia.
02/11/2011 New Report Highlights the Economic Impact of Multiple Sclerosis
A new report into the economic impact of multiple sclerosis reveals the substantial costs associated with the condition, and highlights the need for fundamental reform of disability care and support in Australia.
30/10/2011 WANTED: Leaders for tomorrow
The Australian Government is encouraging people with disability to apply for a leadership program that will help people with disability become leaders in business, the community and government.
28/10/2011 Young people with disability look to the future
Rugby league players, bongo and drum workshops and student volunteers with disability were all part of the 2011 Post School Options Expo held today in Cairns, aiming to help young people with disability transition from school to employment or study
27/10/2011 3 years on and more than 15,000 children with autism supported
More than 15,000 young children with autism have accessed early intervention services under the Australian Government's $220 million Helping Children with Autism package.
26/10/2011 NDIS gathers momentum in WA
More than 100 Western Australians with disability, carers and disability service providers attended a public forum in Perth today in support of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and National Injury Insurance Scheme (NIIS) for WA
25/10/2011 Olympic medallists take on pollies in Adelaide
Special Olympics medallists today showed off their skills when they competed against federal politicians in a friendly tennis match at West Beach, Adelaide.
25/10/2011 Digital world widens for people with disability in the South
Blind and vision impaired residents in Southern Adelaide can now fully participate in the library experience as a result of a Gillard Government initiative that is providing digital devices to public libraries across Australia
21/10/2011 Ministers don their loud shirts to support deaf children
Ministers from the Australian Government and state and territory governments today donned bright and colourful shirts to celebrate Loud Shirt Day.
20/10/2011 Early delivery of foundation reforms for National Disability Insurance Scheme
The Gillard Government and all state and territory governments today agreed to lay the foundations for a National Disability Insurance Scheme by mid-2013 - a year ahead of the timetable set out by the Productivity Commission.
18/10/2011 Inaugural meeting of NDIS Advisory Group
The Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas, today opened the inaugural meeting of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Advisory Group in Melbourne.
17/10/2011 National Week of Deaf People 2011
A week long national celebration of Deaf people and the Deaf Australian community is underway across the country.
16/10/2011 Select Council on disability reform to meet this week
The Select Council of Treasurers and Disability Ministers established by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to consider the fundamental reform of Australia’s disability support services will meet for the first time in Sydney this week.
14/10/2011 Recognising Australian carers who make a difference – Carers Week 2011 launch
Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Mark Butler and Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas, today launched 2011 Carers Week in an event at Australian Parliament House in Canberra.
14/10/2011 Applications open: Funding to support Australia’s carers
The Australian Government is calling for applications from organisations across the country to deliver a campaign to promote the needs and rights of Australian carers and deliver a series of festivals for young carers recognising their contribution.
10/10/2011 National Disability Insurance Scheme Forum
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers Jan McLucas today attended a forum in Ipswich to discuss major reform of disability services in Australia.
09/10/2011 Down syndrome Awareness Week
Down syndrome Awareness Week begins today (9 –16 October), providing Australians with a chance to recognise and celebrate the contribution people with Down syndrome make to the community.
07/10/2011 New housing and jobs for Yarrabah
Eleven new houses will be built in Yarrabah, near Cairns, in Queensland to reduce overcrowding in the community.
07/10/2011 National Disability Insurance Scheme Advisory Group appointments
The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin and the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas today announced the appointment of the NDIS Advisory Group.
04/10/2011 Strong field for National Disability Awards
Twenty-one of Australia’s most inspirational citizens and organisations have been nominated for the Australian Government’s National Disability Awards to be announced on 22 November.
28/09/2011 Government funding gives people with disability international representation
People with disability and their representatives will share in $300,000 in Australian Government funding over three years to attend key international forums on human rights.
15/09/2011 More than 2200 teachers trained to help children with autism
Children with autism are receiving more help at school thanks to the Gillard Government’s Positive Partnerships initiative, which has seen 2250 teachers given additional training in providing classroom support.
08/09/2011 Australian Government appoints Disability Community Leaders
Six Australians will champion the cause of people with disability following their appointment by the Australian Government to promote the 2011 International Day of People with Disability and National Disability Awards.
05/09/2011 Capital grants available for Australian Disability Enterprises
Organisations that provide supported employment opportunities to people with disability will be able to apply for new funding for capital improvements from today.
05/09/2011 Catering service recognised for supporting employees with disability
A gourmet café and catering service has taken out top honours in the 2011 Australian Disability Enterprises Excellence Award.
05/09/2011 Applications open to build supported accommodation for people with disability
Organisations are today being encouraged to apply for funding under the Australian Government’s $60 million Supported Accommodation Innovation Fund.
31/08/2011 More than 1,000 children registered for a better start at life
More than 1,000 children with disability have registered to access early intervention services through the Australian Government's $147 million Better Start for Children with Disability initiative.
21/08/2011 Hearing Awareness Week: 21 - 27 August
Hearing Awareness Week kicks off today across the country (21 – 27 August) and parents of young hearing impaired children are being encouraged to sign up for new Australian Government early intervention services.
19/08/2011 COAG delivers key step for National Disability Insurance Scheme
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) today agreed on the need for major reform of disability services in Australia through a National Disability Insurance Scheme.
17/08/2011 Flying Start for Better Start
Families of children with disabilities have embraced the Australian Government's new $147 million <em>Better Start for Children with Disability</em> initiative, with 725 children registering in its first six weeks.
15/08/2011 Brain Injury Awareness Week
Today marks the start of Brain Injury Awareness Week (15 – 21 August), recognising and empowering the more than 500,000 Australians living with a brain injury.
10/08/2011 Productivity commission's final report into disability care and support
The Gillard Labor Government today announced that it will start work immediately with states and territories on measures that will build the foundations for a National Disability Insurance Scheme, following the release of the Productivity...
03/08/2011 National Carer Strategy launch
Australia's 2.6 million carers will receive improved recognition and support following the launch of the Gillard Government's National Carer Strategy in Victoria today.
03/08/2011 Carers of children aged up to 16 years with Type 1 Diabetes to receive Carer Allowance
The Gillard Government will extend eligibility for Carer Allowance for carers of children with Type 1 Diabetes.
02/08/2011 Supporting people with disability for 60 years
The Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas, today paid tribute to one of the largest non-government disability service providers in Australia and one of Queensland’s oldest charities, at a celebration in Brisbane today.
01/08/2011 Government receives the Productivity Commission’s disability care and support report
The Australian Government today received the Productivity Commission's final report into a long-term disability care and support scheme.
31/07/2011 Making it easier to contribute to Special Disability Trusts
People with severe disability and their carers are being asked to comment on draft legislation that will remove income tax barriers to make it easier for people to contribute to a Special Disability Trust (SDT).
30/07/2011 Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week to kick off tomorrow
Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week commences tomorrow across the country (31 July – 6 August), an opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of people with cerebral palsy and to promote a more inclusive community for people with...
29/07/2011 2011 Australian Disability Enterprises Excellence Award: One week left to nominate
Time is running out to nominate one of 202 Australian Disability Enterprises for the 2011 Excellence Award which recognises the significant contribution that these organisations make in improving the lives of people with disability.
29/07/2011 Delivering work opportunities for people with disability on the Central Coast
The Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas, and Member for Robertson, Deb O’Neill, today visited a Central Coast disability enterprise that provides 145 supported employment opportunities to local people...
26/07/2011 Fragile X Awareness Month recognised today
As part of Fragile X Awareness Month that is being recognised today, Parliamentary Secretary for Disability and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas, is encouraging parents of young children with Fragile X Syndrome to register....
20/07/2011 Australian Disability Enterprises showcase products and services
Thirty Australian Disability Enterprises from across Australia gathered in Brisbane today to showcase their products and services to potential customers.
20/07/2011 A better start for children with disability on Brisbane’s westside
A new Gillard Government early intervention program will give children with disability on Brisbane’s westside a better start to life, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers Senator Jan McLucas and Member for Moreton Graham Perrett...
15/07/2011 Milestone for deaf and blind children
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas, and Member for Parramatta, Julie Owens, today visited the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children in North Rocks, Sydney, to help celebrate the enrolment of their 1000th child.
14/07/2011 Making Auburn more accessible for people with disability
The Auburn community is set to become more accessible for local people with disability and their carers through a $20,000 boost from the Gillard Government.
14/07/2011 Making Canada Bay's libraries more accessible for people with print disability
Blind and vision impaired residents of Canada Bay can now fully participate in the library experience as a result of a Gillard Government initiative that is providing digital devices to public libraries across Australia.
08/07/2011 Parents signing up to give their children with disability a better start in life
Parents of thousands of children with disability can now register to receive up to $12,000 in early intervention services.
06/07/2011 Improving access to conferences for people with disability
People with disability will be supported to participate in a range of conferences across the country following the announcement of around $320,000 to conference organisers.
05/07/2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games come to a close
Minister for Sport Mark Arbib and Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers Senator Jan McLucas today congratulated the Australian Special Olympics team on their superb efforts as the World Summer Games came to a close in Athens.
01/07/2011 Funding for Arts Access Australia
Arts Minister Simon Crean today joined Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers Senator Jan McLucas to announce $500,000 funding for Arts Access Australia – the peak national body for arts and disability.
01/07/2011 Annual supplement to better support carers
From today, more than 530,000 carers across Australia will receive a $600 boost to help relieve the financial pressures of caring for a loved one.
01/07/2011 Better start in life for children with disability
Children with disability affecting their development will have access to targeted early intervention services through the $147 million Better Start for Children with Disability initiative.
29/06/2011 More traineeships in Bellambi for people with a disability
The Australian Government today announced funding of $600,000 from the Innovation Fund program for Mission Australia’s Feather Weight project.
26/06/2011 Let the Games begin
Australia's largest ever Special Olympics team has joined more than 7500 competitors from 185 countries for the opening ceremony of the 13th World Summer Games in Athens, Greece.
24/06/2011 Money for families to support their children with disability
From next month, thousands of children with disability will be given a better start in life when the Gillard Government’s new early intervention program commences, providing families up to $12,000.
24/06/2011 Developing innovative accommodation solutions for people with disability
People with disability and their families are one step closer to seeing 150 new supported accommodation places rolled out across the country.
24/06/2011 Deafblind Awareness Week
From tomorrow, deafblind people across Australia, their families and friends, will unite to raise awareness of deafblindness and promote greater understanding of the condition.
23/06/2011 Supporting our Olympians in Athens
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas, will today leave for Athens to join the largest ever Australian contingent of athletes, coaches and volunteers at the 13th Special Olympics World Summer Games.
21/06/2011 Call for nominations for 2011 ADE Excellence Awards
One of Australia's 202 Disability Enterprises has the chance to take out top honours in the 2011 Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE) Excellence Award.
20/06/2011 Increasing access to tourism for people with a disability
Ensuring people with disability can access and enjoy holidays was the focus of a meeting of disability advocates in Canberra today.
18/06/2011 Special Olympians to do Australia proud in Athens
Athletes and volunteers participating in the Special Olympics World Summer Games today left for Athens in their search for Olympic glory.
16/06/2011 More time to nominate for National Disability Awards
Australians now have an extra month to nominate outstanding individuals and organisations that have contributed to the lives of people with disability for the 2011 National Disability Awards.
08/06/2011 Ensuring Australia’s Role in International Disability Issues
Attorney-General Robert McClelland and Parliamentary Secretary for Disability and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas, today announced additional funding to the Australian Human Rights Commission to ensure people with disability play a key role in…
06/06/2011 Making local communities more accessible for people with disability
Local governments across Australia will share in $5 million from the Gillard Government to improve the accessibility of public facilities for people with disability in their communities.
03/06/2011 Government Welcomes Disabiliy Transport Review Findings
The Australian Government today welcomed the findings of the first five year statutory review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards).
01/06/2011 Supporting people with disability into work
A report released today on disability support pensioners highlights the need for the Australian Government’s important reforms to the Disability Support Pension (DSP) to get more people into the workforce.
27/05/2011 Jobs Fund delivers Blue Mountains social enterprise hub
A new social enterprise centre is delivering employment and training opportunities to disadvantaged people in the Blue Mountains as a result of a $2 million boost from the Australian Government’s Jobs Fund.
20/05/2011 Supporting deaf and blind children
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers Senator Jan McLucas today met with local children with disabilities and their families who will benefit from improved access to targeted early intervention services at the Royal Institute...
19/05/2011 Swift action to help people with disability get back to work after Brisbane floods
The Australian Government has taken swift action to support a local Australian Disability Enterprise return to work following extensive damage to its operations in Queensland's January floods.
19/05/2011 Working to help children with Autism
The Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas, today met with Autism Advisors from across Australia to discuss support for families and children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
19/05/2011 A better start for children with hearing impairment
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers Senator Jan McLucas today visited Brisbane's Hear and Say Centre to meet with local children with disabilities and their families who will benefit from improved access...
17/05/2011 A better start for children with disability in Darwin
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers Senator Jan McLucas and Senator Trish Crossin today met with local children with disabilities and their families that will benefit from improved access to targeted early intervention services.
17/05/2011 TAFE NSW Institute selected to deliver Leaders for Tomorrow
TAFE New South Wales Hunter Institute has been selected as the national provider to deliver a program to develop the leadership skills of people with disability.
16/05/2011 A better start for children in Townsville
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers Senator Jan McLucas today met with children and their families at the AEIOU Foundation for Children with Autism Centre in Kirwan, Townsville.
13/05/2011 Peak body selected to run registration service for Better Start for Children with Disability program
The Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas, was today in Hobart to announce new funding to support parents of children with disabilities.
10/05/2011 Supporting Australians with disability into work
The Gillard Government is improving support for Australians with disability to help them into work where possible, while providing an essential safety net for Australians unable to work.
10/05/2011 Better start for children with disability
Children with disability affecting their development will have access to intensive early intervention services through the $147 million Better Start for Children with Disability initiative.
04/05/2011 Australians encouraged to nominate for National Disability Awards
Australians are being encouraged to nominate individuals and organisations that make a positive contribution to the lives of people with disability for the fifth annual National Disability Awards.
01/05/2011 New national building standards to improve accessibility for people with disability
The Gillard Government today announced the start of new building accessibility standards, which will ensure all new and upgraded public buildings in Australia will be accessible to people with a disability.
20/04/2011 Applications open to providers to help deliver government's new early intervention program
Early intervention service providers across the country are invited to apply to join the Better Start Early Intervention Service Provider Panel to help deliver a new Australian Government program that will provide tailored early...
18/04/2011 Delivering greater access to people with print disability in Fremantle
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas, today announced Fremantle library would receive ten new digital playback devices to give people with print disability greater access to library materials.
15/04/2011 Making employment easier for people with disabilities
Announcement of funding for a new guide to help employers better understand the needs of employees with disability.
14/04/2011 Launceston Gears Up
Zumba routines, choir performances and wheelchair basketball were among the activities on offer today at an expo in Launceston aimed at improving the lives of people with disability.
12/04/2011 Australian re-elected as chair of UN Disability Committee
Attorney-General Robert McClelland and Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers Senator Jan McLucas today congratulated Professor Ron McCallum AO on his re-election as Chair of the United Nations Committee...
11/04/2011 Livable Housing Australia
A new not-for-profit organisation will be established to encourage Australians constructing new homes to comply with design standards that make homes more accessible.
04/04/2011 New centre for carers opens in Darwin
Carers in Darwin and across the Northern Territory will have better access to support, services and information with the opening of a new carer centre today.
02/04/2011 World Autism Awareness Day
Today is World Autism Awareness Day, an opportunity to raise community awareness and show support for people with the condition, their families and carers.
31/03/2011 Government shows its commitment to helping children with Autism
The Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas, today met with Playgroup Australia and PlayConnect Playgroups Coordinators in Brisbane, to discuss support for families and children with Autism...
21/03/2011 Celebrating National Playgroup Week
To mark the start of National Playgroup Week, a special playgroup for local children and their parents was held at Parliament House today in Canberra.
21/03/2011 World Down Syndrome Day
Today marks the sixth anniversary of World Down Syndrome Day, an opportunity to learn more about Down syndrome and to recognise the important role that people with this condition play in our society.
18/03/2011 National Disability Strategy launched
The Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Jan McLucas, today launched the long term strategy for improving the lives of Australians with disability, their families and carers.
15/03/2011 Certainty for Queensland disability parking permit holders
All Queenslanders with a disability parking permit will now be able to access local disability parking concessions across Australia.
14/03/2011 100,000th Auslan interpreting appointment booked
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas, today recognised the vital role the Australian Government’s National Auslan Interpreter Booking and Payment Service (NABS) continues to play in the deaf community.
28/02/2011 Productivity Commission Draft Report into long term disability care and support
The Australian Government has welcomed the Productivity Commission’s draft report released as part of its inquiry into care and support for people with disability.
26/02/2011 Applications open for National Disability Conference Initiative
Conference organisers can now apply for grants of up to $12,000 to improve access for people with disability and their carers.
25/02/2011 100th PlayConnect Playgroup opens for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
The Australian Government has delivered its 100th PlayConnect Playgroup, with the official opening of a playgroup in Eden Hills in South Australia today.
23/02/2011 Improving counselling services for Australia’s carers and their families
Carers and their families will be able to access improved family relationship and support services that cater specifically to their needs, under reforms to the Family Relationship Services for Carers initiative announced...
21/02/2011 More time to apply for Accessible Communities grant
The Australian Government has extended the application period for grants of up to $100,000 to local councils to make their communities more accessible for people with disability.
18/02/2011 International Asperger's Day
Today is International Asperger’s Day, an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of people with Asperger’s Syndrome, and show support for people with the condition, their families and carers.
15/02/2011 Education Disability Standards Review Underway
The Gillard Labor Government is taking action to help remove barriers to educational achievement, with a review of Disability Standards for Education.
15/02/2011 COAG endorses Australia's first National Disability Strategy
The first national strategy to provide a long term road map for improving the lives of Australians with disability, their families and carers has been endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).
10/02/2011 Digital world to widen for Australians with print disability
Public libraries across Australia are being encouraged to participate in a new program to give people with print disability greater access to digital library materials.
10/02/2011 Graduation of FaHCSIA trainees with disability
Four trainees today celebrated their graduation from a pilot program for people with an intellectual disability in the Australian Public Service.
08/02/2011 Applications open to deliver Leaders for Tomorrow program for people with disability
The Australian Government is encouraging organisations to apply to run a new national leadership program for people with disability.
26/01/2011 Professor McCallum congratulated
The Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas, today congratulated Professor Ron McCallum AO on being named the 2011 Senior Australian of the Year.
23/01/2011 Grants to make local communities more accessible for people with disability
Applications for grants of up to $100,000 will open tomorrow to local councils to make their communities more accessible for people with disability.
19/01/2011 Report finds more people benefiting from disability services
A new report has found the Australian Government's significant investment in disability services and support is helping to improve the lives of people with disability.
13/01/2011 Indigenous Cricketers On SCG To Spread Learn. Earn. Legend! Message
A team of Indigenous NRL stars will take on Australia’s best young Indigenous cricketers in the first all Indigenous cricket game on the Sydney Cricket Ground to spread the Learn. Earn. Legend! message.