Daily Media Round-Up Wednesday 13 August 2014

 

World: Dr. Lauren Lindstrom explores the inexorable link between disability and poverty

5 August 2014

Sage Connection

In a time of global economic downturn, it's no surprise that extended implications of poverty are critically relevant in the domain of special needs study.

http://connection.sagepub.com/blog/2014/08/05/dr-lauren-lindstrom-explores-the-inexorable-link-between-disability-and-poverty/

 

NSW: Woman with disability faces long wait for equipment

13 August 2014

Deborah Field, The Leader

Kym Flowers,30, has a range of physical disabilities but can't get funding for basic mobility equipment. She studies at TAFE and wants nothing more than to be active in the community. She has been told a walking frame and supportive cushions are luxury items.

http://www.theleader.com.au/story/2479355/woman-with-disability-faces-long-wait-for-equipment/

 

QLD: Paralympian reveals: the horrible things people say

13 August 2014

The Morning Bulletin

ROCKHAMPTON-BORN Paralympian Karni Liddell says people have said some outrageous things to her over the years.

http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/karni-blasts-small-minds/2349990/

 

National: Gammy saga: Australia 'already rejects' Down syndrome immigrants

13 August 2014

Aleisha Orr, WA Today

Many Australians might have made a judgement on the parents of baby Gammy not bringing their Down syndrome son home to Australia after being born to a surrogate mother in Thailand. But the reality is that Australia - as a country - has been making a similar decision as part of its Immigration Act since 1958.

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/gammy-saga-australia-already-rejects-down-syndrome-immigrants-20140812-10373y.html

 

National: Gammy a defective product, to be disposed of at will

13 August 2014

Miranda Devine, The Daily Telegraph

Their casual approach to aborting Gammy tells you everything that is wrong with commercial surrogacy. They see themselves as customers, making a consumer complaint about a faulty product, demanding their money back if the problem wasn't fixed. Who cares that the product is a human baby.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/gammy-a-defective-product-to-be-disposed-of-at-will/story-fni0cwl5-1227022227531

 

National: ACOSS call for single welfare payment to cover 'life essentials'

12 August 2014

Judith Ireland, SMH

The welfare system should be radically overhauled to replace all working-age payments and pensions with a single basic payment that would cover "life's essentials," according to the country's peak welfare group.

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/acoss-call-for-single-welfare-payment-to-cover-life-essentials-20140811-3divn.html

 

National: Major Service Providers Call Off Amalgamation

7 August 2014

ProBono News

Disability and mental health service providers, Achieve Australia and Break Thru People Solutions, have decided not to amalgamate despite the organisations saying in June it could position the "new" organisation as a national leader in the sector.

http://www.probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2014/08/major-service-providers-call-amalgamation

 

National: NDIS opening up new and competitive market

12 August 2014

Marie Sansom, Government News

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will throw open the market for supplying services and equipment to people with disabilities and could signal an influx of private companies into the sector, says a key disability advocacy body.

http://www.governmentnews.com.au/2014/08/ndis-opening-new-competitive-market/

 

VIC: ANZ threatened to discipline pregnant worker over pelvic exam, court told

8 August 2014

Nick Toscano, The Age

A heavily pregnant bank worker was threatened with disciplinary action because she would not undergo a pelvic examination by a company-appointed gynaecologist, a court has heard.

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/anz-threatened-to-discipline-pregnant-worker-over-pelvic-exam-court-told-20140807-101m53.html

 

National: David and Wendy Farnell demanded refund for Gammy

11 August 2014

Rachel Browne, SMH

The parents of baby Gammy have said they demanded a refund from the agency upon learning their son had a disability late into the pregnancy.

http://www.smh.com.au/world/david-and-wendy-farnell-demanded-refund-for-gammy-20140810-102kpn.html

 

National: 'We would have terminated Gammy if it was safe': parents

11 August 2014

9 News

The Australian father of baby Gammy has spoken openly to 60 Minutes about his conviction for child sex offences, saying he "hangs his head in shame".

http://www.9news.com.au/national/2014/08/10/21/35/parents-say-they-would-have-aborted-gammy

 

NSW: Raworth man with disability has cleaning hours cut: VIDEO

5 August 2014

Nick Bielby, The Maitland Mercury

After living with disabilities caused by infamous drug Thalidomide, Mark Chorlton has another hurdle to face.

http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/2466399/raworth-man-with-disabilities-has-cleaning-hours-cut-video/

 

Opinion: People with a disability deserving of help to live at home

5 August 2014

Home and Community Care  ­services play a vital role in allowing Hunter residents with a disability to remain in their own home rather than move into residential care.

http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/2466440/editorial-people-with-a-disability-deserving-of-help-to-live-at-home/

 

NSW: Woman 'fell through the cracks' of NDIS: parents

8 August 2014

Michael McGowan, Newcastle Herald

A SEVERELY disabled Hunter woman underwent emergency surgery after changes to her medication schedule that were never cleared by her parents.

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2475053/woman-fell-through-the-cracks-of-ndis-parents/

 

National: ABC launches Mental As for Mental Health Week

11 August 2014

Mumbrella

The ABC is launching Mental As, a week of distinctive programming for Mental Health Week October 5 – 12.

http://mumbrella.com.au/abc-launches-mental-mental-health-week-243849

 

NSW: Ajaka backs axing of government disability service

4 August 2014

Lisa Wachsmuth, Illawarra Mercury

NSW Minister for Disability Services and the Illawarra John Ajaka has defended his government's decision to bow out of the provision of disability services.

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/2464236/ajaka-backs-axing-of-government-disability-service/

 

World: Pistorius defence says his disability created an 'exaggerated fight response'

9 August 2014

9 News

Oscar Pistorius is awaiting his fate over the shooting death of his girlfriend with his trial wrapping up in South Africa.

http://www.9news.com.au/world/2014/08/09/21/40/pistorius-defence-says-his-disability-created-an-exaggerated-fight-response

 

National: ACOSS proposes 'common income support payment' in overhaul of social security system

12 August 2014

ACOSS media release

The Australian Council of Social Service is calling for a major overhaul of the social security system for people of working age, proposing a single or 'common' income support payment with added supplements depending on a person's need, similar to the 'Universal Credit' in the United Kingdom.

http://acoss.org.au/media/release/acoss_proposes_common_income_support_payment_in_overhaul_of_social_security/

 

World: Old City to Become Disabled-Friendly, After 3,000 Years

12 August 2014

Hezki Ezra and Tova Dvorin, Arutz Sheva

Accessibility ramps and other improvements are being added throughout Jerusalem's Old City, allowing the disabled easier access to the Western Wall 3,000 years after Solomon built his Temple there, the Jerusalem Development Authority (JDA) announced Tuesday.

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/183976

 

World: Human rights still take a back seat in Asean, say activists

11 August 2014

Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Bangkok Post

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), which marked its 47th anniversary on Aug 8, has many achievements to celebrate, given the political, economic and social turmoil the region has overcome during the past five decades.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/426105/human-rights-still-take-a-back-seat-in-asean-say-activists  

 

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