Opposition response to calls for Royal Commission

In response to continued lobbying from the disability community:

Federal Labor calls for royal commission into institutional abuse of people with a disability

Alexandra Beech, ABC News, 26 May 2017
Federal Labor is calling for a royal commission into the abuse of people with a disability. 

It comes after a Senate inquiry recommended establishing a royal commission into the disability sector in November 2015. 

The co-chief executive of People With Disability Australia, Matthew Bowden, has welcomed Labor's announcement, saying violence against people with a disability was at "epidemic levels" ...

Labor pledges royal commission on abuse of people with disabilities

Amy Remeikis, Sydney Morning Herald, 26 May 2017

... Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said Labor would lobby the Turnbull government to establish a commission on violence and neglect in the disability services sector, and make it a priority if elected.

A joint Senate committee, set up in 2015 in response to growing concerns and media coverage of failures and abuse within the system, recommended a royal commission be established to help bring about change ...

Call for Royal Commission into abuse of people with disability

Inclusion Australia, 26 May 2017 (Endorsed by NSW Council for Intellectual Disability)

“As a woman with an intellectual disability, I can say that abuse from people who were supposed to be caring for me has had a very bad long term impact on my life”, says Heather Forsyth.

Ms Forsyth is Inclusion Australia’s Our Voice Chairperson and knows first-hand the devastating impact abuse and violence against people with disability has on lives.

Inclusion Australia and its member organisations are supporting the call for a Royal Commission into the abuse of people with disability. And pressure is mounting for the Government to step up and do the same, with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services Jenny Macklin, today also calling for a Royal Commission into the abuse of people with disability.

The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations joins calls for Royal Commission into abuse of people with disability

Following last night's harrowing episode of Four Corners, with its expose of abuse of people in care, Down Syndrome Australia once again reiterates its strong support for a Royal Commission into the abuse of people with disabilities.

• The 4 Corners episode Fighting the System is available on ABC iView until 26 April 2017

• Royal Commission Now petition

AFDO media release 28 March 2017:

The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) today joined calls from across the disability sector for a Royal Commission into the violence, abuse and neglect experienced by Australians with disability.

Last night’s Four Corners investigative report exposed harrowing tales of the abuse and assault of people with disability living in specialist disability accommodation. The episode highlighted not only individual cases of violence and assault but also the woefully inadequate system responses when incidents came to light.

The Chief Executive Officer of AFDO, Mr Ross Joyce, said that while last night’s stories were heartbreaking, they were sadly not shocking for anyone familiar with the disability system.

Disability Groups Call For Royal Commission Into Violence Against People With Disability

• The 4 Corners episode Fighting the System is available on ABC iView until 26 April 2017

• Royal Commission Now petition

Disabled People's Organisations Australia, 27 March 2017

Tonight’s ABC Four Corners report, ‘Fighting the System’ exposed more evidence of the appalling levels of violence and abuse against people with disability in Australia. This is only the tip of the iceberg. In light of the graphic and disturbing cases revealed this evening, Disabled People’s Organisations Australia (DPO Australia), calls on the Federal Government to reconsider its recent refusal to conduct a Royal Commission into violence and abuse of people with disability.

“Tonight, more evidence has come to light that supports the case for a Royal Commission. It is only a Royal Commission that has the weight, the investigative powers, the time and resources to open the doors to the many ‘closed’ institutions and residential environments, and expose Australia’s shameful secret,” said Therese Sands, Director, DPO Australia.

“People with disability are routinely denied access to justice, both at a civil and criminal level because of law, policy and practice barriers. A Royal Commission would give space and recognition to people with disability to tell their story, to be believed, and would enable some measure of accountability and justice,” said Ms Sands.

The 2015 Senate Committee Inquiry into violence and abuse against people with disability in institutional and residential settings found that violence and abuse was prolific and hidden. The central recommendation of the committee was the establishment of a Royal Commission.

The Federal Government ruled out a Royal Commission in its response to the Senate Inquiry earlier this month. The Government noted that it was addressing violence and abuse against people with disability by establishing the Quality and Safeguarding Framework for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Scrapheap Adventure Ride 2017 - Tingha, NSW

The Scrapheap Adventure Ride is a unique fundraising event which involves motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the country purchasing a bike for no more than $1000 and doing it up for an adventure ride through the Aussie outback, all while raising money for people with Down syndrome.

In just six years the event has raised nearly $500,000 for Down Syndrome NSW.
Riders begin their journey at home or wherever they like but arrive at the same destination.

This year that destination is Green Valley Farm, Tingha, in North Western NSW, where all ‘Scrappers’ plus family and friends will meet for a weekend of fun and entertainment at a campsite from September 29 to October 1.

Our target for 2017 is 100 riders raising $100,000 for Down Syndrome NSW. So what are you waiting for? Click here to join the 2017 Scrapheap Adventure Ride.

If you’re not a rider, you can support the Scrapheap Adventure Ride and Down Syndrome NSW by sponsoring a rider or just donating to the cause.

NSW parliamentary forum on health discrimination

Call to action from NSW Council for Intellectual Disability:

 Help us strike while the iron is hot to keep disability health in the political spotlight. 

Thanks to your support we have been able to organise a Parliamentary Forum, which will focus on the very high rates of preventable deaths for people with intellectual disability. The forum will be held on Friday 31 March at 12 noon in Parliament House.

The Minister for Disability Services, Hon Raymond Williams will address the forum, as will the Shadow Ministers for Health and Disability.

Your local MP has received an invitation, but we need your voice to ensure they attend the event. The more politicians we have there, the more pressure there will be on the government to act. 

The event is little more than a week away, so we need you to phone or email them right now, to lock it into their calendar. 

• Guide to how you can contact your MP 

World Down Syndrome Day media

It is still World Down Syndrome Day in the western hemisphere ... here are some more examples of media attention to the 2017 campaign:

Camille is the light of her workplace

The Morning Show, 21 March 2017

UK photographer Oliver Hellowell aims to demonstrate that 
Down syndrome is something to be celebrated and valued, 
through his poster created for World Down Syndrome Day 2017

World Down Syndrome Day 2017 - #MyVoiceMyCommunity

Down Syndrome International presents a global video journey promoting inclusion of people with Down syndrome. "My Voice, My Community" features videos of people with Down syndrome, among their friends and peers. They talk about how it is important for their voices to be heard, as equal citizens of their countries and they encourage their governments to listen to their concerns.



This is Us - Down Syndrome Ireland, 2017

#World Down Syndrome Day 2017 – Day 21

This year Down Syndrome Australia is celebrating #MyVoiceMyCommunity with the international Down syndrome community. Join us as we count down to  21 March with 21 stories of inclusion and personal success.

... nine years on, I wish I could go back in time and talk to the terrified mummy I was. I would softly tell myself – it is going to be okay. There is nothing to be scared of. Your daughter will develop her milestones, she will talk and sing, she will have friends, she will love swimming, she will go to mainstream school and be involved in extra-curricular activities, she will have her own personality and talents, she will have a vivid imagination, she will learn independent life skills, and she will bring much joy to your family and others around you. You will love her ... read the whole story here.

Today is World Down Syndrome Day. We hope you have enjoyed the stories and photos we have been sharing as much as we have. Visit this page to see and share all 21 stories.

Want to join the #notspecialneeds campaign for World Down Syndrome Day 2017?

The CoorDown Italy collaborative video 'Not Special Needs' released late last week, has been enthusiastically received around the world, especially for its use of humour to make the point about universal human needs.

Do you have a favourite scene? The guy swaggering down the supermarket aisle in a full suit of armour is popular!

You can join in the #notspecialneeds social media campaign with Down Syndrome Australia, one of the international collaborators:

Write your poster, take a photo of you holding your poster and send it to the DSA Facebook page as a message to share on the Down syndrome Australia website, Facebook and Twitter. 

Here is what you put on your poster:

"I need ..........

Is that special? 

#notspecialneeds"

Visit the DSA Facebook page to see the posters already shared.

#notspecilaneeds ! World Down Syndrome Day video's important message

Starting with Julius

The 2017 World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD17) video campaign created by Publicis NY for CoorDown, Italy and with the participation of other Down syndrome organisations, including Down Syndrome Australia, is a powerful example of how inclusive and authentic representation of people with disability in mainstream media can help change cultural attitudes and assumptions to disability – even subconscious attitudes predicated on the well-meaning euphemism “special needs” ...

Watch the best short movie of the year

Maeriah Nicholl, Living with a Little Moxie, 17 March 2017

#NotSpecialNeeds just came out in time for World Down Syndrome Day and it is my favorite short of 2017.

... Main points from the #NotSpecialNeeds campaign are:

• People with Down syndrome have human needs; not special
• Accommodation for disability isn’t a “special need”
• The words “special needs” segregates, excludes and stigmatizes; it’s not by and for people with disabilities (who largely consider “special needs” to be patronizing and condescending) ...

#World Down Syndrome Day 2017 – Day 20

This year Down Syndrome Australia is celebrating #MyVoiceMyCommunity with the international Down syndrome community. Join us as we count down to  21 March with 21 stories of inclusion and personal success.

This is Sean, our eight year old son. He is the youngest of our five children and has Down syndrome. He was diagnosed with Down syndrome when I was 20 weeks pregnant and I was scared and anxious about what the future would hold. But since the moment Sean was born he has brought such joy to our lives and I wouldn’t have it any other way ... read the whole story here.

#World Down Syndrome Day 2017 – Day 19

This year Down Syndrome Australia is celebrating #MyVoiceMyCommunity with the international Down syndrome community. Join us as we count down to  21 March with 21 stories of inclusion and personal success.

‘A Night to Remember Gala Ball’ is an annual event for 150 young people with disability. They enjoy a night where they receive a three course meal, soft drinks, live band and a photo booth. 

The ball is an opportunity to catch up with friends, make new friends, dance and socialise in a fun environment supported by Down Syndrome South Australia staff and volunteers.

This photo is of Ashlea enjoying herself at the ball.

#World Down Syndrome Day 2017 – Day 18

This year Down Syndrome Australia is celebrating #MyVoiceMyCommunity with the international Down syndrome community. Join us as we count down to  21 March with 21 stories of inclusion and personal success.

My name is Moya. I’m in grade three, going into grade four.

Last year we did a project with our fantastic resident writer, Caylie Jeffery ... It was so much fun coming up with ideas for our stories. I chose my favourite story, the one I dream about every night, ‘My Holiday Home’ ... read the whole story here.

#World Down Syndrome Day 2017 – Day 17

This year Down Syndrome Australia is celebrating #MyVoiceMyCommunity with the international Down syndrome community. Join us as we count down to  21 March with 21 stories of inclusion and personal success.

My name is Peita and I am 35 years old. I have been in the Down Syndrome NSW Up! Club since it started in 2001. It has been a great social outlet for many young people with Down syndrome. Over the years we have had many wonderful leaders who have organised outings for us such as movies, camps, dinners at the pub and cruise holidays. Next year our leader Flavio hopes to take us to the Melbourne Cup. How exciting that would be! 

Apart from the Up! Club I am involved in two local groups. I am also employed full time and leave home at 7.30 am and return home at 6.00 pm, so life is busy. I have been at my job for 16 years and enjoy it very much. I work with a wonderful group of people and am supported by Jobsupport NSW, so between my work and my social life with family and friends I am very busy ... you can also read Peita's story here.

#World Down Syndrome Day 2017 – Day 15

This year Down Syndrome Australia is celebrating #MyVoiceMyCommunity with the international Down syndrome community. Join us as we count down to  21 March with 21 stories of inclusion and personal success.

When Sam was born, 18 years ago to be exact, I felt as if it was a complete disaster. That my life as I knew it had ended and it was going to be utter misery from now on. My family are all in England and I only knew one person here who had a child with a disability. I felt incredibly alone. 

... On the weekend we celebrated Sam’s 18th with a party of over 80 people. I was able to tell our friends and family that, yes, when Sam was born I was devastated. I wish that I had known then what I know now – happiness in spades. And I must admit there were lots of tears, surprise and laughter when I spoke about our journey with Sam which all started with him arriving in the back seat of the car! ... read the whole story here.

#World Down Syndrome Day 2017 – Day 14

This year Down Syndrome Australia is celebrating #MyVoiceMyCommunity with the international Down syndrome community. Join us as we count down to  21 March with 21 stories of inclusion and personal success.

Ruth is a 20 year old woman with Down syndrome who has always enjoyed spending time with children. For the past year she has been working part-time at a child care centre in Queensland. She loves playing with the children but also keeping the centre clean and tidy. One of her favourite jobs is changing nappies. Ruth is in open-employment and paid the award-rate ... read the whole story here.

#World Down Syndrome Day 2017 – Day 13

This year Down Syndrome Australia is celebrating #MyVoiceMyCommunity with the international Down syndrome community. Join us as we count down to  21 March with 21 stories of inclusion and personal success.

Andy is 21 years old and lives with his family. With the support of NDIS funding he has a very fulfilling life. His week is made up of various activities that he chooses himself and negotiates with his support workers. 

Andy’s family has set up a small business making and selling preserves at local farmer’s markets. His role includes counting and setting up the jars for sterilising, packing boxes for markets and helping pack and unpack the car and market stall.

His primary passion in life is basketball and his favourite job is volunteering at his local basketball association every Wednesday afternoon ... read the whole story here.

#World Down Syndrome Day 2017 – Day 12

This year Down Syndrome Australia is celebrating #MyVoiceMyCommunity with the international Down syndrome community. Join us as we count down to  21 March with 21 stories of inclusion and personal success.

Josie is a 19 year old artist from Sydney. She left school at the end of 2013 to begin a Certificate in Basic Vocational Skills through TAFE NSW and take part in other courses through a local community college. 

Looking to fill up some extra hours, Josie also enrolled in a mainstream painting and drawing class at a local regional art gallery. She was hesitant about taking on this class as she hadn’t been very interested in painting or drawing in the past. When her tutor gave her a photo of a landscape to draw, she created a very good reproduction. Josie’s untapped talent was uncovered much to everyone’s surprise and delight ... read the whole story here.

#World Down Syndrome Day 2017 – Day 11

This year Down Syndrome Australia is celebrating #MyVoiceMyCommunity with the international Down syndrome community. Join us as we count down to  21 March with 21 stories of inclusion and personal success.

Michael is Chair of NSW Council for Intellectual Disability, on the NDIA Intellectual Disability Reference Group, a member of an Australia wide advocacy group OUR VOICE, and has recently been appointed the University of New South Wales Ambassador for Healthy Aging. 

He is a staunch self-advocate, wonderfully articulate, an excellent role model and an ambassador for giving people with Down syndrome a voice.My work as a self-advocate

I am person with Down syndrome and a self-advocate. When I advocate for myself I am also advocating for others. When I am up there delivering my talk, I take a minute for a quick reflection – I think “I am not just here for myself” and then I go in to my talk ... read the whole story here.

#World Down Syndrome Day 2017 – Day 10

This year Down Syndrome Australia is celebrating #MyVoiceMyCommunity with the international Down syndrome community. Join us as we count down to  21 March with 21 stories of inclusion and personal success.

Although we have been through so many challenges with Jacob, our son with Down syndrome, he is always the light at the end of our tunnel. He is always the smile that keeps us singing through the hard times.

By the time he was one year old he had fought through life threatening infections, open heart surgery and even a dangerous medication overdose. When he was two and a half he learned to walk in the hospital corridors while his baby sister was being born ...  read the whole story here.

Queensland teen headed to speak at UN

From Down Syndrome International:

#MyVoiceMyCommunity -  6th World Down Syndrome Day Conference, New York

Location: Trusteeship Council Chamber, United Nations Headquarters, New York, USA 

Date: Tuesday 21 March 2017 - 10am-1pm and 3pm-6pm 

Theme: #MyVoiceMyCommunity - Enabling people with Down syndrome to speak up, be heard and influence government policy and action, to be fully included in the community 

• Register for free now

A Redcliffe (Brisbane) teenager is on her way to New York after being invited to speak at the United Nations. Olivia Hargroder has Down syndrome and aims to encourage the global community to deliver better services for people like her ...

Down syndrome Queensland teen headed to speak at UN

Rhea Abraham, 7News Sydney, 7 March 2017

• Down Syndrome Queensland commented on Facebook: 'We are immensely proud of Olivia and will follow her journey! We know she will be a wonderful speaker and advocate'.

• The first link in this post is to a 2016 article about Olivia.

#MyVoiceMyCommunity - Geneva eventDown Syndrome International is delighted to be organising an event at the United Nations, Geneva, Switzerland for the first time in 2017. 

• All details and registration

#World Down Syndrome Day 2017 – Day 9

This year Down Syndrome Australia is celebrating #MyVoiceMyCommunity with the international Down syndrome community. Join us as we count down to  21 March with 21 stories of inclusion and personal success.

Jazmyn is 13 years old and loves anything to do with hairdressing and music. She has three siblings – her Brother Brodee, 16, her brother Jamieson, 10, and sister Gabrielle, 6. Her parents are Paul and Tina. 

Jazmyn took part in the ABC Radio Faces of Toowoomba Campaign. This is a photo of her at the modelling shoot.