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Welcome to another edition of the disability e-news.
We’ve had some great progress since the last edition of the e-news. I’m particularly pleased with today’s launch of the Liveable Housing Design standards – a leap forward for the rights ot people with disabilities in the place it matters most: their own homes. The aim is eventually for adaptable design to be incorporated into every new house – so that people with disabilities don’t have to spend a fortune adapting houses to suit their needs. A little bit of extra expense at the design stage saves a lot of money down the track.
You will find more information about Liveable Housing Design below, not to mention some other good news and achievements from the last month.
I hope you enjoy this edition of the e-news!
Regards,
Bill.
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Liveable Housing Design standards

This morning we launched the first ever Liveable Housing Design standards in Australia, a voluntary standard that will encourage people to build homes that can be adapted to meet their needs throughout their lifetime.
And the Gillard Labor Government putting $1 million forward to promote Liveable Housing with the property and construction sectors.
This is a great leap forward and a fantastic example of what can be achieved when government, industry and people with disabilities all work together.
The launch also received some good media coverage, including reports in the Sydney Morning HeraldDaily Telegraph. and the
National Disability Awards – we need your help!

We need your help to get as many nominations for the National Disability Awards as possible before the 23 July deadline!
Nominations are open to people with disability who have contributed to their community, those who have helped improve the lives of people with disability, and people with disability or their carers who have overcome adversity to achieve personal goals.
Last year’s awards recognised the commitment of some great advocates and fighters for people with disability. It’d be great to see all disability organisations make at least one nomination for someone they believe has made a real difference.
The fight for equal rights and fair treatment for people with disability is carried out every day by thousands of Australians who deserve recognition through these Awards.
Award recipients will be announced at a gala dinner held at the Great Hall in Parliament House, Canberra on 23 November 2010.
All Australians can nominate someone they know in one of the six Award categories.
- Minister’s Lifelong Achievement Award
- Young Disability Challenge Award
- Business Award
- Local Government Award
- Social Inclusion Award
- Accessible Housing Award
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National Consultation Process on UN Convention on Disability Rights
In 2008 the Australian Government signed up to the UN Convention on the rights of people with disability. As part of this we are required to report every four years on the progress we’re making in promoting those rights.
A draft report has been released and is open for comment from the community.
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ADE Funding

Australian Disability Enterprises have expressed concern since the Federal Budget was handed down in May about the lack of a funding increase for them in 2010/2011. I have held several meetings with ADE representatives and I have some great news to announce. ADEs will get an extra $4.5 million in 2010/2011, bringing their total Government funding to more than $204 million. We have also introduce a red-tape reduction trial, which means that ADEs will need to spend less time undertaking assessments of workers.
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Latest media releases

- $640,000 for inquiry into national disability care and support
- $1.4 million to help deliver print material to people with disability
- $700,000 for Barkuma disability enterprise building upgrade
- Government releases website accessibility national transition strategy
- New tax laws, to help people with severe disabilities, their families and carers, pass through Parliament
- $3 million Innovation Fund boost for disability employment
Latest speeches & transcripts

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