Disability and Health Research

15/12/2021

Disability royal commission also hears Life Without Barries charged some Victoria residents ‘rent’ despite only paying $1 a month for the property

21/11/2021

I use person-first identification to name who I am. To claim who I am. I claim myself as autistic.

25/10/2021

Paralympic legend Kurt Fearnley urges the unvaccinated to get the jab to protect vulnerable Australians, such as those with disabilities.

16/09/2021

ONLY FOUR DAYS LEFT!

We want to hear from as many people as possible about their experiences with getting COVID vaccinations for themselves or for their children and young person with disability.

If you are frustrated with your experience or have concerns we encourage you to let us know by completing our 5 minute survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LRVQJYQ.

The survey closes at midnight this Sunday 19 September 2021 and the results will be vital in our advocacy efforts to improve the situation for people with disability.

If you have access needs where you require support to fill out the survey please let us know by emailing us at [email protected]

Thank you to those who have filled it out already! We appreciate your efforts. 🙂🙂🙂🙂

09/09/2021

Amazing!

The BBC and Netflix have formed a partnership to develop and fund new, ambitious dramas featuring disabled creatives.

01/09/2021

Important findings from a national survey of attitudes towards people with disability in Australia.
It is the first population-level representative survey, which means that the findings can be applied to the general Australian population. The survey was developed by people with disability who were employed as co-researchers on the project team; questions thus tap into attitudes that are salient in the lives of people with disability in Australia.

The survey examined personal feelings and behaviours toward people with disability, as well as perceptions of how people with disability are treated by others in the community.
- 78% agreed ppl without disability are unsure how to act toward ppl w disability with disability
- 86% agreed adults w disability should get to have a say about who they live with
- 20% agreed employers should be allowed to refuse to hire ppl with disability

This study is the first national survey of attitudes toward people with disability in Australia. Over 2,000 people from across Australia participated in the Community Attitudes Survey in 2018. The survey asked respondents about their individual or personally held attitudes, as well as society or com...

25/08/2021

"In the race to vaccinate the population, it is essential that the people we considered the highest priority in January do not continue to be left behind".Targets for those most at risk from COVID-19 need to be set and achieved before re-opening.

In the race to vaccinate the population, it is essential that the people we considered the highest priority in January do not continue to be left behind.

25/08/2021

Announcement: Appointment of VALID’s new CEO

The imminent retirement of Kevin Stone as the CEO of VALID marks the end of a momentous period of outstanding service and commitment to persons with intellectual disability and their families. There will be occasions over the next few weeks to reflect, acknowledge and celebrate Kevin’s leadership.

It is our pleasure to announce the appointment of Stephanie Gotlib as the new CEO of VALID from 6th September.

Stephanie was the CEO of Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) for 12 years. Under her leadership, CYDA grew from a small part time organisation which, by her management, governance and implementation of organisational policies and structures caused it to have a nationally respected presence with more than 5000 members.

Stephanie has also had a presence as a Board Member on a number of Not For Profit organisations, Government entities and Advisory Councils for more than 25 years. She is a strong and respected advocate for people with disabilities and is committed to social justice.

We look forward to Stephanie continuing the outstanding work undertaken by Kevin, and she will ensure VALID continues its deserved reputation of having the rights, opportunities and aspirations of persons with intellectual disability at the forefront of its operations.

John Handley
Chairperson, VALID Committee of Management

You can read the full statement https://www.valid.org.au/announcement-appointment-of-valids-new-ceo/

24/08/2021

Every Victorian aged 16 years and over will be eligible to access a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine at state-run vaccination centres from tomorrow, under an expansion of the state vaccine program that will further help Victoria reach its goal of one million doses over five weeks. The change means tha...

24/08/2021

Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to be offered to all Australians aged 12 and over on the NDIS By political reporter Jane NormanPosted 8h ago8 hours ago, updated 3h ago3 hours ago Children aged 12 to 15 years old with underlying medical conditions are already part of Phase 1b of the rollout.(Supplied: WA Hea...

23/08/2021

People with multiple diagnoses exist and hospitals suck at accommodating us. A TEDx talk in tweet form (thread)
I’ve just spent a few days on a mental health ward. I’m also physically disabled. The hospital staff didn’t feel comfortable helping me get in and out of bed so I used a bedpan. At one point I was left on it for about an hour. I didn’t shower or even brush my teeth for 3 days.
This did not exactly help me develop a positive self image. When I did get to shower, it was because my 60-something mum helped me. I felt gross, burdensome, and very much in the too hard basket.
I sobbed to Mum: “this is one of the few places I can come for help, and it makes me feel worse.” Even with my advocacy experience, at this time I wasn’t in a place where I could suggest alternatives like getting a lifter for transfers. I felt so small.
Not being able to get up meant not being able to do even small things that help me feel better. Even going for a little stroll around the ward.
I want to say that on the whole the staff were great and did at least go to lengths to get a bed I could get into safely (as the standard beds on a mental health ward are too low). I just wish I wasn’t stuck there.
When I have the spoons again, I’d love to work with the Health Minister to change this. For now, thanks for coming to my Bedx Talk.

Image: Kelly, snug and safe in their Oodie, laying in their bed.

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