URGENT INFORMATION ::: Government developing National Disability Strategy.

The Australian Government is currently conducting a consultation to develop a National Disability Strategy. The aim of the National Disability Strategies is to "improve support & remove barriers for people with disabilities, their families and carers". The development of this strategy is the result of the Gvernment's election promise and their ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability. The new National Disability Strategy will guide the governments activities and policy initatives in this important area.

This is your opportunity to have your say.
Three questions that need your responses ASAP
1. What barriers have you experienced that impact the most on the quality of your childs and your families life? (schooling, intervention, respite care etc)
2. what specifiic actions could be taken to overcome these barriers?
3.What examples of positive experiences do you have that have made a difference to your child or families life?

Any responses welcome from dot points to more formal responses. You may know of someone who would like to respond to this - please pass on as quickly as possible -this is very short notice. Either send to me, pass on to someone you know is following this up through another organisation. I will be passing on any information I receive to Deaf Children Victoria who intend to put in a submission.

The only way to get the government to change is for us to be heard. The more responses the better. Deaf Children Australia will include all stories from all parents. Time is short - dont miss out on having your say - please.

Aileen

Hi, sounds like you could send a quick email with some relevant points Shelley

Quote :

Why put her through the mainstream mill - just waiting for her to fail - knowing that if she is to maximmise her potential she NEEDS additional support - yep - it seems that 'DS' can stop you getting a visa to stay yet doesn't count when the hat gets passed around in education. "It affects everyone differently" we are told ... mmm yup - so does autism yet it is a funding category on its own. It isn't as if there is a cure for the extra chromosomme!!!!!!!! so - how did it go - as well as can be expected - the system sucks. We have the mainstream idea shoved down our throats ad nauseum yet the reality is that we have to watch our kids 'cope' - the system does very little to modify for them - it is them that have to do the changing -

It does suck, and your point about the support being needed is just so spot on for children with DS to reach their best potential.

re the National Disability Strategy here is the link with govt doc and contact details again
http://www.dsav.asn.au/resource/nds_paper.pdf
I am going to email a few words about education as we had been discussing recently and also my experience with EI and the "waiting lists"

CoralJ