AMIDA NEWS Print Post Approved P.P 100000326 March, 2015 AMIDA (Action for More Independence & Dignity in Accommodation) is a disability advocacy group that works on housing issues. This means we speak up for people with a disability or help them to speak up for themselves about problems they have with their housing. Opportunity to have your say The following Government Inquiries and Commissions are taking place: 1. Senate Community Affairs References Committee inquiry and report into Violence, abuse and neglect against people with disability in institutional and residential settings, including the gender and age related dimensions, and the particular situation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability, and culturally and linguistically diverse people with disability. For this inquiry: (a) ‘institutional and residential settings’ is broadly defined to include the types of institutions that people with disability often experience, including, but not restricted to: residential institutions; boarding houses, group homes; workplaces; respite care services; day centres; recreation programs; mental health facilities; hostels; supported accommodation; prisons; schools; out of home care; special schools; boarding schools; school buses; hospitals; hospitals; juvenile justice facilities; disability services; and aged care facilities; and (b) ‘violence, abuse and neglect’ is broadly understood to include, but is not limited to: domestic, family and interpersonal violence; physical and sexual violence and abuse; psychological or emotional harm and abuse; constraints and restrictive practices; forced treatments and interventions; humiliation and harassment; financial abuse; violations or privacy; systemic abuse; physical and emotional neglect; passive neglect; and willful deprivation. Submissions should be received by 10 April, 2015. The reporting date is 24 June 2015. Committee Secretary Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs P O Box 6100 Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Phone: +61 2 6277 3515 Fax: +61 2 6277 5829 Community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au The latest Raising Our Voices radio show was on this Senate Inquiry and the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses into Child Sexual Abuse (see below). For the podcast of this show please go to or website: www.amida.org.au Or go to: www.3cr.org.au and download Raising Our Voices to your computer. 2. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse People With Disabilities Australia has produced a poster about The Royal Commission into institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. ‘The Commission has been set up to hear your story, investigate the issue of child sexual abuse and propose changes to keep children safe. If you are a person with disability who experienced sexual abuse while under 18 and under the care of an organisation, People With Disabilities Australia is here to help. People With Disabilities Australia advocates can help you to work out whether to share your story, how to do it, and make sure you have all the support you need. PWD can also help with any related issues. Call 1800 422 015 or TTY 1800 422 016 (9.00am – 5.00pm) For more about PWD see http://rcsupport.pwd.org.au ‘ Other organisations that can help with the Commission are: Open Place (Victoria) 1800 779 379 Royal Commission 1800 099 340 (8.00am – 8.00pm Monday – Friday) 3. Victorian Ombudsman Reporting and investigation of allegations of abuse in the disability sector. The investigation will consider the adequacy of the processes for reporting and investigating allegations of abuse in the disability sector in Victoria. The focus is the reporting of abuse and not specifically its causes. ‘Abuse’ for the purposes of this investigation is an incident which would require reporting to the DHHS or the TAX. This includes: • An incident that has resulted in a serious outcome, such as a client death or severe trauma or • Events that threaten client or staff health, safety and wellbeing. The report on Phase 1 will be released in the first half of this year to inform the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Framework, and the final report covering Phase 2 will be tabled in the second half of the year. Victorian Ombudsman Level 1 North Tower 459 Collins Street Melbourne Vic 3000 Tel: 03 9613 6222 Fax: 03 9614 0246 Toll Free 1800 806 314 If you want to make a submission, but need help, please contact the AMIDA office. Anyone with a disability will tell you that finding affordable, accessible housing is next to impossible. There are huge wait lists, too many young people in nursing homes and growing numbers of older parents despairing what will happen to their children when they can’t care for them anymore. The NDIS is supposed to fix this and provide the housing people need. How they propose to do this will hopefully be revealed when the Housing paper that has been delayed for 2 years is released. The infographic above (text also below) sums up the problem. This is not an issue that can be ignored any longer – we need to plan for the housing needs of people with disability now so they can be accommodated once the NDIS rolls out across Australia. TAKE ACTION: Take 1 minute to ask the NDIA to release their Disability Housing Options paper by contacting David Bowen, CEO NDIA, GPO Box 700, Canberra ACT 2601 What is the plan for housing? There is a housing crisis looming for people with disability. Right now there are: • massive waiting lists for accessible and affordable housing • 6,381 young people in old people’s homes[1] • a growing number of ageing parents: 78,000 in 2012, 52,000 in 2003, who despair about what will happen to their children when they pass away or can no longer support their child.[2] The NDIS is rolling out. By 2020, there will be 122,000 NDIS participants without affordable housing.[3] We need to plan for affordable housing supply. Now. [1] Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2011), Younger people with disability in residential aged care, http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=10737421563, p.7 [2] Source: ABS Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers 2003 and ABS Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers 2012. [3] Bonyhady, B (2013), The National Disability Insurance Scheme: supporting participants to gain appropriate housing with quality support, presentation to NDS Disability Support Living Innovation Forum 21/10/13 The AMIDA Committee this year: Peter Waters – Chair Norrie Blythman – Secretary/Public Officer Brenda Lacey - Treasurer Luke Stone - Assistant Chair Kay Forstner – Assistant Secretary Graeme Williams, Trudy Ryall, James Teekan, Simon Chong, Ray Groves Please let us know if you would like to receive your AMIDANEWS by email. This would help AMIDA to cut costs. Of course, if you do prefer to receive a mailed copy, we are happy to continue with this. If you would like to change to electronic version, just email amida@amida.org.au to let us know. **Thank you to all those who have already contacted AMIDA to ask for AMIDANEWS to be emailed** Raising Our Voices Raising Our Voices Radio show on 3CR 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6.00 – 6.30pm Raising Our Voices is now podcast. Go to: www.3cr.org.au and download Raising Our Voices to your computer. Copies of the radio shows are available from AMIDA on CD or audio tape, website www.amida.org.au Looking for a home… first steps? WEDNESDAY 22 APRIL 2015 5:30- 8:30pm St Kilda Town Hall, 99A Carlisle Street, St Kilda (Mel Ref 58 C11) Please advise when you RSVP if any assistance with an interpreter, respite and/or transport is required. A FREE, accessible information forum about housing options for people and families affected by mental illness who live in the Cities of Stonnington, Port Phillip, Glen Eira, Bayside or Kingston. • Hear about first steps to identify appropriate housing…presentations by housing service providers and families who have explored options. • Connect with organisations which can offer support to your family…talk to staff at information stalls. • Seek answers to questions about your personal situation. • Enjoy some tasty food - refreshments will be available throughout the forum. • Venue accessible via train (Balaclava Station) and trams (Routes 3, 16, 67, 78). Parking on street is subject to availability. RSVP: by 17 April 2015 Contact: Grow on 1800 558 268 or email: vic@grow.org.au This forum is presented by the Inner South/ Bayside Mental Health Network As well as the Inquiries and Royal Commissions mentioned in AMIDANEWS the following are taking place: Senate Community Affairs Inquiry into the Adequacy of existing residential care arrangements available for young people with severe physical, mental or intellectual disabilities in Australia. Submit to: Community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au or Committee Secretary, Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs, P O Box 6100, Parliament House,Canberra ACT 2600 & NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework Web: engage.dss.gov.au Contact: NDISqualitysafeguards@dss.gov.au March, 2015 The AMIDA office is usually open: Monday 9.30 - 5.00 Tuesday 9.30 – 5.00 Wednesday 9.30 - 5.00 Thursday 9.30 - 5.00 Please phone AMIDA for an appointment: 9650 2722. Email: amida@amida.org.au Web: www.amida.org.au AMIDA, 1st Floor, Ross House, 247 Flinders Lane Melbourne Vic 3000 Phone: 9650 2722 Inc. No. A0016085V Print Post Approved PP 100000326 *Disclaimer: AMIDA does not recommend any product, activity, organisation, service or item – such details are provided within the AMIDA NEWS for general information and interest only. All information contained within is as accurate as possible and is provided in good faith – however it is not guaranteed. AMIDA receives funding from the Commonwealth Department of Social Services, and the Victorian Department of Health & Human Services You can offer any comments you have on AMIDA Policy or Newsletter by phone, email or writing: AMIDA, 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Vic 3000 Phone: 9650 2722 Email: amida@amida.org.au Web: www.amida.org.au ABN 32993870380, Inc. No. A0016085V March, 2015