Hello,  my name is Magic.  I would like to extend a warm welcome to you, our valued client, associate & friend.  Normally, you receive emails from me about health, fitness or corporate health.  Today is a little different.

In our great country, Australia, we are considered to be very lucky.  Given this thought, I would like to ask you to consider a few questions:

* Are all Australians equal, no matter who they are or how they came to be Australian?

*Do we have equal rights and fair pay laws in Australia?

*If something catastrophic happened in your life, could you rely on Australia to support you?

Yes, I know.  I sound very political already.  Bare with me folks.  You see, I am an Australian.  I am proud to call this country my home.  I work and I contribute every day to our great nation.  BUT, I am a Full Time, unpaid family carer.  I work for no pay at my job.  As a Carer I am able  to receive a pension but not take a wage.  You see if I do work for pay, I will be heavily taxed as if it were a second job.  I am paid 2 cents an hour by my government to do some things most people would not ever consider as part of employment responsibilities.

In this newsletter, I would like to share with you the situation of Carers and people with disabilities, the news that gives us a chance to change the current ‘Status Quo’ and also give you a synopsis of what recently took place at the ‘National disaibity and Carer Congress’ in Melbourne.

As Australians, as employees and employers, as a community: I ask that you simply read what is included in this issue and take just a few simple steps to make Australia a fair and just country for ALL

2011 National Disability & Carer Congress

This week, the congress met in Melbourne. There were over 1000 attendees.  Many guest speakers spoke on many issues surrounding the need for a ‘National Disability Insurance Scheme’.

The congress was opened by an Aboriginal Elder, Aunty Pat.  She welcomed us to Country and shared with the congress the overwhelming  support of the scheme from the aboriginal people.

The Productivity Commission then spoke about the draft report and the key findings (see next article).

Disabled Australians still live in aged care facilities, unable to work, unable to be productive or cared for as they age. We have generations of misery and wasted potential.  Many people have lost jobs, friends and social acceptance that should be available to all.  Disability has been a peripheral issue for too long. Continued advocacy, growth and strength are all part of the success of real support and change for the disability sector.  Australians will need discipline, perverseness and unity.  The door to great change is ajar, we need to force it wide open.  The NDIS is not if but when.

Senator Jan McLucas, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities & Carers, spoke about “The Future of Disability“.

One in five Australians has a disability (official government figures).  The issue crosses many areas of our community and creates many areas of concern including: education, access, employment and healthcare.  A disability reform agenda will create economic security for all Australians.  Since 2003, there has been a rise in Australians affected by disability by 11.5%.

A panel discussion was held and the panellists each spoke about their ‘Call To Action’ for the Australian people.

It’s time to stop the hypocracy.  We need to move from a system of competitive misery to a system of potential.

5 words to sum up what needs to be done for Australia.

1.  Advocacy 2.  Breathe  3.  Responsive    4 & 5.  Community Development

37% of Aboriginals have a disability of some degree not including psycho-emotional disability.

Lose the labels, define help by need, not name.  Provide resources for all Australians to reach their potential.  We must all share the same rights.

Create access to education & employment which is free from patronising, demeaning comments & attitudes.  Disability shouldn’t mean disadvantage.  We need to have what we need to be who we are.

What is Personalisation?  a personalised, social care system was designed in the UK.  Australia must design a system that is clean, transparent & trustworthy.  Recognise that structures & processes locate power.  Remember the individual in ‘individualised’..  Stimulate the development of planning support services from sources that are competent & trustworthy.  Don’t make a virtue of ‘do-it-yourself’ systems, remember that human systems are inherently resistant to change.

Steps taken to address the introduction of an NDIS.

1.  Commitment for it to go on the COAG agenda

2.  Invitation of disability sectors to discuss the draft report

3.  Victoria will take the lead to progress the issues, including s trail rollout in 2014.

4.  National Common Assessment tools will be used.

Simon referred to the Productivity Commission’s report as having well served a growing but worthy sector: disability.  It is in the national interest to reform the sector.  No longer can we be concerned with how one’s disability arose.  All need will be assessed federally and fairly.  An emphasis on choice will be offered by providers.

Ultimately, there is a cost of 0.5% of the GDP which will be required.  Effectively, this doubles the current funding of the sector.  This will save money in the future, consider it as a sound and good investment for the nation.  It is not a handout but an opportunity for Australians to lead their lives as able people currently can.

What does the community get in return?  The more we spend, the less demand in other areas.  It’s our job to take this further.

In South Australia, there has been a 10 year plan working in the government and community  ranks.  The focus in this plan has been to establish inclusive communities, develop human rights and align with the framework of a national disability strategy.  The NDIS is an integral part of this.  It will allow the federal government scope to monitor protections ans support quality services.  It is a golden opportunity to take a philosophical and value shift in our community’s views on disability.  An integrated and forward looking reform to activate citizenships of people with disability AND Carers is being developed in SA.  The ‘Social Inclusion Initiative’ brings focus on equal rights, equal voice and equal dignity.  Health, housing, education and Justice are all in the plan.  Create a mechanism for access  and accountability by changing the service paradigm, promote human rights not welfare.  Prioritise prevention of crisis.  Shift power from systems to citizens.

Promote participation, break down barriers, enrich communities  by Inclusion.  Support access to jobs, the education system, leadership in sport & involvement in  political spheres.

The role of the community must be to engage people as  valued citizens, not people with deficits.  Discrimination is a product of the way people think.  Teach them a new notion and discrimination disappears.  Inclusion breaks down community barriers and changes the way services respond.

Activate citizenship.  Build a plan, not only for today but for future generations.  Society must be accessible, safe and inclusive.

The NDIS creates an opportunity for sustainable, dignified support.  We need to work with the commission to refine the scheme.  Move away from diagnosis and into human rights.  This is not an opportunity for political grandstanding.  We are all Australian and this is our chance to stand up and be counted.

It’s time for us all to create equality, fairness and an environment for people with disabilities and their Carers. Please register on this website, urge at least 50 friends to do the same and share on Facebook. We can no longer expect Carers to work for 2 cents an hour with no super, education or support. We can no longer allow exclusion in our society.

Public Service Announcement from Fitness Driven