‘Well overdue’:Criminal referrals,$15m fines for NDIS providers

‘Well overdue’:Criminal referrals,$15m fines for NDIS providers

Bill Shorten’s proposed measures ramp up consequences for providers whose participants come to harm. Until now,only two have been taken to court.

  • byNatassia Chrysanthos

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‘False choice’:The decision about schools that leaves parents with few options

‘False choice’:The decision about schools that leaves parents with few options

A state inquiry has made substantial recommendations to improve standards for teaching students with disabilities in NSW.

  • byKayla Olaya
Sixth government backflip in six months,this time on disability commissioner
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Disability

Sixth government backflip in six months,this time on disability commissioner

The Allan government has quietly shelved a plan to axe the state’s disability commissioner on July 1,its sixth major policy walk-back in six months.

  • byBroede Carmody
I was about to get married. Then my phone exploded with calls from one person
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Behind the Headlines

I was about to get married. Then my phone exploded with calls from one person

He called four times in four minutes. It must be important,I thought – but I’d sworn to myself I wouldn’t answer my phone. Not today,of all days.

  • byNick McKenzie
Matthew had never been to a birthday party. That changed this year

Matthew had never been to a birthday party. That changed this year

There is a push to shut down special schools in coming decades,but parents of children with disabilities say they want to have the choice.

  • byChristopher Harris
My son Alex is non-verbal and needs 24-hour care. He thrived at a mainstream school
Opinion
Opinion

My son Alex is non-verbal and needs 24-hour care. He thrived at a mainstream school

When I told people that Alex would attend a mainstream school,most people wondered how it would work. His HSC hangs proudly on the wall,beside his year 12 formal photos.

  • byPenny Graham
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In our competitive school culture,students with a disability take second place
Opinion
Education

In our competitive school culture,students with a disability take second place

The disability royal commission education wishlist is honourable,but without a major cultural shift towards real inclusivity,little will change.

  • byChris Bonnor
Segregation? No. For our family,David’s special school met all his needs
Opinion
Disability

Segregation? No. For our family,David’s special school met all his needs

Misguided progressive activism is threatening to eradicate hard-won gains on education and housing by families like ours.

  • byJemma Rollo andStuart Rollo
Some days,Alona is cheerful before school. Other days there’s high-pitched screaming
Opinion
Opinion

Some days,Alona is cheerful before school. Other days there’s high-pitched screaming

I am yet to see any explanation of how my daughter can practically sit in a mainstream classroom. At 16,she cannot read,and she cannot write.

  • byKeren Zelwer
After 14 years,I left the disability sector. Money alone can’t fix its problems

After 14 years,I left the disability sector. Money alone can’t fix its problems

Throwing money at problems is what we do as a society. But sometimes in doing so,we fail to diagnose the underlying conditions that have created the problems in the first place.

  • byCherie Gilmour
The disability commission was split on special schools. Those with lived experience want them closed
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Disability

The disability commission was split on special schools. Those with lived experience want them closed

Disability Royal Commissioner Dr Rhonda Galbally said the three commissioners urging the closure of special schools had direct experience with disabilities,which should add weight their recommendation,after the commission split over the issue.

  • byLisa Visentin