Talking Disability

The latest health and disability news in Australia

Sam Hensman using ALTO with Daish Malani, the Technical Director and (other) Co-founder of Add-Life Technologies [Source: Add-Life Technologies]

Virtual reality device aids stroke recovery

Posted 7 months ago by Nicole Pope

A virtual reality device is helping rehabilitate people who have had a stroke with modern technology that is also abl… Read more

The investment of $1.2 million will help address a number of complex issues, including reducing barriers and discrimination faced by people with disability [Source: Shutterstock]

Disability advocacy amped up in WA and VIC

Posted 7 months ago by Nicole Pope

A funding boost for systemic advocacy will support the rights of people with disability as the National Disability In… Read more

The survey revealed 64 percent of people who use white canes have been grabbed or handled by a member of the public without asking for help [Source: Shutterstock]

International White Cane Day, an opportunity to inform public

Posted 7 months ago by Nicole Pope

A new national survey has shown two thirds of people who use white canes have been unexpectedly handled by a member o… Read more

National Carers Week is the perfect opportunity to shine the spotlight on our nation’s 2.7 million unpaid carers [Source: Carers Australia Twitter]

National Carers Week shares stories of love and heartache

Posted 7 months ago by Nicole Pope

Stories of love, courage, persistence and patience will be the focus of this year’s National Carers Week which will… Read more

The inquiry is due to begin later this month and will uncover the best ways to support and improve the mental health of Australians, the nation’s leading cause of disability [Source: Shutterstock]

Productivity Commission will look into Australia’s mental health

Posted 7 months ago by Nicole Pope

The role of mental health in the Australian economy will be put under the microscope of a Productivity Commission Inq… Read more

The accessible fifty dollar note will boast four braille dots, positioned on each long edge of the note [Source: Vision Australia]

New tactile fifty dollar note ‘a step forward in accessibility’

Posted 7 months ago by Nicole Pope

The fifty dollar note will join the five and ten dollar notes in the ranks of inclusive currency, with the introducti… Read more

The global event will head to Australia for the first time, with the 2019 World Series set to be the largest to date [Source: Shutterstock]

World Para-swimming event opens on home soil

Posted 7 months ago by Nicole Pope

The world’s greatest para-swimmers will make a splash in Melbourne, with the announcement that the state will play … Read more

Nearly half of all Australians will experience some form of mental illness during their lifetime and those who don’t will likely know someone who will [Source:Shutterstock]

Mental health focus heralds trial virtual mentoring program, awards and possible world record

Posted 7 months ago by Nicole Pope

Coinciding with World Mental Health Week (7-13 October) and World Mental Health Day (10 October), the state of New So… Read more

Mat Rogers (pictured) shares the juggling act of himself and his wife as he fathers four children, including his youngest son Max (pictured), who has autism [Source: Autism Awareness Australia]

New documentary shares stories of fatherhood and autism

Posted 7 months ago by Nicole Pope

A new film by Autism Awareness Australia will share the honest and humorous stories of twelve Australian fathers as t… Read more

There are currently 17 million people with CP in the world, with approximately 34,000 living in Australia [Source: Shutterstock]

World Cerebral Palsy Day encourages people to take action

Posted 7 months ago by Sam Bartlett

People living with cerebral palsy (CP) are often ‘invisible' in the community, but this World Cerebral Palsy Day or… Read more

The national Scheme is currently supporting people with disabilities living in NSW, ACT and SA, with ongoing roll-outs throughout the rest of the country [Source: Shutterstock]

NDIS reaches 200,000 milestone

Posted 7 months ago by Nicole Pope

The National Disability Insurance Scheme celebrated a major milestone last week after welcoming its 200,000th partici… Read more

The National Awards for Disability Leadership is currently fielding nominations of its first awards ceremony coming up in December [Source: Shutterstock]

New awards seeks to acknowledge valued work of disabled people

Posted 7 months ago by Nicole Pope

An event to acknowledge the valuable work both individuals and organisations do within the disability sector has been… Read more

The public is encouraged to wear green ribbons to support the national week running from the 4 - 11th October [Source: Shutterstock]

Australians urged to ‘get their ribbons on’ for Amputee Awareness Week

Posted 7 months ago by Nicole Pope

The Australian public has been urged to don a green ribbon in support of Australian amputees and people with limb los… Read more

Down Syndrome Awareness Month is an opportunity to challenge misconceptions, raise awareness and educate the wider community on the genetic disorder [Source: Shutterstock]

October focuses on Down syndrome awareness

Posted 7 months ago by Sam Bartlett

This year’s Down Syndrome Awareness Month, held throughout October aims to educate the community and share the stor… Read more

The grant offers a great opportunity for individuals on the spectrum, their families and carers to connect and network at the event [Source: Shutterstock]

Grant enables autistic community to join the conversation

Posted 7 months ago by Sam Bartlett

Autism West has received a Lotterywest grant to help subsidise tickets for their annual symposium, aimed at bringing … Read more

Vision Australia’s Access Technology Advisor David Woodbridge has been using Soundscape with his assistance dog [Source: Vision Australia]

Technology improves independence for people with disability

Posted 7 months ago by Nicole Pope

Technology has yet again proved its value within the disability sector with the introduction of both a new navigation… Read more

According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are around 72 million people worldwide who are deaf, and over 300 different sign languages used across the world [Source: Shutterstock]

Awareness week celebrates the deaf community

Posted 7 months ago by Sam Bartlett

This Sunday marks the first International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL), celebrated as part of International Week of D… Read more

A Western Australian energy provider has partnered with National Disability Services’ (NDS) BuyAbility program to provide more employment opportunities for over 70 people with disability.

Partnership offers increasing employment opportunities for people with disability

Posted 8 months ago by Sam Bartlett

A Western Australian energy provider has partnered with National Disability Services’ (NDS) BuyAbility program to p… Read more

Books are invaluable tools in helping children develop speech and language development [Source: Shutterstock]

Speech pathologists commend books in helping development

Posted 8 months ago by Nicole Pope

A number of books aimed to assist children in their communication and literacy development have been shortlisted for … Read more

Disability Wintersport Australia (DWA) will celebrate 40 years of raising awareness, embracing diversity and overcoming adversity through its work with Australian winter sports [Source: Shutterstock]

Disabled Wintersport Australia celebrates 40 years!

Posted 8 months ago by Nicole Pope

There are two causes for celebration within the field of disability winter sports, with a special anniversary being c… Read more