Talking Disability

The latest health and disability news in Australia

Therapy Dog Ollie at a special ‘Reading with dogs’ event [Source: Guide Dogs NSW/ACT]

September raises awareness for Therapy Dogs

Tags Education Posted 3 months ago by Nicole Pope

This month is Therapy Dog Awareness Month, providing an opportunity to raise awareness for these special canines and … Read more

Australian researchers from Monash University have performed the first-ever study of a web-based cognitive test [Source: Shutterstock]

New test to detect cognitive changes early in people with MS

Tags Education Accessibility Research Posted 3 months ago by Nicole Pope

A simple, quick test could be the answer to the early detection of thinking and memory changes in people living with … Read more

Accessibility Unlocked is hoping to bridge the gap, where disabled game developers experience a lack of support and promote game industry accessibility [Source: Supplied]

New initiative unlocks accessible games industry

Tags Accessibility Posted 3 months ago by Nicole Pope

A new initiative has hit ‘play’ in helping the Australian and New Zealand games industry become more accessible. Read more

Jo-Anne Hewitt has been appointed as Achieve Australia's Chief Executive Officer ​[Source: Supplied]

New CEO welcomed to Achieve Australia

Tags Employment Posted 3 months ago by Nicole Pope

Disability support provider, Achieve Australia, has welcomed Jo-Anne Hewitt as their newly appointed Chief Executive … Read more

Credit: Belinda Howell - This Is Australia Collection [Source: Supplied]

New stock images represent Australia’s disability community

Posted 3 months ago by Nicole Pope

A new collaboration with Getty Images will bring to life stock imagery that represents Australians with disability. Read more

Teachers and students from Elsternwick Primary, Professor Nicole Reinhart and Mr Tim Richardson MP excited to launch AllPlay Learn for all public schools in Victoria [Source: Supplied]

Program fosters inclusive education for children with neurodevelopmental disorders

Tags Autism Education Posted 3 months ago by Nicole Pope

A new program will help support the inclusive education of students with neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism… Read more

Program Mentor, Daisy Van Ghert who is involved in The Girl’s Guide to Ruling the Internet [Source: Supplied]

Program helps teenage girls with autism become internet savvy

Tags Autism Education Posted 3 months ago by Nicole Pope

A new popular program, and the only one of its kind, is helping teenage girls on the autism spectrum stay safe online… Read more

Speech Pathology Week will draw attention to people living with a communication disability, which can impact relationships, employment, education and social inclusion [Source: Shutterstock]

Speech Pathology Week shines light on ‘hidden’ disability

Tags Education Employment Posted 3 months ago by Nicole Pope

A spotlight will be shown on the ‘hidden’ disability affecting 1.2 million Australians during Speech Pathology We… Read more

A new regional network of service providers will deliver more than five times the number of services currently available [Source: Shutterstock]

Single biggest reform to support Australian carers in over 10 years

Posted 3 months ago by Nicole Pope

Australia's 2.7 million carers will be better supported in their valuable roles under what has been labelled the 'sin… Read more

The resource aims to help people with intellectual disability become more financially independent [Source: Shutterstock]

New resource to boost financial independence

Tags Finance Education Posted 3 months ago by Nicole Pope

People with living intellectual disability can learn how to manage their own finances and make monetary decisions wit… Read more

Brain Injury Awareness Week is a opportunity to raise awareness for the 700,000 Australians who live with a brain injury causing daily living and participation challenges [Source: Shutterstock]

Brain Injury Awareness Week highlights invisible disabilities

Tags Conditions Education Posted 3 months ago by Nicole Pope

This week is Brain Injury Awareness Week and heralds an opportunity to raise awareness for the 700,000 Australians wh… Read more

Living with Multiple Sclerosis in 2019 has illustrated the significant changes of the MS journey over the last decade [Source: Shutterstock]

National study tells story of those living with MS

Tags Conditions Research Posted 3 months ago by Nicole Pope

A new national study has helped paint the picture of life with multiple sclerosis (MS), including the supports, servi… Read more

The Government will invest $3 million to launch the Research Hub for Digital Enhanced Living at Deakin University in Melbourne [Source: Shutterstock]

Research hub to develop ‘smart home’ technology for disability

Tags Accessibility Accommodation Posted 3 months ago by Nicole Pope

A new research hub will be established in Victoria to develop personalised ‘smart home’ technology for people wit… Read more

Autism is typically usually diagnosed after the age of four in Australia, but the test will potentially able to detect it earlier [Source: Shutterstock]

Retina scan detects autism in children earlier

Tags Autism Posted 3 months ago by Nicole Pope

Thirteen years in the making, new eye scan technology has the potential to detect a biomarker for autism much earlier… Read more

A module for disability professionals on providing support to people with an intellectual disability through transitions and life events was launched on 12th August [Source: Shutterstock]

Online resource expands to support life transitions and events

Tags Education Mental Health Posted 3 months ago by Nicole Pope

An online resource helping health professionals and carers to better understand and support the mental health and wel… Read more

[Left to right] Joelle Rault with Vision Australia client Sabrina at a recent Vision Australia expo in Moorabbin [Source: Supplied]

Vision Australia helps jobseekers dress to impress

Tags Education Posted 3 months ago by Nicole Pope

People who are blind or have low vision will feel more confident fronting up to a job interview thanks to a new initi… Read more

The MS Readathon encourages children to read as much as they can between 1st August and 31st August, whilst providing a fundraising opportunity for MS Australia’s Family Camps [Source: Shutterstock]

MS Readathon returns for 41st year

Tags Conditions Posted 3 months ago by Nicole Pope

Children will lose themselves in the magic of literature this month during the annual 41st MS Readathon. Read more

The Participant Service Guarantee will take effect from 1 July 2020 with a particular focus on children [Source: Shutterstock]

NDIS under inquiry microscope

Tags NDIS Accessibility Accommodation Posted 3 months ago by Nicole Pope

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will be placed under the microscope during three new inquiries into p… Read more

The study involved most 18,000 people worldwide to identify rare genetic variations associated with an increased risk of developing the condition [Source: Shutterstock]

Australian researchers involved in record international study of epilepsy genes

Tags Conditions Research Posted 4 months ago by Nicole Pope

Australian researchers and patients have been involved in an international study looking at the genetic sequences of … Read more

People with Disability Australia has appointed its new Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Smith [Source: Shutterstock]

People with Disability Australia welcomes new CEO

Tags Employment Posted 4 months ago by Nicole Pope

National disability peak body, People with Disability Australia (PWDA) has appointed its new Chief Executive Officer… Read more