Children and Young People with Disability Australia supports the Disability Royal Commission’s plan to end discriminatory restrictive practice against people with disability

Restrictive practices start early and have lifelong trauma and life-altering effects on young people with disability, and their sense of self and identity.
CYDA welcomes funding boost for Inclusion Support Program, but further support is needed to make the early learning system more inclusive

Children and Young People with Disability Australia has welcomed the announcement made by Minister for Early Childhood Education Anne Aly for a $21.2 million investment to the Government’s Inclusion Support Program.
Using the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program in North America

“I couldn’t help but laugh that such a tiny airport was willing to take the time to train their staff in this program, but the big airports couldn’t be bothered.” – Ashleigh Keating writes about her experiences using the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard in North America.
How deep does it go? Australian students with disability and their experience of entrenched inequity in education

Survey questions were about the types of services and supports accessed, perceptions of resources available and training of professionals, and whether children have experienced exclusion, seclusion or bullying.
“I think the teachers need more help” – Voices of experience from students with disability in Australia

CYDA survey of students with disability, talking about their experiences of the Australian education system, including services, supports and experiences of bullying.
The Federal Budget takes small steps in the right direction, but there is a long way to go

The NDIS The Federal Budget has confirmed the government’s announcements of an 8 per cent growth target by 2026 and an injection of funds into the NDIA for new reform. Minister for the NDIS and Government Services Bill Shorten, has promised again that “The NDIS is here to stay”. CYDA chief executive officer Skye Kakoschke-Moore […]
Ableist Media Myths

As a disabled young person, it’s heartbreaking to be bombarded by media that perpetuates ableist attitudes and myths. Especially with the recent federal budget, it’s awful to see headlines that paint people like me as a burden to society or a drain on the economy. I am writing this reflection to disrupt the normalised ableist narrative and bust the media myths that perpetuate it.
An NDIS plan means freedom, independence, autonomy and getting on with my life confidently

I’m still stuck in limbo, waiting to hear whether I’ve been accepted or rejected for the second time. They’ve taken two weeks to acknowledge the receipt of my identity documents, only to say they need more evidence that I do in fact exist and am who I say I am.
Disability Youth Advocates call for an urgent raise to JobSeeker, Youth Allowance and the youth rate of DSP

With the dramatic rise in rents and basic costs of living, Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) supports recommendations in the Interim Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee Report to Government to raise JobSeeker and Rent Assistance payments as a matter of urgency.
New funding for Disability Advocacy

Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth MP, has announced an increase in funding for 17 Disability Representative Organisations – including Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA).
How having an existing disability has impacted a secondary diagnosis

I was at school, and there was an expectation that I get on with my studies and put aside any internal struggles related to my disability. So, in a sense, I kind of skipped past the grief stage and was forced to accept it without having time to comprehend what was happening to me.
Navigating self-care with disability and chronic pain

I got myself surrounded with a network of support. Friends that I could trust, support groups that I could talk to without feeling ashamed. These were the people that motivated me to care for myself and reminded me that I was not alone on this personal journey.