COVID-19

Keeping children and young people with disability strong

Joint media statement
on Melbourne Stage 4 lockdowns

Information for Victorians (4 August 2020)

For information on the latest restrictions read the Premier's statement. IDEAS Disability Information also has updated their information.

Metro Melbourne:

Curfew in place: From 2 Aug 8pm to 5 am (care and work exemptions)
Shop: 1 person, once a day, 5km from home
Exercise: once a day, 1 hour, 5km from home, no more than 2 people
Place of work info announced 3 Aug
Melbourne and workers permits: (Permit template link) self managed NDIS participants and support workers

"Worker permits are needed for essential staff that need to travel to get to and from work. The permits will be needed from 11:59 August 5th. Workers will need a letter from their employer, which may be you. If you do not have a printer, we suggest you can fill it out and use a photo or a screen shot of it, until access to be a printer can be found. If your worker is a sole trader, they can do a letter for themselves, which may save you some paperwork - sole traders must issue a worker permit and sign the worker permit as both the employer and employee." Thanks IDEAS Disability Information

Mitchell Shire:

Remain on stage 3 restrictions

Regional Victoria:

Stage 3 restrictions from 11:59pm Wed 5 Aug

Restrictions in place for 6 weeks

Masks

The Latest Advice on Wearing Face Masks
Requests for a medical exemption from wearing a mask / face covering (National link)
Face masks and coronavirus (COVID-19): supporting children 0-12 years
Wearing a mask social story

Victorian students with disability

Metro Melbourne

Prep to year 10

Prep to Year 10 students will continue with remote and flexible learning.
On-site supervision will be available for P-10 students in the following categories, based on revised criteria:
- children whose parents work in one of the defined essential continuing industries
- vulnerable children including:
- children with a disability who also fit one of the above two categories, or where the family is experiencing severe stress. (Reference page 6, 4th column, 2nd row Stage 4 Restrictions table)

Senior secondary year 11 and 12 (VCE and VCAL)

All Year 11 and 12 provision for both VCE and VCAL will move to remote and flexible learning.
The GAT will be rescheduled from Wednesday 9 September to Wednesday 7 October.
The schedule for the VCE examinations and release of results will remain as previously advised.
Further information about consideration of disadvantage and coronavirus (COVID-19) will be provided shortly.

Special Schools

On-site provision in specialist schools will only be available to children whose parents are permitted workers, and vulnerable children.

Rural and regional Victoria

Prep to year 10

Prep to Year 10 students will move to remote and flexible learning.
ervision in rural and regional Victoria will be available to:
- Children whose parents cannot work from home
- Vulnerable children
- Any child with a disability

Senior secondary year 11 and 12 (VCE and VCAL)

All Year 11 and 12 provision for both VCE and VCAL will move to remote and flexible learning.
The GAT will be rescheduled from Wednesday 9 September to Wednesday 7 October.
The schedule for the VCE examinations and release of results will remain as previously advised.
Further information about consideration of disadvantage and coronavirus (COVID-19) will be provided shortly.

Special schools

Any child enrolled in a specialist school in rural and regional Victoria will be able to continue to attend.
Any parent of a child enrolled in a specialist school in rural and regional Victoria who wishes to keep their child at home can do so, and where possible, the school can provide learning materials and activities for the child and their parent to complete at home.

Timeline

Monday 3 August will be a ‘normal’ day of school under current arrangements, with students attending on site learning asked to take all their necessary learning materials home.
Tuesday 4 August will be a student-free day across Victoria to enable teachers, especially in rural and regional Victoria, to prepare for flexible and remote learning.
Wednesday 5 August will be the first day of new arrangements for schools across Victoria
This is a day ahead of the statewide introduction of the Stage 3 restrictions in rural and regional Victoria, but will provide for a smooth transition and will enable as much continuity of learning as possible.

Staffing

Schools will ensure sufficient staff are available for necessary on site supervision, and any staff not required for on site supervision will work from home.

For more information about Victoria's current restriction levels.

NDIS information for Victorians and PPE
Telephone help lines
- For Victorian information that is accessible call 1800 783 783
- For any other COVID-19 enquires call the Victorian Government Coronavirus hotline 1800 675 398. This hotline is available 24 hours a day seven days a week
Accessible resources
- Auslan resources via Expression Australia
- There is information about COVID-19 in community languages.
- Easy English resources
The Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services website provides updated information about the COVID-19 situation.
Additionally the Australian Government Department of Health has dedicated information for people with disability and their families about COVID-19.

NSW Update - (4 August 2020)

NSW School closures

NSW residents urged to wear masks (Thank you ABC News)

The NSW Premier says she recommends residents in her state wear masks in certain circumstances.

She says there are four main areas where officials want people to do this.

If you are in an enclosed space and you can't guarantee social distancing such as public transport or when you're buying groceries
Officials would like to see customer-facing staff wearing masks, whether in hospitality or retail for example
If you are attending a place of worship
If you are in an area where there is high community transmission or a number of cases

This is not compulsory but it is a strong recommendation from NSW Health.

National Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disability Information Helpline

The Disability Information Helpline is for people with disability and their supporters about coronavirus (COVID-19). You can contact the helpline in the following ways:

Phone (free call): 1800 643 787
If you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can also call the National Relay Service on 133 677. The helpline is available Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm (AEST) and Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 7pm (AEST). It is not available on national public holidays.

National Disability Insurance Scheme - information and resources

PPE August 4 2020 update

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is regularly updating its information and resources including Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Mental health and wellbeing – information and resources

Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service

Isolation and stress can make it harder to take care of your mental health. Beyond Blue has tips on looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak.

The Australian Department of Health has more tips and information on mental health support during COVID-19.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed or sad, please reach out for support. Talking to someone can help. You can contact:

Lifeline 13 11 14

Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800

Headspace 1800 650 890.

If you, or a child or young person in your care, needs support during this challenging time, please reach out. Call one of the numbers. If you don't get through straight away, stay on the line - someone will be there. Or visit: https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/ for online support

Finances and employment – information and resources

Australian Government Support Payments

Victorian Coronavirus (COVID-19) Test Isolation and Worker Support Payment

Australian Government coronavirus information and support for business

The National Debt Hotline website has step-by-step guides explaining how to fix common debt problems. You can also call the helpline on 1800 007 007 to speak with a financial counsellor.

Find a financial counsellor in your area.

Education – information and resources

Education advice by government

Early childhood education information and updates:

Australia overall information

The latest advice for schools: (4 August 2020)

Australian Capital Territory

New South Wales (school closures)

Northern Territory

Queensland (Brisbane south side update as at 4 Aug) (Queensland Health alerts)

South Australia (school closures)

Tasmania

Victoria

Western Australia

CYDA advocacy during COVID-19

There is a critical need to ensure that children and young people with disability and their families can access the following:

accessible testing with agreed supports for sensory needs, alternative communication and social stories
access to technology to support equal access to telehealth
priority access to personal protective equipment
continuation of chronic care plans

CYDA has been privileged over the past few months to engage with so many young people with disability, families of children with disability, disability advocates, partners and other stakeholders whilst we all grapple with the impact of COVID-19. We have heard from almost 700 families and young people about the effect of the crisis on their lives.

We continue to amplify these messages to government, including endorsing the Open Letter to National Cabinet: Immediate Actions Required for Australians with Disability – COVID-19 and producing reports and submissions to inform the government on the situation for children and young people with disability.