| There are a number of government consultations that are currently open for comment. To make it easier to keep up to date with the many requests for feedback, ATSA have put together the following list. Draft standard for AS/NZS ISO 9999:2022 Assistive products — Response due 16th December 2022 Classification and terminology is now open for public comment, this is to supersede AS ISO 9999:2018, Assistive products for persons with disability — Classification and terminology. Individuals looking to access the document / comment will need to create an account with Standards Australia if they don’t have one already, this simply requires a name / email / password and can be done by anyone.  https://comment.standards.org.au/Drafts/175869b9-fa16-4158-aaa4-f6642d3e8f11 Replacement Act for Disability – response due 20th December 2022 The Disability Act is around 30 years old and the Department of Social Services is planning to re-write the Act to make it more relevant for today and the future.  The link to more information on this consultation and how to respond is provided below. ATSA will be making a submission and would be pleased to receive any comments by the 30th November. A New Act to Replace the Disability Services Act (1986) | engage.dss.gov.au Review of the Aged Care Quality Standards – response due by 25th November 2022 In response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s recommendations, the Australian Government is urgently reviewing the Aged Care Quality Standards. Public consultation on a new, strengthened version of the Quality Standards is occurring from 17 October to 25 November 2022. This review is being done with broader aged care reforms in mind. This includes changes to the Aged Care Act 1997, provider responsibilities and developing a New Support at-home Program, Star Ratings system and expanding the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program.   The government is working to align regulations across care and support sectors including Aged care, Disability and Veterans’ care. To improve quality and safety of services, remove duplication of responsibilities for service providers and workers. The link to this consultation is https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/aged-care/aged-care-reforms-and-reviews/royal-commission-into-aged-care-quality-and-safety/review-of-the-aged-care-quality-standards NDIS Client consultation on CALD Strategy and client survey The NDIS have started their long form outcomes survey data collection for 2022. Australian Healthcare Associates (AHA) will be contacting participants, their families and carers between 26 September 2022 and 16 December 2022 to ask them questions about different areas of their lives.  Additionally, the NDIA is co-designing a new Cultural and Linguistic Diversity (CALD) Strategy 2023-2027 and action plan to support people with disability from CALD backgrounds to achieve access to, and outcomes from, their NDIS plan on an equal basis with the broader population.  The link to these consultations is  https://www.ndis.gov.au/community/have-your-say The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability  ATSA has met with the Community Engagement team from the Royal Commission and will be making a submission to the Commission in regard to the Vision for the Future. Our focus will be on the need for processes that ensure quality and safety for reissued AT, the need to ensure the sustainability of the supply side of AT and innovation. As the public hearing for this topic is being held from the 12-16th December, please send any key issues you would like us to include in our submission by the 21st November 2022.  The last public hearing is on providers and will be held in February 2023.  Will accept any final submissions by Electronic submissions (via email or web form) – 31 December 2022. If you need help lodging your submission, contact us before 23 December 2022. If you have large files, please contact us as early as possible so we can discuss secure ways for you to share them with us. Hard copy submissions – must be postmarked no later than 31 December 2022. Phone submissions – 23 December 2022. If you are considering making a phone submission, please contact us as early as possible to schedule a time. Submissions in Auslan (to a Royal Commission staff member) – must be booked by 12 December 2022. The link to make a submission is https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au/share-your-story/make-your-submission  If you have any questions please email margaret.noonan@atsa.org.au |
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