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#COSP15 Day 2 Round-Up

An early start today for delegates as the side events kicked off in earnest. The IDA (international disability Association) sponsored a formal side event looking at the impacts of the Russian invasion on disabled people in Ukraine. This included a compelling live link from Kyiv. The day rapidly progressed with the formal opening of COSP15…

#COSP15 Day 1 Round-Up

Our delegation attended a pre-briefing by the International Disability Association (IDA). The session was virtual, but the Australian Mission to the UN and DFAT hosted a screening for “Team Australia” delegates from Civil Society Organisations, including DPOA. Special guests included Rosemary Kayess, an Australian representative to the CRPD committee who is up for re-election this…

‘There was no plan’: Deaf Australians left behind in the 2022 NSW flood response

One of the sub-themes for this year’s Conference of States Parties (COSP) is Participation of persons with disabilities in climate action, disaster risk reduction and resilience against natural disasters. First in our series of COSP-related stories is this powerful video by Sigrid, a Deaf community member from Lismore, who describes her experience of the recent floods…

Australian Disability Advocates To Join UN Conference On COVID Disability Inclusion

A delegation of Australian disability advocates is set to travel to the United Nations in New York next week to work with advocates from around the world on increasing efforts to include people with disability in the next phase of the global response to COVID–19. Disabled Peoples’ Organisations Australia (DPOA) is participating in the 15th…

DPO Australia and Disability Voices Tasmania have made a submission to the Second Review of Australia’s Premises Standards

People with disability face restricted access to participation in all aspects of life as a direct result of inaccessibility of the built environment. DPO Australia supports the current Disability (Access to Premises – Building) legislation, which sets the standard for the accessibility of the built environment in Australia. We believe in the integrity of the…

Open Letter To The Hon. Michaelia Cash, the Morrison Government and all Members of the Australian Federal Parliament

People with disability and our representative organisations call on Acting Attorney-General Michaelia Cash and the Morrison Government to keep your promise and pass legislation in the next sitting of Federal Parliament that will protect the confidentiality of information given to the Disability Royal Commission. The Disability Royal Commission is expected to run for three years.…