Illawarra Advocacy

05/02/2026

Carol Berry, local MP is a steadfast advocate for people with disability in our local area. She is part of the Parliaments Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS and is going to be holding NDIS consultations in the coming weeks.

To find out more, or to register for sessions during the week of 23 February, you can contact Carol Berry MP office on (02) 42972285 or email me at carol.berry.mp@aph.gov.au.

Thank you Carol for being such a strong voice for so many of our clients.

05/02/2026

🚨🚨NDIS Participants are calling for sprinklers to become mandatory in SDA accommodation.
In this article from the ABC Todd Winther explains why he sees the installation of sprinklers in SDA to be necessary in reducing the over representation of people with a disability in home fire incidents. 🚨🚨

Around the country, people with disability are over-represented in house fire deaths. One simple change could make all the difference.

05/02/2026

In 2025, a report commissioned by MND Australia estimated there were 2,752 Australians living with MND. This is equivalent to approximately 1 in every 10,030 people.

Neal Daniher has been battling against the disease since his diagnosis in 2013.

This funding from the federal government is welcomed with much relief from the MND community.

We love to see these inspirational news stories featuring those who never stop fighting.

04/02/2026

Uniting are hosting some virtual webinars to help explain some key considerations when it comes to The NDIS.

If you are a carer or a participant and wish to learn more about Access and Planning, Self- Management or Assistive Technology, considering registering for one of these webinars.

The NDIS is hosting a series of free virtual webinars to help participants, families and carers better understand key areas of the scheme. Join online via Microsoft Teams and get informed.

NDIS Access & Eligibility
📅 10 Feb | ⏰ 1pm–2pm
https://bit.ly/3NLS3Qz

NDIS Self-Management
📅 18 Feb | ⏰ 1pm–2pm
https://bit.ly/4qoGzAl

NDIS Assistive Technology
📅 26 Feb | ⏰ 1pm–2pm
https://bit.ly/3NCS4GD

💻 All sessions are virtual

A great opportunity to learn, ask questions, and build confidence with the NDIS.



(Image description: Women looking at her laptop with "Upcoming Webinars" in white on magenta).

03/02/2026

News from Friday's National Cabinet meeting.

What reforms did National Cabinet agree to?

Adjusting state and territory NDIS contribution escalation rates to be in line with actual scheme growth, capped at 8 per cent, from 1 July 2028 with a review point in 2030-31.

Working together to target annual cost increases to 5 to 6 per cent.

$2 billion, matched by states, to deliver Thriving Kids, the first phase of Foundational Supports, with the Commonwealth providing $1.4 billion of its contribution to support states to help their kids thrive.

National Cabinet met in Sydney today and reached a landmark agreement to deliver record funding to state and territory hospitals and secure the future

03/02/2026

It is always so disappointing to hear about inadequate care being provided to those with a disability.
At Illawarra Advocacy, we champion for our clients to have the best care, the care that they deserve.

The Federal Court has imposed a $1.1 million penalty on a disability not-for-profit for breaking reporting laws and...

01/02/2026

Thinking of all our beautiful carers as always. We see you every day, and know how much you put into caring for your loved one with a disability.
If you need some help in taking some time for YOU, to meet YOUR needs, Carers Gateway can help.
Always remember the old saying - it is important to put your own oxygen mask on before helping anyone.

We know that carers cope best when they have help and support. We also know that many carers don’t ask for help.

Talking to carers, we’ve found some common themes about why carers don’t ask for help.

The 5 most common reasons are:
⏰no time
🆘not knowing there is help
🤔thinking they are not a carer
🙂pride
🔏privacy.

If this sounds like you, or someone you know, it’s important to realise that help may only be a phone call away.

To find out more information, please see comments below. 👇

31/01/2026

Here's hoping these new homes provide some much-needed relief for the many Australians affected by the current affordable housing crisis.

Some good housing news just dropped.

We’re delivering 21,000 more social and affordable homes - making sure that people who need it have a safe place to call home.

Whether it’s a woman fleeing a situation of domestic or family violence, a veteran looking for their own place, or a frontline worker priced out of their community, these homes will change lives of the people who keep our community ticking over.

Labor’s working to deliver more homes of every type, because more homes means more affordable housing.

30/01/2026

For any of our female clients with an intellectual disability, looking to learn more about your body, sexual health and safe relationships - this workshop will provide accessible information.
If you know someone who could benefit from this course, register them today.

Are you a woman with intellectual disability?

Would you like to learn more about
* your body
* sexual health
* safe relationships?

Come to our next online workshop called You CAN Ask That!

We are running workshops on Friday 6 February and Tuesday 31 March.

Find more information on our website: https://cid.org.au/youcanaskthat

30/01/2026

Sharing for any of our young people who could use a $1000 boost to aid with their studies! Check out the information in this post.

Our Youth Development Scholarships program provides $1,000 for study expenses like laptops, textbooks, or uniforms. It helps young people in social housing or out-of-home care achieve their education goals.

29/01/2026

Another inspiring news article for the week. We love reading stories about those with disability being celebrated for their ABILITIES. This 11 year old tennis star proving you can still crush your goals even when life throws you set backs.

Victorian teenager Maddy Kelly was 11 years old when she started losing her sight. Two years later, she's a national tennis champion.

28/01/2026

A barrier we hear about so often with our clients is access to the workforce. We love reading inspiring and positive stories like this one.

A Brisbane mum was worried about what her son would do after high school, so she created a transition program to help other neurodivergent young adults.