Law relating to employing people with disabilities

Q: I'm a university student and am conducting a literature review on spinal cord injury and return to work. I am particularly interested in legislation on this issue. Can you provide me with any information on this topic?

A: The recent introduction of the Federal Government's Welfare to Work initiative which incorporates changes to the Disability Support Pension and Newstart Allowance is relevant to your inquiry.

You can read about the impact of the changes on the internet and in these extracts from the Winter 2005 and Autumn 2006 issues of our Accord magazine.

There is also the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and FAQs about the DDA and employment, both available from the Australian Human Rights Commission's website www.hreoc.gov.au under 'Disability rights'.

Most spinal cord injury manuals/handbooks contain a section on return to work (eg www.health.qld.gov.au/qscis/info_handbook.asp 'Chapter 4 Returning to the Community') and we have the following two articles in our library which may be of interest:

Return to work after spinal cord injury Crisp, Ross Journal of Rehabilitation January/February/March, 1990

Work, non‑work and consequent satisfaction after spinal cord injury Ville, I.; Ravaud, J‑F. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research vol. 19 no. 3, September 1996

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Information in Hot Topics and hyperlinked web references are correct at the time of writing but may change.  Please let us know of any out of date information.

I’ve booked a flight but am worried about incontinence in the air. What can I do to avoid problems?

What insurance do I need for my wheelchair or scooter?

I am an architect working on a project to design a home for a person with quadriplegia. Can you provide me with the details of some resources to help with specific dimensions to facilitate access in and around the home?

My brother was recently injured in a diving accident and he's been told that he has incomplete C6/7 spinal cord injury. What does that mean?

I’ve got a legal problem, but I can’t afford a lawyer. Is there anyone I can contact?

I am planning an around Australia trip. Is my local mobility parking authority (MPA) recognised in all Australian States and Territories? Also, how would I organise an MPA for other countries if I was planning to travel overseas?

I'm planning to take a domestic flight within Australia. A friend has told me the cables will need to be disconnected from the battery terminals of my electric wheelchair before it is taken on to the aircraft. Why is this required and who is responsible for the disconnection, and  who'll pit them back when I get to my destination?

I've been offered a place in a clinical trial of a possible improvement of my level of function after SCI. How can I judge whether to go into it?

I want to take a trip from Sydney as far north as Noosa on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and can only travel up to 300 km before needing to stop and spend the night. Can you provide me with a list of accessible accommodation at various points along the way, say around Forster, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay, the Gold Coast and finally the Sunshine Coast?

My relative has sustained a spinal cord injury and at the moment he is still in hospital. He won’t get any compensation for his accident. I’d like to raise funds so his home can be made accessible and to buy a car for him as his family can’t afford to do it themselves. What is the best way to do this? Can people who contribute to my appeal use their donations as tax deductions?

Are there any courses I can attend to enable me to become an Access Auditor?

I have quadriplegia and haven’t exercised since being in rehab. Can you suggest where I can hire or buy exercise equipment and how I can improve my fitness?

I need to have my car repaired and can't afford it. Is there any subsidy for people with disabilities for this type of expense?

I can't find a wheelchair sold in Australia that's right for me. There is one sold by a company overseas that doesn't have an agent in Australia. Will I have to pay import duty and GST if I bring it in myself?

I'm a university student and am conducting a literature review on spinal cord injury and return to work. I am particularly interested in legislation on this issue. Can you provide me with any information on this topic?

Due to my spinal cord injury I can't use a pen to make a signature. What can I do to authorise contracts and other documents?

I receive the Disability Support Pension (DSP) and have been studying since 2003 at university in a four-year degree. To complete my degree I am required to do a 12 month overseas study component. Centrelink says I won't be able to keep getting the DSP. What can I do? Is there a way I can still receive the DSP while I'm away?

I live in NSW and use the Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme (TTSS). Can I use my TTSS vouchers to get a reduced fare when I'm visiting another State?

I have quadriplegia and get the Continence Aids Assistance Scheme (CAAS) $470 per annum for my supplies. But that's doesn't cover all that I need in the year. Are there any other continence equipment programs and services I can use to supplement CAAS?