ACD - Advocating for children with disability

ACD - Advocating for children with disability Free information and advocacy support to Victorian families with children with disability ACD acknowledges the traditional owners of this land.

We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

What does love, advocacy and resilience look like in everyday family life?This powerful story from Kerrie, an ACD volunt...
12/06/2026

What does love, advocacy and resilience look like in everyday family life?

This powerful story from Kerrie, an ACD volunteer Community Champion, who shares the love, strength and advocacy that can sit alongside the uncertainty of raising a child with disability. It’s an honest reflection of family life, the deep connections that matter most, and the importance of feeling seen, understood and connected.

Stories like this help build understanding, connection and community for other families walking a similar path.

You can read the full story here: https://ow.ly/jk2e50Z9JVX

Avoiding “the talk”? Start here 💜Supporting a teen with disability to understand relationships, consent and online conte...
11/06/2026

Avoiding “the talk”? Start here 💜

Supporting a teen with disability to understand relationships, consent and online content isn’t always straightforward. This webinar will give you practical guidance.

Join Let’s Talk: Relationships, s*x, and po*******hy, co-hosted with Amaze, featuring Associate Professor Wenn Lawson and Maree Crabbe.

A great opportunity to build your confidence and learn how to support your young person.
You’ll explore:
🔹 Autism, young people and technology
🔹 Autism, young people, puberty, and s*xuality
🔹 Po*******hy and young people

✨ One off event for parents and carers of young people aged 12+ with disability.

👉 Don’t miss out, book now: https://bit.ly/letstalkjune26Post

It was our privilege to appear at the Senate inquiry today, alongside our partners the Child and Family Disability Allia...
10/06/2026

It was our privilege to appear at the Senate inquiry today, alongside our partners the Child and Family Disability Alliance.

We spoke directly about the experiences and needs of children with disability and their families.

Read our opening statement on our website 👇
https://acd.org.au/advocacy/

Or watch it back on YouTube at the 2:59 hour mark 👇
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Nmha7-2fW4

Thank you for standing with us as we make sure families’ voices are heard. 💜

ACD, alongside our partners the Child and Family Disability Alliance, will appear at the Senate inquiry into proposed ND...
10/06/2026

ACD, alongside our partners the Child and Family Disability Alliance, will appear at the Senate inquiry into proposed NDIS changes.

We will highlight the unique needs of children and families who rely on the NDIS.

Watch live on YouTube at 11:45am, Wednesday 10 June.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Nmha7-2fW4

Join us as we make sure families’ voices are heard. 💜

When your child is on reduced school hours: what to knowIs your child with developmental delay or disability attending s...
09/06/2026

When your child is on reduced school hours: what to know

Is your child with developmental delay or disability attending school at reduced hours?

This can happen in a few ways:
🔸The school calls you regularly to pick up your child early 📞
🔸School says your child can only attend for a shorter number of hours each day ⏰
🔸A reduced number of hours is a planned reasonable adjustment for your child ✅

From 2026, these arrangements are expected to last no longer than 10 weeks before being reviewed.

Quick tips for families 💡
🔹Always expect a written Modified Timetable Agreement with clear hours, supports, and a review date
🔹Make sure other supports are in place. Reduced hours should not replace them
🔹Check that the plan is helping your child's return to full participation, not excluding them

👉 Read our NEW fact sheet, https://acd.org.au/reduced-hours-at-school-and-modified-timetables/ to understand your rights and what to expect.

08/06/2026

Free workshop: how to get your child with disability started in work experience 💜

Work experience while at school can make a big difference for students with disability.

Our new Get into Work Experience workshop gives you clear, practical guidance on how it all works and how to support your young person to get started.

You’ll learn:
🔹 What meaningful work experience looks like
🔹 What the school’s role is and what you can ask for
🔹 What supports and resources are available
🔹 The next steps you can take

✅ Led by parents of children with disability who understand what this process is like.

⏰ Don’t miss out, sessions are filling quickly.

👉 Book your place from 22 June: https://bit.ly/WorkExpJune26Posts

ACD in partnership with the Child and Family Disability Alliance has made a submission to the Senate inquiry into the pr...
05/06/2026

ACD in partnership with the Child and Family Disability Alliance has made a submission to the Senate inquiry into the proposed NDIS legislation.

What did we say? 💬
We echoed concerns raised by Disability Representative Organisations that:
🔹There has not been enough time allowed for fair scrutiny of the Bill and to make necessary amendments
🔹The changes give the Minister too many powers, while reducing safeguards and the right to challenge decisions

We also raised concerns specific to children, young people and their families:
🔹Children with diagnoses associated with lifelong severely reduced functional capacity need early access to the NDIS
🔹Family circumstances should be considered in eligibility assessment
🔹Requiring families to try all ‘treatment’ options before accessing the NDIS is unfair
🔹Expectations placed on parents must be applied fairly and recognise the intensity and frequency of support required to raise a child with disability
🔹Supports should reflect the combined impact of multiple disabilities

What happens next? 📅

The Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee is made up of senators from a range of political parties. They review proposed laws, gather evidence and hear from community members, experts and community organisations, then make recommendations before Parliament votes.

ACD has been invited to speak to the Committee, where senators can ask us questions about our submission.

📌 You can read our full submission on our website: https://acd.org.au/advocacy/

Learn about reasonable adjustments at school from other families.It can be hard to know what reasonable adjustments scho...
04/06/2026

Learn about reasonable adjustments at school from other families.

It can be hard to know what reasonable adjustments schools can provide to students with disabilities. That’s why we asked families for examples of reasonable adjustments that are working for their children.

A reasonable adjustment is a change a school makes so a student with disability can take part in learning on the same basis as other students.

Some examples include:
🔹Giving more time to complete a task
🔹Providing all instructions in writing
🔹Providing information in large print
🔹Changes to uniform requirements
🔹Providing toileting support as needed

Our reasonable adjustments guide breaks this down in plain English, so you know what you can ask for.

Because sometimes the best information comes from other families.
🔗 Read the guide via the link in our bio.

Free webinar: supporting teens with disability to navigate relationships, s*x and po*******hy 💜Join this practical sessi...
03/06/2026

Free webinar: supporting teens with disability to navigate relationships, s*x and po*******hy 💜

Join this practical session for parents and carers of young people aged 12+ with disability.

Co hosted with Amaze, Let’s Talk: Relationships, s*x, and po*******hy is presented by Associate Professor Wenn Lawson and Maree Crabbe.

You’ll learn how to support your child to build respectful, consenting relationships with confidence.

Topics will include:
🔹Autism, young people, and technology
🔹Autism, young people, puberty and s*xuality
🔹Po*******hy and young people

✨ This is a one-off event and not to be missed.

👉 Book your spot to avoid disappointment: https://bit.ly/letstalkjune26Post

What to do if your child has newly diagnosed developmental delay or disability 💜If your child has been identified as hav...
02/06/2026

What to do if your child has newly diagnosed developmental delay or disability 💜

If your child has been identified as having a developmental delay or disability, then the NDIS is still the place to go to get early childhood intervention and support.

🔹 You apply by going to your NDIS Partner in the Community (these are called Early Childhood Partners or Local Area Coordinators). They can help explain the process and what happens

🔹 The NDIS can help children and families get early childhood intervention, including speech pathology, occupational therapy or physiotherapy

🔹Children who are not citizens or permanent residents are eligible (up until they start school)

Right now, there are no immediate changes to how you apply. The Government is proposing changes, but these will take time and are not final.

Please share with other families and professionals who work with families so that children don’t miss out.

📢 ACD and other advocates are speaking up for families’ concerns and working to make sure your voices are heard.

ℹ️ We’ll keep sharing clear, easy-to-understand updates so you know what this means for your child. 💜

👉 Find NDIS offices and contact near you: https://ow.ly/fN6850Z5Znp

Address

Suite 6, 400 Canterbury Road
Melbourne, VIC
3127

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+61398807000

Website

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