Grampians disAbility Advocacy

27/08/2026

New laws making significant changes to the NDIS start taking effect today, Thursday 27 August.
Most NDIS participants do not need to do anything differently right now. You can continue to use your current NDIS plan and supports as usual.
A series of changes will be introduced over the coming years, including changes to plan reassessments, funding, planning and access.
We have put together a short overview of what is changing now and what is coming next, as well as a new NDIS changes page that will be updated with new information.
Read the what's now and next article: https://pwd.org.au/ndis-changes-start-today-what-you.../
For a more detailed timeline of changes, visit our NDIS changes information page: https://pwd.org.au/.../2026-ndis-changes-what-the-new.../

Image description: Timeline of key NDIS reform dates. Seven days after the laws are signed, changes begin to plan reassessment requests, record keeping requirements, information-gathering powers and civil penalties, pricing determination powers and automated administrative action. From 1 October 2026, some support budgets begin to be progressively reset. From 1 December 2026, a 90-day claims timeframe begins. From February 2027, plan renewals and reasonable and necessary changes begin. From April 2027, New Framework Planning begins to be introduced. Mandatory registration requirements for some providers expand from July 2027, followed by a panel for plan management from October. New access arrangements begin in January 2028, with existing participants reassessed over three years. A new commissioned support coordination and connection function begins in July 2028. Much of the detail is still being developed, and PWDA will continue listening, sharing information and advocating for change.

New laws making significant changes to the NDIS start taking effect today, Thursday 27 August.

Most NDIS participants do not need to do anything differently right now. You can continue to use your current NDIS plan and supports as usual.

A series of changes will be introduced over the coming years, including changes to plan reassessments, funding, planning and access.

We have put together a short overview of what is changing now and what is coming next, as well as a new NDIS changes page that will be updated with new information.

Read the what's now and next article: https://pwd.org.au/ndis-changes-start-today-what-you-need-to-know/

For a more detailed timeline of changes, visit our NDIS changes information page: https://pwd.org.au/disability-rights/2026-ndis-changes-what-the-new-laws-mean-and-what-happens-next/



Image description: Timeline of key NDIS reform dates. Seven days after the laws are signed, changes begin to plan reassessment requests, record keeping requirements, information-gathering powers and civil penalties, pricing determination powers and automated administrative action. From 1 October 2026, some support budgets begin to be progressively reset. From 1 December 2026, a 90-day claims timeframe begins. From February 2027, plan renewals and reasonable and necessary changes begin. From April 2027, New Framework Planning begins to be introduced. Mandatory registration requirements for some providers expand from July 2027, followed by a panel for plan management from October. New access arrangements begin in January 2028, with existing participants reassessed over three years. A new commissioned support coordination and connection function begins in July 2028. Much of the detail is still being developed, and PWDA will continue listening, sharing information and advocating for change.

24/08/2026

👥Join us for a FREE Wellbeing Afternoon for women and gender diverse people with disabilities, run by Women with Disabilities Victoria , in partnership with Women's Health Grampians , Grampians disAbility Advocacy and Stawell Neighbourhood House.

As part of this wellbeing afternoon, Cancer Council Victoria will be delivering a free cervical screening education session for women and gender-diverse people with disabilities.

📅Date: Thursday 10th September 2026 Time: 1:00pm – 4:00pm Location:
🏠Stawell Neighbourhood House, 42 Sloane Street, Stawell 3380 Victoria.
💲Cost: Free

What to expect:
▶️ Learn how cervical screening protects you
▶️Tips for a comfortable and stress-free experience
▶️Chat with a sexual health nurse
▶️ Free self-care pack & resources
▶️ ️Enjoy lunch & connect with others

ℹ️Registrations are essential to help us plan for dietary and accessibility requirements.
Register via: https://events.humanitix.com/wellbeingafternoon

Supported by Cancer Council Victoria with funding from the Victorian Government.

19/08/2026

💛Today is Daffodil Day 💛

Daffodil Day supports people affected by cancer.

This year, Cancer Council is celebrating 40 years of growing hope.

For 40 years, Daffodil Day has helped raise money for cancer research, prevention and support services.

At Grampians disAbility Advocacy, we acknowledge people with disability, their families and communities who are affected by cancer and admire their strength as they navigate what cancer means to them.

Together, we can help bring hope and support.

06/08/2026

🌻 What does a Sunflower lanyard mean? 🌻

A Sunflower lanyard shows that a person may have a disability or health condition you cannot see.

They may need:
🌻 More time
🌻 Patience
🌻 Understanding
🌻 Support

This may include people with autism, ADHD, anxiety, dementia, hearing loss, epilepsy, chronic pain, mental health conditions or any other disability that you aren't able to see.

Do not ask the person what their disability is.
You can simply ask:
“How can I help?”
Listen to the person and let them tell you what support they need. 💚

Learn more about the Sunflower lanyard here:
🌻 https://bit.ly/40VEGQ8

Making the invisible visible.

06/08/2026

We know that every dollar invested in the NDIS returns $2.25 to the economy. Labor’s NDIS Bill will make huge cuts to supports like Social, Civic and Community Participation budgets which employ so many support workers and allow disabled people to access the community. Join the 25’000 people that have signed our campaign to Stop the Cuts ➡️
greens.org.au/campaigns/no-ndis-cuts

Video description:
A video of Jordon and three other officials speaking during the senate inquiry hearing. Jordon has short curly dark hair, a beard, and wears glasses, a navy blue suit jacket, and a white button-down shirt.
The video cuts between Jordon and the other speakers, who are seated at long wooden desks with microphones, laptops, and nameplates. The background features light wood-paneled walls and rows of empty wooden chairs with cream cushions. The other speakers shown are:
* A woman with curly hair and pink-rimmed glasses, wearing a textured white blazer over a white top.
* A woman with long brown hair, wearing a black top and a large silver ring.
* A woman with dark hair tied back, wearing a light blue pleated top and a silver necklace.
At the end of the video, a black screen appears with a white triangle logo containing the text “THE GREENS” and smaller white text below that reads: “Authorised by J. Steele-John, Australian Greens, Canberra.”

04/08/2026

Thank you to Timothy for your powerful speech in the NDIS Senate hearing yesterday. 💚
Evidence shows that every dollar invested in the NDIS returns $2.25 to the economy. That’s just the economic benefit to supporting employment of disabled people, as well as the jobs the NDIS creates. It also saves money down the line...
Without adequate supports, even more incidents like Timothy’s story will occur. This will put pressure on our already struggling hospitals.
The NDIS isn’t a cost to cut. Investing in disabled people strengthens the entire economy.
Join the campaign to tell Labor: No NDIS Cuts 🔗 greens.org.au/campaigns/no-ndis-cuts

Image description:
Timothy speaks in the Senate hearing room. Timothy wears a navy suit and blue shirt, glasses and a mask. Behind is light and dark wood walls

30/07/2026

Everyone with a cervix deserves access to cervical screening that feels safe, supported and accessible.

Sexual Health Victoria is now offering a dedicated cervical screening service for people with a disability.

Their experienced clinicians can tailor your appointment to your individual needs create the most comfortable experience for you as possible. Support people are welcome.

In your cervical screening, you can choose to do a clinician-collected test, self-collected test or assisted self-collected test (with the help of a nurse), depending on your own needs and preferences.

Appointments are free for all people with a Medicare card.

Our new webpage also makes it easier for those with disability to book an appointment.

Appointments are available in-person, via video and on the telephone, the choice is yours!

To book visit shvic.org.au/CST-disability

Everyone with a cervix deserves access to cervical screening that feels safe, supported and accessible.

Sexual Health Victoria is now offering a dedicated cervical screening service for people with a disability.

Our experienced clinicians can tailor your appointment to your individual needs create the most comfortable experience for you as possible. Support people are welcome.

In your cervical screening, you can choose to do a clinician-collected test, self-collected test or assisted self-collected test (with the help of a nurse), depending on your own needs and preferences.

Appointments are free for all people with a Medicare card.

Our new webpage also makes it easier for those with disability to book an appointment.

Appointments are available in-person, via video and on the telephone, the choice is yours!

To book visit shvic.org.au/CST-disability

22/07/2026

AusAlert is being tested at 2pm on 27 July.

AusAlert alerts are designed to get people's attention quickly during emergencies and help keep them safe.

However, for people who use safety devices, receiving an AusAlert may cause concern, as it could make those devices easier to locate, particularly if they are intended to remain hidden.
If you think it may not be safe for you, or someone you care about, to receive the national AusAlert test, take the following steps at least one hour before the test:
▪️ Turn your safety device off, or
▪️ Switch it to aeroplane mode (if available), and
▪️ Keep it off or in aeroplane mode for 24 hours.

Remember: You can still use Wi-Fi while your device is in aeroplane mode. If your device does not have aeroplane mode, turn it off instead.

For more information and resources, visit http://www.ausalert.gov.au/communit.../staying-safe-ausalert

In an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000). See less

AusAlert is being tested at 2pm on 27 July.

AusAlerts are designed to get people's attention quickly during emergencies and help keep them safe.

However, for people who use safety devices, receiving an AusAlert may cause concern, as it could make those devices easier to locate, particularly if they are intended to remain hidden.

If you think it may not be safe for you, or someone you care about, to receive the national AusAlert test, take the following steps at least one hour before the test:
▪️ Turn your safety device off, or
▪️ Switch it to aeroplane mode (if available), and
▪️ Keep it off or in aeroplane mode for 24 hours.

Remember: You can still use Wi-Fi while your device is in aeroplane mode. If your device does not have aeroplane mode, turn it off instead.

For more information and resources, visit http://www.ausalert.gov.au/communit.../staying-safe-ausalert

In an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000). See less

17/07/2026

Our Horsham RAISE your voice advocacy group is doing a survey about public transport in the Wimmera.
You can complete the survey by clicking on the link https://forms.office.com/r/DmNpTuyQQC

MEMBERS of the RAISE Your Voice Disability Advocacy Group took their campaign for better public transport accessibility to Horsham Plaza on Wednesday, encouraging residents to share their experiences through a community survey. The survey asks residents, “How easy is it to use public transport...