Amaze policy wrap up

 

2021 was a busy year for Amaze and its policy and advocacy work.

The Commonwealth Government’s plans to reform the NDIS drew the majority of our attention. Independent assessments, new approaches for the early childhood pathway, a proposal to change how autistic children access NDIS supports, as well as several other significant changes to large parts of the NDIS, and amendments to the NDIS Act 2013 were all tabled in the last 12 months. 

Of these proposals, it was independent assessments that we focused on with the most intensity.  

Months of community advocacy and campaigning resulted in the Commonwealth Government deciding to withdraw its plans and commit to a more balanced approach to its community engagement activities.  

This was a stunning result, and much of the success and congratulations are due to the quiet work of Amaze’s community members who wrote to and met their MPs, shared their experiences with us, and supported our work in many small and large ways. 

When we reflect on the past year and its ups and downs, we take the lesson that the collective voice of autistic people can change the direction of major policy and political activities.  

There will be a federal and a Victorian election in 2022.  

We are excited for these two opportunities for Amaze to speak directly to political parties about autism, and to offer them a platform that will support better services and opportunities for autistic people everywhere.  

When the opportunity arises, we are confident that the community engagement and participation that took place over the last year will enable Amaze and its community to contribute to improving social and disability policy. 

As we sign off in 2021, Amaze’s policy team want to sincerely thank our community for the support you have given us. Your contributions make all the difference in our work; be it through completing a survey, participating in an online workshop, sharing your experiences over the phone or email, or going as far as organising to meet a member of parliament for the first time.  

All of your dedicated help and work has been an invaluable support to us, and through that, to autistic people across Australia.  

We are excited for the opportunities ahead of us and are proud to be working with you.