AFSA AGM 2018

Well done to the AFSA members and friends who braved an exceptionally cold Sunday to attend our AGM.  Following presentation of our Annual Report (you can download a copyhere) we were pleased to welcome our Guest Speaker, Stephanie Gotlib.

Stephanie has worked in the disability sector for 25 years, has experienced disability as a sibling and a parent and is the CEO of Children and Young People with Disability

Stephanie spoke of her role with the CYDA and the ever changing role of autism families in the 2018 disability environment.  Stephanie gave a wide ranging address on a variety of current topics and issues in the disability arena.  Some of the key messages she noted were:

• that the NDIS is only one small part of the broader reform of the disability environment involving the move towards a social model of disability, based on the International Convention on the rights for people with a disability.
• the importance of the National Disability Strategy which is setting the reform agenda at federal, state and local government levels.  The essence of the Strategy is addressing the challenge of changing community attitudes to autism and disability in the context of the existing culture of disability – such as the charity model, deficit based language, pity poor me attitudes and the burden of carers.

The 2018-19 AFSA Committee was formed, with all current committee members renominating.  There are three vacant committee positions and AFSA members are encouraged to consider joining our committee and assisting with the work of the organisation – for details contact the President or Secretary.