30 July 2008
AUSTRALIA CONSIDERS DISABILITY TRUST CHANGE
ABCNews (AUSTRALIA) Australia is considering changes to allow more families to establish special disability trusts for their children. Currently trusts are not widely used because of restrictive eligibility and tax rules. The Australian Senate will make recommendations on new legislation in September. Carers Australia (http://www.carersaustralia.com.au/) says the government should establish a program for families who are not financially able to put money into disability trusts.
SOURCE:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/30/2318311.htm
NEW EUROPEAN UNION AIR TRAVEL RULES
United Kingdom Press Association, UK— The European Union (EU; http://europa.eu/) has passed new rules giving more rights to passengers with disabilities. Under the new rules, which are now in effect, airlines and airports will assist travelers with disabilities free of charge. Other services, such as wheelchair transportation and transport for service animals will also be free of charge. Airlines cannot refuse travel to people with disabilities. The new rules apply to all flights departing from an EU airport and European arrivals in the EU.
SOURCE:
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gmBW6F_hZ-UudKO96h-VjQD40VRw
BOTSWANA POLICY EXCLUDES YOUTH WITH DISABILITY
Daily news Online, GABORONE, BOTSWANA - The National Youth Policy does not make provisions for young people with disabilities. During the recent Legislative and Policy Framework: Impact on Youth With Disabilities Conference, the acting executive director Anthony Morima said people with disabilities do not utilize available programs because they are unaware of them, or the programs are not accessible to them. In particular, Morima called for better sports programs for youth with disabilities. He requests development of a comprehensive report on program availability. Ms. Motsei Rapelana of the University of Botswana (http://www.ub.bw/) calls for the inclusion of people with disabilities in formulating programmatic and service plans.
SOURCE:
http://www.gov.bw/cgi-bin/news.cgi?d=20080728&i=Policy_disadvantages_people_with_disabilities
2 comments:
I think disability trusts are such a wonderful tool for families to use in order to insure that children with disabilities can continue to receive the care they need when the parents are no longer alive, or able to provide that care. Removing eligibility and tax law obstacles seems like a no-brainer. Who picks up the tab once the parents are gone if there is no trust in place? The Government. Also, who picks up the tab if families become destitute due to the cost of care for a child with disabilities? The Government.
M. Turcotte
Its is amazing how other countries are also seeing the needs people with disability have. I think its important to provide different type of aids for people with disability so they can feel cared and they can succeed in life.
Claudia P.
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