17 December 2024
MEDIA RELEASE
(Eds: CEO Nicole Rogerson available for interview)
Chief executive Nicole Rogerson has welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement of the Peer Support Capacity grant for Autism Awareness Australia (AAA).
“This commitment comes at a crucial time for the organisation as we support people with autism and their families, carers and educators,” she said.
Ms Rogerson founded the organisation in 2007 which is now firmly established as the national peak body for autism families.
She said the organisation aimed to create systemic change to improve the lives of all autistic Australians and their families by providing comprehensive support throughout key stages of life.
“This funding is great news for the Australian autism community. People with autism make up 35 per cent of the NDIS by participation and we thank the Australian Government for this investment in their welfare,” she said.
“The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) reforms will reshape the disability support landscape, so it is critical that we advocate for people with autism and their families during such a time of change.”
“Families need our support now more than ever, and this grant allows us to continue to provide that support and resources to families all over Australia.
“But understandably, families are concerned about the changes and we’ll be working hard on their behalf to support the Government as they progress the design of the Foundational Supports.
“These supports, available outside of the NDIS are a fundamental piece of the support puzzle for families and we are committed to playing our part. “
AAA has a strong track record in identifying and addressing the point of need for families and educators, to support children with autism.
“We recently expanded our support to early childhood educators through an online training program, Navigating Autism: The Early Years, which has empowered more than 19,000 early childhood educators across Australia to better support autistic children.
“With the changes announced under the NDIS reforms, we know many students with autism will experience a reduced level of support, placing additional pressure on teachers in the classroom.
“That’s why we’re now turning our experience and success with the Early Years program to look at how we can expand this training to schoolteachers so that they have the support they need in the classroom for working with children with autism.”
For more information on AAA, go to https://www.autismawareness.com.au/
Media contact: CEO Nicole Rogerson 0417 692 226