CYDA

Today is IDAHOBIT 🌈 On 17 May, communities around the world mark the International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination (IDAHOBIT). At CYDA, we know many disabled young people are also part of LGBTQIA+ communities, and that accessible and neuroaffirming spaces for community connection matter. Over the next two years, CYDA will partner with three organisations to deliver the Neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ Youth Community Leadership Program. Together, we’ll support queer and questioning neurodivergent young people to build confidence, strengthen self-advocacy and leadership skills, and connect with community. If you’re in WA or Victoria, applications are now open with @ydan_wa and @ydas_vic . South Australia, you’re next! Keep an eye out for EOIs opening soon with @EnabledYouthDisabilityNetwork 👀 [ID in Comments]

Today, Disability Representative Organisations across Australia released a joint statement raising serious concerns about the new NDIS Reform Bill and the rushed timeline for the Senate Inquiry. The Bill proposes significant and complex changes to the NDIS. DROs are warning that the current inquiry timeline does not allow enough time for proper scrutiny, public hearings, submissions, or accessible and meaningful engagement with the disability community. 🔗 Read the full joint statement at the link in our bio. CYDA will continue sharing plain language updates and advocating alongside children and young people with disability throughout this process. If you need support, you can contact: - Lifeline - 13 11 14 - Beyond Blue -1300 22 4636 - Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800 - 13YARN - 13 92 76 Text and online chat options are also available for these services.

📢 This year’s Federal Budget promised younger Australians a “fair crack” but for many children and young people with disability, it raises more questions than answers. With major cuts planned to the NDIS and limited investment in education, employment and community supports, disabled young people and their families are being left wondering where they fit into the government’s vision for the future. Children and young people make up more than half of all NDIS participants, meaning these changes will have a huge impact on younger generations, especially young autistic children. “We all want to live in a country where every child and young person has the same opportunity to learn, participate, work, build relationships, and plan for their futures,” said CYDA CEO Skye Kakoschke-Moore. “But systemic changes take time, and this Budget sends a disappointing message about the government’s commitment to getting there.” Read the full statement at the link in our bio. CYDA will keep sharing updates and explaining what these changes mean for children, young people, and families. If you need support, you can contact: - Lifeline - 13 11 14 - Beyond Blue -1300 22 4636 - Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800 - 13YARN - 13 92 76 Text and online chat options are also available for these services.

What to expect this week 📣 Tomorrow night, the Government will hand down the Federal Budget. We are also expecting the new NDIS bill to be introduced to Parliament this week. The Federal Budget is the government’s plan for how it will spend money. The Budget can include announcements about: - education and schools - healthcare and mental health - cost of living support - community services - tax changes - housing This is why lots of people in our community will be watching closely this week, because Budget decisions can affect everyday life for disabled young people and families. Right now, we still do not know exactly how many of the proposed NDIS changes will work. The new Bill may give more detail about: - who is eligible for the NDIS - changes to plan reviews and reassessments - changes to funding - and what supports people will use outside the NDIS CYDA will keep advocating for: - ensuring no child or young person falls through the cracks - systems that actually work for children and families - the rights and dignity of children and young people It’s okay if this week feels overwhelming. Getting more information about these changes can feel scary but it also helps our community understand what is being proposed and what we may need to advocate for. The more information we have, the better we can push for systems that are fair, accessible, and actually work for disabled people and families. You do not need to figure everything out all at once, and it’s okay to take breaks from the news and social media too. Support and next steps CYDA will keep sharing updates and explaining what these changes mean for children, young people, and families. If you need support, you can contact: - Lifeline - 13 11 14 - Beyond Blue -1300 22 4636 - Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800 - 13YARN - 13 92 76 Text and online chat options are also available for these services.

Do you have experience as a group facilitator? 🗣️ We're currently on the lookout for a passionate young person with disability to join CYDA as our next Project Worker (Facilitator). This casual and remote role is an opportunity to draw on your experience to help deliver a new Community Leadership Program for queer or gender diverse and neurodivergent young people in Australia. Interested? Learn more & apply at the link in our bio But get in soon, applications close THIS Sunday, 10 May! 📩 [ID in alt text] #Hiring #JobOpportunity #InclusiveEmployment

NEW SURVEY on the under-16s Social Media Ban 📱 Five months on from the government banning anyone under 16 from accessing social media, we want to know – what’s actually changed for you? We’re keen to hear from 🔶 Children with disability under 16 🔶 Young people with disability aged 16 to 25 🔶 Parents, family members, and caregivers of under-16s Has the new law made you feel safer online? Are you finding it harder to connect with mates? Or are things mostly the same? These are questions not enough people are asking, but the answers matter. Take the survey at the link in our bio 🔗 (…or share it with someone you know.) Your voice can help make sure the law meets the needs of children and young people with disability in Australia. #SocialMediaBan #ImpactSurvey #SocialMediaMinimumAgeAct #DisabilityRights

NEW SURVEY on the under-16s Social Media Ban 📱 Five months on from the government banning anyone under 16 from accessing social media, we want to know – what’s actually changed for you? We’re keen to hear from 🔶 Children with disability under 16 🔶 Young people with disability aged 16 to 25 🔶 Parents, family members, and caregivers of under-16s Has the new law made you feel safer online? Are you finding it harder to connect with mates? Or are things mostly the same? These are questions not enough people are asking, but the answers matter. Take the survey at the link in our bio 🔗 (…or share it with someone you know.) Your voice can help make sure the law meets the needs of children and young people with disability in Australia. #SocialMediaBan #ImpactSurvey #SocialMediaMinimumAgeAct #DisabilityRights [ID in alt text]

📢 Want to join Team CYDA? We're hiring a new team member to help deliver our Community Leadership Program for queer or gender diverse and neurodivergent young people. Reporting to the Program Manager, the Project Worker (Facilitator) will be responsible for facilitating focus groups and other tasks when the program gets underway in May. This is a casual, remote (work from home) and identified position for passionate young people with disability aged 18 to 25. Learn more & apply at the link in our bio 🔗 Applications close 11:59pm on Sunday, 10 May – so get yours in soon! 📩 [ID in alt text] #Hiring #JobOpportunity #InclusiveEmployment

There’s a lot being announced about changes to the NDIS right now and a lot we still don’t know. We’ve broken down what’s been shared so far, and what it could mean for children and young people with disability. We know this kind of news can feel overwhelming and we want you to know you are not alone. If you need support: 📞 Lifeline: 13 11 14 📞 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 📞 Kids Helpline (ages 5–25): 1800 55 1800 We’ll keep sharing updates and advocating alongside our community.

Been meaning to apply? This is your sign! 🏳️‍🌈 ♾️ If you identify as neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ and want to build your leadership potential, CYDA’s new Community Leadership Program is for you. Open to folks aged 18 to 25 from anywhere in Australia, it’ll involve weekly online sessions running from May to December. You’ll get the chance to: 🔹 Build your confidence in self-advocacy 🔸 Explore what leadership means to you 🔹 Connect with other neurodivergent LGBTQIA+ young people 🔸 Learn how to create change in your community You don’t need previous leadership experience to take part, but get in quick – applications close on Sunday, 26 April. Apply today at the link in our bio 🔗 #CommunityLeadershipProgram #DisabilityLeadership

Are you a woman, girl or non-binary person with disability aged 16 or up? It's not too late to share your experiences in sport and physical activity in this national survey by researchers from Griffith University. Whether you play sports or not, your insights will help transform programs, policies and resources for adaptive and mainstream sports in Australia. 👉 Take the survey at the link in our bio! #DisabilitySport #DisabilityInclusion

If you’re aged 14–18 and living in Australia (or know someone who is), this one’s for you! The Australian Human Rights Commission is running the On Your Terms survey – an online survey that asks young people their views on consent, respectful relationships and s*x ed. The survey is: ✅ Open to anyone aged 14–18 living in Australia 🔒 Totally anonymous ⏰ Just 10–15 minutes long You can even enter a draw to win 1 of 40x $50 eGift cards by completing the survey. The answers will help inform how consent, respectful relationships and s*x ed is taught in Australian schools. Click the link in our bio or visit .au to take it today! 🔗 @onyourterms_au @aushumanrights #OnYourTerms #DisabilityAdvocacy