29 Sep 2021

Thousands with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder denied support - report

From Nine To Noon, 9:35 am on 29 September 2021
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Thousands of people each year with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder are being denied access to support because they do not fit an arbitrary measure of disability,  according to a damning new report.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, or FASD, is a neurodisability caused by drinking during pregnancy, and each year between 1800 and 3000 babies are born with the disorder. 

The report from the Disability Rights Commissioner and Children's Commissioner says people with an FASD diagnosis alone can't access Disability Support Services, despite meeting the definition of disability and this is a breach of their human rights.

The Commissioners say successive governments have "shamefully" fallen short of their obligations, and the situation is as an "appalling abdication of government responsibility for a significant group of children".

Kathryn speaks with Disability Rights Commissioner Paula Tesoriero.