News

The Summer Foundation Board is extremely pleased to announce the re-appointment of Dr Di Winkler as CEO of the Summer Foundation. Di is founder of the Summer Foundation, and was CEO from the organisation’s inception in 2006 until early 2018.

After 18 months as CEO, and two years prior as Head of Policy and Government relations, Luke Bo’sher will be leaving the Summer Foundation. Under Luke’s inspired leadership, significant foundational work has been done to stimulate the supply of quality Specialist Disability Accommodation for people in aged care, or at risk of entering aged care. Luke has worked closely and extremely effectively with Government. Luke’s strategic, high level engagement at a policy reform level enabled the Summer Foundation to contribute to significant opportunities for reform, such as the Federal Government’s Young People in Aged Care Action Plan, and most recently the Aged Care Royal Commission. Luke’s significant background in disability and housing across both government and non-government sectors positioned Luke well to lead the organisation through this period.

The time is now right for the Summer Foundation to refocus on developing a robust evidence base to influence quality NDIS outcomes, effective service provision and appropriate and responsive primary and community health services to young people at risk of admission to aged care.

As the Summer Foundation enters this next phase in the journey to permanently resolve the need for young people to live in aged care, a strong evidence base will be more important than ever.

Luke has a wealth of knowledge to contribute to the disability sector. The Summer Foundation sincerely thanks Luke for his dedication and for all he has achieved in his time as Summer Foundation CEO.

Summer Foundation founder, Dr Di Winkler has been appointed as a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia (General Division), for significant service to people with a disability.

The Summer Foundation’s very own Dr George Taleporos is back with a third series of his popular podcasts – aimed at helping you make sense of the NDIS.

Back by popular demand, Reasonable and Necessary with Dr George: Making Sense of the NDIS is available to listen to on iTunes or SoundCloud. There are five half-hour episodes in this third series, which cover topics such as how the NDIS can work better and how it can support people with complex needs. We also hear some fantastic insights about Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) from industry insiders, as well as a unique Q&A with the NDIA.

The podcasts are about simplifying the NDIS and helping participants, their families and anyone else involved in supporting NDIS participants to be able to work their way through a new and complicated process.

Series 3

EPISODE FIVE: 12 APRIL 2019

Q&A with the NDIA – featuring Maryanne Diamond AO, General Manager, Community Linkages and Engagement at the National Disability Insurance Agency

Previous episodes of Reasonable and Necessary with Dr George are available here. Full transcripts of each podcast are also available.

Last Friday (22 March 2019), the Australian Government announced a commitment to halving the number of younger people with disability entering residential aged care within 5 years. This is a significant announcement for the 50 younger Australians who are currently moving permanently into aged care every week.

The Summer Foundation welcomes Parliament’s commitment to a Royal Commission into the Abuse of People with Disabilities

The Summer Foundation is pleased that a motion for a Royal Commission into the violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability in institutional and residential settings has been passed with bi-partisan support. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said he will work with the states and territories to establish the Royal Commission.

Having choice and control over where you live and who you live with is critical to addressing the high levels of violence and abuse that people with disabilities are subjected to.

Very few alternatives exist for people with high support needs and too many are stuck in hospital wards or are forced into residential aged care – an unacceptable option where abuse and neglect is commonly reported. We want to see continued action to promote more independent living options for people with disabilities to live where and with whom they choose, free from violence and with access to high quality housing and support options.

New and contemporary models of housing and support are creating alternatives for people with high support needs, including through the NDIS’ Specialist Disability Accommodation initiative. These point to the future of safe and inclusive housing options for people with disability.

The Royal Commission is an opportunity to learn from victims about the true cost of segregation and institutionalisation. We hope the Royal Commission will help to foster high quality housing alternatives for Australians with disability who are stuck in hospital wards or are forced into residential aged care.