The Federal Government has been called upon to accept FASD as a registered disability.

Currently Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is not recognised as a disability by the Australian Government. As a result, individuals living with FASD are not provided with the same level of support and care that is available to those with more visible, familiar disabilities. This failure has human rights implications.

A Bill was introduced into Australian Parliament for an Act to amend the law relating to social security and family assistance, and for other purposes.

The move to introduce the Bill called for the Parliament to continue to facilitate and support the development of a Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) national diagnostic tool for the use of medical professionals and other health service providers, to give FASD the status of a recognised disability in Australia, and institute a national awareness campaign, among other calls.

The National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Related Disorders have registered the issue on Get Up – a community advocacy organisation – in response to the Bill, and encourage members of the public to vote online in favour of the Bill being passed.

To vote click on Get Up

Or the FASD can be contacted at:
National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Related Disorders
PO Box 206
Normanville SA 5204
Email: sue@nofasard.org.au

Other information relating to this bill can be found at:
FASD website
House of Representatives Notice Paper

Writer Helen Splarn. Editor Dr Ramesh Manocha.
Source: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Related Disorders (FASD)