Dr Jan Bell
@janbell.bsky.social
Paediatric registrar in Australia
Reposted by Dr Jan Bell
For generations, the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree has brought light to the heart of London.
Thank you, Norway, for this gift of friendship since 1947.
Thank you, Norway, for this gift of friendship since 1947.
December 4, 2025 at 8:07 PM
For generations, the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree has brought light to the heart of London.
Thank you, Norway, for this gift of friendship since 1947.
Thank you, Norway, for this gift of friendship since 1947.
Reposted by Dr Jan Bell
I was a dumb kid once. Most of us were. My friends and I stumbled, learned, grew.
But even at our worst, we never stooped to what’s being said about Nigel Farage.
There’s a line decent people don’t cross.
Some of us learned that young.
Some, it seems, never learned it at all.
But even at our worst, we never stooped to what’s being said about Nigel Farage.
There’s a line decent people don’t cross.
Some of us learned that young.
Some, it seems, never learned it at all.
December 5, 2025 at 9:38 AM
I was a dumb kid once. Most of us were. My friends and I stumbled, learned, grew.
But even at our worst, we never stooped to what’s being said about Nigel Farage.
There’s a line decent people don’t cross.
Some of us learned that young.
Some, it seems, never learned it at all.
But even at our worst, we never stooped to what’s being said about Nigel Farage.
There’s a line decent people don’t cross.
Some of us learned that young.
Some, it seems, never learned it at all.
Reposted by Dr Jan Bell
The NDIA is becoming a Monty Python skit. A sure way to make the NDIS cheaper is to ensure a) disabled people can’t get on it and b) if they can they can’t get the right support and c) make sure they can’t object or if they can, the body they object to can’t do anything.
Most NDIS participants will lose external avenue to appeal funding amounts under new system, Senate estimates told
Most NDIS participants will lose external avenue to appeal funding amounts under new system, Senate estimates told
Administrative review tribunal no longer authorised to alter a person’s plan or reinstate funding, agency confirmed
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Participants in the National Disability Insurance Scheme will in most cases no longer be able to appeal their total amount of funding support to any external review body, executives have confirmed, after revelations about automation to be introduced to the organisation.
The minister for disability and the NDIS, Jenny McAllister, and National Disability Insurance Agency bosses were peppered with questions at Senate estimates on Thursday about changes to the way NDIS support plans will be generated under a new planning model coming into effect from mid-2026. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:56 PM
The NDIA is becoming a Monty Python skit. A sure way to make the NDIS cheaper is to ensure a) disabled people can’t get on it and b) if they can they can’t get the right support and c) make sure they can’t object or if they can, the body they object to can’t do anything.
Reposted by Dr Jan Bell
Citizens: we want a simpler and fairer NDIS so people get the support they need.
Govt: Cool, cool. So a black box algorithmically controlled process with fewer review rights should do it, yeah?
#NDIS #auspol
Govt: Cool, cool. So a black box algorithmically controlled process with fewer review rights should do it, yeah?
#NDIS #auspol
Robodebt, Now NDIS automation compounding racist learning data sets
Reminiscent of Nazi Germany experimenting on the most vulnerable.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Reminiscent of Nazi Germany experimenting on the most vulnerable.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
‘Nightmare scenario for disabled people’: NDIS overhaul risks lives, advocates say
Sweeping changes to the way National Disability Insurance Scheme support plans are generated criticised amid fears they amount to ‘robo-planning’
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Deaf man has Auslan interpreter funding cut, “recommended alternative communication methods”. Like not being Deaf??
Another day of NDIS being turned to shit for recipients:
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
'I never wanted speech therapy': Deaf man incensed by NDIS recommendation
Disability advocates say cuts to Deaf participants' NDIS funding is a "systemic" problem that reflects a belief that Deafness can be "fixed".
www.abc.net.au
December 5, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Deaf man has Auslan interpreter funding cut, “recommended alternative communication methods”. Like not being Deaf??
Reposted by Dr Jan Bell
“NDIS costs soar as children flock to scheme” is a headline people accept. But we wouldn’t see those same papers of note report on “capital gains tax discount costs soar as investors flock to housing” – because that’s just the cost of doing business."
♿ #NDIS #Disability #ConJob
♿ #NDIS #Disability #ConJob
When 'common sense' cuts are code for a cruel con job
"NDIS costs soar as children flock to scheme" is a headline people accept – but other soaring bills are accepted as a cost of doing business.
www.thenewdaily.com.au
December 3, 2025 at 10:42 PM
“NDIS costs soar as children flock to scheme” is a headline people accept. But we wouldn’t see those same papers of note report on “capital gains tax discount costs soar as investors flock to housing” – because that’s just the cost of doing business."
♿ #NDIS #Disability #ConJob
♿ #NDIS #Disability #ConJob
Reposted by Dr Jan Bell
If you thought Robodebt was bad, wait until you see Robo NDIS.
NDIS plans will be computer-generated, with human involvement dramatically cut under sweeping overhaul
Exclusive: Staff were told of major changes to the way NDIS funding and support plans will be made during a recent internal briefing
www.theguardian.com
December 3, 2025 at 9:03 AM
If you thought Robodebt was bad, wait until you see Robo NDIS.
Reposted by Dr Jan Bell
The Albanese govt has certainly learnt something from #robodebt:
they can treat people like shit, and get away with it. #disability #NDIS #auspol
they can treat people like shit, and get away with it. #disability #NDIS #auspol
December 4, 2025 at 5:52 AM
The Albanese govt has certainly learnt something from #robodebt:
they can treat people like shit, and get away with it. #disability #NDIS #auspol
they can treat people like shit, and get away with it. #disability #NDIS #auspol
Reposted by Dr Jan Bell
This article suggests the possibility of training AI on pre-existing proposals and their review reports, scores and related decisions. I.e. training them on a system which is known to preferentially award larger amounts of money to white men. What could possibly go wrong?
UKRI exploring use of AI in grant review - this will prompt debate but interested to know if people think it’d encourage novelty or the opposite? www.chemistryworld.com/news/ukri-op...
UKRI opens up grant proposal data to explore using AI to smooth peer review
Surging applications has led the UK's main funder to look at ways to reduce the burden on reviewers
www.chemistryworld.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:49 PM
This article suggests the possibility of training AI on pre-existing proposals and their review reports, scores and related decisions. I.e. training them on a system which is known to preferentially award larger amounts of money to white men. What could possibly go wrong?
Reposted by Dr Jan Bell
“The only way to stop bullies is to stand up to them... The reality is that lots of people still want to be trans inclusive, and we think the law is on their side. We want to support inclusive organisations who are being threatened, alongside the trans people who are now finding themselves excluded”
The Supreme Court only ruled on whether people with a GRC count as women under the Equality Act.
You have to be 18 to get a GRC.
But the Guides say they’re kicking out trans girls – under 18s – as a result. It doesn’t track. So why are they doing it?
https://goodlaw.social/cpfx
You have to be 18 to get a GRC.
But the Guides say they’re kicking out trans girls – under 18s – as a result. It doesn’t track. So why are they doing it?
https://goodlaw.social/cpfx
Excluding trans people won’t stop you getting sued | Good Law Project
Girl Guiding and the Women’s Institute have announced that they will now exclude trans women and girls after legal threats – but organisations can and should remain inclusive.
goodlaw.social
December 5, 2025 at 8:58 AM
“The only way to stop bullies is to stand up to them... The reality is that lots of people still want to be trans inclusive, and we think the law is on their side. We want to support inclusive organisations who are being threatened, alongside the trans people who are now finding themselves excluded”
Reposted by Dr Jan Bell
They’re killing people as a twitter joke. It’s depraved. Can’t let yourself lose the capacity to be appalled and disgusted and outraged by this.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announces another boat strike in response to a request/wish from Turning Point USA’s Andrew Kolvet.
December 5, 2025 at 2:28 AM
They’re killing people as a twitter joke. It’s depraved. Can’t let yourself lose the capacity to be appalled and disgusted and outraged by this.
Reposted by Dr Jan Bell
Addressing the claim that America was built by "hard working people" by reminding everyone that America was actually built on the backs of enslaved Africans and on the genocide of Indigenous people.
@qasimrashid.com
@qasimrashid.com
Qasim Rashid, Esq. (@qasimrashid)
Addressing the claim that America was built by "hard working people" by reminding everyone that America was actually built on the backs of enslaved Africans and on the genocide of Indigenous people.
substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Addressing the claim that America was built by "hard working people" by reminding everyone that America was actually built on the backs of enslaved Africans and on the genocide of Indigenous people.
@qasimrashid.com
@qasimrashid.com
Reposted by Dr Jan Bell
Historian of eugenics here. I don't normally like to retweet bad arguments, but this is such a fundamental misunderstanding of eugenics, I think it's important to point out. I don't have time to debunk all of the ways this is inaccurate, but I'll highlight a few things and then recommend some books🧵
December 4, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Historian of eugenics here. I don't normally like to retweet bad arguments, but this is such a fundamental misunderstanding of eugenics, I think it's important to point out. I don't have time to debunk all of the ways this is inaccurate, but I'll highlight a few things and then recommend some books🧵
Reposted by Dr Jan Bell
The Paediatric Society of NZ - representing the clinical field most relevant here - have released maybe the strongest statement of all the medical bodies: “puberty blockers are an established, safe, reversible, and
life-saving treatment option”
life-saving treatment option”
PSNZ responds to government announcement on puberty blockers
www.paediatrics.org.nz
December 3, 2025 at 3:18 AM
Reposted by Dr Jan Bell
there's a reason that my accommodations policy went from "you need to register officially with the whatever office" to "if you tell me you need accommodations, I believe you and you can have them"
it's this
it's this
I think a lot of people don't realize how difficult it is to get accommodations for disability. in school, at work. there are invariably tons of hoops; it's slow. often it's humiliating.
December 3, 2025 at 1:11 AM
there's a reason that my accommodations policy went from "you need to register officially with the whatever office" to "if you tell me you need accommodations, I believe you and you can have them"
it's this
it's this
Reposted by Dr Jan Bell
this is the thing.
I DONT CARE if *some* students have managed to get accommodations by allegedly "gaming the system" or "doctor shopping"
I DON'T CARE.
Because my experience tells me how hard it is to be disabled in higher ed, as both a disabled student, and disabled faculty member now.
I DONT CARE if *some* students have managed to get accommodations by allegedly "gaming the system" or "doctor shopping"
I DON'T CARE.
Because my experience tells me how hard it is to be disabled in higher ed, as both a disabled student, and disabled faculty member now.
How about we worry less, as a society, about whether individuals might be cheating to get a disability accommodation or some help buying food, and more about whether extremely wealthy people and corporations are paying their fair share of taxes?
December 2, 2025 at 11:54 PM
this is the thing.
I DONT CARE if *some* students have managed to get accommodations by allegedly "gaming the system" or "doctor shopping"
I DON'T CARE.
Because my experience tells me how hard it is to be disabled in higher ed, as both a disabled student, and disabled faculty member now.
I DONT CARE if *some* students have managed to get accommodations by allegedly "gaming the system" or "doctor shopping"
I DON'T CARE.
Because my experience tells me how hard it is to be disabled in higher ed, as both a disabled student, and disabled faculty member now.
Reposted by Dr Jan Bell
It’s like a man telling you you didn’t smile enough but via a machine and a college application
December 2, 2025 at 5:24 PM
It’s like a man telling you you didn’t smile enough but via a machine and a college application
Reposted by Dr Jan Bell
What are the words that capture what medicine feels like when no ICD code will do?
We've selected our favourites from @drmattmorgan.bsky.social's dictionary of medical words.
Every day between 1 and 25 December, a new word will appear in the 🔗⬇️ #BMJChristmas
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
We've selected our favourites from @drmattmorgan.bsky.social's dictionary of medical words.
Every day between 1 and 25 December, a new word will appear in the 🔗⬇️ #BMJChristmas
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
December 2, 2025 at 5:26 PM
What are the words that capture what medicine feels like when no ICD code will do?
We've selected our favourites from @drmattmorgan.bsky.social's dictionary of medical words.
Every day between 1 and 25 December, a new word will appear in the 🔗⬇️ #BMJChristmas
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
We've selected our favourites from @drmattmorgan.bsky.social's dictionary of medical words.
Every day between 1 and 25 December, a new word will appear in the 🔗⬇️ #BMJChristmas
www.bmj.com/content/391/...
Reposted by Dr Jan Bell
Ding . It’s a sign of contempt .
“You have to convince me you care while I am patently showing you I don’t”
“You have to convince me you care while I am patently showing you I don’t”
Your passion is so important to us we can't be bothered to talk to you.
December 2, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Ding . It’s a sign of contempt .
“You have to convince me you care while I am patently showing you I don’t”
“You have to convince me you care while I am patently showing you I don’t”
Reposted by Dr Jan Bell
The fact the options were this or 'literally cease to exist and end Guiding in the UK' is fucking horrific. I hate it here. I grew up in Guides and it was a wonderful, inclusive organisation. The fact they can't continue that is breaking my heart.
i hope every single person who still buys harry potter merch or engages with that franchise is happy that they're literally making girl guides cry
girl guides uk have been forced very much against their will to exclude trans girls. full statement is here: www.girlguiding.org.uk/information-...
girl guides uk have been forced very much against their will to exclude trans girls. full statement is here: www.girlguiding.org.uk/information-...
December 2, 2025 at 5:20 PM
The fact the options were this or 'literally cease to exist and end Guiding in the UK' is fucking horrific. I hate it here. I grew up in Guides and it was a wonderful, inclusive organisation. The fact they can't continue that is breaking my heart.
Reposted by Dr Jan Bell
It’s important to note from a military perspective that if a subordinate is about to give an unlawful order & his senior knows about it, it’s also a requirement for the senior official to stop him from executing it. And then counsel/discipline him.
So there’s that, too.
So there’s that, too.
December 2, 2025 at 1:58 AM
It’s important to note from a military perspective that if a subordinate is about to give an unlawful order & his senior knows about it, it’s also a requirement for the senior official to stop him from executing it. And then counsel/discipline him.
So there’s that, too.
So there’s that, too.
Reposted by Dr Jan Bell
every single AI interviewing and hiring and recruiting thing is "oh hey a convenient smokescreen to be as racist as we want because the mystery box said so"
December 2, 2025 at 5:31 PM
every single AI interviewing and hiring and recruiting thing is "oh hey a convenient smokescreen to be as racist as we want because the mystery box said so"
Reposted by Dr Jan Bell
This cross-pollination IS how new ideas happen. EVERY field needs humanistic thinking, that's why they call PhDs "Doctors of Philosophy"
Alt text for those who need it. This is amazing.
December 2, 2025 at 11:38 AM
This cross-pollination IS how new ideas happen. EVERY field needs humanistic thinking, that's why they call PhDs "Doctors of Philosophy"
Reposted by Dr Jan Bell
I like how their absolute worst nightmare is that one day we might give all students more time and a calmer environment to complete tests.
And here are two senior editors at @theatlantic.com smugly telling us on X how accommodations are now a "problem"
Maybe @yappelbaum.bsky.social and @giladedelman.bsky.social would like for disabled students to be drummed out of education altogether--perhaps institutionalized?
Maybe @yappelbaum.bsky.social and @giladedelman.bsky.social would like for disabled students to be drummed out of education altogether--perhaps institutionalized?
December 2, 2025 at 5:45 PM
I like how their absolute worst nightmare is that one day we might give all students more time and a calmer environment to complete tests.
Reposted by Dr Jan Bell
WTF. And I say this sincerely. WTF.
December 2, 2025 at 5:57 PM
WTF. And I say this sincerely. WTF.