Guide to the Guiding Principles Easy Read

We want to know what you think

Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031

Our guiding principles

An Easy Read paper

Easy Read logo.

How to use this paper

A woman standing in front of a group of people. She is holding up a sign that says 'We'. The Australian Government Department of Social Services (DSS) wrote this paper.

When you see the word ‘we’, it means DSS.
Easy Read logo. We wrote this paper in an easy to read way.

We use pictures to explain some ideas.
The words 'Bold' and 'Not bold'. We wrote some important words in bold.

This means the letters are thicker and darker.
A word list icon. We explain what these bold words mean.

You can find out what they mean in the Word list.
Summary of another document icon This Easy Read paper is a summary of another paper. This means it only includes the most important ideas.
A website icon. You can find the other paper on our website.

https://engage.dss.gov.au/ads‐consultations‐develop‐guide‐evaluation
A woman is helping a man read a document. You can ask for help to read this paper. A friend, family member or support person may be able to help you.

What’s in this paper?

What is this paper about?

How to tell us what you think

The Strategy’s principles

Questions for you to think about

Support for you

Word list

What is this paper about?

A document titled 'Australia's Disability Strategy' showing a map of Australia with a disability icon. Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031 is a plan to support people with disability in all areas of their life.In this paper we call it the Strategy.
A woman with a speech bubble showing a light bulb. The Strategy has 8 guiding principles.

Guiding principles are important ideas we should always think about.

In this paper, we just call them principles.
A man pointing to himself and a rights document. These principles focus on the rights of people with disability.

Rights are rules about how everyone should be treated fairly and equally.
A group of people with disability pointing to themselves with their other hand raised, inside a curved arrow. These principles help everyone make sure they include people with disability.
The principles are for:
A government building icon.
  • all levels of government
A young person working in a gift shop. They are smiling.
  • businesses
A community event in the park with lots of people all together.
  • the community.
A woman holding a clipboard showing a badge labelled 'new' and a light bulb. And they must use these principles for any new project.

For example, creating new buildings or services for Australians.
A woman writing in a clipboard with a light bulb icon. All levels of government are making a guide to help people follow these principles.
A group of people with disability pointing to themselves with their other hand raised, and an information icon. And we want to make sure the guide includes the most important things for people with disability.
A thumbs up and a thumbs down with a thought bubble showing a light bulb. We want to know what you think about the principles, including what:

  • works well
  • can be better.

How to tell us what you think

A document with dot points, and a speech bubble showing a question mark and a light bulb. In this paper we:

  • talk about our ideas
  • ask questions.
A woman pointing at you, and a thought bubble. We want to know what you think about our ideas.

There is no right or wrong answer.
You can answer:
A form with all questions answered.
  • all our questions
A form with only some questions answered.
  • some of our questions.
A question with an answer box, and a speech bubble showing a hand writing and a computer mouse pointer. There is a box below each question where you can share your answers.
A smiling woman using a computer, and a speech bubble showing a thumbs up and a thumbs down. You can write your answers in this document and send it to us by email.

disabilityreform@dss.gov.au
A clapper board with a 'play' icon, a microphone and a smiling woman holding a digital tablet. You can also send us a video or voice recording by email.

disabilityreform@dss.gov.au
A woman using a computer, and an email icon. You can email us what you think.

disabilityreform@dss.gov.au
A man writing on paper with a mail icon and a hand writing icon. You can write to us.

Australia’s Disability Strategy Governance and Engagement Section

GPO Box 9820

Department of Social Services

Canberra, ACT 2601
A woman using a computer and a website icon showing 'www.' You can tell us what you think on the DSS Engage website.

https://engage.dss.gov.au/ads‐consultations‐develop‐guide‐evaluation
A calendar showing 30 November 2022, a clock showing '11:59 pm' and a speech bubble showing a thumbs up and a thumbs down. Please tell us what you think before Wednesday 30 November 2022 at 11:59 pm.
A woman pointing to herself with her other hand raised, and a computer screen with 3 arrows pointing outward. We want to share your answers online.
A man with his hand raised, and a speech bubble showing a cross. But if you do not want us to share your answers, please tell us.
A man looking unsure with a speech bubble showing a question mark, and an email icon. If you have any questions about this paper, you can email us.

disabilityreform@dss.gov.au
A man talking on the phone. Or you can call us.

1800 334 505

The Strategy’s principles

A man pointing to himself with his other arm raised, and a thought bubble. 1. People should be able to make their own choices.
A person looking sad, and 2 other people standing behind them 2. People should be safe from discrimination.

Discrimination is when you treat someone badly because of something about them they can’t change.
A group of people with disability smiling and pointing to themselves with their other arm raised, and a rights document. 3. People with disability should have the same rights as anyone else to take part in
the community.
A woman and a man shaking hands. 4. People with disability should be treated with respect.
2 people standing on either side of balanced scales. 5. Everyone should get equal chances to do what they want to do.
A magnifying glass and a hand. 6. Everyone should be able to find and use the same things.
A diverse group of people sitting and standing together, and balanced scales. 7. All people with disability should get equal chances to do what they want to do.

Even if they have different experiences.
A group of people with different disabilities. This includes people with different disabilities.
A group of people with diverse backgrounds. It also includes people from different:

  • places
  • communities
  • backgrounds.
A person with a thought bubble. And it includes people of different genders.

Your gender is what you feel and understand about who you are as a person.

It isn’t about whether your body is male or female.
An arrow leading from a child to an adult, and 2 hands shaking. 8. Children with disability should be treated with respect as they grow older.

Questions for you to think about

A man pointing at you, and a thought bubble showing a light bulb. What do you think about our principles?
A man thinking, and a plus icon and a light bulb. Are there any more principles we should include?

[INSERT TEXT FIELD HERE]

A woman reading a document with a speech bubble showing a light bulb. On the following pages, you can share what you think about each principle.
A thought bubble showing a thumbs up and a thumbs down. We want to know what you think:

  • works well
  • can be better.
A man with a speech bubble sitting and talking to a woman. Please share examples and stories.
A light bulb and a tick. For example, you can tell us about a time that someone followed our principles.
A light bulb and a cross. Or you can tell us about a time when someone didn’t follow our principles.
A woman looking upset, and a speech bubble. Sharing your stories and experiences can be hard.
A young woman talking to another woman, who is supporting her. If you need help or support, there are services you can contact.
An email icon and a phone icon. Their contact details are on page 25.

Principle 1

A man pointing to himself with his other hand raised, and a thought bubble. Principle 1: people should be able to make their own choices.
A smiling man pointing at you, and a speech bubble showing a question mark. What do you think about principle 1?

Do you have any examples or stories to share?
A thought bubble showing a thumbs up and a thumbs down. What do you think:

  • works well?
  • needs to change?

[INSERT TEXT FIELD HERE]

Principle 2

A person looking sad, and 2 other people standing behind them Principle 2: people should be safe from discrimination.
A thought bubble showing a thumbs up and a thumbs down. What do you think about principle 2?

Do you have examples or stories to share?

What do you think:

  • works well?
  • needs to change?

[INSERT TEXT FIELD HERE]

Principle 3

A group of smiling people with disability, and a rights document. Principle 3: people with disability should have the same rights as anyone else to take part in the community.
A woman pointing at you, with a speech bubble. What do you think about principle 3?

Do you have any examples or stories to share?
A thought bubble showing a thumbs up and a thumbs down. What do you think:

  • works well?
  • needs to change?

[INSERT TEXT FIELD HERE]

Principle 4

A woman and a man shaking hands. Principle 4: people with disability should be treated with respect.
A man pointing at you, and a speech bubble. What do you think about principle 4?

Do you have any examples or stories to share?
A thought bubble showing a thumbs up and a thumbs down. What do you think:

  • works well?
  • needs to change?

[INSERT TEXT FIELD HERE]

Principle 5

2 people standing on either side of balanced scales. Principle 5: everyone should get equal chances to do what they want to do.
A woman pointing at you, and a speech bubble. What do you think about principle 5?

Do you have any examples or stories to share?
A thought bubble showing a thumbs up and a thumbs down. What do you think:

  • works well?
  • needs to change?

[INSERT TEXT FIELD HERE]

Principle 6

A magnifying glass and a hand. Principle 6: everyone should be able to find and use the same things.
A woman pointing at you, and a speech bubble. What do you think about principle 6?

Do you have any examples or stories to share?
A thought bubble showing a thumbs up and a thumbs down. What do you think:

  • works well?
  • needs to change?

[INSERT TEXT FIELD HERE]

Principle 7

A diverse group of people sitting and standing together, and balanced scales. Principle 7: all people with disability should get equal chances to do what they want to do.Even if they have different experiences.
A woman pointing at you, and a speech bubble. What do you think about principle 7?

Do you have any examples or stories to share?
A thought bubble showing a thumbs up and a thumbs down. What do you think:

  • works well?
  • needs to change?

[INSERT TEXT FIELD HERE]

Principle 8

An arrow leading from a child to an adult, and 2 hands shaking. Principle 8: children with disability should be treated with respect as they grow older.
A man pointing at you, with a speech bubble. What do you think about principle 8?

Do you have any examples or stories to share?
A thought bubble showing a thumbs up and a thumbs down. What do you think:

  • works well?
  • needs to change?

[INSERT TEXT FIELD HERE]

Support for you

Triple Zero

A phone, police icon and Triple Zero. If you are in danger now, you should call Triple Zero.

000

1800Respect

1800 Respect logo. 1800Respect is a phone service for people who are hurt by someone close to them, such as:

  • their partner or ex-partner
  • someone who lives with them
  • someone who cares for them.
An icon of a calendar saying 7 days and a clock saying 24 hours. You can call them any time.

They are available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
A man talking on the phone. 1800 737 732

The National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline

A sad person crying, and a phone. The National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline is a service for people with disability who experience:

  • abuse – when someone treats you badly
  • neglect – when someone isn’t helping you the way they are supposed to.
A man talking on the phone. You can call them.

1800 880 052
An icon of a calendar saying Monday to Friday. There is a clock with writing saying 9am to 7pm. You can call them from 9 am to 7 pm, Monday to Friday.

Lifeline

Lifeline logo. Lifeline is a service for people at risk of suicide.

This is when someone ends their own life.
A calendar icon saying 7 days and a clock icon saying 24 hours. You can call them any time.

They are available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
A woman talking on the phone. 13 11 14

Suicide Call Back Service

Suicide Call Back Service logo. The Suicide Call Back Service is another service that can people at risk of suicide.

This is when someone ends their own life.
A calendar icon saying 7 days and a clock icon saying 24 hours. You can call them any time.

They are available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
A man talking on the phone. 1300 659 467

Beyond Blue

Beyond Blue logo. Beyond Blue is a service that can support you with your mental health.
A calendar icon saying 7 days and a clock icon saying 24 hours. You can call them any time.

They are available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
A man talking on the phone. 1300 224 636

MensLine

Mensline Australia logo. MensLine is a service that can support men with family and relationship problems.
A calendar icon saying 7 days and a clock icon saying 24 hours. You can call them any time.

They are available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
A man talking on the phone. 1300 78 99 78

Advocates

A man with his hand raised with something to say and a megaphone above him, and a man looking sad behind him. An advocate is someone who speaks up for people
with disability.
A woman showing something in a document to a man. They can help you:

  • sort out problems
  • make decisions
  • understand information.
The Ask Izzy logo. You can find your local advocate on the Ask Izzy website.

askizzy.org.au/disability-advocacy-finder

Word list

This list explains what the bold words in this document mean.

A person looking sad, and 2 other people standing behind them. Discrimination

Discrimination is when you treat someone badly because of something about them they can’t change.
A person with a thought bubble. Genders

Your gender is what you feel and understand about who you are as a person.

It isn’t about whether your body is male or female.
A woman with her hand raised, and a speech bubble showing a light bulb. Guiding principles

Guiding principles are important ideas we should always think about.
A man pointing to himself, and a rights icon. Rights

Rights are rules about how everyone should be treated fairly and equally.