Anonymous

Which of the following statements best describes you?
I’m a person with disability

Question 1:
During the first stage of consultations we heard that the vision and the six outcome areas under the current Strategy are still the right ones. Do you have any comments on the vision and outcome areas being proposed for the new Strategy?

Decent, affordable housing is the most important obstacle for me and most people I know with disabilities. Public housing is one option and it should be enhanced given several years of waiting lists in most if not all areas. Most people see their lives pass in public housing waiting lists. There should be a separate public housing and waiting list for people with disabilities. The other option is helping people with disabilities buy their own homes whether public housing homes or private. This could be achieved through partnership with banks and the government.

Question 2:
What do you think about the guiding principles proposed here?

I don’t see housing improvements in this proposal.
Second issue would be higher education. There should be disability units in all universities that work in conjunction with the government.

Question 3:
What is your view on the proposal for the new Strategy to have a stronger emphasis on improving community attitudes across all outcome areas?

Government sponsored/mandated TV advertising for breaking negative attitudes against LGBTQ people with disabilities. Introduction of federal hate speech/crimes, anti-bullying, anti-discrimination legislation would certainly help LGBTQ people with disabilities in school, in work place and in life in general.

Question 4:
How do you think that clearly outlining what each government is responsible for could make it easier for people with disability to access the supports and services they need?

Municipal/city, state and federal level governments should all work in conjunction with each other.

Question 5:
How do you think the Strategy should represent the role that the non-government sector plays in improving outcomes for people with disability?

Non-government sector should be accountable to the government to prevent abuse and there should be government sponsored incentives for them to participate.

Question 6:
What kind of information on the Strategy’s progress should governments make available to the public and how often should this information be made available?

Public reporting should be digital in format.
All information should be made available.

Question 7:
What do you think of the proposal to have Targeted Action Plans that focus on making improvements in specific areas within a defined period of time (for example within one, two or three years)?

Goal based action plans would be helpful in making improvements but there should be government mandated incentives and penalties for the parties who actually work in these plans to ensure that they are in fact completed in time.

Question 8:
How could the proposed Engagement Plan ensure people with disability, and the disability community, are involved in the delivery and monitoring of the next Strategy?

There should be constant and periodic digital updates on all matters to people with disabilities.

Question 9:
Is there anything else you would like to share about the ideas and proposals in the position paper?

There should be more emphasis in housing and hate speech/crime, anti-bullying, anti-discrimination legislation and their actual application.