Mark Pietsch

Which of the following statements best describes you?

  • I’m a person with disability
  • I’m a support worker / work directly with people with disability
  • I’m a disability advocate and/or work for a disability peak association or service provider
  • I employ people with disability
  • I’m a business owner
  • I’m a health professional

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?

Currently great barriers exist that make self employment an extremely hard option to follow. Systemic barriers in how the DSP, DES, EAF, NDIS and NEIS programs are administered disincentivize providers from supporting PWD’s to achieve a self employment goal.

Instances of attempted self employment is higher amongst PWD’s, though barriers to success are significantly greater, pushing those with disabilities towards other employment options that have high levels exploitation such as the supported wage scheme and ADE’s. limited options for employment is furthest compounded by disparate wage subsidies that exist between DES and Jobactive.

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

Greater levels flexibility around reasonable and necessary support the social model of disability. Currently siloed departments limit quality of life for PWD’s as anxiety and complexity plague Centrelink, DES, Jobactive, the EAF, limiting community outcomes and support. The lack of coordination between government assistance has led to disability support to become a political football between departments and state and federal 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?

Promoting abilities and support to raise people with disabilities out of poverty will greatly improve community perception and acceptance of the disability community. Currently we are discriminated against, trivialised, gaslighted and tokenised.

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?

Having a streamlined and staged system focused on early intervention and removal of community barriers would be extremely useful. More support to start micro enterprises would help with self determination.

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?

Greater access to Microfinance for social entrepreneurs would help to improve social outcomes for the disability community.

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?

There needs to be more accountability of Government to the disability community. Currently we feel powerless.

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)?

I believe we need a longer term approach. Lasting change will require time to implement.

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?

Little engagement occurs with PWD’s attending University or further education. This has limited our advancement options.

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

I would like to discuss employment option and financial security to a greater degree.