Anonymous

Which of the following statements best describes you?

• Other – I have supported people with a disability in the past

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?

Rights protection:
People with a disability are exposed to risk when being supported with activities of daily living. Support workers are not thoroughly screened in ways comparable with other positions of power and influence over members of the public. This because:

• People with a disability’s rights and needs are not truly informing processes;
• The roles of supporting a person with a disability are not demonstrably valued;
• Normal working conditions are applied to highly demanding tasks which have potential to harm physically and psychologically eg. 8hr unsupervised shifts and low award conditions.

It is not training or education that results in harm or disadvantage or discrimination of a person with a disability by support person, it is embedded in the support persons personality and psyche. All screening for staff in support roles should include tailored psychometric assessment and evaluation of suitability.

This does not happen due to the small pool of potential workers (not a valued role and poor/challenging work conditions; screening would remove at least 50% of current workers leaving a staff shortage. Drivers of the system dictate the person with a disability’s experience of support/exposure to harm. Especially children in out of home care.

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

Frequent reviews and audits, current audits are too far apart to provide practical support and guidance to organisations. The whole organisation needs a constant mentor.

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?

Good.

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?

You should be a seamless service, no wrong door, especially for this community cohort.

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?

See answer to question 3.

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?

Really needs very streamlined concern and complaint/suggestions/positive feedback processes to have real time reporting by the sector. Then transparency for broader community on this feedback.

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)?

Great plan, just give each stakeholder an equal voice, and be genuine and rigorous with application of recommendations arising.

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?

As per a previous response: streamlined feedback channels to high level positions with ability to interpret the issues and the capacity to act and initiate change.

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

Great plan, very adverse environment in which to deliver improvements in community and work space.