Deb Maio
Which of the following statements best describes you?
- I’m a parent / guardian or other family member of a person with disability
- I’m a disability advocate and/or work for a disability peak association or service provider
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?
The National Disability strategy should be the mechanism for unpacking, articulating and enabling the Vision to be realised in Australia.
The Outcomes need to include:
In economic security ‘and having an economically adequate level of social support available’
In inclusive and accessible communities ‘digital life’
In rights protection ‘and are provided with support to ensure their rights are implemented’
In Learning and support ‘from early learning to aged’
in Health and wellbeing’ physical , mental and emotional health”
Question 2:
What do you think about the guiding principles proposed here?
Principles need to include:
Involve and engage: ‘and include the input from people with disability. Have the voices of people with intellectual disability and alternative communication methods been facilitated? Is there engagement at every level in the process, including Board and management?
Ways to adhere:
. Identify the range of organisations including government and non government, Private, not for profits, Clubs etc and disseminate the Principles to be included in their Charter of Operation, Business Plan, Board of Management etc
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?
Community attitudes are critical. People with disability need to be seen in valued and leadership roles in the community. It crosses all NDS outcome areas. People with disability need economic security to have a visible presence, so they are seen in all areas of the community. Included in sporting clubs, theatre , tv ,art, recreation, Clubs, retail and hospitality. As well as educational and employment settings. They need to be at present at every level of participation, particularly in positions of leadership. This should be part of organisations good citizenship charter. This would assist improve community attitudes and should be mandated in all levels of government (local, state and federal) and reported against.
Change in community attitude should be led from top down not left to small communities to drive.
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?
Clearly explaining, in all formats of communication, which relevant level of government has authority and responsibility would assist people with disability and the wider community to understand where to seek information and assistance. This needs to be communicated to people with disability and the wider community in a positive and inclusive way that encourages engagement and ownership of outcomes.
In conjunction with identifying which level of government has responsibility there needs to be an easy mechanism for recording the success of authorities in meeting their responsibilities by people with disability and other community members. People with disability need to be included and take a leading role in in the monitoring process and determining whether outcomes are met.
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?
Every level of government should have people with disability and people without disability equally who have leadership roles in government and the public service who promote the National Disability Strategy and outcomes to the non government sector.
They should ask questions of institutions such as banks, educators, NGOs, Chamber of Commerce, Arts institutions, Sporting bodies , Clubs and lead associations how they demonstrate inclusion, how the promote inclusive citizenship through their charters, governance etc. This could be demonstrated through % of people with disability in leadership roles, on Boards etc.
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?
Reporting of progress should be linked to outcome areas at every level of government and reported in ways that include all citizens as individuals and as a community this would encourage the broader community to see successful inclusion as a source of pride for the community, it should not be a government “owned” outcome.
For example, in health and wellbeing : what changes have Sporting Clubs made to increase inclusion? How do you improve and measure participation of people with a disability? How could your local , state or federal government assist you to improve participation. An annual report from each level of government provided to Sporting Associations would encourage community engagement and ownership of outcomes.
Each outcome would similarly be linked to community reporting through Chamber of Commerce, , sporting Associations , Arts bodies etc. This is more likely to drive effective outcomes than keeping the report within government.
All levels government and government departments should have mandated responsibility to report against NDS with reporting to the office of the Prime Minister as the final stage of accountability and recognition of the importance of the NDS.
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)?
Targeted Action Plans that report against NDS outcomes in more detail within a reasonable timeframe would need to be collated across governments to not be lost.
Having a focussed report on a particular outcome, for example health and wellbeing in addition to the annual reporting to the overview outcomes could be beneficial in achieving specific targets that may need longer timeframes or more detailed responses.
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?
The Engagement Plan should include leadership quotas for people with disability in all levels of government engaged with the monitoring and delivery of the NDS.
In Monitoring role people with disability should be leading the authority to review government actions against the NDS outcomes.
In delivery: people with disability should be part of the development of DIAP plans at a local government level, should be part of the NDS planning in every government department , people with disability should be in paid community liaison role as an NDS Engagement champions working with Chamber of Commerce, Sporting Associations, Arts authorities, working with commercial institutions etc. People with disability should be champions of outcomes in the NDS in the Office of Prime minister. :
Question 9:
Is there anything else you would like to share about the ideas and proposals in the position paper?
People with disability should be at the centre of the NDS, in leadership roles in monitoring and delivery
People with disability should champion liaison with non government organisations on NDS
NDS Outcomes need to be measured and consequences for failure to meet outcomes implemented
Ownership of the vision for community inclusion needs to be at all levels of government and community