What should be included in a National Disability Strategy?
The National Disability Strategy aims to provide an enduring framework of targeted actions that addresses barriers and promotes a more inclusive and universally accessible society for the benefit of the entire community.
The Strategy will set out a high level vision that will be underpinned by clear outcomes with actions, target dates and performance measures. The Strategy will align relevant policies and initiatives to help improve integration across governments and in related policy areas.
The National Disability Strategy will be an important mechanism to ensure that the principles underpinning the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities are incorporated into policies and programs affecting people with disability, their families and carers.
Proposed high level structure
Vision
Equal social, economic and cultural participation of people with disability and their families.
Timely and dignified support for people with disability, their families and carers.
Elimination of discrimination experienced by people with disability and their families.
Principles
(based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities):
- Inherent dignity
- Non-discrimination
- Participation and inclusion
- Respect for difference
- Equality of opportunity
- Accessibility
- Equality of women and men
- Respect for the rights of children.
Outcomes
People with disability and their carers have an enhanced quality of life and participate as valued members of society. Core outcome areas are:
- People with disability achieve economic participation and social inclusion
- People with disability enjoy choice, wellbeing and the opportunity to live as independently as possible
- Families and carers are well supported.
Actions
The National Disability Strategy will provide a national framework for new and existing work being progressed by the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments. The Strategy will build on the whole-of-government initiatives currently underway in jurisdictions.
States and Territories have agreed to work with the Commonwealth to help develop a clear reporting framework that will align with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the National Disability Agreement.
A number of important national initiatives are already underway that will help achieve the outcomes identified under the Strategy, including:
- Social Inclusion Agenda
- Council of Australian Governments’ reform agenda
- The new National Disability Agreement between the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments (replacing the current Commonwealth, State and Territory Disability Agreement) scheduled to commence in January 2009 and including a number of key priority areas of reform
- The National Disability and Mental Health Employment Strategy scheduled for release by the end of 2008
- The National Arts and Disability Strategy being developed by the Cultural Ministers Council
- The Access to Premises Standard being developed under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992
- The Harmonisation of Disabled Persons Parking Scheme
- The National Companion Card Scheme
- The Australian Government White Paper on Homelessness and National Action Plan
- Proposals being developed by the Disability Investment Group to increase private sector involvement and investment in the funding of disability services and related infrastructure
- Outcomes from the Inquiry into Better Support for Carers by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family, Community, Housing and Youth
- The Inquiry into Australia’s Future Tax System by Dr Ken Henry and within that work the review of pensions by Dr Jeff Harmer
- The $190 million Helping Children with Autism package and six autism specific Early Learning and Care Centres across Australia.
To be successful, the Strategy will need to prioritise the national actions that best tackle the physical, technological and attitudinal barriers that prevent people with disability from realising their aspirations and achieving full participation.
A more developed research agenda could also be part of the Strategy, to ensure it is working from an evidence based framework and to identify critical gaps in Australia’s data and knowledge on disability exclusion, participation and innovation.