We want to make life better for people with disabilities. This is why we are writing the National Disability Strategy. The National Disability Strategy is a plan for the future.
Last year, we asked for your ideas about how we can do things better. We received many submissions. There were more than 750 written submissions. We also held public meetings around Australia. These meetings were known as consultations. A total of 2,500 people came to these meetings.
We now have a better understanding of how people with disabilities are struggling in their daily lives. We know that you do not want special treatment. What you want is to have the same opportunities as everyone else in the community.
Thank you for telling us about your lives. We will use your ideas to write the National Disability Strategy. The Strategy will be ready in 2010. Together, we can work to improve the lives of people with disabilities.
The Hon Jenny Macklin MP
Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
The Hon Bill Shorten MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, Parliamentary Secretary for Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction
Dr Rhonda Galbally AO
Chair, National People with Disabilities and Carer Council