The new Australia-wide National Disability Strategy was launched last month on March 18, 2011.

The new Australia-wide National Disability Strategy was launched last month on March 18, 2011.

It sets out a bold vision – an inclusive Australian society that enables people with disability to fulfil their potential as equal citizens.

The Strategy looks beyond the specialist disability sector and Australia’s international obligations by focusing efforts towards achieving a society that is inclusive and enabling, providing equality and the opportunity for each person to fulfil their potential.

The Strategy was launched by Senator Jan McLucas, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, together with Dr Rhonda Galbally, Chair of the National People with Disabilities and Carer Council, Mr Simon McKeon, Australian of the Year and Professor Ron McCallum AO, Senior Australian of the Year.

The development of the National Disability Strategy is the first time in Australia’s history that all governments have committed to a unified, national approach to improving the lives of people with disability, their families and carers, and to providing leadership for a community-wide shift in attitudes.

This commitment recognises the need for greater collaboration and coordination by all governments, industry and communities to address the challenges faced by people with disability. A new approach is needed to guide policies and program development by all levels of government and actions by the whole community, now and into the future.

The National Disability Strategy is endorsed by:

The Hon. Julia Gillard MP, Prime Minister of Australia
The Hon. Kristina Keneally MP, former Premier of New South Wales
The Hon. Ted Baillieu MP, Premier of Victoria
The Hon. Anna Bligh MP, Premier of Queensland
The Hon. Colin Barnett MLA, Premier of Western Australia
The Hon. Mike Rann MP, Premier of South Australia
The Hon. Lara Giddings MP, Premier of Tasmania
The Hon. Paul Henderson MLA, Chief Minister of the Northern Territory
Mr Jon Stanhope MLA, Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory
Councillor Genia McCaffery, President Australian Local Government Association

A summary of the strategy:

1. Inclusive and accessible communities

There are many barriers which must be broken down in the community before people with disability are full, active participating members of the community. Some are physical, some are social and some are attitudinal. We have to work on them all.

Outcome

People with disability to live in accessible and well designed communities with opportunities for full inclusion in social, economic, sporting and cultural life.

2. Rights protection, justice and legislation

Australia is a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and has a legislative framework protecting individual rights. But rights do not exist in a vacuum and only have meaning if they are able to be exercised in the real world. There are many barriers to overcome before the rights enshrined in the UN Convention are able to be realised in practice.

Outcome

People with disability to have their rights promoted, upheld and protected.

Economic security

People with disability and their carers have lower workforce participation rates and difficulty securing affordable, appropriate housing. Meaningful employment and adequate housing are not only important for economic security but also for physical and mental wellbeing, independence, and identity. Income support systems should also allow people to live with dignity. We need to remove barriers which prevent people with disability and their families from economic participation and secure housing.

Outcome

People with disability, their families and carers to have economic security, enabling them to plan for the future and exercise control and choice over their lives.

4. Personal and community support

People with disability should have equal access to those services that are available to the whole community.  For those people with disability who need specialist disability services to reach their goals or live their lives, we want to ensure they have access to flexible, quality services and supports that are responsive to their particular needs. We want people to get what they need, when they need it, so they can get out and about. We want people to get what they need to live an ordinary life.

Outcome

People with disability, their families and carers to have access to a range of supports to assist them to live independently and actively engage in their communities.

5. Learning and skills

An inclusive education system responsive to all abilities and learning styles will benefit all Australians, not simply those with disability. We need to make sure that the educational outcomes of people with disability catch up to those for people without disability, and ensure people with disability have every opportunity to reach their full potential.

Outcome

People with disability to achieve their full potential through their participation in an inclusive, high quality education system that is responsive to their needs. People with disability have opportunities to continue learning throughout their lives.

6. Health and wellbeing

Good health and wellbeing is important for everyone. We want people with disability to have health outcomes as good as the rest of the community, to ensure they are able to enjoy long, healthy and productive lives. We want to make sure the health system can help achieve that goal.

Outcome

People with disability to attain the highest possible health and wellbeing outcomes throughout their lives.

You can read the full policy document on the National Disability Strategy here:

http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sa/disability/progserv/govtint/Pages/nds.aspx