Gen U Offices

Disability Royal Commission

Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.

The Disability Royal Commission was established in April 2019 in response to community concern about widespread reports of violence against, and the neglect, abuse and exploitation of, people with disability. The Disability Royal Commission is investigating:

  • Preventing and better protecting people with disability from experiencing violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
  • Achieving best practice in reporting, investigating and responding to violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability.
  • Promoting a more inclusive society that supports people with disability to be independent and live free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.

The Disability Royal Commission regularly release Issues papers to get feedback on topics from people with a disability and engage with the community. To find out more visit the Disability Royal Commision website.

Hearing from people with disability, their families, advocates, and the wider disability community is critical to the work of the Royal Commission. genU is committed to supporting our clients to share their experiences and to have their voices heard in an effort to improve outcomes for our clients, families and carers. As such, genU has, to date compiled two Discussion Papers in response to the Royal Commission:

  • Client and family voices on COVID-19 – prepared in response to the Issues Paper on Emergency Planning and Response and primarily focusing on the experiences of genU clients, families and significant others with communication, the provision of essential support and government and community supports during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Working Lives Discussion Paper – prepared in response to the Issues Paper on Employment and exploring the experiences of people with disability as they participate in mainstream employment, supported employment or community-based enterprises, work experience programs and in the search for work.

Facilitated by genU Diversity and Inclusion Advisor, Jacqui McKim, clients, their families and significant others, and supported employees were invited to share their experiences through the following opportunities that recognised the diverse literacy and communication abilities of the genU community:

  • Online surveys
  • Focus groups
  • A designated email address disabilityroyalcommission@genu.org.au
  • Private 1:1 conversations
  • Facilitated discussion groups with a specifically designed set of questions to prompt the sharing of experiences

The Client and family voices on COVID-19 is available to read now via the links below: 

Client and family voices on COVID-19 – Standard English
Client and family voices on COVID-19 – Easy Read

The Working Lives Discussion Paper is also available to read now via the links below: 

Working Lives Discussion Paper – Standard English 
Working Lives Discussion Paper – Easy Read


Visit the Disability Royal Commision website for more information.

A number of Australian Government-funded services are available to assist those requiring support during the Disability Royal Commission. These services are provided through agencies external to the Royal Commission and include:

  • Legal Advisory Services
  • Emotional Support Services
  • Legal Financial Assistance Scheme
  • Advocacy Services