Ensuring people with disability have a greater say and feel more included in the future service and support design would be crucial for ensuring the success of new action plans announced in the updated Australia Disability Strategy 2021-2031.
genU CEO Clare Amies has welcomed a strengthened Disability Strategy, announced by Minister for Social Services and the NDIS Amanda Rishworth on 29 January, with new initiatives aimed at enhancing collaboration. These include a commitment to a Community Engagement Plan co-designed with people with disability, three targeted action plans, and steps on how governments will work together at federal and state level to ensure people with disability have the supports they need to lead their best lives.
Ms Amies said the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the lives of people with disability had to be backed by results from the revamped strategy to help rebuild confidence in the disability community which has dipped since changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme were recently introduced.
“This updated Disability Strategy gives more certainty to people with disability and their families, as they finally have some detail of how the next steps in the proposed changes and the Federal Government committing to their involvement in co-design going forward,” Ms Amies said.
“As one of the Australia’s leading disability services, we welcome any improvements to disability services delivery design and systems that continue the vital work to build genuinely inclusive communities.”
Ms Amies said it was imperative people with disability could provide their expertise to the decision-making about quality services, safe and affordable housing which is accessible for people with disability, and employment opportunities.
“The voices of people with disability and organisations that represent them, will be critical to informing the targeted action plans and success of the strategy,” Ms Amies said. “I know those in the disability community will be watching closely and taking every opportunity to provide input into shaping future services and supports that matter to them.
“It’s important we never lose sight of the fact people with disability are the experts in their own lives. Through listening to them and acting on their guidance, we will ensure the long-awaited changes being introduced have the best chance of creating the benefits we all want to see.”
Ms Amies was pleased to see current barriers and challenges recognised in the revised strategy but reiterated the need for success against the objectives of the three action plans to keep the disability community engaged and part of the reform process.
With one action plan focused on ‘Changing Community Attitudes’, Ms Amies viewed this an opportunity to continue highlighting the multiple benefits of employing people with disability and lifting the rate of employment among the disability community.
“We know the contribution from people with disability creates more inclusive workplaces,” Ms Amies said. “This is one area we want to see community attitudes change to recognise that people with disability can play a significant role in addressing the needs of businesses across Australia.”
Find out more about the updated Disability Strategy 2021-2031 at Australia’s Disability Strategy Hub | Disability Gateway