Twryaeyh 66662224645

Australia’s
Disability
Strategy
2021 – 2031
Australia’s
Disability
Strategy
2021 – 2031
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Use of all or part of this document must include the following attribution:
© Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Social Services) 2021
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the Department of Social Services:
By email:
copyright@dss.gov.au
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Department of Social Services
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DSS2671_Dec2021
Contents
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Outcome Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Employment and Financial Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Inclusive Homes and Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Safety, Rights and Justice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Personal and Community Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Education and Learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Health and Wellbeing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Community Attitudes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Implementation—Delivering on the Outcome Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Intersectionality and Diversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Roles and Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Guiding Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Targeted Action Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Associated Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Outcomes Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Improving the Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Reporting under the Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Evaluating what we do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Building the Evidence Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
The Governance Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Engaging People with Disability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
The Strategy’s Roadmap (Roadmap) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
The Strategy’s Website . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Appendices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Appendix 1 Development of the Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Appendix 2 The UN CRPD, Disability Discrimination Act 1992,
and the Australian Human Rights Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Appendix 3 Advocacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Appendix 4 Roles and Responsibilities of Governments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Appendix 5 Guiding Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Appendix 6 Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Endnotes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Australia’s Disability Strategy 1
Foreword
Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031
Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031 calls on all Australians to ensure

people with disability can participate as equal members of society.
At its heart is a commitment to create an inclusive community.
The Strategy speaks to our national aspirations to enshrine and elevate the ideals of respect, inclusivity, and
equality. This is why all governments – Australian, state, territory and local – are committed to delivering on
its principles.
More than one in six Australians have a disability. More than one in six of the people who share our homes
and workplaces, our streets and cities, our lives and hearts. They are our brothers and sisters, parents and
children, colleagues and co-workers, partners and friends.
Our responsibility as governments, leaders and citizens is to build a society in which people with disability
can participate as equal members with equal opportunities to fulfil their potential.
The success of this Strategy rests in a whole-of-community response, inclusive of business, the
non-government and services sectors and individuals. Only by working together can we ensure all
aspects of Australian life are inclusive and accessible.
The findings of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with
Disability will further advance the on-going development of the Strategy as a blueprint for a more inclusive
and just society.
The Strategy acknowledges and respects the diversity of people with disability. It recognises the
importance of tailoring actions to take into account this diversity.
Through extensive consultations and engagement, people with disability and the disability sector have
shared their experiences and generously given their time to ensure the new Strategy is practical, effective
and targeted.
The stronger policy focus on housing, safety, employment and community attitudes is the direct result of
what people with disability nominated was important to them.
Above all, the Strategy is focused on interrelated outcome areas with tangible, achievable policy priorities.
Rigorous measuring, evaluation and reporting of outcomes are inbuilt.
The Strategy builds on the significant work of the National Disability Strategy 2010–2020 to establish a
national approach to improving the lives of people with disability. The National Disability Insurance Scheme
was the stellar achievement of this process.
The new Strategy is an aspirational road map pointing the way ahead. It represents our national
commitment to enabling every Australian to meet their potential, to achieve, to have a fair go and to have
real choices.
In Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031, we affirm the values of respect, inclusion and equality and
espouse them as fundamental to our national identity.
2 Foreword
The Parties have confirmed their commitment to this

agreement as follows:
Signed for and on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia by
The Honourable Scott Morrison MP

Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia
3 December 2021
Signed for and on behalf of the Signed for and on behalf of the
State of New South Wales by State of Victoria by
The Honourable Dominic Perrottet MP The Honourable Daniel Andrews MLA

Premier of the State of New South Wales Premier of the State of Victoria
3 December 2021 3 December 2021
State of Queensland by State of Western Australia by
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk MP The Honourable Mark McGowan MLA

Premier of the State of Queensland Premier of the State of Western Australia
State of South Australia by State of Tasmania by
The Honourable Steven Marshall MP The Honourable Peter Gutwein MP

Premier of the State of South Australia Premier of the State of Tasmania
Australian Capital Territory by Northern Territory by
Mr Andrew Barr MLA The Honourable Michael Gunner MLA

Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory Chief Minister of the Northern Territory of Australia
Signed for and on behalf of the Australian Local Government Association by
Councillor Linda Scott

President of the Australian Local Government Association
3 December 2021
4 Introduction
Introduction
Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031 (the Strategy) is
Australia’s national disability policy framework. It sets out a plan
for continuing to improve the lives of people with disability in
Australia over the next ten years.
The Strategy builds on its predecessor, the National Disability Strategy 2010–2020, which saw a range
of reforms introduced to better support and include people with disability. These included:
• establishing the world-leading National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

• new disability legislation, such as state Disability Inclusion Acts, to strengthen legal protections
for people with disability
• new Australian, state, territory and local government disability inclusion plans
• local initiatives focused on creating inclusive communities, accessible transport, and improving access
to health and education services
• establishing the NSW Ageing and Disability Commissioner to investigate and protect older people
and people with disability from abuse, neglect and exploitation
• significant shifts in government and social and community services towards rights-based approaches
to remove barriers for people with disability.
The Strategy was developed by Australian, state, territory and local governments, through more than
two years of engagement with people with disability, their families and carers.
The outcomes and recommendations from several reviews and evaluations of the National Disability
Strategy 2010–2020 has also informed the development of this Strategy.
The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability and the
work of the Commission has also shaped the development of this Strategy and will shape future updates to
the Strategy. Governments are committed to reviewing the Strategy upon the release of the Commission’s
final report.
For further information on the development of the Strategy refer to Appendix 1.

Vision and Purpose

The Strategy’s vision is for an inclusive Australian society that ensures people with disability can fulfil
their potential, as equal members of the community.
In line with Australia’s commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities (UN CRPD), this Strategy will play an important role in protecting, promoting and realising the
human rights of people with disability.
The Strategy sets out practical changes Australia can make to improve the lives of people with disability.
The purpose of the Strategy is to:
• provide national leadership towards greater inclusion of people with disability

• guide activity across all areas of public policy to be inclusive and responsive to people with disability
• drive mainstream services and systems to improve outcomes for people with disability
• engage, inform and involve the whole community in achieving a more inclusive society.
The Social Model of Disability

This Strategy is based on the social model of disability. It recognises attitudes, practices and structures can
be disabling and act as barriers preventing people from fulfilling their potential and exercising their rights
as equal members of the community.
This aligns with the UN CRPD, which provides that disability results from the ‘interaction between persons
with impairments and attitudinal and environmental barriers hindering full and effective participation in
society on an equal basis with others’.
The Strategy focuses on removing these barriers so people with disability can fully and effectively
participate in and contribute to society. Where this Strategy talks about people with disability, it means
people with disability of all ages, whether their disability has been present from birth or acquired through
illness, injury, accident or the ageing process.
People with disability include, but are not restricted to, those who have long-term physical, mental,
cognitive, intellectual or sensory impairments. People with disability have specific needs, priorities and
perspectives based on their individual identities including their gender, age, sexuality, race and cultural
background, and can face additional barriers and inequities.
6 Introduction
Outcome Areas
The Outcome Areas in the Strategy set out where governments at all levels, working with the community
and business, and people with disability will focus on delivering the needed changes.
By delivering against the Policy Priorities under each Outcome Area, governments envisage all aspects
of Australian life becoming more inclusive of people with disability.
Collectively, the Outcome Areas represent the areas people with disability have said need to improve
in order to achieve the Strategy’s vision. The seven Outcome Areas are:
• Employment and Financial Security

• Inclusive Homes and Communities
• Safety, Rights and Justice
• Personal and Community Support
• Education and Learning
• Health and Wellbeing
• Community Attitudes.
The Outcome Areas are interrelated and necessarily connected. For example:
• improved education and learning outcomes lead to better employment and financial security outcomes
• improved outcomes in safety, rights and justice leads to better health and wellbeing outcomes.
Outcome Areas
Employment and Financial Security
Outcome: People with disability have economic

security, enabling them to plan for the future and
exercise choice and control over their lives
Employment and financial security are central to improving outcomes for people with
disability. This includes providing jobs and career opportunities, and having adequate
income for people to meet their needs.
Policy Priority 1:
Increase employment of people with disability
Employment supports people with disability to have more control over their lives, be financially
independent and have a better standard of living. Paid employment also leads to better mental and physical
health and wellbeing. Rates of employment for people with disability are significantly lower than for those
without disability. While recognising some people with disability are unable to work, increasing
employment of people with disability will ensure these skilled individuals are fully participating in the
economy. Increasing employment opportunities for people with disability includes encouraging business
ownership and development, self-employment and entrepreneurship.
“Benefits to the Australian economy as a result of increased workforce participation [of people
with disability] are well established including increased gross domestic product (GDP), reduced
overall welfare expenditure and increased self-reliance in retirement.” (Australian Human Rights
Commission 2016)1
8 Outcome Areas
“The unemployment rate of working-age people with disability (10% or 113,000) is twice that of
those without disability (4.6% or 544,000).” (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2020)2
“[T]he most common reason for a lack of employment opportunity is low disability awareness among
employers, which leads to a lack of understanding of people’s abilities.” (National Disability Strategy
Consultation Report 2019)3
Policy Priority 2:
Improve the transition of young people with disability from education
to employment
Evidence shows preparing young people for employment, including supporting them to access skills
development and work experience, can have long-term benefits for their employment prospects and careers.4
“Many young people with disability however have extremely poor post school transition experiences.
This is impacting negatively on life outcomes where there is low participation in employment.”
(Children and Young People with Disability Australia 2017)5
“A lack of early planning and collaboration between community and employment services and
schools, combined with a low expectation that young people with disability will work upon leaving
school, contribute to poor employment outcomes for students with disability in Australia.”
(National Disability Services Centre for Applied Disability Research 2017)6
Policy Priority 3:
Strengthen financial independence of people with disability
Adequate income provides increased financial security, economic independence and an appropriate
standard of living, giving people more choice and control over their lives, and enabling their participation in
community life. The income support system provides an important safety net for people with disability who
are unable to work or cannot find employment. Ensuring income support, tax and the industrial relations
systems work together to avoid creating barriers and disincentives is critical to supporting people with
disability to gain employment and increase the number of hours they work.
“In 2018 the median gross personal income for people with disability was $505 per week, less than
half that of people without disability ($1,016 per week).” (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2019)7
“[H]aving employment with fair wages was critical to being able to achieve independence and to live
a full and healthy life.” (National Disability Strategy Consultation Report 2019)8
Inclusive Homes and Communities
Outcome: People with disability live in inclusive,

accessible and well-designed homes and
communities
Having appropriate housing, and a community that is accessible and inclusive,

is central to how people with disability live, work and socialise.
Accessible housing, transport, communication and the built environment are key
factors supporting the participation of people with disability. Accessible public
buildings, facilities, parks and events all support the inclusion of people with
disability in community life.9
Policy Priority 1:
Increase the availability of affordable housing
Access to affordable, safe and long-term housing underpins a person’s sense of home and their ability
to participate in their communities. For people with disability to have choice about where to live and with
whom, a range of housing options are required, including public and community housing, private rental
and home-ownership.
“11.2 per cent of Australians with disability were living in unaffordable housing compared to
7.6 per cent of people without disability.” (University of Melbourne 2019)10
“[The Australian Civil Society Shadow Report recommends] that Australia significantly increase the
range, affordability and accessibility of public and social housing to ensure that people with disability
can maximise their level of independence and freedom.” (Australian Civil Society Shadow Report to
the United Nations 2019)11
“Moving to independent living in appropriately designed and located housing achieves important
shelter and non-shelter outcomes for people with disability, including a growing sense of
independence, improved privacy, choice of housemates, improvements in physical and mental health,
and improved social participation.” (Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute 2015)12
10 Outcome Areas
Policy Priority 2:
Housing is accessible and people with disability have choice and
control about where they live, who they live with, and who comes
into their home
Accessible and well-designed housing supports independence and social and economic participation.
Increasing the availability of accessible housing provides choices on where to live, who to live with, and
enables people with disability to visit, socialise and connect with neighbours, family, and friends. Improved
takeup of universal design principles will support people regardless of age or disability to live in their home
through all stages of their lives.
“No-one should be forced to live with their parents solely because suitable accommodation is
unavailable.” (Every Australian Counts Campaign 2015)13
“Fifty-nine per cent of survey respondents said access to affordable and accessible housing
and accommodation was a major or severe issue.” (National Disability Strategy Consultation
Report 2019)14
“Participants also described physically accessible design features as promoting a person’s

independence for a longer period and reducing the number of injuries sustained at home.”
(Australian Network for Universal Housing Design 2018)15
“Accessible housing is not just needed by Australians with mobility disabilities. [It] assists people
with sensory, intellectual or cognitive disabilities. Housing designed with universal design
characteristics reduces care needs and costs, ensures people can live at home for longer, enables
people with disability to leave hospital more expeditiously and facilitates people with disability
obtaining employment.” (Australian Human Rights Commission 2020)16
Policy Priority 3:
People with disability are able to fully participate in social, recreational,
sporting, religious and cultural life
People with disability should be supported to live more accessible and connected lives within their
communities, including being able to fully participate in social, recreational, sporting, religious and cultural
life. This requires accessibility to be an integral part of the design of services and systems to avoid barriers
arising. It requires going beyond just physical accessibility. Providing easily accessible information about
community services, events and facilities, and providing low sensory spaces, helps support the inclusion
of people with disability in their communities.17
“Having a long term disability doesn’t stop Australians being active; around four in five (79%)
participate in some kind of sport or physical activity at least once a year, a third (32%) play at least
one Olympic sport and a quarter (26%) play at least one Paralympic sport.” (Sports Australia 2021)18
“Children with a disability are one third less likely to play sport than those without a disability, but
having a disability is not the main reason that prevents children participating in sport… [Sports
Australia Foundation’s] experience shows that programs for children with a disability are most
effective when there is a connection between sporting bodies, community groups, disability groups
and parents.” (Sports Australia Foundation 2019)19
“Artists with disability are under-represented, earn less than their counterparts without disability,
experience unemployment at higher rates, and are more likely to identify a lack of access to funding
as a barrier to their professional development.” (Australia Council for the Arts 2018)20
Policy Priority 4:
The built and natural environment is accessible
Adopting universal design principles enables everyone, regardless of age or ability, to use buildings,
transport, parks, and playgrounds without the need for specialised or adapted features. Buildings and
outdoor spaces that are not accessible exclude people with disability from participation in work, education,
and social and cultural life.21
“[U]niversal design and built environment accessibility often needs to go beyond access for people
with physical impairments and should include design for other issues such as hearing impairment,
cognitive impairment, psychosocial disability, or autism” (Senate Community Affairs References
Committee 2017)22
“[B]y ensuring all communities have adequate accessibility infrastructure (hearing loops, ramps, etc.)
we can build a more seamless experience for people with a disability, allowing them to feel more
comfortable being in the community.” (Centre for Disability Research and Policy 2020)23
“For people with disability the lack of access to services results in poorer health outcomes, less full
and effective participation and inclusion in society, and a reduction in dignity, autonomy and the
ability to be independent.” (Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee 2017)24
12 Outcome Areas
“[T]here is considerable frustration at the slow pace of change at the practical and policy level to
ensure universal design principles are included in the development of all new public and private
buildings and infrastructure.” (People with Disabilities Western Australia 2017)25
“The natural environment is less likely to represent a greater challenge for hearing impaired people
than for non-impaired people, because most outdoor locations and activities do not rely on audio
communication. In outdoor locations, good clear and appropriate signage is important for both
hearing impaired and non-impaired people.” (Self Help for Hard of Hearing 2017)26
Policy Priority 5:
Transport systems are accessible for the whole community
Being able to use public, private and community transport to move around the community underpins
all aspects of life for all people. Being able to move around the community has positive impacts on
everyone’s health, social life, education and employment. For this to occur, transport and its entry points
(e.g. stations and platforms) need to be accessible to everyone, including people with disability. Other
key factors include access to emerging technology and point-to-point transport (e.g. rideshare), proximity
of transport systems, frequency of services, information to support the journey (e.g. hearing loops and
alerting devices), and getting to and from the transport (e.g. footpaths and walkways).
“Many people with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions report that difficulties with travelling
to and from work are an important factor in their decision to reduce or cease employment.”
(Arthritis Australia 2017)27
“I have had so many taxi drivers refuse to take me because I use a Seeing Eye Dog that I don’t bother
to even try to go out anymore – the constant refusals make me feel humiliated and degraded –
I deserve better than that.” (Vision Australia 2020)28
“Broadly speaking, public transport accessibility has improved, incrementally, since the last [Disability
Standards for Accessible Public Transport] review. Nonetheless, people with disability continue to
experience significant disadvantage due to real public transport inaccessibility. Daily exclusion from
public transport results in people with disability being shut out from their community. It restricts their
ability to work; study; shop; socialise with family and friends; be engaged in recreational activities;
and, access vital government services.” (Disabled People’s Organisations Australia 2018)29
Policy Priority 6:
Information and communication systems are accessible,
reliable and responsive
Being able to access information and communicate is vitally important in all aspects of life. It is central
to people’s safety and health, to involvement in their communities, employment and education, and to using
transport, banking and shopping. Provision of communication in accessible formats (e.g. Braille, Auslan,
Easy Read formats) can have a positive impact on the health of and opportunities for people with disability.
With technology becoming a key means to participation across all elements of individual and community
life, it is important that technology is inclusive of all Australians.30
“Generally, people said when information was not easily available to people it prevented them from
getting the support they needed. They were prevented from participating in their community and
from accessing services.” (National Disability Strategy Consultation Report 2019)31
“Many websites continue to be inaccessible to people with disability. This especially affects people
who are blind or have low vision, as websites are often not compatible with screen reader
technology. This has a broader effect as it prevents individuals from accessing services.” (Public
Interest Advocacy Centre 2017)32
14 Outcome Areas
Safety, Rights and Justice
Outcome: The rights of people with disability

are promoted, upheld and protected, and
people with disability feel safe and enjoy
equality before the law
People with disability are experts in their own lives and have the same rights as people
without disability. Community acceptance of these rights and experiences will maximise
individual power and autonomy, and support economic participation, social inclusion,
safety and equality.
Australia’s Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) makes discrimination on the basis
of disability unlawful in areas including employment, education, and access to premises,
goods, services and facilities. Disability advocacy can enable and support people with
disability in ways which protect and uphold their rights. Despite this, rights protection,
safety and discrimination of people with disability continue to be areas
requiring improvement.33
Refer to Appendix 2 for more information on the UN CRPD, the DDA and the Australian
Human Rights Commission, and Appendix 3 for more information on Advocacy.
Policy Priority 1:
People with disability are safe and feel safe from violence, abuse,
neglect and exploitation
People with disability are more likely to experience violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation, and fare
worse in institutional contexts such as group homes and boarding houses where violence may be more
common. People with disability are also more likely to be victims of crime.
“People with disability may be exposed to increased risk of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation
if they do not have access to appropriate resources and supports during life transitions. If a person
with disability experiences violence or abuse at one point in their life, it can affect them later in life.”
(Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability 2020)34
“47% of adults with disability have experienced violence after the age of 15, compared with 36%
without disability… 1 in 5 (20% or 1.1 million) [people with disability] experienced abuse before the
age of 15 compared with 1 in 10 [people without disability] (11% or 1.3 million).” (Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare 2019)35
Policy Priority 2:
Policies, processes and programs provide better responses to people
with disability who have experienced trauma
A trauma-informed approach promotes safety and upholds the dignity and wellbeing of people with
disability. It also respects and recognises that people with disability are experts in their own lives.
Traumatic life experiences require responses catering to the lived experience of the individual.
“We know that people can and do recover from even severe early life trauma. Research shows
that we have every reason to be optimistic about recovery from trauma. And the importance of
honouring survival, survivors’ strength and courage, holding a sense of hope and optimism.”
(Blue Knot Foundation 2021)36
“Being trauma-informed is about supporting people to feel safe and be safe in their interactions with
services.” (Kezelman 2020)37
“Knowing how to ‘talk about trauma’ is essential to supporting traumatised people. It is also critical
to establishing service systems which are ‘trauma-informed’ i.e. in which all professionals and
personnel, regardless of qualification/s, occupation or skill base have a basic understanding of how
overwhelming stress can affect the way we function as human beings and a working knowledge of
how not to compound stress (‘do no harm’).” (Blue Knot Foundation 2018)38
“The trauma arising from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation can have long term physical and
psychological effects.” (Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People
with Disability 2020)39
16 Outcome Areas
Policy Priority 3:
Policies, processes and programs for people with disability promote
gender equality and prevent violence against groups at heightened risk,
including women and their children
To improve the safety of people with disability there is a need to take targeted action for groups at
heightened risk of violence. Women, children and young people are at a particularly heightened risk of
violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.40 Effective preventive actions targeting violence against women
and children require an inclusive and collaborative effort across a range of settings.41 The Strategy should be
considered in conjunction with other plans such as the next National Plan to Reduce Violence against
Women and Children and the next National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children.
“… Australian research has similarly found that women with disability were twice as likely to say they
had experienced sexual harassment at work than those without a disability. This data and research is
consistent with other research which has suggested that women with disability are at greater risk of
violence than other people in the community.” (Australian Human Rights Commission 2020)42
“The prevalence of disabilities in the child protection system suggests a need for awareness of the
scope of issues faced by these children and the need for interagency collaboration to ensure children’s
complex needs are met. Supports are needed for families with children with disabilities to assist in
meeting the child’s health and developmental needs, but also to support the parents in managing the
often more complex parenting environment.” (Maclean et al. 2017)43
“Many women who experience violence have children in their care. Exposure to violence against their
mothers or other caregivers causes profound harm to children, with potential impacts on attitudes to
relationships and violence, as well as behavioural, cognitive and emotional functioning, social
development, and – through a process of ‘negative chain effects’ – education and later employment
prospects.” (Our Watch 2015)44
“In its submission, Families Australia noted that there is an increased risk of violence, abuse and
neglect for children and young people with disability in school and transportation to and from school.
These experiences range from physical abuse and violence to emotional abuse and bullying from
teachers, aides and fellow students alike.” (Senate Community Affairs References Committee 2015)45
“Ensuring that gender is a central consideration in the development and implementation of policy and
programs is critical in advancing gender equality and the human rights of women and girls with
disabilities in Australia.” (Women with Disabilities Australia 2014)46
“Children and young people with disability are more vulnerable [than children and young people
without disability] to experiencing harm and abuse, such as harassment, bullying, physical and sexual
abuse.” (Commissioner for Children and Young People WA 2020)47
“More than a third of children in out-of-home care placements are Indigenous. Compared with
non-Indigenous children, Indigenous children are 10 times more likely to be in out-of-home care and
9 times more likely to be on care and protection orders. There remains inadequate culturally
appropriate support available to Indigenous children with disability and their families.” (Australian Civil
Society 2019)48
Policy Priority 4:
The rights of people with disability are promoted, upheld
and protected
Promoting awareness and respect for the rights of people with disability, and building on Australia’s
rights-focused legislative protections for people with disability, will help to systematically uphold and
safeguard these rights. It will also help realise Australia’s commitments under the UN CRPD. The
Australian Human Rights Commission, and state and territory human rights/anti-discrimination bodies play
an important role in promoting and protecting these rights, including helping individuals and organisations
understand and meet their legal responsibilities. Disability advocacy also supports people with disability
to safeguard their rights, experience equality and overcome barriers that can affect their ability to
participate in the community.
“In 2019–20, 44 per cent of AHRC complaints were lodged under the Disability Discrimination Act.”
(Australian Human Rights Commission 2019)49
“A lack of understanding of the rights of people with disability by people and services across the
community leads to the discrimination, exclusion and marginalisation of people with disability.”
(National Disability Strategy Consultation Report 2019)50
“People said there was little information available to inform people with disability about their own
rights. In the survey 60% of respondents said that it is very or somewhat difficult to find information
about the rights of people with disability.” (National Disability Strategy Consultation Report 2019)51
“Representative organisations of people with disability have an important role to play in advocating
for the rights and interests of people with disability.” (Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse,
Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability 2020)52
Policy Priority 5:
People with disability have equal access to justice
Effective access to justice for people with disability requires consideration of individual needs. Without this
there can be no equitable or equal participation. This requires appropriate strategies, including aids,
equipment, and accessible legal information and advice to facilitate equal and effective participation in all
legal proceedings. In addition, greater awareness of disability is needed among some parts of the judiciary,
legal professionals and court staff.
“Interactions between the mental health and justice systems are important. People with mental
illness are over-represented in the criminal justice system and as victims of crime. They are also more
likely to find themselves dealing with legal issues than the general population.” (Productivity
Commission 2020)53
“Without appropriate adjustments and support, the legal system is largely inaccessible for many
people with disability. This can produce unjust outcomes.” (Law Council of Australia 2018)54
“People with disability engaging in the justice system face significant barriers, with many finding
access to justice difficult, hostile and ineffectual. As a result, they are often left without legal redress.”
(Australian Civil Society 2019)55
18 Outcome Areas
Policy Priority 6:
The criminal justice system responds effectively to the complex needs
and vulnerabilities of people with disability
People with disability who have complex needs, multiple impairments and/or multiple and intersecting
forms of disadvantage, face even greater obstacles within the justice system compared to other people with
disability and people without disability. People with disability in the criminal justice system are at a
heightened risk of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Reducing the over-representation of people
with disability across the criminal justice systems of Australia and other systems of detention requires
appropriate strategies, including adoption of diversionary approaches and transition to community supports.
“[P]eople with intellectual disability are understood to be over-represented in prisons. [S]everal

studies have found that 25%–30% of people in prison have borderline intellectual disability, and
10% have a mild intellectual disability. Almost 1 in 3 (29%) prison entrants reported a chronic health
condition that affected their participation in everyday activities (21%), education (11%), or
employment (16%).” (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2019)56
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with disability are at an even greater risk of
experiencing violence and of being involved in violence and imprisoned, as they face intersecting
forms of discrimination because of their gender, disability, and ethnicity.” (Law Council of Australia
2018)57
“Justice Project stakeholders have also underscored the strong correlation between disability and
heightened interaction with the criminal justice system, as well as raised serious concerns about the
imprisonment and indefinite detention of people with disability.” (Law Council of Australia 2018)58
“These assessments [intellectual disability, language and literacy] demonstrate that the level
of disability and its impact on young people is significantly higher than indicated by self-report,
suggesting that young people in custody are significantly under-reporting the level and impact of
their disability. Young people in the juvenile justice system are at risk of not receiving the educational
and disability support they require if they are not able to self-report their disability support needs.”
(Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Network and Juvenile Justice NSW 2015)59
“Assessment for disability in prison is patchy and not consistently measured. The Commission heard
that even if a person’s disability is identified or known, appropriate support, medication and services
are frequently not provided in prison or there is limited follow-up.” (Australian Human Rights
Commission 2014)60
Personal and Community Support
Outcome: People with disability have access

to a range of supports to assist them to live
independently and engage in their communities
Personal and community supports, including both specialist disability supports and
mainstream services available to the general public, are fundamental to improving overall
outcomes for people with disability.
Some people with disability need support to be able to maintain everyday wellbeing at
home and to be fully included in community activities. It is important for people with
disability to be able to live independently and be involved in community activities, such as
education, work, training, recreation, cultural life and neighbourhood activities.
Policy Priority 1:
People with disability are able to access supports that meet their needs
Like all Australians, people with disability need access to personal and community supports. This includes both
disability services and mainstream services.
Mainstream services such as relationship or financial counselling, parenting support and crisis services need
to be universally available and accessible to all people in the community, including people with disability.
“67 per cent of respondents thought that finding and getting good quality supports and services
is a major or severe issue.” (National Disability Strategy Consultation Report 2019)61
“Requiring mainstream services and public facilities to have disability inclusion and action plans would
create immediate and tangible improvements in accessing the community.” (National Disability Strategy
“There is a lack of expertise and a range of structural barriers within domestic violence, sexual assault and
women’s crisis services that prevent appropriate responses to support women with disability.” (Disabled
People’s Organisations Australia and the National Women’s Alliances 2019)63
20 Outcome Areas
Policy Priority 2:
The NDIS provides eligible people with permanent and significant
disability with access to reasonable and necessary disability supports
As a world-first approach to providing disability support, the NDIS enables people with disability to receive
the reasonable and necessary package of flexible supports that help people pursue their goals and
aspirations. In putting people at the centre of NDIS decision-making, people with disability can exercise
choice and control as they seek to live an ordinary life like any other member of the Australian community.
The NDIS, along with other supports and services, can help contribute to the broader outcomes of
the Strategy.
“The NDIS is available to all eligible Australians, no matter where they live, and is estimated to grow to
support around 500,000 people within the next five years.” (National Disability Insurance Agency
2020)64
“The NDIS is a critical investment in the supports and needs of people with disability to live their
day-to-day life in their communities, based upon principles of choice and control.” (Queenslanders
with Disability Network 2019)65
“With the scheme now fully operational, the focus needs to be on making the NDIS market work
more effectively and efficiently to secure the scheme’s overall objectives and improve outcomes for
people with a disability.” (Queensland Productivity Commission 2021)66
“While the NDIS has improved individualised supports, many people said access to these supports
was limited in some areas.” (National Disability Strategy Consultation Report 2019)67
Policy Priority 3:
The role of informal support is acknowledged and supported
The informal support provided by parents, siblings, kinship guardians, other family members and friends is
vitally important to people with disabilities. The support provided in these close relationships can often be
one of mutual support.
In addition to providing practical and emotional support, those providing informal support can represent the
interests and rights of the person they support.68 The informal support provided by voluntary organisations
is also important to enriching the lives of people with disability. Acknowledging and supporting individuals
and organisations who provide informal care and support can increase the participation of people with
disability in community life.
“In 2018, of the 2.5 million people with disability (living in households) who needed assistance,
79.1 per cent received assistance from informal providers.” (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2018)69
“Informal carers can also be key sources of information and often play the role of advocate for the
person they care for.” (Carers NSW 2015)70
“The demand for informal carers will grow from around 1.25 million in 2020 to 1.54 million in 2030,
representing a 23% total increase. In contrast, the supply of informal carers will rise from 674,000 to
780,000, a total growth of 16%.” (Deloitte Access Economics 2020)71
Policy Priority 4:
People with disability are supported to access assistive technology
Assistive technology is any device or system used by people to make tasks easier. Most people use assistive
technology in their daily lives, such as smart phones or remote controls. Assistive technology also includes
grab rails, hoists, wheelchairs, hearing aids, text captioning services, home modifications, digital assistive
technology, prosthetics and devices to support memory.
For people with disability, assistive technology supports inclusion, participation, communication and
engagement in family, community and all areas of society, including political, economic and social spheres.72
“In 2018, of the 4.4 million Australians with disability, over half used aids or equipment because of their
condition.” (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2018)73
“Technology was identified as having the potential to change the lives of people with disability.
Workshop participants said the assistive technologies that have emerged over the past 10 years had
already significantly improved access for people with disability.” (National Disability Strategy
“Modifications can be a necessity to enable a person to remain living at home; without them it can lead
to people including young people being placed in aged care facilities.” (Motor Neurone Disease
Foundation Australia 2018)75
22 Outcome Areas
Education and Learning
Outcome: People with disability achieve their

full potential through education and learning
Access to formal and informal education is critical to the development of skills,

independence and wellbeing of people with disability. It provides pathways to fulfilling
employment, financial independence, and enriched lives.
Despite educational reforms over the last decade, there remain significant gaps for
students with disability. These gaps are notable in attainment of Year 12 or equivalent,
vocational education and training qualifications, and participation in university studies.
Policy Priority 1:
Children with disability can access and participate in high-quality early
childhood education and care
High-quality, affordable, inclusive, and accessible early childhood education and care equips children and
their families to succeed throughout life. The benefits of accessing quality early-years education continue
throughout children’s primary education years and can support future success, including educational
attainment, employment, and economic and social participation.76
“Matched data from the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) showed a positive association
between preschool experiences and children’s development at school entry, especially for
developmental domains related to learning.” (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2020)77
“The participation rate for children with disability 0–5 years in child care services increased from
2.9% in 2013 to 3.4% in 2018.” (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2019)78
“Preschool programs can help children acquire school readiness by developing learning-related
skills.” (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2020)79
Policy Priority 2:
Build capability in the delivery of inclusive education to improve
educational outcomes for school students with disability
When children and young people have positive educational experiences, they are more likely to remain
engaged in learning. Students with disability have a right to access and participate in education on the
same basis as students without disability, in an environment free from bullying, harassment or exclusion.
Education providers who embed inclusion foster a sense of community and belonging, and are integral to
improving the educational experience of children and young people with disability.
Strengthening system capability to support students with disability to access and participate in education
on the same basis as students without disability is essential for improving all students’ educational
outcomes. While accessibility and inclusion strategies have supported increased secondary school
completion for some students with disability, there remains a significant gap in outcomes between students
with disability and students without disability.80 Narrowing these gaps in educational attainment is
essential to improve lifetime outcomes for people with disability.
“Education is one of the most significant determining factors in young people’s future outcomes.”
(Mission Australia 2020)81
“In 2018, only 64 per cent of students with disability completed secondary education, compared to
81 per cent of people without disability.” (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2019)82
“The biggest difference between students having strong educational attainment and outcomes and
not, is the culture of the school… this culture comes directly from the school principal and other
leaders making a priority of inclusive education.” (Senate Committee on Education and Employment
2016)83
“Barriers to attendance and participation for students with disability include lack of supports, of
teacher and staff understanding of issues for students with disability, information not being delivered
in appropriate formats, [and] an entrenched culture of low expectations.” (National Disability Strategy
“Research has shown that students who feel more accepted, included and involved in their school are
more likely to be engaged in classroom learning, in extracurricular activities, in interpersonal
relationships, and in the wider school community.” (Children and Young People with Disability
Australia 2014)85
“Transition between stages of education often represent periods when additional supports may be
required to ensure an effective and smooth transition.” (Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse,
Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability 2020)86
24 Outcome Areas
Policy Priority 3:
Improve pathways and accessibility to further education and training
for people with disability
Tertiary education attainment supports improved employment rates and income. Improving access to and
participation in post-school education and training assists people with disability to achieve their full
potential and access the same opportunities as Australians without disability. This includes supporting
students with disability in high school with career and transition planning.
“Missing out on the benefits of education generates costs not only because it affects occupational
prospects, wages and job satisfaction, but also because it influences decisions people make and
behaviours affecting health, marriage, parenting, civic engagement, and preparing for retirement.
These costs accumulate as those who miss out progress through adulthood till the end of their
working lives.” (National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education 2017)87
“Undergraduate enrolments in Australian universities by students with disability rising from

5.5 per cent in 2013 to 7.3 per cent in 2018.” (National Centre for Vocational Education
Research 2020)88
“Consultations have highlighted the need for career and transition planning and support to begin
early in junior high school to successfully identify and access the pathways to further education.”
(Children and Young People with Disability Australia 2020)89
Policy Priority 4:
People with disability have increased opportunities to participate
in accessible and inclusive lifelong learning
The benefits of lifelong learning include building knowledge, acquiring, maintaining and developing skills
and facilitating career advancement. Opportunities for this type of learning should be equally accessible to
people with disability through adult and community education, continuing education and training,
professional development and self-directed learning, in both formal and informal settings.
“Without lifelong learning, the capacity of individuals and communities to renew their knowledge
and skills and adapt to political, economic, environmental, technological or social changes is
considerably reduced.” (World Health Organization 2010)90
“Within vocational education and training, in 2019 there were around 172,000 VET [Vocational
Education and Training] students with disability. Over half (54 per cent) studied at private training
providers, around a third (34 per cent) at TAFE and around one in eight (12 per cent) at community
education providers.” (National Centre for Vocational Education Research 2020)91
“There is a relatively higher proportion of people with disability enrolled at Adult and Community
Education providers than other provider types – 17 per cent of government funded program
enrolments in 2019 at these providers are from students with disability.” (National Centre for
Vocational Education Research 2020)92
“The community education sector has a strong ability to engage with disability networks and
stakeholders to create positive pathways for students with a disability.” (Adult Learning
Australia 2020)93
26 Outcome Areas
Health and Wellbeing
Outcome: People with disability attain the

highest possible health and wellbeing outcomes
throughout their lives
Good health and wellbeing are critical determinants of a person’s quality of life.
This is especially the case for people with disability. In addition to the physical aspects
of health and wellbeing, improving mental health outcomes for people with disability is
also a key focus of the Strategy. It is also important to address the social, cultural and
economic determinants of health and wellbeing.
Policy Priority 1:
All health service providers have the capabilities to meet the needs of
people with disability
People with disability continue to experience poorer health and wellbeing outcomes compared to people
without disability.94 This is not always an inevitable consequence of living with disability. It can be a
consequence of inadequate access to health care or inadequate care provided by health care workers.
Issues around health care can include access to health services; the appropriateness of equipment, training
or facilities; the operation of health systems and processes; and personnel and provider attitudes.
“Respondents told us of having to bring their own equipment to hospital, sometimes at the cost of
several round trips by car each time, because what was on the wards was just not suitable for them.”
(Health Performance Council South Australia 2020)95
“The reasons for people with a disability having poor health are complex but include… health care
workers having trouble seeing the ‘person’ behind the disability and only treating their disability and
not other things that make them unwell.” (Smith-Merry 2016)96
“[D]octors need to be better skilled in explaining health problems, test results and medications in
ways that can be easily understood by people with intellectual disability.” (Trollor 2019)97
“The evidence revealed that… additional and improved training of health professionals is needed to
ensure they are equipped to provide quality health care to people with cognitive disability on an
equal basis with others.” (Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People
with Disability 2020)98
“1 in 5 (18%) [people with disability] who need help with health-care activities have their need for
assistance only partly met or not met at all.” (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2019)99
Policy Priority 2:
Prevention and early intervention health services are timely,
comprehensive, appropriate and effective to support better overall
health and wellbeing
Prevention and early intervention health services are important to lifelong health and wellbeing. People
with disability continue to experience preventable health conditions and comorbidities at higher rates than
people without disability.100 This places people with disability at significantly higher risk of adverse health
outcomes.101 Better outcomes are achieved for people with disability when health providers understand
their individual situation and circumstances, communicate well, do not allow disability to overshadow
health issues, and provide services, premises and facilities that are accessible and appropriate.
Access to early intervention, regular health assessments and rehabilitation is critical for people with
disability. This improves long-term outcomes for individuals and can help reduce future costs of care and
support.102
“[A]pproximately 50 per cent of the health conditions of people with intellectual disability are
undiagnosed.” (Department of Health 2019)103
“24% of adults with disability experience very good or excellent health, compared with 65% of
people without disability.” (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2019)104
“Maternal, sexual and reproductive health – increase access to information, diagnosis, treatment
and services for sexual and reproductive health; enhance and support health promotion and
service delivery for preconception, perinatal and maternal health.” (National Women’s Health
Strategy 2018)105
“Overall life satisfaction of Australians aged 15 years and over was 7.5 out of 10 in 2019…
average life satisfaction was relatively low for people with disability (7.0).” (Australian Bureau
of Statistics 2020)106
28 Outcome Areas
Policy Priority 3:
Mental health supports and services are appropriate, effective and
accessible for people with disability
Mental health is a major determinant of general health and wellbeing. People with disability continue to
experience poorer mental health, including higher rates of anxiety and depression, than people without
disability. Understanding the relationship between health, mental health and disability is essential for
improving outcomes for people with disability.
People’s mental health can determine their ability to lead productive and fulfilling lives. Poor mental health
can lead to lower levels of social and community engagement, and poorer education, employment and
housing outcomes, which can further worsen mental health. Having appropriate, effective and accessible
mental health supports and services, including in forensic mental health settings, which meet the needs of
people with disability, and embedding a cross-sector approach to building mental health and wellbeing,
are essential.
“32% of adults with disability experience a high or very high level of psychological distress
[compared to] 8.0% without disability.” (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2019)107
“Some barriers [to accessing mental health treatment and supports for people with intellectual
disability] relate to service factors, such as inadequate training and awareness in mental health
professionals, diagnostic overshadowing, lack of [intellectual disability] specific mental health
services or a lack of coordination between agencies. Systemic barriers include poverty, limited
education, lack of inclusive service models and policy, and the lack of data to evaluate service access.”
(University of New South Wales 2014)108
“For many Deaf people, the constant indirect and seemingly minor barriers to community
participation can build up over time and have a devastating impact on long term mental health.” (Deaf
Victoria 2019)109
Policy Priority 4:
Disaster preparedness, risk management plans and public emergency
responses are inclusive of people with disability, and support their
physical and mental health, and wellbeing
The needs of people with disability should be catered for in disaster risk management plans and public
emergency responses in order to protect their mental and physical health and wellbeing.
Before, during and after emergencies, people with disability may require targeted and accessible
information and communication. They may also require additional assistance to plan and prepare for an
emergency, additional assistance and appropriate support in the event of evacuation or physical isolation,
and support through the recovery process.
Organisations responsible for emergency management should also work with those responsible for urban
planning and design to understand where people with disability are at greater risk of harm during disasters,
and how these risks can be reduced.
Including people with disability in disaster preparedness and risk management discussions, and related
policy development, and consulting them in the very early stages of responding to and recovering from
emergencies, will ensure their needs are accounted for.
“People with disability are disproportionately affected and experience higher rates of injury and
death as well as face increased challenges during disaster response and recovery.” (Villeneuve
2019)110
“Evacuation shelters designed to protect the community in the event of natural disasters are often
difficult to access for people with disability – lacking ramps, railings, accessible toilets and other
accessible facilities, including accessible information.” (Disabled People’s Organisations Australia and
the National Women’s Alliances 2019)111
30 Outcome Areas
Community Attitudes
Outcome: Community attitudes support equality,

inclusion and participation in society for people
with disability
Building positive community attitudes towards people with disability is central to

achieving an inclusive society and improving all outcomes for people with disability
under the Strategy.
People with disability report the greatest barriers they face are not communication
or physical, rather they are created through stigma, unconscious bias and lack of
understanding of disability. This can include ableism, where people with disability can
be seen as being less worthy of respect and consideration, less able to contribute, and
not valued as much as people without disability. Removing these barriers will contribute
to positive daily experiences and recognition of the contribution people with disability
can make to society.
People with disability have said changing attitudes of others will provide more choice
and independence, and lead to better support, improved treatment and more respect.
Focusing on community attitudes will lead to better education outcomes, job
opportunities, increased feelings of safety, and improved mental health and wellbeing
for many people with disability.
Community attitudes and awareness of disability have improved in recent years.112

However, lack of social and professional acceptance of disability and limited disability
literacy remain issues which often create barriers for people with disability. Other
factors such as gender, age, sexuality, race, type of disability, and cultural background
can also influence how people with disability are treated in society.
Recognising the importance of improving community attitudes on achieving the

Strategy’s vision, one of the initial Targeted Action Plans (refer to page 39) focuses
on addressing the following four Policy Priorities.
Policy Priority 1:
Employers value the contribution people with disability make
to the workforce, and recognise the benefits of employing people
with disability
While the majority of people with disability can and want to work, people with disability of working age
(15–64 years) are significantly under-represented in the Australian workforce. In 2018, 47.8 per cent of
people with disability were employed compared to 80.3 per cent of people without disability.113 Having
career opportunities and finding and keeping a job are significant issues for people with disability.114
Many of the obstacles to employing people with disability that employers perceive to exist stem
from negative attitudes and misconceptions. Evidence suggests employees with disability may be
just as productive or more productive than people without disability and contribute to the profitability
of businesses.115
“The vast majority of [small and medium enterprise] employers (69%) stated that employing
someone with a disability delivered a positive employment outcome for their business, and more than
half said their experience was ‘very positive’.” (Council of Small Business Organisations Australia
2018)116
“Just over half of people surveyed (55.6 per cent) disagreed that employers should be allowed to
refuse to hire people with disability.” (University of Melbourne and the Victorian Government
Department of Health and Human Services 2018)117
“The use of science to reveal the unique talents and skills of those living with neurological conditions
impressed us as a particularly compelling way to inspire confidence in the value of employing people
with disabilities in the workplace. We are proud to support Northern Pictures to make Employable
Me and hope it will challenge perceptions and create opportunities.” (Screen Australia 2017)118
32 Outcome Areas
Policy Priority 2:
Key professional workforces are able to confidently and positively
respond to people with disability
An improved understanding of disability by workers in professions people with disability often interact,
will increase access to, and the quality of, the services and supports people with disability need.
These professions include, but are not limited to, health, education, justice, emergency services and
community services.
“Professional training with respect to understanding, identifying and responding to disability is critical
to ensuring access to justice for people with disability. Training can help challenge negative
stereotypes about disability and assist those working in the justice system to identify disability, which
is a prerequisite for the provision of appropriate services and support systems.” (Law Council of
Australia 2018)119
“People said disability literacy could be delivered through dedicated education and training programs
across the breadth of community services.” (National Disability Strategy Consultation Report 2019)120
“Culturally safe practice is the ongoing critical reflection of health practitioner knowledge, skills,
attitudes, practising behaviours and power differentials in delivering safe, accessible and responsive
healthcare free of racism.” (Medical Board AHPRA 2020)121
“Some people with disability experience difficulties accessing health services, such as discrimination
by health professionals. 1 in 6 (17%) people with disability aged under 65 experienced discrimination
by health staff (GP, nurse, hospital staff).” (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2017)122
“Even mental health professionals, who are considered to be the most educated members of our
society in regard to mental health conditions, can hold stigmatising attitudes towards their patients.”
(Hampson et al. 2018)123
“Many staff are great at providing adjusted activities (and listening to advice and ideas) to include all
students, but other staff think of adjustments and inclusion as an afterthought and leave the student
with a disability to do an alternate activity, often separate to their peers. Staff often think that some
curriculum areas will not be possible for students with a sensory disability, and that the students will
not be capable.” (Final Report of the 2020 Review of the Disability Standards for Education (2005)
2020)124
Policy Priority 3:
Increase representation of people with disability in leadership roles
People with disability are significantly underrepresented on boards, in politics and in other leadership roles
in Australian society. Increased inclusion of people with disability in leadership will enable the perspectives
of people with disability to be included in decision-making, thereby making decisions more reflective of
the community.
“[T]he best challenge to deeply rooted exclusionary attitudes and prejudices is everyday contact with
people with disability.” (Office of the Public Advocate 2020)125
“The most effective way to improve community attitudes is to increase levels of inclusion of people
with disability in all aspects of society, particularly education, employment, leadership roles, and the
media.” (Centre of Research Excellence in Disability and Health 2020)126
Policy Priority 4:
Improving community attitudes to positively impact on Policy Priorities
under the Strategy
Improved community awareness and understanding of disability will increase inclusion and accessibility for
people with disability. Improving attitudes is as important as removing physical barriers to the built and
natural environment.127 The Policy Priorities of this Strategy focus on improving in areas of everyday life so
people with disability achieve the same outcomes as people without disability.
“83 per cent of respondents agreed that ‘people without disability are unsure how to act toward
people with disability’ and 63 per cent agreed ‘people without disability ignore people with
disability’.” (National Disability Strategy Consultation Report 2019)128
“[I]n the case of psychosocial disability many of the changes required are not physical but attitudinal.
And much more can be done in this respect.” (Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs 2017)129
“Awareness within the wider community and social media has had an impact on disability becoming
more socially accepted and ‘normal’ which has also given people with disability more of a voice to be
seen and heard.” (National Disability Strategy Consultation Report 2019)130
“All people have rights – but ability to actually use and enjoy these rights on an equal basis with all
others requires that information is provided in a form that the person can comprehend, that
communication meets the communication needs of the individual and that support for decision
making is available as required.” (Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs 2017)131
Implementation—
Delivering on the
Outcome Areas
Governments are committed to working together alongside
people with disability, communities, businesses and the
non-government sector to implement this Strategy and realise
its vision in a coordinated and targeted way. This includes
ensuring that over the life of the Strategy, its design and
implementation is responsive to changing needs.
The following key initiatives will facilitate this approach:
• promoting and ensuring actions to deliver against the Policy Priorities address issues of intersectionality
• a clear and easy-to-locate outline of governments’ roles and responsibilities
• guiding principles for policy and program development that are based on and reflect the human rights
principles of the UN CRPD
• the implementation of time-limited Targeted Action Plans and longer-term Associated Plans
• the implementation of an Outcomes Framework to track progress against the Strategy, a data strategy
to support regular reporting and improvements to evaluation and research
• the implementation of governance arrangements, including a centralised unit to drive implementation
• the implementation of a Strategy Engagement Plan to ensure people with disability actively participate
in implementation, monitoring and evaluation
• a clear roadmap to keep governments accountable for achievement of key deliverables and milestones
• ongoing development of a Strategy website.
36 Implementation – Delivering on the Outcome Areas
Intersectionality and Diversity

The diversity of people with disability needs to be understood, acknowledged and celebrated. Part of this
involves an understanding of the concept of ‘intersectionality’. The Strategy recognises the importance of
making sure actions taken to deliver on its Policy Priorities are implemented using an intersectional and
diversity lens.
Intersectionality recognises that a person or group of people can be affected by multiple forms of discrimination
and disadvantage due to their race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, impairment, class, religion, age,
social origin and other identity markers.
It acknowledges identity markers (such as “Woman”, “Disabled”, “Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander”,
“Culturally and Linguistically Diverse”, “LGBTIQA+”) do not exist independently; rather, each informs the
other and can have overlapping and compounding effects. These effects can also be felt by other diverse
groups of people with disability – for example, those in rural or remote areas.
The impact of this can be illustrated through considering outcomes for some of these groups. For example,
people with disability aged 15–64 years experience lower levels of employment (47.8% are employed)
than people without disability aged 15–64 (80.3%). Levels of employment also vary significantly for
different groups:132
• Women with disability aged 15–64 years (45.9%) compared with men with disability aged 15–64
years (49.9%)
• Young people (15–24 years) with disability (39.6%) compared with young people without
disability (63.5%)
• People with disability born overseas who speak a main language other than English at home (38.3%)
compared with people with disability who were born in Australia who mainly speak English at
home (48.0%)
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability (28.3%) compared with Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander people without disability (31.4%), or compared to Aboriginal or Torres Strait
Islander women with disability (26.8%).133
Not only can intersectional discrimination impact on how these groups are viewed, understood and treated,
but it also impacts on how they access, or are unable to access, resources, services and supports.
Policy responses and strategies which assume the experience and impact of disability is the same, can fail
to take into account intersectional impacts disproportionately affecting groups of people with disability.
Activities taken in line with the Strategy’s Policy Priorities should consider incorporating tailored
approaches designed to enable and include people and groups who face intersectional barriers. For
example, our work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be informed by the National
Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Roles and Responsibilities

Australian, state, territory and local governments, along with businesses, the community and the non-
government sector all play a role in supporting people with disability to enjoy their human rights on an
equal basis with others.
Clarifying these roles, especially with regards to the responsibilities of governments, supports the
involvement of all parties in designing and implementing inclusive policies and programs for people with
disability.
The Strategy recognises that all levels of government continue to play a role in providing mainstream and
targeted services, supports and infrastructure systems to people with disability. Governments have
obligations to provide services to all citizens and are responsible for making reasonable adjustments to
accommodate people with disability so they can access and use those systems and services.
The table at Appendix 4 shows where one level of government holds primary responsibility for the delivery
of a system. There is also a section in the table showing systems where responsibilities are shared to an
extent that primary responsibility for delivery cannot be assigned to one level of government.
Guiding Principles
To achieve the Strategy’s vision, governments are committed to the development and implementation of
policies, programs, services and systems which reflect the human rights principles of the UN CRPD.
Therefore, the following Guiding Principles are based on Article 3 of the UN CRPD.
Governments have agreed to use these Guiding Principles when developing policies, programs, services
and systems. It is vital that business, the non-government sector and the broader community also consider
how they can apply these principles.
Principle One Respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy including the freedom to make one’s
own choices, and independence of persons
Principle Two Non-discrimination
Principle Three Full and effective participation and inclusion in society
Principle Four Respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human
diversity and humanity
Principle Five Equality of opportunity
Principle Six Accessibility
Principle Seven Equality of people
Principle Eight Respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and respect for the
right of children with disabilities to preserve their identities
Refer to Appendix 5 for further details on the principles, and guidance on how to apply them.
Targeted Action Plans

Targeted Action Plans apply an intensive focus over one to three years to achieve specific deliverables
which improve outcomes for people with disability.
Each Targeted Action Plan is commissioned and endorsed by disability ministers and includes a series of
targeted and coordinated actions from governments. Actions are based on available evidence and people
with disability are involved in the implementation of the actions. The annual progress report for each
Targeted Action Plan provides an update on what has been delivered against each action.
The five Targeted Action Plans launched with the Strategy are focused on improving employment,
community attitudes, early childhood, safety, and emergency management.
Over the life of the Strategy, new Targeted Action Plans will be commissioned. The focus of the Targeted
Action Plans will be informed through engagement with people with disability. All Targeted Action Plans
will be published on the Strategy’s website.
Associated Plans
Associated Plans are strategies, plans, roadmaps and frameworks that focus on improving aspects of
Australian life for people with disability and also work to deliver the vision of the Strategy. Associated
Plans can be sector specific (e.g. the arts sector) or for a specific segment of the community (e.g. people
with intellectual disability) and generally run for three to ten years.
Associated Plans were introduced to provide a more coordinated, long-term approach to how governments
work to improve outcomes for people with disability. All Associated Plans clearly identify how they
contribute to achieving the outcomes of the Strategy.
This recognises that the Strategy sets the high-level policy framework for disability to guide public policy
decisions by governments and outside of government.
Associated Plans show how different government initiatives work together to support people with
disability. They are developed in consultation with people with disability and they track, monitor and report
on their achievements against the Outcome Areas of the Strategy.
To increase recognition of Associated Plans and other documents, they may feature the Strategy brand set
out below. All Associated Plans will be published on the Strategy’s website.
Business and community organisations may also show their commitment to the Strategy by using the
logos below.
Outcomes Framework
The Outcomes Framework measures, tracks and reports on outcomes for people with disability. This
includes measuring the contribution key systems such as healthcare, housing, education and employment
are making to achieve outcomes. It also tracks the changes in outcomes happening over time for people
with disability.
The annual Outcomes Framework reports and dashboard (an interactive online reporting tool) show what
progress is being made against each Policy Priority in the Strategy. Where data is available, information is
disaggregated to provide detail on what progress is being made for specific cohorts of people with
disability.
Governments will work together to link de-identified data between systems, to improve measures and to
refine the Outcomes Framework. The Outcomes Framework is published on the Strategy’s website. The
version launched with the Strategy has future measures that will be introduced when data is improved and
these measures will replace the measures used at launch.
Improving the Data

Governments are committed to collecting and sharing relevant data to support effective monitoring and
reporting of outcomes for people with disability in order to drive change. Australian state and territory data,
for both disability-specific and mainstream service systems, will be essential for measuring outcomes and
tracking the degree of change.
Governments will work together to develop a comprehensive data strategy in 2022. This will ensure data
needed to measure outcomes for people with disability is collected, shared and progressively improved
over the life of the Strategy. It will also identify where data needs to be linked between systems to improve
our understanding of the impact of the Strategy. Linked de-identified data will provide improved
disaggregated data, support the development of new measures and deliver deeper insights into how and
why certain outcomes occur.
The National Disability Data Asset (NDDA) could provide a better understanding of how people with
disability are supported through services, payments and programs across multiple service systems through
the linkage, improvement and sharing of de-identified data.
Improving data to track progress against the Outcomes Framework will also support evaluations and policy
development, and will lead to improved outcomes for people with disability.
Reporting under the Strategy

All levels of government have committed to deliver more comprehensive and visible reporting. Reporting
under the Strategy aims to ensure accountability and build the evidence base for making informed decisions
on areas of future focus. It will also drive improvements in the design and implementation of future policies
and programs. Reporting under the Strategy will be an important input to reports developed to meet
Australia’s reporting obligations under the UN CRPD, and will support Australia in continuing to strengthen
its response to ensure the equal rights of people with disability in line with the UN CRPD.
Reporting will capture available information from Australian Government agencies, state, territory and local
governments, the Australian Human Rights Commission, state and territory human rights/anti-
discrimination bodies and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). It will also capture information
from people with disability, Disability Representative Organisations and the Strategy’s Advisory Council
(the Advisory Council). Reporting under the Strategy will complement the reporting already undertaken by
state and territory governments, and many local governments, as part of their own disability plans.
• Targeted Action Plans Report – Produced annually on a financial year basis. This high-level report will
cover the implementation of the Targeted Action Plans, actions and successes, other key steps taken or
planned, and overall status. It will be coordinated by the Australian Government.
• Outcome Framework Report and Dashboard – Updated annually, the Outcomes Framework Report and
Dashboard will publish a detailed spreadsheet and high-level data against the outcomes of the Strategy
as per the Outcomes Framework. It will be prepared by a third-party data specialist.
• Implementation Report – Produced every two years. This implementation report will include the voice of
people with disability and the broader community. It will include progress against disability initiatives at
all levels of government. People with disability, the Australian Human Rights Commission, and key
stakeholders, including the Advisory Council, will be consulted in preparing the report before it is
provided for endorsement by Australian, state and territory disability ministers.
• Evaluation reports – The two Major Evaluation Reports (2025 and 2029) will provide analysis and
findings from independent evaluations of the Strategy, including recommendations for improvement.
They will be undertaken by an independent reviewer. People with disability, the Australian Human
Rights Commission, and key stakeholders, including the Advisory Council, will be consulted before the
report is endorsed by Australian, state and territory disability ministers.
A number of ongoing projects will strengthen the quality and quantity of data available for reporting.
Over time, reporting will improve, increasing the evidence base to make informed decisions to enhance
service systems.
Reports developed under the Strategy will be available on the Strategy’s website and will be in
accessible formats.
Evaluating what we do
Evaluation is critical to knowing what is working well and what needs improvement for people with
disability. Evaluations of policies, programs and systems are key to understanding why current outcomes
are being achieved and point to strengths and gaps in these interventions. The information and results
provided by evaluation will inform investment decisions and the design of future policies and programs.
Evaluations will be able to show how policies, services and programs have contributed to the outcomes
under the Strategy. A list of planned evaluations and links to published evaluation reports will be made
available on the Strategy’s website.
Evaluations will enable a clear link to be drawn between the Outcomes Framework, Outcome Areas, Policy
Priorities and their impact on the lives of people with disability.
The Strategy’s Evaluation Good Practice Guide Checklist, published on the Strategy’s website, will help
governments to conduct evaluations for disability specific and mainstream policies and services.
Governments will work together with people with disability to develop a guide on how to involve people
with disability in evaluation. This is expected to be completed by the end of 2022 and will be published on
the Strategy’s website.
Under the Strategy, governments are making a commitment to:
• publicly list planned policy, program and system evaluations

• consider the Strategy’s Evaluation Good Practice Guide Checklist when conducting evaluations involving
people with disability
• publish evaluation findings to build the evidence base and help inform policy decisions across Australia
• include key findings from evaluations in Strategy’s two-yearly Implementation Reports.
Building the Evidence Base

Building the evidence base is a key part of the Strategy. The Strategy will do this by supporting the
development of disability research, including the translation of this research into tangible concepts and
policies supporting the outcomes of the Strategy. This will encourage continued reform of disability and
mainstream policy in government, in business and in the non-government sector.
The National Disability Research Partnership (the Partnership) will be instrumental in building the evidence
base. The Partnership will facilitate a collaborative, translational research program through partnerships
between academics, people with disability, their families and carers, peak advocacy and consumer groups,
governments and service providers to conduct cutting-edge policy-relevant research that enables people
with disability to participate fully in society.
The Partnership promotes the use of evidence-informed policy and practice to ensure people with disability
have equal opportunities and are included in all aspects of community life.
he Partnership focuses on disability and mainstream services including education, health, housing, and
T
justice, and facilitates research recognising the diversity of experiences for people with disability.
The Partnership’s research agenda and practical guides for disability inclusive research will help drive
improvements for people with disability.
The Governance Model

The Governance Model (the Model) sets out a visible and robust accountability structure to drive
implementation and decision-making under the Strategy. The Model helps governments work together in a
coordinated way to achieve the goals of the Strategy. It identifies and prioritises areas of focus, drives
change across these areas and reports on progress made to improve the lives of people with disability.
Mechanisms to achieve this include:
• establishing the Advisory Council, which will play an important role in both governance and the
engagement of people with disability under the Strategy
• identifying and prioritising key areas of focus under the Strategy
• promoting the Strategy and the work being undertaken to drive change
• creating initiatives to address Strategy priorities – for example, Targeted Action Plans
• influencing or guiding government policies at local, state and national levels
• sharing knowledge, such as best practices and research.
Further detail on this Model is at Appendix 6.
Engaging People with Disability

People with disability will play a central and active role in the Strategy over its life. For the Strategy to be
implemented effectively, the views of people with disability, disability sector stakeholders and diverse
groups within the sector must be heard and considered. Engagement with groups such as Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander people with disability and people with disability from culturally and linguistically
diverse communities will ensure inclusion and consideration of a broad range of views.
The Strategy’s Engagement Plan (the Engagement Plan) is published on the Strategy’s website. It outlines
the ways people with disability will be engaged over the life of the Strategy to inform its implementation,
monitoring and reporting, and the future direction of policy.
The Engagement Plan will give people with disability a voice in the implementation and monitoring of the
Strategy and a structured, ongoing role in influencing how it is addressing their rights and needs. Ensuring
people with disability can make a tangible difference to a Strategy designed to assist them, is an important
step in helping the Strategy achieve its vision and purpose. The Engagement Plan will also ensure people
with disability are connected with governments and can be involved in guiding governments to consider
how policies and programs impact on their lives.
The Engagement Plan includes:
• The Advisory Council, which provides advice to Australian, state, territory and local governments, and to
disability ministers on implementing and monitoring the Strategy.
• The Strategy’s public forums and consultations, one of which will be held every year from 2022 to 2031
on a rotating basis, including:
– the Strategy’s National Public Forum to enable all people with disability to play an active role in
shaping implementation of the Strategy
– state and territory-based Strategy Forums over the term of the Strategy, hosted by jurisdictions in
years the National Public Forum is not held
– public consultations over the term of the Strategy, to align with the Major Evaluations.
• A commitment to involve people with disability and organisations such as the Australian Human Rights
Commission, Disabled People’s Organisations and Disability Representative Organisations in designing
and delivering the public forums and consultations. The forums and consultations may be conducted
in a range of ways and could include face-to-face and virtual elements.
• The development of Good Practice Guidelines for the Engagement of People with Disability. The
Guidelines will facilitate improvements in the engagement and inclusion of people with disability in
community consultation, policy development and government decision-making.
THE FIVE ENGAGEMENT PLAN ELEMENTS
1 The Strategy Advisory Council

(the Council)
2 Public forums and consultations to support

implementation of the Strategy
3 The Strategy’s website
4 Good Practice Guidelines for the Engagement

of People with Disability
5 Revisions to the Engagement Plan

The Strategy’s Roadmap (Roadmap)

The Roadmap gives a simple overview of the key deliverables being produced under the Strategy.
This provides transparency of the road ahead and accountability for delivery. It helps raise awareness of
when reports are expected to be delivered and when consultations and other major activities will occur.
The Roadmap will be updated as required.
The Roadmap is published on the Strategy’s website.
The Strategy’s Website

A dedicated website accessible to people with disability has been created to make it easier to locate the
latest information on the Strategy.
The website provides easy access to:
• the Strategy and its supporting documents, such as the Outcomes Framework, the Engagement Plan
and Roadmap
• an overview of the disability landscape including Australia’s international obligations, state and territory
disability plans and other related frameworks
• information on the rights of people with disability through sources such as the UN CRPD, the Disability
Discrimination Act 1992 and Disability Standards, and other guidelines
• the Strategy reports, including Targeted Action Plans Report, Outcomes Framework Reports and
Dashboard, two-yearly Implementation Reports and Evaluation Reports
• research, evaluation and data to show how outcomes for people with disability are tracking and to
provide the evidence required to inform policy.
The website complements the Disability Gateway, which provides information and services to help people
with disability and their family, friends and carers access the support they need in Australia.
Both websites have been developed following the Australian Government’s Digital Service Standards.
This includes ensuring the websites are accessible and inclusive of all users. The websites will be
expanded over time.
The Strategy’s website is at www.disabilitygateway.gov.au/ads and the Disability Gateway is at

www.disabilitygateway.gov.au
Appendices
Appendix 1
Development of the Strategy
Consultation
The voices of people with disability, their families, friends, carers, advocacy organisations, peak bodies and
service providers were central to developing the Strategy.
Consultations on the Strategy were designed and delivered in collaboration with people with disability. The
consultations were flexible and adaptable to provide a range of different ways for people with disability to
participate. The consultations also had a focus on engaging directly with people who do not typically
participate in high numbers in public consultation processes.
All consultation activities were delivered in a range of accessible formats. This included the production of
Easy Read and Auslan materials, captioning, the use of interpreters, and the ability to provide submissions
in a range of formats (e.g. written, audio or video). Many of the focus groups, workshops and forums were
co-facilitated by people with disability and run face-to-face where possible, as well as through online
platforms to consult in a COVID-safe environment.
Consultations were run in stages over three years to enable people with disability to have a say during all
phases of developing the Strategy.
In 2018, targeted consultations were held with around 150 people from 80 organisations. These
consultations focused on the National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 to understand what worked well and
should be retained in a new Strategy for beyond 2020, and what could be improved.
In 2019, Stage 1 consultations were held to inform development of the new Strategy. These consultations
reached around 3,000 people through 17 community workshops, consultations with Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people with disability, an online public survey and 15 targeted stakeholder meetings.
The advice people provided in the 2018 and 2019 consultations was used as a key input into the National
Disability Strategy Position Paper (the Position Paper), which was publicly released in July 2020. The
Position Paper was also informed by a number of reviews and inquiries into the National Disability Strategy
2010-2020.
50 Appendices
The Position Paper outlined governments’ proposals for the new Strategy and formed the basis of Stage 2
consultations held in the second half of 2020, which saw:
• 237 submissions from people and organisations with feedback on the proposed features of the
new Strategy
• more than 800 people registered for a webinar on the new Strategy, hosted by the Australian Human
Rights Commission and Centre of Research Excellence in Disability and Health
• 132 people participate in 18 focus groups with cohorts of people with disability who did not participate
in high numbers during Stage 1 consultations
• 102 people participate in five cross-sector collaborative workshops
• a series of workshops held directly with Disability Representative Organisations.
In addition, 74 submissions were received on a separate public submission process on the Outcomes
Framework proposed for the new Strategy.
Reports on the Stage 1 and Stage 2 National Disability Strategy consultations are available on the
Department of Social Services website.
Reviews and Reports that Informed the Strategy

A series of reviews, inquiries and reports were conducted that looked at the National Disability Strategy
2010-2020, National Disability Agreement, and the rights of people with disability. These included:
• the Senate Inquiry report into the delivery of outcomes under the National Disability Strategy 2010-
2020 to build inclusive and accessible communities (2017)
• the Social Policy Research Centre’s independent review of the implementation of the National Disability
Strategy 2010-2020 (2018)
• the Productivity Commission Review of the National Disability Agreement (2019)
• the Australian Government reports and the Civil Society reports to the United Nations Committee on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the UN Committee’s Concluding Observations (2013, 2019)
• The Royal Commission into the Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability,
including the hearings and interim report.
The findings and recommendations from these have informed the development of the Strategy.
The Outcome
Feedback from consultations and the findings and recommendations from the reviews and reports listed
above, has resulted in the Strategy having stronger reporting, monitoring and implementation than its
predecessor. It has also resulted in a stronger and a more structured role for people with disability in the
implementation of the Strategy, as outlined in the Engagement Plan. These structures mean people with
disability will be able to have a say on the things that are important to them and will influence the future
direction of the Strategy, including actions and investments made as part of it.
Appendix 2
The UN CRPD, Disability Discrimination Act 1992,
and the Australian Human Rights Commission
UN CRPD
In 2008, Australia ratified the UN CRPD. The UN CRPD is a human rights treaty establishing normative
standards and principles for the treatment of people with disability under international human rights law.
Its purpose is to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and
fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.
In line with Australia’s commitments under the UN CRPD, the Strategy will play an important role in
protecting, promoting and realising the human rights of people with disability. The Strategy will also
contribute to Australia’s reporting responsibilities under the UN CRPD.
Disability Discrimination Act 1992

The Strategy is reflective of the objects of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA), which is in place
to eliminate discrimination against people with disability as far as possible. This Act also aims to promote
community acceptance of the principle that people with disability have the same fundamental rights as all
members of the community.
The DDA provides that direct and indirect discrimination on the basis of disability is unlawful in a broad
range of areas of public life. This includes employment, education, access to premises and access to goods,
services and facilities.
Employment
Subject to some exceptions, it is unlawful to discriminate against a person on the ground of that person’s
disability in determining who should be offered employment, or the terms and conditions on which
employment is offered, or by dismissing the employee, or subjecting the employee to any other detriment.
Further, people with disability may face barriers in their employment because of a feature of their work
situation which could readily be altered. Making these changes is referred to as ‘reasonable adjustments’.
Employers can be required by law to make reasonable adjustments to the workplace. Failure to do so may
be discrimination. Examples of adjustments include changes to work premises, changes to work schedules,
modifying equipment and providing training.
52 Appendices
Standards
The Attorney-General, under section 31(1) of the DDA, has formulated three standards that aim to provide
more detail on rights and responsibilities about equal access and opportunity for people with a disability:
• The Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards) to enable public
transport operators and providers to remove discrimination from public transport services.
• The Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010 (Premises Standards) aim to provide
people with disability with dignified and equitable access to buildings and provide certainty to industry
that they are complying with the DDA.
• The Disability Standards for Education 2005 (Education Standards) clarify the obligations of education
and training providers, and seek to ensure students with disability can access and participate in education
on the same basis as other students.
Australian Human Rights Commission

The Australian Human Rights Commission is accredited as an A-status national institution under the
Principles Relating to the Status of National Institutions (the Paris Principles).
The Australian Human Rights Commission is an independent statutory body with functions relating to
education and awareness training, investigating complaints of unlawful discrimination, and conducting
national inquiries and reporting on issues of human rights concern.
The Australian Human Rights Commission, through the Disability Discrimination Commissioner, works with
governments, businesses and civil society to help individuals and organisations understand their rights and
meet their legal responsibilities.
The Australian Human Rights Commission undertakes educational programs to raise awareness of the
human rights of people with disabilities, ensuring people with disability and their representatives are
actively involved and represented in its awareness campaigns and strategies.
The Disability Discrimination Commissioner leads the Australian Human Rights Commission’s work relating
to the rights of persons with disabilities, including:
• promoting understanding and acceptance of, and compliance with, the DDA
• encouraging reform by promoting disability standards and guidelines
• engaging with stakeholders to address disability discrimination in the workplace and in the community
• addressing barriers to equality and participation caused by disability discrimination
• undertaking research and education projects to combat the attitudes and stereotypes that can contribute
to disability discrimination
• implementing and monitoring actions relating to the UN CRPD
• building the knowledge and capacity of domestic and international organisations to understand
the UN CRPD.
Appendix 3
Advocacy
Advocacy helps safeguard people’s rights and overcome barriers to their inclusion and participation in
the community.
Disability advocacy supports people with disability by ensuring their rights are maintained, promoted and
valued. It can enable people with disability to actively participate in decisions and processes which advance
their rights, wellbeing and interests. For some people with disability this involves being supported by
advocacy services to participate in the decisions that affect their lives, especially around access to services
and support, and to be actively involved in their communities.
Advocacy can support people with disability in all areas of their lives and in ways which relate to all of the
Outcome Areas of the Strategy. It also helps to identify where the quality of services and support provided
to people with disability is inadequate or inhibits their participation.
Individual advocacy supports people with disability to understand and exercise their rights, through
one-on-one support or by supporting people to advocate by themselves or on a group basis.
Systemic advocacy seeks to introduce and influence longer-term changes to ensure the rights of people
with disability are realised and upheld through changes to legislation, policy and service practices. Systemic
advocacy works towards raising and promoting community awareness and education of disability issues.
54 Appendices
Appendix 4
Roles and Responsibilities of Governments
Listing key government roles and responsibilities helps everyone understand which level of government is
responsible for the systems that may be used by people with disability.
In many cases, more than one level of government has some responsibility for a support, service or system.
For example, the Australian Government and state and territory governments are all involved in funding,
delivering and/or regulating systems like education, community housing, and the NDIS.
The table on government roles and responsibilities that is included in this Appendix shows where one level
of government holds primary responsibility for the delivery of a system. There is also a section in the table
showing systems where responsibilities are shared to an extent that primary responsibility for delivery
cannot be assigned to one level of government.
More detailed information about roles and responsibilities, as well as some of the key systems outside
of government, can be accessed through the Strategy’s website. This information includes:
• points of contact for people to identify and contact the agency responsible for delivering the service they
want to access or to handle a specific issue they are experiencing
• legislation and agreements outlining the funding, regulation and operational responsibility for those
services and systems
• the NDIS Applied Principles and Tables of Support setting out responsibilities between the NDIS and
other service systems.
People who do not have access to the internet can contact the National Disability Information Gateway
telephone helpline on 1800 643 787.
The table on government roles and responsibilities is high-level and does not include every support, service
or system. It lists the main service and support systems within the scope of the Strategy’s Outcome Areas.
The table also does not include all systems provided by governments.
All governments will work together to seek collaborative solutions to progress the Strategy and enhance
access and inclusion for people with disability where roles and responsibilities cross multiple agencies or
levels of government.
Table on Government Roles and Responsibilities
Primary responsibility for delivery lies with the Primary responsibility for delivery lies with
Australian Government state and territory governments
• NDIS* (administration) • Public, social and community housing

• Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) • Public hospitals
• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission • Community health services
• Employment services • Home and Community Care programs for
• Income support payments under 65s
• Federal justice system • Public transport services
• Australian Federal Police • Public primary and secondary schools
• Child Care Subsidy • TAFE/Vocational Education and Training (VET)
• Medicare Benefits Schedule • Kindergartens and pre-schools
• General practitioners • Jurisdictional court systems and
correctional centres
• Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
• State and territory Police
• Aboriginal Community Controlled Health
Organisations • Guardianship, Public trustees and
Ombudsman
• Aged Care system
• Child protection
• My Aged Care
• Community visitors programs for disability**
• Veterans’ Care system
• Domestic and family violence services
• Universities
• Major sporting facilities
• Hearing Services Program
• State and territory human rights/anti-
• Commonwealth Ombudsman
discrimination bodies
• Australian Human Rights Commission
Primary responsibility for delivery lies with Responsibility for delivery is substantially
local governments*** shared across levels of government
• Urban planning/design of the built environment • NDIS* (funding and shared governance)
• Accessible buildings • Mental health supports and services
• Local development planning • Disability advocacy services – individual
• Local roads, bikeways and footpaths and systemic
• Local parks and recreational facilities • Concessions for government services
• Local sports grounds • Community infrastructure
• Public toilets • Arts and cultural funding and support
• Playgrounds • Public museums, galleries and performance
facilities
• Council-run childcare and aged care centres
• Municipal services
• Parking regulation
• Public libraries and community halls
Note: This listing of roles and responsibilities is not comprehensive and some responsibilities may change over time.
* The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a nationally based scheme jointly governed and funded by
the Australian, state and territory governments. Delivery of the NDIS is the responsibility of the National Disability
Insurance Agency, a Commonwealth Corporate Entity.
** Not all states have community visitors programs for disability (e.g. Tasmania, Western Australia).
*** Local governments are established by state and territory governments (except the ACT) to deliver a range
of municipal services and infrastructure, which is determined by each state and territory government. Listed
examples of key responsibilities of most local governments are not representative of the responsibilities of all
local governments.
56 Appendices
The Australian, state and territory, and local governments make and uphold laws, rules and regulations, and
agreements that play a role in supporting people with disability and upholding their rights. Examples
include:
• The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Commonwealth) and the Standards made under this Act
• The National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Commonwealth) and NDIS Rules
• Bilateral Agreements on the NDIS
• NDIS Applied Principles and Tables of Support
• National guidelines for safety, employment, and disability access
• Agreements between the Australian Government and state and territory governments under
the Intergovernmental Agreement on Federal Financial Relations
• State and territory disability services Acts and disability inclusion Acts
• State regulations on planning, development and management of state-based infrastructure and
resources
• Local government planning and regulation.
There is also a range of international instruments that establish normative standards and principles for the
treatment of people with disability. Examples include:
• The UN CRPD
• Convention on the Rights of the Child, Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination
Against Women, International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights, and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Appendix 5
Guiding Principles
The table below sets out prompting questions to help governments, business and the community apply
these principles.
The prompting questions aim to draw out the key issues which may need to be addressed so the policy,
program, service or system is appropriate and accessible for people with disability.
These questions will be supplemented with a guide to these principles which will be released in 2022
and published on the Strategy’s website.
Principle 1: Respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy including the freedom to make one’s
own choices, and independence of persons
• Does the policy/program/service/system (proposal) allow people with disability to make their own
choices in the same way as people without disability?
• Does the proposal give access to supported decision making as required?
Principle 2: Non-discrimination
• Does the proposal avoid both direct and indirect discrimination?

• Are reasonable adjustments available that meet the needs of each individual, so people with
disability can exercise the same rights and freedoms as other Australians?
• Is the proposal compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, the UN CRPD and with state
and territory anti-discrimination legislation?
Principle 3: Full and effective participation and inclusion in society
• Will the proposal support people to fulfil their potential?

• Will the proposal provide for a person’s inclusion and participation in all aspects of community life?
Principle 4: Respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human
diversity and humanity
• Does the proposal respect and recognise the equal value, worth and dignity of all people with
disability?
Principle 5: Equality of opportunity
• Does the proposal provide for people (including people facing multiple forms of discrimination) to be
treated fairly, including by taking positive actions to accommodate differences?
• Are there any barriers or processes in the proposal that unfairly limit people with disability from
achieving their goals?
58 Appendices
Principle 6: Accessibility
• Can people with disability access all aspects of the proposal, including the information, technology,
services and location?
• Have the principles of universal design been applied?
Principle 7: Equality of people
• Does the proposal support the full development, advancement, empowerment and equality of all
people irrespective of differences and identities, including in relation to gender, age, sexuality, race,
or cultural background?
• Has consideration been given to ensure policies/programs/services/systems are culturally safe
and appropriate?
Principle 8: Respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and respect for the right
of children with disabilities to preserve their identities
• Are children with disability being treated equally to children without disability?
• Is the best interest of the child a primary consideration?
• Are children with disability being given the opportunity to participate in decisions based on
their age and maturity, and on an equal basis with other children?
• Do children with disability have access to appropriate supports to make or participate in
making decisions?
The Guiding Principles and prompting questions aim to assist individuals and organisations to consider
whether their proposal upholds the rights of people with disability in accordance with the UN CRPD.
They do not exhaustively indicate when Australia’s obligations under the UN CRPD are being fulfilled.
As such, those using the Guiding Principles are encouraged to:
• look at the Guide to the Guiding Principles (available on the Strategy’s website by the end of 2022)
• reference general comments and statements noting they provide interpretive guidance to the
provisions of CRPD.
Appendix 6
Governance
The Governance Model for the Strategy consists of three main components:
• sources of input and advice that will feed into decisions on the operation of the Strategy
• the decision-making process that will provide direction and accountability
• the coordination of the governance process.
Sources of input and advice

As Australia’s disability policy framework, the Strategy will receive input and advice from a broad range
of sources:
• People with disability – are supported to have their say on the Strategy via a range of mechanisms
identified in the Engagement Plan, including the Advisory Council.
• Jurisdictional expert advice – for example, state and territory governments, disability advisory bodies,
ministerial advisory councils, human rights/anti-discrimination bodies, and input from local governments.
• Australian Human Rights Commission – in line with their role as the Australia’s National Human Rights
Institution for the protection and promotion of human rights.
• Australian Government agencies – a working group of Australian Government agencies discusses
implementation of the Strategy across the major Australian Government departments.
• Ad hoc input – a range of stakeholders are consulted on a regular basis, or when appropriate, to provide
topical and timely input on particular matters. Stakeholders could include people with disability, peak
bodies, service providers, Disability Representative Organisations, research bodies, data specialists etc.
The Engagement Plan includes periodic public consultations to ensure people with disability and their
representatives can have genuine, regular input.
Decision-making
Major decisions on the Strategy are approved by a forum comprising Australian Government, state and
territory disability ministers. Ministers are supported by their own government departments with
responsibility for disability matters in their jurisdiction.
Overall strategic oversight and direction for the Strategy is managed by a forum of Deputy Department
Heads from the Australian Government and state and territory government departments with responsibility
for disability matters.
General operational decisions around the implementation of the Strategy will be made by the Australian
Government with state and territory governments. Consultation and engagement with stakeholders will
guide these decisions. Australian Government ministerial approval will be sought where appropriate.
60 Appendices
All levels of government, businesses, communities and organisations are encouraged to implement the
Strategy in a way that aligns with the Guiding Principles and is appropriate to their circumstances and
stakeholders. This can be done through specific disability strategies and plans, while still reflecting the
vision and purpose of the Strategy.
The Advisory Council will periodically provide advice to disability ministers to ensure people with disability
have a direct line of advice to the top line of decision makers on matters related to the Strategy. As part of
this role, the Advisory Council will engage people with disability and the broader disability sector through
sub-groups and other initiatives outlined in the Strategy’s Engagement Plan.
Coordination
A Central Policy and Implementation Unit has been established to drive implementation of the Strategy and
manage the governance process. The unit is managed by the Australian Government.
As the success of the Strategy relies heavily on governments working together, states and territories are
responsible for ensuring communications between the Central Policy and Implementation Unit and their
governments are as streamlined and simple as possible.
Endnotes
1 Australian Human Rights Commission (2016) Willing to Work: national inquiry into employment discrimination against older
Australians and Australians with disability, p. 12.
2 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) (2020) People with Disability in Australia.
3 The Social Deck (2019) Right to opportunity: Consultation report to shape the next national disability strategy – Full Report.
4 Foundation for Young Australians (2020) The New Work Reality
5 Children and Young People with Disability Australia (2017) Submission to the Standing Committee on Employment, Education
and Training inquiry into school to work transition.
6 National Disability Services Centre for Applied Disability Research (2017) Research to action guide: effective school to
employment transitions for young people with disability – a rapid review of the literature.
7 Australian Bureau of Statistics (2019) Category 4430.0 – Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: summary of findings, 2018.
8 The Social Deck (2019) Right to opportunity: Consultation report to help shape the next national disability strategy – Full Report.
9 Senate Community Affairs References Committee (29 November 2017) Delivery of outcomes under the National Disability
Strategy 2010–2020 to build inclusive and accessible communities.
10 Aitken, Z. and Kavenagh, M. (12 May 2019) ‘Why housing is a major public health issue for Australians with disability’, Pursuit.
11 Australian Civil Society (2019) Disability rights now: shadow report to the United Nations Committee on the Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
12 Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (2016) ‘Addressing the housing needs of participants is critical to NDIS success’,
AHURI Research and Policy Bulletin No. 205.
13 Every Australian Counts (2015) A place I can proudly call home.
15 Australian Network for Universal Housing Design (2018) Report on the Survey on the provision of Livable housing design: the
costs and benefits to Australian society.
16 Australian Human Rights Commission (2020) Submission to National Disability Strategy Stage 2 public consultations.
18 Sports Australia (2021) AusPlay Focus: Australians’ participation in Summer Olympic and Paralympic sports, p. 32.
19 Sports Australia Foundation (2019) 2020-21 pre-budget submission, p. 3-4.
20 Australia Council for the Arts (2018) Arts and Disability: A Research Summary
https://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/research/arts-disability-research-summary/
21 Arthritis Australia (2017) Submission on the consultation draft of the Whole Journey Guide.
22 Senate Community Affairs References Committee (2017) Delivery of outcomes under the National Disability Strategy 2010-2020
to build inclusive and accessible communities.
23 Centre for Disability Research and Policy (2020) Submission to National Disability Strategy Stage 2 public consultations.
25 People With Disabilities Western Australia (2017) Submission to Senate inquiry into delivery of outcomes under the National
Disability Strategy 2010–2020, p. 6.
26 Self Help for Hard of Hearing (2017) Submission to Senate inquiry into delivery of outcomes under the National Disability
Strategy 2010–2020, p. 9.
27 Arthritis Australia (2017) Submission to the Whole Journey Guide.
28 Vision Australia (2016) Submission to NSW Transport and Customer Service Committee – operation of the Point to Point
Transport (Taxis and Hire Vehicles) Act, p. 3.
29 Disabled People’s Organisations Australia (2018) Submission to Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities
Issues Paper: Third Review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards), p. 4.
30 Australian Human Rights Commission (2019) Human Rights and Technology: Discussion Paper.
32 Public Interest Advocacy Centre (2017) Submission to Senate inquiry into delivery of outcomes under the National Disability
Strategy 2010–2020, p. 11.
34 Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (2020) Issues Paper: Rights and
Attitudes, https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au/publications/rights-and-attitudes
35 AIHW (2019) People with disability in Australia: in brief.
36 Blue Knot Foundation (2021) Information and resources for survivors, supporters and health professionals,
[online] Available at: https://www.blueknot.org.au/Resources/Information/Impacts-and-healing
37 Kezelman, C. (13 August 2020) New trauma guide to support people with disability [media release], Department of Social
Services, https://ministers.dss.gov.au/media-releases/6071
62 Appendices
38 Blue Knot Foundation. Kezelman, C. and Stavropoulos, P. (2018) Talking about Trauma: Guide to Conversations and Screening For
Health and Other Service Providers.
39 Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (2020) Interim Report.
40 Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (2020) Issues Paper: Criminal
Justice System, https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au/publications/criminal-justice-system
41 Wall, L. Higgins, D. and Hunter, C. (2016) Trauma-informed care in child/family welfare services, Child Family Community
Australia (CFCA) Paper No. 37.
42 Australian Human Rights Commission (2020) Respect@Work: sexual harassment national inquiry report (2020).
43 Maclean, M. Sims, S. Bower, C. Leonard, H. Stanley, F. O’Donnell, M. (2017) ‘Maltreatment risk among children with disabilities’,
Pediatrics, 139(4), doi:10.1542/peds.2016-1817.
44 Our Watch, Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) and VicHealth (2015) Change the story: a
shared framework for the primary prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia.
45 Senate Community Affairs References Committee (2015) Report: violence, abuse and neglect against people with disability in
institutional and residential settings, p. 59.
46 Women With Disabilities Australia (2014) Gender blind, gender neutral: the effectiveness of the National Disability Strategy in
improving the lives of women and girls with disabilities.
47 Commissioner for Children and Young People WA (2020), National Disability Strategy Stage 2 Public Consultation.
48 Australian Civil Society (2019) Disability rights now, p. 18.
49 AIHW (2019) People with disability in Australia.
51 Ibid.
52 Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (2020). Issues Paper: Rights and
attitudes.
53 Productivity Commission (30 June 2020) ‘Mental Health’, Productivity Commission Inquiry Report, 3(95).
54 Law Council of Australia (2018) ‘Part 1: People with Disability’, The Justice Project Final Report.
55 Australian Civil Society (2019) Disability rights now, p. 24.
56 AIHW (2019) The health of Australia’s prisoners 2018.
57 Law Council of Australia (2018) Part 1: People with Disability, p. 24.
58 Law Council of Australia (2018) Part 1: People with Disability, p. 18.
59 Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Network, and Juvenile Justice NSW (2017) 2015 Young People in Custody Health Survey:
Full Report, p. 39.
60 Australian Human Rights Commission (2014) Equal Before the Law: Towards Disability Justice, p. 29.
62 Ibid.
63 Disabled People’s Organisations Australia and the National Women’s Alliances (2019) The Status of Women and Girls with
Disability in Australia.
64 National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) (2020) What is the NDIS, https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/what-ndis
65 Queenslanders with Disability Network (2019) Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance
Scheme inquiry into NDIS planning.
66 Queensland Productivity Commission (2021) The NDIS market in Queensland - Final Report, p.viii.
68 Carers NSW (2015) Submission in relation to the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework.
69 Australian Bureau of Statistics (2018) Disability, Ageing and Carers.
70 Carers NSW (2015) Submission in relation to the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework.
71 Deloitte Access Economics (2020) The Value of Informal Care.
72 Callaway, L. and Layton, N. (2018) ARATA’s response to the ABCB Consultation on Housing Accessibility.
73 Australian Bureau of Statistics (2018) Disability, Ageing and Carers.
75 Motor Neurone Disease Foundation Australia (2018) submission to Assistive Technology Inquiry by the Joint Standing Committee
on the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
76 Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (2015) Better Systems, Better Chances.
77 AIHW (2020) Australia’s children, Web Report.
78 Australian Bureau of Statistics (2019) Disability, Ageing and Carers 2018.
79 AIHW (2020) Australia’s Children.
80 AIHW (2015) Disability in Australia: changes over time; and (2020) People with Disability in Australia.
81 Hall, S., Fildes, J., Liyanarachchi, D., Plummer, J., and Reynolds, M. (2020) Youth Disability Survey Report, Mission Australia.
83 Commonwealth of Australia (2016) Senate Education and Employment References Committee, ‘Access to real learning: the
impact of policy, funding and culture on students with disability’.
85 Robinson, S. and Truscott, J. (2014) ‘Belonging and connection of school students with disability: Issues paper’, Children and
Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA).
86 Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (2020) Education and Learning Issues
Paper.
87 National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education (2019) Equity Student Participation in Australian Higher Education:
Victoria University.
88 National Centre for Vocational Education Research (2019) Total VET Activity, Students and Courses, p. 11.
89 Children and Young People with Disability Australia (2020) The Review of Senior Secondary Pathways into Work, Further
Education and Training. Submission to the Education Council. Australia.
90 World Health Organization (2010) ‘Lifelong learning’, in Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) guidelines: education component.
91 National Centre for Vocational Education Research (2020) Total VET students and courses 2019, Databuilder, extracted 14 October 2020.
92 Ibid.
93 Adult Learning Australia (2020) Response to the Productivity Commission’s interim report: National Agreement for Skills and
Workforce Development review.
95 Health Performance Council South Australia (2020) Health outcomes and experiences for South Australians with disability.
96 Smith-Merry, J. (2016) Research to action guide: working collaboratively at the interface of health and disability services – Rapid
review, p. 3.
97 Trollor, J. (2019) University of NSW Presentation to 2 August 2019 roundtable on the health of people with intellectual disability:
Responding to the health needs of people with intellectual disability – from research to action in PHNs.
98 Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (2020) Public Hearing 4 – Health care
and services for people with cognitive disabilities.
100 Ibid.
101 Ibid.
102 Moore, T., and Oberklaid, F. (2010) ‘Investing in Early education and care: The Health and Wellbeing Case’, in International
Encyclopaedia of Education, 3rd edn, vol 2, Elsevier, doi:10.1016/B978-0-08-044894-7.01172-6.
103 Department of Health (2 August 2019) Roundtable on the Health of People with Intellectual Disability, Department of Health,
Australian Government.
105 Department of Health (2018) National Women’s Health Strategy 2020-2030.
106 Australian Bureau of Statistics (2020) General Social Survey: Summary of Results.
108 University of New South Wales, Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry (2014) Accessible Mental Health
Services for People with an Intellectual Disability: A Guide for Providers.
109 Deaf Victoria (2019) Submission to Royal Commission into Victoria’s mental health system.
110 Villeneuve, M. (2019) Increasing involvement of people with disability in Australia, Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience.
111 Women with Disabilities Australia, Disabled People’s Organisations Australia, & National Women’s Alliances (2019) The Status
of Women and Girls with Disability in Australia.
112 The Social Deck (2019) Right to opportunity: Consultation report to help shape the next national disability strategy – Full Report,
113 Australian Bureau of Statistics (2018) Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings,
https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/disability/disability-ageing-and-carers-australia-summary-findings/latest-release
115 Van Bueren, D., Elliott, S. and Tatarynowicz, R. (2017) Building Employer Demand Literature Review, Kantar Public, Report to the
Australian Government Department of Social Services.
116 Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (2018) Making it Easier for Small Business to employ people with disability.
117 University of Melbourne, and the Victorian State Department of Health and Human Services (2018) Changing Attitudes: Survey of
Community Attitudes toward People with Disability.
118 Screen Australia (5 June 2017) Screen Australia and the NSW Government announce Employable Me [media release],
Screen Australia, https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/sa/media-centre/news/2017/06-05-employable-me
119 Law Council of Australia (2018) Part 1: People with Disability.
121 Medical Board AHPRA (2020) Good medical practice: a code of conduct for doctors in Australia.
122 AIHW (2017) Access to health services by Australians with disability.
64 Appendices
123 Hampson, M., Watt, B., Hicks, R., Bode, A. and Hampson, E. (2017) Changing hearts and minds: The importance of formal
education in reducing stigma associated with mental health conditions, Health Education Journal, 77(2), pp. 198-211,
doi:10.1177/0017896917741327.
124 Commonwealth of Australia (2020) Final Report of the 2020 Review of the Disability Standards for Education 2005, Department
of Education, Skills and Employment, Canberra.
125 Office of the Public Advocate (2020) Submission to National Disability Strategy Stage 2 Public Consultation.
126 Centre of Research Excellence in Disability and Health (2020) Submission to National Disability Strategy Stage 2
Public Consultation.
132 Australian Bureau of Statistics (2020) Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings, 2018 - Disability and the
labour force.
133 Australian Bureau of Statistics (2019) National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey, 2018-19.

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Australia’s

Implementation—Delivering on the Outcome Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031 calls on all Australians to ensure

The Parties have confirmed their commitment to this

Signed for and on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia by

The Honourable Scott Morrison MP

The Honourable Dominic Perrottet MP The Honourable Daniel Andrews MLA

The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk MP The Honourable Mark McGowan MLA

The Honourable Steven Marshall MP The Honourable Peter Gutwein MP

Mr Andrew Barr MLA The Honourable Michael Gunner MLA

Signed for and on behalf of the Australian Local Government Association by

Councillor Linda Scott

• establishing the world-leading National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

For further information on the development of the Strategy refer to Appendix 1.

Vision and Purpose

The purpose of the Strategy is to:

• provide national leadership towards greater inclusion of people with disability

The Social Model of Disability

• Employment and Financial Security

Employment and Financial Security

Outcome: People with disability have economic

Inclusive Homes and Communities

Outcome: People with disability live in inclusive,

Having appropriate housing, and a community that is accessible and inclusive,

“Participants also described physically accessible design features as promoting a person’s

Safety, Rights and Justice

Outcome: The rights of people with disability

“[P]eople with intellectual disability are understood to be over-represented in prisons. [S]everal

Personal and Community Support

Outcome: People with disability have access

Education and Learning

Outcome: People with disability achieve their

Access to formal and informal education is critical to the development of skills,

“Undergraduate enrolments in Australian universities by students with disability rising from

Health and Wellbeing

Outcome: People with disability attain the

Outcome: Community attitudes support equality,

Building positive community attitudes towards people with disability is central to

Community attitudes and awareness of disability have improved in recent years.112

Recognising the importance of improving community attitudes on achieving the

The following key initiatives will facilitate this approach:

Intersectionality and Diversity

Roles and Responsibilities

Principle Two Non-discrimination

Principle Three Full and effective participation and inclusion in society

Principle Five Equality of opportunity

Principle Six Accessibility

Principle Seven Equality of people

Targeted Action Plans

Improving the Data

Reporting under the Strategy

Under the Strategy, governments are making a commitment to:

• publicly list planned policy, program and system evaluations

Building the Evidence Base

The Governance Model

Mechanisms to achieve this include:

Further detail on this Model is at Appendix 6.