Disability Royal Commission a wake-up call: Govt must end separate classrooms and workplaces
28 September 2023
People with Down syndrome and intellectual disability in Australia experience discrimination through being segregated: often working, learning and living apart from the broader community.
Down Syndrome Australia (DSA) expect the report to highlight the worrying rates of violence and abuse which are a clear and unsettling forms of discrimination. But discrimination can also be quiet and hidden, with the segregation of people with disability one of the strongest forms of discrimination.
“Unlike many other forms of disability, people with Down syndrome still face segregation today within education, housing and employment. We expect the Royal Commission report will show that segregation is a form of discrimination that is harmful for people with disability and must end. Australian Governments must listen to the Commission and end the segregation and isolation so many people experience.” said Darryl Steff, CEO of Down Syndrome Australia.
The findings of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability will be publicly released tomorrow and is expected to highlight that continued segregation of people with disability creates the environment for violence, abuse and neglect.
“The Commission has reported [1] that people with disability that attend special schools, away from their peers, are less likely to transition to any form of employment. By separating people with disability in schools, they not only experience discrimination, but we are setting them up for a lifetime of isolation.” said Mr Steff.
“Down Syndrome Australia is concerned that creating separate settings for employment has led to the exploitation of people with intellectual disability. In Australia, right now, people are being paid less than $3 an hour, or rates substantially below the minimum wage or poverty line.”
“We need Australian Governments to commit to ending segregation in classrooms and workplaces, and pay a fair wage, so that people with disability can participate fully in the community. This commitment must be matched with a plan to phase out special schools and Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs) who are failing to transition people to mainstream work or provide them a liveable wage.” said Mr Steff.
Background:
Down Syndrome Australia’s (DSA) vision is to ensure people living with Down syndrome are valued and have full access to social and economic inclusion in order to achieve their full potential. DSA is the national voice for people with Down syndrome and their families, and we work through our member organisations across Australia to provide a range of supports and services.
The Disability Royal Commission (DRC) will deliver its final report to the Governor-General on Thursday 28th September 2023. The DRC has been running for four and a half years. It has held 32 major hearings, received almost 8000 submissions, held 1785 private sessions, and published a number of reports.
Media Contact:
Email contact: media@downsyndrome.org.au