29 September 2023
DSA back Commission recommendation to end segregated employment and education
DSA is disappointed that there was a split in the Commissioners recommendations to end segregated education and employment given the evidence before the Commission, that is backed by international research. DSA calls on the Government to adopt strong support for the recommendations aimed at ending segregated settings in employment and education.
Down Syndrome Australia supports the call from Commissioners Bennett, Galbally, Mason and McEwin in recommendation 7.32 – calling for the creation for a National Inclusive Employment Roadmap that will end segregated workplaces and a need to ensure people with disability receive a liveable and minimum wage by 2034.
“Right now people with disability are working in isolation from the community and being paid a pittance at $3 an hour. It is time to transform our system and end separate workplaces so that people with Down syndrome, and people with disability, can be socially and economically included. That’s the future of Australia” said Darryl Steff, CEO of Down Syndrome Australia.
Down Syndrome Australia also supports recommendation 7.14 that calls for an end to special schools which create an isolated education experience for many people with disability. DSA suggests that a tighter timeline than the suggested year of 2051 should be set.
“The Royal Commission has shown that segregation is a form of discrimination that is harmful and must end. The first major steps Australian Governments can commit to is ending the harmful separation of people with disability in classrooms and workplaces.
“Unlike many other forms of disability, people with Down syndrome still face segregation today within education, housing and employment. The report clearly shows the harm this creates. If we are to end discrimination against people with disability, the Government must act to end segregation. That can start with a commitment to end separate workplaces, and special schools” 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) has delivered its final report today. 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