18 January, 2024
DSA review of whether the Disability Royal Commission Recommendations meet our ‘Advocacy Asks’
We have shared our initial thoughts on the Disability Royal Commission Final Report with the Australian Government’s Department of Social Services through their consultation process. Our review document focuses on how the DRC recommendations align with our Advocacy Asks in Prenatal screening, Health, NDIS, Education, Employment and Migration. It provides examples of how we have and will continue to advocate for change in these areas.
Read our submission in full here.
Read a summary here.
The final report from the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability was released in September 2023. The report includes 222 recommendations, which require ongoing advocacy. These recommendations are aimed at improving laws, policies and processes to ensure a society that supports the independence of people with disability and their right to live free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
DSA will work with other Disability Representative Organisations (DROs) to advocate for broad disability reforms recommended throughout the report including:
- The introduction of an Australian Disability Rights Act
- Establishment of a National Disability Commission
- Strengthening the Disability Discrimination Act (1992).
Several other recommendations in the DRC Report are beyond our Advocacy Asks but are of significant importance to people with Down syndrome. We will also advocate in these areas:
- Recommendation 6.6 Supported decision-making principles relating to Guardianship laws
- Recommendation 7.43 and 7.44 regarding phasing out of group homes
- Recommendation 10.10 Provider of last resort scheme.
Our advocacy work will also cover inclusive easy to understand information and changing community attitudes in line with our Submission to the Royal Commission on Rights and Attitudes.
What’s next
We will work closely with the Australian Government, other Disability Representative Organisations, our member organisations and our community to ensure the recommendations are implemented in line with our Advocacy Asks.
For more information contact DSA’s Senior Advocate Rachel.Spencer@downsyndrome.org.au.