Senate Committee recommends whole of Government approach to disability - advocacy crucial

Last week the Senate Committee on Community Affairs handed down its report on delivery of outcomes under the National Disability Strategy 2010-2020. The Strategy is a whole of Government response to building communities that are accessible and inclusive to people with disability, covering areas such as the built environment and transport, rights protection, and health and wellbeing. 

Last week the Senate Committee on Community Affairs handed down its report on delivery of outcomes under the National Disability Strategy 2010-2020. The Strategy is a whole of Government response to building communities that are accessible and inclusive to people with disability, covering areas such as the built environment and transport, rights protection, and health and wellbeing. 

The Committee emphasised that if outcomes under the Strategy are to be achieved, a whole of Government approach and extensive involvement of people with disability are critical. The Committee acknowledged submissions made by NCOSS and the Disability Network Forum highlighting the crucial role of advocacy organisations as consultative fora, through which the perspectives of people with disability can be reflective in policy and practise. 

We endorse the key findings of the Committee relating to increased funding for advocacy organisations and the establishment of an Office of Disability Strategy under the Disability Reform Council. We urge the NSW Government to adopt a similar centralised approach to disability, and to fund disability advocacy and information organisations, so that NSW can fulfil its obligations under this Strategy. 

View the Committee’s report
View Disability Network Forum's submission to inquiry