The Albanese Labor Government is championing the rights and freedoms of people with disability and has doubled systemic disability advocacy funding over the next four years.
Eleven Disability Representative Organisations will receive $10.6 million in funding over the next two years, with further allocations to follow, delivering on a key Albanese Government election commitment.
Disability Representative Organisations receiving the grants will be working alongside the Government to promote equality and accessibility, ensuring the views and experiences of people with disability are heard.
The funding reflects the Government's dedication to addressing violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation of people with disability which was the focus of the recently concluded Disability Royal Commission.
For the first time the Government will fund dedicated Disability Representative Organisations for Autism, psychosocial disability, physical disability and people with chromosomal variations, as well as specific funding to represent LBTQIA+ people with disability.
Disability Representative Organisations assist people with disability to access the support they need to participate fully in their communities through advocating for government systems and services are made more accessible.
The funding for this program reflects the Government's ongoing work to meet responsibilities under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Organisations receiving the grants represent a range of groups that recognise the diversity of people with disability. This includes organisations representing all people with disability, people with disability who are subject to multiple or aggravated forms of discrimination on the basis of protected attributes, and people with physical, intellectual, sensory or psychosocial disability.
Organisations were able to apply for the competitive grant round last year, with the below successful applicants chosen:
- People with Disability Australia, representing all people with disability and LGBTIQA+ people with disability
- First Peoples Disability Network, representing First Nations people with disability
- National Ethnic Disability Alliance, representing culturally and linguistically diverse people with disability
- Women with Disabilities Australia, representing women and girls with disability
- Children and Young People with Disability Australia, representing children and young people with disability
- Australian Federation of Disability Organisations, representing all people with disability and people with sensory disability
- Inclusion Australia, representing people with intellectual disability
- Down Syndrome Australia, representing people with intellectual disability, with a focus on chromosomal variations
- Physical Disability Australia, representing people with physical disability
- Autism Alliance National, representing people with disability, with a focus on autism
- Community Mental Health Australia, representing people with psychosocial disability
Disability Advocacy Network Australia will now be funded in their own right as a peak for the individual advocacy sector. In this capacity, DANA will continue to be recognised as a Disability Representative Organisation to deliver systemic advocacy through representing people who engage with individual disability advocacy supports.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said ensuring the rights and freedoms of the one in six Australians living with disability was at the centre of the Government's efforts is paramount.
"The rights of people with disability must be maintained and valued, and people with disability deserve to have a say on the policies and programs that affect their lives," said Minister Rishworth.
"By doubling funding towards systemic advocacy and supporting DROs to promote disability rights, the Government is taking strides towards ensuring every person with disability can live their life with freedom and dignity and their perspectives are included."
