All governments have reaffirmed their commitment to building a more inclusive Australia, where all people with disability can participate on an equal basis, through the release of the updated Australia's Disability Strategy 2021-2031.
As part of the joint response to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, Commonwealth and state and territory governments all accepted the Royal Commission's recommendation to review the Strategy.
During the review, people with disability, representative organisations and the Strategy's Advisory Council shared their important perspectives on how governments can continue to improve the everyday lives of people with disability through the Strategy's implementation.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said the updated Strategy reflects what matters most to the disability community and outlines a roadmap to deliver change.
"This updated Strategy introduces an additional policy priority focused on addressing homelessness, a commitment to a new Community Engagement Plan and three new Targeted Action Plans, which focus on building more inclusive homes and communities; improving the safety, rights and justice for people with disability; and changing community attitudes," Minister Rishworth said.
"These Targeted Action Plans set out the specific steps governments will take to drive change. For the first time, they also include a number of national actions that all governments will work on together, with the disability community, to ensure people with disability right across Australia experience the benefits.
"It remains important to all governments that our actions are guided by the voices and experiences of people with disability, and we have taken the opportunity to add new and updated evidence about the experiences of people with disability since the Strategy's launch in 2021."
Governments have also agreed to progress an Associated Plan under the Strategy, that will focus on making information and communications more accessible, including through the design and development of agreed standards.
"People with disability want greater and more diverse opportunities to take part in the decisions and design on matters that impact their lives, and we are committed to actively involving people with disability as we implement these changes," Minister Rishworth said.
The updated Strategy release is accompanied by several supporting documents, including:
- Three new Targeted Action Plans
- The Third Targeted Action Plans Report
- A revised Data Improvement Plan
- Guide to Applying Australia's Disability Strategy.
To learn more about the updated Strategy and supporting documents, visit disabilitygateway.gov.au/ads
