Canberrans living with disability will have greater support after the National Cabinet approved the Management and Operational Plan for People with Disability. The plan provides guidance on a range of factors that need to be considered in managing and preventing the transmission of COVID-19 for people with disability.
Minister for Disability, Suzanne Orr said that the ACT Government recognises the substantial impact of COVID-19 on people with disability and disability service providers.
"We know that people with disability have specific needs and support that cannot be addressed without a direct, targeted plan. That's why it was so crucial for both health and disability sectors to work out this strategy, to make sure that essential services continue uninterrupted during this period," Minister Orr said.
"The ACT Government worked with state, territory and Commonwealth governments on this plan to ensure that the unique needs of each jurisdiction are met. We will continue to work with our interstate and Commonwealth partners to ensure that the plan is implemented in consultation with Canberrans living with disability, their carers and support providers.
"As a Human Rights jurisdiction, I am also pleased that the Plan reflects the Government's commitment to upholding the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the National Disability Strategy 2010-2020.
The ACT Government welcomes the plan that was formulated under the Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and endorsed by National Cabinet on Thursday 16 April 2020.
The plan will be reviewed and updated throughout the COVID-19 emergency and in line with the Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Coronavirus.
"This plan reflects a recognition by all Australian governments that people with disability are particularly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, whether through service disruption or because they are at risk of poor outcomes from the disease due to underlying health conditions," said ACT Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith.
"This highlights the importance of ensuring that people with disability and their families and carers have equitable access to health care during the outbreak, including accessible physical and mental health services and ongoing access to essential supports."
Emergency funding has also been provided to the NDIS, as part of a broader community support package to ensure community services have the resources they need to support people with disability.
"We recognise the investment by the National Disability Insurance Scheme to support people with disability during this period," Minister Orr said.
"The ACT Government however recognises that an ACT specific plan is required, and we are currently developing an ACT Disability COVID-19 Strategy to address some of the local issues not covered in the national plan."
"This strategy will support not only NDIS participants but recognises that all people with disability will be impacted by COVID-19."
