The Strategy in review

I'm Dane spring and I'm proud to be chair of Australia's disability strategies advisory Council. The strategy we call ADS.

I'm speaking to you from the land of the Gayle people and as you can probably see from beautiful Manly Beach.

We live in a great country that's striving to make our society inclusive so that all people with ability can participate in an equal basis. We've made a lot of progress towards this Vision, but there's still much that needs to be done.

Around 5.2 million people with disability live in Australia, that's actually one in five of us, Many people with disability experience barriers around things that other people may take for granted. Like having the opportunity to study, engage in meaningful work and earn a decent income.

Being able to access local community facilities. Be included in the community and treated with respect and being safe and free from violence abuse neglect and exploitation.

Australia disability strategy sets a vision and 32 policy priorities to help change that over the course of this decade. It's founded in a shared commitment of the Australian State and territory and local governments to work together with people with disability.

Businesse,s employers, Community organisations, service providers and the broader public to make communities across Australia inclusive, accessible and safe for everyone.

ADS focuses in areas that people with disability have identified as most to them it plays an important role in protecting promoting and realising the human rights of people with disability in line with Australia's commitments under the United Nations conventions on the rights of persons with disabilities.
 

During 2024, the Review looked at how we could update Australia's Disability Strategy to bring it to life and accelerate change.

Through the Review, people with disability have reflected that governments need to better collaborate at a national level to drive change in a range of areas.

Like improved access to secure housing that meets the needs of people with disability. Action to reduce homelessness. Increased community understanding about disability and the rights of people with disability, and ensuring that all government information and communication is presented in ways that people with disability can access and understand.

And of course, making early childhood schools and higher education inclusive for all people with disability. People with disability want more opportunities for participation and different ways to take part in decisions and co-design on matters that impact our lives.

We've also heard that people expect Australia's Disability Strategy reporting to change, to support better government accountability, and also heard about the importance of recognising the different intersectional experiences of people with disability in everything that we do.

Governments have considered what was heard and released a refreshed Australia's Disability Strategy.

Some of the key differences that you will see are; a commitment from governments to improving coordination and accountability across all levels of government, and links to where you can find the key documents and the reports about progress from the last 3 years.

New and updated evidence about the experiences of people with disability. We've heard a lot from community and want to reflect that we know so much more now and have been listening. There's a new priority action on addressing homelessness.

A new infographic is included to demonstrate how the strategy and all the different parts work together. Governments have committed to implementing 3 new targeted action plans over the next three years, focussed on building more inclusive homes and communities, improving safety, rights and justice, and a continued focus on changing community attitudes. Governments have also agreed to an associated plan to ensure information and communication are accessible.

Other key plans that progress the work of the strategy, like the state and territory disability plans, have also been referenced in the refreshed Australia’s Disability Strategy. Australia’s Disability Strategy Advisory Council is committed to holding governments to account to ensure that the strategy doesn't just talk about change, but it provides a roadmap that delivers change.

We'll be monitoring how Australia’s Disability Strategy policy priorities are being progressed and the outcomes that are being achieved. And as a community, we all have a role to play in contributing to an inclusive Australia.

The community needs to maintain momentum and continue to drive reform and change until this vision becomes a reality.