Australia’s Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability is seeking to hear from people with disability following the release of its issues paper on ‘Promoting Inclusion’.
The responses and ideas of their representative organisations and the wider community, including government and non-government organisations also is being sought.
The issues paper acknowledges that people with disability continue to experience exclusion and segregation and promoting an inclusive society in Australia is a continuing challenge.
“We understand that people with disability face barriers to inclusion which can result in them being excluded or prevented from participating in society on an equal basis to others,” the Royal Commission said.
“We have heard how these barriers, across all areas of life, may impact on their independence and right to live free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.”
Negative attitudes, discrimination or prejudice, poor recognition and respect for autonomy and independence as well as lack of appropriate and inclusive supports can adversely affect people with disability.
It can lead to people with disability feeling like they do not belong or are not valued as equal members of society and it can create an environment where violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation can flourish.
Barriers are heightened and unique for First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse people with disability, women and girls with disability, and LGBTIQ+ people with disability.
The Royal Commission continues to seek the opinions of all Australians to help it understand the barriers to inclusion for people with disability and to develop solutions on how to tackle those barriers to make society inclusive for all.
It is asking for responses to several questions, including:
- What inclusion means and what makes an inclusive society
- How an inclusive society can support the choice and control of people with disability, and
- The barriers and challenges to an inclusive society for people with disability.
- Practical and sustainable steps government and non-government organisations can take to promote an inclusive society, and
The Royal Commission’s ‘Promoting Inclusion’ issues paper has been published on its website and people with disability and organisations can respond in writing, by phoning or by submitting an audio or video recording.
Submissions can be made in any language at DRCEnquiries@royalcommission.gov.au
