Commissioner outlines priority areas for people with disability

To mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December 2017, the Disability Discrimination Commissioner Alastair McEwin has released Working Towards Equality for People with Disability, which outlines the priority areas for his term.

Commissioner McEwin says: "I have spoken to many people with disability in Australia about their lives and the changes they need. Based on what I have been told, I have developed a list of big issues I will focus on to improve the lives of people with disability over the next four years."

These issues include: employment; education; housing; the criminal justice system; implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS); and violence.

During 2016 and 2017, Commissioner McEwin held consultations in every capital city and some regional areas.

"It was clear from my consultations that there are many issues facing people with disability in Australia today. Among the biggest of these issues are ones such as housing and education," he said.

"We want to see people with disability live in our communities where they like and with whom they like. To achieve this, I will work with government and community stakeholders to encourage government to pass new laws so that new housing is accessible to people with disability. I will also advocate for choice and support for people with disability to live in accessible housing in the community.

"I also want to see people with disability have access to quality education on an equal basis with other people. I will therefore advocate for the importance of inclusive education for people with disability. This will include increasing awareness in schools and educational settings of the Disability Standards for Education."

Date: 3 December 2017

Source: Australian Human Rights Commission