The Final report makes 222 recommendations about what changes are needed to ensure we live in a more inclusive and just society that supports the independence of people with disability and their right to live free from violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
While most of the recommendations are directed to the Australian Government, some are directed to state and territory governments. Other recommendations are directed to non-government agencies, such as service providers and professional associations responsible for training in disability and related health areas.
In summary, the Commission findings are:
- Recommendation that an Australian Disability Rights Act be introduced to strengthen protection of the rights of people with disability. We also recommend existing legislation be amended to promote equality and enhance the right of people with disability to live free from discrimination.
- Acknowledgement that people with disability can face barriers to accessing and interacting with information, products, facilities, and services. Propose reforms to address these barriers, including increased access to skilled interpreters. We also consider how to improve access to quality health care for people with disability, particularly people with cognitive disability.
- While Commissioners have differing views about whether education, employment and housing settings that are exclusively for people with disability should be phased out over time, they are unanimous as to the critical measures needed to bring about a more inclusive society that supports the independence of people with disability and their right to live free from violence, abuse neglect and exploitation.
- Recommendations to increase housing accessibility and security and improve responses to chronic homelessness for people with disability.
- For people with disability who are victims of crimes, alternative reporting pathways and approaches are needed to improve police response.
- People with disability, especially women, experience more family and domestic violence compared with people without disability. Violence against women with disability is often inadequately addressed in relevant policy, law, and practice.
- Reforms are also needed to address the over-representation of First Nations people with disability in the child protection system and the criminal justice system.
- Examined the need for the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission to strengthen its regulation and oversight of NDIS-funded disability services. This is critical in preventing and responding to violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation of people with disability using these services.
- Recommended nationally consistent reportable conduct schemes should operate in all states and territories to help prevent and respond to abuse against all children, including children with disability. These schemes should include disability service providers working with children.
