Disability Royal Commission Interim Report
“What is happening to people is not okay and the stories need to be told.” –
Royal Commission Chair Ronald Sackville AO QC
The Disability Royal Commission (DRC) is investigating ways to prevent, and protect Australians with disability from, experiences of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Through hearing the experiences of people with disability, their families, friends and allies, the DRC will make recommendations about how to improve laws, policies, structures, and practices to ensure a more inclusive and just society. The DRC will run for three years, from 2019 to 2022.
Detailing the first 15 months of the DRC, the interim report shows that the 4.4 million Australians with disability are experiencing a range of barriers to achieving inclusion within Australian society.
Much more needs to be done to ensure the human rights of people with disability are respected and that Australia becomes a truly inclusive society.
People with disability are experiencing mistreatment all aspects of their lives. This includes in education, health care and justice settings, and in their homes, workplaces, and communities.
The report details the experiences of many people with disability as well as the reasons they are exposed to violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Key Themes
Chapter 17 of the report discusses the following key areas that are particularly important to the independence and rights of people with disability.
- choice and control
- attitudes towards disability
- segregation and exclusion
- restrictive practices
- access to services and supports
- advocacy and representation
- oversight and complaints
- data
- funding.
Chapter 18 is dedicated to the unique experiences of First Nations people with disability. In 2018-19, 306,100 First Nations people had a disability, representing 38 per cent of the First Nations population (Australian Bureau of Statistics National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey).
You can access the summary and full report including an easy read and Auslan summary here.
Free Disability Counselling and Support
We provide free support for people living with disability who have experienced violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation and those affected by the Disability Royal Commission.
To contact us:
- Phone 1 800 317 387 (for the cost of a local call)
- Email [email protected]