• Council of Australian Governments

Read the full text

Image: easystand / flickr

24 February 2011The National Disability Strategy sets out a ten year national plan for improving life for Australians with disability, their families and carers. The Strategy draws on the findings of extensive consultation conducted in 2008-09 by the National People with Disabilities and Carer Council and reported in Shut Out: The Experience of People with Disabilities and their Families in Australia (2009).

• "People with disabilities want to bring about a transformation of their lives. They want their human rights recognised and realised. They want the things that everyone else in the community takes for granted. They want somewhere to live, a job, better health care, a good education, a chance to enjoy the company of friends and family, to go to the footy and to go to the movies. They want the chance to participate meaningfully in the life of the community. And they are hopeful. They desire change and they want others in the community to share their vision. They recognise that governments cannot work in isolation and they want others to see the benefits of building more inclusive communities" (Shut Out, 2009).

The Commonwealth, State and Territory governments have developed this Strategy in partnership under the auspices of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). The Australian Local Government Association has assisted in the development of the Strategy and there will be a strong role for local governments in its implementation. The shared vision is for an inclusive Australian society that enables people with disability to fulfil their potential as equal citizens.

Each level of government has specific roles and responsibilities across the range of policies and programs that impact on people with disability, their families and carers. The Strategy does not change the nature of these roles and responsibilities, but seeks to create a more cohesive approach across all governments.

The purpose of the National Disability Strategy is to:

• establish a high level policy framework to give coherence to, and guide government activity across mainstream and disability-specific areas of public policy
• drive improved performance of mainstream services in delivering outcomes for people with disability
• give visibility to disability issues and ensure they are included in the development and implementation of all public policy that impacts on people with disability
• provide national leadership toward greater inclusion of people with disability.

Image: easystand / flickr