WA’s Disability Royal Commission roadmap focuses on collaboration with people with lived experience, sector engagement, and government support.
The Western Australian government has released its implementation roadmap for responding to the Disability Royal Commission’s recommendations. This comprehensive plan outlines the state’s approach to creating a more inclusive and accessible society for people with disability.
“The WA Government is committed to building a more inclusive Western Australia, where people with disability, and those who share their lives, are empowered to participate meaningfully and are safe,” stated Hon Don Punch MLA, Minister for Disability Services. “The Disability Royal Commission demonstrated that the status quo is unacceptable… We acknowledge that there is a lot of work to do to fully achieve this vision.”
The roadmap follows the government’s initial response to the Royal Commission in July 2024 and focuses on translating the accepted recommendations into tangible action. It details stakeholder engagement strategies, identifies responsible government agencies, outlines implementation phases, and highlights initial areas of focus.
“It is essential that this stage of WA’s response is delivered in partnership with people with disability,” the Minister emphasised. “That is why we are committed to consulting and designing these important reforms with people with disability, their families, carers and supporters.”
The plan addresses 132 recommendations applicable to WA out of the 222 put forward by the Royal Commission. Implementation of 52 recommendations is already underway, with work on others about to commence. The roadmap also outlines how the government will finalise its positions on the remaining 32 recommendations currently under further consideration.
Five guiding principles underpin the implementation process: valuing lived experience, integrating sector expertise, taking a whole-of-government approach, ensuring ongoing refinement and improvement, 1 and maintaining accountability. These principles emphasise collaboration, continuous improvement, and transparency.
“The framework for change proposed by the Disability Royal Commission is transformative and cuts across many service systems and government agencies,” Minister Punch acknowledged. “I want to acknowledge that implementing all the Disability Royal Commission recommendations will take time, careful planning, and significant consultation.”
The roadmap divides implementation into short-term (by June 2026), medium-term (by June 2029), and long-term (from July 2029 onwards) actions. Short-term priorities focus on areas such as improving conditions and supports within the justice system, enhancing inclusive access to education, increasing workforce participation opportunities, boosting health system capacity, strengthening governance processes, improving access to housing, enhancing NDIS supports, and strengthening safeguarding measures.
A key element of the roadmap is the commitment to engaging people with lived experience throughout the implementation process. A Lived Experience Advisory Panel has been established, and the government will also consult with existing stakeholder groups, including the Ministerial Advisory Council on Disability, the Disability Services Commission Board, and various advocacy organisations.
“The WA Government is committed to an inclusive and collaborative environment where the voices of people with disability, their families and carers are heard and valued,” the roadmap states. “This must remain at the forefront of implementation.”
The Department of Communities will coordinate the whole-of-government effort, working with various agencies and collaborating with the Commonwealth and other states and territories. The roadmap acknowledges the scale of the task and the need for ongoing collaboration and commitment to achieve meaningful and lasting change for people with disability in Western Australia. The government has committed to developing a position for all recommendations requiring further consideration in 2025. Progress will be tracked and publicly reported.
Also read: Disability Strategy updated: A unified approach to inclusion
Milton writes as both an occupation and a hazard. He also works on the newsletters you see on Tuesday and Thursday with articles you should find interesting.
Trending 
Popular
