Inclusion Australia says the Government’s response to the Disability Royal Commission’s recommendations is underwhelming.
“We learned that just 13 of the Royal Commission’s 222 recommendations have been accepted in full by the Australian government, after more than 4-and-a-half years of work by the Commission, and more than 9 months’ waiting for the government response,” said Inclusion Australia CEO Catherine McAlpine.
“Today is a frustrating day for people with an intellectual disability in Australia.”
According to McAlpine, people with an intellectual disability are the most heavily impacted and disproportionately harmed by the current state of segregation in Australia – something the Royal Commission was at pains to address.
“Key recommendations by the Royal Commission including raising subminimum wages and reforms to supported employment and group homes have all been marked ‘subject to further consideration’ by the government,” added McAlpine.
“The recommendation to phase out segregated education was noted.”
“Had these, and other similar recommendations been accepted in full, Australia would have taken a big leap forward toward inclusion today.”
McAlpine added that it’s heartening to see the government investing to address negative community attitudes towards people with disability.
“However, research shows time and again that the best way to address negative community attitudes towards people with disability is through direct contact.”
“When you segregate children at age 5 by separating students with an intellectual disability from their age peers, it’s no surprise that negative attitudes develop that need to be addressed in the future.”
According to the CEO, the new investment announced by the government is around $83 million. Other funding had already been announced in the May budget. This previous funding was, of course, very welcome.
“We wrongly believed it was a prelude for more major reform to come today, however, it turned out to be the main event.”
“Inclusion Australia will now take the time to reflect on the government response, and we will continue to engage with government to advocate for all people with an intellectual disability to drive the level of change we deserve,” added McAlpine.
Related: AMES Australia welcomes the Government’s response to Disability Royal Commission