Inclusion — the key to addressing the issues highlighted by the Disability Royal Commission.
The Disability Royal Commission has highlighted the experiences of violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation of people with disabilities in Australia.
The Disability Royal Commission commenced in 2019, running for four and a half years. Through that time, many stories have been highlighted, including:
Common occurrences of verbal and physical abuse in public and online spaces.
Employees with disabilities are being underpaid in ADEs.
Abuse of people with disabilities in group homes.
Domestic violence and family abuse of people with disabilities.
Homelessness and inadequate housing for people with disabilities.
Sexual assault of women with disabilities.
The neglect of people with disabilities in the healthcare system.
The reproductive violence of women with disabilities.
And these are only some of the 10,000 stories the Disability Royal Commission heard.
From the outset, the Disability Royal Commission’s purpose has been to hear the stories and make recommendations to the government to stop violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disabilities by making Australia an inclusive place for people with disabilities. The stories heard can all be prevented from repeating in the future by building an inclusive society where people with disabilities are not hidden from the mainstream in segregated settings. An inclusive Australia where people with disabilities are seen in the media, in public, in workplaces, in leadership positions, on boards advising about issues that impact us, and having equal access to the same choices, freedoms and opportunities as everyone else.
People with disabilities have shared our stories, now it’s time for action to be taken towards inclusion. Now every Australian has a part to play.
