Consultation Underway for The National Disability Strategy

The National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 is about creating a more inclusive society that enables Australians with disability to fulfil their potential as equal citizens.It is also the main way Australia implements the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Australia, making sure people with disability can participate in all areas of Australian life.The Strategy is a shared commitment by all governments to work together to improve the lives of Australians with disability by guiding governments and other organisations to build the wellbeing of people with disability and their carers.

Help us shape the next national disability strategy

At the end of 2020 the Strategy will end and governments across Australia are working together to develop a new strategy for beyond 2020.

There has been a lot of change to disability policy and service delivery since the current Strategy started in 2011. A recent independent review has shown that many parts of the current strategy are working well and the Strategy’s overall principles and goals are valuable and important, however the review also showed there are still areas for improvement, particularly on how the strategy is implemented.

We need to make sure a new strategy reflects the changing policy environment and builds on opportunities available today as well as what may emerge over the next decade, this includes considering the findings from the Productivity Commission’s Review of the National Disability Agreement.

From April, the Australian community is invited to take part in national consultation to shape the future of disability policy for 2020 and beyond.

Consultation will ensure people with disability are at the centre of the design of the new strategy and have a leading role in modernising policies and programs affecting their lives.

Visit the Overview of the Strategy to read about the National Disability Strategy, how you can be involved and the topics we would like to hear from you about.

How can you be involved?

The first stage of consultation takes place between April and June 2019.

There will be a range of options available to ensure you can have a say. Importantly, all consultation will be accessible to people will disability.

You can have your say through:

a public survey (available from mid-April)
face-to-face community workshops in every state and territory (beginning 29 April)
and online forum (beginning from mid-May).

Visit the Fact Sheet, Easy Read Fact Sheet or Frequently Asked Questions for more information about the consultations.

Public survey

A public survey is available for you to have your say without having to attend a workshop. It has questions about your views on:

The attitudes of people towards disability
What things are still issues or barriers for people with disability and what has improved
What is important to make a national disability strategy work well.

The survey is available in an online version, an interactive Easy Read PDF version, and will shortly be available in an Auslan video version.

Attend a face-to-face community workshop

If you would like to attend a face-to-face community workshop in one of the following locations between April and June 2019, please register your interest. We will then be in touch to provide you with further details on dates, times and venues as they become available.

Face-to-face consultations will be held in all capital cities as well as:

Townsville (QLD)
Newcastle (NSW)
Devonport (TAS)
Geelong (VIC)
Berri (SA)
Alice Springs (NT).

Consultations will be accessible. Please ensure you provide details in the registration form of any adjustments or special requirements you might need to attend a forum.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community consultation

Community consultations are being held to allow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to have their say in culturally appropriate and safe spaces. Consultations are being organised through the First Peoples Disability Network and are being led directly by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander local communities. For more information on event locations, times and other details please visit the First Peoples Disability Network website.