But Ms Sayers argues separating students into mainstream and special schools is “a form of segregation”, as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. “We need to be transforming our education system so that all students are included alongside their non-disabled peers in education,” she said.
Testimony to the disability royal commission this week described a culture in which people were “seen as a dollar figure” and in which management and staff did not report serious incidents.
Proud Indigenous man Thomas Marks tells his story of being Stolen Gen, incarceration and turning his life around through art. This is his story told in his own words for the Disability Royal Commission.
The family of a young disabled man abused by a carer has never received an apology or compensation from the service provider, a royal commission has been told.
The woman, known as Chloe, gave evidence to the disability royal commission that she was repeatedly raped by the man, and later fell pregnant. She told the DRC she “nearly died” and lost her baby in one of the attacks in 2016.
A barista course aimed at people with disability that allegedly lacked basic equipment and had no specific training manuals was established using a $300,000 federal government grant, an inquiry has heard.
Life Without Barriers chief executive Claire Robbs began her evidence by publicly apologising to the resident – known by the pseudonym Sophie – but said she did not escalate the incident to board level as it did not occur while in the organisation’s care.
One of Australia’s largest national disability insurance scheme providers has apologised to the residents of two troubled group homes after allegations of violence, abuse and neglect were aired at an inquiry. Life Without Barriers charged residents at a Victoria home a substantial proportion of their disability pension for “rent” despite the property being leased on a peppercorn deal of $1 a month.
A woman with cerebral palsy was sexually assaulted in a public park after her disability accommodation provider refused to let her meet her date in her own home, the disability royal commission has heard.
This research report is about the disability rights movement and the history of disability activism and advocacy in Australia. It highlights how hard people with disability, advocates and activists have fought for the same rights as others, and to gain the protections offered by equality, inclusion and justice. It also reminds us of how important the outcomes of the Royal Commission will be for hundreds of thousands of Australians with disability.
This overview summarises the responses to the Promoting inclusion Issues paper that was released in December 2020. It outlines what should be done to promote a more inclusive society that supports the independence of people with disability and their right to live free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Alarming statistics about the violence and abuse experienced by women and girls with disability have been laid bare for a Commonwealth inquiry, including increased reports of strangulation during the pandemic.
This factsheet provides information about the new legislative protections for people giving confidential information to the Disability Royal Commission. It explains what the changes are, how they apply and how Your Story Disability Legal Support can help.
Respondents proposed a raft of changes for the Royal Commission to consider including The lack of focus on prevention of abuse and neglect of people with disability and the need to identify the factors that potentially place individuals at higher risk of abuse. The importance of creating a service culture amongst disability service providers and support workers that respects human rights and does not tolerate violence or other abuses was also highlighted.
Legislation has passed the Australian parliament today to protect confidential information provided to a Royal Commission beyond the life of the Royal Commission. Chair of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, the Hon Ronald Sackville AO QC, has welcomed the passage of the Royal Commissions Amendment (Protection of Information) Bill 2021.