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We’ve prepared a discussion paper on the review. It gives you an overview of each part of the Act.
The Disability Inclusion Act 2014 (NSW) (the Act) started on 3 December 2014 – International Day of People with Disability. The Act replaced the previous Disability Services Act 1993.
We (NSW Department of Communities and Justice) are reviewing the Act on behalf of the Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services, the Hon. Gareth Ward MP.
We are reviewing the Act to make sure it has achieved what it set out to do. The review will also look at what needs to be changed to bring it up-to-date. The Act promotes the inclusion and participation of people with disability in the community in a number of ways. Currently it:
The NSW Ageing and Disability Commissioner has a vision for every older person and adult with disability in this state. The Commissioner wants them to feel safe, respected and dignified in their home, and in the community.
The Commissioner will work closely with other government and non-government services to better protect older people and adults with disability. Especially from abuse, neglect and exploitation from someone they know. This could be from a friend, family member, neighbour or someone in the community.
The NSW Ageing and Disability Commission has just completed a review of disability advocacy across the state. This was conducted to better understand the purpose, functions and future funding needs of the sector. The report, and a summary of the new Disability Advocacy Futures Program, are available on the NSW Ageing and Disability Commission website.
People with disability face barriers to full inclusion in social and economic life. Increasing the representation of people with disability in the NSW public sector, and maximising opportunities for workforce participation, will mean more people with disability will be accessing employment opportunities and the financial and other benefits that come with this.
That is why NSW remains committed to increasing the representation of people with disability in the NSW public sector.
The NSW Government plays an important role in shaping the culture of teams and workplaces. We need to encourage full participation from people with disability in our workforce and to retain staff who may acquire a disability during their employment.
NSW is responsible for the restrictive practices authorisation process for National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) registered providers operating in NSW and has recently developed a Restrictive Practices Authorisation Policy and the Restrictive Practices Authorisation Procedural Guide, to inform providers in NSW of their responsibilities regarding obtaining authorisation for the use of restrictive practices.
Information sessions have been held across NSW regarding the quality, safeguarding and reporting arrangements in place since 1 July 2018.
NSW Government funding for specialist disability services is now provided through the NDIS for individual supports for people with disability.
On 25 May 2018, the Commonwealth and NSW governments entered into a Bilateral Agreement on the NDIS. The transition to the full scheme in NSW occurred in two stages from July 2016 to June 2018. The full scheme started in NSW in July 2018.
ILC is all about inclusion – it’s about creating connections between people with disability and the communities they live in. Unlike the rest of the NDIS, ILC doesn’t provide funding to individuals. ILC provides grants to organisations to deliver projects in the community that benefit all people with disability, their carers and families.
On 5 April 2019, the Prime Minister, the Hon. Scott Morrison MP, and the then Minister for Families and Social Services, the Hon. Paul Fletcher MP, announced the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. The Commissioners have been directed to inquire into violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability. The inquiry will cover all forms of violence against, and abuse, neglect and exploitation of, people with disability, in all settings and contexts.
The National Disability Strategy (the Strategy), developed by Commonwealth, State and Territory governments in partnership with the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), sets out a ten-year national plan for improving life for Australians with disability, their families and Carers.
The Strategy draws on the findings of extensive consultation conducted in 2008-09 by the National People with Disabilities and Carer Council and reported in Shut Out: The Experience of People with Disabilities and their Families in Australia (2009).
The Strategy will finish at the end of 2020 and governments across Australia are working together to develop a new strategy for beyond 2020. The first stage of consultation took place in April and June 2019. More consultation will take place in early 2020 and we encourage everyone to have their say on the priorities and actions for the next strategy.
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. The review also showed there are still areas for improvement, particularly on how the strategy is implemented.
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.
The Act is about creating a society that values equality for, and inclusion of, people with disability in the community. It sets out a clear statement of objects and principles consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The Act:
You can find out more about the Act in this discussion paper.
This discussion paper is the first part of the review process. It provides information about what each part of the Act does.
We have included questions so you can tell us what you think about how the Act is working.
As identified in the section above, there is currently a lot of inclusion activity in the disability sector. This discussion paper is specifically asking about the Disability Inclusion Act 2014 (NSW).
Thanks for having your say. This review closed on 30 March 2020. A report has been prepared and is tabled in the NSW Parliament.
For more information about the review, please email NSWDIP@facs.nsw.gov.au or phone 02 9716 3429.
22 Feb 2024