Reforms to improve the lives of disabled people experiencing homelessness need political leadership and action, advocates say, with the vulnerable group targeted in a new plan. Source: Canberra Times.
The Disability Strategy, which acts as a framework for policy commitments from state and federal governments, will include an additional homelessness priority area, commitment to a new community engagement plan and three fresh action plans.
It was unveiled by National Disability Insurance Scheme Minister Amanda Rishworth in Melbourne yesterday.
Australian Federation of Disability Organisations chief executive Ross Joyce said translating the plan into action was key for any real changes to people’s lives.
Mr Joyce said a large proportion of Australian homes were inaccessible for disabled people, leading them to become homeless.
Homelessness Australia chief executive Kate Colvin said the updated plan recognised the “enormous barriers” faced by people with disabilities.
“People with poor mental health and psychosocial disabilities often need support to sustain their housing, and a home they can afford, but neither support, nor low-cost housing, is available,” she said.
Ms Rishworth said it was a commitment of the Albanese Government to create more accessible housing.
The review was led by an advisory council, chaired by Jane Spring, who says the peak bodies and disabled community are looking for better co-ordination of services.
Ms Spring said three new targeted action plans would include better housing services, a plan for safety, rights and justice for Australians with disabilities and a commitment to better data collection.
The strategy review was one of 222 recommendations from the landmark disability royal commission.
Ten months after the report was released, the Government committed to fully implementing just 13 of the recommendations.
Peak bodies and community leaders were disappointed in the Government’s response to the commission, arguing it needed stronger action.
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Disability reforms ‘need leadership, action’ (By Neve Brissenden and Tess Ikonomou, AAP via Canberra Times)
