Updates to Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031 will see a greater focus on addressing homelessness and housing issues amongst people with disability.
The updated strategy was released late on Tuesday, and forms part of the State, Territory and Federal governments’ response to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.
The review of the strategy was informed by people with disability, representative organisations and the Strategy’s Advisory Council, who shared their perspectives on how governments can continue to improve the everyday lives of people with disability through the Strategy’s implementation.
It’s accompanied by several supporting documents, including:
- Three new Targeted Action Plans
- The Third Targeted Action Plans Report
- A revised Data Improvement Plan
- Guide to Applying Australia’s Disability Strategy.
What’s in the Disability Strategy?
According to Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth, the updated strategy includes a new policy priority that focuses on addressing homelessness among the disability community.
Targeted Action Plans published alongside the strategy focus on building more inclusive homes.
Other actions include ways to change community attitudes and improve the safety and rights of people with disability.
“These Targeted Action Plans set out the specific steps governments will take to drive change. For the first time, they also include a number of national actions that all governments will work on together, with the disability community, to ensure people with disability right across Australia experience the benefits,” Rishworth said.
A strategy for housing
The Targeted Action Plan for Inclusive Homes and Communities has the following objectives:
- People with disability are able to fully participate in social, recreational, sporting, religious and cultural life.
- The built and natural environment is accessible.
- Housing is accessible and people with disability have choice and control about where they live, who they live with, and who comes into their home.
- Transport systems are accessible for the whole community.
According to the plan, it will take intersectional and diverse needs into account.
Actions to be taken include ensuring all Local governments commit to incorporating universal design in the design of their new and upgraded public spaces; increasing the availability and supply of accessible and adaptive housing; committing to improving public transport accessibility; and engaging with the Real Estate Institute of Australia and national real estate platforms to find ways to better filter property listings based on accessibility features and standards.
Find out more about the strategy and its associated plans on the online hub.