News
Federal government calls for community consultation on new disability safeguards strategy.
For many people with disability safety and wellbeing is a primary concern, which is why the Australian government is calling for consultation with the disability community to develop a newer, stronger Disability Support Quality and Safeguarding strategy.
Those with disability often have to rely on the physical, intellectual and emotional support of family, friends and carers—but being on the receiving end of such support can also leave people with disability open to harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation, according to findings from the Disability Royal Commission.
The department behind the new proposed framework, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, claim the updated strategy could encompass five components of effective safeguarding techniques such as building capability, co-design, person-centred support, service accountability, and system coordination.
Australian Healthcare Associates, Australia’s largest health and human services consulting firm, has been chosen to facilitate the consultation, having had vast experience handling past disability related government projects.
Our approach will ensure that the views of the disability community and sector are considered at all stages of developing the Framework and the Strategy.
Australian Healthcare Associates
The AHA’s webpage for the Disability Safeguards consultation claims it will be working with disability advocacy groups in a collaborative capacity.
“Our partnership with the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations will ensure that we engage inclusively with people with disability throughout this project,” the statement reads.
To ensure the voices of the disability community are genuinely involved in shaping the final framework and strategy, those seeking to participate have been asked to submit their testimonies via a number surveys, interviews, and written responses, as outlined on the Department of Health website.
Responses provided during the consultation period will inform decision makers about what safeguards people with disability engage with, the issues faced when engaging with them, and how communities assist people with disability to engage with safeguards, according to the Department of Health.
Consultations for the new Disability Support Quality and Safeguarding Framework will remain open until the 22nd of December, according to the website.
If you wish to know more about this story click here.