The Department of Communities has developed a State Disability Strategy, its 10-year plan to change the lives of more than 400,000 people with disability in Western Australia.
Launching A Western Australia for Everyone – State Disability Strategy 2020-2030, Minister for Disability Services, Stephen Dawson said it set the vision and direction of a more inclusive Western Australia that acknowledged and responded to the value of diversity in the community.
“It is the State’s commitment to all people with disability and aims to promote opportunities for the whole community to work together to achieve transformative change,” Mr Dawson said.
He said he was launching the Strategy alongside WA Police and Autism WA, “organisations which have partnered to deliver one of the initiatives outlined in the first action plan that accompanies the Strategy”.
“The Autism Awareness Card will alert emergency services, including police, that the person carrying the card may have communication difficulties or exhibit unusual behaviour,” Mr Dawson said.
“The Strategy outlines a new whole-of-community commitment to changing the lives of people with disability and is grounded in four foundational pillars: Participation and contribution; inclusive communities; living well; and rights and equality.”
Development of the Strategy was led by the Disability Services Commission Board and the Ministerial Advisory Council on Disability, alongside a co-design group comprised of people with disability.
Mr Dawson said the process involved significant consultation with people with disability, their families and carers, Aboriginal people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people in regional Western Australia.
“It is supported by the first of a series of action plans which outline specific actions and commitments from the whole community, including the State Government, industry and the disability sector, aimed at creating a more inclusive Western Australia for people with disability,” the Minister said.
