The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) is calling on Victorians to help shape a safer, fairer, more inclusive State for the more than one million people in the community who live with disabilities.
The Department said the Disability Act 2006 was an important source of rights and protections for Victorians with disability, however, with the move to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Government’s role in disability had changed.
“We need to make sure the Disability Act is contemporary and fit for purpose for the more than 1.1 million Victorians with disability,” the DFFH said.
“As part of the Review, we want to hear people’s ideas about how the Disability Act can promote inclusion and tackle inequality,” it said.
The DFFH said its Review of the Act would examine provisions for promoting inclusion; forensic disability services; community visitors; frameworks for compulsory treatment and restrictive practices; and residential rights and services.
Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Luke Donnellan said the DFFH’s consultation paper Review of the Disability Act 2006 followed public consultations held earlier this year and work by the Disability Act Review Advisory Group.
“In the first stage of the Review, technical changes were made to the Act to facilitate the transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme,” Mr Donnellan said.
“The second stage of the Review will consider further changes needed in response to the NDIS and in promoting inclusion and equality,” he said.
“Feedback from the community will help ensure the Disability Act appropriately reflects Victoria’s role post-NDIS transition and continues to promote and protect the rights of people with disability, supports their needs and aspirations, and advances their inclusion and participation on an equal basis with others.”
Mr Donnellan said consultation on the Review was open until 20 October.
The DFFH’s 62-page Consultation Paper can be accessed at this PS News link and accessible versions of the Paper at this link.
