The Office for Disability has released a new Strategy to guide the Government’s support for people living with a disability, their families, their carers and the disability sector as a whole.
Minister for Disability, Suzanne Orr launched the ACT COVID-19 Disability Strategy which outlines principles, goals and objectives to support people with disability through the pandemic and the post-emergency transition which should be back to “business as usual”.
“People with Disability and people within the disability service sector have been concerned that their wellbeing will be disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and its impacts,” Ms Orr said.
“As we continue to respond to the threat of COVID-19 I want people living with disability and their supporters to know their concerns are heard,” she said.
“That is what this Strategy is about and the ACT Government will continue to review the strategy as the pandemic and its implications unfold.”
Ms Orr said the Strategy included a targeted communication and engagement plan; support for access to personal protective equipment, food relief, medications and consumables; actions to ensure adequate personal supports for workforce challenges; access to emergency support; supports to reduce social isolation; actions to reduce the impact of financial disadvantage; and a focus on safety.
She said the Strategy would ensure people with disability and the disability sector were provided with timely, sensitive, informed and appropriate support during a time of uncertainty.
“Many people have worked very hard in a very short amount of time to prepare and launch the ACT COVID-19 Disability Strategy,” she said.
Ms Orr said the Government would continue to seek advice from people with disability and their advocates as the COVID-19 pandemic continued.
The new Disability Strategy can be accessed at this PS News link.
