The Community Services Directorate has released a new report on facilities available for people with disability in the ACT, setting the scene for a Disability Justice Strategy promised by the Government at the last election.
Minister for Disability, Rachel Stephen-Smith said the Directorate’s report, Towards Disability Justice for the ACT, was a major step towards delivering equal access to justice for people with disability.
Ms Stephen-Smith said the Disability Justice Strategy would seek to ensure that people with disability were treated equally before the law, had equal access to justice and had their rights upheld.
“To deliver effective change, the strategy must be informed by the experiences and opinions of people with disability and those in the justice system,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
“The report brings together extensive research, feedback and community input on disability justice in the ACT.”
She said the report summarises the core issues faced by people with disability when interacting with the justice system and examines a number of options to address those disadvantages.
The report has been developed by staff from the Office for Disability and the Justice and Community Safety Directorate.
Ms Stephen-Smith stakeholders with disability, families, legal professionals and Government and community sectors were engaged throughout the research phase.
“Findings provide an evidence base for the development of the Disability Justice Strategy (which) ensures the Strategy is informed by data, experience, stakeholder input, and proven strategies and actions,” the Minister said.
The Directorate’s 80-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
