Cristina Ricci Acting Director, Disability Rights Team

1. Cristina Ricci Acting Director, Disability Rights Team 11.01.2012 Human rights for people with disability as a programme for action - not a series of snappy slogans

2. Human rights for people with disability as a programme for action Clear actions targets Indicators framework of accountability.

3. Employment in the Australian Public Service In 1986 6.6% of the Australian Public Service were employees with disability. This figure has steadily declined every year since then and has now reached an all time low of 3.0%.

4. Some statistics … About one in five Australians has a disability (18.5%) Currently almost one in two people with a disability in Australia live in or near poverty (45%) Australia is ranked 27th out of 27 OECD countries when it comes to relative poverty risk for people with a disability The Productivity Commission recently reported that the current disability support system is “underfunded, unfair, fragmented and inefficient...”

5. In a recent comparison of changes from 2003 to 2009, the Australian Bureau of Statistics stated: While there have been significant improvements to support those with a disability in many parts of their lives, little improvement has been made in key areas of everyday life over the last six years: labour force participation remained low at around 54%, compared to 83% for people without disabilities; and Year 12 attainment was around 25% for people with disabilities, compared to just over 50% for people without disabilities.

6. Advantages for some Commonwealth Countries Complex segregated education or employment systems do not exist and therefore do not have to be dismantled or dually funded. 2. Genuine development and nation building strategies present real opportunities to embed change for people with disability at the outset. Includes potentially: Better opportunities for consultation. Opportunities exist to focus on gender, children and other marginal groups – for example Indigenous peoples and other emerging communities

7. Advantages for some Commonwealth Countries 3. Smaller population sizes and absence of existing policies means emphasis on inclusion and desire for progress and consultation with people with disability can result in rapid policy development and framework for action.

8. Employment - Australia Australia ranks 21st out of 29 OECD countries in the provision of employment opportunities for those with a disability. Disability Discrimination Act – positive requirement to provide reasonable accommodation; recognised as not effective in reducing discrimination in employment. Employment rates for people with disability do not seem to be improving. Decline in the rate of employment of people with disability in the public service. No systemic national approach to setting targets or quotas

9. Employment - Australia Problems with career progression Sheltered workshops (Australian Disability Enterprises). Not seen as transition ot open employment. There are 325 Australian Disability Enterprise outlets across Australia employing approximately 20,000 people with disability. Uncapped access to government-funded employment support services to help people find a job, there are problems with restricted access to government funded support services on an as needed basis while especially while in a job and for career progression.

10. Employment - Australia JobAccess - a one-stop shop information service for people with disability, employers and service providers in relation to employment. Employment Assistance Fund Employer attitudes significant barrier. National Disability Strategy – Policy framework released February 2011. Addresses employment. Area 3: ECONOMIC SECURITY. Identifies areas for action but Implementation Plan yet to be released

11. Inclusive Education - Australia Disability Standards for Education 2005 (currently being reviewed) and Disability Discrimination Act – positive requirement to provide reasonable accommodation Disability Discrimination Act – 823 complaints received 2010-11: 9% about education; Complex entrenched segregated schooling system (special schools) Witnessing a new form of segregation – separate classrooms at the regular school for students with disability.

12. Inclusive Education - Australia Lack of national voice for children and young people with disability The Australian Government has recently established a Schools Disability Advisory Committee, which includes two young people with disability, to provide expert advice to the Australian Government on how to better support students with disability. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority has been developing a new national curriculum for all students.

13. Inclusive Education - Australia National Disability Strategy – Policy framework released February 2011. Addresses inclusive education. Area 5: LEARNNG AND SKILLS. Identifies areas for future action but Implementation Plan yet to be released.

14. Other important initiatives: Disability Standards on Access to Premises - From 1 May 2011, any new building open to the public, or existing buildings undergoing significant renovation, will be required to comply with the standards. Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport (2002; 30 year period) NDIS - The Australian Government has commenced work with State and Territory Governments to build the foundations for a National Disability Insurance Scheme

15. Summary 1. Need a programme for action that is, with clear actions, targets and measures to see if the target has been achieved, and framework of accountability 2. Consultation with DPOs is essential and central, not disability service providers - and advisory boards / councils have a role but are not a substitute for consultation with DPO’s 3. Capacity building of DPOs necessary to ensure consultation is effective 4. Capacity building of governments also necessary re CRPD

16. Summary 5. Need a focus on women with disability 6. Need a focus on children and youth with disability, including representation and involvement in consultation processes 7. Need to ensure representation of all types of disability, including people with intellectual disability and people with psychosocial disability 8. Need to focus on other marginalised groups including Indigenous communities and emerging communities

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