In 2021, the Australian Government released Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031 (ADS), which represents the country’s national disability policy framework. The Australian Government opened its consultation process for this strategy on Thursday 8 August, and accepted submissions until Friday 6 September 2024.
Western Sydney Community Forum (WSCF) welcomed the opportunity to contribute to this review, and put forward five recommendations for consideration:
- Support a coordinated approach by focusing on Targeted Action Plans (TAPs) to drive systemic change
- Embed mechanisms to ensure more accountability, representation, and transparency in ADS reporting
- Implement stronger community campaigns to improve public knowledge, awareness and engagement with ADS and how outcomes are being tracked
- Address the impact of digital exclusion on people with disability, including older Australians
- Develop a housing TAP under ADS to prioritise secure, accessible, and affordable housing for people with disability
